Patents by Inventor Shane C. Dultz

Shane C. Dultz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8355133
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for testing for the presence of analytes in a sample. The apparatus comprises a source of light directed at the bottom surface of a substrate to achieve total internal reflection and to generate an evanescent field. An array of capture elements is immobilized on the top surface of the substrate. The bottom surface of the substrate is configured as a sawtooth (in cross section), the “teeth” aligned with the rows or the columns in the array. The outer faces of the sawtooth “prisms” are non-parallel to the substrate top surface, and specific requirements are imposed on the prism light-entrance face, and the substrate thickness and refractive index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Maven Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane C. Dultz, David Ralin
  • Patent number: 8039270
    Abstract: Ellipsometry systems for imaging binding events between analytes in a sample and an array of ligands in an evanescent field generated by a beam of light reflected from the plane of the ligands is adapted to a multiwell plate structure in common use. In one example, a film of prism arrays is affixed to the underside of the plate with each prism array located in registry with a well and ligand arrays being immobilized on the (planar) bottom surface of the wells. The prism array may be formed in a film and juxtaposed with the bottom surface of the plate or a prism array can be made integral with the plate bottom of a multiwell plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Maven Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane C Dultz, David Ralin
  • Patent number: 7981664
    Abstract: Each well of a multiwell plate adapted to accept a plurality of biological samples for testing for the presence of analytes in the sample is further adapted herein for immobilizing on the side walls of a well a 3D arrangement of ligand arrays. A well is formed with planar side walls and a stack of sample separators is placed within a well in positions so as to not come in contact with ligand spots in the array(s). The spacing between each pair of adjacent separators in a stack forms a sample chamber in a position corresponding to an array of the 3D arrangement of ligand arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Maven Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shane C Dultz
  • Publication number: 20110157693
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for testing for the presence of analytes in a sample. The apparatus comprises a source of light directed at the bottom surface of a substrate to achieve total internal reflection and to generate an evanescent field. An array of capture elements is immobilized on the top surface of the substrate. The bottom surface of the substrate is configured as a sawtooth (in cross section), the “teeth” aligned with the rows or the columns in the array. The outer faces of the sawtooth “prisms” are non-parallel to the substrate top surface, and specific requirements are imposed on the prism light-entrance face, and the substrate thickness and refractive index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Maven Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane C. Dultz, David Ralin
  • Patent number: 7867783
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for real time, label-free imaging and quantitation of binding events at an array of positions are provided. Total internal reflection from a planar side wall of a well of a multiwell plate is used to create an evanescent field in the plane of a pattern of ligands immobilized on the wall. Embodiments include imaging and multiple analyte detection and quantitation of a single wall of a single well as well as the simultaneous imaging and multiple analyte detection and quantitation of a number of wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Maven Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane C. Dultz, Jeffrey C. Travis, David Ralin
  • Patent number: 7863037
    Abstract: Multiwell plates commonly used for immunoassay are increased in capacity and adapted for ease and speed of testing by forming a plurality of solid posts in each well of a plate. The posts and plate material and the dimensions of the posts are chosen to allow the immobilization of ligand patterns on an exterior wall of a post in a well and to permit a collimated beam of light directed to the post in a direction to achieve total internal reflection from a wall to generate an evanescent field in the plane of the ligands immobilized on the exterior wall of the post. The reflected light carries an image of localized intensity variations due to binding events between the ligand patterns and analytes in a sample introduced into a well. A cover plate seals the wells and provides for through holes for introducing sample material to the wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Maven Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shane C. Dultz
  • Patent number: 7799558
    Abstract: Multiwell plates commonly used for immunoassay are increased in capacity and adapted for ease and speed of testing by forming a plurality of solid posts in each well of a plate. The posts and plate material and the dimensions of the posts are chosen to allow the immobilization of ligand patterns on an exterior wall of a post in a well and to permit a collimated beam of light directed to the post in a direction to achieve total internal reflection from a wall to generate an evanescent field in the plane of the ligands immobilized on the exterior wall of the post. The reflected light carries an image of localized intensity variations due to binding events between the ligand patterns and analytes in a sample introduced into a well. A cover plate seals the wells and provides for through holes for introducing sample material to the wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Shane C. Dultz
  • Publication number: 20090290157
    Abstract: Ellipsometry systems for imaging binding events between analytes in a sample and an array of ligands in an evanescent field generated by a beam of light reflected from the plane of the ligands is adapted to a multiwell plate structure in common use. In one example, a film of prism arrays is affixed to the underside of the plate with each prism array located in registry with a well and ligand arrays being immobilized on the (planar) bottom surface of the wells. The prism array may be formed in a film and juxtaposed with the bottom surface of the plate or a prism array can be made integral with the plate bottom of a multiwell plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Maven Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane C. Dultz, David Ralin
  • Publication number: 20090041633
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for real time, label-free imaging and quantitation of binding events at an array of positions are provided. Total internal reflection from a planar side wall of a well of a multiwell plate is used to create an evanescent field in the plane of a pattern of ligands immobilized on the wall. Embodiments include imaging and multiple analyte detection and quantitation of a single wall of a single well as well as the simultaneous imaging and multiple analyte detection and quantitation of a number of wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Shane C. Dultz, Jeffrey Travis, David Ralin
  • Publication number: 20080216334
    Abstract: Apparatus for determining the status of hair bulk in an area of a scalp is operative to provide a metric over a sufficiently large area to permit revisiting with only negligible misalignment error. Accurate re-measurement of hair status in accurately identified areas produces a reliable metric for determining degree of hair loss and or the effectiveness of treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Jae P. Pak, William R. Rassman, Shane C. Dultz, David Ralin
  • Publication number: 20080207463
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for real time, label-free imaging and quantitation of binding events at an array of positions are provided. Total internal reflection from a planar side wall of a well of a multiwell plate is used to create an evanescent field in the plane of a pattern of ligands immobilized on the wall. Embodiments include imaging and multiple analyte detection and quantitation of a single wall of a single well as well as the simultaneous imaging and multiple analyte detection and quantitation of a number of wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Shane C. Dultz, Jeffrey C. Travis, David Ralin