Patents by Inventor Stephen P. A. Fodor

Stephen P. A. Fodor 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: 12270815
    Abstract: This disclosure provides for devices, methods, and systems for generating a plurality of droplets within a collecting container at an extremely high rate (e.g., of at least 1 million droplets per minute, etc.), each of the plurality of droplets comprising an aqueous mixture for a digital analysis, wherein upon generation, the plurality of droplets is stabilized in position within a region of the collecting container. The inventions enable partitioning of samples for digital analyses at unprecedented rates, where readout of signals from targets within such partitions can still be achieved in accordance with various assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Countable Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Hei Mun Christina Fan, Janice Hoiyi Lai, Sixing Li, Stephen P. A. Fodor, Eleen Yee Lam Shum
  • Patent number: 12265088
    Abstract: This disclosure provides for devices, methods, and systems for generating a plurality of droplets within a collecting container at an extremely high rate (e.g., of at least 1 million droplets per minute, etc.), each of the plurality of droplets comprising an aqueous mixture for a digital analysis, wherein upon generation, the plurality of droplets is stabilized in position within a region of the collecting container. The inventions enable partitioning of samples for digital analyses at unprecedented rates, where readout of signals from targets within such partitions can still be achieved in accordance with various assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Countable Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Hei Mun Christina Fan, Janice Hoiyi Lai, Sixing Li, Stephen P. A. Fodor, Eleen Yee Lam Shum
  • Patent number: 12252745
    Abstract: This disclosure provides for devices, methods, and systems for performing a non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) digital assay upon generating at least a large number of counts per chromosome for a set of chromosomes present in a sample, where performing the NIPT digital assay can include: distributing nucleic acids of the sample and materials for an amplification reaction across a plurality of partitions; amplifying the nucleic acids with the materials, within the plurality of partitions; and generating counts per chromosome upon detecting signals from the plurality of partitions. The inventions enable processing of samples for NIPT digital analyses and/or other digital analyses involving other loci of interest, with unprecedented partitioning, reaction, readout, and analytical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: ENUMERIX, INC.
    Inventors: Eleen Yee Lam Shum, Hei Mun Christina Fan, Stephen P. A. Fodor, Haeun Grace Lee
  • Patent number: 12060607
    Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are disclosed for high-sensitivity single molecule digital counting by the stochastic labeling of a collection of identical molecules by attachment of a diverse set of labels. Each copy of a molecule randomly chooses from a non-depleting reservoir of diverse labels. Detection may be by a variety of methods including hybridization based or sequencing. Molecules that would otherwise be identical in information content can be labeled to create a separately detectable product that is unique or approximately unique in a collection. This stochastic transformation relaxes the problem of counting molecules from one of locating and identifying identical molecules to a series of binary digital questions detecting whether preprogrammed labels are present. The methods may be used, for example, to estimate the number of separate molecules of a given type or types within a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Stephen P. A. Fodor, Glenn K. Fu
  • Patent number: 12049668
    Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions, methods, and systems for implementation of highly multiplexed molecular diagnostic assays involving color combinatorics, stimulus-responsive probes, tandem probes, conjugated polymer probes, and other mechanisms for increasing the number of targets that can be simultaneously detected in a digital assay. Multiplexed detection of targets is achieved in a rapid manner, with respect to sample partitioning and target detection using multiple color channels for detection. Implementation of methods described also achieve detection with significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: ENUMERIX, INC.
    Inventors: Eleen Yee Lam Shum, Hei Mun Christina Fan, Stephen P. A. Fodor, Janice Hoiyi Lai, Jung Won Keum, Haeun Grace Lee
  • Patent number: 12000842
    Abstract: This disclosure provides for devices, methods, and systems for generating a plurality of droplets within a collecting container at an extremely high rate (e.g., of at least 1 million droplets per minute, etc.), each of the plurality of droplets comprising an aqueous mixture for a digital analysis, wherein upon generation, the plurality of droplets is stabilized in position within a region of the collecting container. The inventions enable partitioning of samples for digital analyses at unprecedented rates, where readout of signals from targets within such partitions can still be achieved in accordance with various assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: ENUMERIX, INC.
    Inventors: Hei Mun Christina Fan, Janice Hoiyi Lai, Sixing Li, Stephen P. A. Fodor, Eleen Yee Lam Shum
  • Patent number: 11993814
    Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are disclosed for high-sensitivity single molecule digital counting by the stochastic labeling of a collection of identical molecules by attachment of a diverse set of labels. Each copy of a molecule randomly chooses from a non-depleting reservoir of diverse labels. Detection may be by a variety of methods including hybridization based or sequencing. Molecules that would otherwise be identical in information content can be labeled to create a separately detectable product that is unique or approximately unique in a collection. This stochastic transformation relaxes the problem of counting molecules from one of locating and identifying identical molecules to a series of binary digital questions detecting whether preprogrammed labels are present. The methods may be used, for example, to estimate the number of separate molecules of a given type or types within a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Stephen P. A. Fodor, Glenn K. Fu
  • Patent number: 11970737
    Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits are disclosed for high-sensitivity single molecule digital counting by the stochastic labeling of a collection of identical molecules by attachment of a diverse set of labels. Each copy of a molecule randomly chooses from a non-depleting reservoir of diverse labels. Detection may be by a variety of methods including hybridization based or sequencing. Molecules that would otherwise be identical in information content can be labeled to create a separately detectable product that is unique or approximately unique in a collection. This stochastic transformation relaxes the problem of counting molecules from one of locating and identifying identical molecules to a series of binary digital questions detecting whether preprogrammed labels are present. The methods may be used, for example, to estimate the number of separate molecules of a given type or types within a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Stephen P. A. Fodor, Glenn K. Fu
  • Patent number: 11834714
    Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions, methods, and systems for implementation of highly multiplexed molecular diagnostic assays involving color combinatorics, stimulus-responsive probes, tandem probes, conjugated polymer probes, and other mechanisms for increasing the number of targets that can be simultaneously detected in a digital assay. Multiplexed detection of targets is achieved in a rapid manner, with respect to sample partitioning and target detection using multiple color channels for detection. Implementation of methods described also achieve detection with significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: ENUMERIX, INC.
    Inventors: Eleen Yee Lam Shum, Hei Mun Christina Fan, Stephen P. A. Fodor, Janice Hoiyi Lai, Jung Won Keum, Haeun Grace Lee
  • Patent number: 11814619
    Abstract: This disclosure provides for devices, methods, and systems for generating a plurality of droplets within a collecting container at an extremely high rate (e.g., of at least 1 million droplets per minute, etc.), the plurality of droplets generated from an aqueous mixture comprising a set of single cells and a set of functionalized particles configured for a single cell assay. Upon generation, the plurality of droplets can be stabilized in position within a region of the collecting container, thereby providing a single-tube workflow for single cell analyses. Further, compositions implemented are structured to allow for overloading of partitions with functionalized particles, such that partitioned single-cells are co-localized with a subset of functionalized particles in a manner that allows for discernable tagging and downstream analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ENUMERIX, INC.
    Inventors: Eleen Yee Lam Shum, Janice Hoiyi Lai, Hei Mun Christina Fan, Stephen P. A. Fodor
  • Publication number: 20230348898
    Abstract: This disclosure provides for devices, methods, and systems for generating a plurality of droplets within a collecting container at an extremely high rate (e.g., of at least 1 million droplets per minute, etc.), the plurality of droplets generated from an aqueous mixture comprising a set of single cells and a set of functionalized particles configured for a single cell assay. Upon generation, the plurality of droplets can be stabilized in position within a region of the collecting container, thereby providing a single-tube workflow for single cell analyses. Further, compositions implemented are structured to allow for overloading of partitions with functionalized particles, such that partitioned single-cells are co-localized with a subset of functionalized particles in a manner that allows for discernable tagging and downstream analyses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Eleen Yee Lam Shum, Janice Hoiyi Lai, Hei Mun Christina Fan, Stephen P. A. Fodor
  • Publication number: 20230287482
    Abstract: The inventions cover systems and methods for generation of emulsions having suitable clarity without requiring refractive index matching between emulsion components. Systems can include: a substrate including a set of openings; a reservoir facing the substrate at a first side and containing a sample fluid configured for droplet formation upon interacting with the set of openings of the substrate; and a collecting container facing the substrate at a second side and containing a set of fluid layers configured with a density gradient and suitable immiscibility characteristics. One or more components of the system(s) can support methods for emulsion generation, in relation to enabling interactions between multiple continuous phases and a dispersed droplet phase to generate clear emulsions. Applications of the inventions(s) can include performance of droplet-based digital PCR in an improved manner (e.g., without requiring implementation of correction factors based upon Poisson statistics).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Hei Mun Christina FAN, Eleen Yee Lam SHUM, Janice Hoiyi LAI, Stephen P. A. FODOR
  • Patent number: 11702706
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for methods, compositions, and kits for multiplex nucleic acid analysis of single cells. The methods, compositions and systems may be used for massively parallel single cell sequencing. The methods, compositions and systems may be used to analyze thousands of cells concurrently. The thousands of cells may comprise a mixed population of cells (e.g., cells of different types or subtypes, different sizes).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Christina Fan, Stephen P. A. Fodor, Glenn Fu, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Julie Wilhelmy
  • Publication number: 20230212659
    Abstract: The invention(s) cover a composition, where units of the composition are configured to interact with each other (e.g., as neighbors) in order enable decoding of positions of captured target material relative to neighboring units of the composition. In embodiments, the composition includes: a body; and a set of molecules coupled to the body, the set of molecules comprising a first subset and a second subset, wherein the first subset is structured for target analyte capture, and wherein the second subset is structured for interactions with one or more neighboring objects. The invention(s) also cover systems incorporating one or more units of the composition and methods implementing units of the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Hei Mun Christina Fan, Stephen P. A. Fodor
  • Patent number: 11634708
    Abstract: Methods, kits and systems are disclosed for analyzing one or more molecules in a sample. Analyzing the one or more molecules may comprise quantitation of the one or more molecules. Individual molecules may quantitated by PCR, arrays, beads, emulsions, droplets, or sequencing. Quantitation of individual molecules may further comprise stochastic labeling of the one or more molecules with a plurality of oligonucleotide tags to produce one or more stochastically labeled molecules. The methods may further comprise amplifying, sequencing, detecting, and/or quantifying the stochastically labeled molecules. The molecules may be DNA, RNA and/or proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Glenn K. Fu, Stephen P. A. Fodor, Julie Wilhelmy
  • Patent number: 11624088
    Abstract: The invention(s) cover a composition, where units of the composition are configured to interact with each other (e.g., as neighbors) in order enable decoding of positions of captured target material relative to neighboring units of the composition. In embodiments, the composition includes: a body; and a set of molecules coupled to the body, the set of molecules comprising a first subset and a second subset, wherein the first subset is structured for target analyte capture, and wherein the second subset is structured for interactions with one or more neighboring objects. The invention(s) also cover systems incorporating one or more units of the composition and methods implementing units of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: 13.8, Inc.
    Inventors: Hei Mun Christina Fan, Stephen P. A. Fodor
  • Patent number: 11618929
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for methods, compositions, and kits for multiplex nucleic acid analysis of single cells. The methods, compositions and systems may be used for massively parallel single cell sequencing. The methods, compositions and systems may be used to analyze thousands of cells concurrently. The thousands of cells may comprise a mixed population of cells (e.g., cells of different types or subtypes, different sizes).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Christina Fan, Stephen P. A. Fodor, Glenn Fu, Geoffrey Richard Facer, Julie Wilhelmy
  • Publication number: 20230074085
    Abstract: This disclosure provides for devices, methods, and systems for performing a non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) digital assay upon generating at least a large number of counts per chromosome for a set of chromosomes present in a sample, where performing the NIPT digital assay can include: distributing nucleic acids of the sample and materials for an amplification reaction across a plurality of partitions; amplifying the nucleic acids with the materials, within the plurality of partitions; and generating counts per chromosome upon detecting signals from the plurality of partitions. The inventions enable processing of samples for NIPT digital analyses and/or other digital analyses involving other loci of interest, with unprecedented partitioning, reaction, readout, and analytical performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Eleen Yee Lam Shum, Hei Mun Christina Fan, Stephen P. A. Fodor, Haeun Grace LEE
  • Patent number: 11542546
    Abstract: The inventions cover systems and methods for generation of emulsions having suitable clarity without requiring refractive index matching between emulsion components. Systems can include: a substrate including a set of openings; a reservoir facing the substrate at a first side and containing a sample fluid configured for droplet formation upon interacting with the set of openings of the substrate; and a collecting container facing the substrate at a second side and containing a set of fluid layers configured with a density gradient and suitable immiscibility characteristics. One or more components of the system(s) can support methods for emulsion generation, in relation to enabling interactions between multiple continuous phases and a dispersed droplet phase to generate clear emulsions. Applications of the inventions(s) can include performance of droplet-based digital PCR in an improved manner (e.g., without requiring implementation of correction factors based upon Poisson statistics).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Enumerix, Inc.
    Inventors: Hei Mun Christina Fan, Eleen Yee Lam Shum, Janice Hoiyi Lai, Stephen P. A. Fodor
  • Patent number: 11535882
    Abstract: The present disclosure provide compositions, methods and kits for generating a set of combinatorial barcodes, and uses thereof for barcoding samples such as single cells or genomic DNA fragments. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide compositions comprising a set of component barcodes for producing a set of combinatorial barcodes. The set of component barcodes can comprise, for example, n×m unique component barcodes, wherein n and m are integers, each of the component barcodes comprises: one of n unique barcode subunit sequences; and one or two linker sequences or the complements thereof, wherein the component barcodes are configured to connect to each other through the one or two linker sequences or the complements thereof to produce a set of combinatorial barcodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Glenn Fu, Stephen P. A. Fodor