Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Quake

Stephen R. Quake 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: 7601270
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen R. Quake
  • Publication number: 20090253141
    Abstract: Methods for high speed, high throughput analysis of polynucleotide sequences, and apparatuses with which to carry out the methods are provided in the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: HELICOS BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stephen R. Quake
  • Publication number: 20090165320
    Abstract: A functionalized photocurable perfluoropolyether is used as a material for fabricating a solvent-resistant microfluidic device. Such solvent-resistant microfluidic devices can be used to control the flow of small amounts of a fluid, such as an organic solvent, and to perform microscale chemical reactions that are not amenable to other polymer-based microfluidic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph M. DeSimone, Jason P. Rolland, Stephen R. Quake, Derek A. Schorzman, Jason Yarbrough, Michael Van Dam
  • Publication number: 20090168066
    Abstract: The use of microfluidic structures enables high throughput screening of protein crystallization. In one embodiment, an integrated combinatoric mixing chip allows for precise metering of reagents to rapidly create a large number of potential crystallization conditions, with possible crystal formations observed on chip. In an alternative embodiment, the microfluidic structures may be utilized to explore phase space conditions of a particular protein crystallizing agent combination, thereby identifying promising conditions and allowing for subsequent focused attempts to obtain crystal growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Carl L. Hansen, Morten Sommer, Stephen R. Quake
  • Publication number: 20090151422
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen R. Quake, Markus M. Enzelberger, Mark L. Adams, Carl L. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7524459
    Abstract: Techniques for integrating optoelectronic system and microfluidic system. An apparatus for optical analysis includes a detector system and a microfluidic system on the detector system. The apparatus is free from any lens system between the microfluidic system and the detector system. Methods of making such an apparatus and using such an apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology in Pasadena
    Inventors: Mark L. Adams, Stephen R. Quake, Axel Scherer
  • Publication number: 20090087356
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprises a matrix of rotary flow reactors. The microfluidic matrix device offers a solution to the “world-to-chip” interface problem by accomplishing two important goals simultaneously: an economy of scale in reagent consumption is achieved, while simultaneously minimizing pipetting steps. N2 independent assays can be performed with only 2N+1 pipetting steps, using a single aliquot of enzyme amortized over all reactors. The chip reduces labor relative to conventional fluid handling techniques by using an order of magnitude less pipetting steps, and reduces cost by consuming two to three orders of magnitude less reagents per reaction. A PCR format has immediate applications in medical diagnosis and gene testing. Beyond PCR, the microfluidic matrix chip provides a universal and flexible platform for biological and chemical assays requiring parsimonious use of precious reagents and highly automated processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jian Liu, Carl L. Hansen, Stephen R. Quake
  • Publication number: 20090053690
    Abstract: Surface chemistries for the visualization of labeled single molecules (analytes) with improved signal-to-noise properties are provided. To be observed, analyte molecules are bound to surface attachment features that are spaced apart on the surface such that when the analytes are labeled adjacent analytes are optically resolvable from each other. One way to express this concept is that binding elements should be spaced apart such that the Guassian point spread functions of adjacent labels do not overlap. Another way of expressing this concept is that the surface binding elements should be spaced apart by a distance equal to at least the diffraction limit for an optical label attached to the bound analytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicants: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, STANFORD UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
    Inventors: Jerrod Schwartz, Stephen R. Quake, Milan Mrksich
  • Patent number: 7494555
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen R. Quake
  • Publication number: 20090035838
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for analyzing and/or sorting biological materials (e.g., molecules such as polynucleotides and polypeptides, including proteins and enzymes; viruses and cells) and methods for its use are provided. The device and methods of the invention are useful for sorting particles, e.g. virions. The invention is also useful for high throughput screening, e.g. combinatorial screening. The microfluidic device comprises a main channel and an inlet region in communication with the main channel at a droplet extrusion region. Droplets of solution containing the biological material are deposited into the main channel through the droplet extrusion region. A fluid different from and incompatible with the solution containing the biological material flows through the main channel so that the droplets containing the biological material do not diffuse or mix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Todd Thorsen
  • Patent number: 7479186
    Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Carl L. Hansen, James M. Berger
  • Publication number: 20090018195
    Abstract: A chemostat is described that includes a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves. The chemostat may also include a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber, and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber. Also, a method of preventing biofilm formation in a growth chamber of a chemostat is described. The method may include the steps of adding a lysis agent to a isolated portion of the growth chamber, and reuniting the isolated portion with the rest of the growth chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Frederick Balagadde, Carl L. Hansen, Emil Kartalov, Stephen R. Quake
  • Patent number: 7462449
    Abstract: Methods for high speed, high throughput analysis of polynucleotide sequences, and apparatuses with which to carry out the methods are provided in the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Stephen R. Quake
  • Patent number: 7459022
    Abstract: The use of microfluidic structures enables high throughput screening of protein crystallization. In one embodiment, an integrated combinatoric mixing chip allows for precise metering of reagents to rapidly create a large number of potential crystallization conditions, with possible crystal formations observed on chip. In an alternative embodiment, the microfluidic structures may be utilized to explore phase space conditions of a particular protein crystallizing agent combination, thereby identifying promising conditions and allowing for subsequent focused attempts to obtain crystal growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Carl L. Hansen, Morten Sommer, Stephen R. Quake
  • Publication number: 20080289710
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen R. Quake, Markus M. Enzeiberger, Mark L. Adams, Carl L. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20080281090
    Abstract: New microfluidic devices, useful for carrying out chemical reactions, are provided. The devices are adapted for on-chip solvent exchange, chemical processes requiring multiple chemical reactions, and rapid concentration of reagents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicants: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, FLUIDIGM CORPORATION, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SIEMENS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheng-Chung Lee, Guodong Sui, Arkadij Elizarov, Hartmuth C. Kolb, Jiang Huang, James R. Heath, Michael E. Phelps, Stephen R. Quake, Hsian-rong Tseng, Paul Wyatt, Antoine Daridon
  • Publication number: 20080277007
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen R. Quake, Markus M. Enzelberger, Mark L. Adams, Carl L. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20080277005
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen R. Quake, Markus M. Enzelberger, Mark L. Adams, Carl L. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20080274493
    Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer
  • Publication number: 20080264863
    Abstract: Sieve valves for use in micorfluidic device are provided. The valves are useful for impeding the flow of particles, such as chromatography beads or cells, in a microfluidic channel while allowing liquid solution to pass through the valve. The valves find particular use in making microfluidic chromatography modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Joshua S. Marcus, Carl L. Hansen