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: 6958865
    Abstract: A microscopic lens, of size approximately 1 micron is used for its optical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, James P. Brody
  • Patent number: 6953927
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an apertureless microscope for observing one or more features to a molecular sensitivity on objects are described. More particularly, the method includes moving a tip of a probe coupled to a cantilever in a vicinity of a feature of a sample, which emits one or more photons at a detected rate relative to a background rate of the sample based upon the presence of the tip of the probe in the vicinity of the feature. The method modifies the detected rate of the feature of the sample, whereupon the modifying of the detected rate causes the feature of the sample to enhance relative to background rate of the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Guillaume Lessard, Lawrence A. Wade, Jordan M. Gerton
  • Patent number: 6947846
    Abstract: Techniques for processing gene expression data and predicting gene relationships are provided. More specifically, a method for processing gene expression ratios may include discretizing a first expression ratio for a first gene and a second expression ratio for a second gene for each of a plurality of experiments into one of three indications, calculating the probability that the combination of the discretized expression ratios for each of the plurality of experiments arises by random chance, and determining whether the first gene and the second gene are related.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, R. Michael van Dam, James P. Brody, Rebecca Shafee
  • Patent number: 6929030
    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: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen R. Quake, Jian Liu, Mark L. Adams, Carl L. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6899137
    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: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: 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: 6841096
    Abstract: Microfabricated lenses, e.g., solid immersion lens (SIL) structures, are provided along with techniques for constructing these lens structures, as well as selected applications of such lens structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Yann Gambin
  • Patent number: 6836384
    Abstract: A microlens structure such as a solid immersion lens structure is a radiation transmissive pliant elastomer cast to a desired shape and smoothness. A method for construction of a solid immersion lens structure includes providing a mold defining a lens shaped cavity in which a solid immersion lens is cast, casting a translucent liquid elastomeric material into the lens cavity, permitting the elastomeric material to set to form the solid immersion lens portion and removing the solid immersion lens portion from the mold. A specific material for use as the solid immersion lens is a translucent silicone elastomer of a refractive index greater than n=1.4, such as General Electric RTV 615.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Olivier Legrand, Stephen R. Quake
  • Patent number: 6833242
    Abstract: This invention relates in general to a method for molecular fingerprinting. The method can be used for forensic identification (e.g. DNA fingerprinting, especially by VNTR), bacterial typing, and human/animal pathogen diagnosis. More particularly, molecules such as polynucleotides (e.g. DNA) can be assessed or sorted by size in a microfabricated device that analyzes the polynucleotides according to restriction fragment length polymorphism. In a microfabricated device according to the invention, DNA fragments or other molecules can be rapidly and accurately typed using relatively small samples, by measuring for example the signal of an optically-detectable (e.g., fluorescent) reporter associated with the polynucleotide fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Hou-Pu Chou
  • Publication number: 20040248167
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microfabricated device for the rapid detection of DNA, proteins or other molecules associated with a particular disease. The devices and methods of the invention can be used for the simultaneous diagnosis of multiple diseases by detecting molecules (e.g. amounts of molecules), such as polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) or proteins (e.g., antibodies), by measuring the signal of a detectable reporter associated with hybridized polynucleotides or antigen/antibody complex. In the microfabricated device according to the invention, detection of the presence of molecules (i.e., polynucleotides, proteins, or antigen/antibody complexes) are correlated to a hybridization signal from an optically-detectable (e.g. fluorescent) reporter associated with the bound molecules. These hybridization signals can be detected by any suitable means, for example optical, and can be stored for example in a computer as a representation of the presence of a particular gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Hou-Pu Chou
  • Patent number: 6804062
    Abstract: This project encompassed design and fabrication of a single pixel for a solar concentrator photovoltaic monolithic microarray. Photovoltaic concentrators offer a competitive electricity cost. Such concentrating microarrays may enable photovoltaic cells with 40-50% efficiency using III-V compound heterostructures. The main components of the design include a thin film solar cell, an array of soft polymer microlenses to optimally concentrate solar radiation, and a heat sink to manage the heat dissipated. Microlens arrays were fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft lithography techniques and the optical properties (absorbance, lens magnification, aberrations, etc) were characterized. The results indicate that such microarrays can be used for a monolithic concentrating photovoltaic array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Harry A. Atwater, Janet Qi Zhou, Yann Gambin, Stephen R. Quake
  • Publication number: 20040196569
    Abstract: Microfabricated lenses, e.g., solid immersion lens (SIL) structures, are provided along with techniques for constructing these lens structures, as well as selected applications of such lens structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Yann Gambin
  • Patent number: 6793753
    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: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen R. Quake
  • Patent number: 6767706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microfabricated device for the rapid detection of DNA, proteins or other molecules associated with a particular disease. The devices and methods of the invention can be used for the simultaneous diagnosis of multiple diseases by detecting molecules (e.g. amounts of molecules), such as polynucleotides (e.g., DNA) or proteins (e.g., antibodies), by measuring the signal of a detectable reporter associated with hybridized polynucleotides or antigen/antibody complex. In the microfabricated device according to the invention, detection of the presence of molecules (i.e., polynucleotides, proteins, or antigen/antibody complexes) are correlated to a hybridization signal from an optically-detectable (e.g. fluorescent) reporter associated with the bound molecules. These hybridization signals can be detected by any suitable means, for example optical, and can be stored for example in a computer as a representation of the presence of a particular gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Hou-Pu Chou
  • Publication number: 20040112442
    Abstract: High-density microfluidic chips contain plumbing networks with thousands of micromechanical valves and hundreds of individually addressable chambers. These fluidic devices are analogous to electronic integrated circuits fabricated using large scale integration (LSI). A component of these networks is the fluidic multiplexor, which is a combinatorial array of binary valve patterns that exponentially increases the processing power of a network by allowing complex fluid manipulations with a minimal number of inputs. These integrated microfluidic networks can be used to construct a variety of highly complex microfluidic devices, for example the microfluidic analog of a comparator array, and a microfluidic memory storage device resembling electronic random access memories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sebastian J. Maerkl, Todd A. Thorsen, Xiaoyan Bao, Stephen R. Quake, Vincent Studer
  • Publication number: 20040115731
    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: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Carl L. Hansen, Morten Sommer, Stephen R. Quake
  • Publication number: 20040115838
    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 fat 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: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer
  • Publication number: 20040089816
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an apertureless microscope for observing one or more features to a molecular sensitivity on objects are described. More particularly, the method includes moving a tip of a probe coupled to a cantilever in a vicinity of a feature of a sample, which emits one or more photons at a detected rate relative to a background rate of the sample based upon the presence of the tip of the probe in the vicinity of the feature. The method modifies the detected rate of the feature of the sample, whereupon the modifying of the detected rate causes the feature of the sample to enhance relative to background rate of the feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Guillaume Lessard, Lawrence A. Wade, Jordan M. Gerton
  • Publication number: 20040027707
    Abstract: A microlens structure such as a solid immersion lens structure is a radiation transmissive pliant elastomer cast to a desired shape and smoothness. A method for construction of a solid immersion lens structure includes providing a mold defining a lens shaped cavity in which a solid immersion lens is cast, casting a translucent liquid elastomeric material into the lens cavity, permitting the elastomeric material to set to form the solid immersion lens portion and removing the solid immersion lens portion from the mold. A specific material for use as the solid immersion lens is a translucent silicone elastomer of a refractive index greater than n=1.4, such as General Electric RTV 615.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Olivier Legrand, Stephen R. Quake
  • Publication number: 20030235924
    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: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicants: California Institute of Technology, Office of Technology Transfer
    Inventors: Mark L. Adams, Stephen R. Quake, Axel Scherer
  • Patent number: 6614598
    Abstract: A microscopic lens, of size approximate 1 micron is used for its optical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Institute of Technology, California
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, James P. Brody