Patents by Inventor Steven Soper

Steven Soper 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: 10416150
    Abstract: Microdevices are disclosed to efficiently, accurately, and rapidly isolate and enumerate rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from liquids such as whole blood. The system employs multiple parallel meandering channels having a width on the order of 1-2 cell diameters. The microdevices can be produced at low-cost, may readily be automated, and in many instances may be used without pre-processing of the sample. They may be used to isolate and enumerate rare cells, including for example the detection and diagnosis of cancers, cancer staging, or evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention, or detecting pathogenic bacteria. The device may optionally be used to nondestructively capture and later to release target cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE
    Inventors: Steven Soper, Michael Murphy, June Feng Schneider, Robin McCarley, André Adams
  • Publication number: 20180252698
    Abstract: Microdevices are disclosed to efficiently, accurately, and rapidly isolate and enumerate rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from liquids such as whole blood, The system employs multiple parallel meandering channels having a width on the order of 1-2 cell diameters. The microdevices can be produced at low-cost, may readily be automated, and in many instances may be used without pre-processing of the sample. They may he used to isolate and enumerate rare cells, including for example the detection and diagnosis of cancers, cancer staging, or evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention, or detecting pathogenic bacteria, The device may optionally he used to nondestructively capture and later to release target cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Soper, Michael Murphy, June Feng Schneider, Robin McCarley, André Adams
  • Patent number: 9952212
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as well as various divergent CTC phenotypes using seprase-specific affinity reagents. Methods of analyzing CTCs and assessing their metastatic potential in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
    Inventors: George Martin, Steven Soper, Makgorzata Witek, Jen Jen Yeh
  • Publication number: 20160359179
    Abstract: A fluid array, comprises: (a) a fluid input header, (b) a fluid output header, and (c) a plurality of (preferably at least 26) parallel fluid channels, each of said fluid channels connected to both said fluid input header and said fluid output header in a Z-array configuration. Methods of using the same and fuel cells comprising such arrays are also described, along with methods of optimizing flow therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua Jackson, Mateusz L. Hupert, Steven Soper
  • Publication number: 20160139116
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as well as various divergent CTC phenotypes using seprase-specific affinity reagents. Methods of analyzing CTCs and assessing their metastatic potential in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: George Martin, Steven Soper, Makgorzata Witek, Jen Jen Yeh
  • Patent number: 9250242
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as well as various divergent CTC phenotypes using seprase-specific affinity reagents. Methods of analyzing CTCs and assessing their metastatic potential in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignees: ROCHE MOLECULAR SYSTEMS, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: George Martin, Steven Soper, Makgorzata Witek, Jen Jen Yeh
  • Publication number: 20140134646
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as well as various divergent CTC phenotypes using seprase-specific affinity reagents. Methods of analyzing CTCs and assessing their metastatic potential in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicants: ROCHE MOLECULAR SYSTEMS, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, BIOFLUIDICA, INC
    Inventors: George Martin, Steven Soper, Makgorzata Witek, Jen Jen Yeh
  • Publication number: 20080303957
    Abstract: A modular, reconfigurable entertainment and data system provides data to at least one user. A cabinet is provided which contains a plurality of module receiving rails therein. A power supply module is positioned on a first one of the rails and provides an operating potential. An entertainment/data module is positioned on a second rail and a control module is positioned on a third one of the module receiving rails and provides an interface between the user and the entertainment/data module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Steven Soper, Eric Olson, Julie J. Chen, Darryl S. Komesu, Salar Navidi
  • Patent number: 7421159
    Abstract: An accurate and inexpensive integral micro-optical system for coupling and aligning optical fibers with other optical components, such as other optical fibers, diffusers, beam shapers, beam splitters, mirrors, or lenses is disclosed. The micro-optical coupler disclosed comprises one or more fiberport collimators and one or more microlens arrays, optically aligned during fabrication so that an optical fiber, or other source of light, was coupled to another optical fiber, or other light receiver, by simple inserting the optical source in one side of the micro-coupler and inserting the optical receiver in the other side of the micro-coupler. Often the fabrication process for this system can be done in a single lithography procedure. Since the optical axis of each component was aligned during the fabrication step, no subsequent alignment was required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Board of Supervisor of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Ren Yang, Steven Soper, Wanjun Wang
  • Publication number: 20070133924
    Abstract: An accurate and inexpensive integral micro-optical system for coupling and aligning optical fibers with other optical components, such as other optical fibers, diffusers, beam shapers, beam splitters, mirrors, or lenses is disclosed. The micro-optical coupler disclosed comprises one or more fiberport collimators and one or more microlens arrays, optically aligned during fabrication so that an optical fiber, or other source of light, was coupled to another optical fiber, or other light receiver, by simple inserting the optical source in one side of the micro-coupler and inserting the optical receiver in the other side of the micro-coupler. Often the fabrication process for this system can be done in a single lithography procedure. Since the optical axis of each component was aligned during the fabrication step, no subsequent alignment was required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Ren Yang, Steven Soper, Wanjun Wang