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).
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Publication number: 20210363582Abstract: Biomarkers useful for the diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke are disclosed. Also provided is a quantitative assay method for accurately identifying transcript number in a biological sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Alison E. Baird, Mateusz Adamski, Steven A. Soper
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Publication number: 20210268503Abstract: Disclosed are nanofluidic analytical devices. The devices employ a sample processing region that includes a plurality of fluidically connected sample handling elements that, in combination, affect a physical change on a sample introduced into the sample processing region. This physical change can include, for example, purification of an analyte of interest present in the sample, concentration of an analyte of interest present in the sample, chemical modification (e.g., cleavage and/or chemical derivatization) of an analyte of interest present in the sample, or a combination thereof. The analytical devices further include a nanochannel comprising a plurality of in-plane nanopores in series fluidically coupled to the sample processing region. The in-plane nanopores can be used to detect and/or analyze analyte(s) present in the sample following processing by the sample processing region. These analytical devices can advantageously provide for the label-free detection of single molecules.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2019Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Steven A. SOPER, Collin J. MCKINNEY, Elizabeth PODLAHA-MURPHY, Sunggook PARK
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Patent number: 10870881Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a biomolecular processor. Each biomolecular processor has one or more bioreactor chambers defined by a solid substrate; a support structure within each bioreactor; a cleaving enzyme immobilized to the support structure and operatively positioned within the bioreactor chamber to cleave monomer or multimer units of a biopolymer molecule operatively engaged by the cleaving enzyme; and one or more time-of-flight channels formed in the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to said one or more bioreactor chambers. Each of the time-of-flight channels have two or more sensors including at least (i) a first sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the input end of the channel and (ii) a second sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the output end of channel. The present invention further relates to methods of sequencing and identifying biopolymer molecules using the device.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignees: CORNELL UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGEInventors: Steven A. Soper, Francis Barany, George Grills, Robin McCarley, Collin J. McKinney, Dorel Moldovan, Michael C. Murphy, Dimitris Nikitopoulos, Sunggook Park, Elizabeth J. Podlaha-Murphy
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Patent number: 10830757Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods comprising a device that comprises a biomolecular processor and one or more nanotubes. Each biomolecular processor comprises a bioreactor chamber defined by a solid substrate, a plurality of spaced support structures within said bioreactor chamber and attached to the solid substrate, one or more nanotubes defined by the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to the bioreactor chamber and one or more capture molecules immobilized to some or all of said plurality of spaced support structures, said one or more capture molecules suitable to bind to a portion of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample. The nanotubes have a passage extending between an input end proximate to the bioreactor chamber and an output end distal to the bioreactor chamber, and comprises one or more nanopores within the passage with each nanopore having a reduced diameter relative to the passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Cornell University, Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Steven A. Soper, Francis Barany, Sunggook Park, Michael Murphy, Collin J. McKinney, John William Efcavitch, Mateusz Hupert
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Patent number: 10829804Abstract: The present invention is directed methods for identifying, in a sample, one or more target nucleotide sequences differing from other nucleotide sequences in the sample by one or more nucleotides, one or more copy numbers, one or more transcript sequences, and/or one or more methylated residues, using ligation detection reactions, polymerase mediated extension reactions, and/or cleavage reactions. The present invention is also directed to methods for identifying, in a sample, one or more nucleotides in a target nucleotide sequence.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Cornell University, Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Francis Barany, John William Efcavitch, Steven A. Soper, Sunggook Park
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Publication number: 20190346422Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that comprises a biomolecular processor and one or more nanotubes. Each biomolecular processor comprises a bioreactor chamber defined by a solid substrate, a plurality of spaced support structures within said bioreactor chamber and attached to the solid substrate, and one or more capture molecules immobilized to some or all of said plurality of spaced support structures, said one or more capture molecules suitable to bind to a portion of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample. The device also comprises one or more nanotubes defined by the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to the bioreactor chamber. Each of the one or more nanotubes has a passage extending between an input end proximate to the bioreactor chamber and an output end distal to the bioreactor chamber, and comprises one or more nanopores within the passage with each nanopore having a reduced diameter relative to the passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Steven A. Soper, Francis Barany, Sunggook Park, Michael Murphy, Collin J. McKinney, John William Efcavitch, Mateusz Hupert
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Patent number: 10429376Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 13, 2009Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGEInventors: Steven A. Soper, Michael C. Murphy, June Feng, Robin L. McCarley, André A. Adams
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Patent number: 10416150Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGEInventors: Steven Soper, Michael Murphy, June Feng Schneider, Robin McCarley, André Adams
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Patent number: 10393726Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that comprises a biomolecular processor and one or more nanotubes. Each biomolecular processor comprises a bioreactor chamber defined by a solid substrate, a plurality of spaced support structures within said bioreactor chamber and attached to the solid substrate, and one or more capture molecules immobilized to some or all of said plurality of spaced support structures, said one or more capture molecules suitable to bind to a portion of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample. The device also comprises one or more nanotubes defined by the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to the bioreactor chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignees: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Cornell University, Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Steven A. Soper, Francis Barany, Sunggook Park, Michael Murphy, Collin J. McKinney, John William Efcavitch, Mateusz Hupert
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Publication number: 20180346973Abstract: The present invention is directed methods for identifying, in a sample, one or more target nucleotide sequences differing from other nucleotide sequences in the sample by one or more nucleotides, one or more copy numbers, one or more transcript sequences, and/or one or more methylated residues, using ligation detection reactions, polymerase mediated extension reactions, and/or cleavage reactions. The present invention is also directed to methods for identifying, in a sample, one or more nucleotides in a target nucleotide sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2016Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Francis Barany, John William Efcavitch, Steven A. Soper, Sunggook Park
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Publication number: 20180252698Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2018Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Steven Soper, Michael Murphy, June Feng Schneider, Robin McCarley, André Adams
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Publication number: 20180187257Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a biomolecular processor. Each biomolecular processor has one or more bioreactor chambers defined by a solid substrate; a support structure within each bioreactor; a cleaving enzyme immobilized to the support structure and operatively positioned within the bioreactor chamber to cleave monomer or multimer units of a biopolymer molecule operatively engaged by the cleaving enzyme; and one or more time-of-flight channels formed in the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to said one or more bioreactor chambers. Each of the time-of-flight channels have two or more sensors including at least (i) a first sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the input end of the channel and (ii) a second sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the output end of channel. The present invention further relates to methods of sequencing and identifying biopolymer molecules using the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2018Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Steven A. SOPER, Francis BARANY, George GRILLS, Robin McCARLEY, Collin J. McKINNEY, Doral MOLDOVAN, Michael C. MURPHY, Dimitris NIKITOPOULOS, Sunggook PARK, Elizabeth J. PODLAHA-MURPHY
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Patent number: 9952212Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignees: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., The University of North Carolina Chapel HillInventors: George Martin, Steven Soper, Makgorzata Witek, Jen Jen Yeh
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Publication number: 20180074039Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that comprises a biomolecular processor and one or more nanotubes. Each biomolecular processor comprises a bioreactor chamber defined by a solid substrate, a plurality of spaced support structures within said bioreactor chamber and attached to the solid substrate, and one or more capture molecules immobilized to some or all of said plurality of spaced support structures, said one or more capture molecules suitable to bind to a portion of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample. The device also comprises one or more nanotubes defined by the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to the bioreactor chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Steven A. Soper, Francis Barany, Sunggook Park, Michael Murphy, Collin J. Mckinney, John William Efcavitch, Mateusz Hupert
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Patent number: 9909173Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a biomolecular processor. Each biomolecular processor has one or more bioreactor chambers defined by a solid substrate; a support structure within each bioreactor; a cleaving enzyme immobilized to the support structure and operatively positioned within the bioreactor chamber to cleave monomer or multimer units of a biopolymer molecule operatively engaged by the cleaving enzyme; and one or more time-of-flight channels formed in the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to said one or more bioreactor chambers. Each of the time-of-flight channels have two or more sensors including at least (i) a first sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the input end of the channel and (ii) a second sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the output end of channel. The present invention further relates to methods of sequencing and identifying biopolymer molecules using the device.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignees: Cornell University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Northeastern University, Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agriculture and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Steven A. Soper, Francis Barany, George Grills, Robin McCarley, Collin J. McKinney, Dorel Moldovan, Michael C. Murphy, Dimitris Nikitopoulos, Sunggook Park, Elizabeth J. Podlaha-Murphy
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Patent number: 9718676Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating free-standing polymeric nanopillars or nanotubes with remarkably high aspect ratios. The nanopillars and nanotubes may be used, for example, in integrated microfluidic systems for rapid, automated, high-capacity analysis or separation of complex protein mixtures or their enzyme digest products. One embodiment, preferably fabricated entirely from polymer substrates, comprises a cell lysis unit; a solid-phase extraction unit with free-standing, polymeric nanostructures; a multi-dimensional electrophoretic separation unit with high peak capacity; a solid-phase nanoreactor for the proteolytic digestion of isolated proteins; and a chromatographic unit for the separation of peptide fragments from the digestion of proteins.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Steven A. Soper, Robin L. McCarley, Guofang Chen, Hamed Shadpour
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Patent number: 9670540Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for capturing, amplifying and identifying one or more of a plurality of target nucleotide sequences in a sample. The present invention is further directed to a device comprising a solid support having a plurality of wells or pillars and a plurality of oligonucleotides attached to the wells or pillars. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods of making such devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignees: Cornell University, Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeInventors: Francis A. Barany, Steven A. Soper, George Grills, Yu-wei Cheng, Jianmin Huang, Hong Wang, Malgorzata A. Witek, Daniel Sang-won Park, Michael C. Murphy, Robin Lindsey McCarley, Mateusz L. Hupert
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Publication number: 20160359179Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Joshua Jackson, Mateusz L. Hupert, Steven Soper
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Publication number: 20160139116Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: George Martin, Steven Soper, Makgorzata Witek, Jen Jen Yeh
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Patent number: 9250242Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignees: ROCHE MOLECULAR SYSTEMS, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINAInventors: George Martin, Steven Soper, Makgorzata Witek, Jen Jen Yeh