Patents by Inventor Sunitha Nagrath

Sunitha Nagrath 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).

  • Publication number: 20220409790
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump-based apparatus for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood is provided that includes a feedback control architecture that uses models of pump operation and measures of internal pressure fluctuations of the pump (e.g., in the form time-varying and/or position-dependent pressure oscillation data) to adjust pump operating characteristics that smooth pump operation, thereby improving viscosity and consistency of fluid flowing through the pump to a connected microfluidic capture device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Kaylee J. Smith, Kenn Oldham, Jason Smyth
  • Publication number: 20210060229
    Abstract: An apparatus for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood. The apparatus includes a wearable device that receives fluid from vasculature of a subject through an input channel. A pump is coupled to the input channel the pump configured to receive blood at a first flow rate and to convert the flow of the blood to a second flow rate. The device further includes a replaceable candidate cell capture module having a microfluidic capture stage with herringbone channel structures configured to capture the candidate cells by antibodies. The device is further configured to provide the blood back to the vasculature of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Tae Hyun Kim, Daniel F. Hayes
  • Patent number: 10935550
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, an extension coupled to the substrate and extending outwardly from the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing the system and introducing a sample of bodily fluid to the system such that the sample interacts with the functionalized graphene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon
  • Patent number: 10677708
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon, Eric Lin, Max S. Wicha, Lianette Rivera Baez, Diane M. Simeone
  • Patent number: 10317406
    Abstract: A system for detecting rare cells in a fluid is disclosed. The system includes a substrate and a mixture disposed on the substrate and including a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer for capture and release of the rare cells. Also disclosed is a method for detecting rare cells in a fluid using a system including a substrate and a mixture that is disposed on the substrate. The mixture includes a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer. The method includes providing the system and introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the system such that the sample interacts with the carrier for capturing the rare cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Hyeun Joong Yoon, Apoorv Shanker, Jinsang Kim, Sunitha Nagrath, Vasudha Murlidhar
  • Publication number: 20190017919
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon, Eric Lin, Max S. Wicha, Lianette Rivera Baez, Diane M. Simeone
  • Patent number: 10130946
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, extensions extending outwardly from the substrate and arranged about a center axis of the substrate to define a channel enabling the fluid to move radially from the center axis to an outer edge of the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the inlet of the system such that the sample of fluid flows radially from the inlet toward the outer edge of the substrate and capturing the rare cells as the rare cells interact with the functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Vasudha Murlidhar
  • Patent number: 10073024
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon, Eric Lin, Max S. Wicha, Lianette Rivera Baez, Diane M. Simeone
  • Publication number: 20170146529
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, an extension coupled to the substrate and extending outwardly from the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing the system and introducing a sample of bodily fluid to the system such that the sample interacts with the functionalized graphene oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon
  • Patent number: 9645149
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, an extension coupled to the substrate and extending outwardly from the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing the system and introducing a sample of bodily fluid to the system such that the sample interacts with the functionalized graphene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon
  • Patent number: 9568475
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, an extension coupled to the substrate and extending outwardly from the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing the system and introducing a sample of bodily fluid to the system such that the sample interacts with the functionalized graphene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon
  • Publication number: 20160291019
    Abstract: A system for detecting rare cells in a fluid is disclosed. The system includes a substrate and a mixture disposed on the substrate and including a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer for capture and release of the rare cells. Also disclosed is a method for detecting rare cells in a fluid using a system including a substrate and a mixture that is disposed on the substrate. The mixture includes a carrier and a thermo-responsive polymer. The method includes providing the system and introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the system such that the sample interacts with the carrier for capturing the rare cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Hyeun Joong Yoon, Apoorv Shanker, Jinsang Kim, Sunitha Nagrath, Vasudha Murlidhar
  • Publication number: 20150293010
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon, Eric Lin, Max S. Wicha, Lianette Rivera Baez, Diane M. Simeone
  • Publication number: 20150285808
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, extensions extending outwardly from the substrate and arranged about a center axis of the substrate to define a channel enabling the fluid to move radially from the center axis to an outer edge of the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of introducing a sample of fluid containing the rare cells into the inlet of the system such that the sample of fluid flows radially from the inlet toward the outer edge of the substrate and capturing the rare cells as the rare cells interact with the functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Vasudha Murlidhar
  • Publication number: 20140315213
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a system for detecting rare cells. The system includes a substrate, an extension coupled to the substrate and extending outwardly from the substrate, and a functionalized graphene oxide disposed on the extension. This disclosure also provides a method for detecting rare cells using the system of this disclosure. The method includes the steps of providing the system and introducing a sample of bodily fluid to the system such that the sample interacts with the functionalized graphene oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon