Patents by Inventor Thomas Burg

Thomas Burg 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: 9134294
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention detects changes in cell biomechanics caused by any of a variety of diseases and conditions. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus of the invention detect infection of red blood cells. In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus comprising a microfluidic channel with a constriction, for trapping infected red blood cells while allowing healthy red blood cells to deform and pass through the channel. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a suspended microchannel resonator for detecting and counting red blood cells at the constriction of the microfluidic channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Thomas Burg, Subra Suresh, Ken Babcock
  • Patent number: 9027388
    Abstract: Method for measuring a target particle property. A suspended microchannel resonator is calibrated to determine the relationship between a detected mass and a resonance frequency shift of the resonator. The target particle is suspended in a fluid and introduced into the resonator, and the resonator frequency shift due to the particle is measured. Target particle mass is calculated from the resonator frequency shift, the target particle density, and the fluid density. A target particle property such as size or volume is determined from the calculated target particle mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: Affinity Biosensors, LLC, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Kenneth Babcock, Thomas Burg, Michel Godin, Scott Manalis
  • Patent number: 8899102
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving measurements of particle or cell characteristics, such as mass, in Suspended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Apparatus include in particular designs for trapping particles in SMR's for extended measurement periods. Methods include techniques to provide differential measurements by varying the fluid density for repeated measurements on the same particle or cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Andrea K. Bryan, Philip Dextras, Sungmin Son, Thomas Burg, William Grover, Yao-Chung Weng
  • Publication number: 20140096604
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving measurements of particle or cell characteristics, such as mass, in Suspended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Apparatus include in particular designs for trapping particles in SMR's for extended measurement periods. Methods include techniques to provide differential measurements by varying the fluid density for repeated measurements on the same particle or cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Techno;ogy
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Andrea K. Bryan, Philip Dextras, Sungmin Son, Thomas Burg, William Grover, Yao-Chung Weng
  • Publication number: 20140051107
    Abstract: Method for measuring a target particle property. A suspended microchannel resonator is calibrated to determine the relationship between a detected mass and a resonance frequency shift of the resonator. The target particle is suspended in a fluid and introduced into the resonator, and the resonator frequency shift due to the particle is measured. Target particle mass is calculated from the resonator frequency shift, the target particle density, and the fluid density. A target particle property such as size or volume is determined from the calculated target particle mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth Babcock, Thomas Burg, Michel Godin, Scott Manalis
  • Patent number: 8635911
    Abstract: Method for determining buoyant mass and deformability of a cell. The method includes introducing the cell into a suspended microchannel resonator that includes a constriction near a distal location in the resonator. A first frequency shift in the resonator is monitored as a cell moves to the distal location in the resonator, the first frequency shift being related to the buoyant mass of the cell. Transit time of the cell through the constriction is measured by monitoring a second frequency shift as a result of a change in cell location as it passes through the constriction, whereby deformability is determined from the measured buoyant mass and transit time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sungmin Son, Sangwon Byun, Andrea Kristine Bryan, Thomas Burg, Amneet Gulati, Jungchul Lee, Scott Manalis, Yao-Chung Weng
  • Patent number: 8631685
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving measurements of particle or cell characteristics, such as mass, in Suspended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Apparatus include in particular designs for trapping particles in SMR's for extended measurement periods and for changing the fluid properties within the SMR during the extended periods. Methods include techniques to provide for cell growth over time and over time in response to changing fluid properties to aid in determining parameters such as drug resistance and drug susceptibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Andrea K. Bryan, Michel Godin, Philip Dextras, Sungmin Son, Thomas Burg, William Grover, Yao-Chung Weng
  • Patent number: 8418535
    Abstract: Measurements of the mass and surface charge of microparticles are employed in the characterization of many types of colloidal dispersions. The suspended microchannel resonator (SMR) is capable of measuring individual particle masses with femtogram resolution. The high sensitivity of the SMR resonance frequency to changes in particle position in the SMR channel is employed to determine the electrophoretic mobility of discrete particles in an applied electric field. When an oscillating electric field is applied to the suspended microchannel, the transient resonance frequency shift corresponding to a particle transit can be analyzed to extract both the buoyant mass and electrophoretic mobility of each particle. These parameters, together with the mean particle density, can be used to compute the size, absolute mass, and surface charge of discrete particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Thomas Burg, Philip Dextras
  • Publication number: 20120118063
    Abstract: Method for determining buoyant mass and deformability of a cell. The method includes introducing the cell into a suspended microchannel resonator that includes a constriction near a distal location in the resonator. A first frequency shift in the resonator is monitored as a cell moves to the distal location in the resonator, the first frequency shift being related to the buoyant mass of the cell. Transit time of the cell through the constriction is measured by monitoring a second frequency shift as a result of a change in cell location as it passes through the constriction, whereby deformability is determined from the measured buoyant mass and transit time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sungmin Son, Sangwon Byun, Andrea Kristine Bryan, Thomas Burg, Amneet Gulati, Jungchul Lee, Scott Manalis, Yao-Chung Weng
  • Patent number: 8087284
    Abstract: Method for measuring a target particle property. A suspended microchannel resonator is calibrated to determine the relationship between a detected mass and a resonance frequency shift of the resonator. The target particle is suspended in a fluid and introduced into the resonator, and the resonator frequency shift due to the particle is measured. Target particle mass is calculated from the resonator frequency shift, the target particle density, and the fluid density. A target particle property such as size or volume is determined from the calculated target particle mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Kenneth Babcock, Thomas Burg, Michel Godin, Scott Manalis
  • Publication number: 20110271747
    Abstract: Measurements of the mass and surface charge of microparticles are employed in the characterization of many types of colloidal dispersions. The suspended microchannel resonator (SMR) is capable of measuring individual particle masses with femtogram resolution. The high sensitivity of the SMR resonance frequency to changes in particle position in the SMR channel is employed to determine the electrophoretic mobility of discrete particles in an applied electric field. When an oscillating electric field is applied to the suspended microchannel, the transient resonance frequency shift corresponding to a particle transit can be analyzed to extract both the buoyant mass and electrophoretic mobility of each particle. These parameters, together with the mean particle density, can be used to compute the size, absolute mass, and surface charge of discrete particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Thomas Burg, Philip Dextras
  • Publication number: 20110124095
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention detects changes in cell biomechanics caused by any of a variety of diseases and conditions. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus of the invention detect infection of red blood cells. In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus comprising a microfluidic channel with a constriction, for trapping infected red blood cells while allowing healthy red blood cells to deform and pass through the channel. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a suspended microchannel resonator for detecting and counting red blood cells at the constriction of the microfluidic channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Thomas Burg, Subra Suresh, Ken Babcock
  • Publication number: 20100297747
    Abstract: Microsystem for monitoring cell growth. A microfluidic structure is designed to allow cells to circulate therethrough and the microfluidic structure includes modules to monitor mass, mass density and fluorescence of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Scott R. Manalis, Andrea K. Bryan, Yao-Chung Weng, Thomas Burg, William H. Grover, Marc W. Kirschner, Paul Jorgensen, Michel Godin
  • Publication number: 20100288043
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving measurements of particle or cell characteristics, such as mass, in Suspended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Apparatus include in particular designs for trapping particles in SMR's for extended measurement periods and for changing the fluid properties within the SMR during the extended periods. Methods include techniques to provide for cell growth over time and over time in response to changing fluid properties to aid in determining parameters such as drug resistance and drug susceptibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Andrea K. Bryan, Michel Godin, Philip Dextras, Sungmin Son, Thomas Burg, William Grover, Yao-Chung Weng
  • Publication number: 20100227310
    Abstract: Mass cytometry method. In one aspect, the method includes providing a sample having at least one cell type and mixing the sample with material such as nanoparticles functionalized with affinity molecules for the at least one cell type. The sample is transported through a suspended microchannel resonator to record a mass histogram and a cell count for the at least one cell type is determined from the histogram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Thomas Burg, Kenneth Babcock, Michel Godin
  • Publication number: 20090053749
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention detects changes in cell biomechanics caused by any of a variety of diseases and conditions. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus of the invention detect infection of red blood cells. In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus comprising a microfluidic channel with a constriction, for trapping infected red blood cells while allowing healthy red blood cells to deform and pass through the channel. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a suspended microchannel resonator for detecting and counting red blood cells at the constriction of the microfluidic channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Thomas Burg, Subra Suresh, Ken Babcock
  • Publication number: 20090044608
    Abstract: Method for measuring a target particle property. A suspended microchannel resonator is calibrated to determine the relationship between a detected mass and a resonance frequency shift of the resonator. The target particle is suspended in a fluid and introduced into the resonator, and the resonator frequency shift due to the particle is measured. Target particle mass is calculated from the resonator frequency shift, the target particle density, and the fluid density. A target particle property such as size or volume is determined from the calculated target particle mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth Babcock, Thomas Burg, Michel Godin, Scott Manalis
  • Patent number: 7282329
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an analyte in solution that has a suspended beam containing at least one microfluidic channel containing a capture ligand that bonds to or reacts with an analyte. The apparatus also includes at least one detector for measuring a change in the beam upon binding or reaction of the analyte. A method of making the suspended microfluidic channels is disclosed, as well as, a method of integrating the microfluidic device with conventional microfluidics having larger sample fluid channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Thomas Burg
  • Publication number: 20070172940
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an analyte in solution that has a suspended beam containing at least one microfluidic channel containing a capture ligand that bonds to or reacts with an analyte. The apparatus also includes at least one detector for measuring a change in the beam upon binding or reaction of the analyte. A method of making the suspended microfluidic channels is disclosed, as well as, a method of integrating the microfluidic device with conventional microfluidics having larger sample fluid channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Thomas Burg
  • Publication number: 20050064581
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an analyte in solution that has a suspended beam containing at least one microfluidic channel containing a capture ligand that bonds to or reacts with an analyte. The apparatus also includes at least one detector for measuring a change in the beam upon binding or reaction of the analyte. A method of making the suspended microfluidic channels is disclosed, as well as, a method of integrating the microfluidic device with conventional microfluidics having larger sample fluid channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Thomas Burg