Patents by Inventor Tom W. Yang

Tom W. Yang 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: 20240264115
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body portion that defines a reservoir and a set of substantially flexible capillaries. The set of substantially flexible capillaries are fixedly coupled to the body portion and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A connector is configured to be coupled to the body portion to be in fluid communication with the reservoir and the set of substantially flexible capillaries. The connector is further configured to be coupled to a vacuum source. The apparatus is arranged such that at least a part of the body portion is electrically conductive. Methods for separating and detecting an analyte from a biological sample with the apparatus are also provided. For example, methods for separating and detecting one or more proteins from a cellular lysate or a purified protein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: ProteinSimple
    Inventors: Tom W. YANG, David John ROACH
  • Patent number: 11933759
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body portion that defines a reservoir and a set of substantially flexible capillaries. The set of substantially flexible capillaries are fixedly coupled to the body portion and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A connector is configured to be coupled to the body portion to be in fluid communication with the reservoir and the set of substantially flexible capillaries. The connector is further configured to be coupled to a vacuum source. The apparatus is arranged such that at least a part of the body portion is electrically conductive. Methods for separating and detecting an analyte from a biological sample with the apparatus are also provided. For example, methods for separating and detecting one or more proteins from a cellular lysate or a purified protein are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ProteinSimple
    Inventors: Tom W. Yang, David John Roach
  • Publication number: 20180106758
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body portion that defines a reservoir and a set of substantially flexible capillaries. The set of substantially flexible capillaries are fixedly coupled to the body portion and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A connector is configured to be coupled to the body portion to be in fluid communication with the reservoir and the set of substantially flexible capillaries. The connector is further configured to be coupled to a vacuum source. The apparatus is arranged such that at least a part of the body portion is electrically conductive. Methods for separating and detecting an analyte from a biological sample with the apparatus are also provided. For example, methods for separating and detecting one or more proteins from a cellular lysate or a purified protein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: ProteinSimple
    Inventors: Tom W. YANG, David John ROACH
  • Patent number: 9766206
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body portion that defines a reservoir and a set of substantially flexible capillaries. The set of substantially flexible capillaries are fixedly coupled to the body portion and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A connector is configured to be coupled to the body portion to be in fluid communication with the reservoir and the set of substantially flexible capillaries. The connector is further configured to be coupled to a vacuum source. The apparatus is arranged such that at least a part of the body portion is electrically conductive. Methods for separating and detecting an analyte from a biological sample with the apparatus are also provided. For example, methods for separating and detecting one or more proteins from a cellular lysate or a purified protein are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ProteinSimple
    Inventors: Tom W. Yang, David John Roach
  • Patent number: 9304133
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to resolve analytes within a fluid path using isoelectric focusing, gel electrophoresis, or other separation means. Materials within the fluid path that are compatible with these separation means are used to attach resolved analytes to the wall of the fluid path. Attachment results from a triggerable event such as photoactivation, thermal activation, or chemical activation. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the material in the capillary may also be disrupted, by either the triggerable event or a subsequent event such as melting or photocleavage. Thus, an open lumen or porous structure may be created within the fluid path, allowing unbound analyte materials to be washed from the fluid path, and detection agents to be washed into the fluid path. The separation-compatible materials may be polymerizable monomers, gels, entangled polymers or other materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: ProteinSimple
    Inventors: Roger A. O'Neill, Marc Glazer, Tom W. Yang, Daniel J. Suich, Karl O. Voss
  • Publication number: 20150090591
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body portion that defines a reservoir and a set of substantially flexible capillaries. The set of substantially flexible capillaries are fixedly coupled to the body portion and in fluid communication with the reservoir. A connector is configured to be coupled to the body portion to be in fluid communication with the reservoir and the set of substantially flexible capillaries. The connector is further configured to be coupled to a vacuum source. The apparatus is arranged such that at least a part of the body portion is electrically conductive. Methods for separating and detecting an analyte from a biological sample with the apparatus are also provided. For example, methods for separating and detecting one or more proteins from a cellular lysate or a purified protein are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: ProteinSimple
    Inventors: Tom W. Yang, David John Roach
  • Patent number: 8940232
    Abstract: An automated assay system is described with stations for placement of materials to be used in an assay of materials inside capillaries and an automated gripper for manipulating capillaries. The system includes a separation and immobilization station where reactions inside the capillaries take place and a detector station where photoemissions from the capillary reactions are detected. The photoemissions from the capillaries may be displayed as line graphs or in columns of a pseudo-gel image resembling the familiar Western gel blot. An automated control system has a user interface by which an operator can select a run protocol and define the locations of samples and reagents to be used in the protocol run: Following the setup the control system will cause the automated system to execute the protocol, then display the results in a selected display format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: ProteinSimple
    Inventors: David J. Roach, Tom W. Yang, Roger A. O'Neill, Robert T. Loder, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120213667
    Abstract: An automated assay system is described with stations for placement of materials to be used in an assay of materials inside capillaries and an automated gripper for manipulating capillaries. The system includes a separation and immobilization station where reactions inside the capillaries take place and a detector station where photoemissions from the capillary reactions are detected. The photoemissions from the capillaries may be displayed as line graphs or in columns of a pseudo-gel image resembling the familiar Western gel blot. An automated control system has a user interface by which an operator can select a run protocol and define the locations of samples and reagents to be used in the protocol run. Following the setup the control system will cause the automated system to execute the protocol, then display the results in a selected display format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: ProteinSimple
    Inventors: David J. Roach, Tom W. Yang, Roger A. O'Neill, Robert T. Loder, JR., Peter B. Vander Horn
  • Patent number: 8021611
    Abstract: An automated assay system is described with stations for placement of materials to be used in an assay of materials inside capillaries and an automated gripper for manipulating capillaries. The system includes a separation and immobilization station where reactions inside the capillaries take place and a detector station where photoemissions from the capillary reactions are detected. The photoemissions from the capillaries may be displayed as line graphs or in columns of a pseudo-gel image resembling the familiar Western gel blot. An automated control system has a user interface by which an operator can select a run protocol and define the locations of samples and reagents to be used in the protocol run. Following the setup the control system will cause the automated system to execute the protocol, then display the results in a selected display format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: ProteinSimple
    Inventors: David J. Roach, Tom W. Yang, Roger A. O'Neill, Robert T. Loder, Jr., Peter B. Vander Horn
  • Publication number: 20110195527
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to resolve analytes within a fluid path using isoelectric focusing, gel electrophoresis, or other separation means. Materials within the fluid path that are compatible with these separation means are used to attach resolved analytes to the wall of the fluid path. Attachment results from a triggerable event such as photoactivation, thermal activation, or chemical activation. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the material in the capillary may also be disrupted, by either the triggerable event or a subsequent event such as melting or photocleavage. Thus, an open lumen or porous structure may be created within the fluid path, allowing unbound analyte materials to be washed from the fluid path, and detection agents to be washed into the fluid path. The separation-compatible materials may be polymerizable monomers, gels, entangled polymers or other materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Cell Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. O'Neill, Marc Glazer, Tom W. Yang, Daniel J. Suich, Karl O. Voss
  • Patent number: 7935479
    Abstract: Methods for detecting one or more analytes, such as a protein, in a fluid path are described herein. In some embodiments a method includes resolving one or more analytes in a fluid path, such as, for example, a capillary. After the one or more analytes are resolved, the one or more analytes are bound to the fluid path upon activation of one or more triggerable agents disposed within the fluid path. The one or more analytes that are bound to the fluid path are detected within the fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Cell Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. O'Neill, Marc Glazer, Tom W. Yang, Daniel J. Suich, Karl O. Voss
  • Publication number: 20110011740
    Abstract: An automated assay system is described with stations for placement of materials to be used in an assay of materials inside capillaries and an automated gripper for manipulating capillaries. The system includes a separation/detection station where reactions inside the capillaries take place and photoemissions from the capillary reactions are detected. The photoemissions from the capillaries may be displayed as line graphs or in columns of a pseudo-gel image resembling the familiar Western gel blot. An automated control system has a user interface by which an operator can select a run protocol and define the locations of samples and reagents to be used in the protocol run. Following the setup the control system will cause the automated system to execute the protocol, then display the results in a selected display format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Roach, Tom W. Yang
  • Publication number: 20080124250
    Abstract: A polymeric injection-molded container is described which holds capillaries for a biological material assay system in a vertical position. The container includes a two-piece base which is press-fit together. Ninety-six funnel-shaped holes in the top of the base receive the capillaries and support them circumferentially. Ninety-six apertures in the bottom of the base are tapered to guide the bottom ends of the capillaries to positions aligned with the holes in the top of the base. The inserted capillaries extend above the top surface of the base and are covered by a removable cover. The capillaries can be processed and placed in the container by the capillary manufacturer, shipped to a user in the container, and the container can be placed on the capillary holder station of an automated assay system and used by the automated system directly from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Tom W. Yang, David J. Roach
  • Patent number: 6990989
    Abstract: An instrument treatment station includes a station body having a first and second elongate and spaced channel walls. The channel walls define an elongate instrument channel therebetween. The station body defines an elongate drain channel in fluid communication with the instrument channel. The station body further defines a source port in fluid communication with the instrument channel for delivering a fluid flow into the instrument channel for treating an instrument therein. The instrument treatment station may accommodate arrays of aligned instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences (SV) Corp
    Inventor: Tom W. Yang
  • Publication number: 20030024551
    Abstract: An instrument treatment station includes a station body having a first and second elongate and spaced channel walls. The channel walls define an elongate instrument channel therebetween. The station body defines an elongate drain channel in fluid communication with the instrument channel. The station body further defines a source port in fluid communication with the instrument channel for delivering a fluid flow into the instrument channel for treating an instrument therein. The instrument treatment station may accommodate arrays of aligned instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Tom W. Yang