Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Hinz

Wolfgang Hinz 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).

  • Microfluidic devices and methods of use in the formation and control of nanoreactors
    Patent number: 9752141
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. The invention provides for aqueous based emulsions containing uniquely labeled cells, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc., wherein the emulsions further comprise primers, labels, probes, and other reactants. An oil based carrier-fluid envelopes the emulsion library on a microfluidic device, such that a continuous channel provides for flow of the immiscible fluids, to accomplish pooling, coalescing, mixing, sorting, detection, etc., of the emulsion library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Raindance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Roy Link, Laurent Boitard, Jeffrey Branciforte, Yves Charles, Gilbert Feke, John Q. Lu, David Marran, Ahmadali Tabatabai, Michael Weiner, Wolfgang Hinz, Jonathan M. Rothberg
  • METHODS FOR CALIBRATING AN ARRAY OF CHEMICALLY-SENSITIVE SENSORS
    Publication number: 20170241943
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan ROTHBERG, Wolfgang HINZ, Kim JOHNSON, James BUSTILLO
  • Modified proteins and methods of making and using same
    Patent number: 9714915
    Abstract: Methods, compositions, systems, apparatuses and kits comprising modified proteins, particularly modified nucleic acid-binding proteins with altered buffering properties are provided. For example, in some embodiments, methods of forming modified proteins including one or more amino acid modifications to achieve desired pKa values are described. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for using such modified proteins in ion-producing reactions, such as ion-based nucleic acid sequencing reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John Davidson, Wolfgang Hinz, Jonathan Rothberg, Richard Whitaker
  • PURIFICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20170174846
    Abstract: A method of preparing hydrogel particles includes applying a solution including a plurality of hydrogel particles to a stir cell. A retentate side of a filter defines a lower surface of the stir cell. The filter has the retentate side and a permeate side. The method further includes, while stirring the solution within the stir cell, dispensing a buffer solution at a first flow rate to the stir cell and drawing a permeate from the permeate side of the filter using a pump at a second flow rate, the permeate including a subset of the plurality of hydrogel particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Wolfgang HINZ, Ryan JONES, David LIGHT
  • CHEMICAL SENSOR WITH CONDUCTIVE CUP-SHAPED SENSOR SURFACE
    Publication number: 20170153201
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor including a sensor pad and a well wall structure defining a well operatively coupled to the sensor pad. The well is further defined by a lower surface disposed over the sensor pad. The well wall structure defines an upper surface and defines a wall surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. The system further includes a conductive layer disposed over the lower surface and the wall surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Shifeng LI, James BUSTILLO, Wolfgang HINZ
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING ANALYTES USING LARGE SCALE FET ARRAYS
    Publication number: 20170145497
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in the concentration of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), hydrogen ions, and nucleotide triphosphates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan M. ROTHBERG, Wolfgang HINZ, Kim L. JOHNSON, James BUSTILLO, John LEAMON, Jonathan SCHULTZ
  • MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE IN THE FORMATION AND CONTROL OF NANOREACTORS
    Publication number: 20170067047
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. The invention provides for aqueous based emulsions containing uniquely labeled cells, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc., wherein the emulsions further comprise primers, labels, probes, and other reactants. An oil based carrier-fluid envelopes the emulsion library on a microfluidic device, such that a continuous channel provides for flow of the immiscible fluids, to accomplish pooling, coalescing, mixing, sorting, detection, etc., of the emulsion library.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Darren Roy Link, Laurent Boitard, Jeffrey Branciforte, Yves Charles, Gilbert Feke, John Q. Lu, David Marran, Ahmadali Tabatabai, Michael Weiner, Wolfgang Hinz, Jonathan M. Rothberg
  • ELECTRIC FIELD DIRECTED LOADING OF MICROWELL ARRAY
    Publication number: 20170038334
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a device substrate including an array of sensors. Each sensor of the array of sensors can include a electrode structure disposed at a surface of the device substrate. The apparatus further includes a wall structure overlying the surface of the device substrate and defining an array of wells at least partially corresponding with the array of sensors. The well structure including an electrode layer and an insulative layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Kristopher BARBEE, John DAVIDSON, Wolfgang HINZ, Shifeng LI, James BUSTILLO
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS USING FET ARRAYS
    Publication number: 20170029873
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses relating to large scale FET arrays for analyte detection and measurement are provided. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan M. ROTHBERG, Wolfgang HINZ
  • SENSOR FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20170030854
    Abstract: Provided herein is a sensor comprising a substrate having a first reaction region and a second reaction region, a first electrode associated with the first reaction region, a second electrode associated with the second reaction region and a third electrode wherein the third electrode is common to both the first reaction region and the second reaction region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Creighton BUIE, John DONOHUE, Chiu Tai Andrew WONG, James A. BALL, Wolfgang HINZ, James BUSTILLO, Jordan OWENS, Shifeng LI
  • Polymer Substrates Formed From Carboxy Functional Acrylamide
    Publication number: 20170002152
    Abstract: A polymer substrate, such as a polymer particle, is formed from a carboxyl functional monomer. In an example, the carboxyl functional monomer has a protection group in place of the OH of the carboxyl group. Once the monomer is polymerized, such a protection group can be removed, providing a polymer network with carboxyl functional sites. Such sites can be used to attach other functionality to the polymer substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Geir FONNUM, Steven M. MENCHEN, Talha M. GOKMEN, Pontus LUNDBERG, Prasanna Krishnan THWAR, Alfred LUI, Lily LU, Wolfgang HINZ, Lene HUSABOE, Elisabeth BREIVOLD, Astrid Evenroed MOLTEBERG, Synne LARSEN
  • Microfluidic devices and methods of use in the formation and control of nanoreactors
    Patent number: 9534216
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel microfluidic devices and methods that are useful for performing high-throughput screening assays and combinatorial chemistry. The invention provides for aqueous based emulsions containing uniquely labeled cells, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc., wherein the emulsions further comprise primers, labels, probes, and other reactants. An oil based carrier-fluid envelopes the emulsion library on a microfluidic device, such that a continuous channel provides for flow of the immiscible fluids, to accomplish pooling, coalescing, mixing, sorting, detection, etc., of the emulsion library.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Raindance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren R. Link, Laurent Boitard, Jeffrey Branciforte, Yves Charles, Gilbert Feke, John Q. Lu, David Marran, Ahmadali Tabatabai, Michael Weiner, Wolfgang Hinz, Jonathan M. Rothberg
  • Purification systems and methods
    Patent number: 9534092
    Abstract: A method of preparing hydrogel particles includes applying a solution including a plurality of hydrogel particles to a stir cell. A retentate side of a filter defines a lower surface of the stir cell. The filter has the retentate side and a permeate side. The method further includes, while stirring the solution within the stir cell, dispensing a buffer solution at a first flow rate to the stir cell and drawing a permeate from the permeate side of the filter using a pump at a second flow rate, the permeate including a subset of the plurality of hydrogel particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hinz, Ryan Jones, David Light
  • Sensor arrays and methods for making same
    Patent number: 9528962
    Abstract: A system includes a sensor including a sensor pad and includes a well wall structure defining a well operatively connected to the sensor pad. The sensor pad is associated with a lower surface of the well. The well wall structure defines an upper surface and a wall surface extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. The upper surface is defined by an upper buffer material having an intrinsic buffer capacity of at least 2×1017 groups/m2. The wall surface is defined by a wall material having an intrinsic buffer capacity of not greater than 1.7×1017 groups/m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Shifeng Li, James Bustillo, Wolfgang Hinz
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING ANALYTES USING LARGE SCALE FET ARRAYS
    Publication number: 20160326580
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan M. ROTHBERG, Wolfgang HINZ, Kim L. JOHNSON, James BUSTILLO
  • Hydrophilic polymeric particles and methods for making and using same
    Patent number: 9487603
    Abstract: A method of forming a particle includes, in a disperse phase within an aqueous suspension, polymerizing a plurality of mer units of a hydrophilic monomer having a hydrophobic protection group, thereby forming a polymeric particle including a plurality of the hydrophobic protection groups. The method further includes converting the polymeric particle to a hydrophilic particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignees: LIfe Technologies Corporation, Life Technologies AS
    Inventors: Geir Fonnum, Grete Irene Modahl, Nini Hofslokken Kjus, Astrid Evenroed Molteberg, Diem Tran, Jo Aaserud, M. Talha Gokmen, Steven M. Menchen, Carl Fuller, Luisa Andruzzi, Wolfgang Hinz
  • Electric field directed loading of microwell array
    Patent number: 9476854
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a device substrate including an array of sensors. Each sensor of the array of sensors can include a electrode structure disposed at a surface of the device substrate. The apparatus further includes a wall structure overlying the surface of the device substrate and defining an array of wells at least partially corresponding with the array of sensors. The well structure including an electrode layer and an insulative layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kristopher Barbee, John F. Davidson, Wolfgang Hinz, Shifeng Li, James Bustillo
  • Chemical Coating of Microwell for Electrochemical Detection Device
    Publication number: 20160305905
    Abstract: The described embodiments may provide a method of fabricating a chemical detection device. The method may comprise forming a microwell above a CMOS device. The microwell may comprise a bottom surface and sidewalls. The method may further comprise applying a first chemical to be selectively attached to the bottom surface of the microwell, forming a metal oxide layer on the sidewalls of the microwell, and applying a second chemical to be selectively attached to the sidewalls of the microwell. The second chemical may lack an affinity to the first chemical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Wolfgang HINZ, John Matthew MAURO, Shifeng LI, James BUSTILLO
  • Methods and apparatus for measuring analytes using large scale FET arrays
    Patent number: 9458502
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in the concentration of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), hydrogen ions, and nucleotide triphosphates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Rothberg, Wolfgang Hinz, Kim L. Johnson, James Bustillo, John Leamon, Jonathan Schultz
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING ANALYTES USING LARGE SCALE FET ARRAYS
    Publication number: 20160274056
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to very large scale FET arrays for analyte measurements. ChemFET (e.g., ISFET) arrays may be fabricated using conventional CMOS processing techniques based on improved FET pixel and array designs that increase measurement sensitivity and accuracy, and at the same time facilitate significantly small pixel sizes and dense arrays. Improved array control techniques provide for rapid data acquisition from large and dense arrays. Such arrays may be employed to detect a presence and/or concentration changes of various analyte types in a wide variety of chemical and/or biological processes. In one example, chemFET arrays facilitate DNA sequencing techniques based on monitoring changes in hydrogen ion concentration (pH), changes in other analyte concentration, and/or binding events associated with chemical processes relating to DNA synthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan M. ROTHBERG, Wolfgang Hinz, Kim L. Johnson, James Bustillo