Patents by Inventor Zhishan Hua
Zhishan Hua 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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Patent number: 9952177Abstract: The invention is directed to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrating gel electrophoresis analysis with pre or post-analytical sample handling as well as other molecular analysis processes. Using digital microfluidics technology, the droplet actuator device and methods of the invention provide the ability to perform gel electrophoresis and liquid handling operations on a single integrated device. The integrated liquid handling operations may be used to prepare and deliver samples to the electrophoresis gel, capture and subsequently process products of the electrophoresis gel or perform additional assays on the same sample materials which are analyzed by gel electrophoresis. In one embodiment, one or more molecular assays, such as nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) quantification by real-time PCR, and one or more sample processing operations such as sample dilution is performed on a droplet actuator integrated with an electrophoresis gel.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignees: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC., DUKE UNIVERSITYInventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vijay Srinivasan, Zhishan Hua, Hon Lung Chu, Michael Hauser, Allen Eckhardt
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Publication number: 20170266653Abstract: Methods of concentrating beads in a droplet and/or loading beads on a fluidic device are provided, including among other things, a method of concentrating beads in a droplet, the method comprising: (a) providing a droplet actuator comprising: (i) an interior droplet operations volume; and (ii) a reservoir exterior to the interior volume; (iii) a droplet established in a liquid path extending from the reservoir into the interior volume; (b) providing magnetically responsive beads in the portion of the droplet which is in the reservoir; (c) magnetically attracting the magnetically responsive beads through the liquid path into the portion of the droplet which is in the interior volume; and (d) forming a droplet comprising one or more of the magnetically responsive beads in the interior volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Michael G. POLLACK, Ramakrishna SISTA, Zhishan HUA, Vamsee K. PAMULA, Arjun SUDARSAN, Vijay SRINIVASAN, Prasanna THWAR, Alexander SHENDEROV, Dwayne ALLEN
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Patent number: 9675972Abstract: Methods of concentrating beads in a droplet and/or loading beads on a fluidic device are provided, including among other things, a method of concentrating beads in a droplet, the method comprising: (a) providing a droplet actuator comprising: (i) an interior droplet operations volume; and (ii) a reservoir exterior to the interior volume; (iii) a droplet established in a liquid path extending from the reservoir into the interior volume; (b) providing magnetically responsive beads in the portion of the droplet which is in the reservoir; (c) magnetically attracting the magnetically responsive beads through the liquid path into the portion of the droplet which is in the interior volume; and (d) forming a droplet comprising one or more of the magnetically responsive beads in the interior volume.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Ramakrishna Sista, Zhishan Hua, Vamsee K. Pamula, Arjun Sudarsan, Vijay Srinivasan, Prasanna Thwar, Alexander Shenderov, Dwayne Allen
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Patent number: 9630180Abstract: A droplet actuator with a droplet formation electrode configuration associated with a droplet operations surface, wherein the electrode configuration may include one or more electrodes configured to control volume of a droplet during formation of a sub-droplet on the droplet operations surface. Methods of making and using the droplet actuator are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Zhishan Hua, Arjun Sudarsan, Philip Y. Paik
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Patent number: 9511369Abstract: The invention provides a droplet actuator. The droplet actuator may include a base substrate and a top substrate separated to form a gap. The base substrate may include electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations in the gap; and the top substrate may include a glass substrate portion coupled to a non-glass portion, where the non-glass portion may include one or more openings establishing a fluid path extending from an exterior of the droplet actuator and into the gap. The invention also provides related methods of manufacturing the droplet actuator, methods of using the droplet actuator, and methods of loading the droplet actuator.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Alexander Shenderov, Zhishan Hua, Arjun Sudarsan
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Publication number: 20160108432Abstract: The invention provides a droplet actuator designed for performing electroporation on cells in droplets. The invention also provides method and systems for performing electroporation on cells in droplets on a droplet actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2014Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.Inventors: Srikoundinya Punnamaraju, Melissa A. Sandahl, John J. Harrington, Allen E. Eckhardt, Zhishan Hua, Michael G. Pollack
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Publication number: 20150323496Abstract: The invention is directed to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrating gel electrophoresis analysis with pre or post-analytical sample handling as well as other molecular analysis processes. Using digital microfluidics technology, the droplet actuator device and methods of the invention provide the ability to perform gel electrophoresis and liquid handling operations on a single integrated device. The integrated liquid handling operations may be used to prepare and deliver samples to the electrophoresis gel, capture and subsequently process products of the electrophoresis gel or perform additional assays on the same sample materials which are analyzed by gel electrophoresis. In one embodiment, one or more molecular assays, such as nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) quantification by real-time PCR, and one or more sample processing operations such as sample dilution is performed on a droplet actuator integrated with an electrophoresis gel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicants: DUKE UNIVERSITY, ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vijay Srinivasan, Zhishan Hua, Hon Lung Chu, Michael Hauser, Allen Eckhardt
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Patent number: 9157551Abstract: A microactuator may be configured by activating a source of electromagnetic radiation to heat and melt a selected set of phase-change plugs embedded in a substrate of the microactuator, pressurizing a common pressure chamber adjacent to each of the plugs to deform the melted plugs, and deactivating the source of electromagnetic radiation to cool and solidify the melted plugs.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Zhishan Hua, Erdogan Gulari, Mark A. Burns, Rohit Pal, Onnop Srivannavit
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Publication number: 20150253284Abstract: The invention is directed to certain droplet actuated molecular techniques. In one embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator methods for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a DNA sequence using digital microfluidics, including droplet actuator-based sample preparation and SNP analysis. In another embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator devices and methods for providing integrated sample preparation and multiplexed detection of an infectious agent, such as HIV. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator devices and techniques for PCR amplification and detection of specific nucleic acid sequences using digital microfluidics, including droplet actuator-based sample preparation and target nucleic acid analysis. In yet another embodiment the invention provides methods for performing hot-start PCR on a droplet actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Arjun Sudarsan, Zhishan Hua
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Patent number: 9091649Abstract: The invention is directed to a droplet actuator device and methods for integrating gel electrophoresis analysis with pre or post-analytical sample handling as well as other molecular analysis processes. Using digital microfluidics technology, the droplet actuator device and methods of the invention provide the ability to perform gel electrophoresis and liquid handling operations on a single integrated device. The integrated liquid handling operations may be used to prepare and deliver samples to the electrophoresis gel, capture and subsequently process products of the electrophoresis gel or perform additional assays on the same sample materials which are analyzed by gel electrophoresis. In one embodiment, one or more molecular assays, such as nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) quantification by real-time PCR, and one or more sample processing operations such as sample dilution is performed on a droplet actuator integrated with an electrophoresis gel.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignees: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC., DUKE UNIVERSITYInventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vijay Srinivasan, Zhishan Hua, Hon Lung Chu, Michael Hauser, Allen Eckhardt
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Patent number: 8877512Abstract: The present invention is directed to a droplet actuator and methods of making and using the droplet actuator including one or more substrates configured to form a droplet operations gap and including a physical or chemical feature that may be provided at a predetermined locus within or exposed to the droplet operations gap and configured to retain a bubble in position within the droplet operations gap.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Arjun Sudarsan, Zhishan Hua
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Publication number: 20140216932Abstract: The invention provides a droplet actuator. The droplet actuator may include a base substrate and a top substrate separated to form a gap. The base substrate may include electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations in the gap; and the top substrate may include a glass substrate portion coupled to a non-glass portion, where the non-glass portion may include one or more openings establishing a fluid path extending from an exterior of the droplet actuator and into the gap. The invention also provides related methods of manufacturing the droplet actuator, methods of using the droplet actuator, and methods of loading the droplet actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Alexander Shenderov, Zhishan Hua, Arjun Sudarsan
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Patent number: 8702938Abstract: The invention provides a droplet actuator comprising a base substrate and a top substrate separated to form a gap, wherein: (a) the base substrate comprises electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations in the gap; and (b) the top substrate comprises a first portion coupled to second portion, where the second portion comprises one or more openings establishing a fluid path extending from an exterior of the droplet actuator and into the gap. The invention also provides related methods of manufacturing the droplet actuator, methods of using the droplet actuator, and methods of loading the droplet actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Alexander Shenderov, Zhishan Hua, Arjun Sudarsan
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Publication number: 20140034141Abstract: A microactuator may be configured by activating a source of electromagnetic radiation to heat and melt a selected set of phase-change plugs embedded in a substrate of the microactuator, pressurizing a common pressure chamber adjacent to each of the plugs to deform the melted plugs, and deactivating the source of electromagnetic radiation to cool and solidify the melted plugs.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: The Regents of The University of MichiganInventors: Zhishan Hua, Erdogan Gulari, Mark A. Burns, Rohit Pal, Onnop Srivannavit
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Publication number: 20140014517Abstract: Droplet actuator for conducting droplet operations, such as droplet transport and droplet dispensing, is provided. In one embodiment, the droplet actuator may include an electrode that is rotationally but not reflectively symmetrical.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Zhishan Hua, Arjun Sudarsan, Allen E. Eckhardt
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Publication number: 20140008222Abstract: A method of loading a droplet actuator is provided. In one embodiment, the method may include, providing: a droplet actuator loaded with a filler fluid; a reservoir comprising a droplet fluid; and a fluid path extending from the reservoir into the droplet actuator; and forcing filler fluid from one locus in the droplet actuator to another locus in the droplet actuator; or out of the droplet actuator; thereby causing droplet fluid to flow through the fluid path and into the droplet actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Zhishan Hua, Arjun Sudarsan, Allen E. Eckhardt
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Publication number: 20130288254Abstract: The invention is directed to certain droplet actuated molecular techniques. In one embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator methods for detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a DNA sequence using digital microfluidics, including droplet actuator-based sample preparation and SNP analysis. In another embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator devices and methods for providing integrated sample preparation and multiplexed detection of an infectious agent, such as HIV. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides droplet actuator devices and techniques for PCR amplification and detection of specific nucleic acid sequences using digital microfluidics, including droplet actuator-based sample preparation and target nucleic acid analysis. In yet another embodiment the invention provides methods for performing hot-start PCR on a droplet actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2010Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vijay Srinivasan, Allen E. Eckhardt, Prasanna Thwar, Zhishan Hua, Arjun Sudarsan, Theodore Winger
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Patent number: 8562807Abstract: Droplet actuators for conducting droplet operations, such as droplet transport and droplet dispensing, are provided. In one embodiment, the droplet actuator may include a substrate including, droplet operations electrodes arranged for conducting droplet operations on a surface of the substrate; and reference electrodes associated with the droplet operations electrodes and extending above the surface of the substrate. Other embodiments of droplet actuators and methods of loading and using such droplet actuators are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Advanced Liquid Logic Inc.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Michael G. Pollack, Zhishan Hua, Arjun Sudarsan, Allen E. Eckhardt, Vamsee K. Pamula
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Patent number: 8551599Abstract: A microactuator may be configured by activating a source of electromagnetic radiation to heat and melt a selected set of phase-change plugs embedded in a substrate of the microactuator, pressurizing a common pressure chamber adjacent to each of the plugs to deform the melted plugs, and deactivating the source of electromagnetic radiation to cool and solidify the melted plugs.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Zhishan Hua, Erdogan Gulari, Mark A. Burns, Rohit Pal, Onnop Srivannavit
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Publication number: 20130217113Abstract: The invention relates to a droplet actuator for conducting droplet operations. The actuator includes a bottom substrate and a top substrate separated from the bottom substrate to form a gap. An arrangement of droplet operations electrodes may be located on a surface of the bottom substrate and/or top substrate. Optionally, a sample reservoir may hold a quantity of a sample fluid containing cells. A disruption device which can take various forms is used to lyse the cells in the sample or in a sample droplet to thereby conduct operations on samples having lysed cells therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: ADVANCED LIQUID LOGIC INC.Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, William Craig Bauer, Gregory F. Smith, Ryan A. Sturmer, Zhishan Hua, Allen E. Eckhardt