Including Means For Fluid Passage Between Compartments (e.g., Between Wells, Etc.) Patents (Class 435/288.5)
  • Patent number: 11905550
    Abstract: A process for preparing a biological sample including biological species, implemented in a preparation system, the preparation system including a device that includes: a housing, a first channel provided in the housing, a second channel provided in the housing, a chamber into which the first channel and the second channel open, a filter separating the chamber into two distinct spaces, the process including the following steps: injection of the biological sample in the form of a fluid via the first channel to concentrate biological species in the first space of the chamber of the device, injection of an immunological buffer fluid via the second channel of the device so as to at least partially elute the biological species with the immunological buffer fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives, SERVICE DEPARTMENTAL METROPOLITAIN D'INCENDIE ET DE SECOURS (SDMIS)
    Inventors: Anne-Gaelle Bourdat, Gregory Wenisch
  • Patent number: 11852571
    Abstract: A sample separation device to introduce a sample to be separated to an inside of the sample separation device, centrifuge the sample, and collect a desired liquid after separation, includes: a sample introducing portion introducing the sample into the sample separation device; a liquid surface defining portion connected to the sample introducing portion; a first separating portion connected to the liquid surface defining portion; a second separating portion connected to the first separating portion; a third separating portion connected to the second separating portion; and a liquid extracting portion including the third separating portion and connected to the third separating portion, in which a tubular flow path is formed by at least the first separating portion and the second separating portion, in which an opening of the sample introducing portion and an opening of the liquid extracting portion are oriented in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Ishige, Sakuichiro Adachi, Takahiro Ando
  • Patent number: 11701651
    Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device capable of removing microbubbles in a channel by using a porous thin film, the microfluidic device comprising: an upper panel comprising a microfluidic channel through which a fluid passes; a porous thin film attached to the bottom surface of the microfluidic channel so as to remove microbubbles included in the fluid that passes through the microfluidic channel; a lower panel contacting the bottom surface of the porous thin film and the upper panel, a path being provided in the lower panel so as to discharge microbubbles, which pass through the porous thin film, to the outside; and a vacuum-suctioning means for vacuum-suctioning the upper panel and the lower panel such that the microfluidic channel, to which the porous thin film is attached, is attached to the lower panel in a vacuum state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: INJE UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Ki-Ho Han, Hyung-Seok Cho
  • Patent number: 11633734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for synthesising oligonucleotides, comprising: a reagent container receptacle (1) for holding a reagent container support (17) comprising multiple reagent containers (18); an exchangeable microfluid chip (10) comprising a synthesis chamber, fluid connectors and microfluid valves; a control device (5); fluid connecting means (2); wherein the device can be loaded with the microfluid chip (10) and the reagent container support (17) when in a loading position; a chip receptacle (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Kilobaser GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Murer, Martin Jost, Bernhard Tittelbach, Reinhard Diethardt
  • Patent number: 11623217
    Abstract: A liquid handling device includes a plurality of first wells configured for a first sample; a first channel connected to the plurality of first wells; a plurality of second wells configured for a second sample; a second channel connected to the plurality of second wells; a plurality of processing agent wells configured for a processing agent configured to process the first sample and the second sample; a processing agent channel connected to the plurality of processing agent wells; and a common channel connected to the first channel, the second channel and the processing agent channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Yamauchi, Nobuya Sunaga
  • Patent number: 11578361
    Abstract: A gene detection method, a gene detection kit, and a gene detection device, including the following steps: providing a plurality of separation cavities on a kit, using a plunger to separate adjacent separation cavities, and respectively providing a lysate solution, a washing solution and a reaction solution in the separation cavities; when detecting a sample, pushing each plunger to align a plunger hole of the plunger with the separation cavity, thereby making the separation cavities interconnected; then, controlling magnetic beads in the kit to drive the sample to be tested to pass through the separation cavities in sequence by an electromagnetic control method, carrying out a lysing, a washing and a reaction in sequence; and finally, performing a optical detection on a gene in the reaction solution from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: HANGZHOU LIFEREAL BIOTECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qian Song, Wenfei Xu, Xin Wang, Xiangzhao Zheng
  • Patent number: 11486802
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for high throughput purification of particles. In some cases, methods and devices described herein can be used to remove erythrocytes and purify leukocytes and raise the quality of umbilical cord blood and other transplant grafts, thereby significantly improving patient outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE, THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Joseph D'Silva, Robert H. Austin, Curt Civin, James C. Sturm
  • Patent number: 11440009
    Abstract: A method may include etching a number of holes into a carrier wafer layer to form a plurality of filters in the carrier wafer layer, patterning a chamber layer over a first side of the carrier wafer layer to form chambers above each filter formed in the carrier wafer layer, forming a layer over the chamber layer, grinding a second side of the carrier wafer layer to expose the number of holes etched into the carrier wafer layer, and bonding a molded substrate to the carrier wafer layer opposite the chamber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Chien-Hua Chen, Michael W. Cumbie, Devin Alexander Mourey
  • Patent number: 11426726
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for serial flow emulsion processes. Systems and methods as described herein can result in reduced cross-contamination, greater accuracy and precision, less expensive materials and processes, decreased run times, and/or other advantages, e.g., through use of improved injectors, partitioners, detectors, and/or other elements useful in serial flow emulsion systems and processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: DROPWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Perkins, Matthew Ryan Dunn, Andrew Carl Larsen, Donna Kelley, Michael Barich, Kristopher Holub, Pin Kao
  • Patent number: 11376586
    Abstract: A sensor cassette insertable into an analysis module for carrying out electrochemical measurement processes in sample fluids, including a sensor carrier which is essentially planar and carries electrochemical sensor elements for determining chemical and/or physical parameters of the sample fluids. The sensor elements are connected to conductor tracks formed on the sensor carrier. A cover part is arranged on the sensor carrier, in which at least one groove-shaped measuring channel that is intended for the flow of the sample fluid and opens towards the sensor carrier is formed, which measuring channel is connected to at least one electrochemical sensor element and is fluidly connected to at least one fluid connector arranged on the side facing away from the sensor carrier. The cover part is a two-component injection molded part having a hard component and a soft, component. The measuring channel is formed in the soft component over its entire length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ERBA TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Felsberger, Gerhard Schlembacher, Martin Hackl, Sebastian Reif, Arne Sieber, Dietmar Wierkl
  • Patent number: 11356306
    Abstract: Technologies for cooperative link equalization include a network device with a network interface controller (NIC). The NIC is to monitor variation in a property of a link channel that connects the network device with a target network device. The NIC detects, based on the channel variation, an event that triggers a condition to change an equalization setting of the link channel. In response to the detection, the NIC communicates, via an in-band equalization control channel, changes to the equalization setting of the link channel to the target network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Nishantkumar Shah, Kevan A. Lillie, Adee Ofir Ran, Itamar Levin, Kent Lusted
  • Patent number: 11327073
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are detection devices, systems including such detection devices, and methods of using such detection devices. A detection device comprises a fluidic channel configured to receive a plurality of molecules to be detected, a plurality of temperature sensors, and an insulating material encapsulating the plurality of temperature sensors and providing a barrier between the plurality of temperature sensors and contents of the fluidic channel. A surface of the insulating material within the fluidic channel provides a plurality of sites for binding the plurality of molecules to be detected. Each of the plurality of temperature sensors is configured to detect, in the presence of an alternating magnetic field, a temperature change indicating presence or absence of one or more magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) coupled to at least one of the plurality of molecules to be detected at a respective subset of the plurality of sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Braganca, Daniel Bedau
  • Patent number: 11285483
    Abstract: A cell observation system observes a cell moving in a flow path with a fluid, and includes a first observation apparatus, a second observation apparatus, and a control device. The first observation apparatus includes an objective lens and a line camera. The second observation apparatus includes an objective lens and an area camera. The control device analyzes first imaging data output from the first observation apparatus to determine whether the cell satisfies a specific condition, instructs the area camera to output second imaging data of the cell determined to satisfy the specific condition, and analyzes the second imaging data output from the second observation apparatus to determine whether the cell is a specific cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HAMAMATSU UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Kikuchi, Shigetoshi Okazaki, Hidenao Yamada, Yusuke Ozaki, Amane Hirotsu, Daisuke Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11231347
    Abstract: A system, methods, and apparatus are described to collect and prepare single cells, nuclei, subcellular components, and biomolecules from specimens including tissues. The system can perform enzymatic and/or physical disruption of the tissue to dissociate it into single-cells or nuclei in suspension or subcellular components including nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the titer of dissociated cells is monitored at intervals and the viability determined. In some embodiments, the processing is adjusted according to the measurements of the titer and viability. In some embodiments, the single-cells or nuclei in suspension are washed and resuspended in the buffer or media of choice. In some embodiments, the conditions are chosen to produce nuclei. In other embodiments, the single-cells or nuclei are purified by affinity paramagnetic bead processing. In some embodiments, matched bulk nucleic acid to the single-cells is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: S2 GENOMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Stevan Jovanovich, Frank Zaugg, Kaiwan Chear, Roger McIntosh, Nathan Pereira
  • Patent number: 11192110
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for isolating fetal cells from a maternal blood supply in order to perform non-invasive prenatal testing. In one example, a system for non-invasive prenatal testing includes a substrate coated with a cell-capturing surface, the cell-capturing surface including an array of pillar-like structures, each pillar-like structure including a plurality of intersecting arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Lian Liu
  • Patent number: 11174513
    Abstract: A stack of fluidics layers of a microfluidic cartridge for sequencing nucleic acid molecules includes a sequencing chamber layer having a sequencing chamber area configured for carrying out clustering and sequencing reactions, and a sequencing chamber bottom layer disposed under the sequencing chamber layer. The sequencing chamber bottom layer has an opening configured to hold an image sensor with the image sensor having an active area disposed under the sequencing chamber area. The sequencing chamber area spans substantially all of the active area of the image sensor. The stack of fluidics layers includes a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) layer under the sequencing chamber bottom layer, and a fluidics channels layer disposed under the flexible PCB layer. The fluidics channels layer includes fluidics channels that are configured to deliver reactants to the sequencing chamber area. The fluidics channels do not substantially overlap with the active area of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Illumina, Inc.
    Inventors: Poorya Sabounchi, Behnam Javanmardi, Tarun Khurana, Philip Paik, Yan-You Lin
  • Patent number: 11077415
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for forming mixed droplets. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve forming a droplet, and contacting the droplet with a fluid stream, wherein a portion of the fluid stream integrates with the droplet to form a mixed droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Yevgeny Yurkovetsky, Darren Roy Link, Jonathan William Larson
  • Patent number: 10987671
    Abstract: Reservoir-based management of volumetric flow rates in fluidic systems is generally described. Inventive systems and methods for liquid-liquid separations and/or liquid-gas separations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Zaiput Flow Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Andrea Adamo, Robert Andrew Butters, Trevor Charles Murray
  • Patent number: 10941393
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for the encapsulation of particles within liquid droplets are disclosed. The new methods and devices form 1-100 picoliter-size monodisperse droplets containing the particles, such as single cells, encapsulated in individual liquid droplets. The particles can be encapsulated in droplets of a fluid by passing a fluid containing the particles through a high aspect-ratio microchannel to order the particles in the fluid, followed by forming the fluid into droplets. The resulting fraction of the liquid droplets with a single particle (e.g., a cell) is higher than the corresponding fraction of single-particle liquid droplets predicted by Poisson statistics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Jon F. Edd, Mehmet Toner, Dino DiCarlo, Daniel Irimia
  • Patent number: 10919036
    Abstract: A flow cell is provided that includes surface-attached structures in a chamber. The structures are movable in response to a magnetic or electric field. A target extraction or isolation system includes the flow cell and a driver configured for applying a magnetic or electric field to the interior of the flow cell to actuate movement of the structures. The flow cell may be utilized to extract or isolate a target from a sample flowing through the flow cell. Further, a microfluidic system is provided that includes surface-attached structures and a microarray, wherein actuated motion of the surface-attached structures is used to enhance flow, circulation, and/or mixing action for analyte capture on the microarray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignees: REDBUD LABS, INC., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Richard Chasen Spero, Jay Kenneth Fisher, Richard Superfine
  • Patent number: 10900896
    Abstract: A flow cell is provided that includes surface-attached structures in a chamber. The structures are movable in response to a magnetic or electric field. A target extraction or isolation system includes the flow cell and a driver configured for applying a magnetic or electric field to the interior of the flow cell to actuate movement of the structures. The flow cell may be utilized to extract or isolate a target from a sample flowing through the flow cell. Further, a microfluidic system is provided that includes surface-attached structures and a microarray, wherein actuated motion of the surface-attached structures is used to enhance flow, circulation, and/or mixing action for analyte capture on the microarray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: REDBUD LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Chasen Spero, Jay Kenneth Fisher, Richard Superfine
  • Patent number: 10900886
    Abstract: The method, device, and system relate to particle analysis, and in particular, to a microfluidic device designed for trapping particles for analysis. Particles include beads and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Janmin Lee, Paul Ju-Sung Hung, Narendra Maheshri
  • Patent number: 10884008
    Abstract: Provided are: a device for storing biochemical reagents wherein an amount of a reagent can be hermetically stored and dropped from a storage site without coming into contact with the outside air; and a biochemical analyzer using the device. The device (10) is constituted by: sticking a top sheet (32) to a base sheet (31) provided with a convex-shaped hollow pocket (16) in which a reagent can be housed; a reagent container as a PTP packaging sheet (30) wherein an opening of the pocket in the base sheet (31), in which a reagent is preliminarily housed, is hermetically sealed with the top sheet (32); and sticking the film sheet surface as the top sheet (32) of the PTP packaging sheet (30), in which the reagent is hermetically packaged, to a cartridge surface of a device body (20) to thereby hermetically seal the inside of the device body too.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taro Nakazawa, Motohiro Yamazaki, Tatsuya Yamashita, Yoshitaka Kodama
  • Patent number: 10766029
    Abstract: Devices are for assessing the migration response in the presence of a stable encapsulated gradient of a factor or factor combination, and quantifying the adherence response inside micro-channels in the presence of different factors. A platform is for obtaining information relating to migration score or the quantification of adhered cells through use of the devices, and it allows this information to be used to assess therapeutic potential. A method quantifies the cells migration response and the cell adherence response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: CELLS FOR CELLS S.A.
    Inventor: Juan Pablo Acevedo Cox
  • Patent number: 10761093
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for a microdevice to separate blood cells based on differences in antigen expression. Specifically, cells of the same phenotype are separated based on whether or not they are activated during infection or resting. The device of the present disclosure takes a small sample of blood and provides differential cell counts that can be used to test for infection and inflammatory response. The device can be used to identify sepsis and other infections rapidly. By measuring differences in activated white cell counts such as neutrophils, the device of the present disclosure measures physiological response to infection in hospitalized patients recovering from burns, surgeries, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventor: Dimitri Pappas
  • Patent number: 10730041
    Abstract: Fluidic devices and related methods are generally provided. The fluidic devices described herein may be useful, for example, for diagnostic purposes (e.g., detection of the presence of one or more disease causing bacteria in a patient sample). Unlike certain existing fluidic devices for diagnostic purposes, the fluidic devices and methods described herein may be useful for detecting the presence of numerous disease causing bacteria in a patient sample substantially simultaneously (e.g., in parallel). In some embodiments, the fluidic devices and methods described herein provide highly sensitive detection of microbes in relatively large fluidic samples (e.g., between 0.5 mL and about 5 mL), as compared to certain existing fluidic detection (e.g., microfluidic) devices and methods. In an exemplary embodiment, increased detection sensitivity of microbial pathogens present in a patient sample (e.g., blood) is performed by selectively removing human nucleic acid prior to sensitive detection of microbial infection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: HelixBind, Inc.
    Inventors: Alon Singer, Ranjit Prakash
  • Patent number: 10688492
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for isolating fetal cells from a maternal blood supply in order to perform non-invasive prenatal testing. In one example, a system for non-invasive prenatal testing includes a substrate coated with a cell-capturing surface, the cell-capturing surface including an array of pillar-like structures, each pillar-like structure including a plurality of intersecting arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Lian Liu
  • Patent number: 10620108
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing a specimen in which a target component in a specimen is processed using a specimen processing chip provided with a flow-path, the method including: introducing a fluid into a flow-path to form an interface that divides the fluid from a process liquid used for the processing of the target component with a rim of the interface on an inner wall of the flow-path, the process liquid containing particles including the target component; and moving the formed interface along the flow-path with the rim of the interface on the inner wall so as to force out the particles retained in the process liquid by the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuko Kawamoto, Ayato Tagawa
  • Patent number: 10563164
    Abstract: Reader and plate methods, operations, and systems for observing a biological sample are shown and described. In one embodiment, a reader device includes selecting a plate type between at least two plate type selections on a user interface. One embodiment includes aligning a peel plate within a tray holder nest to define a semi-fixed processing position. One embodiment includes transporting a peel plate from a loading position into a focal alignment with an imaging device for monitoring biological growth, when present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Charm Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T Skiffington, Robert S Salter, Robert J Markovsky, Stanley E Charm, Paul E Graham, Byron A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 10551382
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the subset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Roy Link, Michael L. Samuels
  • Patent number: 10500167
    Abstract: The invention includes microfluidic methods and devices that allow for the continuous production of microfibers with embedded droplets aligned along the length of the fiber at specific positions. The invention allows for formation of single or multiple emulsions within a fiber. The various phases comprised within the fiber can vary in terms of in terms of hydrophobic/hydrophilic character, solid/fluid, or gel crosslink density, which allows for the introduction of heterogeneous microenvironments within the fiber, each of which with distinct solubility characteristics, permeability, and mechanical properties. Various compounds and materials can be encapsulated in the different microcompartments of the fiber for storage and delivery applications, as well as to provide multifunctionality to the fiber structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Howard A. Stone, Janine K. Nunes, Eujin Um, Tamara Pico
  • Patent number: 10434515
    Abstract: A microfluidic device can include a temperature regulator positioned to generate a temperature gradient across a thermally controlled portion of the microfluidic device from a high temperature region to a low temperature region. Additionally, the microfluidic device can include a bi-directional microfluidic serpentine pathway having a first terminus and a second terminus. The bi-directional microfluidic serpentine pathway can be oriented along a longitudinal direction transverse to the temperature gradient. Further, the bi-directional microfluidic serpentine pathway can include a plurality of oscillation segments fluidly coupling the first terminus to the second terminus and forming a flow path adapted to oscillate a fluid between the high temperature region and the low temperature region. The bi-directional microfluidic serpentine pathway can have a uniform cross section to facilitate bi-directional flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Raheel Samuel, Bruce Gale, Alex Jafek, James Trauba, Kenneth Aston
  • Patent number: 10345207
    Abstract: The method is for quantification of sub-visible particles. A filter membrane is provided that has a plurality of pores defined therethrough. The filter membrane is in operational engagement with a vacuum chamber. The pores are sealed with a sealant. A sample droplet, containing a liquid and sub-visible particles, is applied onto the filter membrane. The liquid dissolves the sealant in pores disposed directly below the sample droplet. The liquid flows through the pores in which the sealant has been dissolved and the sub-visible particles remain on top of the filter membrane. The particles are enumerated in an electron microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT VIRUS INC.
    Inventors: Rickard Nordstrom, Ida-Maria Sintorn, Lars Haag
  • Patent number: 10247648
    Abstract: The method is for quantification of sub-visible particles. A filter membrane is provided that has a plurality of pores defined therethrough. The filter membrane is in operational engagement with a vacuum chamber. The pores are sealed with a sealant. A sample droplet, containing a liquid and sub-visible particles, is applied onto the filter membrane. The liquid dissolves the sealant in pores disposed directly below the sample droplet. The liquid flows through the pores in which the sealant has been dissolved and the sub-visible particles remain on top of the filter membrane. The particles are enumerated in an electron microscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Intelligent Virus Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Rickard Nordstrom, Ida-Maria Sintorn, Lars Haag
  • Patent number: 10228317
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting particles are described. In one implementation, a system for sorting particles include a microfluidic device, a detection system, and an optical switching system. The microfluidic device includes a sample channel for passing through the particles in a fluid medium, a plurality of output channels fluidly connected to the sample channel at a plurality of junctions, and an actuation channel. The detection system detects a particle passing through the sample channel. The optical switching system deflects the particle to a target output channel based on results detected by the detection system. The optical switching system includes a modulation device configured to direct a laser pulse to an actuation region in the actuation channel corresponding to the target output channel. Advantageously, the systems and methods allow for accurate and dynamic sorting of a mixture of cells into a plurality of subpopulations using a simple microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Michael Brundage, Supriyo Sinha
  • Patent number: 10155207
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for forming mixed droplets. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve forming a droplet, and contacting the droplet with a fluid stream, wherein a portion of the fluid stream integrates with the droplet to form a mixed droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Yevgeny Yurkovetsky, Darren R. Link, Jonathan William Larson
  • Patent number: 10139411
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the subset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Raindance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Roy Link, Michael L. Samuels
  • Patent number: 10118174
    Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Rustem F. Ismagilov, Joshua David Tice, Helen Song Baca, Lewis Spencer Roach
  • Patent number: 10105702
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating, manipulating, and measuring fluidic droplets in mixed phase systems based on establishing transient continuities between otherwise spatially separated phases. In certain methods of the invention, electrodes in contact with the continuous phases allow electrical monitoring of continuity or proximity of separated phases as a means to characterize droplets. In other methods of the invention, fluidic continuity provides a means for generating droplets, injecting or extracting the contents of droplets, and sorting droplets. Chemical techniques are also provided that use these droplet-based methods, or others, to quantify and identify nucleic acids through incorporation into hydrogel particles. The nucleic acids are entrapped either actively by chemical incorporation during gel polymerization or passively by chain entanglement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Lariat Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Larson
  • Patent number: 10010882
    Abstract: A microfluidic device can comprise at least one swept region that is fluidically connected to unswept regions. The fluidic connections between the swept region and the unswept regions can enable diffusion but substantially no flow of media between the swept region and the unswept regions. The capability of biological micro-objects to produce an analyte of interest can be assayed in such a microfluidic device. Biological micro-objects in sample material loaded into a microfluidic device can be selected for particular characteristics and disposed into unswept regions. The sample material can then be flowed out of the swept region and an assay material flowed into the swept region. Flows of medium in the swept region do not substantially affect the biological micro-objects in the unswept regions, but any analyte of interest produced by a biological micro-object can diffuse from an unswept region into the swept region, where the analyte can react with the assay material to produce a localized detectable reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Berkeley Lights, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. White, Eric D. Hobbs, J. Tanner Nevill, Daniele Malleo, Steven W. Short
  • Patent number: 9968902
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present invention provide devices and methods for preparing oligonucleotides and for assembling nucleic acid molecules using microfluidic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Gen9, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Li-Yang Chu
  • Patent number: 9957472
    Abstract: A microfluidic platform for single-cell capture, stimulation, and imaging. It passively traps 4,000 single cells on a 4.5 mm2 footprint in 30 seconds, with a single-cell loading efficiency of 95%. The array format and optimized geometry allows for easy, robust and efficient single-cell loading, while maintaining captured cells in a low shear stress environment for long-term studies. Because cells are captured sequentially, the system is adequate for rare cell samples. Trapped cells can be exposed to various environmental conditions and chemical stimulus and their dynamic response can be monitored over time. The information gained from high-throughput, single-cell time lapsed imaging presents new opportunities in quantifying cellular responses, as averaged information by other measurement methods eliminates sub-population phenotypes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kwanghun Chung, Catherine Rivet, Hang Lu, Melissa Kemp
  • Patent number: 9839893
    Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Rustem F. Ismagilov, Joshua David Tice, Helen Song, Lewis Spencer Roach
  • Patent number: 9782736
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing various types of microdroplets are provided. The apparatus has a cross intersection portion 7 at which a first continuous phase 2, a first dispersion phase 4, and a second dispersion phase 6 intersect with each other; a first liquid feed device 12 controlling the first dispersion phase 4; a second liquid feed device 13 controlling the second dispersion phase 6; and a control device 11 connected to the first liquid feed device 12 and the second liquid feed device 13, in which the first liquid feed device 12 and the second liquid feed device 13 are controlled by a signal from the control device 11 so that microdroplets 9 formed of the first dispersion phase 4 and microdroplets 10 formed of the second dispersion phase 6 are sequentially produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventors: Toru Torii, Toshiro Higuchi, Takashi Nishisako, Shingo Okushima
  • Patent number: 9757728
    Abstract: According to the invention, generally, a microfluidic aliquoting (MA) chip, adapted to fit in a Petri dish, has a center well (inlet) connected by a plurality of microchannels to a plurality of side wells (outlets). A relatively large (such as 120 ?L) cell suspension having several cells may be injected into the inlet of the MA chip, and single cells may be substantially simultaneously and uniformly distributed, via positive pressure-driving flow, to the several (such as 120) side wells having single cells in less than 1 minute. The MA Chip has a high efficiency in cell recovery. Due to rapid isolation and easy identification of single cells, high cell viability, high enrichment factor, and convenient transfer of submicroliter single-cell suspension, MA Chips are well compatible with CTC isolation from blood, single-cell cloning, PCR, and sequencing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventors: Lidong Qin, Kai Zhang
  • Patent number: 9719971
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic flame ionization detector for use in small scale separations, such as, for example, microfluidic gas chromatography and microfluidic carbon dioxide based fluid chromatography. In some arrangements, the microfluidic counter-current flame ionization detector employs a non-parallel arrangement for the introduction of combustion gases into the combustion chamber. In other arrangements, the detector housing is configured to incorporate at least one of the detector electrodes within the housing using electrically isolating fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Joseph D. Michienzi, James P. Murphy, Geoff Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 9707554
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable device (100) for amplifying at least one target nucleic acid present in a liquid and biological sample of interest, which consists of a solid body (2), at least one fluid channel (3) connecting an inlet (4), via which all or part of the sample of interest can be drawn up and/or discharged, and an outlet (5), which is itself connected to a means for the drawing up/discharging of the said sample of interest, the fluid channel (3) further comprising from the inlet (4) to the outlet (5): a first compartment (8) containing all or part of the thermostable constituents, a means (15) for mixing the constituents with the sample of interest, a second compartment (9) containing all or part of the non-thermostable constituents, and in addition, at least one zone intended for heating the said sample of interest (6) mixed with the said amplification constituents in order to allow the amplification of the target nucleic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: bioMérieux, S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick Broyer, Laurent Drazek, Agnès Dupont Filliard, Michel Guy, Frédéric Pinston, Magaly Ponsard-Fillette, Thierry Kollaroczy
  • Patent number: 9637715
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices, systems, and methods providing for an invasion assay using microfluidic culture systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Hung, Philip J. Lee
  • Patent number: 9617520
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for generating concentration gradients of soluble molecules are disclosed herein. Devices and methods for generating in vitro blood vessels are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SNU R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Noo Li Jeon, Ju Hun Yeon, Qing Ping Hu, Sudong Kim, Hyun Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 9556470
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the subset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Raindance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Link, Michael L. Samuels