Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080197019 | Method of detecting directly undetecable analytes using directly detectable spacer molecules - The present invention provides a method of indirectly detecting at least one directly undetectable analyte of interest. According to the method, a leading electrolyte and a trailing electrolyte are provided. In addition, a mixture of the at least one directly undetectable analyte and at least two directly detectable spacer molecules is provided. The directly detectable spacer molecules and the directly undetectable analyte are then concentrated and separated into zones using isotachophoresis. A displacement between the zones of directly detectable spacer molecules is then used to determine the presence of the directly undetectable analyte. | 08-21-2008 |
20090032401 | Method and Apparatus Using Electric Field for Improved Biological Assays - Disclosed are a method and apparatus that use an electric field for improved biological assays. The electric field is applied across a device having wells, which receive reactants, which carry a charge. The device thus uses a controllable voltage source between the first and second electrodes, which is controllable to provide a positive charge and a negative charge to a given electrode. By controlled use of the electric field charged species in a fluid in a fluid channel are directed into or out of the well by an electric field between the electrodes. The present method involves the transport of fluids, as in a microfluidic device, and the electric field-induced movement of reactive species according to various assay procedures, such as DNA sequencing, synthesis or the like. | 02-05-2009 |
20090306454 | Devices and Methods for Stimulation of Tissue - Devices, systems and methods are provided for directly stimulating tissues, particularly muscle tissues, to modulate muscle contractions (i.e. provide reanimation of the muscle or to suppress undesired muscle contractions). Reanimation of muscles may be desired when damage to the brain, nervous system or neuromuscular junctions have occurred, causing a muscle tissue to lack sufficient motor control. Suppression of muscle contractions may be desired in situations of pathologically hyperactive muscles, such as in conditions of muscle spasm (e.g. blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm) or muscle dystonia. Direct stimulation is achieved by delivering a chemical agent directly to the muscle tissue, particularly the motor end plate, bypassing the nerves and neuromuscular junctions which may be damaged or diseased. Implanted hybrid chemical and electromagnetic stimulation devices can modulate muscle contraction in response to signals from a controller. | 12-10-2009 |
20100084271 | Control of chemical reactions using isotachophoresis - Isotachophoresis (ITP) is exploited to control various aspects of chemical reactions. In a first aspect, at least one of the reactants of a chemical reaction is confined to an ITP zone, but the resulting product of the chemical reaction is separated from this ITP zone by the ITP process. In a second aspect, one or more reactants of a chemical reaction are confined to an ITP zone, and one or more other reactants of the chemical reaction are not confined to this ITP zone. In a third aspect, ITP is employed to confine at least one reactant of a chemical reaction to an ITP zone, and at least one reactant of the chemical reaction is delivered to the ITP zone in two or more discrete doses. These aspects are especially relevant to performing polymerase chain reactions using chemical denaturants as opposed to thermal cycling. | 04-08-2010 |
20100111733 | Peristaltic pump with constrictions at fixed locations - In a pump, a flexible tube passes through the pump and is held “normally closed” at an output constriction. The pump includes a pump body and a pump member that can perform two functions by their relative motion. The first function is to open and close an input constriction of the flexible tube. The second function is to compress the section of flexible tube between the input constriction and the output constriction. This section of tube acts as the pump chamber. When closed, the input constriction provides a greater impediment to fluid flow than the output constriction. Therefore, when the input constriction is closed and the pump chamber is compressed, fluid flows out of the pump past the output constriction. When the input constriction is open and compression of the pump chamber is removed, the output constriction closes and fluid can enter the pump by flowing past the location of the input constriction. | 05-06-2010 |
20100210029 | DEVICE AND METHODS OF DETECTION OF AIRBORNE AGENTS - Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity. | 08-19-2010 |
20100224494 | Isotachophoretic Focusing of Nucleic Acids - A method and system are presented for fast and efficient isolation, purification and quantitation of nucleic acids from complex biological samples using isotachophoresis in microchannels. In an embodiment, a sieving medium may be used to enhance selectivity. In another embodiment, PCR-friendly chemistries are used to purify nucleic acids from complex biological samples and yield nucleic acids ready for further analysis including for PCR. In another embodiment, small RNAs from biological samples are extracted, isolated, preconcentrated and quantitated using on-chip ITP with a high efficiency sieving medium. The invention enables fast concentration and separation (takes 10s to 100s of seconds) of nucleic acids with high selectivity and using lower volumes of reagents (order of 10s of μL to focus less than 1 pg/μL of nucleic acid). | 09-09-2010 |
20100300563 | Modular device and method for moving fluids to and from a sample delivery element - Provided is a sequenced fluid control device that includes a pneumatic driver module, a fluid cartridge having at least one fluid chamber and at least one waste chamber, and at least one sample delivery element disposed to sealably contact the fluid cartridge forming a main chamber containing a sample, where the fluid cartridge is also disposed to sealably contact the pneumatic driver module. The pneumatic driver module injects gas into or withdraws gas from the fluid cartridge, where the gas directly contacts at least one fluid causing at least one fluid to flow through channels disposed to connect at least one fluid chamber to the sample delivery element and disposed to connect the sample delivery element to the at least one waste chamber or waste channel, where a sample on the sample delivery element is exposed to the at least one fluid. | 12-02-2010 |
20110220499 | Non-focusing tracers for indirect detection in electrophoretic displacement techniques - A novel method for visualizing electrokinetic process zones (e.g., for isotachophoresis (ITP)) is provided. We introduce negligibly small concentrations of a fluorophore that is not focused by isotachophoresis. This non-focusing tracer (NFT) migrates through multiple isotachophoresis zones. As it enters each zone, the NFT concentration adapts to the local electric field in each zone. ITP zones can then be visualized with a point detector or camera. The method can be used to detect, identify, and quantify unknown analyte zones, and can visualize complex and even transient electrophoresis processes. This visualization technique is particularly suited to microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip applications, as typical fluorescence microscopes and CCD cameras can provide high-resolution spatiotemporal data. | 09-15-2011 |
20120061242 | Isotachophoresis having interacting anionic and cationic shock waves - Improved electrophoretic analysis is provided by interaction of anionic and cationic isotachophoresis (ITP) shock waves that propagate toward each other, and analysis of the resulting interaction zones. These shock wave interactions can provide qualitatively different capabilities from conventional ITP methods. Shock wave interaction can enable a single assay to identify analyte and quantify its concentration via isotachophoretic focusing followed by separation of the concentrated analytes via electrophoresis, without any mid-assay alteration of the externally imposed experimental conditions (i.e., no switching, valve operation, etc. during the measurement). As another example, shock wave interaction can enable a single assay to provide coupled ITP processes with different electrolyte concentrations (as in cascade-ITP) in a single simple system (again, without any mid-assay alteration of the externally imposed experimental conditions). | 03-15-2012 |
20120152746 | Fluorescent finger prints for indirect detection in isotachophoresis - Indirect detection and/or identification of analytes by ITP can be enhanced by adding a mixture of labeled carrier ampholytes (CAs) to the sample to provide a continuous range of mobility markers. Each analyte can be detected and quantified by corresponding gaps in the CA signal. This approach does not require a priori choice of fluorophores and can be readily applied (without extensive and specific design) to a wide range of analytes. Analyte identification can be expedited by computing a normalized signal integral (NSI) from the CA signals. Empirical calibrations can relate the NSI to effective mobility. Effective mobility results under two or more different pH conditions can be used to determine analyte pKa and fully ionized mobility, which are analyte properties that can facilitate analyte identification. | 06-21-2012 |
20120160689 | On-chip hybridization coupled with ITP based purification for fast sequence specific identification - Isotachophoresis (ITP) can be employed to simultaneously focus the target and ligand of an assay into the same ITP focus zone. The target and ligand can bind to each other in the ITP focus zone, and then the resulting bound complex can be detected (e.g., by fluorescence). The sensitivity of this approach can be greatly increased by the enhanced concentration of both target and ligand that ITP provides in the focus zone. Since ITP can be performed quickly, the resulting assay is both rapid and sensitive. Markers of bacterial urinary tract infections have been experimentally detected at clinically relevant concentrations with this approach. MicroRNA sequences have also been profiled with this approach, which is clinically relevant because MicroRNA is expected to provide useful markers for disease. In one experiment, miR-122 in human kidney and liver was detected and quantified. | 06-28-2012 |
20120273359 | FLOW-THROUGH ELECTRODE CAPACITIVE DESALINATION - An electrode “flow-through” capacitive desalination system wherein feed water is pumped through the pores of a pair of monolithic porous electrodes separated by an ultrathin non-conducting porous film. The pair of monolithic porous electrodes are porous conductors made of a material such as activated carbon aerogel. The feed water flows through the electrodes and the spacing between electrodes is on the order 10 microns. | 11-01-2012 |
20130008789 | METHOD AND APPARATUS USING ELECTRIC FIELD FOR IMPROVED BIOLOGICAL ASSAYS - Disclosed are a method and apparatus that use an electric field for improved biological assays. The electric field is applied across a device having wells, which receive reactants, which carry a charge. The device thus uses a controllable voltage source between the first and second electrodes, which is controllable to provide a positive charge and a negative charge to a given electrode. By controlled use of the electric field charged species in a fluid in a fluid channel are directed into or out of the well by an electric field between the electrodes. The present method involves the transport of fluids, as in a microfluidic device, and the electric field-induced movement of reactive species according to various assay procedures, such as DNA sequencing, synthesis or the like. | 01-10-2013 |
20130146462 | Control of Chemical Reactions using Isotachophoresis - Isotachophoresis (ITP) is exploited to control various aspects of chemical reactions. In a first aspect, at least one of the reactants of a chemical reaction is confined to an ITP zone, but the resulting product of the chemical reaction is separated from this ITP zone by the ITP process. In a second aspect, one or more reactants of a chemical reaction are confined to an ITP zone, and one or more other reactants of the chemical reaction are not confined to this ITP zone. In a third aspect, ITP is employed to confine at least one reactant of a chemical reaction to an ITP zone, and at least one reactant of the chemical reaction is delivered to the ITP zone in two or more discrete doses. These aspects are especially relevant to performing polymerase chain reactions using chemical denaturants as opposed to thermal cycling. | 06-13-2013 |
20140014515 | Enhanced Isotachophoresis Assays Using Additives with Spatial Gradients - Techniques for enhanced isotachophoresis assays using additives with spatial gradients include forming a concentration gradient of an additive along a channel from an input port to an output port. The channel is used for isotachophoresis with ions of a leading electrolyte having a first mobility greater than a mobility of an analyte, and ions of a trailing electrolyte having a second mobility less than the mobility of the analyte. The additive is different from both the leading electrolyte and the trailing electrolyte; and the additive has a third mobility that assures the analyte will encounter the additive. The method further comprises introducing a mixture of the trailing electrolyte and a sample including the analyte. The method further comprises applying an electric field to the channel; and, measuring the analyte. | 01-16-2014 |
20140057247 | METHOD OF PREPARING RNA FROM RIBONUCLEASE-RICH SOURCES - Methods for preparing RNA from ribonuclease-rich sources while avoiding RNA degradation are described. The lysis protocol for ribonuclease-containing samples is performed at high pH to accelerate cell lysis and with a reducing agent that inactivates ribonucleases (RNases) by reducing disulfide bonds essential for RNase activity. Samples are briefly incubated for up to five minutes at high pH followed by addition of a reagent to lower the pH to a level at which the RNA is stable. This method of RNA extraction has many advantages over existing methods of RNA preparation, including that cell lysis is efficient, RNases are rapidly inactivated, and sample incubation times are short (less than 5 minutes), which protects RNA from degradation. The lysing procedure is performed entirely in aqueous solution with no heating, precipitations, or buffer exchanges required. Thus, a quick, simple procedure for extracting RNA is provided, which can easily be automated. | 02-27-2014 |
20140202880 | SEGMENTED ELECTRODES FOR WATER DESALINATION - Apparatus, systems, and methods for capacitive desalination using segmented electrodes in a flow-through or flow-between configuration. The segmented electrodes constitute layered stack electrode units. Each electrode includes pores into which the target salt water flows. An electrical circuit energizes the electrodes and produces an electrical field acting on the target salt water producing desalted water. The segmented electrodes provide ultra-thin cells into a robust framework necessary for desalination applications which yield orders of magnitude faster desalination. | 07-24-2014 |
20140360879 | Control of Chemical Reactions using Isotachophoresis - Isotachophoresis (ITP) is exploited to control various aspects of chemical reactions. In a first aspect, at least one of the reactants of a chemical reaction is confined to an ITP zone, but the resulting product of the chemical reaction is separated from this ITP zone by the ITP process. In a second aspect, one or more reactants of a chemical reaction are confined to an ITP zone, and one or more other reactants of the chemical reaction are not confined to this ITP zone. In a third aspect, ITP is employed to confine at least one reactant of a chemical reaction to an ITP zone, and at least one reactant of the chemical reaction is delivered to the ITP zone in two or more discrete doses. These aspects are especially relevant to performing polymerase chain reactions using chemical denaturants as opposed to thermal cycling. | 12-11-2014 |
20150037784 | Flow regulation in fluidic systems using a phase-change material at system ports - Control of fluid flow in a fluidic network is provided by controlling phase transitions of a phase-change material between a liquid phase and a non-fluid phase. The phase-change material is disposed at ports of the fluidic network where the fluidic network is in communication with an ambient. This advantageously provides control of pressure-driven flow within the fluidic network without altering properties of fluids within the fluidic network. | 02-05-2015 |
20150072267 | ENERGY HARVESTING WITH FLOW-THROUGH POROUS ELECTRODES - An apparatus for harvesting energy from fresh water and salt water, including a first porous electrode having first pores, a second porous electrode having second pores, a non-conducting permeable separator between the first porous electrode and the second porous electrode, a system for applying an electric potential difference between the first porous electrode, and the second porous electrode, and a system for flowing the fresh water and the salt water through the first porous electrode having first pores, through the non-conducting permeable separator, and through the second porous electrode having second pores thereby harvesting energy from the fresh water and the salt water. | 03-12-2015 |