CALIPER LIFE SCIENCES, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160044212 | HIGH-THROUGHPUT SINGLE-CELL IMAGING, SORTING, AND ISOLATION - The invention provides a method and apparatus for isolating individual target cells. The apparatus includes a body structure comprising a main channel, a collection channel, and a waste channel fluidly coupled at a first fluid junction. A plurality of trapping channels intersect the collection channel, each trapping channel having a diameter at a location adjacent to the intersection of the trapping channel with the collection channel that is less than a diameter of an individual target cell. The apparatus also includes an imaging system configured to image individual target and non-target cells within the main channel, thereby producing imaging data; a processor configured to perform real-time, multivariate analyses of the imaging data; and a directing system configured to direct the individual target cells. A pressure source is in fluid communication with one or more of the collection channel, the waste channel, the first side channel, and the second side channel. | 02-11-2016 |
20150198593 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF MICROFLUIDIC IMMUNOASSAY USING MAGNETIC BEADS - A microfluidic Western blot method and system including a microfluidic western blot method for immunoassay of proteins, the method including introducing a sample including the proteins onto a chip; electrophoretically separating the proteins; binding the separated proteins to beads to form protein-attached beads, the beads being magnetic; flowing the protein-attached beads into a magnetic holding region; applying a magnetic field to the magnetic holding region to fix the protein-attached beads in place within the magnetic holding region; binding primary antibodies to target proteins on the protein-attached beads; binding secondary antibodies to the bound primary antibodies; and detecting the bound secondary antibodies. | 07-16-2015 |
20150193928 | HIGH-THROUGHPUT SINGLE-CELL IMAGING, SORTING, AND ISOLATION - The invention provides a method and apparatus for isolating individual target cells. The apparatus includes a body structure comprising a main channel, a collection channel, and a waste channel fluidly coupled at a first fluid junction. A plurality of trapping channels intersect the collection channel, each trapping channel having a diameter at a location adjacent to the intersection of the trapping channel with the collection channel that is less than a diameter of an individual target cell. The apparatus also includes an imaging system configured to image individual target and non-target cells within the main channel, thereby producing imaging data; a processor configured to perform real-time, multivariate analyses of the imaging data; and a directing system configured to direct the individual target cells. A pressure source is in fluid communication with one or more of the collection channel, the waste channel, the first side channel, and the second side channel. | 07-09-2015 |
20150047980 | METHODS OF PERFORMING A SIZING ANALYSIS USING A CORRECTED SIZING LADDER - The invention provides methods of performing a sizing analysis. In the methods, a sizing ladder used in performing the sizing analysis is corrected. In one method, the sizing ladder is corrected for batch-to-batch variations in a sieving gel. In another method, the sizing ladder is corrected for a sample concentration that is different from the archival sizing ladder concentration. Methods are also provided in which the sizing ladder is corrected using a standard marker in a sample and/or using a real-time standard sizing ladder. The methods may be used individually or in combination. | 02-19-2015 |
20140262787 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTING TARGET OBJECTS FROM A SAMPLE - The invention provides devices, systems, and methods for extracting target objects from a sample. In the method, a stream of sample containing a plurality of target and non-target objects is directed by first and second streams of buffer through a sample inlet channel into a fluid junction and through the fluid junction into a sample waste channel. In response to detecting a target object within the stream of sample, an actuator is energized to close a normally open valve, resulting in a transient burst of cross-flow into the fluid junction that briefly diverts the flow of sample within the fluid junction and results in an aliquot of sample being directed into an aliquot delivery channel. The combination of the valve and the actuator acts as a self-limiting pulse generator. | 09-18-2014 |
20140247971 | HIGH-THROUGHPUT SINGLE-CELL IMAGING, SORTING, AND ISOLATION - The invention provides a method and apparatus for isolating individual target cells. The apparatus includes a body structure comprising a main channel, a collection channel, and a waste channel fluidly coupled at a first fluid junction. A plurality of trapping channels intersect the collection channel, each trapping channel having a diameter at a location adjacent to the intersection of the trapping channel with the collection channel that is less than a diameter of an individual target cell. The apparatus also includes an imaging system configured to image individual target and non-target cells within the main channel, thereby producing imaging data; a processor configured to perform real-time, multivariate analyses of the imaging data; and a directing system configured to direct the individual target cells. A pressure source is in fluid communication with one or more of the collection channel, the waste channel, the first side channel, and the second side channel. | 09-04-2014 |
20140206625 | METHOD OF USING DOPAMINE REUPTAKE INHIBITORS AND THEIR ANALOGS FOR TREATING AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS AND DELAYING OR PREVENTING AUTOIMMUNE RELATED PATHOLOGIC PROGRESSIONS - Dopamine reuptake inhibitors, and their analogs, are disclosed for treating and delaying the progression of autoimmune diseases. | 07-24-2014 |
20140151229 | MANIPULATION OF OBJECTS IN MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES USING EXTERNAL ELECTRODES - The invention provides microfluidic devices, systems, and methods for manipulating an object within a channel of a microfluidic device using an external electrode. The device has a channel disposed within the device, the channel having no included electrodes. The channel has a wall, at least a portion of which is penetrable by an electric field generated external to the device, the wall being penetrable such that the electric field extends through the wall portion and into a region within the channel. The system includes the microfluidic device and an electrode external to and not bonded to the device. In the method, the external electrode is placed adjacent to the device and energized to generate an electric field that extends through the wall of the device and into the channel, thereby manipulating an object within the channel. | 06-05-2014 |
20140081582 | SOFTWARE FOR THE DISPLAY OF CHROMATOGRAPHIC SEPARATION DATA - Techniques and systems for displaying chromatographic data using a graphical user interface are provided. Chromatographic separation data that represent multiple series of measurements for multiple samples can be displayed on a display device of a computer system as a series of bands, the bands being arranged to resemble output from an electrophoresis gel. The bands may be aligned using a marker included in each sample. | 03-20-2014 |
20130315781 | AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR HANDLING MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES - The present invention is an automated microfluidic chip processing apparatus that includes a deck for holding at least one microfluidic chip and capable of being accessed by a liquid handling system, a fluid control system, and a detection system, wherein a chip handling device transports the chip from the deck to the fluid control system and the detection system. The present invention also includes a chip for use with an automated microfluidic chip processing apparatus, and a method for processing a microfluidic chip using such an apparatus. | 11-28-2013 |
20130143220 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SAMPLING OF AMPLIFICATION PRODUCTS - The invention provides systems and methods for processing samples. In a method, a reaction card is provided that has a channel network, a valve, and a micropump, all disposed within the card. The reaction card also has a collection well disposed on a surface of the card and a tubular member extending out from the card. A reaction vessel is provided and affixed to the reaction card such that the tubular member is inserted into the reaction vessel. Amplification reaction reagents and a sample are delivered into the reaction vessel, and an amplification reaction is initiated within the reaction vessel, resulting in an amplification product being disposed within the reaction vessel. The valve is opened to atmosphere, and the first micropump is activated to pump an aliquot of reaction product from the reaction vessel into the tubular member, through the channel network, and into the collection well. | 06-06-2013 |
20130101511 | IN VIVO IMAGING OF ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY - Compositions and methods are described for detecting enzyme activity in a live organism (e.g., animal) are provided. | 04-25-2013 |
20120321033 | INTEGRATED MICROTOMOGRAPHY AND OPTICAL IMAGING SYSTEMS - An integrated microtomography and optical imaging system includes a rotating table that supports an imaging object, an optical stage, and separate optical and microtomography imaging systems. The table rotates the imaging object about a vertical axis running therethrough to a plurality of different rotational positions during a combined microtomography and optical imaging process. The optical stage can be a trans-illumination, epi-illumination or bioluminescent stage. The optical imaging system includes a camera positioned vertically above the imaging object. The microtomography system includes an x-ray source positioned horizontally with respect to the imaging object. Optical and x-ray images are both obtained while the imaging object remains in place on the rotating table. The stage and table are included within an imaging chamber, and all components are included within a portable cabinet. Multiple imaging objects can be imaged simultaneously, and side mirrors can provide side views of the object to the overhead camera. | 12-20-2012 |
20120320194 | SOFTWARE FOR THE DISPLAY OF CHROMATOGRAPHIC SEPARATION DATA - Techniques and systems for displaying chromatographic data using a graphical user interface are provided. Chromatographic separation data that represent multiple series of measurements for multiple samples can be displayed on a display device of a computer system as a series of bands, the bands being arranged to resemble output from an electrophoresis gel. The bands may be aligned using a marker included in each sample. | 12-20-2012 |
20120288865 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING THERMAL MELTING CURVES IN A MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE - The present invention provides novel methods and devices that employ microfluidic technology to generate molecular melt curves. In particular, the devices and methods in accordance with the invention are useful in providing for the analysis of PCR amplification products. | 11-15-2012 |
20120273353 | HIGH THROUGHPUT MOBILITY SHIFT - The present invention provides novel methods for performing pulsed field mobility shift assays in microfluidic devices. In particular, the methods of the invention utilize differences between electrophoretic mobilities (e.g., as between reactants and products, especially in non-fluorogenic reactions) in order to separate the species and thus analyze the reaction. | 11-01-2012 |
20120222959 | PINCHING CHANNELS FOR FRACTIONATION OF FRAGMENTED SAMPLES - The invention provides a device, system, and method for isolating one or more sample components of a sample material following separation of the sample material into a plurality of sample components. The device includes first and second pinching channels, a separation channel extending between the first and second pinching channels, a collection leg that includes a collection well between first and second ends of the collection leg, and a waste leg, all of which are in fluid communication with a switching region. In the method, a sample material is separated into a plurality of separated components in the device and one or more of the separated components are isolated in the collection well. The separated components are constrained and elongated in the switching region by first and second buffer streams. | 09-06-2012 |
20120204964 | CONTROL OF OPERATION CONDITIONS WITHIN FLUIDIC SYSTEMS - The invention provides methods of controlling environmental conditions within a fluidic system, where such environmental conditions can affect the operation of the system in its desired function, and fluidic channels, devices, and systems that are used in practicing these methods. Such methods are generally directed to environmental control fluids, the movement of such fluids through these systems, and the interaction of these fluids with other components of the system, e.g., other fluids or solid components of the system. | 08-16-2012 |
20120043206 | Device and Method for Improving Sample Injection and Stacking - The invention provides devices and methods for isolating one or more sample components of a sample material following separation of the sample material into a plurality of sample components. A device includes a separation channel having a sample loading well. A low-conductivity buffer is disposed in the loading well, the buffer having a conductivity <0.2 mS/cm. In a method, a buffer is loaded into a loading well in fluid communication with a separation channel of a device. A sample material having a conductivity higher than that of the buffer is then loaded into the loading well such that the sample material is disposed beneath the buffer, the buffer disposed over and covering the sample material. The sample material is separated into a plurality of separated components in the separation channel, and a separated component is collected from a collection well disposed in a collection leg of the device. | 02-23-2012 |
20120041302 | PORTABLE IMAGING SUBJECT CARTRIDGE - An imaging subject handling system includes multiple portable imaging subject cartridges that optionally compress and anesthetize living imaging subjects therein during imaging, multiple receiving bases installed within separate imaging systems that interface with the cartridges, and multiple gas delivery systems that deliver an anesthetic gas flow to an installed cartridge. The cartridges include a gas delivery interface that accepts the anesthetic gas flow and provides it to the imaging subject, and one or more walls, a bottom and a top defining a closed interior that retains the anesthetic gas therewithin while the cartridge is in transport between separate imaging systems. The walls, bottom and/or top can be optically transparent and radiolucent to facilitate imaging. The cartridge can include a locking mechanism, a nose cone for the imaging subject, and co-registration features located on outside surfaces to facilitate the merging of images within software from multiple separate imaging systems. | 02-16-2012 |
20120009098 | MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE WITH A FILTER - A microfluidic device with a filter includes a substrate; a flowpath including a well formed in the substrate in fluid communication with a channel formed in the substrate; and a filter disposed across the flowpath and associated with the channel. | 01-12-2012 |
20120000778 | Method for Modifying the Concentration of Reactants in a Microfluidic Device - A method of modifying the concentration of reactants and carrying out a chemical reaction on a microfluidic device in which first and second reactants are delivered into a reaction channel combined, the second reactant different from the first reactant and capable of reacting with the first reactant. The first reactant is subjected to a stacking process, thereby producing a first stacked reactant. The second reactant is subjected to the stacking process, thereby producing a second stacked reactant. The first stacked reactant is exposed to the second stacked reactant so that the first stacked reactant and the second stacked reactant undergo a chemical reaction. | 01-05-2012 |
20110144923 | SOFTWARE FOR THE DISPLAY OF CHROMATOGRAPHIC SEPARATION DATA - Techniques and systems for displaying chromatographic data using a graphical user interface are provided. Chromatographic separation data that represent a series of measurements for multiple samples detected at a single point along the length of a channel as they move through the channel past that point can be displayed on a display device of a computer system as a series of bands, the bands being arranged to resemble output from an electrophoresis gel. The bands may be aligned using a marker included in each sample. | 06-16-2011 |
20110139274 | FLUIDIC DEVICES HAVING INCORPORATED ELECTRODES - The invention provides fluidic devices having incorporated electrodes, systems for using such devices, and methods for manufacturing such devices. The invention also provides fluidic devices configured to absorb joule heating within the device. | 06-16-2011 |
20110118139 | Manipulation of Microparticles In Microfluidic Systems - An array of transportable particle sets is used in a microfluidic device for performing chemical reactions in the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device comprises a main channel and intersecting side channels, the main channel and side channels forming a plurality of intersections. The array of particle sets is disposed in the main channel, and the side channels are coupled to reagents. As the particle sets are transported through the intersections of the main channel and the side channels, reagents are flowed through the side channels into contact with each array member (or selected array members), thereby providing a plurality of chemical reactions in the microfluidic system. | 05-19-2011 |
20110063943 | CHANNEL CROSS-SECTION GEOMETRY TO MANIPULATE DISPERSION RATES - The present invention provides novel methods for controlling/manipulating materials flowing in a fluidic device. In particular, the methods of the invention create and utilize differences between dispersion rates and/or average velocity of materials in order to manipulate the materials. | 03-17-2011 |
20110024296 | Analyte Injection System - This invention provides methods and systems for injection of analytes into a separation channel for resolution and detection. Samples can be preconditioned and concentrated by isotachophoresis (ITP) before the injection is triggered by a detected voltage event. Separation of analytes from other sample constituents can be enhanced using skewing channel ITP. | 02-03-2011 |
20100233030 | Western Blot by Incorporating an Affinity Purification Zone - An upstream affinity purification region is used to bind one or more component of interest in a mixture of components prior to separating the mixture of components. Detection of the separated components and a released component of interest provide identification of the component of interest. In addition, post separation dilution is optionally used to improve detection of the mixture of components and the released component of interest. Microfluidic devices and systems suitable for performing such analyses are also provided. | 09-16-2010 |
20100198526 | Software for the Display of Chromatographic Separation Data - Techniques for displaying chromatographic data using a graphical user interface are provided. Chromatographic separation data that represent a series of measurements for multiple samples at a detection location over time can be displayed on a display device as a series of bands, the bands being arranged to resemble output from an electrophoresis gel. Additionally, the chromatographic separation data may be displayed in the form of measured intensity at the detection location versus time. | 08-05-2010 |
20100129896 | SYSTEM FOR DIFFERENTIATING THE LENGTHS OF NUCLEIC ACIDS OF INTEREST IN A SAMPLE - Systems for differentiating the lengths of nucleic acids of interest in a sample are provided. The system includes a microfluidic device, a detector, and a software system. The microfluidic device includes an amplification microchannel or microchamber containing a reaction mixture under conditions that provide one or more amplicons of the nucleic acid of interest. The detector is integral with or proximal to the microfluidic device and is configured to detect the amplicons as one or more signals from a homogenous mixture. The software system interprets one or more coincidentally detected signals to indicate lengths of one or more individual nucleic acid molecules of interest, thereby differentiating the lengths of the nucleic acids of interest. | 05-27-2010 |
20090321263 | CLINICAL ANALYSIS APPARATUS - To enable reuse of expensive microchips in a clinical analysis apparatus, while constantly and efficiently obtaining accurate analysis results. A clinical apparatus employs microchips to analyze substances, which are contained in samples and are targets of measurement. The clinical analysis apparatus is equipped with: a stocking section; a dispensing mechanism, for dispensing reagents stocked in the stocking section and samples to the microchips; and a measuring section, for measuring the measurement target substance within the samples. The measuring section includes: a dispensing station, at which the microchips are provided; a detecting station, for detecting the measurement target substance; and a cleansing station, at which microchips are cleansed following detection of the measurement target substance. The dispensing station, the detecting station, and the cleansing station are provided at a predetermined pitch from upstream to downstream positions. The microchips are continuously rotated through the stations to perform measurement repeatedly. | 12-31-2009 |
20090186344 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AND QUANTITATING NUCLEIC ACIDS USING SIZE SEPARATION OF AMPLICONS - Devices and methods are described for detecting and quantifying nucleic acids using a sealed system that minimizes contamination. In particular, provided herein are devices for and methods using nucleic acid amplification that permit multiple sampling of an amplification reaction mixture and quantitation and identification of amplicons during the course of an amplification reaction. Methods involving the transfer of samples from an amplification reaction mixture into a separation network, separation of nucleic acids based on size, and identification and quantitation of nucleic acids are disclosed. | 07-23-2009 |
20090137413 | Manipulation of Microparticles In Microfluidic Systems - Arrays of flowable or fixed particle sets are used in microfluidic systems for performing assays and modifying hydrodynamic flow. Also provided are assays utilizing flowable or fixed particle sets within a microfluidic system, as well as kits, apparatus and integrated systems comprising arrays and array members. | 05-28-2009 |
20090118139 | Microfluidic method and system for enzyme inhibition activity screening - Methods for screening a compound for enzyme inhibition activity include providing at least one sample mixture to a microfluidic device, applying vacuum pressure to the sample mixture, flowing the sample mixture along a microchannel of the microfluidic device, separating at least two components of the sample mixture based upon a net charge difference between the product and at least one other material to produce separated material, detecting at least one of the separated materials, and determining enzyme inhibition activity based on the detection of the separated material. Kits for screening a compound for enzyme inhibition activity include a first multiwell plate having a specific plurality of enzymes disposed within a first plurality of wells and a second multiwell plate having a plurality of enzyme substrates disposed with a second plurality of wells, a phosphate source and a cofactor disposed within each well of the second plate. | 05-07-2009 |
20080277356 | Microfluidic Device with a Filter - A microfluidic device with a filter includes a substrate; a flowpath including a well formed in the substrate in fluid communication with a channel formed in the substrate; and a filter disposed across the flowpath. | 11-13-2008 |
20080223499 | Methods of Fabricating Polymeric Structures Incorporating Microscale Fluidic Elements - The present invention generally provides improved methods of fabricating polymeric microfluidic devices that incorporate microscale fluidic structures, whereby the fabrication process does not substantially distort or deform such structures. The methods of the invention generally provide enhanced bonding processes for mating and bonding substrate layers to define the microscale channel networks therebetween. | 09-18-2008 |