Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100294147 | Apparatus and methods for preparing identification features including pharmaceutical applications - Semi-automated or automated manufacturing of micro- or nanostructured identification features on objects and compositions, and especially pharmaceutical compositions. In particular, a motorized stamping apparatus capable of precise hot embossing with or without closed-loop control of the loading; a modular stamp head for a high-throughput parallel stamping apparatus that comprise an array of compact, error-tolerant, individually temperature-controllable stamping elements; inexpensive stamp holders for said elements, as well as associated methods. The inventive features do not reside in the method of making the stamps. | 11-25-2010 |
20100297228 | UNIVERSAL COATING FOR IMPRINTING IDENTIFICATION FEATURES - To improve anticounterfeiting protection, a method for imprinting pharmaceutical unit compositions comprising: providing a pharmaceutical unit composition, partially coating the exterior of the composition with a coating, stamping the coating with a stamp comprising a plurality of identification features, wherein identification features from the stamp are at least partially transposed in the coating and form a barcode, wherein the plurality of identification features comprise at least one lateral dimension of about 1,000 nm or less. Other objects can be coated and stamped including currency and luxury goods. | 11-25-2010 |
20120108461 | HIGH-THROUGHPUT SLIDE PROCESSING APPARATUS - An assay device and method of use thereof includes a sample tray comprising a plurality of sample wells having a first volume, and a slide tray comprising a slide, and a liquid dispenser. The slide comprises a plurality of reaction sites on a bottom surface of the slide. The liquid dispenser is configured to dispense a plurality of liquid samples into the sample wells. The sample wells are configured to hold the liquid samples. Each of the liquid samples has a second volume such that the second volume exceeds the first volume and each of the liquid sample sits within and above one of the sample wells. The slide tray and the sample tray are configured such that the slide tray can be placed onto the sample tray, at least one of the reaction sites can be positioned directly above at least one of the sample wells containing a liquid sample, and the liquid sample can be drawn onto the reaction site upon the liquid sample contacting the bottom surface of the slide. | 05-03-2012 |
20120272845 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PREPARING IDENTIFICATION FEATURES INCLUDING PHARMACEUTICAL APPLICATIONS - Semi-automated or automated manufacturing of micro- or nanostructured identification features on objects and compositions, and especially pharmaceutical compositions. In particular, a motorized stamping apparatus capable of precise hot embossing with or without closed-loop control of the loading; a modular stamp head for a high-throughput parallel stamping apparatus that comprise an array of compact, error-tolerant, individually temperature-controllable stamping elements; inexpensive stamp holders for said elements, as well as associated methods. The inventive features do not reside in the method of making the stamps. | 11-01-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090023607 | COMPACT NANOFABRICATION APPARATUS - An apparatus for use in fabricating structures and depositing materials from tips to surfaces for patterning in direct-write mode, providing ability to travel macroscopic distances and yet provide for nanoscale patterning. Useful in small scale fabrication and nanolithography. The instrument can be compact and used on a laboratory bench or desktop. An apparatus comprising: at least one multi-axis assembly comprising a plurality of nanopositioning stages, at least one pen assembly, wherein the pen assembly and the multi-axis assembly are adapted for delivery of material from the pen assembly to a substrate which is positioned by the multi-axis assembly, at least one viewing assembly, at least one controller. Nanopositioning by piezoelectric methods and devices and motors is particularly useful. The apparatus can include integrated environmental chambers and housings, as well as ink reservoirs for materials to be delivered. The viewing assembly can be a microscope with a long working distance. Particularly useful for fabrication of bioarrays or microarrays. The multi-axis assembly can be a five-axis assembly. Software can facilitate efficient usage. | 01-22-2009 |
20100089869 | NANOMANUFACTURING DEVICES AND METHODS - Devices for performing nanofabrication are provided which provide small volume reaction space and high reaction versatility. A device may include a reaction chamber adapted for nanoscale modification of a substrate and vacuum conditions; a scanning probe tip assembly enclosed within the reaction chamber; a first port coupled to the reaction chamber for delivering a gas; a second port coupled to the reaction chamber for applying a vacuum; and a substrate assembly insertedly mounted to the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber may include a body having one or more flexible walls and one or more supports to prevent the reaction chamber from collapsing under a vacuum. The device may further include an electrical conduit for coupling the tips of the scanning probe tip assembly to electrical components outside the reaction chamber. Also provided are apparatuses incorporating the devices and methods of using the devices and apparatuses. | 04-15-2010 |
20100294844 | Identification features - Methods for providing pharmaceutical compositions and objects with identification regions and identification features which are difficult to detect. Microlithography, nanolithography, and stamping methods are used. The identification features can be positive protrusions or negative indentations with respect to the surface. The identification regions can comprise bar codes and holograms. DPN printing or other lithographies such as electron beam lithography, optical lithography, or nanoimprint lithography can be used to prepare stamps, which are then used to prepare the identification features. Redundant patterns can be formed. The invention is useful for counterfeit prevention. An apparatus for stamping the identification features is also described. | 11-25-2010 |
20100297190 | IDENTIFICATION FEATURES - Methods for providing pharmaceutical compositions and objects with identification regions and identification features which are difficult to detect. Microlithography, nanolithography, and stamping methods are used. The identification features can be positive protrusions or negative indentations with respect to the surface. The identification regions can comprise bar codes and holograms. DPN printing or other lithographies such as electron beam lithography, optical lithography, or nanoimprint lithography can be used to prepare stamps, which are then used to prepare the identification features. Redundant patterns can be formed. The invention is useful for counterfeit prevention. An apparatus for stamping the identification features is also described. | 11-25-2010 |
20110014378 | LEVELING DEVICES AND METHODS - Devices for leveling an object for patterning a substrate surface, including an array of scanning probe tips, are provided. A device may include a support structure adapted to mount an object, the object having a plurality of protrusions adapted to form a pattern on a surface of a substrate upon contact of the object to the surface; and at least one flexible joint assembly mounted to the support structure and adapted to allow the object to achieve a parallel orientation with respect to the surface upon contact of the object to the surface. Also provided are apparatuses and kits incorporating the devices and methods of making and using the devices and apparatuses. | 01-20-2011 |
20110195850 | COMPACT NANOFABRICATION APPARATUS - An apparatus for use in fabricating structures and depositing materials from tips to surfaces for patterning in direct-write mode, providing ability to travel macroscopic distances and yet provide for nanoscale patterning. Useful in small scale fabrication and nanolithography. The instrument can be compact and used on a laboratory bench or desktop. An apparatus comprising: at least one multi-axis assembly comprising a plurality of nanopositioning stages, at least one pen assembly, wherein the pen assembly and the multi-axis assembly are adapted for delivery of material from the pen assembly to a substrate which is positioned by the multi-axis assembly, at least one viewing assembly, at least one controller. Nanopositioning by piezoelectric methods and devices and motors is particularly useful. The apparatus can include integrated environmental chambers and housings, as well as ink reservoirs for materials to be delivered. The viewing assembly can be a microscope with a long working distance. Particularly useful for fabrication of bioarrays or microarrays. The multi-axis assembly can be a five-axis assembly. Software can facilitate efficient usage. | 08-11-2011 |
20110268882 | Ball spacer method for planar object leveling - An apparatus for leveling an array of microscopic pens with respect to a substrate surface is provided. The apparatus includes an array of microscopic pens; a substrate having a substrate surface; a controllable arm comprising a spherical ball on an end thereof; a force sensor configured to measure a force exerted on the array or the substrate surface at each of the plurality of positions; one or more actuators configured to drive the array and/or the substrate to vary a relative distance and a relative tilting between the array and the substrate surface; and a controller configured to determine a planar offset of the array with respect to the substrate and initiate a leveling of the array with respect to the substrate based on the planar offset. Methods are also provided. | 11-03-2011 |
20110268883 | Force curve analysis method for planar object leveling - An apparatus for leveling an array of microscopic pens relative to a substrate surface or measuring a relative tilting therebetween includes an actuator configured to drive one of the array or the substrate to vary a distance therebetween, one or more force sensors configured to measure a force between the array and the surface, and a device configured calculate a force curve parameter of the force over the distance or time. The apparatus is configured to level the array relative to the surface by varying a relative tilting between the array and the substrate surface based on the force curve parameter or to measure the relative tilting based on the force curve parameter. Methods and software also are provided. | 11-03-2011 |