| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080220463 | METHOD OF CELL CHROMATOGRAPHY - A method is provided of conducting cell chromatography with a group of cells. Each cell has a fluorescence intensity. The method includes the step of depositing the group of cells into a first chamber for a first predetermined time period such that a first portion of cells of the group of cells attaches to a first surface. The cells unattached to the first surface are removed from the first chamber and deposited into a second chamber for a second predetermined time period. A second portion of cells of the unattached cells attach to a second surface. The cells unattached to the second surface are removed from the second chamber. Thereafter, the fluorescence intensities of the cells attached to the first and second surfaces are compared to a standard. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080276718 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING A MATERIAL - A method and device is provided for detecting a predetermined material. The device includes a first inner layer having first and second surfaces and a volume responsive to a first predetermined stimuli. A second inner layer has first and second surfaces. An adhesive bonds at least a portion of the first surface of the first inner layer to the first surface of the second inner layer with a bonding force. A change in the volume of the first layer generates an elastic force on the adhesive material. As a result, the first inner layer delaminates from the second inner layer in response to the elastic force overcoming the bonding force. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20090051716 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MULTIPLE ACCESS PORTS IN A MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE - A method is provided of controlling communication between multiple ports in a microfluidic device. The method includes the step of providing a channel network in a microfluidic device. The channel network including a first channel having a first input port and an output port. The first channel is filled with a fluid and a first output droplet is deposited on the output port. The first output droplet has a radius of curvature. The first output droplet flows toward the first input port in response to placement of a first input droplet having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the first output droplet on the first input port. The first input droplet flows toward the output port in response to the first input droplet having a radius of curvature less than the radius of curvature of first output droplet. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090098597 | METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING CELL MOTILITY AND CELL MIGRATION - A method of quantifying cell migration of a cell population is provided. The method includes the step of patterning the cell population within a channel network in a first body. A first image of the cell population is obtained. Thereafter, a second image of the cell population is obtained after a first predetermined time period. The first and second images are compared in order to calculate a quantitative measure of the average directional migration of the cells population and a quantitative measure of the average motility of the cell population. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090098659 | METHOD OF PATTERNING PARTICLES ON AN ARBITRARY SUBSTRATE AND CONDUCTING A MICROFLUIDIC INVASION ASSAY - A method is provided for sequentially patterning different particle populations on spatially defined regions in microfluidic device. The microfluidic device has a channel and a plurality of access ports therein. Each access port has an input and an output communicating with the channel. The method includes the step of depositing a drop of a first suspension on the input of a first access port. The first suspension includes a plurality of particles. A drop of a second suspension is deposited on the input of a second access port. The second suspension includes a plurality of particles. The particles in the first and second suspensions settle onto and are patterned along corresponding spaced portions of the channel. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090155840 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CELL COUNTING - A microfluidic device and method is provided for determining a cell concentration in a sample. The microfluidic device includes a body having a channel therethough that extends along an axis. The channel includes an input and an output, and is at least partially defined by a surface. Indicia overlaps the surface. The channel has a predetermined volume. A portion of the sample is provided in the channel and the cells in the predetermined portions of the channel defined by the indicia are counted. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090303606 | Variable-Focus Lens Assembly - A variable-focus lens assembly is provided. The lens assembly includes a microfluidic device that defines a chamber for receiving a fluid therein. A slip having an aperture therethrough is disposed in the chamber. A first fluid is disposed on the first side of the slip and a second fluid is disposed on the second side of the slip. A lens is formed from the interface of the first and second fluids. The outer periphery is pinned to the slip about the aperture. A turning structure fabricated from a hydrogel material engages the slip and tunes the focal length of the lens in response to a predetermined stimulus. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090305326 | MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COUPLING DISCRETE MICROCHANNELS AND FOR CO-CULTURE - A microfluidic device and method is provided for coupling discrete channels and for co-culture. The microfluidic device includes first and second bodies. Each body has a bottom surface and defines a channel. The channel in each body includes an inlet and an outlet communicating with the bottom surface. A first fluid, such as a first cell suspension, is provided within the channel of the first body and a second fluid, such a second cell suspension, is provided within the channel of the second body. The first and second bodies are movable between a first position wherein the outlet of the channel of the first body is spaced from the inlet of the channel of the second body and a second position wherein the fluid at the outlet of the channel of the first body communicates with the fluid at the inlet of the channel of the second body. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100025243 | METHOD FOR ROBUST CONTROL OVER A SOLUABLE FACTOR MICROENVIRONMENT WITHIN A THREE-DIMENSIONAL GEL MATRIX - A method is provided of generating a gradient within gel matrix received in a channel of a microfluidic device. A source reservoir in communication with the input of the channel is filled with a first fluid. A sink reservoir in communication with the output of the channel is filled with a second fluid. A soluble factor is deposited in the source reservoir such that the soluble factor diffuses into the channel and forms the gradient. The soluble factor in source reservoir is replenished to maintain the gradient in a generally pseudo-steady state and the second fluid in the sink reservoir is replaced. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100030156 | DRUG DELIVERY PLATFORM INCORPORATING HYDROGEL PUMPING MECHANISM WITH GUIDED FLUID FLOW - A drug delivery platform is provided for delivering a controlled infusion of a drug to an individual. The drug delivery platform includes a reservoir for receiving the drug therein and a hydrogel engageable with the reservoir. The hydrogel is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein the hydrogel exerts a pressure on the reservoir to urge the drug therefrom in response to a predetermined stimulus. A flow guide distributes the predetermined stimulus over the hydrogel in response to activation by an individual. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100030198 | DRUG DELIVERY PLATFORM UTILIZING HYDROGEL PUMPING MECHANISM - A drug delivery platform is provided for delivering a controlled infusion of a drug to an individual. The drug delivery platform includes a reservoir for receiving the drug therein and a pressure source engageable with the reservoir. The pressure source is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration wherein the pressure source exerts a pressure on the reservoir to urge the drug therefrom. An output conduit is provided for transmitting the drug into the individual. An actuation mechanism is operatively connected to the pressure source and the output conduit. The actuation mechanism is movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position wherein pressure source moves from the first configuration to the second configuration and wherein the input of the output conduit communicates with the drug and the output end of the output conduit is receivable in the individual. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100151564 | Biological Work Station - A biological work station for culturing and monitoring cells includes a laminar flow bench and an incubator disposed on the bench. The bench includes a work surface adjacent the incubator that allows experiments and other manipulations to be performed within the confines of the laminar flow bench. An imaging system, such as a stereoscope, may be mounted to the bench so that images may be captured of a culture without removal of the culture from the incubator. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100234674 | MICROFLUIDIC SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Microfluidic systems and methods. A microfluidic device for in vitro fertilization comprises a substrate and a plurality of microchannels disposed in the substrate, including an inlet of at least two of the plurality of microchannels arranged on the substrate to align with a fluid-handling device. Another microfluidic system for assaying a plurality of cells comprises a substrate and a plurality of microfluidic channels comprising a source channel, a sink channel, and a cell chamber. An insert for a microfluidic system comprises a substrate configured to be inserted into a dish and a plurality of microscale wells disposed in the substrate. A microfluidic channel comprises a substrate and at least one microchannel having an open inlet, an open outlet, a channel, and an opening in the substrate disposed over a portion of the channel. A device for providing an amount of fluid for a fluidic system comprises a main reservoir, an aspiration well, tubing coupling the reservoirs, and a seal closing the main reservoir. Air tubing having a hydrophobic end extends into the at least one aspiration well. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100254830 | Magnetically driven micro-pumping method using external rotating stirrer - A device and method for conducting peristaltic pumping of a fluid in a body is provided. The body includes a channel having an input and an output and being partially defined by a flexible layer. A plurality of contacts are spaced along the layer and the channel is filled with the fluid. The plurality of spaced contacts is magnetically coupled to a magnetic field in sequence so as to translate peristaltic motion to the layer thereby pumping the fluid through the channel. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100262077 | Micro-Fluidic Device For Drug Delivery - A microfluidic device is provided for delivering a drug to an individual. The microfluidic device includes a body that defines a reservoir for receiving the drug therein. A valve interconnects the reservoir to an output needle that is insertable into the skin of an individual. A pressure source urges the drug from the reservoir toward the needle. The valve is movable between a closed position preventing the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle and an open position allowing for the flow of the drug from the reservoir to the output needle in response to a predetermined condition in the physiological fluids of the individual. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100288368 | METHOD OF PUMPING FLUID THROUGH A MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE - A method is provided for pumping fluid through a channel of a microfluidic device. The channel has an input port and an output port. The channel is filled with fluid and a pressure gradient is generated between the fluid at the input port and the fluid at the output port. As a result, fluid flows through the channel towards the output port. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100305518 | ACTIVE MICRONEEDLE ARRAY - An active microneedle array and method are provided for penetrating an outer layer of the epidermis. The active microneedle array includes a base having first and second sides. The first side of the base is engageable with the epidermis. A microneedle projects from the first side of the base. The microneedle is moveable between a first initial configuration and a second deformed configuration in response to engagement with the epidermis so as to form a passageway therein. | 12-02-2010 |
