Brian E Root

US Patent:

20110229897, Sep 22, 2011

Filed:

Mar 4, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/064091

Inventors:

John W. Pettit - Derwood MD, US
James P. Landers - Charlottesville VA, US
Joan M. Bienvenue - Fredericksburg VA, US
Daniel J. Marchiarullo - North Haledon NJ, US
Brian E. Root - Charlottesville VA, US
Orion N. Scott - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION - BETHESDA MD

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68
C12M 1/34

US Classification:

435 612, 4352872

Abstract:

Aspects of the disclosure provides a DNA analyzer to facilitate an integrated single-chip DNA analysis. The DNA analyzer includes an interface for coupling a microfluidic chip to the DNA analyzer. The microfluidic chip includes a first domain configured for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA fragments, and a second domain fluidically coupled to the first domain to receive the DNA fragments and perform electrophoretic separation of the DNA fragments. The DNA fragments are tagged with fluorescent labels. The DNA analyzer includes a detection module to excite the fluorescent labels to emit fluorescence and detect the emitted fluorescence. The detection module includes a laser source, a set of optical elements, a filter module and a photo-detector.

US Patent:

20230072999, Mar 9, 2023

Filed:

Aug 5, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/881802

Inventors:

- Southampton, GB
Christopher Birch - Charlottesville VA, US
Daniel Mills - Charlottesville VA, US
Brian Root - Charlottesville VA, US
James Landers - Charlottesville VA, US
Jingyi Li - Charlottesville VA, US
Matthew Yeung - Mount Waverley, AU
David Saul - Dunedin, AU
David Vigil - Mount Waverley, AU
Andrew Guy - Mount Waverley, AU
Stan Wada - Mount Waverley, AU
Betina De Gorordo - Mount Waverley, AU
Steward Dodman - Mount Waverley, AU
Tom Moran - Southampton, GB
Stuart Knowles - Mount Waverley, AU
Fernando Dias - Mount Waverley, AU
Rick Gardner - Mount Waverley, AU

International Classification:

B01L 3/00
G01N 33/569
G01N 33/543
G01N 1/18
G01N 1/40
B01L 7/00

Abstract:

A collection device for a biological sample to capture target compounds such as viruses or other pathogens or particles for testing from within the sample and move the captured target compound to a separate chamber for subsequent processing. The collection device can include an openable substance blister including capture particles located in a cup interior. Capture particles can attract and bind the target compounds from the sample. An extraction tube extracts any nucleic acid from the target compound for storage or subsequent amplification and testing to confirm presence of known microorganisms. The extraction tube can comprise a heat-deformable material and can be connected to a microfluidic cartridge for further processing of nucleic acid including, amplification and detection. The microfluidic cartridge includes valves and a plurality of chambers for amplification.

US Patent:

20200002745, Jan 2, 2020

Filed:

Feb 7, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/270218

Inventors:

- Bethesda MD, US
- Hamilton, NZ
James LANDERS - Charlottesville VA, US
Douglas J. SOUTH - Rockville MD, US
Brian E. ROOT - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION - Bethesda MD
ZYGEM CORPORATION LTD. - Hamilton

International Classification:

C12Q 1/686

Abstract:

A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.

US Patent:

20180304253, Oct 25, 2018

Filed:

Oct 13, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/768115

Inventors:

- Charlottesville VA, US
Jacquelyn A. DuVall - Raleigh NC, US
Delphine Le Roux - Barboursville VA, US
Brian Root - Charlottesville VA, US
Daniel MIlls - Charlottesville VA, US
Daniel A. Nelson - Charlottesville VA, US
An-chi Tsuei - Charlottesville VA, US
Brandon L. Thompson - Charlottesville VA, US
Jingyi Li - Charlottesville VA, US
Christopher Birch - Charlottesville VA, US

International Classification:

B01L 3/00
B01L 7/00
G01N 27/447

Abstract:

A method to extract, amplify and separate nucleic acid in a microfluidic device having a plurality of chambers and channels can include a) introducing cells having nucleic acid to a first chamber of the microfluidic device and subjecting the cells in the first chamber to conditions that lyse the cells. The method can further include b) subjecting the first chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing the lysate or a portion thereof having nucleic acid to be distributed to a second chamber through a first channel in the microfluidic device. The method can also include c) combining the lysate or the portion thereof and reagents for amplification of the nucleic acid, thereby providing a second mixture. The method can also include d) subjecting the second chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing gas to be expelled from the second mixture.

US Patent:

20150151302, Jun 4, 2015

Filed:

Dec 4, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/096273

Inventors:

- Charlottesville VA, US
- Bethesda MD, US
James Landers - Charlottesville VA, US
Brian Root - Charlottesville VA, US
Orion Scott - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

ZyGEM CORPORATION LTD. - Charlottesville VA
LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

B01L 7/00
C12Q 1/68

Abstract:

A microfluidic chip includes one or more reaction chambers to hold fluids for chemical or biochemical reactions, such as PCR. A non-contact heat source heats the reaction chamber and the fluid, such that the heat source does not contact the reaction chamber or the fluid. The heat source can heat the reaction chamber and the fluid separately, where the reaction chamber and the fluid separately absorb heat radiation from the heat source. A temperature sensor acquires a temperature of the reaction chamber and/or the fluid. Control circuitry controls the heat source according to a cycling profile for the reaction in the fluid to cycle the heat source between heating and not heating the reaction chamber and the fluid based on the temperature acquired by the temperature sensor. Cooling can be provided passively or actively.

US Patent:

20140295441, Oct 2, 2014

Filed:

Mar 27, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/227645

Inventors:

- Hamilton, NZ
- Bethesda MD, US
James Landers - Charlottesville VA, US
Douglas J. South - Rockville MD, US
Brian E. Root - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

ZYGEM CORPORATION LTD. - Hamilton
LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68

US Classification:

435 612, 4352872

Abstract:

A cartridge interface module (CIM), configured to engage with a removable microfluidic cartridge in a nucleic acid analyzer system can include a fluidics component, which is configured to initiate and support a liquid extraction of nucleic acids from a biological sample contained in the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assembly component which can be configured to initiate and support amplification of the extracted nucleic acids. The CIM may also include a high voltage electrodes component that is configured to initiate and support separation of the amplified nucleic acids into nucleic acid fragments in a separation channel of the removable microfluidic cartridge. The CIM also includes a detection optics component that can be configured to collect, detect, and direct label nucleic acid fragments. The CIM is configured to integrate with a microfluidic chip architecture of an inserted removable microfluidic cartridge.