David S Beebe

US Patent:

20100234674, Sep 16, 2010

Filed:

Jan 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/652735

Inventors:

Matthew B. Wheeler - Tolono IL, US
Dongshin Kim - Lexington MA, US
David J. Beebe - Monona WI, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/43
G03F 7/20
F16K 11/20

US Classification:

600 35, 430320, 137597, 137 1

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

62486683, Jun 19, 2001

Filed:

Jan 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/483153

Inventors:

David Beebe - Savoy IL
Jeffrey S. Moore - Savoy IL

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois - Urbana IL

International Classification:

H01L 21302
H01L 21311

US Classification:

438702

Abstract:

A micro-scale gap fabrication process using a dry releasable dendritic material sacrificial layer. The fabrication process produces micro-scale gaps, such as those required between a suspended microstructure and an opposing surface in MEMS. The dendritic sacrificial layer is releasable by heating the dendritic material past its decomposition point after forming the microstructure. The sacrificial layer may be applied to a wafer, for example, by spin coating a solution including the dissolved dendritic material. The sacrificial layer, after being formed, may be patterned and prepared for accepting structural material for the microstructure. After a desired microstructure or microstructures are formed around the sacrificial layer, the layer is dry releasable by heating.

US Patent:

61936472, Feb 27, 2001

Filed:

Apr 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/289137

Inventors:

David J. Beebe - Savoy IL
Ian K. Glasgow - Madison WI
Matthew B. Wheeler - Tolono IL

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois - Urbana IL

International Classification:

A61B 1743
A61D 700

US Classification:

600 33

Abstract:

A microfluidic embryo handling device and method in which biological rotating of embryos is simulated. Fluid flow is used to move and position embryos without assistance of electrical stimulus or other means which may produce undesired heating of biological medium used as the fluid for transporting and position. Continuous or pulsed flow is maintained around an embryo or embryos in the device. The device provides an excellent simulation of biological conditions and may be used for culturing, sorting, testing, evaluating, fertilizing and other similar typical handling operations. An embryo may be parked at a desired location to carry out such a typical operation, while the microfluidic handling device maintains fluid flow around the embryo.

US Patent:

61486353, Nov 21, 2000

Filed:

Oct 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/174813

Inventors:

David Beebe - Savoy IL
Clark Bullard - Urbana IL
Michael Philpott - Seymour IL
Mark Shannon - Champaign IL

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois - Urbana IL

International Classification:

F28B 100

US Classification:

62498

Abstract:

A compact active vapor compression cycle heat transfer device. The device of the invention includes a flexible diaphragm serving as the compressive member in a layered compressor. The compressor is stimulated by capacitive electrical action and drives the relatively small refrigerant charge for the device through a closed loop defined by the compressor, an evaporator and a condenser. The evaporator and condenser include microchannel heat exchange elements to respectively draw heat from an atmosphere on a cool side of the device and expel heat into an atmosphere on a hot side of the device. The overall structure and size of the device is similar to microelectronic packages, and it may be combined to operate with similar devices in useful arrays.