George M Walker

US Patent:

7166443, Jan 23, 2007

Filed:

Nov 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/701684

Inventors:

George Walker - San Diego CA, US
Junquan Xu - San Diego CA, US
Douglas Yamanishi - San Diego CA, US
Paul Hujsak - San Diego CA, US
Lei Wu - San Diego CA, US
Mingxian Huang - San Diego CA, US
Guoliang Tao - San Diego CA, US
Sara Snyder - San Diego CA, US
Charina Yap - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Aviva Biosciences Corporation - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C12Q 1/04

US Classification:

435 34, 4352865, 4352885, 4352886, 4352887, 4353081

Abstract:

The present invention recognizes that diagnosis and prognosis of many conditions can depend on the enrichment of rare cells from a complex fluid sample. In particular, the enrichment of fetal cells from maternal samples, such as maternal blood samples, can greatly aid in the detection of fetal abnormalities or a variety of genetic conditions. In addition, the present invention recognizes that the enrichment of rare malignant cells from patient samples, can aid in diagnosis, prognosis, and development of therapeutic modalities for patients. The invention includes microfabricated filters for filtering fluid samples and methods of enriching rare cells of fluid samples using microfabricated filters of the present invention. The invention also includes solutions for the selective sedimentation of red blood cells (RBCs) from a blood sample and methods of using selective RBC sedimentation solutions for enriching rare cells of a fluid sample. Yet another aspect of the invention is an automated system for processing a fluid sample that includes: at least one filtration chamber that includes a microfabricated filter; automated means for directing fluid flow through at least one filtration chamber of the automated system, and means for collecting enriched rare cells.

US Patent:

8368882, Feb 5, 2013

Filed:

Jan 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/696406

Inventors:

David Opalsky - San Diego CA, US
George T. Walker - San Diego CA, US
Norman C. Nelson - San Diego CA, US
Richard S. Lee - San Diego CA, US
Sara H. Fan - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Gen-Probe Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01N 21/01

US Classification:

356244, 356440, 436 86, 435 6, 4352872

Abstract:

A signal detection system configured for detecting a signal emitted by the contents of a reaction receptacle is also configured to apply thermal energy to a portion of the reaction receptacle to affect a reaction occurring within the reaction receptacle. More particularly, a system for detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the contents of a reaction receptacle includes a transmission element configured for transmitting electromagnetic radiation from the contents of the receptacle, a thermal element associated with the transmission element and configured to apply thermal energy to at least a portion of the receptacle, and a detector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from the transmission element and to generate a signal corresponding to a characteristic of the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector.

US Patent:

20030104430, Jun 5, 2003

Filed:

Jul 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/197185

Inventors:

Michael Nerenberg - La Jolla CA, US
Carl Edman - San Diego CA, US
Catherine Spargo - Apex. NC, US
George Walker - Chapel Hill NC, US

International Classification:

C12Q001/68
C12P019/34
C12M001/34
H01L021/00

US Classification:

435/006000, 435/091200, 435/287200, 438/001000

Abstract:

Described and disclosed are devices, methods, and compositions of matter for the multiplex amplification and analysis of nucleic acid sequences in a sample using novel strand displacement amplification technologies in combination with bioelectronic microchip technology. Specifically, a nucleic acid in a sample is amplified to form amplicons, the amplicons are addressed to specified electronically addressable capture sites of the bioelectronic microchip, the addressed amplicons are captured and labeled, and then the capture sites are analyzed for the presence of label. Samples may be amplified using strand displacement amplification. The invention is also amenable to other amplification methodologies well known by those skilled in the art. The capture and label steps may be by a method of universal capture with sequence specific reporter, or by a method of sequence specific capture with universal reporter. The label may be detected by fluorescence, chemiluminescence, elecrochemiluminescence, or any other technique as are well known by those skilled in the art. This invention further allows for analyzing multiple nucleic acid targets on a single diagnostic platform wherein the nucleic acids may be amplified while either in direct contact with microchip components or in solution above the microchip array.

US Patent:

20050058990, Mar 17, 2005

Filed:

Jun 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/858339

Inventors:

Antonio Guia - San Diego CA, US
Jia Xu - San Diego CA, US
Lei Wu - San Diego CA, US
Khachonesin Sithiphong - San Diego CA, US
Maria Spassova - Bala Cynwyd PA, US
Huimin Tao - San Diego CA, US
George Walker - San Diego CA, US
Mingxian Huang - San Diego CA, US
Guoliang Tao - San Diego CA, US
Steven Saya - San Diego CA, US
Glenn Walker - San Marcos CA, US
Zoya Zozulya - La Mesa CA, US

International Classification:

G01N015/06
C12Q001/70

US Classification:

435005000, 422068100

Abstract:

The present invention provides biochips for ion transport measurement, ion transport measuring devices that comprise biochips, and methods of using ion transport measuring devices and biochips that allow for the direct analysis of ion transport functions or properties. The present invention provides biochips, devices, apparatuses, and methods that allow for automated detection of ion transport functions or properties. The present invention also provides methods of making biochips and devices for ion transport measurement that reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of manufacture, as well as improve the performance of the biochips and devices. These biochips and devices are particularly appropriate for automating the detection of ion transport functions or properties, particularly for screening purposes.

US Patent:

20050196746, Sep 8, 2005

Filed:

Jan 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/033015

Inventors:

Jia Xu - San Diego CA, US
Antonio Guia - San Diego CA, US
George Walker - San Diego CA, US
Mingxian Huang - San Diego CA, US
Lei Wu - San Diego CA, US
Julian Yuan - Taipei, TW

International Classification:

C12Q001/00

US Classification:

435004000

Abstract:

The present invention provides novel biochips, biochip-based devices, and device configurations that can be used for ion transport measurement. The chips, devices, and designs of the present invention are particularly suited to high-throughput assays such as compound screening assays using patch clamping techniques. The invention includes high-density biochips made by novel methods and methods of making high density biochips, and also provides novel upper chamber configurations and fluidics designs for upper chambers of ion transport measurement devices that can be used in high throughput patch clamp assays. The present invention also includes methods of using ion transport measuring chips and devices of the present invention.

US Patent:

20060029955, Feb 9, 2006

Filed:

Jul 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/175789

Inventors:

Antonio Guia - San Diego CA, US
George Walker - San Diego CA, US
Mingxian Huang - San Diego CA, US
Abdelleh Menikh - San Diego CA, US
Lei Wu - San Diego CA, US
Julian Yuan - Taipei, TW
Jia Xu - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68
G01N 33/567

US Classification:

435006000, 435007200, 435029000

Abstract:

The present invention includes biochips for the measurement of cellular ion channels and methods of use and manufacture. The biochips of the present invention have enhanced sealing capabilities provided in part by chemically modifying the surface of the biochip surface or substrate or by exposure to an ionized gas. The present invention also includes novel cartridges for biochips.

US Patent:

20060110754, May 25, 2006

Filed:

Oct 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/251229

Inventors:

Michael Nerenberg - La Jolla CA, US
Carl Edman - San Diego CA, US
Catherine Spargo - Apex NC, US
George Walker - Chapel Hill NC, US

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68
C12P 19/34
C12M 1/34

US Classification:

435006000, 435091200, 435287200

Abstract:

Described and disclosed are devices, methods, and compositions of matter for the multiplex amplification and analysis of nucleic acid sequences in a sample using novel strand displacement amplification technologies in combination with bioelectronic microchip technology. Specifically, a nucleic acid in a sample is amplified to form amplicons, the amplicons are addressed to specified electronically addressable capture sites of the bioelectronic microchip, the addressed amplicons are captured and labeled, and then the capture sites are analyzed for the presence of label. Samples may be amplified using strand displacement amplification. The invention is also amenable to other amplification methodologies well known by those skilled in the art. The capture and label steps may be by a method of universal capture with sequence specific reporter, or by a method of sequence specific capture with universal reporter. The label may be detected by fluorescence, chemiluminescence, elecrochemiluminescence, or any other technique as are well known by those skilled in the art. This invention further allows for analyzing multiple nucleic acid targets on a single diagnostic platform wherein the nucleic acids may be amplified while either in direct contact with microchip components or in solution above the microchip array.

US Patent:

20060252054, Nov 9, 2006

Filed:

Oct 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/264413

Inventors:

Ping Lin - San Diego CA, US
Douglas Yamanishi - Carlsbad CA, US
Paul Hujsak - San Diego CA, US
Sara Snyder - San Francisco CA, US
George Walker - San Diego CA, US
Mingxian Huang - San Diego CA, US
Guoliang Tao - San Diego CA, US
Lei Wu - San Diego CA, US
Xiaobo Wang - San Diego CA, US
Joe Ouyang - San Diego CA, US
Charina Schmitigal - San Diego CA, US
Samantha O'Neill - San Diego CA, US
Jing Cheng - San Diego CA, US
Elizabeth Voung - San Diego CA, US
Jia Xu - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68
G01N 33/574

US Classification:

435006000, 435007230

Abstract:

The present invention recognizes that diagnosis and prognosis of many conditions can depend on the enrichment of rare cells, especially tumor cells, from a complex fluid sample such as a blood sample. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods and compositions for detecting a non-hematopoietic cell, e.g., a non-hematopoietic tumor cell, in a blood sample via, inter alia, removing red blood cells (RBCs) from a blood sample using a non-centrifugation procedure, removing white blood cells (WBCs) from said blood sample to enrich a non-hematopoietic cell, if any, from said blood sample; and assessing the presence, absence and/or amount of said enriched non-hematopoietic cell.