James J Foote

US Patent:

6469296, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Jan 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/484374

Inventors:

Stuart C. Hansen - Palo Alto CA
James Foote - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Agilent Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 4840

US Classification:

250287, 250282

Abstract:

An ion acceleration apparatus and method, and a mass spectrometer using the apparatus and method, require only a single pulse generator for the collection and acceleration of ions. The apparatus, method and mass spectrometer are useful in time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). The apparatus, method and spectrometer save on manufacturing costs and complexity, without compromising measurement sensitivity or reliability. The ion acceleration apparatus comprises a plurality of conductive plates comprising a pulser electrode, three grids and preferably, a plurality of frames units, in a stacked relationship. The pulser electrode and a third grid form the outside ends of the ion acceleration apparatus. The plates of the stack are spaced apart and electrically insulated from one another. A power source provides fill, pulse and bias voltages to the plates.

US Patent:

6548308, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Sep 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/962730

Inventors:

Richard N. Ellson - Palo Alto CA
Mitchell W. Mutz - Palo Alto CA
James K. Foote - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Picoliter Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B01L 302

US Classification:

436180, 347 46, 422100, 436 57, 436 71, 436 73, 436 86, 436 94

Abstract:

A method and device for generating droplets of immiscible fluids are provided. Extremely fine droplets may be generated, on the order of 1 picoliter or less, using focused acoustic energy to eject the droplets from a reservoir containing two or more immiscible fluids. Optionally, the droplets may be ejected onto discrete sites on a substrate surface so as to form an array thereon.

US Patent:

6642061, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

Mar 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/112693

Inventors:

Richard N. Ellson - Palo Alto CA
Mitchell W. Mutz - Palo Alto CA
James K. Foote - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Picoliter Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B01L 302

US Classification:

436180, 347 46, 422100, 436 86, 436 94

Abstract:

The invention provides a method for generating droplets. Extremely fine droplets may be generated (on the order of 1 picoliter or less) using focused acoustic energy to eject the droplets from a reservoir containing two or more immiscible fluids. The droplets may include immiscible fluids or a single fluid. Typically, the droplets are ejected onto discrete sites on a substrate surface so as to form an array thereon. In some instances, the reservoirs contain layers of immiscible fluids, wherein an upper layer exhibits a nonuniform thickness. In such a case, fluid from a lower fluid layer may be propelled through an aperture region of the upper layer.

US Patent:

6666541, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Sep 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/964212

Inventors:

Richard N. Ellson - Palo Alto CA
James K. Foote - Cupertino CA
Mitchell W. Mutz - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Picoliter Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B41J 2135

US Classification:

347 46

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and device for the acoustic ejection of fluid droplets from each of a plurality of fluid-containing reservoirs. The droplets are ejected toward sites on a substrate surface for deposition thereon. The device is comprised of: a plurality of reservoirs each adapted to contain a fluid; an ejector comprising a means for generating acoustic radiation and a means for focusing the generated acoustic radiation so as to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir fluids; and a means for positioning the ejector in acoustically coupled relationship to each of the reservoirs. The invention is useful in a number of contexts, particularly in the preparation of biomolecular arrays.

US Patent:

6746104, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

Sep 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/964215

Inventors:

Richard N. Ellson - Palo Alto CA
Mitchell W. Mutz - Palo Alto CA
James K. Foote - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Picoliter Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B41J 2135

US Classification:

347 46, 435 6, 435 71, 436180

Abstract:

The present invention provides a unique and highly accurate method for generating molecular arrays of very high density on porous surfaces. The method involves the application of focused acoustic energy to each of a plurality of fluid-containing reservoirs to eject a small fluid dropletâon the order of 1 picoliter or lessâfrom each reservoir to a site on a porous substrate surface. High density molecular arrays are provided as well, in which greater than about 62,500 molecular moieties, serving as array elements, are present on a porous surface. Biomolecular arrays that can be generated using focused acoustic ejection include oligonucleotide arrays and peptidic arrays.

US Patent:

6802593, Oct 12, 2004

Filed:

Oct 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/269413

Inventors:

Richard N. Ellson - Palo Alto CA
James K. Foote - Cupertino CA
Mitchell W. Mutz - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Picoliter Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B41J 2135

US Classification:

347 46

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and device for the acoustic ejection of fluid droplets from each of a plurality of fluid-containing reservoirs. The droplets are ejected toward sites on a substrate surface for deposition thereon. The device is comprised of: a plurality of reservoirs each adapted to contain a fluid; an ejector comprising a means for generating acoustic radiation and a means for focusing the generated acoustic radiation so as to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir fluids; and a means for positioning the ejector in acoustically coupled relationship to each of the reservoirs. The invention is useful in a number of contexts, particularly in the preparation of biomolecular arrays.

US Patent:

6938987, Sep 6, 2005

Filed:

Jul 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/623487

Inventors:

Richard N. Ellson - Palo Alto CA, US
James K. Foote - Cupertino CA, US
Mitchell W. Mutz - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

Picoliter, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B41J002/135

US Classification:

347 46

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and device for the acoustic ejection of fluid droplets from each of a plurality of fluid-containing reservoirs. The droplets are ejected toward sites on a substrate surface for deposition thereon. The device is comprised of: a plurality of reservoirs each adapted to contain a fluid; an ejector comprising a means for generating acoustic radiation and a means for focusing the generated acoustic radiation so as to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir fluids; and a means for positioning the reservoirs in acoustically coupled relationship to the ejector. The invention is useful in a number of contexts, particularly in the preparation of biomolecular arrays.

US Patent:

6938995, Sep 6, 2005

Filed:

Dec 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/310638

Inventors:

Mitchell W. Mutz - Palo Alto CA, US
Richard N. Ellson - Palo Alto CA, US
James K. Foote - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Picoliter Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B41J002/02

US Classification:

347 75

Abstract:

The invention provides devices and methods for acoustically assessing the contents of a plurality of reservoirs that are typically provided as an array. An acoustic radiation generator is employed for generating acoustic radiation having an image field of a size sufficient to interrogate a plurality of selected reservoirs at one time. The generator is placed in acoustic coupling relationship via a fluid acoustic coupling medium to the selected reservoirs, and acoustic radiation generated by the generator is transmitted through the coupling medium, an exterior surface of the selected reservoirs, and the selected reservoirs. A characteristic of the transmitted acoustic radiation is analyzed so as to assess the contents of each of the selected reservoirs. Fluid may be ejected from the selected reservoirs according to the assessment. Optionally, a means is provided for removing fluid acoustic coupling medium from the exterior surface after acoustic assessment.