Karl F Bohringer

US Patent:

6415821, Jul 9, 2002

Filed:

Dec 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/739074

Inventors:

Andrew Kamholz - Seattle WA
Anson Hatch - Seattle WA
Karl Bohringer - Seattle WA
Paul Yager - Seattle WA

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

F15C 104

US Classification:

137827, 1372511, 417 92

Abstract:

Magnetically actuated fluid handling devices using magnetic fluid to move one or more fluids (gases or liquids or both) through microsized flow channels are provided. Fluid handling devices include micropumps and microvalves. Magnetically actuated slugs of magnetic fluid are moved within microchannels of a microfluidic device to facilitate valving and/or pumping of fluids and no separate pump is required. The magnets used to control fluid movement can be either individual magnets moved along the flow channels or one or more arrays of magnets whose elements can be individually controlled to hold or move a magnetic slug. Fluid handling devices include those having an array of electromagnets positioned along a flow channel which are turned on and off in a predetermined pattern to move magnetic fluid slugs in desired paths in the flow channel. The fluid handling devices of the present invention can handle gases and liquids simultaneously and thus can be made to be self-priming. These devices are more resistant to fluctuations in fluid input than other types of micropumps which need to be tuned to pump either liquid or gas.

US Patent:

7442515, Oct 28, 2008

Filed:

Jul 29, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/630235

Inventors:

Buddy D. Ratner - Seattle WA, US
Xuanhong Cheng - Seattle WA, US
Karl Bohringer - Seattle WA, US
Yanbing Wang - Seattle WA, US
Yael Hanein - Tel-Aviv, IL
Ashutosh Shastry - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01N 33/53

US Classification:

435 72

Abstract:

In one aspect, the present invention provides devices for binding cells or molecules, wherein each device includes (a) a body defining a first surface and a second surface that is located opposite to the first surface; (b) a heater disposed upon the first surface; and (c) a temperature-responsive layer disposed upon the second surface. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for binding molecules or living cells to a temperature-responsive material.

US Patent:

8142168, Mar 27, 2012

Filed:

Jul 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/179397

Inventors:

Karl F. Bohringer - Seattle WA, US
Ashutosh Shastry - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

F15C 1/04

US Classification:

417 53, 4174101

Abstract:

Methods and devices for moving a droplet on an elongated track on a textured surface using vibration. The elongated track on the textured surface includes a plurality of transverse arcuate projections such that a droplet on the surface is in the Fakir state and when the surface is vibrated the droplet is urged along the track as a result of an imbalance in the adhesion of a front portion of the droplet and a back portion of the droplet to the textured surface.

US Patent:

20120139389, Jun 7, 2012

Filed:

Nov 28, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/305588

Inventors:

Karl F. Bohringer - Seattle WA, US
John H. Reif - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

Ruamoko MEMS, Inc. - Durham NC

International Classification:

H02N 11/00

US Classification:

310300

Abstract:

Microelectronic devices for harvesting kinetic energy and associated systems and methods. Particular embodiments include an energy harvesting device for generating electrical energy for use by microelectronic devices, where the energy harvesting device converts to electrical energy the kinetic energy among or within the microelectronic devices and their packaging, and provides this electrical energy to power the microelectronic devices.

US Patent:

20120318369, Dec 20, 2012

Filed:

Jan 24, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/357036

Inventors:

Karl F. Bohringer - Seattle WA, US
Todd Duncombe - Seattle WA, US
James Parsons - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization - Seattle WA

International Classification:

F17D 1/08

US Classification:

137 13, 137561 R

Abstract:

Methods and devices for moving a droplet on an elongated track on a textured surface using vibration. The elongated track on the textured surface includes a plurality of transverse arcuate projections such that a droplet on the surface is in the Fakir state and when the surface is vibrated the droplet is urged along the track as a result of an imbalance in the adhesion of a front portion of the droplet and a back portion of the droplet to the textured surface.

US Patent:

20200254459, Aug 13, 2020

Filed:

Oct 23, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/758445

Inventors:

- Northwest WA, US
- Seattle WA, US
Karl F. BOHRINGER - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

CONSERVATION X LABS, INC. - Northwest WA
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON - Seattle WA

International Classification:

B01L 3/00
B01L 7/00
C12Q 1/6844

Abstract:

Aniosotropic Ratchet Conveyor (“ARC”)-based biomolecule processing devices and related methods are described. The ARC-based biomolecule processing devices include (i) a substrate having an ARC track defined on or within the substrate and including a biomolecule receiving area, which is designed to receive biomolecule, and a reconstituting area, which is designed to contain dry reagents and is designed to receive a transport solution such that at the reconstituting area, dry reagents are reconstituted with transport solution; and (ii) a microheater area disposed at or near the biomolecule receiving area, fitted with a microheater, which is designed to heat biomolecule that is received through the biomolecule receiving area and designed to process heated biomolecule and dry reagents reconstituted with transport solution. The ARC track includes an arrangement of a plurality of hydrophilic rungs disposed on a hydrophobic region such that between consecutive hydrophobic rungs, a portion of the hydrophobic region is exposed.

US Patent:

20190022655, Jan 24, 2019

Filed:

Jan 23, 2017

Appl. No.:

16/071869

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Karl F. Bohringer - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

B01L 3/00
F17D 1/16

Abstract:

In order to expand capabilities of anisotropic ratchet conveyor (ARC) systems beyond those of the simple systems that include only a single track of consistent rung spacing, disclosed herein are ARC devices, systems, and methods related to ARC gates that can selectively pause droplet transport; ARC switches that can select the direction of droplet transport between two tracks, each moving away from an intersection between the two tracks; and ARC junctions that can move a droplet towards, and then through, an intersection between two tracks.

US Patent:

20150045643, Feb 12, 2015

Filed:

Sep 16, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/028303

Inventors:

- Seattle WA, US
Tueng T. Shen - Redmond WA, US
Karl F. Bohringer - Seattle WA, US
Brian Otis - Seattle WA, US
Buddy D. Ratner - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

A61B 3/16
A61B 5/053
A61B 17/34
A61B 5/00

US Classification:

600398, 29846

Abstract:

The present technology relates generally to intraocular pressure (“IOP”) monitoring systems and associated devices and methods. In some embodiments, an intraocular pressure monitoring system configured in accordance with the technology comprises an implantable intraocular assembly and an external unit configured to transmit power to and receive data from the intraocular assembly. The intraocular assembly can include an IOP sensing device embedded within a flexible, expandable annular member. The IOP sensing device can include an antenna, a pressure sensor, and a microelectronic device encapsulated by an elastomer.