Robert L Nagle

US Patent:

6498497, Dec 24, 2002

Filed:

Aug 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/374878

Inventors:

Calvin Y. H. Chow - Portola Valley CA
Morten J. Jensen - San Francisco CA
Colin B. Kennedy - Mill Valley CA
Michael M. Lacy - Ben Lomond CA
Robert E. Nagle - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Caliper Technologies Corp. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01R 3500

US Classification:

324601, 324607

Abstract:

A microfluidic controller and detector system and method for performing screening assays are disclosed. The microfluidic controller and detector system comprises a fluidic chip that includes at least two intersecting channels and a detection zone, a fluid direction system comprising an electrical interface configured for electrical contact with the at least two intersecting channels, an optics block having an objective lens disposed adjacent the detection zone, and a control system coupled to the optics block and adapted to receive and analyze data from the optics block. The electrical interface generally includes electrodes configured for electrical contact with the intersecting channels and coupled to electrode channels for supplying electrical input to the electrodes. A reference channel is optionally provided to calibrate the electrode channels.

US Patent:

6635487, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

May 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/850855

Inventors:

Ernest C. W. Lee - Palo Alto CA
Robert Nagle - Mountain View CA
Richard J. McReynolds - San Jose CA
David Chazan - Palo Alto CA
Robert S. Dubrow - San Carlos CA

Assignee:

Caliper Technologies Corp. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01N 3100

US Classification:

436 19, 436 8, 436164, 436172, 422 8205, 422 8208

Abstract:

A test device for use as a fluorescent standard in microfluidic analytical detection systems includes one or more slits that correspond to, and are of similar dimension to, one or more microchannels in a detection region on a corresponding analysis chip. A fluorescent material is attached to the test device on the side opposite the illumination source such that excitation radiation passes through the slit(s), which defines the focal plane of the illumination optics, and impinges on the fluorescent material thereby causing the fluorescent material to fluoresce. By displacing the fluorescent material relative to the focal plane, the intensity of the radiation exciting the fluorescent material is dispersed relative to the intensity of the radiation at the focal plane, and concomitantly the strength of the resulting fluorescent signal is reduced. An optional spacer is provided to increase the distance of the fluorescent material from the focal plane so as to increase the dispersion of the radiation (decrease the intensity impinging on the fluorescent material). The strength of the resulting fluorescent signal from the fluorescent material can be controlled by selecting a spacer with the appropriate depth.

US Patent:

6756019, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Apr 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/544711

Inventors:

Robert S. Dubrow - San Carlos CA
Colin B. Kennedy - Mill Valley CA
Robert Nagle - Mountain View CA
David Chazan - Palo Alto CA
Ernest C. W. Lee - Palo Alto CA
Khushroo Gandhi - Sunnyvale CA
Calvin Y. H. Chow - Portola Valley CA

Assignee:

Caliper Technologies Corp. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

B01L 300

US Classification:

422102, 422 681, 422 99, 422100, 422103, 436174, 436179, 436180

Abstract:

The present invention provides microfluidic devices that comprise a body structure comprising at least a first microscale channel network disposed therein. The body structure has a plurality of ports disposed in the body structure, where each port is in fluid communication with one or more channels in the first channel network. The devices also include a cover layer comprising a plurality of apertures disposed through the cover layer. The cover layer is mated with the body structure whereby each of the apertures is aligned with a separate one of the plurality of ports. Rings are optionally disposed between the cover layer and the body structure and circumferentially around pairs of aligned apertures and ports. The devices also optionally include conductive coatings and membranes. The invention additionally provides methods of controlling the delivery of a composition of material into a microfluidic device.

US Patent:

6986837, Jan 17, 2006

Filed:

Aug 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/215885

Inventors:

Calvin Y. H. Chow - Portola Valley CA, US
Morten J. Jensen - San Francisco CA, US
Colin B. Kennedy - Mill Valley CA, US
Michael M. Lacy - Ben Lomond CA, US
Robert E. Nagle - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

Caliper Life Sciences, Inc. - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01N 27/453

US Classification:

204603, 422 99

Abstract:

A microfluidic controller and detector system and method for performing screening assays are disclosed. The microfluidic controller and detector system comprises a fluidic chip that includes at least two intersecting channels and a detection zone, a fluid direction system comprising an electrical interface configured for electrical contact with the at least two intersecting channels, an optics block having an objective lens disposed adjacent the detection zone, and a control system coupled to the optics block and adapted to receive and analyze data from the optics block. The electrical interface generally includes electrodes configured for electrical contact with the intersecting channels and coupled to electrode channels for supplying electrical input to the electrodes. A reference channel is optionally provided to calibrate the electrode channels.

US Patent:

20020009392, Jan 24, 2002

Filed:

Mar 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/818266

Inventors:

Jeffrey Wolk - Half Moon Bay CA, US
J. Parce - Palo Alto CA, US
Robert Nagle - Mountain View CA, US
Colin Kennedy - Greenbrae CA, US
Syed Husain - Fremont CA, US
Advit Bhatt - Union City CA, US
Garrett Unno - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

B01L003/02
G01N001/14

US Classification:

422/063000, 436/180000, 422/067000, 422/100000, 422/104000, 204/453000, 204/604000

Abstract:

Methods for reducing fluid carryover by microfluidic devices including capillary element and/or fluid motion. Capillary elements coated with hydrophobic or hydrophilic coatings to resist fluid carryover are also provided. Microfluidic device handling systems are additionally included.

US Patent:

20020127149, Sep 12, 2002

Filed:

May 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/846694

Inventors:

Robert Dubrow - San Carlos CA, US
Colin Kennedy - Greenbrae CA, US
Robert Nagle - Mountain View CA, US

International Classification:

B01L003/00

US Classification:

422/102000, 422/068100, 422/099000, 422/100000, 422/103000, 422/104000, 436/174000, 436/179000, 436/180000, 073/863000, 073/863010, 073/863710

Abstract:

The present invention provides microfluidic devices that comprise a body structure comprising at least a first microscale channel network disposed therein. The body structure has a plurality of ports disposed in the body structure, where each port is in fluid communication with one or more channels in the first channel network. The devices also include a cover layer comprising a plurality of apertures disposed through the cover layer. The cover layer is mated with the body structure whereby each of the apertures is aligned with a separate one of the plurality of ports.

US Patent:

55900526, Dec 31, 1996

Filed:

Apr 14, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/227554

Inventors:

Anne R. Kopf-Sill - Portola Valley CA
Steven N. Buhl - Cupertino CA
Glenda L. Choate - Belmont CA
Lloyd A. Schick - Mountain View CA
Robert E. Nagle - Mountain View CA
Jenq C. Chang - San Jose CA
Daniel Bernstein - San Mateo CA
Wayne A. Britt - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Abaxis, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G01N 2117

US Classification:

364498

Abstract:

The present invention provides various methods for detecting errors in a blood analysis system. The system includes a blood analyzer and a molded plastic rotor with a series of chambers and capillary channels through which blood is processed and distributed to cuvettes which contain lyophilized reagents. The rotor is placed in the analyzer which spins the rotor, and an optical system reads the cuvettes as light is flashed through the cuvettes. The invention provides checks for: confirming the presence of a reagent in the cuvettes before a sample is applied to the cuvettes; determining whether a fluid sample has been properly distributed to the cuvettes of the rotor; determining whether an adequate amount of fluid sample was applied to the analytical rotor; determining whether a fluid sample has been properly distributed to a cuvette of an analytical rotor; determining whether a reaction chemistry in a cuvette has reached an end point; checking the noise level and non-linearity of a reaction rate in a cuvette; determining whether an adequate amount of diluent was delivered to the cuvettes of an analytical rotor; determining dilution systematic failure when measuring different reaction chemistries in the cuvettes of the rotor; determining whether a blood sample in a cuvette is hemolyzed, lipemic, or icteric; determining the degradation of a reagent in a cuvette; determining proper light source and light detector operation; and determining proper motor function and cuvette mark detection.

US Patent:

49126628, Mar 27, 1990

Filed:

Jun 22, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/065286

Inventors:

Andrew G. Butler - Palo Alto CA
Donald G. Green - Sunnyvale CA
Robert E. Nagle - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Wedge Innovations, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G01C 730
H01G 520
G06F 1520

US Classification:

364559

Abstract:

An inclinometer 20 has a sensing unit 40 for providing a varying capacitance signal depending on the orientation of the inclinometer 20. An oscillator circuit unit 82 includes the sensor unit 40 as a capacitive element for providing a signal having a period and a frequency depending on the capacitance of the sensor unit 40. A unit 92 is provided for determining the period of the signal. A look-up table unit 96 stores a predetermined relationship between the period of the signal and the angle of orientation of the inclinometer 20. A comparison unit 94 then compares the period of the signal to the period stored in the look-up table unit 96 and selects the corresponding angle which is the angle of orientation of the inclinometer 20. The angle is then displayed on the inclinometer display 25.