Christopher C Fuller

US Patent:

6437551, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Nov 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/704355

Inventors:

Peter Krulevitch - Pleasanton CA
Harold D. Ackler - Sunnyvale CA
Frederick Becker - Houston TX
Bernhard E. Boser - Berkeley CA
Adam B. Eldredge - Austin TX
Christopher K. Fuller - Livermore CA
Peter R. C. Gascoyne - Bellaire TX
Julie K. Hamilton - Tracy CA
Stefan P. Swierkowski - Livermore CA
Xiao-Bo Wang - San Diego CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G01N 2700

US Classification:

324 711, 324649, 436518

Abstract:

A microfabricated instrument for detecting and identifying cells and other particles based on alternating current (AC) impedance measurements. The microfabricated AC impedance sensor includes two critical elements: 1) a microfluidic chip, preferably of glass substrates, having at least one microchannel therein and with electrodes patterned on both substrates, and 2) electrical circuits that connect to the electrodes on the microfluidic chip and detect signals associated with particles traveling down the microchannels. These circuits enable multiple AC impedance measurements of individual particles at high throughput rates with sufficient resolution to identify different particle and cell types as appropriate for environmental detection and clinical diagnostic applications.

US Patent:

6576459, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Mar 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/815624

Inventors:

Robin R. Miles - Danville CA
Amy W. Wang - Oakland CA
Christopher K. Fuller - Livermore CA
Asuncion V. Lemoff - Union City CA
Kerry A. Bettencourt - Dublin CA
June Yu - Livermore CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

C12M 136

US Classification:

4352865, 4352867, 4352872, 4352885, 4352887, 435810, 435962

Abstract:

A sample preparation and analysis device which incorporates both immunoassays and PCR assays in one compact, field-portable microchip. The device provides new capabilities in fluid and particle control which allows the building of a fluidic chip with no moving parts, thus decreasing fabrication cost and increasing the robustness of the device. The device can operate in a true continuous (not batch) mode. The device incorporates magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pumps to move the fluid through the system, acoustic mixing and fractionation, dielectropheretic (DEP) sample concentration and purification, and on-chip optical detection capabilities.

US Patent:

6787018, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Dec 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/733857

Inventors:

Robin R. Miles - Danville CA
Kerry A. Bettencourt - Dublin CA
Christopher K. Fuller - Livermore CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G01N 24447

US Classification:

204643, 204547, 204450, 204600, 204601, 204451

Abstract:

The use of dielectrophoresis to collect particles under the conditions of electrokinetically-driven flow. Dielectrophortic concentration of particles under electrokinetic flow is accomplished by interdigitated electrodes patterned on an inner surface of a microfluid channel, a DC voltage is applied across the ends to the channel, and an AC voltage is applied across the electrodes, and particles swept down the channel electrokinetically are trapped within the field established by the electrodes. The particles can be released when the voltage to the electrodes is released.

US Patent:

6835552, Dec 28, 2004

Filed:

Dec 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/737542

Inventors:

Robin R. Miles - Danville CA
Kodumudi S. Venkateswaran - Livermore CA
Christopher K. Fuller - Livermore CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G01N 3353

US Classification:

435 732, 435 4, 435 6, 435 71, 435 79, 435 792, 4352871, 4352872, 4352879, 4352885, 435817, 436149, 436518, 436524, 436528, 436532, 436536, 436823, 204193, 2042281, 2042286, 2042298, 2042302, 20429803, 20429832

Abstract:

The use of impedance measurements to detect the presence of pathogens attached to antibody-coated beads. In a fluidic device antibodies are immobilized on a surface of a patterned interdigitated electrode. Pathogens in a sample fluid streaming past the electrode attach to the immobilized antibodies, which produces a change in impedance between two adjacent electrodes, which impedance change is measured and used to detect the presence of a pathogen. To amplify the signal, beads coated with antibodies are introduced and the beads would stick to the pathogen causing a greater change in impedance between the two adjacent electrodes.

US Patent:

6846639, Jan 25, 2005

Filed:

Nov 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/993870

Inventors:

Robin R. Miles - Danville CA, US
Kodumudi S. Venkateswaran - Livermore CA, US
Christopher K. Fuller - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

G01N 3353
G01N 33543

US Classification:

435 71, 435 4, 435 6, 435 732, 435 79, 435 792, 4352871, 4352872, 4352879, 4352885, 435817, 436149, 436518, 436524, 436528, 436532, 436536, 436806, 422 55, 422 57, 422 58, 422 681, 422 76, 422 77, 422 8201, 204193, 2042281, 2042286, 2042298, 2042302, 20429803, 20429832, 204400, 204403, 204406, 204407, 204409, 204410, 204411, 204412, 204422, 204424, 204426

Abstract:

The use of impedance measurements to detect the presence of pathogens attached to antibody-coated beads. In a fluidic device antibodies are immobilized on a surface of a patterned interdigitated electrode. Pathogens in a sample fluid streaming past the electrode attach to the immobilized antibodies, which produces a change in impedance between two adjacent electrodes, which impedance change is measured and used to detect the presence of a pathogen. To amplify the signal, beads coated with antibodies are introduced and the beads would stick to the pathogen causing a greater change in impedance between the two adjacent electrodes.

US Patent:

7157232, Jan 2, 2007

Filed:

Dec 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/020731

Inventors:

Robin R. Miles - Danville CA, US
Phillip Belgrader - Severna Park MD, US
Christopher D. Fuller - Oakland CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68
C12P 19/34

US Classification:

435 6, 435 912

Abstract:

Impedance measurements are used to detect the end-point for PCR DNA amplification. A pair of spaced electrodes are located on a surface of a microfluidic channel and an AC or DC voltage is applied across the electrodes to produce an electric field. An ionically labeled probe will attach to a complementary DNA segment, and a polymerase enzyme will release the ionic label. This causes the conductivity of the solution in the area of the electrode to change. This change in conductivity is measured as a change in the impedance been the two electrodes.

US Patent:

20020072054, Jun 13, 2002

Filed:

Dec 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/738461

Inventors:

Robin Miles - Danville CA, US
Phillip Belgrader - Manteca CA, US
Christopher Fuller - Livermore CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California

International Classification:

C12Q001/68
C12M001/34

US Classification:

435/006000, 435/287200, 205/777500

Abstract:

Impedance measurements are used to detect the end-point for PCR DNA amplification. A pair of spaced electrodes are located on a surface of a microfluidic channel and an AC or DC voltage is applied across the electrodes to produce an electric field. An ionically labeled probe will attach to a complementary DNA segment, and a polymerase enzyme will release the ionic label. This causes the conductivity of the solution in the area of the electrode to change. This change in conductivity is measured as a change in the impedance been the two electrodes.