Jody V Vykoukal

US Patent:

6703819, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Dec 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/005373

Inventors:

Peter Gascoyne - Bellaire TX
Tom Anderson - Houston TX
Jody Vykoukal - Houston TX
Frederick Becker - Houston TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

G01N 2700

US Classification:

324 714

Abstract:

Apparatuses and methods for analyzing particles using an impedance sensor. A flow-through impedance sensor may use two in-line electrodes driven in counter phase. A common sensor electrode may be used to, for example, detect impedance and determine trajectories through the sensor area. The sensor may be used in a wide variety of applications, including but not limited to use with microfluidic devices for determining particle characteristics such as position, velocity, size, and concentration as well as detection of bacterial spores and other biological agents of potential use in warfare and bio-terrorism.

US Patent:

6790330, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Jun 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/883110

Inventors:

Peter Gascoyne - Bellaire TX
Jody V. Vykoukal - Houston TX
Frederick F. Becker - Houston TX

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

G01N 27447

US Classification:

204547, 204643

Abstract:

Systems, apparatuses and methods for cell isolation and analysis. Cells are introduced into a dielectrophoretic prefilter including one or more trapping electrodes configured to trap at least a portion of the cells with a dielectrophoretic force. The cells trapped from the prefilter are directed into a dielectrophoretic field-flow fractionation separator coupled to the prefilter. The cells are discriminated by balancing a dielectrophoretic force (and optionally a magnetophoretic force) with a gravitational force to displace the cells to positions within a velocity profile in the separator. At least a portion of the cells are trapped as a function of the cells time of emergence from the separator with two or more spiral electrode segments coupled to the separator.

US Patent:

6866762, Mar 15, 2005

Filed:

Dec 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/028945

Inventors:

Peter Gascoyne - Bellaire TX, US
Jon Schwartz - Sugar Land TX, US
Jody V. Vykoukal - Houston TX, US
Frederick F. Becker - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Board of Regents, University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

G01N027/447
G01N027/453

US Classification:

204547, 204643

Abstract:

A dielectric gate and related systems and methods for controlling fluid flow. A dielectric gate includes one or more electrodes coupled between an inlet fluid pathway and an outlet fluid pathway. The electrodes are configured to draw fluid from the inlet fluid pathway to the outlet fluid pathway in a precise manner by using dielectric forces arising from electrical signals applied to the electrodes.

US Patent:

6893547, May 17, 2005

Filed:

Jun 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/883109

Inventors:

Peter Gascoyne - Bellaire TX, US
Jody V. Vykoukal - Houston TX, US
Jon Schwartz - Sugar Land TX, US
Frederick F. Becker - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

G01N027/447
G01N027/453

US Classification:

204547, 204643

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for metered injection of a fluid packet. A vessel containing a fluid is pressurized to a pressure less than or equal to a hold-off pressure. The fluid is subjected to an extraction force to form the fluid packet and extract the fluid packet from the vessel onto a surface.

US Patent:

6977033, Dec 20, 2005

Filed:

Jul 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/902933

Inventors:

Frederick F. Becker - Houston TX, US
Peter Gascoyne - Bellaire TX, US
Xiaobo Wang - Sugarland TX, US
Jody Vykoukal - Houston TX, US
Giovanni De Gasperis - L'Aquila, IT

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

G01N027/447
G01N027/453
B01L003/02

US Classification:

204450, 600643, 600547, 422100

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.

US Patent:

7033473, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

Jun 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/882805

Inventors:

Peter R. C. Gascoyne - Bellaire TX, US
Jody V. Vykoukal - Houston TX, US
Frederick F. Becker - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Board of Regents, University of Texas - Austin TX

International Classification:

G01N 27/26
G01N 27/72

US Classification:

204547, 204643

Abstract:

Methods and apparatuses for discriminating matter utilizing dielectrophoresis combined with magnetophoresis. A sample having one or more constituents is injected into an inlet port of a chamber. A carrier medium flow is initiated at the inlet port to establish a flow within the chamber. A dielectrophoretic force is generated to act on the constituents of the sample. A magnetophoretic force is generated to act on the constituents of the sample. The dielectrophoretic force and magnetophoretic forces are balanced to position the constituents within the chamber. The constituents are then collected at one or more outlet ports of the chamber according to the dielectric and magnetic characteristics of the constituents. The constituents may be collected as a function of time-of-exit from the chamber and/or position within the chamber.

US Patent:

7105081, Sep 12, 2006

Filed:

Dec 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/743698

Inventors:

Peter R. C. Gascoyne - Bellaire TX, US
Jody V. Vykoukal - Houston TX, US
Chandra Das - Sugar Land TX, US
Frederick F. Becker - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

G01N 27/26
G01N 27/447
G01N 33/48

US Classification:

204547, 204643, 435 4051

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for preparing a smear for cytopathology or other analysis. In a representative embodiment, cells of a sample are subjected to a dielectrophoretic force to segregate the cells into two or more zones of a surface. The particles are attached to the surface, thereby defining a “segregated smear. ” The segregated smear is then fixed and stained for cytopathology analysis.

US Patent:

7641779, Jan 5, 2010

Filed:

May 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/135615

Inventors:

Frederick F. Becker - Houston TX, US
Peter Gascoyne - Bellaire TX, US
Xiaobo Wang - Sugarland TX, US
Jody Valentine Vykoukal - Houston TX, US
Giovanni De Gasperis - L'Aquila, IT

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Austin TX

International Classification:

G01N 27/447
G01N 27/453

US Classification:

204547, 204643

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for microfluidic processing by programmably manipulating a packet. A material is introduced onto a reaction surface and compartmentalized to form a packet. A position of the packet is sensed with a position sensor. A programmable manipulation force is applied to the packet at the position. The programmable manipulation force is adjustable according to packet position by a controller. The packet is programmably moved according to the programmable manipulation force along arbitrarily chosen paths.