Beckman Instruments, Inc.

Beckman Coulter, Inc.

Leland Stanford Junior University

Organovo, Inc.

Stephen L Pentoney, Jr

Richard Neil Zare

Michael L Bell

Yuan Lin

Tsong-Tseh Tsay

Josephine M Michael

David J Rakestraw

Brian D Peterson

David Lin Yang

Kenneth D Konrad

Charles A Keenan

Sharon C Presnell

Wilbur I Kaye

Keith Murphy

Jack D McNeal

Vivian A Gorgen

Harry Scott Rapoport

Clarence Lew

Xiaohua Huang

Frank C Lin

John W Frost

James C Osborne

Clay Platt

Samir Damle

Vaidehi Joshi

Jeff Quint

Clarence Y Lew

Wilbur Kaye

Described herein are improvements to bioprinting technology that facilitate automation of tissue and organ fabrication processes.

Automated devices, systems, and methods for the fabrication of tissue

A system for detecting electromagnetic radiation from samples comprising: a plurality of sample volumes, each of said sample volumes confined within a portion of a capillary column; a plurality of electromagnetic radiation sources; a mirror for receiving electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation sources and for reflecting the electromagnetic radiation to the sample volumes; a scanner attached to the mirror; a parabolic reflector for collecting sample electromagnetic radiation from the sample volumes, the sample electromagnetic radiation being generated as a result of interaction of the reflected electromagnetic radiation with the sample volumes; a plurality of filters for filtering the sample electromagnetic radiation; and a plurality of detectors for detecting sample electromagnetic radiation from the sample volumes, each of the detectors being configured to receive sample electromagnetic radiation that has passed through a corresponding one of the plurality of filters and generate a signal upon receipt of sample electromagnetic radiation.

Multicapillary multilaser detection system

An analyte detection system utilizing a combination of fluorescent labels for labeling particles and an analyte specific fluorescent analyte detection dye. The particles contain a combination of fluorescent labels for coding the particles and an analyte specific fluorescent dye. The particles can be used to identify and quantify analytes in an analytical sample by reaction of the analytical sample with the particles. An analytical device can identify the particles according to the combination of fluorescent labels. The device can then correlate the identified particle with the analyte specific fluorescent analyte detection dye. Multiple subpopulations of particles can be used to identify and quantify multi-analytes in a single analytical sample. Near infrared (NIR) fluorescent labels useful in the detection system are also provided.

Analyte detection system

The invention is a method of performing electrophoresis that increases sample throughput and increases the efficiency and speed of the analysis of polynucleotides by electrophoresis. The method is performed by loading and running multiple sequential samples on each capillary gel without flushing or replacing the gel between samples.

Serial sample injection in capillary electrophoresis

A holder (10) is provided for securing a capillary (30) having a window section (28) including first and second edges (46) (48) to a mount (80). The holder (10) comprises a retaining surface (14) for securing the capillary (30) to the holder (10) and a mounting surface (18) for detachably securing the holder (10) to the mount (80). The retaining surface (14) is attached to the capillary (30) proximate to the opposed first and second edges (46), (48), with a portion of the window section (28) exposed. Since the capillary (30) is secured proximate the opposed first and second edges (46), (48), the fragile capillary window section (28) is protected during manufacturing or installation into an electrophoretic system (32). The retaining surface (14) preferably is sized and shaped to retain a plurality of capillaries (30) to allow for the substantially simultaneous testing of multiple capillaries (30). Optimally, the mounting surface (18) secures the holder (10) to the mount (80) with the capillaries (30) in fluid communication with a support medium supply (106) so that the support medium inside each capillary (30) can be replaced without removing each capillary (30) from the mount (80).

Capillary holder

A detection system for sequentially and repetitively scanning a plurality of sample volumes and detecting electromagnetic radiation emitting from each of the sample volumes includes a plurality of coplanar side-by-side capillaries each containing a sample volume, an electromagnetic radiation source, a mirror aligned to receive and reflect electromagnetic radiation, a scanner for moving the mirror, and a detector aligned to receive electromagnetic radiation collected from the sample volumes. In operation, the scanner adjusts the mirror position so that the mirror is positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source and reflect the electromagnetic radiation sequentially and repetitively to the sample volumes. Emitted electromagnetic radiation from the sample volume is collected and directed to a detector where a signal is generated in response to the interaction of the electromagnetic radiation with the sample.

Multicapillary fluorescent detection system

A gel pump operated by a stepper motor may be used to deliver fresh gel to one or more capillaries through one or more manifolds and valves. By controlling the valves, fresh gel delivered by the pump will replace the old gel in the capillaries for an automated gel replacement system. In a different setting of the valves, the manifolds may be purged of the old gel prior to delivery of fresh gel to the capillaries. The gel delivery system may also be combined with an electrophoresis system so that sealing connection capable of withstanding high pressure adequate for gel injection need not be frequently broken when the gel is to be replaced. Manifold/reflector assembly is advantageously used in the system that facilitates electrical circuit for electrophoresis and for gel replacement.

Electrophoretic system including means for replacing separation medium

An electrophoretic system employing a capillary with at least one end having an electrically conductive coating or layer directly thereon. In order to introduce a plug of sample from a small amount of the sample in a vial, the conductive tip is submersed into the small amount of sample and an electric field is applied at the end by applying the high voltage to the tip in order to electrokinetically inject a plug of the sample. The conductive tip may also be used as a terminal for completing the circuit for applying the high voltage across the capillary column for electrophoresis. The separated components may be collected on a surface or small amount of buffer to reduce sample dilution or mixing of one sample component with a different sample component from the electrophoretic process.

Capillary electrophoresis using a conductive capillary tube

A system and method are disclosed for optically aligning a capillary tube and an excitation laser beam for fluorescence detection applications by utilizing the Raman scatter signals of the capillary tube's contents. For example, Raman scatter by an electrophoretic separation matrix may be used for alignment in a capillary electrophoresis system. Fluorescent material may be present and may also be used for alignment purposes, but is not necessary. The invention employs a parabolic reflector, having apertures through which the capillary tube and the laser beam are guided so that they intersect, preferably at right angles and at the focal point of the reflector. The Raman scatter signals of the material within the capillary tube are collected via a series of filters and this information is used to reposition, if necessary, a focusing lens that directs the excitation beam into the reflector and the capillary tube, so that the Raman scatter signals are maximized. Maximal Raman scatter signals indicate proper alignment of the capillary tube and the excitation beam. Other signals, such as fluorescence emission from the sample, may then be gathered. Adjustment of the focusing lens may be automated so that alignment of the capillary tube and the beam is maintained throughout analysis of the tube's contents. Sequential alignment of an array of capillary tubes with an excitation beam is also disclosed.

Automated optical alignment system and method using Raman scattering of

An apparatus and method are set for determining the centers of capillaries in a multicapillary electrophoresis array for subsequent rapid and efficient laser induced fluorescence interrogation. A galvometric scanner reflects the laser beam to scan the array during an alignment pre-scan. The beam interacts with the array to produce an intensity pattern indicative of the capillary centers. The scanner positions corresponding to the capillary centers determined during the pre-scan is recalled to direct the beam during the interrogation scan to the column centers.

Automated optical alignment using a galvometric scanner

Apparatus and method for aligning capillary column and detection optics

A simple device for collecting a greater amount of fluorescent emission from a minute sample in a capillary column. An axially symmetrical paraboloid reflector is implemented to collect fluorescent emission from the capillary column. The reflector also serves as a simple bracket for positioning and aligning the capillary column. Fluorescent emission is collimated by the paraboloid reflector which allows more effective use of band pass filters in blocking scattered radiation from detection. The scattered and transmitted radiation can be used to facilitate alignment of the capillary with respect to the detection optics. The paraboloid reflector also facilitates the implementation of simultaneous multiple-channel detection.

Enhanced fluorescence detection of samples in capillary column

A cross or T-shaped device is disclosed for use in capillary electrophoresis or capillary chromatography. The device includes a first capillary tube and a second capillary tube connected to the first tube at a point between the two ends of the first tube so that the contents flowing in the second tube will mix with a fluid flowing in the first tube. The two tubes enclose spaces with cross-sectional dimensions less than about 200 microns. The two tubes are connected so that there is substantially no dead space at the connection. The device is made by boring a hole at a selected location in the first tube, introducing an elongated guide member into the hole, threading the member into the second tube until the second tube contacts the first tube. The second tube is then permanently connected to the first tube and the guide member is then removed to form a T-shaped device. To form the cross-shaped device, a second hole is drilled at a location opposite to the first hole and a guide member is introduced into the second hole as well. A third tube is threaded onto the guide member on the opposite side of the second tube until it contacts the first tube. The third tube is also permanently connected to the first tube and the guide member is removed to yield a device with a cross-shaped configuration.

Growing community of inventors

Yorba Linda, CA, United States of America

Stephen L Pentoney, Jr