Mesoscale sperm handling devices
Patent 5296375 Issued on March 22, 1994. Estimated Expiration Date: 
May 1, 2012. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
May 1, 2012. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 3799742 3906929 Liquid transport device and method Electrode-containing device with capillary transport between electrodes Capillary transport device having speed and meniscus control means Biological diagnostic device and method of use Silicon semiconductor wafer for analyzing micronic biological samples Method for forming a miniaturized biological assembly Capillary flow device Reaction chamber for amino-terminal sequence analysis of proteins or peptides InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 877661 filed on 05/01/1992US Classes:435/2, MAINTAINING BLOOD OR SPERM IN A PHYSIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE STATE OR COMPOSITIONS THEREOF OR THEREFOR OR METHODS OF IN VITRO BLOOD CELL SEPARATION OR TREATMENT422/58, In holder or container having special form422/61, Test package or kit422/947, Using capillary action, including fluid transfer through absorbent matrix [B01L 3/00C6C]435/7.2, Involving a micro-organism or cell membrane bound antigen or cell membrane bound receptor or cell membrane bound antibody or microbial lysate435/7.21, Animal cell435/29, Involving viable micro-organism435/259, Lysis of micro-organism435/283.1, APPARATUS435/288.5, Including means for fluid passage between compartments (e.g., between wells, etc.)436/501, BIOSPECIFIC LIGAND BINDING ASSAY436/524, Carrier is inorganic436/807, APPARATUS INCLUDED IN PROCESS CLAIM (E.G., PHYSICAL SUPPORT STRUCTURES, ETC.)436/809Multifield plates or multicontainer arraysExaminersPrimary: Housel, James C.Assistant: Torres, Marcos Foreign Patent References
International ClassG01N 021/03AbstractDevices and methods are provided for the clinical analysis of a sperm sample. The devices comprise a solid substrate, typically on the order of a few millimeters thick and approximately 0.2 to 2.0 centimeters square, microfabricated to define a sample inlet port and a mesoscale flow channel extending from the inlet port. In one embodiment, a sperm sample is applied to the inlet port, and the competitive migration of the sperm sample through the mesoscale flow channel is detected to serve as an indicator of sperm motility. In another embodiment, the substrate of the device is microfabricated with a sperm inlet port, an egg nesting chamber, and an elongate mesoscale flow channel communicating between the egg nesting chamber and the inlet port. In this embodiment, a sperm sample is applied to the inlet port, and the sperm in the sample are permitted to competitively migrate from the inlet port through the channel to the egg nesting chamber, where in vitro fertilization occurs. The devices of the invention may be used in a wide range of applications in the analysis of a sperm sample, including the analysis of sperm morphology or motility, to assess sperm binding properties, and for in vitro fertilization.Other References
Field of SearchStructured visual or optical indicator, per seHaving reagent in absorbent or bibulous substrate Having coated reagent In holder or container having special form Test package or kit Carrier is inorganic OPTICAL RESULT APPARATUS INCLUDED IN PROCESS CLAIM (E.G., PHYSICAL SUPPORT STRUCTURES, ETC.) Multifield plates or multicontainer arrays With treatment or replacement of aspirator element (e.g., cleaning, etc.) BIOSPECIFIC LIGAND BINDING ASSAY Volumetric liquid transfer Animal cell Lysis of micro-organism Involving nucleic acid Involving a micro-organism or cell membrane bound antigen or cell membrane bound receptor or cell membrane bound antibody or microbial lysate ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION |
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