Labcyte Awarded Second Japanese Patent

08-20-2009: Labcyte announced that the Japanese patent office has granted patent 4309131 that covers the design of an acoustic-based system that can sort cells based upon acoustic or other properties and then eject them specifically from a mixed population.

“This patent extends our intellectual property and expands our geographical positioning,” said Rich Ellson, Chief Technical Officer of Labcyte Inc. “This, our second Japanese patent, is part of our expansion throughout the Pacific Rim and it increases our portfolio to 48 patents across Japan, Europe and the U.S.”

“Until this patent, cells have been differentiated by optical methods,” said Ellson. “This patent doubles the detection methods available. Coupled with the acoustic detection of cells is the specific selection and transfer of cells acoustically. Cell transfer via acoustic methods is gentle and eliminates the effects of shear stress seen when cells are pushed through a narrow tube, as is done with pipette tips.”