Patents Assigned to Li-Cor, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9595430
    Abstract: A self-assembled engineered lattice of nanometer-scale silica particles, or other suitable particles generally resembling regularly-sized spheres, is configured in a separation bed for electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, chromatography, or other voltage-induced separation of analytes. After separation, the analytes are immobilized on the separation bed and then ionized using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) for use with a mass spectrometer. The nanoparticles can be coated with polymers that activate to immobilize the analytes or assist with MALDI. The separation can occur in two dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: LI-COR, INC., Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Michael D. Furtaw, Jon P. Anderson, Mary J. Wirth, Robert E. Birdsall, Yimin Hua, Zhaorui Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170059487
    Abstract: Biopsy imaging devices with an imaging stage configured to rotate and tilt a biological sample, as well as a method for using it, are described. The stage can use rotating bearings or extendible, telescoping arms. The device has a white light for taking normal pictures and a near-infrared laser light for causing a fluorescence-biomolecule probed sample to fluoresce for fluorescence images in a light-tight housing. A set of both types of pictures are taken from angles around, above, and below the biopsy sample with one or more cameras to generate a 3-D model in a computer of the biopsy with fluorescence markings. The 3-D model can then be rendered and viewed on a display by a surgeon to determine if sufficient margins were removed from the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventor: Han-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9581492
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the optical path length between a feedback enabled laser and a cavity, and hence the optical feedback phase. A phasor element, positioned along an optical path between the laser and the cavity coupling mirror, includes a gas medium within a volume defined by the phasor element. The phasor element is configured to adjust or control an optical path length of the laser light between the laser and the cavity coupling mirror by adjusting or controlling a density of the gas medium within the phasor volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Li-Cor, Inc.
    Inventor: Serguei Koulikov
  • Publication number: 20170030942
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining gas velocity based on phase differences of signals from two or more interaction paths in a gas analyzer system. A laser source, which can provide access to an absorption gas line, is expanded, or is split into two or more beams. These beams can be used to create two (or more) parallel sampling paths separated by a known distance. Gas travelling in the plane of the two beams of light will pass through the optical paths at two (or more) different times creating very similar signals that will be out of phase with each other. The amount of phase difference will be inversely proportional to the velocity of the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: LI-COR, INC.
    Inventor: Tyler Anderson
  • Patent number: 9541750
    Abstract: Wide-field fluorescence imaging systems and methods. A bi-telecentric optical imaging system comprising imaging optics arranged and positioned such that a first telecentric space is created or exists between a sample platform and an entry aperture stop wherein Principal or chief rays from a plurality of field points on the sample platform are parallel to each other when passing through a first filter; and such that a second telecentric space is created or exists between a light detector and an exit aperture stop wherein the Principal or chief rays from the plurality of field points are parallel to each other when passing through a second filter. In this manner, light collected from different points in the field of view pass through the first filter at the same angles and also through the second filter at the same angles to thereby reduce or eliminate angular spectral shifting effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventor: Ahmed Bouzid
  • Publication number: 20160377545
    Abstract: An imaging device is described that uses multiple cameras to image a biological sample on a turntable bathed in white light or fluorescing due to a systemically administered dye. Fluorescence farther away from an excitation light source can be compensated upon determining a 3-D position of portions of the sample. The turntable is turned and tilted in order to take enough images to prepare an animation of the sample. In a graphical user interface, the animation can be stopped, zoomed, and tilted per a user's gesture, touch, tablet-tilting, or other commands. The image manipulation can be with touch gestures entered using a sterilizable or disposable touch pen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventor: Han-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9528938
    Abstract: Biopsy imaging devices with an imaging stage configured to rotate and tilt a biological sample, as well as a method for using it, are described. The stage can use rotating bearings or extendible, telescoping arms. The device has a white light for taking normal pictures and a near-infrared laser light for causing a fluorescence-biomolecule probed sample to fluoresce for fluorescence images in a light-tight housing. A set of both types of pictures are taken from angles around, above, and below the biopsy sample with one or more cameras to generate a 3-D model in a computer of the biopsy with fluorescence markings. The 3-D model can then be rendered and viewed on a display by a surgeon to determine if sufficient margins were removed from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventor: Han-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9482653
    Abstract: Active compensation designs to offset the impact of gas diffusion sources and sinks in a photosynthesis and transpiration measurement system are disclosed. A sensor head for use in a gas exchange analysis system includes an active, piezoelectric flow splitting device for splitting a flow between a sample chamber and bypass pathway. The active flow splitting device is controlled by feedback from a downstream flow meter. A continuous measurement system for rapidly and accurately surveying large numbers of samples is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Johnson, Robert D. Eckles, Dayle K. McDermitt
  • Patent number: 9470691
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds and methods for hydrocyanines derived from near-infrared cyanine dyes, as reactive oxygen species probes in imaging. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides reduced dyes as substrates for ELISA and Western blots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventors: Kousik Kundu, Nisha Padhye, William Volcheck
  • Publication number: 20160266045
    Abstract: The present invention provides near-infrared fluorogenic and/or chromogenic formulations, methods, systems and kits. Upon contacting an azine with an oxidant and a peroxidase, the azine is converted to an azine derivative which is both visibly colored and fluorescent. This invention also provides high sensitive methods to detect biological molecules, showing better sensitivity than chemiluminescence methods. Advantageously, the formulation and reaction is free of luminol or luminol derivatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying Wang, Xinshe Xu, Nisha Padhye
  • Publication number: 20160245753
    Abstract: Biopsy imaging devices with an imaging stage configured to rotate and tilt a biological sample, as well as a method for using it, are described. The stage can use rotating bearings or extendible, telescoping arms. The device has a white light for taking normal pictures and a near-infrared laser light for causing a fluorescence-biomolecule probed sample to fluoresce for fluorescence images in a light-tight housing. A set of both types of pictures are taken from angles around, above, and below the biopsy sample with one or more cameras to generate a 3-D model in a computer of the biopsy with fluorescence markings. The 3-D model can then be rendered and viewed on a display by a surgeon to determine if sufficient margins were removed from the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventor: Han-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9408924
    Abstract: Compounds are disclosed that are useful for noninvasive imaging in the near-infrared spectral range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: LI-COR, INC.
    Inventors: Xinshe Xu, Daniel R. Draney, Lael Cheung
  • Patent number: 9384538
    Abstract: A method for applying a filter to data to improve data quality and/or reduce file size. In one example, a region of interest of an image is identified. A histogram is generated of pixel intensity values in the region of interest. The histogram is iteratively updated to focus (zoom) in on the highest peak in the histogram. A Gaussian curve is fitted to the updated histogram. A bilateral filter is applied to the images, where parameters of the bilateral filter are based on the parameters of the Gaussian curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick G. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 9366630
    Abstract: Quantitative fluorescence imaging systems and methods using angular illumination to obtain automatic focus information. Laser scanning (e.g., point or line scanning) with angular illumination in combination with an area imaging sensor, such as with a bi-telcentric scanner, is used to determine sample height (relative to a detection axis orthogonal to a platform holding the sample) and also correct for sample height in subsequent scans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed Bouzid, Chris Lesiak
  • Patent number: 9304080
    Abstract: Cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy systems and methods for detecting trace gases using a resonance optical cavity, which contains a gas mixture to be analyzed, and a laser coupled to the cavity by optical feedback. The cavity has any of a variety of configurations with two or more mirrors, including for example a linear cavity, a v-shaped cavity and a ring optical cavity. The cavity will have multiple cavity resonant modes, or a comb of frequencies spaced apart, as determined by the parameters of the cavity, including the length of the cavity, as is well known. Systems and methods herein also allow for optimization of the cavity modes excited during a scan and/or the repetition rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Kachanov, Serguei Koulikov
  • Publication number: 20160084860
    Abstract: Multifunctional molecular weight protein ladders and methods of making thereof are disclosed herein that are useful for determining the molecular weight of a test protein and/or the relative mass or amount of the test protein in a protein separation assay, such as gel electrophoresis or western blotting. Also included are compounds of Formula I (e.g., mono acetylated MP-11 NHS ester) that may be used to label purified proteins of the protein ladder. The MP-11 label protein ladder can be detected on a blotting membrane by exposing the microperoxidase to a suitable substrate, such as a chromogenic substrate or a chemiluminescent substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: LI-COR,INC.
    Inventors: NISHA PADHYE, Rose Skopp, Ying Wang
  • Publication number: 20160077122
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining gas velocity based on phase differences of signals from two or more interaction paths in a gas analyzer system. A laser source, which can provide access to an absorption gas line, is expanded, or is split into two or more beams. These beams can be used to create two (or more) parallel sampling paths separated by a known distance. Gas travelling in the plane of the two beams of light will pass through the optical paths at two (or more) different times creating very similar signals that will be out of phase with each other. The amount of phase difference will be inversely proportional to the velocity of the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: LI-COR, INC.
    Inventor: Tyler ANDERSON
  • Patent number: 9267881
    Abstract: Gas analyzer systems and methods for measuring concentrations of gases and in particular dry mole fraction of components of a gas. The systems and methods allow for rapid measurement of the gas density and/or dry mole fraction of gases for a number of environmental monitoring applications, including high speed flux measurements. A novel coupling design allows for tool-free removal of a cell enclosing a flow path to enable infield cleaning of optical components and to enable re-configuration between open- and closed-path analyzer configurations. In closed path configurations, the sample flow path is thermally isolated from the remainder of the gas analyzer to provide more accurate temperature measurements. Composite plastic/metal sample cells are presented with achieve this thermal isolation without compromising analyzer performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Furtaw, Mark A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9248203
    Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful for noninvasive imaging in the near-infrared spectral range. The cyanine compounds of Formula I are presented: wherein Q is a portion of a polymethine bridge: Also included are bioconjugates of the compounds of Formula I, methods of labeling biomolecules with the compounds, and methods of imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: LI-COR, INC.
    Inventor: Lael Cheung
  • Publication number: 20160011149
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that analyze a biological or other fluid sample using an electrophoresis or other separation method and then emit the fluid sample with separated constituents using an electrohydrodynamic spray to form a Taylor cone and jet, without dispersion into droplets, onto a substrate that moves with respect to the emitter. Electrodes can be shared between the electrophoresis and electrospray elements, and an adjunct fluid can help draw the separated sample into the Taylor cone. A micro-machined capillary channel on a chip can supply multiple lines to a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Furtaw