Patents Examined by Alex Noguerola
  • Patent number: 8721870
    Abstract: Electrochemical sensors for measurement of an analyte comprising an analyte sensing membrane comprising at least one salt of acetate ion, carbonate ion, bicarbonate ion, or mixtures thereof. Sensor testing methods comprising contacting an electrochemical sensor with an aqueous solution comprising at least one salt of acetate ion, carbonate ion, bicarbonate ion, or mixtures thereof and contacting the electrochemical sensor with one or more concentrations of analyte, the one or more concentrations of analyte being in the clinical concentration range of the analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Oviatt, Jr., James Petisce, Charles Mooney
  • Patent number: 8715475
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for separating, fractionating, or preconcentrating analytes contained in an electrolyte having at least two reservoirs separated by at least one microchannel and/or nanochannel. At least part of the wall of the microchannel is made of and/or coated interiorly with a conducting and polarizable material or group of materials constituting a polarizable interface or a network of polarizable interfaces. In that at least one electrode or at least one electrode network is connected at at least one point of the polarizable material or group of materials, the surface electrical conductance of said material being equal to at least 100 nS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Etat Francais Represente Par le Delegue General pour l'Armement
    Inventor: Adrien Plecis
  • Patent number: 8715479
    Abstract: An electroosmotic movable device is provided, which includes a liquid chamber that houses a liquid, a conductive movable structure that is placed in the liquid chamber and has a rotating shaft or a supporting point and further has a conductive portion, and an electrode for applying an electric field to the conductive movable structure. The conductive movable structure is enabled to move by an electroosmotic flow which occurs in an electric double layer portion formed by being paired with an electric charge induced in the conductive movable structure owing to the electric field which is applied from the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyuki Sugioka
  • Patent number: 8715478
    Abstract: A device for electrically controlled transport of ions between a source and a target electrolyte, including: a first source electrode and a first target electrode, each capable of conducting ions and electrons, wherein the source electrode is arranged to receive ions from the source electrolyte and the target electrode is arranged to release ions to the target electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Oboe IPR AB
    Inventors: Rolf Magnus Berggren, Joakim Isaksson, Edwin Jager, Peter Kjäll, David Nilsson, Agneta Richter Dahlfors, Daniel T. Simon, Klas Tybrandt
  • Patent number: 8691071
    Abstract: A method for measuring the transmission rate of an analyte through a film. The method includes the steps of (i) separating a chamber into a first cell and a second cell with a known area of a film, (ii) flushing the first cell with an inert gas to remove any target analyte from the first cell, (iii) introducing a gas containing a known concentration of an analyte into the second cell, (iv) sealing the first cell to gas flow through the first cell, and (v) sensing any analyte in the first cell with a sensor that consumes the analyte at a rate greater than the rate at which the analyte is passing through the film, until a steady state rate of analyte consumption is measured by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mocon, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Mayer, Stephen D. Tuomela
  • Patent number: 8685228
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus comprising an ion sensitive field effect transistor arranged to generate an electrical output signal in response to localized fluctuations of ionic charge at or adjacent the surface of the transistor, and means for detecting the electrical output signal from the ion sensitive field effect transistor, the localized fluctuations of ionic charge indicating events occurring during a chemical reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: DNA Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Christofer Toumazou, Sunil Purushothaman
  • Patent number: 8679310
    Abstract: A biosensor includes a first working electrode that a biocatalyst, which has a property that reacts on a specified ground substance, is disposed, a second working electrode that the biocatalyst, which the property is lost, is disposed, and at least one counter electrode for respectively applying a voltage to the first working electrode and the second working electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Yosuke Murase, Koji Katsuki
  • Patent number: 8673127
    Abstract: In a biosensor for measuring a specific substance in a liquid sample, one or a combination of sugar alcohol, metallic salt, organic acid or organic acid salt which has at least one carboxyl group in a molecule, and organic acid or organic acid salt which has at least one carboxyl group and one amino group in a molecule, is included in a reagent layer provided on electrodes, thereby providing a highly-accurate biosensor which is excellent in stability and has high response (sensitivity, linearity) of the sensor to the substrate concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shoji Miyazaki, Hiroyuki Tokunaga, Masaki Fujiwara, Takahiro Nakaminami, Junko Nakayama, Eriko Yamanishi
  • Patent number: 8663442
    Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Roche Operations Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Burke, Nigel A. Surridge, Henning Groll
  • Patent number: 8663452
    Abstract: A method using an electrolytic cell to electrolyze urea to produce at least one of H2 and NH3 is described. An electrolytic cell having a cathode with a first conducting component, an anode with a second conducting component, urea and an alkaline electrolyte composition in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode is used to electrolyze urea. The alkaline electrolyte composition has a hydroxide concentration of at least 0.01 M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventor: Gerardine G. Botte
  • Patent number: 8663579
    Abstract: This invention provides a biological component-measuring device, enabling the operator to easily calibrate the entire device and capable of measuring biological components accurately, and a method for calibrating the device. The device measures a sample including a body fluid taken through a body fluid sampler by sending it with a pump through a sample channel to a sensor. The device further includes a calibrating liquid channel through which a calibrating liquid can be supplied to the sensor via the sample channel by a switching of a first flow path changeover valve placed in the sample channel at a location upstream of the pump and connected to the channel. The method includes introducing the calibrating liquid in the calibrating liquid channel, via other channels, into the sensor by switching the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motoaki Murakami
  • Patent number: 8658012
    Abstract: The biosensor has an electrode system for electrochemically measuring 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) and a reagent layer formed on said electrode system. The reagent layer contains an enzyme for measuring 1,5-anhydroglucitol, phenothiazine compounds, a stabilizer selected from a group of compounds comprising metal salts, organic acids, and amino acids, and an acidic polymer compound as an optional ingredient. The biosensor has excellent storage stability and can electrochemically measure 1,5-anhydroglucitol unaffected by the hematocrit contained in a whole blood sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Yokoyama, Hisako Takagi, Yayoi Irie, Reiko Machida, Yoshihiko Umegae
  • Patent number: 8652316
    Abstract: An electrophoresis system includes a pedestal including a base, two enlargements at both ends of the base respectively, two cavities in the enlargements respectively, and a transparent plate on top of the base; a photographic filter member provided on the top of the base; a control panel on one enlargement; an electrophoresis tank provided between the enlargements; a covering member releasably provided on the pedestal for concealing the electrophoresis tank; a gel block in the electrophoresis tank for holding DNA samples in place; LED lamps in each cavity, the LED lamps being for emitting blue light toward the DNA samples; a hollow mount on the covering member and including a sliding tray; a photographic filter releasably disposed on the tray; and a picture taking device mounted on the hollow mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Major Science Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Liang Chuu, Chian-Fu Wang
  • Patent number: 8652313
    Abstract: A wet flow-type ion selective electrode device requires not only a large amount of test solution but also cumbersome management works such as flow path cleaning and device conditioning. Provided is an ion selective electrode cartridge which includes at least one ion selective electrode forming an electrical path with a reference electrode when a test solution is infused, and in which the ion selective electrode and the reference electrode is arranged to surround a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruyuki Kobayashi, Tsuyoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 8652311
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for an immunoassay technique that uses amperometric measurements to rapidly analyze different pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, toxins, and parasites. A conductive membrane is used to provide support for antibody immobilization and serve as a working electrode. The proposed technique is adaptable for use with different materials so as to form a membrane having a pore size that is suited to the particular application. A compact and simple disposable element can be used. The immunoassay can be automated using microprocessor control so as to reduce the amount of human intervention in sample analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Ebtisam Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8647498
    Abstract: A corrosive environment sensor for measuring corrosive environment inside a space between a first member that is a conductor and a second member that is a conductor or insulator includes: a base having a surface which cam face the first member that is a conductor; and an electrode which is provided on the surface of the base and formed with a material different in ionization tendency from the first member and which faces at a distance the first member so as to form a galvanic coupling with the first member, and the corrosive environment sensor measures a galvanic current between the electrode and the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Ruri Nakada, Nobutoshi Konagai, Kota Sako, Yuya Ito
  • Patent number: 8647488
    Abstract: A biosensor includes a first working electrode that a biocatalyst, which has a property that reacts on a specified ground substance, is disposed, a second working electrode that the biocatalyst, which the property is lost, is disposed, and at least one counter electrode for respectively applying a voltage to the first working electrode and the second working electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Yosuke Murase, Koji Katsuki
  • Patent number: 8641888
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the oxidation-reduction potential of a fluid sample are provided. The system includes a test strip with a sample chamber adapted to receive a fluid sample. The sample chamber can be associated with a filter membrane. The test strip also includes a reference cell. The oxidation-reduction potential of a fluid sample placed in the sample chamber can be read by a readout device interconnected to a test lead that is in electrical contact with the sample chamber, and a reference lead that is in electrical contact with the reference cell. Electrical contact between a fluid sample placed in the sample chamber and the reference cell can be established by a bridge. The oxidation-reduction potential may be read as an electrical potential between the test lead and the reference lead of the test strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Luoxis Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard T. Rael, David Bar-Or, Raphael Bar-Or
  • Patent number: 8641882
    Abstract: Described is a capillary column cartridge. The cartridge can be used to perform separations according to various techniques such as capillary gas chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and capillary liquid chromatography. The cartridge includes a capillary column secured in a cartridge body. The capillary column includes an inlet port and an outlet port that, in some embodiments, are disposed on a planar surface of the body. When the body is engaged to a separation system module, the inlet port is aligned to receive a sample to be separated and the outlet port is aligned to provide the separated sample to the separation system module. The path of the capillary through the body has a non-planar path shape such as a coil shape. Consequently, longer column lengths can be accommodated, leading to an improvement in separation resolution. The body can include a material having a high thermal conductivity to achieve improved thermal performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Jarrell, Keith Edward Fadgen
  • Patent number: 8632671
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatuses and kits for determining the presence and the concentration of nanoparticles in a given area, solution or region via cellular uptake and/or adsorption monitored through laboratory equipment. For example, the present invention provides a method of quantifying one or more nanoparticles by incubating a nanoparticle solution comprising one or more nanoparticles with one or more cells; isolating the one or more cells; lysing the one or more cells to release a cell lysate; separating the cell lysate electrophoretically on a gel; digitizing the gel to form a gel image; quantifying the nanoparticle intensity in the gel image; and correlating the nanoparticle intensity to a cell-associated nanoparticle concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents, University of Texas System
    Inventors: Rockford K. Draper, Paul Pantano, Ru-Hung Wang, Carole Mikoryak