Patents Examined by Alexander Noguerola
  • Patent number: 9360469
    Abstract: An electro-optical stimulation and recording system is disclosed, including a substrate and a plurality of wells coupled to the substrate. The system also includes at least one electrode set disposed proximate a respective one of the plurality of wells, wherein the electrode set comprises at least one electrode configured to collect an electric signal associated with at least a portion of the respective well. The system also includes a light-emitting element set corresponding to a respective one of the wells and configured to deliver optical stimulation to at least a portion of the respective well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Axion BioSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Perry Clements, Amanda Jervis Preyer, Swaminathan Rajaraman, Daniel Christopher Millard, James David Ross
  • Patent number: 9354197
    Abstract: The design and manufacture method of an oxygen concentration sensor made with silicon micromachining (a.k.a. MEMS, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) process for applications of oxygen measurement with fast response time and low power consumption is disclosed in the present invention. The said silicon oxygen concentration sensor operates with an yttrium stabilized zirconia oxide amperometric cell supported on a membrane made of silicon nitride with a heat isolation cavity underneath or a silicon nitride membrane with silicon plug for mechanical strength enforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Wisenstech Ltd.
    Inventors: Liji Huang, Chih-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 9354194
    Abstract: An analyte meter with a test strip port that detects an orientation of a test strip inserted therein. A control circuit of the test meter is configured to apply a first predetermined analyte measurement signal to a test strip electrode in response to detecting a first orientation of the test strip, and a second predetermined analyte measurement signal to the same, or a different, electrode in response to detecting a second orientation of the test strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: James Iain Rodgers, Lawrence Ritchie, Anna Zvikhachevskaya, Jonathan Nelson, Carlos Morales
  • Patent number: 9354157
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for assessing subgrade corrosion is disclosed. The apparatus is configured to assess soil corrosivity and subgrade corrosion of a structure without disturbing the site where the structure resides and includes a probe having a plurality of electrodes and sensors configured to conduct environmental and corrosion measurements at the site, and a controller having a potentiostat contained therein to determine a corrosion rate at the site, wherein the corrosion rate provides an indicator of the amount of corrosion of the structure over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal Scott Murray
  • Patent number: 9354198
    Abstract: A calibration method for blood glucose of blood sample comprises the following steps: applying a first voltage to a blood sample to obtain an original level of blood glucose of the blood sample; applying a second voltage to a blood sample to obtain a hematocrit index of the blood sample; and processing the hematocrit index and calibrating the original level of blood glucose of the blood sample. The absolute value of the first voltage is lower than 1 volt and is not equal to 0 volt. The absolute value of the second voltage is higher than or equal to 1 volt. A sensing current corresponding to the original blood level and the hematocrit index corresponding to blood sample are obtained by applying at least two-stage voltages in the specific range to the blood sample, thereby calibrating the original blood glucose according to the hematocrit index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: DELBio, Inc.
    Inventors: Po-Chin Nien, Cheng-Chuan Chen, Chien-Yu Yin, Chi-Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 9341564
    Abstract: A high-throughput optical suspension characterization instrument is disclosed, which can include hydraulically separate and at least partially transparent sample containers. A selection mechanism is operative to selectively direct light from a light source (12) through different ones of the sample containers along an optical axis, and an off-axis scattering detector (38,24) is responsive to scattered light from the light source after it has interacted with a sample. Phase analysis light scattering is used to determine the electrophoretic mobility and zeta potential of samples. A second instrument is disclosed, wherein all sample containers are illuminated simultaneously. Transmitted light is collected by a camera. The electrophoretic mobility and hydrodynamic size of the samples may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Malvern Instruments, Ltd.
    Inventor: Fraser McNeil-Watson
  • Patent number: 9335292
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an electrochemical proximity assay (ECPA) which leverages two aptamer or antibody-oligonucleotide probes and proximity-dependent DNA hybridization to move a redox active molecule near an electrically conductive base. The ECPA of the present disclosure produces rapid, quantitative results, enabling point-of-care use in the detection of biomarkers of disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: AUBURN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jiaming Hu, Tanyu Wang, Christopher J. Easley, Curtis G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 9335294
    Abstract: The present invention related to a test strip and a method for humidity detection. The test strip comprises two humidity detecting materials for detecting humidity change and one of the humidity detecting materials is exposed to outer environment. Detect the two humidity changes to obtain a ratio that is used for comparing with a value and then it can prevent from exceeding a predetermined humidity value, and whereby the test strip and the method could achieve the goal of simple humidity detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: TAIDOC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hui-Sheng Hou, Chia-Chi Wu, Tai-Cheng Chou
  • Patent number: 9329168
    Abstract: Electrophysiology culture plates are provided and are formed from a transparent microelectrode array (MEA) plate. The MEA plate comprises a substrate, a first layer and a first insulating layer. The substrate has a plurality of vias extending from an upper to a lower surface, each via being in electrical contact with each of a plurality of contact pads disposed on the lower surface. The first layer is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and has a plurality of MEA arrays in electrical communication with at least a first routing layer. Each MEA array comprises a plurality of reference electrodes and a plurality of microelectrodes and the first routing layer is in electrical communication with a select number of the plurality of vias. A first insulating layer is disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Axion BioSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Swaminathan Rajaraman, James D Ross, Amanda Preyer
  • Patent number: 9329150
    Abstract: Electrochemical test cells are made with precision and accuracy by adhering an electrically resistive sheet having a bound opening to a first electrically conductive sheet. A notching opening is then punched through the electrically resistive sheet and the first electrically conductive sheet. The notching opening intersects the first bound opening in the electrically resistive sheet, and transforms the first bound opening into a notch in the electrically resistive sheet. A second electrically conductive sheet is punched to have a notching opening corresponding to that of first electrically conductive sheet, and this is adhered to the other side of the electrically resistive sheet such that the notching openings are aligned. This structure is cleaved from surrounding material to form an electrochemical cell that has a sample space for receiving a sample defined by the first and second conductive sheets and the notch in the electrically resistive sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: AgaMatrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Harding, Sridhar G. Iyengar
  • Patent number: 9321012
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for purifying proteins and other target molecules based on pI are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Aran Paulus, Roumen Bogoev, Elad Brod, Uri Sivan
  • Patent number: 9310326
    Abstract: Provided is a device for determining a monomer molecule sequence of a polymer including different electrodes, and a method of efficiently determining a monomer molecule sequence of a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heejeong Jeong, Jeo-young Shim, Kun-sun Eom, Dong-ho Lee, Tae-han Jeon
  • Patent number: 9304101
    Abstract: An improved pulse discharge technique is provided which continuously measures a gas sensor's impedance at elevated temperatures. The present invention is characterized in that the measured impedance values are used to control said sensor's operating temperature within a defined temperature range or to monitor said sensor's operating temperature via impedance monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: BJR SENSORS LLC
    Inventor: Boris Farber
  • Patent number: 9304102
    Abstract: An amperometric electrochemical sensor configured to be operable in an oxidizing atmosphere and under an applied bias to exhibit enhanced reduction of oxygen molecules at the sensing electrode in the presence of one or more target gas species and a resulting measurable increase in oxygen ion flux through the cell. The sensor has an electrolyte membrane, a sensing electrode on the electrolyte membrane, and a counter electrode on the electrolyte membrane, wherein the sensing electrode includes at least one molybdate or tungstate compound. An electrochemical sensor system is also provided, along with a method of detecting the concentration of one or more of NOx and NH3 in a gas sample or stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: NexTech Materials, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J. Day, Scott L. Swartz, Lora B. Thrun, Buddy E. McCormick
  • Patent number: 9297783
    Abstract: To provide a reagent applying device and a reagent applying method for electrophoresis analysis which make it possible to apply a reagent with a simple configuration at low cost. A reagent supplying device for supplying a reagent to the surface of a gel in electrophoresis analysis includes a reagent applying tool which is a plate-shaped body. The reagent applying tool includes at least one reagent holding section which penetrates the reagent applying tool in a thickness direction and which holds a reagent by capillary action, and a reagent spreading section for spreading, on the surface of the gel, a reagent supplied from a lower-side opening of the reagent holding section when the reagent applying tool is placed on the gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Tokiya Nakazato
  • Patent number: 9291595
    Abstract: A monitoring method of metal ions or oxygen ions applicable to a high concentration non-aqueous electrolyte includes: applying a potential in a non-aqueous electrolyte to obtain current information with respect to the potential; varying the potential applied in the non-aqueous electrolyte containing metal ion concentration or oxygen ion concentration such that the metal ion concentration or the oxygen ion concentration is maintained in spite of the potential being applied; detecting a linear relationship among the concentration, the current, and passed charges in the non-aqueous electrolyte by repeatedly performing the obtaining step and the varying step, while changing the concentration; and calculating metal ion concentration or oxygen ion concentration of the non-aqueous electrolyte in pyroprocessing of the non-aqueous electrolyte by using the linear relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Eun Bae, Kyuseok Song, Dae Hyeon Kim, Yong Joon Park, Jong Yun Kim, Jei Won Yeon
  • Patent number: 9279781
    Abstract: A measuring arrangement for registering a measured variable representing concentration of an analyte in a measured medium, includes: a first electrode modified with a redox active substance, a second electrode, and a measuring circuit, which comprises a voltage source for applying at least one predetermined voltage between the first electrode and a reference, and an apparatus for registering electrical current flowing, in such case, between the first electrode and the second electrode or for registering a variable correlated with the electrical current flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the second electrode is modified with the same redox active substance as the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER CONDUCTA GESELLSCHAFT FUR MESS- UND REGELTECHNIK MBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Wilhelm, Michael Hanko
  • Patent number: 9279153
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sequencing a biological molecule or polymer, e.g., a nucleic acid, are provided. One or more donor labels, which are attached to a pore or nanopore, may be illuminated or otherwise excited. A polymer having a monomer labeled with one or more acceptor labels, may be translocated through the pore. Either before, after or while the labeled monomer of the polymer passes through, exits or enters the pore, energy may be transferred from the excited donor label to the acceptor label of the monomer. As a result of the energy transfer, the acceptor label emits energy, and the emitted energy is detected in order to identify the labeled monomer of the translocated polymer and to thereby sequence the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Quantapore, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Huber
  • Patent number: 9279782
    Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a layered structure with an ionic conductive film and a high gas-permeability interlayer film, a first catalyst electrode and a second catalyst electrode, a conductivity promotion structure, a high-k layer and a current detecting unit. The ionic conductive film includes a material with ionic conductivity ranging from 0.02 to 1000 S/cm. The first catalyst electrode and second catalyst electrode are located on the layered structure and spaced by a predetermined distance for ionizing a gas and reducing the ionized gas, respectively. The conductivity promotion structure includes a material with electronic conductivity ranging from 10?5 to 105 S/cm, and provides wanted electrons for a reduction reaction. The high-k layer is interposed between the conductivity promotion structure and layered structure. The current detecting unit is coupled to the first catalyst electrode and second catalyst electrode to sense a detecting current with respect to the ionized gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chen-Chia Chou, Tsung-Her Yeh, Wei-Wei Duan, Jyh-Shiarn Cherng, Ruei-De Lin
  • Patent number: 9279801
    Abstract: Electrophysiology culture plates are provided and are formed from a transparent microelectrode array (MEA) plate. The MEA plate comprises a substrate, a first layer and a first insulating layer. The substrate has a plurality of vias extending from an upper to a lower surface, each via being in electrical contact with each of a plurality of contact pads disposed on the lower surface. The first layer is disposed on the upper surface of the substrate and has a plurality of MEA arrays in in electrical communication with at least a first routing layer. Each MEA array comprises a plurality of reference electrodes and a plurality of microelectrodes and the first routing layer is in electrical communication with a select number of the plurality of vias. A first insulating layer is disposed on the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AXION BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Swaminathan Rajaraman, James D. Ross, Amanda Preyer