Patents Examined by Danielle B Henkel
  • Patent number: 11312934
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a piezoelectric ultrasonic microinjection device based on a flexible hinge mechanism. The device includes: a cover, a flexible hinge mechanism, a base, a screw cap and an end cap fixedly assembled together, the base being provided with a pump interface; and a micropipette fixedly mounted in the base, the screw cap and the end cap and extending outward, the micropipette being in communication with the pump interface; wherein the flexible hinge mechanism comprises a housing, a piezoelectric ceramic package module encapsulated in the housing, a central shaft fixedly mounted with the piezoelectric ceramic package module and the base, and a vibration output shaft extending from the piezoelectric ceramic package module into the central shaft, a plurality of flexible hinge beams being disposed between the central shaft and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Haibo Huang, Xiwei Gao, Liguo Chen, Fei Zhou, Hao Guo, Lingfeng Chang, Jizhu Liu, Yangjun Wang, Lining Sun
  • Patent number: 11312931
    Abstract: A belt for an algal growth system includes a flexible sheet material configured to facilitate growth of a biofilm. The flexible sheet material is mounted on a first frame in a first mounted geometry, the flexible sheet material having a substantially vertical orientation when mounted on the first frame such that a first height of the first mounted geometry is greater than a first width of the first mounted geometry, the flexible sheet material being in contact with a contacting liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignees: Gross-Wen Technologies, Inc., Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Anthony Gross, Zhiyou Wen
  • Patent number: 11293002
    Abstract: Cell culture apparatus for emulating gastrointestinal tract conditions and comprising at least two adjacent, microfluidic, cell cultivation channels separated by a permeable or semipermeable membrane, a first channel carrying gastrointestinal tract epithelial cells or tissues and a second channel carrying luminal and preferably mucosal microbiota, and wherein said second channel comprises one or more dwell chambers capable of providing a location for unattached luminal flora to reside away from any direct flow in said second channel, permits modelling of multiple sections of the gastrointestinal tract and control of retention times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventors: Frederic Zenhausern, Paul Wilmes, Pranjul Shah
  • Patent number: 11285471
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an adaptable microenvironment for cellular and biological processing in a traceable, transportable unit. In an illustrative example, an apparatus consists of one or more portable cell tissue containment modules that may be removably interconnected to perform a processing step and/or transfer the stored medium to another module. Associated apparatus and methods are proposed to ensure non-contaminating mechanical or fluid communication between a plurality of modules or between a module and peripheral equipment, to limit process errors such as steps performed out of order, and to intrinsically manage identification of tissue samples with accompanying process data in a manner that decreases risk of mislabeling or otherwise mishandling a sample at all stages of the production and treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Nextern Innovation, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Douglas, Richard Farrell, David Bontrager
  • Patent number: 11254621
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vertical gas distribution device for aerobic compost and a gas distribution method. Current gas distribution pipelines are easily blocked by organic materials, resulting in poor ventilation due to non-uniform local ventilation and cleaning difficulties. The inventive device comprises a compost chamber, a compost bin, a compost heap, a percolate tank, and a plurality of gas distribution branch pipes at the bottom of the compost chamber, the pipes being vertically movable in the chamber; the percolate tank is positioned at the bottom of the chamber and under the pipes; an air inlet is provided on the side wall of the tank, and an outlet is provided on the side wall of the chamber; the compost bin is inside the compost chamber, and the compost heap is in the compost bin; each pipe is top sealed, with a plurality of vent holes on the side wall, and its bottom connected to the tank. The present invention is usable for compost ventilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Northeast Agricultural University
    Inventors: Zimin Wei, Beidou Xi, Baiyan Cai, Xu Zhang, Dan Wei, Liming Jia, Xinyu Zhao, Mingxiao Li, Tianxue Yang, Yue Zhao
  • Patent number: 11248200
    Abstract: A cell culture device includes a main body and a plug element. The main body includes a slot, an open groove and a fluid chamber. The open groove is connected with one side of the slot. The fluid chamber is disposed inside the main body and connected with another side of the slot. The plug element includes a first cell culture chamber and a first porous membrane. The first porous membrane is disposed at one side of the first cell culture chamber. The plug element is detachably plugged into the slot. When the plug element is plugged into the slot, the first cell culture chamber is communicated with the open groove to form an open space, and the open space and the fluid chamber are separated by the first porous membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventors: Bing-Syuan Ni, Jen-Huang Huang
  • Patent number: 11235317
    Abstract: A collection pipette that collects a microscopic object includes a first tube part, a second tube part connected to an end of the first tube part, and a third tube part connected to the other end of the first tube part. The longitudinal direction of the third tube part intersects with the longitudinal direction of the first tube part, and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second tube part. For example, the length in the longitudinal direction of the third tube part is shorter than the length in the longitudinal direction of the first tube part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Tanaka, Sumio Sugita, Richard House
  • Patent number: 11229910
    Abstract: Described herein are microfluidic devices and systems for high density cell culture and/or high throughput cell assays. Methods of using the same are also provided herein. In some embodiments, the microfluidic devices and systems described herein provide rapid and automated trapping of single embryos in ordered arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Tufts University
    Inventors: Richard Novak, Donald E. Ingber, Michael Levin, Rachelle Prantil-Baun
  • Patent number: 11220664
    Abstract: An incubator (110, 140) for the reception of an individual sample carrier, a shelving system (100) for such incubators, a transport container for such incubators, as well as a modular system are suggested, wherein the incubators can be inserted and withdrawn (130) independently of one another, can be supplied with electricity, water and a gas via corresponding connections (150), and can communicate with a computer network via a wireless connection. Such a system reduces the risk of contamination or confusion in the lab and avoids interruptions in the monitoring and controlling of the environmental conditions in the respective incubators. These can rather independently maintain the most favourable environmental conditions for the respective samples, both during storage and also during a transport operation. The insertion and withdrawal of individual incubators from the shelving system does not, or only very briefly, interrupt the monitoring and control of the conditions in the interior of the incubators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventors: Robin Christopher Zander, Erwin Thiel, Stephan Irle
  • Patent number: 11207719
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for remedying a heavy-metal-polluted soil with a microorganism, and relates to a device for remedying a metal-polluted soil and a remediation method thereof. The present disclosure solves the problem that a remediation microorganism cannot be extracted from the soil. The device comprises a main plate and a plurality of microorganism-extracting chambers, wherein the main plate is connected to the microorganism-extracting chambers; the microorganism-extracting chamber are filled with a filler; a tail end of the microorganism-extracting chambers is spiky, and openings are separately provided on a side wall of the microorganism-extracting chambers. The method comprises: I, adding a nutrient medium to the soil, and then inoculating a remediation microorganism; and II, inserting the above device into the soil for 6˜8 days, and then taking it out. The method can remedy heavy-metal-polluted soil in a short time with a high removal rate of the heavy metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Northeast Agricultural University
    Inventors: Zimin Wei, Xu Zhang, Beidou Xi, Xinyu Zhao, Yuanfeng Li, Liming Jia, Tiejun Wen, Mingxiao Li, Tianxue Yang
  • Patent number: 11208626
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for culturing cells in a cell culture container having a base section, a top section arranged in parallel with the top section and a wall element arranged between the top section and the base section and defining an internal lumen of the container, in which the wall element of the container is compressible with respect to the top and bottom section, and in which the top section of the container has an optionally sealable inlet, in which the container is composed of a flexible material, comprising culturing cells in a culture medium in the cell culture container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Ori Biotech Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Mason, Farlan Veraitch
  • Patent number: 11207691
    Abstract: A thermal block assembly is provided. The assembly can comprise a substrate comprising a first surface configured with a plurality of reaction sites each reaction site configured to contain a biological sample and a sample block comprising a plurality of pedestals configured to thermally modulate the plurality of biological samples wherein each pedestal is thermally coupled to one of the reaction sites. The assembly can further comprise cooling blocks, slots and insulating rings associated with reaction sites each capable of minimizing heat flow between reaction sites. A method for thermally isolating reaction sites is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Janusz Wojtowicz
  • Patent number: 11155775
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cell culture vessel or a sample cell for observation use that makes it possible to observe three-dimensionally-cultured cells from various angles. The cell culture vessel or the sample cell for observation use according to the present invention is characterized by being equipped with a culture gel in which a cell or cell tissue is embedded and a first vessel which encloses the culture gel, wherein a space in the first vessel is filled with the culture gel; and the first vessel has a light-permeable window made from a hydrogel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: OSAKA PREFECTURE UNIVERSITY PUBLIC CORPORATION, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KYUSHU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Masaya Hagiwara, Tomohiro Kawahara
  • Patent number: 11155773
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and methods for rapid amplification of nucleic acids. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for mixing a reaction solution during amplification of nucleic acids and to methods for amplifying nucleic acids. Also disclosed are methods for lysing cells in a sample and amplifying nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NUtech Ventures
    Inventor: Hendrik Viljoen
  • Patent number: 11136556
    Abstract: The present invention provides various improved systems and methods for obtaining, generating, culturing, and handling cells, such as stem cells (including induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs) and differentiated cells, as well as cells and cell panels produced using such systems and methods, and uses of such cells and cell panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: New York Stem Cell Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Noggle, Kevin Eggan, Stephen Chang, Susan Solomon
  • Patent number: 11124752
    Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and at least partially automated devices suitable for producing a transplantable cellular suspension of living tissue suitable for promoting tissue regeneration in an epithelium-related procedure, as well as compositions produced therefrom. Tissue regeneration in humans is extremely limited and constitutes a major challenge to the repair of damaged organ function. Wound treatment is a typical area where tissue regeneration is required. Wounds (lacerations or openings) in mammalian tissue can result in tissue disruption and coagulation of the microvasculature at the wound face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: AVITA MEDICAL LTD
    Inventors: Andrew Perry Quick, David Allen Fencil, William Ford Dolphin
  • Patent number: 11111468
    Abstract: Generation of energy and storage of energy for subsequent use is provided by electromethanogenesis of carbon dioxide into a fuel gas and the storage of the fuel gas for subsequent use. An electromethanogenic reactor includes an anode conductor and a cathode conductor wherein the cathode conductor includes submicron to micron scale pores. Electromethanogenesis microbes and/or enzymes are located in the micron scale pores of the cathode electrode conductor. Carbon dioxide is introduced into the electromethanogenic reactor and the electromethanogenesis microbes/enzymes and the carbon dioxide interact and produce a fuel gas. The fuel gas is stored for subsequent use, for example use in power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer Marie Knipe, Sarah E. Baker, Marcus A. Worsley, Swetha Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 11078455
    Abstract: The present invention provides a culture vessel with which cells can be aseptically cultured and aseptically transferred to a place where the cells are to be used (such as an operating room) and from which the cells can be simply taken out. The present invention provides a closed culture vessel including an openable airtight vessel, and a cell culture member disposed in the airtight vessel and including a cell culture surface, in which the cell culture member is provided detachably from the airtight vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventor: Seiichi Yokoo
  • Patent number: 11077443
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for temperature modulation of samples. Generally, aspects of the disclosure provide for a portable cooling and heating apparatus which enables a user to visualize a sample during cooling or heating. In one embodiment, the apparatus include a sample block, a plurality of thermoelectric modules coupled to the sample block, and a cooling block coupled to the plurality of thermoelectric modules. In another embodiment, the cooling block is in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir. Other embodiments utilize various insulating materials to influence thermal conductivity between the sample block and the cooling block to provide for enhanced temperature control and modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
    Inventors: Kennan Oyen, Michael Dillon
  • Patent number: 11072770
    Abstract: Reactor for enzymatic hydrolysis of a raw material comprising in sequence: i)—a first heat exchanger adapted to heat the raw material supplied to the reactor to a temperature within a range that favours enzymatic hydrolysis, ii)—a reactor comprising plural in reactor chambers connected in series, separated by closable valves, iii)—a second heat exchanger adapted to heat the reaction mixture to a temperature higher than the temperature range favouring enzymatic hydrolysis, the reactor being formed with inclined tubular reactor chambers assembled to form a reactor with vertical axis, the first reactor chamber being the vertically uppermost chamber of the reactor, while at least one reactor chamber is adapted to be stirred with a through-flowing inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: NUAS TECNOLOGY AS
    Inventor: Lars Aglen