Measuring Electrical Property Patents (Class 422/82.01)
  • Patent number: 9482602
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunoaffinity device for capturing one or more analytes present at high or low concentrations in simple or complex matrices. The device is designed as an integrated modular unit and connected to capillary electrophoresis or liquid chromatography for the isolation, enrichment, separation and identification of polymeric macromolecules, primarily protein biomarkers. The integrated modular unit includes an analyte-concentrator-microreaction device connected to a modified cartridge-cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: PRINCETON BIOCHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventor: Norberto A. Guzman
  • Patent number: 9459202
    Abstract: A collision-computing system detects and amplifies the energy associated with a feature signal to determine occurrences or absence of events, such as ultrasonic and/or geophysical events, or to determine presence and/or concentrations of substances such as blood glucose, toxic chemicals, etc., in a noisy, high-clutter environment or sample. To this end, a conditioned feature, obtained by modulating a carrier kernel with a feature signal, is collided with a Zyoton—a waveform that without a collision can travel substantially unperturbed in a propagation medium over a specified distance. The conditioned feature and the Zyoton are particularly constructed to be co-dependent in terms of their respective dispersion velocities and the divergence of a waveform resulting from the collision. The collision operation can transfer at least a portion of the feature energy to the resulting waveform, and the transferred energy can be amplified in successive collisions for detecting/measuring events/substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Zyomed Corp.
    Inventors: Sandeep Gulati, Timothy L. Ruchti, William Van Antwerp, John L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9314195
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided that include an analyte sensor interface electronics for receiving a plurality of analyte related signals from an analyte sensor over a measurement time period, and a data processing component operatively coupled to the analyte sensor interface electronics for processing the received plurality of analyte related signals, the data processing component including a signal filtering component to filter the received plurality of analyte related signals, and a signal conversion component operatively coupled to the signal filtering component to convert the received filtered plurality of analyte related signals to determine an analyte level associated with a monitored analyte level during the measurement time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventor: Martin J. Fennell
  • Patent number: 9285331
    Abstract: A device, method and system for measuring analytes in a solution or suspension. The device includes a housing, a sample chamber, one or more pumps, one or more detectors, one or more stirrers, electrical contacts, a magnetic manipulator and a lid. A sample cartridge for a device that measures analytes, the cartridge comprising a first outer compartment, a second outer compartment, and a middle compartment, wherein the first outer compartment and the second outer compartment are interconnected to the middle compartment by channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: BINERGY SCIENTIFIC, INC.
    Inventors: Shelley Minteer, Vojtech Svoboda
  • Patent number: 9254485
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor device for manipulating and processing bio-entity samples is disclosed. The device includes a microfluidic channel formed between a first substrate and a second substrate and a microfluidic grid formed over the first substrate and coupled to the microfluidic channel to manipulate a droplet within the microfluidic channel. The device further includes a magnetic field generation device included in the microfluidic grid and fluidic control circuitry coupled to the magnetic device to facilitate control of the magnetic field generation device to manipulate the droplet, when the droplet contains at least one magnetic bead, within the microfluidic channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsien Chang, Chu-Ren Cheng
  • Patent number: 9212389
    Abstract: A method of detecting hybridization of complementary segments of nucleic acids by heat generated upon the aforementioned hybridization; a method of detecting the presence of a predetermined reactant in a sample suspected of containing the same, and an apparatus for detecting hybridization of complementary segments of nucleic acids by a heat generated upon aforementioned hybridization, that implements a pyroelectric thermal sensor or a bolometric thermal sensor or a quantum well thermal sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Amots Osri
  • Patent number: 9204829
    Abstract: A test meter for analyzing a body fluid sample applied to a test strip includes an outer housing having an opening, an actuator, and a cartridge positioned adjacent the outer housing. The cartridge further includes a dispensing member connected to the actuator, a plurality of stacked test strips biased toward the dispensing member, and a cartridge outer housing that is adjacent at least a portion of the dispensing member. Each time the actuator is actuated, the dispensing member is rotated to cause movement of one test strip from the plurality of stacked test strips through the opening, and another test strip is biased toward the dispensing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Prais, Michael A. Botta, Narasinha Parasnis, Serban Peteu, John Creaven, Simin Yao
  • Patent number: 9162259
    Abstract: A device for the regeneration of a biosensor having an immobilized and biologically active material applied to the surface of a carrier that is suitable for interacting with a substance to be analyzed. The device comprises at least one injector through which, by means of a pump, at least one solution can be applied to the surface of the carrier for the purposes of rinsing the biologically active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Reidt, Alois Friedberger, Barbara Baur, Martin Eickhoff, Tom Lueders, Gerhard Mueller
  • Patent number: 9164076
    Abstract: A biosensor system determines analyte concentration from analytic and/or secondary output signals. The biosensor system adjusts a correlation for determining analyte concentrations from output signals with one or more index functions extracted from the output signals. The index functions determine at least one slope deviation or normalized slope deviation from one or more error parameters. The slope-adjusted correlation between analyte concentrations and output signals may be used to determine analyte concentrations having improved accuracy and/or precision from output signals including components attributable to bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Dijia Huang, Huan-Ping Wu
  • Patent number: 9157974
    Abstract: The invention relates to detecting coagulation and coagulation-related activities including agglutination and fibrinolysis of samples. More particularly the invention relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring coagulation and/or obtaining a coagulation time of a sample using NMR-based detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: T2 BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Sonia Taktak, Brian M. Mozeleski, Thomas J. Lowery, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9146221
    Abstract: The present invention includes biochips for the measurement of cellular ion channels and methods of use and manufacture. The biochips of the present invention have enhanced sealing capabilities provided in part by chemically modifying the surface of the biochip surface or substrate or by exposure to an ionized gas. The present invention also includes novel cartridges for biochips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Aviva Biosciences Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio Guia, George Walker, Jia Xu, Julian Yuan, Lei Wu, Mingxian Huang
  • Patent number: 9134305
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of a target molecule is disclosed which includes a conductive nanostructure, a non-conductive polymer coating on at least a portion of the nanostructure, and a cavity formed in the polymer coating having a shape corresponding to the shape of the target molecule. A property of the nanostructure depends on the presence of the target molecule at the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: The Trustees of Boston College
    Inventors: Dong Cai, Thomas C. Chiles
  • Patent number: 9114398
    Abstract: A method and device for digital multiplex PCR assays employ a microfluidic chip for performing real-time, continuous flow PCR within microchannels of the chip. A stream of sample material is introduced into each microchannel and alternating boluses of assay-specific reagents and buffer are introduced into the stream to form sequentially configured test boluses. A PCR procedure is performed on the test boluses followed by a thermal melt procedure. During the thermal melt procedure, fluorescent output is detected and fluorescence vs temperature data is collected and compared to expected normal correlations. The results, positive or negative, are converted to digital format, with positive results designated as “1” and negative results designated as “0”, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Canon U.S. Life Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivor T. Knight, Hiroshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 9057719
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a material having nanoscale pores is provided. In one embodiment, the method of fabricating a material having nanoscale pores may include providing a single crystal semiconductor. The single crystal semiconductor layer is then patterned to provide an array of exposed portions of the single crystal semiconductor layer having a width that is equal to the minimum lithographic dimension. The array of exposed portion of the single crystal semiconductor layer is then etched using an etch chemistry having a selectivity for a first crystal plane to a second crystal plane of 100% or greater. The etch process forms single or an array of trapezoid shaped pores, each of the trapezoid shaped pores having a base that with a second width that is less than the minimum lithographic dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chengwen Pei, Zhengwen Li
  • Patent number: 9041419
    Abstract: Examples of the present invention include apparatus and methods for monitoring aging of an item. A solid-state structure is located within, adjacent to, or otherwise proximate the item, the solid-state structure including nanostructures. The electrical resistance and/or magnetization of the solid-state structure is determined to determine the degree of aging of the item. In representative examples, the solid-state structure includes nanostructures of a metal, such as a ferromagnetic metal, within a non-magnetic matrix, such as a semimetal, semiconductor, or insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
    Inventor: Gregory G. Kenning
  • Patent number: 9039877
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrode strip, a sensor strip, a system thereof and a manufacturing method thereof. The sensor strip includes a first reactive film, a second reactive film and a vent hole. The first reactive film includes a substrate, a first electrode layer and a first insulation layer. The first end of the first insulation layer is concaved to a first depth to form a first reactive area. The second reactive film includes a second electrode layer and a second insulation layer. The first end of the second insulation layer is concaved to a second depth to form a second reactive area. The vent hole penetrates the second insulation layer, the second electrode layer and the first insulation layer so as to connect the first reactive area and the second reactive area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: APEX BIOTECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Ying-Che Huang, Lan-Hsiang Huang, Ching-Yuan Chu
  • Patent number: 9039974
    Abstract: A biological sample measuring device including a mounting portion to which a biological sample measuring sensor is mounted, a voltage application section that applies voltage to a counter electrode of the biological sample measuring sensor mounted to the mounting portion, amplifiers that are selectively connected to a working electrode of the biological sample measuring sensor, and a determination section that is connected to these amplifiers. The determination section has a threshold determination section that determines a voltage value obtained by voltage conversion of the current value of the working electrode, a same determination section that selectively connects the amplifiers to the working electrode depending on the determination of the threshold determination section, and identifies the sample deposited on the biological sample measuring sensor from the output of the selected amplifier, and an output section that outputs a measurement value corresponding to the identified sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shouko Hironaka, Teppei Shinno, Eriko Yoshioka, Takashi Miki
  • Patent number: 9034262
    Abstract: A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor including a substrate, two or more electrodes, a conductive layer applied to the substrate and a molecularly imprinted polymer layer applied to the conductive layer is disclosed herein The MIP sensor may form part of an MIP sensor system that can be used to detect and quantify target molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Joseph J. Belbruno, Ursula J. Gibson, Jane E. G. Lipson, Martin N. Wybourne
  • Patent number: 9034263
    Abstract: Luminescence test measurements are conducted using an assay module having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Meso Scale Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Jacob N. Wohlstadter, Eli Glezer, James Wilbur, George Sigal, Kent Johnson, Charles Clinton, Alan Kishbaugh, Bandele Jeffrey-Coker, Jeff D. Debad, Alan B. Fischer
  • Patent number: 9034264
    Abstract: The present application provides apparatus and methods for determining the density of a fluid sample. In particular, it provides a sensor device which can be loaded with a fluid sample such as blood, and which further comprises at least one oscillating beam member or resonator. Exposure of the blood sample to clotting agents allows a clotting reaction to commence. The device allows the density of the sample fluid to be monitored with reference to the oscillation of the vibrating beam member, thus allowing the monitoring of the clotting of the fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Highland Biosciences Limited
    Inventor: Richard Day
  • Patent number: 9028777
    Abstract: Provided are cartridges and systems for effecting automated extraction, isolation, and purification of cellular components—such as nucleic acids—from a cellular sample in assay-ready form. Also provided are related methods of effecting such sample processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle W. Hukari, Jason A. A. West, Michael A. Shultz, Richard Milson, Nikolas M. Isely, Michael C. DeRenzi
  • Patent number: 9029132
    Abstract: A sensor for biomolecules includes a silicon fin comprising undoped silicon; a source region adjacent to the silicon fin, the source region comprising heavily doped silicon; a drain region adjacent to the silicon fin, the drain region comprising heavily doped silicon of a doping type that is the same doping type as that of the source region; and a layer of a gate dielectric covering an exterior portion of the silicon fin between the source region and the drain region, the gate dielectric comprising a plurality of antibodies, the plurality of antibodies configured to bind with the biomolecules, such that a drain current flowing between the source region and the drain region varies when the biomolecules bind with the antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marwan H. Khater, Tak H. Ning, Lidija Sekaric, Sufi Zafar
  • Patent number: 9023281
    Abstract: Chemical indicator apparatuses containing one or more chemical indicators for use in monitoring the quality of water in an aquatic environment. The apparatuses are designed and configured to be submersible in the water that is being monitored. In some embodiments, each apparatus includes a plurality of immobilized-dye-based chemical indicators that undergo a physical change as levels of one or more constituents of the water change. Such indicators can be read by one or more suitable optical readers. These and other embodiments are designed and configured to be movable by a corresponding monitoring/measuring apparatus, for example, via a magnetically coupled drive. Also disclosed are a variety of features that can be used to provide a chemical indicator apparatus with additional functionalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Step Ahead Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 9012232
    Abstract: An auto-calibration system for diagnostic test strips is described for presenting data individually carried on each test strip readable by a diagnostic meter. The carried data may include an embedded code relating to data particular to that individual strip. The data is presented so at to be read by a meter associated with the diagnostic test strip in order to avoid manually inputting the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nipro Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary T. Neel, Brent E. Modzelewski, Allan Javier Caban, Adam Mark Will, Carlos Oti
  • Patent number: 9012204
    Abstract: The use of nanostructures to monitor or modulate changes in cellular membrane potentials is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Ignatius, Elena Molokanova, Alexei Savtchenko, Joseph A. Bartel, Weiwen Zhao, Joseph A. Treadway
  • Patent number: 9011779
    Abstract: Described is a personal device and methods for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a sample of gas. The device and method may utilize a chemically selective sensor element with low power consumption integrated with circuitry that enables wireless communication between the sensor and any suitable electronic readout such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. In preferred form, the sensor circuitry relies upon the quantum capacitance effect of graphene as a transduction mechanism. Also in preferred form, the device and method employ the functionalization of the graphene-based sensor to determine the concentration of ethanol in exhaled breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Andas Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Clay Anglin, Jr., Timothy D. Bemer, Joseph C. Jensen
  • Patent number: 9005987
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for quantitative target detection in a sample through use of microbeads and related devices and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: University of Southern California, California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Emil P. Kartalov, Axel Scherer, Clive R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9005527
    Abstract: A biosensor system determines an analyte concentration of a biological sample using an electrochemical process without Cottrell decay. The biosensor system generates an output signal having a transient decay, where the output signal is not inversely proportional to the square root of the time. The transient decay is greater or less than the ?0.5 decay constant of a Cottrell decay. The transient decay may result from a relatively short incubation period, relatively small sample reservoir volumes, relatively small distances between electrode surfaces and the lid of the sensor strip, and/or relatively short excitations in relation to the average initial thickness of the reagent layer. The biosensor system determines the analyte concentration from the output signal having a transient decay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Bayer Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Huan-Ping Wu, Steven C. Charlton, Amy H. Chu, Andrew J. Edelbrock, Sung-Kwon Jung, Dijia Huang
  • Patent number: 9005415
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrode strip, a sensor strip, a system thereof and a manufacturing method thereof. The sensor strip includes a first reactive film, a second reactive film and a vent hole. The first reactive film includes a substrate, a first electrode layer and a first insulation layer. The first end of the first insulation layer is concaved to a first depth to form a first reactive area. The second reactive film includes a second electrode layer and a second insulation layer. The first end of the second insulation layer is concaved to a second depth to form a second reactive area. The vent hole penetrates the second insulation layer, the second electrode layer and the first insulation layer so as to connect the first reactive area and the second reactive area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Apex Biotechnology Corp.
    Inventors: Ying-Che Huang, Lan-Hsiang Huang, Ching-Yuan Chu
  • Patent number: 9005545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence and/or the reaction of a biomolecule by monitoring changes of electrical property accurately according to the biological, biochemical or chemical reaction of the biomolecule, and a biochip provided for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Digital Genomics Inc.
    Inventor: Jae-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20150098865
    Abstract: A system for diagnostic testing may include a meter for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to a test media, the meter having a housing and an interface for receiving a signal representing coding information, and a container configured to contain test media compatible with the meter, the container having a coding element associated therewith. Additionally, the system may provide a mechanism for removing the meter from an interconnected test container and reattaching it to a new container using on-container coding methods that can recalibrate the meter for the new container of test strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Gary T. Neel, Brent E. Modzelewski, George R. Rounds, Carlos Oti, Allan Javier Caban, Jeffrey Akins
  • Patent number: 8999124
    Abstract: A detection device that is used to detect a sample includes: a base component having on its surface a sample supply position to which the sample is supplied; an electrode system formed at a distance from the sample supply position on the surface of the base component; a sliding component having a slide body that performs a sliding movement over the surface of the base component, a sample receptacle portion provided in a portion of the slide body; and a supporting portion that is fixed to the base component and supports the sliding component such that it can perform the sliding movement relative to the base component. The base and the sliding components can perform the sliding movement within a range that includes an overlap position, where the sample receptacle portion overlaps with the electrode system, and the sample supply position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Yokoyama, Reiko Machida, Yayoi Irie, Yoshihiko Umegae
  • Patent number: 8999125
    Abstract: An auto-calibration system for diagnostic test strips is described for presenting data individually carried on each test strip readable by a diagnostic meter. The test strip meter may provide a predetermined varying resistance on one strip or a plurality of varying resistances from strip lot to strip lot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Nipro Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary T. Neel, Brent E. Modzelewski, Allan Javier Caban, Adam Mark Will, Carlos Oti
  • Patent number: 8999243
    Abstract: A blood coagulation analysis device and method in which information relating to the coagulability of blood is evaluated based on a change generated in a permittivity measured in a coagulation process of the blood due to addition of a substance that activates or inactivates platelets to the blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihito Hayashi, MarcAurele Brun, Shinji Omori, Yoichi Katsumoto, Kazumasa Sato
  • Publication number: 20150093816
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for analyzing a fluid sample. In one aspect, the device includes a fluidic substrate that comprises a micro-fluidic component embedded in the fluidic substrate configured to propagate a fluid sample via capillary force through the device and a means for providing a fluid sample connected to the micro-fluidic component. The device also includes a lid attached to the fluidic substrate at least partly covering the fluidic substrate and at least partly closing the micro-fluidic component. The fluidic substrate may be a silicon fluidic substrate and the lid may be a CMOS chip. In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for fabricating such a device, and the method may include providing a fluidic substrate, providing a lid, and attaching, through a CMOS compatible bonding process, the fluidic substrate to the lid to close the fluidic substrate at least partly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Liesbet Lagae, Peter Peumans
  • Patent number: 8991234
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valproic acid biosensor. In some embodiments, the valproic acid biosensor may comprise a microcantilever, a self-assembly monolayer, and a valproic acid antibody layer. The self-assembly monolayer may immobilize on the microcantilever surface. The valproic acid antibody layer may immobilize on the self-assembly monolayer. The valproic acid antibody layer may be used to bind with valproic acid drug samples. The present disclosure further relates to methods for measuring the concentration of valproic acid drug samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Long-Sun Huang, Kai-Fung Chang, Yu-Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 8984931
    Abstract: A sensor system that measures at least one parameter of water includes an electronics subsystem and includes a sensor housing electrically and mechanically coupled to the electronics subsystem. The sensor housing encloses a chamber that receives water via at least one inlet and that releases water via at least one outlet. At least one sensor has at least one electrode exposed to water in the chamber. A flow generator causes water to flow through the chamber. A plurality of objects within the chamber move in response to the water flow and abrasively clean the at least one electrode. Preferably, the sensor system includes a chlorine sensor having at least two electrodes. The electronics subsystem applies a first differential voltage between the two electrodes during a measurement interval and then applies a second differential voltage between the two electrodes during an interval following the measurement interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Michael A. Silveri
  • Patent number: 8986613
    Abstract: The present invention provides a handheld USB Cup for use in collection of a fluidic body sample, comprising ad receptacle comprising side surfaces, a bottom plate and a sensor assembly, the sensor assembly comprising at least one sensor and a slave circuitry; said sensor assembly is permanently affixed to said side surfaces or said bottom plate. The receptacle is capable of maintaining the fluidic body sample for a sufficient time period in the vicinity of the sensor thereby the sensor is operative to provide continuous measurement of an electric, chemical or physical property of the urine. The slave circuitry responds to the electric, chemical or physical property of the fluidic body sample received from the sensor and is configured and operable to electronically communicate the measurement of the electric, chemical or physical property of the fluidic body sample to an external processing master unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Flometrica Ltd.
    Inventor: Zeev Cohen
  • Patent number: 8986523
    Abstract: A biosensor capacitor, including a dielectric layer; a first metal layer in the dielectric layer; a passivation layer over the dielectric layer and the first metal layer; an isolation layer over the passivation layer; a probe DNA electrode connected to the first metal layer; a counter electrode connected to the first metal layer wherein the counter electrode forms an enclosure around the probe DNA electrode; and a bond pad connected to the first metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kristin M. Ackerson, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Yen Li Lim, Polina A. Razina
  • Patent number: 8986629
    Abstract: A device for controlling, detecting, and measuring a molecular complex is disclosed. The device comprises a common electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of measurement cells. Each measurement cell includes a cell electrode and an integrator electronically coupled to the cell electrode. The integrator measures the current flowing between the common electrode and the cell electrode. The device further comprises a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, wherein an integrator from the plurality of measurement cells is electrically coupled to one analog-to-digital converter of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Genia Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Deierling, Roger J. A. Chen, David J. Fullagar
  • Patent number: 8986981
    Abstract: The use of ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) to detect methylated nucleotides in a DNA sample is described. A method of detecting methylated nucleotides in a DNA sample may include the steps of treating a sample of DNA with a reagent which discriminates between methylated and non-methylated nucleotides to provide treated DNA, amplifying the treated DNA and optionally sequencing the amplified DNA. An ISFET is used to monitor the addition of one or more dNTPs in the strand extension reactions during the amplification and/or sequencing step. Suitable apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Oncu Limited
    Inventors: Christofer Toumazou, Melpomeni Kalofonou
  • Patent number: 8986535
    Abstract: The invention discloses an erythropoietin receptor modified electrode, which is a glassy carbon electrode with erythropoietin receptor as recognition element fixed onto the electrode surface via ZnO sol-gel. The modified electrode can be prepared easily, and its performance is stable. After 50-day storage in the dark at 4° C., its response current remained approximately 77% of the original value. An electrochemical biosensor using this modified electrode as working electrode, a platinum electrode as counter electrode, a saturated calomel electrode as reference electrode, and 2 mmol/L K3[Fe(CN)6]—K4[Fe(CN)6]phosphate buffer as the test base solution, can detect erythropoietin (EPO) and/or recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) in a fast, specific, and sensitive manner, with a linear range of 5 pg/L-500 ng/L and a limit of detection of 0.5 pg/L. In particular, according to peak potential differences, the biosensor allows accurate discrimination of EPO and rhEPO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chinese People's Liberation Army
    Inventors: Liqun Zhang, Yunxia Wang, Weiling Fu
  • Patent number: 8986525
    Abstract: A device for sensing a property of a fluid comprising a first substrate having formed thereon a sensor configured in use to come into contact with a fluid in order to sense a property of the fluid, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting data over a wireless data link and a second substrate having formed thereon a wireless receiver for receiving data transmitted over said wireless link by said wireless transmitter. The first substrate is fixed to or within said second substrate. Additionally or alternatively, the device comprises a first substrate defining one or more microfluidic structures for receiving a fluid to be sensed and a second substrate comprising or having attached thereto a multiplicity of fluid sensors, the number of sensors being greater than the number of microfluidic structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: DNA Electronics Limited
    Inventors: Sam Reed, Pantelakis Georgiou, Timothy G. Constandinou
  • Publication number: 20150078963
    Abstract: Disclosed is an analysis device wherein a storage container for storing sensors is mounted in a main body, and automatic withdrawal, automatic measurement and automatic expulsion of the sensors are possible. The present invention comprises: a main body on the inside of which is mounted a storage container for housing a plurality of sensors in radial form; a drive means which is formed on the inside of the main body and causes the storage container to rotate such that the sensors are sequentially positioned in a discharge position; and a moving means which moves a sensor positioned in the discharge position, and moves same to a measurement position formed in the main body. In this way, there is automatic sensor supply and analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jin Woo Lee, Jae Kyu Choi
  • Patent number: 8974747
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a substrate, the substrate having supported thereon: plural collectors each for collecting a bodily fluid from the surface of a body part placed adjacent thereto; an analyser for analysing each collected bodily fluid; and a display for displaying an indication of a result of each analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Schabbach
  • Publication number: 20150064798
    Abstract: A sensor includes an organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) that operates under low voltage conditions in an aqueous environment. According to an example embodiment, an OTFT includes an organic channel that electrically connects source and drain electrodes, with a gate electrode separated from the channel by a dielectric layer. The channel, gate and dielectric layer are arranged to facilitate switching of the channel region to pass current between the source and drain electrodes, in response to a low voltage applied to the gate electrode, when the channel is exposed to an aqueous solution. The current that is passed is indicative of characteristics of the aqueous solution, and is used to characterize the same. For various implementations, the low voltage operation of the sensor facilitates such characterization with substantially no ionic conduction through an analyte in the aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Zhenan Bao, Mark E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8968545
    Abstract: Described are devices and methods for forming one or more nanomembranes including electroactive nanomembranes within a nanowell or nanotube, or combinations thereof, in a support material. Nanopores/nanochannels can be formed by the electroactive nanomembrane within corresponding nanowells. The electroactive nanomembrane is capable of controllably altering a dimension, a composition, and/or a variety of properties in response to electrical stimuli. Various embodiments also include devices/systems and methods for using the nanomembrane-containing devices for molecular separation, purification, sensing, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Lux Bio Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon Holt
  • Patent number: 8969099
    Abstract: Provided is a microanalysis method and system using a Field Effect Transistor (FET). The microanalysis method includes a channel region having a receptor molecule fixed; forming a nano-particle conjugate in the channel region by supplying a sample for test and the nano-particle conjugate to the FET; growing a probe material on the channel region; and measuring a current flowing through the channel region, wherein the receptor molecule is a material that is selectively bonded to a target molecule in the sample for test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Chil Seong Ah, Jong-Heon Yang, Chan Woo Park, Chang-Geun Ahn, Gun Yong Sung
  • Patent number: 8968663
    Abstract: An apparatus for examining membrane-bound proteins in a cell can include a chamber with an insulating partition dividing the chamber into an upper well and a lower well, and a pore penetrating the insulating partition. The pore can have a size and shape so as to snugly hold a cell in place therein. The apparatus can further include circuitry for delivering a radio frequency signal to the cell. A belt electrode for delivering electrical signals to the cell can be located within the insulation partition and substantially encircling the pore. A measuring circuit for measuring cell membrane impedance to the radio frequency signal is also provided, and changes in the impedance can signal a change in state of a protein in the cell membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Sameera Dharia, Richard D. Rabbitt
  • Patent number: 8968662
    Abstract: The present invention is generally in the field of measuring and indicating techniques and relates to a time-temperature indicator and methods of manufacturing and use thereof. More specifically, the time-temperature indicator comprises at least one metal layer or metal containing layer, and in direct contact to the metal layer or to the metal containing layer at least one pad member affixed onto a pad carrier layer, wherein the pad member comprises a pad made of an absorbent material and a dopant medium, whereby the dopant medium comprises a liquid medium or a viscous medium or a viscoelastic medium which is doped with a dopant that destroys the metal/metal containing layers such as an acid, a base or a salt or a photolatent acid or a photolatent base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Freshpoint Quality Assurance Ltd.
    Inventors: Dietrich Haarer, Tal Gueta-Neyroud, Husein Salman