Incubator Patents (Class 435/303.1)
  • Patent number: 11952618
    Abstract: This invention provides biochip cartridges and instrument devices for the detection and/or analysis of target analytes from patient samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ROCHE MOLECULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Jon Faiz Kayyem, Jayashankar Srinivasan, Sean Ford
  • Patent number: 11922800
    Abstract: A test system includes a testing base including a plurality of testing base containers, and a plurality of electrodes integrated into the plurality of testing base containers. The test system further includes a plurality of drive-sense circuits coupled to the plurality of electrodes, where, when enabled, the plurality of drive-sense circuits detect changes in electrical characteristics of the plurality of electrodes. The test system further includes a processing module operably coupled to receive, from the drive-sense circuits, changes in the electrical characteristics of the plurality of electrodes, and interpret the changes in the electrical characteristics of the plurality of electrodes as impedance values representative of electrical characteristics of biological material present in the test container. The test system further includes a communication module operably coupled to communicate the electrical characteristics of the biological material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: Daniel Keith Van Ostrand, Richard Stuart Seger, Jr., Gerald Dale Morrison, Patrick Troy Gray, Phuong Huynh, Timothy W. Markison, Patricia M. Healy
  • Patent number: 11892462
    Abstract: Devices and methods for sampling, detecting and/or characterizing particles, for example, via collection, growth and analysis of viable biological particles such as microorganisms. Devices and methods of the invention include particle samplers and impactors including a sampling head comprising one or more intake apertures, a selectively removable cover, an impactor base connected to the sampling head, and one or more magnets fixed to the sampling head, the selectively removable cover and/or the impactor base. The one or more magnets allow for robotic manipulation of the impactor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: Pharma Integration SRL, Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Scialò, Davide Recchia, Claudio Bechini
  • Patent number: 11872550
    Abstract: A safety cabinet includes a work space where work is performed; a front panel disposed in a front surface of the work space; and an air cleaner that cleans air to be supplied to the work space. An imaging device is disposed on one side surface side of side surfaces of the work space, and a connection opening is disposed on the other side surface side facing one side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kaneko, Takeshi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 11814614
    Abstract: A cell culture device includes a control unit that includes a first gas supply source, a second gas supply source, and a decompression source, and a culture unit that includes a first container, a second container, a first gas channel that connects a third container, the first gas supply source, the second container to a connection point, a second gas channel, a third gas channel, a first liquid channel, a second liquid channel, a gas-liquid channel, a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, a fourth valve, and a fifth valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Kiyama, Midori Kato
  • Patent number: 11795427
    Abstract: A culture vessel that can suppress foaming in a culture medium when a common nozzle is used to supply a liquid culture medium and a gas together. This culture vessel includes: a vessel body having an opening portion that communicates with a housing space; a lid that closes the opening portion; and a nozzle that passes through the and extends to the housing space, and supplies a liquid culture medium and a gas together. The nozzle has a vent opening portion that is formed so as to open in a side of the nozzle and serves as a movement path of the gas from inside of the nozzle into the housing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryohei Tsukada, Toru Yakabe, Haruo Okubo, Masaharu Kiyama, Midori Kato, Hikaru Saito
  • Patent number: 11768158
    Abstract: An implement analyzing device that is sized for receiving, more than one fluid retainer cartridge assembly is disclosed. The implement analyzing device includes a support member, a housing, a cartridge receiver, at least one cartridge heater, an Imaging, device and an implement analyzing device integrated circuit. The cartridge receiver is disposed within a cavity in the implement analyzing device and defines at least one cartridge viewing window. At least one cartridge heater disposed within the cavity and connected to the cartridge receiver. The imaging device is disposed within the cavity and arranged opposite the at least one cartridge viewing window. The implement analyzing device integrated circuit is communicatively coupled to the at least one cartridge heater and the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: NEOGEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank Eric Klein, Andrew John Wheeler, Andrew John DenHartigh, William Hoerner, Nathaniel Banner, Damon Borich, Andrea Grbavac, Alejandro Silveyra, Michelle Silveyra, Zwckxally Obregon
  • Patent number: 11732315
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are described that are directed to specific and sensitive methods of target nucleic acid detection and more specifically detecting target nucleic acids directly from biological samples. The compositions and methods were developed to be easy to use involving a minimum number of steps and giving rapid and consistent results either at point of care or in high throughput situations. The compositions and methods are directed to labelled probes and their uses in Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) diagnostic tests to detect target DNA from the environment or from an individual and also to detect specific variants of the target DNA, both with similar sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: New England Biolabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Tanner, Yinhua Zhang, Eric Hunt, Gregory Patton, Guoping Ren, Zhiru Li, Andrew Barry, Nicole Nichols, Catherine B. Poole, Harriet M. Strimpel, Ivan R. Correa, Jr., Clotilde Carlow, Esta Slayton, Thomas C. Evans, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11732242
    Abstract: The invention provides an automated system for producing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from adult somatic cells. Further, the system is used for producing differentiated adult cells from stem cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: New York Stem Cell Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Noggle, Kevin C. Eggan, Stephen Chang, Susan L. Solomon
  • Patent number: 11684916
    Abstract: A chip for polymerase chain reaction, a method of operating a chip for polymerase chain reaction, and a reaction device are provided. The chip includes: a sample adding region, a mixing region, a temperature cycling region in a sequential arrangement, and at least one driving unit group. The at least one driving unit group includes a plurality of driving units and is configured to drive a liquid drop to move and sequentially pass through the sample adding region, the mixing region, and the temperature cycling region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenliang Yao, Nan Zhao, Haochen Cui, Peizhi Cai, Fengchun Pang, Yue Geng, Le Gu, Yuelei Xiao, Hui Liao, Yingying Zhao, Chuncheng Che
  • Patent number: 11679388
    Abstract: A cartridge for delivering a payload to cells of a cell suspension is provided, wherein the cartridge comprises an input channel that delivers the cell suspension to a first plurality of branch channels, and wherein the first plurality of branch channels each deliver the cell suspension into a respective one or a plurality of microfluidic chips or filters. Cell suspension exiting a microfluidic chip or filter flows into a respective one of a second plurality of branch channels, and is then delivered to an output channel by which it exits the cartridge. The cartridge may comprise a plurality of removable covers that hold the chips or filters in place against a body of the cartridge in which the input channel, output channel, and branch channels are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SQZ Biotechnologies Company
    Inventor: Maisam Dadgar
  • Patent number: 11608521
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method of detecting genetic material in a biological sample in which the biological sample is loaded into the reaction cartridge (6) and then the reaction cartridge (6) is placed in the control device, the collected biological sample is taken to the isolation chamber (7), isolation of biological material from the tested sample by heating the isolation chamber (7), the isolated genetic material is moved into a plurality of reaction chambers (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4), genetic material is amplified by heating the reaction chambers (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4), lyophilized reagents for genetic material amplification together with lyophilized fluorescent tag intercalating with genetic material are present in the reaction chambers (8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4), and signal detection from fluorescent tags is carried out along with the genetic material amplification stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Genomtec S.A.
    Inventors: Miron Tokarski, Henryk Waldemar Roguszczak
  • Patent number: 11592381
    Abstract: A system and method for high-throughput, high-resolution gas sorption screening are provided. An example system includes a sample chamber with a hermetic seal and a heat exchanger system. The heat exchanger system includes a heat exchanger disposed in the sample chamber, a coolant circulator fluidically coupled to the heat exchanger, and a sample plate comprising sample wells in contact with the cooling fluid from the coolant circulator. The system also includes a gas delivery system. The gas delivery system includes a gas source and a flow regulator. A temperature measurement system is configured to sense the temperature of the sample wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohammad G. Alhashim, Mohammed Alshammasi
  • Patent number: 11441115
    Abstract: When detachment of a cell sheet from a culture dish has started at an unintended timing, immediately detach the cell sheet from the culture dish while preventing generation of wrinkles and the like in the cell sheet. A cell culture device captures an image of cells in the culture dish, and controls a cooling mechanism and a shaking mechanism based on the image so as to shake the cells while cooling them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD., OSAKA UNIVERSITY, TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taro Nagai, Yoshiki Sawa, Shigeru Miyagawa, Kenji Oyama
  • Patent number: 11430927
    Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device includes a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits ultraviolet radiation at a wavelength of not more than 360 nm, a package substrate that houses the semiconductor light-emitting element, a thin film layer that is formed on the package substrate and has a predetermined thickness, and a sealing material made of a silicone resin which is provided on the thin film layer so as to have a lens shape and seals the semiconductor light-emitting element, in which the sealing material forms a contact angle of not less than 15° with the thin film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichiro Yamamoto, Hiroyasu Ichinokura
  • Patent number: 11377653
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting DNA, comprising the steps of: providing (400) a lysate (11) in a sample vessel (1), feeding (500) an DNA absorbing substance (15) to the sample vessel (1), closing (700) the sample vessel (1) by means of a wash filter element (3), feeding (600) a wash fluid (12) to the sample vessel (1) through the wash filter element (3), and discharging (700) the wash fluid (12) from the sample vessel (1) through the wash filter element (3). The DNA absorbing substance can be retained from the wash filter element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Füll Process SA
    Inventors: Joel Johannes Frank, Thomas Brinz
  • Patent number: 11351553
    Abstract: Provided is a heating mechanism for a biochemical reaction device, including: a heat-conducting body including: at least one accommodating groove each including a chamber and an opening communicating with the chamber; a clamping hole, in communication with the opening and for inserting a reaction tube; and at least one heat-conducting block, movably disposed in the chamber and having one end connected with an elastic element and another opposite end provided with an abutting portion, the elastic element enabling the abutting portion of the heat-conducting block to protrude from the opening and locate in the clamping hole; and a temperature control element connected to the heat-conducting body for heating and regulating a temperature of the heat-conducting block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: GENEREACH BIOTECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Chun-Ming Lee, Ching-Ko Lin, Yun-Lung Tsai, Pei-Yu Lee, Chen Su, Hsiao-Fen Chang, Fu-Chun Li
  • Patent number: 11344886
    Abstract: A heater for a microfluidic test card is disclosed herein. In a general example embodiment, a test card for analyzing a fluid sample includes at least one substrate layer including a microchannel extending through at least a portion of one of the substrate layers, and a printed substrate layer that is bonded to or printed on one substrate layer of the at least one substrate layer. The printed substrate layer includes a heater printed on the printed substrate layer so as to align with at least a portion of the microchannel. The heater includes two electrodes aligned on opposite sides of the microchannel, and a plurality of heater bars electrically connecting the two electrodes. The plurality of heater bars includes a central heater bar disposed between outer heater bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: FluxErgy, LLC
    Inventors: Ashwin Raghunathan, Steve Lee, Ryan Alan Revilla, Tej Rushikesh Patel
  • Patent number: 11338296
    Abstract: There is described a variable-temperature reactor for hosting a predetermined reaction therein. The reactor comprises a reaction cell, a heater, and a heat sink. The reaction cell has a reaction volume with thickness Hv and width Wv where Wv>4Hv and is defined by faces with one of the larger area faces of the reaction volume being bounded by an outer wall with thickness Hw. The heater is in contact with the said outer wall. The heater comprises a heat-generating heater element located on the face closer to the reaction volume and a heater support on the opposite face. The heater support is in contact with a heat sink, such that the heater support provides a thermal resistance RT between the heater element and the heat sink. The reactor, when filled with reagents having thermal diffusion coefficient Dv has a diffusion time tv, in the thickness direction, tv=Hv2/Dv. tv is less than the reaction time constant tR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Lex Diagnostics Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin Buckland, Tom Jellicoe, Alex Stokoe, Amaru Araya-Williams
  • Patent number: 11299702
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions, tools, methods and devices to culture microorganisms and, in particular, to compositions, tools, methods and devices for the detection of microorganisms in biological samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Vax-Immune, LLC
    Inventors: Bhairavi Parikh, James Stone
  • Patent number: 11193099
    Abstract: Provided is a highly reliable temperature adjustment apparatus which uses a temperature adjustment element and quantitatively evaluates the temperature adjustment performance of the temperature adjustment element. The temperature adjustment apparatus is provided with: a temperature adjustment element; one or more temperature detection elements provided near the temperature adjustment element; a calculation unit for calculating the output of the temperature detection element; and a display unit for displaying at least one of a time calculated by the calculation unit as a time at which the temperature adjustment performance of the temperature adjustment is predicted to be below a desired level, the number of operations and the time of current conduction or a warning based on the result of calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wataru Sato, Nobuyuki Isoshima, Kohshi Maeda, Daisuke Morishima
  • Patent number: 11029504
    Abstract: Disclosed are a window apparatus for obtaining a microscopic image of in vivo breast tissue and a method for using the window apparatus to obtain cell-level and molecular-level microscopic images of in vivo breast tissue while maintaining the biological environment of the in vivo breast tissue. In one embodiment, a window apparatus comprises a first chamber having a ring structure with an open window on the center, and a cover glass disposed on the upper part and breast tissue placed on the lower part; a second chamber having an opening window on the center coupled to the first chamber to support the breast tissue; and a chamber holder for fixing the first and second chambers having a tilting mount placing unit with the tilting mount placed to have the cover glass and an object lens of a confocal microscope system stay parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignees: MEDICINAL BIOCONVERGENCE RESEARCH CENTER, KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Pil Han Kim, Yeseul Kim, Inwon Park, Sunghoon Kim
  • Patent number: 10967379
    Abstract: An incubator stand for holding a plurality of incubators in a stacked arrangement, the incubator stand comprising: a stand base; a shaft element upstanding from the stand base; and a plurality of incubator bases rotatably received on the shaft element, each incubator base forming a support for or forming part of an incubator. A stop element is also provided which prevents or limits angular displacement of each incubator base, so that each incubator base can be pivoted out from a stack of said incubator bases to in use access an incubator associated therewith without causing the stack to topple. An incubator docking system and incubator system for transferring incubators between different environmental conditions are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Planer Limited
    Inventors: Stephen James Butler, Stephen Mark Joseph Wilkins
  • Patent number: 10266801
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a simple structure can be used to achieve reliable liquid delivery with no residual air, and simple attachment/detachment of a culture vessel, and thus a closed-system cell culture device exhibiting high reliability can be constructed at low cost. In the present invention, a liquid is supplied or discharged while a culture vessel is in an inclined state. The culture vessel is provided with two flow paths, namely an intake flow path and a discharge flow path, which connect a culture chamber and a connection member. Points where the flow paths join with the culture chamber are respectively configured as an intake port and a discharge port. The discharge port is provided in the position nearest to the axis of inclination of the culture vessel. The intake port is provided in a plane projected from a vertical plane including the aforementioned axis of inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Shimase, Kazumichi Imai, Eiichiro Takada, Sadamitsu Aso
  • Patent number: 10087410
    Abstract: In culture vessels for producing biological samples, it is possible to prevent decrease in a temperature at the time of taking out the culture vessels from an automatic culture apparatus and during delivery of the culture vessels which have been taken out from the automatic culture apparatus. This invention includes a culture vessel 201 holding a biological sample therein, a heat storage portion 701 holding the culture vessel, and a heat insulation portion 601 surrounding the heat storage portion. The whole circumference or a part of 609, 610, and 611 of the heat insulation portion 601 is removable depending on an arrangement environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nozaki, Guangbin Zhou, Masaharu Kiyama, Taku Nakamura, Shizu Takeda, Ryota Nakajima, Masakazu Sugaya, Koichi Terada
  • Patent number: 10023834
    Abstract: A culture apparatus that cultivates a culture, which includes an outer case, an inner case configured with metal plates inside the outer case, a heater outside the inner case, and a door, which opens/closes an opening formed in front faces of the inner cases, includes: shelf rests on which side parts of a bottom plate of a shelf are to be placed, the shelf rests formed by pressing on side plates of the inner case; and a heat transfer sheet attached to an outer surface of at least one of the side plates and configured to transfer heat of the heater to the inner case, the heat transfer sheet including slits, intermittently formed, to bend the sheet to depressions of the outer surface of the side plate at positions corresponding to the shelf rests, after the heat transfer sheet is attached to the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: PHC Holdings Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyoshi Tokumaru
  • Patent number: 9927605
    Abstract: A certain material irregularly expressed in an observation area is effectively observed. An observing apparatus includes a first observing unit performing a time lapse shooting of a predetermined observation area, a first discriminating unit discriminating whether or not a first material is expressed in the observation area based on an image obtained by the first observing unit, and a second observing unit starting a time lapse shooting relating to a part where the first material is expressed at a timing when the first material is expressed in the observation area, in which a shooting frequency of the time lapse shooting by the second observing unit is higher than a shooting frequency of the time lapse shooting by the first observing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kii
  • Patent number: 9803168
    Abstract: An incubator 1 includes a cultivating chamber 4 for cultivating culture in a plurality of containers 3 and a supply device 5 provided outside the cultivating chamber 4 and supplying steam into the cultivating chamber 4 for humidification. The supply device 5 includes a supply chamber 5A in which a tray 42 for reserving water is accommodated and an ultrasonic atomizing device 43 for atomizing water. The water in the tray 42 is easily made into steam by the ultrasonic atomizing device 43, passes through an HEPA filter 45 provided in an opening portion 5B and is supplied into the circulation passage 37 of the cultivating chamber 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SHIBUYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nishimura, Masaomi Shioya, Katsuki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9789459
    Abstract: A nucleic acid amplification reaction vessel includes a first inner wall, and a second inner wall that is arranged opposite to the first inner wall, in which a distance between the first inner wall and the second inner wall is a length in which a nucleic acid amplification reaction solution comes into contact with both the first inner wall and the second inner wall when the nucleic acid amplification reaction solution is poured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiro Murayama
  • Patent number: 9657259
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell culture flask for culturing a cell using a culture solution, particularly to a cell culture flask for culturing a cell without any contamination, to automatically introduce and discharge the culture solution or gases and to be stacked in turn, and a cell culture device having the same. The present invention provides a cell culture flask comprising a culture space; one or more culture solution inlet ports; one or more culture solution outlet ports; and one or more gas inlet ports, wherein the cell culture flask is made airtight and formed of a transparent material so that a user can see an internal portion of the cell culture flask, and a cell culture device having the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Corestem Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Suk Kim, Jai Jun Choung
  • Patent number: 9617508
    Abstract: A culture container includes a first transparent member being capable of keeping a predetermined temperature; a second transparent member facing to the first transparent member; a housing member to which the first transparent member and the second transparent member are adhered forming a culture space being capable of housing a well plate together with the first transparent member and the second transparent member; and a sealing member for sealing a liquid injected into the culture space between the first transparent member and the housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichi Tanaka, Shinsuke Haga, Shin Hasegawa, Tatsuya Minakawa, Suguru Dowaki, Eriko Matsui
  • Patent number: 9588069
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods for conducting rapid, accurate, and consistent heated amplifications and/or thermal melt analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Opalsky, Norbert D. Hagen, Rolf Silbert, Sean Siyao Chiu, Haitao Li
  • Patent number: 9579657
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermocycler system for performing polymerase chain reaction. The thermocycler system can comprise a plurality of bus bars, a microplate, a clamp and a current application device in electrical communication with the bus bars. The clamp is suitable for forming a low resistance electrical connection between the microplate and an individual bus bar of the plurality of bus bars. In some instances, the clamp includes a spring-loaded pivot and a ram. Operation of the clamp forces the microplate into contact with the bus bar, or vice versa, to provide an electrical contact between the microplate and the bus bar. The microplate can comprise a substrate having a metallic material for heating samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: BJS IP LTD
    Inventors: Nicholas Burroughs, Richard Lewis, Ian Gunter
  • Patent number: 9558912
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing an ion milling apparatus for emitting an ion beam to a sample to process the sample and capable of controlling the temperature of the sample with high accuracy regardless of deformation or the like of the sample being irradiated with the ion beam, and proposes an ion milling apparatus including at least one of a shield holding member for supporting a shield for shielding the sample from the ion beam while exposing a part of the sample to the ion beam; a shifting mechanism for shifting a surface of the sample stand in contact with the sample following deformation of the sample during irradiation with the ion beam, the shifting mechanism having a temperature control mechanism for controlling temperature of at least one of the shield holding member and the sample stand; and a sample holding member disposed between the shield and the sample, the sample holding member deforming following deformation of the sample during irradiation with the ion beam, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Asako Kaneko, Hisayuki Takasu, Hirobumi Mutou, Toru Iwaya, Mami Konomi
  • Patent number: 9492797
    Abstract: Method of detection for droplet-based assays. In an exemplary method, an open end of a channel network may be placed into an emulsion. Droplets of the emulsion may be driven along a flow path from the open end, through a confluence region where a dilution fluid is introduced into the flow path from at least one dilution inlet channel to increase an average distance between droplets, and through an examination region disposed downstream of the confluence region. Light may be detected from the examination region as droplets pass through. The channel network may include a droplet inlet channel that meets the at least one dilution inlet channel at the confluence region. The droplet inlet channel may form a tapered region that is sized such that droplets leave the tapered region in single file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Makarewicz, Amy L. Hiddessen
  • Patent number: 9464266
    Abstract: In order to enable the inside of a constant-temperature device to be sterilized using sterilization gas and prevent contamination during incubation, even when provided with an atmosphere measuring means having a CO2 sensor and an oxygen concentration sensor, a sensor unit (100) is arranged inside or close to an incubation chamber, and the internal atmosphere is measured by sucking-in the atmosphere of the incubation chamber (2) by means of an air-flow generation means (20). Furthermore, high-precision filters (23, 24) are arranged in the flow channel through which the atmosphere within the incubation chamber (2) is taken-in/discharged, preventing bacteria and/or cells from flowing in, and also preventing the diffusion of sterilization gas to the inside of a sensor unit (100) during sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: RORZE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seishi Yamashita, Tomonori Miwada
  • Patent number: 9115336
    Abstract: Described are methods, cell growth substrates, and devices that are useful in preparing cell-containing graft materials for administration to patients. Tubular passages can be defined in cell growth substrates to promote distribution of cells into the substrates. Also described are methods and devices for preparing cell-seeded graft compositions, methods and devices for preconditioning cell growth substrates prior to application of cells, and cell seeded grafts having novel substrates, and uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignees: Muffin Incorporated, Cook Biotech Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael C. Hiles, Chad E. Johnson, Neal E. Fearnot, Thomas Payne, Ronald Jankowski
  • Patent number: 9040291
    Abstract: Constant-temperature equipment wherein mechanical and electrical structures are eliminated from the inside of a temperature-controlled chamber (15) by using a non-contact magnetic arrangement as a drive transmission for a sample table (5) and a sample table drive mechanism (6), thus reducing failure and enhancing maintainability. In addition, a conveyance mechanism (11) is provided with a pass box adjacent which sliding shielding plates (9) are stacked vertically, and the shielding plates (9) are linked with the conveyance mechanism (11) by an engaging mechanism provided in the conveyance mechanism (11) to allow the plates to be opened and closed by a travel mechanism (12), thus simplifying the structure and minimizing change in atmosphere during conveying. The sample table drive mechanism (6) and the conveyance mechanism (11) can be attached removably to the temperature-controlled chamber (15) to permit sterilization at high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Rorze Corporation
    Inventor: Seishi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9040292
    Abstract: Provided is constant-temperature equipment wherein maintenance is facilitated with the least failure, and highly reliable culturing and testing can be carried out. Mechanical and electrical structures are eliminated from the inside of a temperature-controlled chamber (15) by using a non-contact magnetic arrangement as a drive transmission for a sample table (5) and a sample table drive (6), thus reducing failure and enhancing maintainability. In addition, a conveyor (11) is provided with a pass box to minimize change in atmosphere during conveying. The sample table drive (6) and the conveyor (11) can be attached removably to the temperature-controlled chamber (15) to permit sterilization at high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Rorze Corporation
    Inventor: Seishi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9040288
    Abstract: This patent application describes an integrated apparatus for processing polynucleotide-containing samples, and for providing a diagnostic result thereon. The apparatus is configured to receive a microfluidic cartridge that contains reagents and a network for processing a sample. Also described are methods of using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: HandyLab, Inc.
    Inventors: Kalyan Handique, Sundaresh N. Brahmasandra, Karthik Ganesan, Betty Wu, Nikhil Phadke, Gene Parunak, Jeff Williams
  • Publication number: 20150140570
    Abstract: An incubator including a container having an interior chamber capable of receiving a sample holder having samples, a lower heated surface disposed within the interior chamber of the container, and a movement mechanism coupled to the container and the lower heated surface. In one embodiment, the movement mechanism is configured to move the lower heated surface to a position in which the lower heated surface essentially contacts the sample holder. A method of rapidly heating and incubating a sample for biochemical or immunological testing is further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Haojun Fu, Daniel M. Mueth, Sergio O. Guevara, Neil Rosenbaum
  • Patent number: 9034635
    Abstract: A thermocycler apparatus and method for rapidly performing the PCR process employs at least two thermoelectric modules which are in substantial spatial opposition with an interior space present between opposing modules. One or multiple sample vessels are placed in between the modules such that the vessels are subjected to temperature cycling by the modules. The sample vessels have a minimal internal dimension that is substantially perpendicular to the modules that facilitates rapid temperature cycling. In embodiments of the invention the sample vessels may be deformable between: a) a shape having a wide mouth to facilitate filling and removing of sample fluids from the vessel, and b) a shape which is thinner for conforming to the sample cavity or interior space between the thermoelectric modules of the thermocycler for more rapid heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Streck, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Termaat, Hendrik J. Viljoen, Scott E. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20150118745
    Abstract: A cell culture system having a cell culture vessel, a composition controlling fluid storage vessel, a culture fluid composition controlling means having an inlet and an outlet for a cell culture fluid, an inlet-connected fluid feeding circuit from the cell culture vessel to the inlet of the culture fluid composition controlling means, an outlet-connected fluid feeding circuit from the cell culture vessel to the outlet of the culture fluid composition controlling means, a means which perfuses the cell culture fluid from the inlet-connected fluid feeding circuit to the outlet-connected fluid feeding circuit through the culture fluid composition controlling means, and a means which controls the amount of fluid in the cell culture vessel, in which compositions of the cell culture fluid in the cell culture vessel and compositions of the composition controlling fluid in the composition controlling fluid storage vessel can be controlled in a continuous manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicants: ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOKYO WOMEN'S MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ushio Iwamoto, Michi Sato, Kanako Konishi, Katsuhisa Matsuura, Tatsuya Shimizu, Teruo Okano
  • Patent number: 9012211
    Abstract: A harvested sample preparation system includes an operation isolator 3 in which aseptic manipulation is executed, a harvested sample preparation personal box 4 which can be connected with the operation isolator 3 and a storage 5 that stores a plurality of harvested sample preparation personal boxes 4. The harvested sample preparation personal box 4 includes a first housing chamber 4Aa and a second housing chamber 4Ab, and a fluid appropriate for cell culturing is supplied to the first housing chamber 4Aa from a fluid supply pipe 16 included by the storage 5 while cooling fluid is supplied to the second housing chamber 4Ab from a cooling fluid supply pipe 18. The harvested sample preparation system that prevents mix-up and cross-contamination with a simple configuration can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Cellseed Inc., Shibuya Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Mizutani, Yoshiko Nohmi, Kenji Yoneda
  • Patent number: 9012208
    Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for isolating nucleic acid, cell lysates and cell suspensions from unprocessed samples apparatus, to be used with an instrument, includes at least one input, and: (i) a macrofluidic component, including a chamber for receiving an unprocessed sample from a collection device and at least one filled liquid purification reagent storage reservoir; and (ii) a microfluidic component in communication with the macrofluidic component through at least one microfluidic element, the microfluidic component further comprising at least one nucleic acid purification matrix; and (iii) at least one interface port to a drive mechanism on the instrument for driving said liquid purification reagent, through the microfluidic element and the nucleic acid purification matrix, wherein the only inputs to the apparatus are through the chamber and the interface port to the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: NetBio, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Selden, Eugene Tan
  • Publication number: 20150104859
    Abstract: A system for fast, accurate and inexpensive thermal cycling is disclosed including a set of thermally conductive plates that are maintained in a fixed spatial relationship to each other, and separated from each other by a thermal insulating space. A hole having a size approximately equal to a size of a desired test sample is formed through the set of thermally conductive plates. The test sample is placed in the hole and moved back and forth between the different temperature plates, to the desired temperature locations for desired time periods, in a pattern that is determined by the user, and repeated as many times as needed for the specific process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Benjamin Albert Suhl
  • Patent number: 8993237
    Abstract: A thermal cycling device for performing nucleic acid amplification on a plurality of biological samples positioned in a sample well tray. The thermal cycling device includes a sample block assembly, an optical detection system, and a sample well tray holder configured to hold the sample well tray. The sample block assembly is adapted for translation between a first position permitting the movement of the sample well tray into alignment with sample block assembly, and a second position, upward relative to the first position, where the sample block assembly contacts the sample well tray. A method of performing nucleic acid amplification on a plurality of biological samples positioned in a sample well tray in a thermal cycling device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventor: Donald R. Sandell
  • Patent number: 8986982
    Abstract: A thermal cycle system and method suitable for mass production of DNA comprising a temperature control body having at least two sectors. Each sector has at least one heater, cooler, or other means for changing temperature. A path traverses the sectors in a cyclical fashion. In use, a piece of tubing or other means for conveying is placed along the path and a reaction mixture is pumped or otherwise moved along the path such that the reaction mixture is repetitively heated or cooled to varying temperatures as the reaction mixture cyclically traverses the sectors. The reaction mixture thereby reacts to form a product. In particular, polymerase chain reaction reactants may continuously be pumped through the tubing to amplify DNA. The temperature control body is preferably a single aluminum cylinder with a grooved channel circling around its exterior surface, and preferably has wedge-shaped or pie-shaped sectors separated by a thermal barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Marshall University Research Corporation
    Inventors: Derek A. Gregg, Elizabeth E. Murray, Michael L. Norton, Justin T. Swick, Herbert Tesser
  • Publication number: 20150072401
    Abstract: In a closed system culture vessel to be used in an automated culture apparatus, some of the ports perform both liquid supply and gas supply functions. Culture medium is thereby made to flow always in one direction. The culture vessel is also configured so that, in the complete culture medium exchange process and the effluent recovery process for analyzing culture medium components, waste liquid medium does not get mixed into fresh culture medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Takayuki Nozaki, Guangbin Zhou, Ryota Nakajima, Shizu Matsuoka, Toyoshige Kobayashi, Naoko Senda
  • Publication number: 20150072390
    Abstract: A system for fermentation of biomass is disclosed. The system comprises a method for producing a fermentation product in a fermentation system from biomass that has been pre-treated and separated into a first component and a second component. The method comprises the steps of supplying the first component to the fermentation system; providing an ethanologen to the fermentation system; maintaining the first component and ethanologen in the fermentation system; and recovering the fermentation product from the fermentation system. A fermentation system configured to produce a fermentation product from biomass that has been pre-treated and separated into a first component and a second component is disclosed. The system comprises a first vessel configured to receive the first component and an ethanologen and a second vessel configured to propagate the ethanologen for supply to the first vessel. A biorefinery for producing a fermentation product from biomass is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Neelakantam V. Narendranath, David Charles Carlson