Patents Assigned to Quantum Design
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Patent number: 8134434Abstract: A magnet system for generating a magnetic field may include a superconducting magnet, a switch, and a heater element thermally coupled to the switch. The superconducting magnet is structured to generate magnetic fields, and the switch includes a non-inductive superconducting current carrying path connected in parallel to the superconducting magnet. In general, the switch is structured to only carry a level of current that is a portion of the current required to obtain a full field by the superconducting magnet.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventors: Jost Diederichs, Andreas Amann, Michael B. Simmonds
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Publication number: 20120011859Abstract: A gas-flow cryostat adapted for dynamic temperature regulation using a fluid level sensor; the cryostat further including one or more heaters coupled to various components of the cryostat. As fluid evaporates from a liquid coolant evaporation reservoir within the cryostat, the fluid level sensor and a feedback control unit are adapted to monitor and dynamically control the level of evaporating coolant by regulating the heaters. Accordingly, the cryostat is adapted to dynamically control temperature about a specimen region within the cryostat. The cryostat can be used in various applications, including analytical laboratory equipment for measuring various physical properties of samples. Temperature sensors are further incorporated for added control and optimization of the cryostat.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: QUANTUM DESIGN, INC.Inventors: Randall Black, Dinesh Martien, William Neils
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Publication number: 20110219785Abstract: A cryostat for providing temperature regulation, one purpose being measuring physical properties of materials, the cryostat employing a superconducting magnet assembly for generating variable magnetic field in the sample space and a cryogenic cooler for cooling the sample space. The cryogenic cooler chamber configuration provides for efficient heat exchange between different stages of the cryogenic cooler without the need for physical heat links. This construction enables selective delivery of cooling power from the cryogenic cooler to the desired areas within the cryostat without using flexible physical thermal links. A counter flow exchanger and ambient temperature valves facilitate efficient use of the cryogenic cooler stages. The removal of large heat load generated by the superconducting magnet while operating in the sweeping mode is achieved, in part, by employing a solid plate thermal coupling element between the cryogenic cooler chamber and the magnet assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: QUANTUM DESIGN, INC.Inventors: Randall BLACK, Dinesh MARTIEN, William NEILS, Jost DIEDERICHS
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Patent number: 7884593Abstract: A controlled, symmetrical, stable current source that can power floating resistive loads, eliminates the need to connect the load directly to either a power supply or ground and protects the load against overpower should either or both sides of the load be shorted to ground. The current source includes two operational amplifiers for providing a current through the load that is proportional to an input voltage applied across the respective non-inverting inputs of the two operational amplifiers; two current sensing resistors for providing voltage drops that are proportional to the current through the load; and four summing resistors connected to the sensing resistors for providing to the inverting inputs of the operational amplifiers voltages that offset the sum of the voltage drops provided by the sensing resistors so that the current through the load is controlled by only the input voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventors: Michael Simmonds, Paul Alesu
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Publication number: 20100001821Abstract: A magnet system for generating a magnetic field may include a superconducting magnet, a switch, and a heater element thermally coupled to the switch. The superconducting magnet is structured to generate magnetic fields, and the switch includes a non-inductive superconducting current carrying path connected in parallel to the superconducting magnet. In general, the switch is structured to only carry a level of current that is a portion of the current required to obtain a full field by the superconducting magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2008Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: QUANTUM DESIGN, INC.Inventors: Jost DIEDERICHS, Andreas AMANN, Michael B. SIMMONDS
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Publication number: 20090243723Abstract: A controlled, symmetrical, stable current source that can power floating resistive loads, eliminates the need to connect the load directly to either a power supply or ground and protects the load against overpower should either or both sides of the load be shorted to ground. The current source includes two operational amplifiers for providing a current through the load that is proportional to an input voltage applied across the respective non-inverting inputs of the two operational amplifiers; two current sensing resistors for providing voltage drops that are proportional to the current through the load; and four summing resistors connected to the sensing resistors for providing to the inverting inputs of the operational amplifiers voltages that offset the sum of the voltage drops provided by the sensing resistors so that the current through the load is controlled by only the input voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: QUANTUM DESIGN, INC.Inventors: Michael SIMMONDS, Paul ALESU
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Patent number: 7547557Abstract: A diagnostic assay device that directs an applied sample to the analytical membrane of a directed flow device. The device has a sample receiving port defined by layers of built-up material on one end of the test strip. The port contains the sample and specifically directs it to the membrane in a controlled fashion. Additional features include configuration of the housing in a general C-shape with the test strip spanning the opening of the C-shape to allow access by a reader device. A preferred method employs superparamagnetic particles to label the target analytes for detection and measurement by means of an electromagnetic reader device.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventors: Ronald T. LaBorde, Herbert S. Chow
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Patent number: 7401249Abstract: A method for backing up and recovering data in a hard disk, used to back up data in the hard disk, including the following steps: partitioning a segment in the hard disk as a data backup area; backing up the partition status and at least one partition data needed to be backed to the data backup area; and locking the data backup area to forbid other application software or operation system to access it. The present invention can backup and recover the data in the hard disk safely and reliably and also can ensure the safety of the backup data.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignees: Legend (Beijing) Limited, Quantum Designs (H.K.) LimitedInventor: Jianhui Zhang
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Patent number: 7323139Abstract: An assay test strip and cassette. The test strip is positioned in a housing shaped and configured to allow a detector to access the test strip from the side, rather than from the lengthwise axis of the test strip. The housing may contain one or more test strips which may also be disposed on one or more surfaces of the housing. Preferably, the housing is generally C-shaped with the test strip spanning the space between the two arms of the C-shape. The housing is sealed to protect both the operator and instrument from possible contamination. The test strip is preferably embedded with paramagnetic particles and process chemistry specific for a particular application. Quantitative analysis may be accomplished using a magnetic reader device. In additional embodiments, detection is accomplished by visual means.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventors: Ronald T. LaBorde, Randall N. Taff, David M. Pratt
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Patent number: 6927570Abstract: An apparatus is provided for quantitatively measuring samples whose amount or other characteristic quality is to be determined. The samples are arranged in a predefined pattern and are excited in a magnetic field. The magnetizations of the magnetic particles are thereby caused to oscillate at the excitation frequency in the manner of a dipole to create their own fields. These fields are inductively coupled to at least one substantially flat sensor such as sensing coils fabricated in a gradiometer configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventors: Michael Bancroft Simmonds, Kurt Gordon Jensen, Jost Hermann Diederichs, Randall Christopher Black
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Patent number: 6607922Abstract: An immunochromatographic assay employing superparamagnetic particles to lable the target analytes. An opaque cover prevents misinterpretive readings in field situations and provides a protective surface on the porous membrane. Additional features include separability of the test strip from any backing or housing which is configured to support the strip, and that quantitative measurements of the target analytes are easily and accurately made by means of an electromagnetic reader device.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventor: Ronald T. LaBorde
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Patent number: 6597176Abstract: An apparatus is provided for quantitatively determining amounts and identities of substances whithin patterns of magnetic particles, such as within lateral flow membranes, microfludic systems, and the like. Magnetic particles are complexed with substances to be determined and are excited in an oscillating magnetic field. The magnetizations of the magnetic particles are thereby caused to oscillate at the excitation frequency to create their own fields. These fields are inductively coupled to at least one sensor such as sensing coils fabricated in a gradiometer configuration. The output signals from the sensing coils are appropriately amplified and processed to provide useful output indications.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventors: Michael Bancroft Simmonds, Kurt Gordon Jensen, Jost Hermann Diederichs, Randall Christopher Black
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Patent number: 6518747Abstract: Apparatus for detection and measurement of agglutinations of magnetic particles employing Hall sensors. A low frequency AC signal is employed to excite or bias the Hall sensors which reside in a DC magnetic field. The particles are moved into operative relationship with the Hall sensors in order to generate a signal representing the number of particles on the substrate. The method for such detection and measurement is also part of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventors: Ronald E. Sager, Michael B. Simmonds, Jost H. Diederichs, Kurt G. Jensen, Randall C. Black
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Patent number: 6483303Abstract: An apparatus is provided for quantitatively measuring groups of magnetic particles. The particles are complexed with substances to be determined and are excited in a magnetic field. The magnetizations of the magnetic particles are thereby caused to oscillate at the excitation frequency in the manner of a dipole to create their own fields. These fields are inductively coupled to at least one sensor such as sensing coils fabricated in a gradiometer configuration. The output signals from the sensing coils are appropriately amplified and processed to provide useful output indications.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventors: Michael Bancroft Simmonds, Kurt Gordon Jensen, Jost Hermann Diederichs, Randall Christopher Black
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Patent number: 6437563Abstract: An apparatus is provided for quantitatively measuring combinations of magnetic particles combined with analytes whose amount or other characteristic quality is to be determined. The magnetic particles are complexed with the analytes to be determined and are excited in a magnetic field. The magnetizations of the magnetic particles are thereby caused to oscillate at the excitation frequency in the manner of a dipole to create their own fields. These fields are inductively coupled to at least one sensor such as sensing coils fabricated in a gradiometer configuration. The output signals from the sensing coils are appropriately amplified and processed to provide useful output indications.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1999Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventors: Michael Bancroft Simmonds, Kurt Gordon Jensen, Jost Hermann Diederichs, Randall Christopher Black
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Patent number: 6275031Abstract: Apparatus for quantitatively measuring groups of magnetic particles. The particles are complexed with substances to be determined and are excited in a magnetic field. The magnetic particles are thereby caused to oscillate at the excitation frequency in the manner of a dipole to create their own fields. These fields are inductively coupled to sensing coils fabricated in a gradiometer configuration. The output signals from the sensing coils are appropriately amplified and processed to provide useful output indications.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventor: Michael Bancroft Simmonds
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Patent number: 6046585Abstract: Apparatus for quantitatively measuring groups of magnetic particle. The particles are complexed with substances to be determined and are excited in a magnetic field. The magnetic particles are thereby caused to oscillate at the excitation frequency in the manner of a dipole to create their own fields. These fields are inductively coupled to sensing coils fabricated in a gradiometer configuration. The output signals from the sensing coils are appropriately amplified and processed to provide useful output indications.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1997Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventor: Michael Bancroft Simmonds
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Patent number: 5798641Abstract: A torque magnetometer employing integrated piezoresistive levers to measure magnetization of very small anisotropic samples. A sample holding platform is cantilevered from the substrate by parallel legs on which piezoresistors have been applied. A Wheatstone bridge, which includes the piezoresistors, is completely integrated on a magnetometer substrate. Specific output connections are made to the electrical conductors of the bridge in a manner to eliminate Hall effect error signals in an alternative embodiment.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1997Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventors: Stefano Spagna, Michael Bancroft Simmonds
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Patent number: 5647228Abstract: A dual capillary inlet cryogenic test chamber having the ability to continuously regulate temperature between about 1.5 K. and 400 K. A controllably heated capillary tube is located in the cryogenic reservoir, spaced from the test chamber and thermally insulated from the cryogen. This capillary tube has a characteristic impedance to fluid flow. A second low temperature, high impedance capillary tube inlet is also in the cryogenic reservoir and is connected between the cryogen reservoir and the test chamber. The combination of a control system with pressure and temperature feedback, combined with the two inlet tubes of different impedance, enables the apparatus to operate continuously and stably at any temperature within its operating range, or to smoothly sweep through any predetermined temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1996Date of Patent: July 15, 1997Assignee: Quantum Design, Inc.Inventors: Ronald E. Sager, Stefano Spagna
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Patent number: 4848093Abstract: An apparatus and method for regulating the temperature in a cryogenic test chamber. Liquid helium is drawn into a test chamber located in a cryogenic vessel through a capillary tube which is spaced apart from the test chamber. The capillary tube is thermally insulated from the liquid helium. In a high temperature mode, a heater element heats the capillary tube to a temperature just high enough to boil the liquid helium as the helium is drawn through the capillary tube into the test chamber, thereby insuring that only gaseous helium enters the test chamber and preventing any tendency of the temperature in the test chamber to oscillate when the test chamber is warmed to temperature only slightly higher than the temperature of the liquid helium.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1988Date of Patent: July 18, 1989Assignee: Quantum DesignInventors: Michael B. Simmonds, Ronald E. Sager