Patents Examined by A Soderquist
  • Patent number: 10060939
    Abstract: A system and method are described that allow the autonomous collection of relevant data and samples from a patient during a clinical trial or during routine care. Sampling is accomplished by drawing multiple samples into tubing, such as microfluidic tubing, and using a pump to move the samples through the tubing. A spacer fluid is provided to separate each sample and to prevent contamination between each. A microcontroller is used to control the operation of the pump and to gather data about the patient from the electronic medical record or other alternative inputs, and the sampling, including data from onboard sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Alan Rosenbloom
  • Patent number: 10041960
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for measuring the blood loss of a subject during a medical procedure. Blood and other fluids are received within a container, and a blood measurement device determines the hemoglobin concentration of the fluid within the container. The blood measurement device can also calculate the estimated blood loss of the subject based upon the determined hemoglobin concentration and the volume of the fluid within the container and the patient's hemoglobin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Annette MacIntyre, Lara Brewer, Suzanne Wendelken, Quinn Tate, Soeren Hoehne
  • Patent number: 10041921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing organic amino compounds from organic nitro compounds, wherein the organic nitro compound hydrogenated to the organic amino compound with a hydrogen-containing gas stream by means of a catalyst, the reaction course of the hydrogenation being monitored by analysis of secondary products forming during hydrogenation, wherein the method is characterized in that the concentration of one or more gaseous secondary products is determined in the gas phase and if the concentration falls below a predefinable minimum concentration the hydrogenating activity of the catalyst is increased. The present invention also relates to a device for performing said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG
    Inventors: Bernd Pennemann, Bodo Temme
  • Patent number: 10036689
    Abstract: The present invention provides a biological tissue cutting device that can produce minute fragments of a biological tissue easily and efficiently. The biological tissue cutting device for producing tissue fragments by cutting a biological tissue includes: a first cutting unit configured to form a cut surface extending in a first direction by cutting the biological tissue on a stage; and a second cutting unit configured to form a cut surface extending in a second direction and a cut surface extending in a third direction by cutting the biological tissue on the stage. The planar direction of the cut surface extending in the second direction is a direction crossing the cut surface extending in the first direction, and the planar direction of the cut surface extending in the third direction is a direction crossing the cut surface extending in the first direction and the cut surface extending in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: JMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shibata, Noritaka Isogai, Koji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10035146
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the claimed invention includes an oral-fluid collection and testing device that. is simple to operate. The device includes a body assembly and a cap assembly that are easy to handle by a user. A collection sponge projects from an end of the body assembly for absorbing the oral fluid of a donor, A cap assembly is easily aligned with the body assembly by way of visual alignment indicators on both the body and the cap. Once the cap is aligned with the body, a user simply pushes the cap onto the ‘body, which causes a first stage fluid, flow. More specifically, a buffer fluid is released from the cap and mixes with the oral fluid collected on the sponge—After waiting a short time* the cap is rotated, then pushed again, causing a second-stage fluid flow in which the sponge is compressed such that the buffer fluid/oral fluid exits the sponge and flows toward a. pair of test strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Premier Biotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Fuller, Wayde J. Altendorf, Todd Bailey
  • Patent number: 10036298
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for determining the state of aging of a catalytic converter (2). The disclosed method functions in a non-contacting manner as resonances formed when the catalytic converter (2) located in a housing is excited with high-frequency electromagnetic waves are analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: UMICORE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gregor Beulertz, Martin Votsmeier, Ralf Moos
  • Patent number: 10016758
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer cartridge spinnable around a rotational axis has a fluid chamber for receiving a fluid, an aliquoting chamber, a duct connecting the fluid chamber and the aliquoting chamber, a downstream fluidic element, a siphon for siphoning the fluid from the aliquoting chamber to the downstream fluidic element, a fluidic structure for processing a biological sample into the processed biological sample, and a measurement structure for enabling measurement of the processed biological sample. The siphon has a siphon entrance in the aliquoting chamber and a siphon exit in the downstream fluidic element, wherein the siphon has a bend, wherein the bend is the portion of the siphon closest to the rotational axis, wherein the siphon entrance starts at the bend, wherein the siphon entrance extends to a lower portion of the aliquoting chamber. This enables multiple aliquots of fluid to be removed from the aliquoting chamber by the siphon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Sascha Lutz
  • Patent number: 10017684
    Abstract: A method of hydraulic fracturing, and tracer composites for use in the fracturing procedure, for tracing the production of formation water from one or more fractured zones. The tracer composites preferably include a formation water tracer material adsorbed onto a solid carrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Spectrum Tracer Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey David Rule, Steve Allen Faurot
  • Patent number: 9987414
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a delivery system that is able to deliver fluids, namely, ammonia nitrogen 13. Moreover, the delivery system is self-contained, manually portable, and capable of safely and effectively delivering ammonia nitrogen 13. Finally, the delivery system is capable of supplying up to 20 vials of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Inventor: Erol Bars
  • Patent number: 9977016
    Abstract: Methods of characterizing nanoparticles, nanoparticle complexes, and their biomolecular interactions are provided. Concurrent excitation and emission wavelength scans are performed and the optimal fluorescence intensity for the intersect of these wavelengths is determined. The intersect is dependent upon the physical characteristics of the particle and can be used to verify, for example, attachment of biomolecules, amount of biomolecules present, and structure of the attached biomolecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert DeLong, Miranda Hurst
  • Patent number: 9962699
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer cartridge, spinnable about a rotational axis, has fluid and aliquoting chambers, a metering chamber connected to a vent that is nearer to the rotational axis than the metering chamber, first and second ducts connecting the fluid and aliquoting chambers, and the metering and aliquoting chambers, respectively. Metering chamber side walls taper away from a central region, wherein capillary action next to the walls is greater than in the central region. Fluid flows to the metering chamber using capillary action via the second duct that has an entrance and exit in the aliquoting and metering chambers, respectively; the exit being closer to the rotational axis than the entrance. A downstream fluidic element connects to the metering chamber via a valve. A fluidic structure receives and processes a biological sample into the processed biological sample and has a measurement structure that enables measurement of the processed biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Sascha Lutz, Juergen Spinke
  • Patent number: 9963669
    Abstract: The invention concerns a facility for coupling a bioreactor for culturing bio-organisms, in dynamic mode, with at least one device for physicochemically analyzing a fluid from this bioreactor or collecting samples of this fluid, the device being equipped with a pump and an injector, the bioreactor being equipped with means for supplying culture medium and xenobiotic(s). The facility is remarkable in that the bioreactor is connected to a closed perfusion loop provided with a pump, fitted with a sampling loop and in that the facility comprises: a device for injecting a cleaning product into said sampling loop, two six-way valves, the first valve being connected to the closed perfusion loop, to the sampling loop and to a cleaning loop, the second valve being connected to the cleaning loop and an injection loop that connects the injector to at least one of the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: Universite Technologie De Compiegne—UTC, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
    Inventors: Eric Leclerc, Patrick Paullier, Franck Merlier
  • Patent number: 9958362
    Abstract: A sample preparation device for electron microscopy (EM) that is configured to eliminate user-to-user variations and environment contaminations, which are often present in the conventional method of sample preparation. The device not only provides a means for evenly and reproducibly delivering a fluid or sample to an EM grid, but also provides a means for sealing the EM grid in an air-tight chamber and delivering air-sensitive samples to the EM grid. The platform may comprise readily fabricated glass chips with features integrated to preserve the integrity of the sample grid and to facilitate its extraction. The methods may eliminate the element of user dependent variability and thus improve the throughput, reproducibility and translation of these methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Roper, Nikita Mukhitov, Scott Stagg, John Spear
  • Patent number: 9958389
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a scale inhibitor concentration in a sample comprising at least a first scale inhibitor, which is a synthetic organic compound comprising at least one ionized group. The method comprises optionally diluting and/or purifying the sample, and allowing the sample to interact with a reagent comprising a lanthanide(III) ion. The sample is excited at a first excitation wavelength and a sample signal deriving from the lanthanide(III) ion is detected at a signal wavelength by using time-resolved luminescence measurement, and the concentration of the at least first scale inhibitor in the sample is determined by using the detected sample signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Vesa Nuutinen, Susanna Toivonen, James Johnstone, Harri Härmä, Paul Mundill
  • Patent number: 9946019
    Abstract: A guided mode resonance device, comprising—a substrate,—a waveguide,—a grating structure associated with said waveguide, said grating structure being arranged to an incident surface of said substrate, said incident surface being intended to receive an incident light beam provided by at least one light source, said incident light beam having an incident angle, defined relative to the normal of said waveguide, said grating structure comprising at least one elementary structure comprising at least a first-type grating structure and at least a second-type grating structure,—wherein:—said waveguide is arranged to transfer light from the first-type grating structures to the second-type grating structure and also to transfer light from the second-type grating structures to the first-type grating structure,—said first-type grating structure is arranged to couple out a first light beam,—said second-type grating structure is arranged to couple out a second light beam,—said first light beam having a different spectral d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA—RECHERCHE ET DÉVELOPPEMENT
    Inventors: Laurent Davoine, Guillaume Basset
  • Patent number: 9939397
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting oxidizable gases may comprise a catalytically inactive surface and a catalytically active surface on opposite sides of a sensor element and a thermal element running through the sensor element to connect the two surfaces, with a device for measuring a thermoelectric voltage between the catalytically active surface and the inactive surface as a measure of the difference in temperature and therefore the gas concentration. The sensor may include a hot plate mounted on a base carrier by means of narrow arms, wherein the thermal element includes at least one via extending through the hot plate and connecting the two surfaces to one another, and in the region of which the thermoelectric voltage is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Willibald Reitmeier, Ralf Moos, Gunter Hagen, Daniela Schoenauer-Kamin, Joroslaw Kita, Sven Wiegaertner
  • Patent number: 9939361
    Abstract: Automated calcimeter systems and methods of using the same are described. An automated calcimeter system may comprise a reaction chamber; a pressure sensor coupled to the reaction chamber and configured to measure pressure in the reaction chamber; a pump coupled to the reaction chamber; piping coupled to the pump, wherein the piping is of sufficient length to store a preselected volume of acid; and a processor configured to instruct the pump to deliver the preselected volume of acid to the reaction chamber while also drawing a volume of gas from the reaction chamber, wherein the volume of gas is equivalent to the preselected volume of acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bhargav Gajji, Ketan Chimanlal Bhaidasna, Shawn Lynn Broussard, Vyacheslav Chernin
  • Patent number: 9931635
    Abstract: A multiwell assembly includes a microplate and a cover. The microplate includes a set of wells. Each well defines an opening. The cover includes a body and a shutter. The body of the cover is disposed over the microplate. The shutter is mounted to the body such that the shutter is movable over a range of travel between a first position, in which the shutter occludes the openings of the set of wells, and a second position, in which the shutter is in offset relationship to the openings of the set of wells to permit access to the set of wells through the respective openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventor: Huddee Ho
  • Patent number: 9927328
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of separating beads in a fluidic chip comprising an internal fluid circuit through which various reactants, in which at least one of the reactants are beads, may be moved by use of centrifugal force, the method comprises the steps of: providing at least a first set of beads (8a) having a density m1 and a second set of beads (8b) having a density m2 in a section (7, 15, 18) of the fluid circuit, the section comprising at least a first outlet (16, 13, 17); providing a first liquid medium in the section, the liquid medium having a density d3, such that m1<d3<m2; and applying a first centrifugal force (G) such that the first set of beads (8a) and the second set of beads (8b) migrates in opposite directions within the section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SpinChip Diagnostics AS
    Inventors: Stig Morten Borch, Torgeir Hamsund, Jostein Geir Holtlund, Anja Gulliksen
  • Patent number: 9880183
    Abstract: A test apparatus and a method for controlling the same are provided. The test apparatus may receive information about a reaction device, information about a storage environment, and external environment information from a storage storing a sample and a sensor sensing the external environment of the test apparatus. The test apparatus may perform a variety of control actions for testing the sample based on a temperature of and around the reaction device, resulting in increased reliability of the test result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Jeong Jang, Sung Hwa Lee, Jung Tae Lee, Jeong Min Jo