Patents Examined by Alex Noguerola
  • Patent number: 8877038
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical assay for a phenol analyte in a body fluid sample wherein said sample, or fluid therefrom, is contacted with the working electrode of an electrode assembly comprising a working electrode, a counter-electrode, a voltage supply to said working and counter-electrodes and a current meter for determining the current between said working and counter-electrodes, and wherein a first compound capable of reversible oxidation and reduction is disposed at said working electrode, said first compound being capable in either an oxidized or a reduced form of binding to said phenol analyte, characterized in that said first compound in its oxidized or reduced form comprises a group of structure I R1-NH—C*—(C*—C*)n—C*-QR? (I) (where n is 0 or 1; Q is 0, S, NH or NR?; C*—(C*—C*)n—C* is a two or four carbon string in a conjugated delocalised electron system optionally substituted by a group comprising R; R is an electron-donating or withdrawing substituent; and R? is H or a group R, at le
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Oxtox Limited
    Inventors: Dimitrios Konstantinos Kampouris, Rashid Olukayoee Kadara, Patrick Robinson Huddleston, Craig Edward Banks
  • Patent number: 8877027
    Abstract: A liquid analyzer may include a reference electrode provided with internal liquid containing a halide ion; and an ion electrode of which a measurable concentration range for a measuring target ion is lower than the concentration of the halide ion in the internal liquid of the reference electrode, The internal liquid of the ion electrode contains the measuring target ion and a halide ion; and the internal liquid of the ion electrode is liquid in which the concentration of the measuring target ion and the halide ion are regulated such that an osmotic pressure and an isothermal point of the internal liquid of the ion electrode respectively have desired values, and the isothermal point is included in the measurable concentration range, and the concentration of the halide ion is different from the concentration of the halide ion in the internal liquid S33 of the reference electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Ishii, Issei Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8877033
    Abstract: The presence of a select analyte in the sample is evaluated in an electrochemical system using a conduction cell-type apparatus. A potential or current is generated between the two electrodes of the cell sufficient to bring about oxidation or reduction of the analyte or of a mediator in an analyte-detection redox system, thereby forming a chemical potential gradient of the analyte or mediator between the two electrodes After the gradient is established, the applied potential or current is discontinued and an analyte-independent signal is obtained from the relaxation of the chemical potential gradient. The analyte-independent signal is used to correct the analyte-dependent signal obtained during application of the potential or current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: AgaMatrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar G. Iyengar, Ian Harding
  • Patent number: 8871071
    Abstract: Methods are provided for manipulating droplets. The methods include providing the droplet on a surface comprising an array of electrodes and a substantially co-planer array of reference elements, wherein the droplet is disposed on a first one of the electrodes, and the droplet at least partially overlaps a second one of the electrodes and an intervening one of the reference elements disposed between the first and second electrodes. The methods further include activating the first and second electrodes to spread at least a portion of the droplet across the second electrode and deactivating the first electrode to move the droplet from the first electrode to the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Richard B Fair
  • Patent number: 8871067
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor for detecting hydrogen peroxide, comprising: (a) a gold (Au) nanoparticle conjugated with a conducting oxide substrate comprising a conduction oxide; (b) a cytochrome c immobilized on the gold nanoparticle. In the performance of the present sensor, current values are increased in parallel with increased hydrogen peroxide concentration. Such performance enables to easily analyze the presence or concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Sogang University
    Inventors: Jeong Woo Choi, Ajay Kumar Yagati, Taek Lee, Jun Hong Min
  • Patent number: 8858780
    Abstract: A method of determining an analyte concentration employs a biosensor that includes a molecularly imprinted polymer film formed on a metal layer. The biosensor is connected to a charge/discharge circuit and charged and discharged during exposure to a solution containing an analyte. Voltage values during discharge are measured, and a characteristic parameter of the voltage values, which is associated with a concentration of the analyte detected by the biosensor, is determined. An unknown concentration of the analyte is determined by comparing the characteristic parameter to reference data representing a relation between known concentration of the analyte and the characteristic parameter of the biosensor. A biosensor, such as an anesthetic biosensor, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Chien-Chong Hong, Meng-Hua Chung, Chih-Chung Lin
  • Patent number: 8857222
    Abstract: A washing machine including a vibration reduction member formed in a stator is provided. Therefore, when a motor rotates according to operation of the washing machine, delivery of a vibration due to a repulsive force of the stator to a bearing housing can be efficiently reduced. Further, a vibration of a tub fastened to the bearing housing due to the vibration is prevented and noise due to the vibration of the tub is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung Seop Hong
  • Patent number: 8858768
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical sensor comprising a substrate, an electrically conductive layer made of carbon particles which is disposed on the substrate, a cell membrane mimetic structure layer containing an enzyme at least one of inside the cell membrane mimetic structure layer and on the interface of the cell membrane mimetic structure layer which is disposed on the electrically conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Katsuki, Yoshiaki Fujinawa, Masashi Tsukada, Yosuke Murase
  • Patent number: 8858772
    Abstract: A novel electrowetting system for the smooth continuous movement of a droplet across a single circuit using a continuous applied voltage regardless of polarity. The actuation of the droplet is achieved by introducing a diode into the idealized electrical circuit of the electrowetting system. The diode is in parallel with a capacitor (dielectric) and effectively shorts the droplet on the side of a lower potential electrode so that the entire voltage drop is across the dielectric over the opposite electrode. This creates an energy imbalance that moves the droplet towards the higher potential. If the voltage polarity is reversed, the direction of actuation will reverse as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Nathan B. Crane, Pradeep Mishra, Alex Volinsky
  • Patent number: 8852513
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for packaging integrated circuit (IC) gas sensor systems that employ at least one gas sensor that is formed as part of an integrated circuit and configured to sense the presence and/or concentration of a target gas or other gas characteristics that may be present in the ambient gaseous environment surrounding the packaged IC gas sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Speer, Leon Cavanagh, Peter Smith, John Pavelka
  • Patent number: 8852422
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electrochemical biosensor strips and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample. By selectively measuring a measurable species residing in a diffusion barrier layer, to the substantial exclusion of the measurable species residing exterior to the diffusion barrier layer, measurement errors introduced by sample constituents, such as red blood cells, and manufacturing variances may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventor: Huan-Ping Wu
  • Patent number: 8852423
    Abstract: An electrochemical test strip is provided, including a substrate, an electrode structure and an insulative film. The electrode structure is formed on the substrate, including a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode includes a first end, a second end, an extension portion, and a bent portion. The extension portion connects the first end with the bent portion, and the bent portion is connected to the second end. The extension portion and the first electrode define a space therebetween for receiving the bent portion. The insulative film covers at least a part of the electrode structure and forms an opening. A sample fluid enters the electrochemical test strip through the opening, and the sample fluid sequentially contacts the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: DELBio, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung-Yun Liao, Chi-Yan Chen, Cheng-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8840765
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrochemical sensor for determining oxygen dissolved in an aqueous measuring medium, a process for its production as well as a method for determining oxygen dissolved in an aqueous measuring medium using the electrochemical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Helmut Offenbacher
  • Patent number: 8828207
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a deep sea pH sensor. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a pH sensor comprises forming a sensor electrode in a working surface of a die wherein the sensor electrode is able to sense the pH of a liquid and forming at least one isolation groove around the sensor electrode on the working surface of the die, wherein the die has a wide street around the sensor electrode and the at least one isolation groove. The method further comprises mounting the die onto a base and securing a seal on the working surface in the wide street, wherein the seal surrounds the isolation groove, the seal sealing the liquid within the portion of the working surface of the die containing the sensor electrode and the isolation groove, when the pH sensor is subjected to high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory C. Brown
  • Patent number: 8828209
    Abstract: This invention discloses a highly efficient method, system and apparatus for nucleic acid analysis, including sequencing (both automated re-sequencing and de-novo sequencing). The system is capable of sequencing DNA sizes ranging from fragments to mammalian size genomes having mouse draft quality at a much reduced cost. The system comprises a massive parallel capillary electrophoretic separation using two-dimensional monolith multi-capillary arrays (2D-MMCA). Sequence identification can be performed using fluorescent or otherwise labeled dideoxynucleotide-terminated DNA extension product generated by gel matrix-, or beads-, or substrate tethered-, or otherwise immobilized colonies of single template molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York
    Inventors: Vera Gorfinkel, Evgeni A. Kabotyanski, Boris Gorbovitski
  • Patent number: 8815069
    Abstract: A disposable capillary electrophoresis detecting device includes a fixing device, a capillary electrophoresis microchip, and an electrochemical sensor microchip. The fixing device includes two chip-fixing bases having a first chip-holding cavity horizontally arranged and a second chip-holding cavity vertically arranged. The second chip-holding cavity is substantially perpendicular to the first chip-holding cavity and faces an end portion thereof. The capillary electrophoresis microchip is horizontally placed in the first chip-holding cavity. The electrochemical sensor microchip is vertically placed in the second chip-holding cavity. In the electrochemical sensor microchip, a patterned insulation layer is located on a detecting electrode, exposes a sensor area of the detecting electrode, and is extended to two sides of the sensor area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: National Chung Hsing University
    Inventors: Ching-Chou Wu, Yi-Tong Pan
  • Patent number: 8808519
    Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a micro-channel that defines a plane. A plurality of drive electrodes is located on a first side of the plane. At least one ground electrode is operable to establish an electric potential with the plurality of drive electrodes. An array of electrochemical biosensors is located on a second, opposite side of the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International
    Inventor: Richard K. Trubey
  • Patent number: 8808531
    Abstract: A sensor designed to determine the concentration of analyte in a sample having a volume of less than about 1 ?L. The sensor has a working electrode coated with a redox mediator that acts as an electron transfer agent between the analyte and the electrode. A second electron transfer agent, such as an enzyme, can be added to facilitate the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the analyte. Various electrochemical detection methods, such as amperometric, voltammetric, and potentiometric techniques, can be used to determine the analyte concentration. The sensor can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Heller, Benjamin J. Feldman, James Say, Mark S. Vreeke
  • Patent number: 8808520
    Abstract: In the present innovated vertical slice gel electrophoresis cell, at least one piece of large diameter screw urging ring is held to face to one U-shaped side opening of an upper buffer chamber, but an interval is left therebetween. After inserting a gel cassette into the interval, turning tight the screw urging ring can force at least one piece of gel cassette to join the upper buffer chamber tightly, no matter how thick the cassette is. In addition, some other materials are found also suitable for absorbing the Joule-heat after sealing them into dielectric shells respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Deming Zhou
  • Patent number: 8801917
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining a charged particle concentration in an analyte (100), the method comprising steps of: i) determining at least two measurement points of a surface-potential versus interface-temperature curve (c1, c2, c3, c4), wherein the interface temperature is obtained from a temperature difference between a first interface between a first ion-sensitive dielectric (Fsd) and the analyte (100) and a second interface between a second ion-sensitive dielectric (Ssd) and the analyte (100), and wherein the surface-potential is obtained from a potential difference between a first electrode (Fe) and a second electrode (Se) onto which said first ion-sensitive dielectric (Fsd) and said second ion-sensitive dielectric (Ssd) are respectively provided, And ii) calculating the charged particle concentration from locations of the at least two measurement points of said curve (c1, c2, c3, c4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Merz, Youri Victorovitch Ponomarev, Gilberto Curatola