Patents Examined by Brian R. Gordon
  • Portable device for colorimetric or fluorometric analysis, and method of conducting colorimetric or fluorometric analysis
    Patent number: 11035800
    Abstract: A portable device for colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements; an image sensor in optical communication with the linear array for determining a spectral response of the optically-responsive chemical sensing elements, where the image sensor comprises at least one light emission source; and electronics connected to the image sensor for analyzing spectral response data. A method of conducting colorimetric or fluorometric analysis comprises exposing a linear array of optically-responsive chemical sensing elements to a fluid comprising an analyte; impinging light on the linear array and detecting a spectral response of the chemical sensing elements; and determining an exposed color of each of the chemical sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Suslick, Jon R. Askim
  • Pipetting device, pipette tip coupler, and pipette tip: devices and methods
    Patent number: 11020738
    Abstract: Pipette assembly that includes a pipette device, a pipette tip, and a leaf spring coupling device coupling the tip to the pipette device, the coupling device includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed elements or segments in the form of flexible leaf springs with stabilizer plateaus used to retain a pipette tip to the coupler and prevent the pipette tip from rocking on the coupler and a distal elastomeric element, such as an O-ring, and the pipette tip includes dual complemental working surfaces in the pipette tip to provide precise control of an axial coupled position defined as an axial distance from a distally facing axial stop surface of the pipette tip coupler to the end of the pipette tip that contacts liquid when the pipette tip coupler and disposable pipette tip are in a coupled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Company
    Inventors: Jose Eduardo Guzman, Thomas Barresi, Trevor Cummins
  • Reagent nozzle sipper mixing system and method
    Patent number: 11016008
    Abstract: An analysis instrument may perform analytical operations on an analyte that is combined with multiple reagents prior to being introduced into a flow cell. The instrument may include a nozzle sipper that aspirates reagents from a recipient, along with an analyte. The reagents may be directed to a volume and may be repeatedly moved into and out of the volume by cycling of a pump. The reagents may be ejected into a destination recipient with the nozzle sipper promoting vorticity in the recipient to enhance mixing. The repeated aspiration and ejection through the nozzle sipper effectively mixes the reagents and the template in an automated or semi-automated fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Kent Drews, Michael Dai Wang, Umberto Ulmanella, James Michael Osmus, Stephen Wayne Clark, Johanna Lynn Whitacre, Steven Scott Phelps, Michelle L. Alvarez, Michael Adalbert Niziolek, Debra Sue Bryan, Joshua Augustin Darland
  • Separation of liquid in droplets and sedimented material enclosed therein
    Patent number: 11017993
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for drawing-off liquid from individual droplets which are in a predefined arrangement on a flat substrate and have sedimented material enclosed in them. A mask of an absorbent material comprising a pattern of indentations or holes which corresponds at least partially to the regular arrangement of the individual droplets, or a stiff, rigid plate of an absorbent material is positioned above the flat substrate in such a way that the droplets come into contact with the absorbent material peripherally so that liquid is drawn off there-into. The invention also relates to a mask of an absorbent material with a substantially rectangular shape which has a predefined pattern of indentations or holes for the purpose of separating liquid and sedimented material enclosed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventors: Martin Schürenberg, Alexander Vossgröne
  • Method and apparatus for single particle deposition
    Patent number: 11001087
    Abstract: A method of depositing single particles onto a target includes loading a particle suspension to a droplet dispenser having a suspension reservoir and a nozzle section, detecting particles in the nozzle section, testing a single particle condition of the droplet dispenser, and determining whether an ejection region of the nozzle section includes one single particle. The method further includes operating the droplet dispenser for dispensing a droplet such that the droplet is dispensed onto the target if the single particle condition is fulfilled, or the droplet is dispensed into a collection reservoir if the single particle condition is not fulfilled. The step of testing the single particle condition further includes determining whether a sedimentation region adjacent to the ejection region is free of particles. A dispenser for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SCIENION AG
    Inventors: Miguel Rodriguez, Eric Cheng
  • Additive channels
    Patent number: 10989721
    Abstract: Compositions, devices and methods are described for preventing, reducing, controlling or delaying adhesion, adsorption, surface-mediated clot formation, or coagulation in a microfluidic device or chip. In one embodiment, blood (or other fluid with blood components) that contains anticoagulant is introduced into a microfluidic device comprising one or more additive channels containing one or more reagents that will re-activate the native coagulation cascade in the blood that makes contact with it “on-chip” before moving into the experimental region of the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: EMULATE, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Levner, Christopher David Hinojosa, Norman Wen, Jacob Fraser, Justin Nguyen, Riccardo Barrile, Geraldine Hamilton, Catherine Karalis, Hyoungshin Park, Antonio Varone, Andries Van der Meer, Monicah Otieno, David Conegliano
  • Method of diluting a metred quantity of a test fluid for analysis
    Patent number: 10989633
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and materials pertaining to assays, for example immunoassays, for biomarkers in body fluids e.g. blood. The invention also relates to diagnostic or screening methods for infections, and methods of differentiating between infectious and non-infectious conditions in mammals, particularly equines, for monitoring response to anti-infective/antibiotic therapy. The invention further relates to a test fluid collection system adapted to permit dilution and analysis of the collected test fluid. The invention further relates to monitoring exertional rhabdomyolysis in equines, and assay devices for all these things.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: EPONA BIOTECH LTD
    Inventors: Heinrich Anhold, Ruth Candon, Di-Sien Chan
  • Device for detecting leukocytes in an aqueous flushing solution
    Patent number: 10983124
    Abstract: The device for detecting turbidity in an aqueous flushing solution is characterized by a base body, at least one light source, a detector device at which the at least one light source is aimed, a holding unit for a component, containing the flushing solution, between the at least one light source and the detector device, and a display device for the findings of turbidity detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventors: Franz Ferdinand Becker, Ulrich Paul Hinkel
  • Removing bubbles in a microfluidic device
    Patent number: 10974242
    Abstract: Methods of removing bubbles from a microfluidic device are described where the flow is not stopped. Methods are described that combine pressure and flow to remove bubbles from a microfluidic device. Bubbles can be removed even where the device is made of a polymer that is largely gas impermeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: EMULATE, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Levner, Josiah Daniel Sliz, Christopher David Hinojosa, Joshua Gomes, Kyung Jin Jang
  • Magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction apparatus and use method
    Patent number: 10961491
    Abstract: The present application provides a magnetic bead-based nucleic acid extraction apparatus including a well plate, a magnetic attraction mechanism, a position moving mechanism, and an oscillation mechanism, a supporting base, and a fixing base disposed on the supporting base. The magnetic attraction mechanism includes a magnetic bar fixing base and a magnetic bar movably disposed on the magnetic bar fixing base. The position moving mechanism includes a ball screw and a driving motor; two ends of the ball screw are respectively connected to the magnetic bar fixing base and the driving motor. The oscillation mechanism includes a carrier and a main oscillation unit connected to the carrier. The main oscillation unit includes a motor spindle, an eccentric column, and a connecting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SANSURE BIOTECH INC.
    Inventors: Lizhong Dai, Xu Fan, Ling Wu, Long Peng, Guo Fu
  • Transport tool for transporting a laboratory article
    Patent number: 10940592
    Abstract: A transport tool for transporting a laboratory article using a pipette of a pipetting system, and having a plug-in sleeve at a top end, an article holder at a bottom end, and a connecting part which connects the plug-in sleeve to the article holder. The plug-in sleeve has a side sleeve wall and a bottom which surround an interior space of the plug-in sleeve having a cylindrical or conically tapering shape. The plug-in sleeve further has an upward-facing opening for receiving an end of a pipette of an automated pipetting system. The article holder has a holding element oriented downward away from the connecting part. The holding element having at least two elongated projections which has one or more snap hooks protruding outwards to hook under a storage opening of a pipette tip carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventors: Stefan Buchloh, Thomas Iten, Nico Birkner
  • Selective colorimetric detection sensor and selective colorimetric detection method for detecting hexavalent chromium ions using size controlled label-free gold nanoparticles
    Patent number: 10928326
    Abstract: Disclosed are a selective colorimetric detection sensor and a colorimetric detection method for C6+ ions using size controlled label-free gold nanoparticles, which may be useful for the detection of toxic materials such as heavy metal ions in the environmental sector and the industry. Selective colorimetric sensor solution used therein is selectively reacted with only Cr6+ ions in trivalent chromium ions (Cr3+) and hexavalent chromium ions (Cr6+), and there is no interference effect resulting from other metal ions, and it is possible to very rapidly and precisely detect Cr6+ ions compared to the related art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kangbong Lee, Yunsik Nam, Kwonchul Noh, Inhwan Oh
  • Pipette calibration and volume offset mechanism
    Patent number: 10913059
    Abstract: A pipette calibration and volume offset mechanism. The calibration and volume offset mechanism is provided to facilitate user selectable calibration or volume offset operations of a pipette to which the calibration and volume offset mechanism is installed, through axial displacement of a threaded element that effectively moves the home position of the pipette. An offset counter of the calibration and volume offset mechanism is rotationally coupled to the threaded element during a volume offset operation to indicate offset magnitude, but decoupled from threaded element during a calibration or recalibration operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Rainin, LLC
    Inventor: Seton Schiraga
  • Calibration of fluidic devices
    Patent number: 10908093
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of calibrating a fluidic device useful for detecting an analyte of interest in a bodily fluid. The invention also provides methods for assessing the reliability of an assay for an analyte in a bodily fluid with the use of a fluidic device. Another aspect of the invention is a method for performing a trend analysis on the concentration of an analyte in a subject using a fluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Labrador Diagnostics, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Gibbons, Chengwang Wang, Shaunak Roy, Elizabeth A. Holmes
  • Sample measurement apparatus and method of measuring samples
    Patent number: 10908173
    Abstract: A sample measurement apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes a processing unit that aspirates a sample inside a sample container and measures the sample; a transfer unit that includes a holder to hold the sample container, and that picks up the sample container from a rack capable of storing the sample containers at storage positions on a row and transfers the sample container to the processing unit; and a detection unit that is attached to the holder and is movable integrally with the holder, and that detects whether or not there is the sample container at each of the storage positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuo Yamasaki, Tomonori Okazaki, Noriyuki Nakanishi, Takahiro Saino
  • Pipetting device, pipette tip coupler, and pipette tip: devices and methods
    Patent number: 10898892
    Abstract: Pipette assembly that includes a pipette device, a pipette tip, and a leaf spring coupling device coupling the tip to the pipette device, the coupling device comprising a plurality of circumferentially disposed elements or segments in the form of flexible leaf springs with stabilizer plateaus used to retain a pipette tip to the coupler and prevent the pipette tip from rocking on the coupler and a distal elastomeric element, such as an O-ring, and the pipette tip comprising dual complemental working surfaces in the pipette tip to provide precise control of an axial coupled position defined as an axial distance from a distally facing axial stop surface of the pipette tip coupler to the end of the pipette tip that contacts liquid when the pipette tip coupler and disposable pipette tip are in a coupled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Company
    Inventors: Jose Eduardo Guzman, Thomas Barresi, Trevor Cummins
  • Systems and methods for automated preparation of biological specimens
    Patent number: 10900875
    Abstract: An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry F. Hunt, Raymond Jenoski, Ryan Oliva, Michael Cordeiro, Eric Grimes
  • Method of producing emulsions
    Patent number: 10898900
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and their methods of use, for generating droplets are provided. One or more geometric parameters of a microfluidic channel can be selected to generate droplets of a desired and predictable droplet size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: 10X Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Bharadwaj, Anthony Makarewicz, Bill Kengli Lin
  • Automated high volume slide processing system
    Patent number: 10900982
    Abstract: An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Reinhardt, Charles D. Lemme, Glen Ward, William L. Richards, Wayne Showalter, Brandon Ambler, Austin Micheil Ashby, Chris Borchert, Devon C. Campbell, Kimberly Christensen, Matthew Freeman, Andrew Ghusson, Rick Griebel, Kendall B. Hendrick, Miroslav Holubec, Parula Mehta, Vince Rizzo
  • Pipetting device, pipette tip coupler, and pipette tip: devices and methods
    Patent number: 10888858
    Abstract: Pipette tip couplers, pipette tips, coupler and tip combinations, and methods for coupling and decoupling a pipette tip to or from a pipette tip coupler mounted on a pipette device. The pipette tip couplers include a shank, a coupler body distal to the shank, a distal stem and distal end plate distal to the coupler body, a proximal elastomeric element disposed around the shank, a distal elastomeric element disposed around the distal stem, and a coupler stop shoulder surface between the proximal elastomeric element and distal elastomeric element. When a pipette tip is mounted on the pipette tip coupler, the proximal elastomeric element abuts the interior surface of the pipette tip for securing the pipette tip to the coupler, and the distal elastomeric element abuts the interior surface of the pipette tip to form a seal between the coupler and the pipette tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Company
    Inventors: Jose Eduardo Guzman, Thomas Barresi, Dana A. Belton