Patents Examined by Brian R. Gordon
  • Patent number: 10767226
    Abstract: A honeycomb tube with a planar frame defining a fluidic path between a first planar surface and a second planar surface. A fluidic interface is located at one end of the planar frame. The fluidic interface has a fluidic inlet and fluidic outlet. The fluidic path further includes a well chamber having an well-substrate with a plurality of wells. The well chamber is arranged in the planar frame between the first or second surface and the well-substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Yuh-Min Chiang, Douglas B Dority, Dustin Dickens, Jennifer Glass, Reuel Van Atta
  • Patent number: 10768192
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an instrument and method of use in which a sample is taken from a sample container with a sampling member (10) and is directly transferred to an inlet of a flow structure that includes a aliquoting chamber for segmenting an aliquot of the sample with high-precision. That is, there is no need to direct the sample over a long passageway in the sampling member (10) before a sample portion could be dispensed by a sampling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: DIATRON MI ZRT.
    Inventors: Balázs Vágány, Dániel Gergely Isztli, Barna Reskó, Katalin Kizman
  • Patent number: 10766035
    Abstract: Pipette tip couplers, pipette tips, coupler and tip combinations, and methods for coupling and decoupling a pipette tip to or from an expanding mandrel collet coupling device. The pipette tip couplers include a central body, a spacer with cogs circumscribing the central body, an expanding mandrel collet circumscribing the spacer having an annular base and circumferentially spaced apart upwardly extending collet arms, and an elastomeric element circumscribing the central body. The cogs protrude through spaces between the collet arms. The collet arms are attached to the annular base and configured to expand between a first and a second circumference for engaging a first interior surface of the tip, with the elastomeric element sealing against a second interior surface below the first surface, and with an abutment between the cogs and a stepped interior shoulder of the pipette tip disposed between the first and second interior surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Company
    Inventors: Jose Eduardo Guzman, Thomas Barresi, Dana A. Belton
  • Patent number: 10770600
    Abstract: A photodetecting device and method of using the same are provided. Light is used to irradiate the optical filter layer of the photodetecting device and positions of the electrons and the holes in the polycrystalline silicon nano-channel layer are rearranged by the light with a wavelength range capable of passing through the optical filter layer. The current between the source and the drain is changed by rearranging the positions of the electrons and the holes, so as to generate a current difference. The intensity of the light is calculated by the current difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yuh-Shyong Yang, Chien-Hung Chen, Chih-Heng Lin
  • Patent number: 10760119
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems and methods of use utilizing interfacial effects enabling droplet actuation, inhibition and early sensing of molecular reactions, such as of polymerase chain reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Jeong-Yeol Yoon, Dustin Harshman
  • Patent number: 10761081
    Abstract: A system for diagnosing metastasis in a metastatic-suspicious sample, including: a bio-chip, an electrical signal extraction board and a processor. The bio-chip includes a biosensor including a substrate, an array of electrodes, where the array of electrodes is patterned on the substrate and at least one Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) which is adhered on the substrate and on the array of electrodes forming a biological trap for a metastatic cell. A metastatic-suspicious sample may be introduced onto the bio-chip allowing for diagnosis of metastasis by monitoring the time-lapse electrical signals that are recorded by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventors: Mohammad Abdolahad, Mohammad Saeid Nik Shoar, Milad Gharooni, Mohammadali Khayamian, Farshad Rezakhanloo, Saeed Ansarian
  • Patent number: 10761101
    Abstract: A test apparatus and method for measuring a concentration of a target by correcting for an impact of hemoglobin are provided. The target measurement method includes measuring an absorbance of hemoglobin in a sample, measuring an absorbance of a target in the sample, determining variation of the absorbance of the target according to the measured absorbance of the hemoglobin, and correcting the absorbance of the target by subtracting the determined variation of the absorbance of the target from the measured absorbance of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Hwa Lee, Takayuki Taguchi, Hye Kyung Park
  • Patent number: 10758909
    Abstract: Pipette tip transfer devices allow for the pick-up of pipette tips from one location and the transfer the pipette tips to another location where the tips can then be released. The pipette transfer device includes a strip plate having a linear array of apertures positioned at a lower end of a frame. An actuator bracket is positioned within and mounted to the frame for reciprocal movements between lowered and raised positions, the actuator bracket carrying a linear array of pick-up pins dependently extending therefrom with each pin being received within a respective aperture of the strip plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas A. Hedglin
  • Patent number: 10761104
    Abstract: One or more liquids are transferred from a source array to one or more remotely positioned destination sites such as chambers by utilizing one or more movable transfer elements, such as contact pins or capillaries. The source array may include a predetermined organization of addresses at which materials are positioned. One or more materials may be selected for transfer. Based on the selection, one or more addresses may be accessed by the transfer element(s). The addresses may correspond to spots on a surface of the source array. Each spot may be a feature containing one or more (bio)chemical compounds. At the chamber(s), the material(s) may be processed, such by reaction with one or more reagents. The reaction(s) may entail synthesis of one or more desired products. Alternatively, reaction(s) may be performed at the source array, and the product(s) then transferred to the chamber(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Reid A. Brennen, Bo Curry, Joel Myerson, Paige Anderson, Arthur Schleifer, Rolfe Anderson
  • Patent number: 10751712
    Abstract: A pipette quickset volume adjustment mechanism having various modes of operation. The quickset volume adjustment mechanism provides for easy selection between at least a direct drive mode, and a speed multiplying mode that hastens pipette volume changes. The quickset volume adjustment mechanism incorporates a planetary gearbox that is appropriately and selectively settable to produce the various modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Rainan, LLC
    Inventors: Seton Schiraga, James Petrek, Rishi Porecha
  • Patent number: 10744498
    Abstract: A pipette quickset volume adjustment mechanism having various modes of operation. The quickset volume adjustment mechanism provides for easy selection between at least a direct drive mode, and a speed multiplying mode that hastens pipette volume changes. The quickset volume adjustment mechanism incorporates a gear train, the individual gears of which are appropriately and selectively engageable or disengageable to produce the various modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Rainin, LLC
    Inventors: Seton Schiraga, James Petrek
  • Patent number: 10743109
    Abstract: An acoustic liquid transfer system that includes a processor; a source holding component configured to hold a source microplate; a destination holding component configured to hold a destination microplate; an acoustic transducer configured to cause liquid to transfer between the source and destination microplates; and a controller configured to direct movements, according to an ordered picklist, of one or more of the: source holding component, destination holding component, and acoustic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Campbell, Charles Baker
  • Patent number: 10732094
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a drop delay of a flow stream in a flow cytometer are provided. Aspects of the methods according to certain embodiments include capturing an image of the flow stream to obtain an imaged flow stream, identifying a disturbance at a break off point in the imaged flow stream and calculating the drop delay of the flow stream based on the identified disturbance. Systems for practicing the subject methods having an imaging sensor for capturing one or more images of the flow stream and a processor configured to identify a disturbance at a break off in the imaged flow stream and calculating the drop delay using the imaged flow stream are also provided. Non-transitory computer readable storage mediums are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
    Inventor: Pierce O. Norton
  • Patent number: 10730046
    Abstract: A fluid handling system for applying a plurality of pulses of fluid shear stress to a fluid sample may comprise a first sample chamber; a second sample chamber; a plurality of conduits mounted between and in fluid communication with the first sample chamber and the second sample chamber; and a force delivery system mounted to the first sample chamber and configured to apply a force sufficient to push the fluid sample from the first sample chamber through each of the conduits at a substantially constant flow rate to the second sample chamber. The plurality of conduits may be arranged in series and separated by additional sample chambers or arranged such that the conduits are substantially parallel to one another. The force delivery system may be a gas delivery system or a linear drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Michael D. Henry, Sarah C. Vigmostad, Michael Cable, Benjamin L. Krog, Eric Leopold, Rupesh Desai
  • Patent number: 10730040
    Abstract: Pipette tip couplers, pipette tips, coupler and tip combinations, and methods for coupling and decoupling a pipette tip to or from an expanding mandrel pipette tip coupler mounted on a pipette device. The pipette tip couplers include circumferentially spaced apart segments for engaging an interior surface of a pipette tip, an annular base disposed below the segments, a distal elastomeric element disposed around a distal stem portion for sealing against the interior surface of the pipette tip, upwardly extending circumferentially spaced apart arms each supporting a different segment, and a stop disk for abutting a stop shoulder in a pipette tip. The pipette tips include a groove in a first cylindrical section, a second cylindrical section, a pipette tip stop shoulder surface, a third cylindrical section, and a sealing seat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Company
    Inventors: Jose Eduardo Guzman, Thomas Barresi, Dana A. Belton
  • Patent number: 10730053
    Abstract: Provided in part herein are static-defeating apparatus for use in multipipettor systems. Multiple pipette tips can be retained by a static-defeating sheet of material. A multipipettor, having multiple pipettes or nozzles, can engage the pipette tips retained by the sheet. After use, the multipipettor can eject the pipette tips, which sometimes are ejected as a single unit due to the pipette tips being retained by the sheet. In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a snap plate having one or more holes, and a base rack for ease of mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: BIOTIX, INC.
    Inventors: Scott E. Curry, Arta Motadel, Peter Paul Blaszcak
  • Patent number: 10725059
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for performing assays on a solid phase to measure the level of analyte in a sample. Such a system may perform immunoassays using electrochemiluminescence (ECL) including a counterbalanced orbital shaking apparatus for assay consumables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: MESO SCALE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventors: Eli N. Glezer, Carl Edens, Bandele Jeffrey-Coker, Sandor Kovacs, Christopher Frye
  • Patent number: 10718786
    Abstract: A flow cell and cartridge assembly may be loaded into a processing system, such as for genetic sequencing. The system locates the assembly and is then actuated to move the assembly to a desired reference position in both X- and Y-directions. Further actuation causes clamps to contact the flow cell, the cartridge, or both to exert a hold-down force during processing. Further hold-down forces may be provided by a vacuum chuck. Fluid connections are also made by manifolds that contact the flow cell. The hold-down forces counteract the forces needed for sealing the manifolds to the flow cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Illumina, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony John de Ruyter, Patrick Kehl, Thomas McGee
  • Patent number: 10717078
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for processing a surface with a vertical microfluidic probe head. The method includes positioning the microfluidic probe head so as for the edge surface to face a surface to be processed. Next, the method dispenses processing liquid via each orifice of the first one of the sets of n orifices, so as for the dispensed processing liquid to process the surface; and aspirates liquid via each orifice of the second one of the sets of n orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Govind Kaigala, Robert Lovchik, David P. Taylor, Ismael Zeaf
  • Patent number: 10701765
    Abstract: The present invention is an article or device to facilitate the heating of rounded vessels and other rounded objects comprising a flexible polymeric support having a plurality of folds so as to form the flexible polymeric support into a plurality of nested, concentric hollow cylindrical portions whose respective upper edges can be arranged and fixed into two or more configurations to accommodate at least two respective spherical section contours of respective different sizes. The present invention facilitates the heating of rounded, regularly-shaped or irregularly-shaped vessels or objects by presenting a flexible polymeric support surface. The flexible polymeric support surface is sufficiently malleable so as to be adapted for heating such objects or containers, and may be incorporated into an arrangement or system for heating such a container or object, and/or for stirring its contents, while being supported by the article or device of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Bernard Robert McKellar