Patents Examined by Brian R. Gordon
  • Patent number: 10429403
    Abstract: A head device for mounting a dispensing tip includes a piston member, a first shaft member to move the piston member in an up-down direction, a tubular rod including a tubular space having a cylinder space in which the piston member is housed to move in the up-down direction and including a tip mounting portion into which a base end portion of the dispensing tip is fitted, a first frame equipped with the first shaft member and the tubular rod, a second shaft member engaging with the first frame to move the first frame, a second frame equipped with the second shaft member and including a guide portion configured to guide movement of the tubular rod in the up-down direction in association with the movement of the first frame in the up-down direction, and a shaft controller configured to control operation of the first and second shaft members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Saburo Ito, Yukimasa Osada, Yohei Izume
  • Patent number: 10406526
    Abstract: The present invention is an article or device to facilitate the heating of rounded vessels and other rounded objects comprising a plurality of nested, concentric hollow cylinders each having respective upper edges and inner sides and adapted to be arranged and fixed in at least two configurations such that the upper edges and inner sides of the hollow cylinders form at least two bowl-shaped contours. Also included is a device for taking the impetus of a first rotating magnetic field to create the impetus of a second rotating magnetic field at some distance from the first rotating magnetic field, in order for the impetus of second magnetic field to stir the contents of a vessel by means of a magnet placed in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventor: Bernard Robert McKellar
  • Patent number: 10406521
    Abstract: The invention provides a micro-droplet array formation apparatus. The apparatus includes a first plate configured for delivering and/or extracting fluids, a second plate aligned to the first plate and configured for preparing the fluid and a third plate removably aligned to the second plate and is configured for forming a micro-droplet array of the prepared fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SHILPS SCIENCES PRIVATE LIMITED
    Inventors: Ashwin Lal, Ankit Shantilal Purohit, Madhavi Phani Singaraju
  • Patent number: 10401372
    Abstract: The present teachings provide apparatuses and methods for automated handling of samples, e.g., biological or chemical samples. The apparatuses and the methods of the present teachings allow automated performance of various sample manipulation steps without manual intervention. In a preferred embodiment, the present teachings provide apparatuses and methods for automated enrichment of templated beads produced by PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kristopher Barbee, Maximilian Carpino, Ray Wheeling, Nicholas Peter Bajka
  • Patent number: 10376876
    Abstract: A pipette is described having a tube, a pressure mechanism, and at least one reagent pad. The tube has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, with the sidewall defining an interior cavity. The pressure mechanism is operably connected to the first end of the tube and is configured to enable a sample to be drawn into the interior cavity of the tube through the second end of the tube. The at least one reagent pad is positioned in the interior cavity of the tube and within a predefined liquid path whereby the sample contacts at least a portion of the at least one reagent pad when drawn into the interior cavity. In another embodiment, a pipette is described having a tube, a pressure mechanism, and a capillary positioned within the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Profitt
  • Patent number: 10369536
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating one or several droplets of a first liquid in a second liquid immiscible with the first liquid includes a rotational body and a drive apparatus. The rotational body includes a fluid chamber, a fluid channel and a transition area. The transition area includes a first expansion area and a second expansion area. The drive apparatus is configured to provide the rotational body with such a rotation that the first liquid is supplied centrifugally to the fluid chamber and that centrifugally hydrodynamically induced pressure and lifting forces are caused due to the second expansion area, which cause a droplet break-off in the first liquid, such that a droplet of the first liquid embedded in the second liquid is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft fuer angewandte Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Frank Schwemmer, Friedrich Schuler
  • Patent number: 10363557
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological sample is provided. The apparatus has a body having a processing chamber, a first reservoir, a second reservoir, a filter, a first one-way valve, a second one-way valve, a third one-way valve, a first fluid pathway, a second fluid pathway, and a third fluid pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jon A. Kirschhoffer, Gregory W. Sitton, Andrew H. Tilstra
  • Patent number: 10357771
    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: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: 10X Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Bharadwaj, Anthony Makarewicz, Bill Kengli Lin
  • Patent number: 10343168
    Abstract: A reagent-loaded pencil, method of preparing a reagent-loaded pencil, and a system that uses reagent-loaded pencils are disclosed. The reagent-loaded pencil or pencils include a matrix of at least a soluble carrier, a hardening substance, and a reagent. The pencils also include a sheath disposed around at least a portion of the matrix. The soluble carrier may include poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether. The hardening substance may leave a visible mark when abraded against a writing surface. One example of such a substance includes graphite. The sheath may be the outside of a wooden pencil or a mechanical pencil. A system that uses reagent-loaded pencils or compressed matrices may include a computer-controlled plotter that holds and plots with at least one of the reagent-loaded pencils or matrices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Cal Poly Corporation
    Inventors: Andres W. Martinez, Haydn T. Mitchell, Chad E. Immoos, Nathaniel W. Martinez, Philip J. Costanzo, Samantha J. Carlton
  • Patent number: 10343169
    Abstract: A device for use in molecular diagnostics testing includes at least one reagent storage container, the reagent storage container being sealed; at least one opener for unsealing the reagent storage container; and an actuator. The actuator is coupled to at least one of the reagent storage container and the opener such that moving the actuator brings the reagent storage container and the opener together so that the opener unseals the reagent storage container, but inadvertently opening is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Ronald Cornelis De Gier
  • Patent number: 10323223
    Abstract: A vessel having a mixer that ensures a homogeneous cell distribution in dispensed quantities. The vessel has a mixer therein for stirring contents of the vessel and an orifice in a lower wall to which a cell dispenser is attached. The cell dispenser dispenses quantities of suspended cells having a homogeneous cell distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: PBS Biotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Chanyong Brian Lee, Yasunori Hashimura, Oscar Garza, Gary Evans
  • Patent number: 10300488
    Abstract: Provided herein are anti-static pipette trays that reduce the amount of static charge accumulated on or in pipette tips and allow for discharge of any accumulated static charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Biotix, Inc.
    Inventors: Arta Motadel, Scott Edward Curry
  • Patent number: 10302534
    Abstract: A filter device (1) for filtering complex fluid samples including a first filter funnel (2) having an inlet (2a), an outlet (2b) and a first internal space (2c), and a second filter funnel (3) having an inlet (3a), an outlet (3b) and a second internal space (3c). The first and second filter funnels (2,3) are sequentially arranged with a first filter medium (4) located therebetween such that a volume of sample fluid placed in the first internal space (2c) can pass through the first filter medium (4) and be collected in the second internal space (3c). An intermediate connector (12) is provided between the first filter medium (4) and the internal space (3c). The intermediate connector (12) has a port (13) and/or a vent for communicating the internal second space (3c) with an external gas source/atmosphere and/or a vacuum source via a valve arrangement (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MERCK PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Philippe Rivat, Sylvain Frey
  • Patent number: 10302665
    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: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    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
  • Patent number: 10300479
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatuses, systems, and methods involving a spotter apparatus for depositing a substance from a carrier fluid onto a deposition surface in an ordered array. The spotter apparatus includes a loading surface, including a first well and a second well, and a different outlet surface, including a first opening and a second opening, where a first microconduit fluidly couples the first well with the first opening and a second microconduit fluidly couples the second well with the second opening. An overlay is sealed to the outlet surface and penetrated by a deposition channel that is situated to communicate carrier fluid among the first opening, the second opening, and the deposition surface when the overlay is pressed against the deposition surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Carterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Kent Gale, Adam Miles, Joshua Wayne Eckman, Sriram Natarajan, Jim Smith, Mark Eddings
  • Patent number: 10286140
    Abstract: A centrifuge apparatus for separating blood components includes a centrifuge tube and a flow dividing mechanism, and the flow dividing mechanism is fixed at the bottom of the centrifuge tube. Moreover, the bottom of the centrifuge tube is further provided with a discharge hole. The flow dividing mechanism includes an adjustable flow divider valve and a flow guiding channel, and the adjustable flow divider valve is configured to adjust relative positions of the flow guiding channel and the discharge hole, thereby implementing flow division of blood components at the bottom layer of the centrifuge tube. The centrifuge apparatus can be used to manufacture platelet-rich plasma in a convenient and simple way, and can improve the clinical operation efficiency. Moreover, the centrifuge apparatus may completely avoid the possibility of introducing pollution into a sample during the manufacturing, thereby improving the preciseness and stability of manufacturing the platelet-rich plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY AFFILATED SIXTH PEOPLE'S HOSPITAL
    Inventors: Changqing Zhang, Ting Yuan
  • Patent number: 10279343
    Abstract: A transfer device for the contamination free transfer of biological material from a sealed chamber to a recipient. The transfer device includes a support having a first docking area and a second docking area. The first docking area has at least one inlet port, each inlet port creating a fluid connection with one sealed chamber. The second docking area has at least one outlet port, each outlet port creating a fluid connection with a recipient. The first docking area further includes a piercing element designed for piercing a sealing element of a sealed chamber in order to allow, together with at least one inlet port, a fluid connection between a pierced sealed chamber and the inlet port, to allow a contamination free transfer of the biological material from the pierced sealed chamber to at least one recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Biocartis NV
    Inventors: Nicolas Vergauwe, Thierry Tollenboom
  • Patent number: 10274471
    Abstract: A gas detection module is provided with a convenient detection mechanism of the alcohol gas. The gas detection module may include a gas sensor and a detection circuit. The gas sensor includes a substrate, a gate, an insulating layer, an active layer, a source and a drain. The gate is disposed on the substrate. The insulating layer is disposed on the gate and the substrate. The active layer is disposed on the insulating layer. Each of the source and the drain is partially arranged on the active layer and extends to the insulating layer. The active layer is exposed from between the source and the drain. The detection circuit is electrically connected to the source of the gas sensor. Based on this, the deficiency of the conventional gas detection module can be overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ting-Chang Chang, Hua-Mao Chen, Hsiao-Cheng Chiang, Yu-Ching Tsao, Min-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 10274403
    Abstract: The application discloses a device for drawing a liquid from a process tank to be protected from contamination, including: a first receptacle for receiving the liquid withdrawn from the process tank; a first liquid line connecting the process tank with the first receptacle; and at least one first valve assembly disposed in the first liquid line and designed to block or release liquid transport through the first liquid line. The device includes at least one pressure sensor for detecting a pressure within the first receptacle. The device is designed such that a pressure difference between the first and the second ends of the first liquid line is greater than a predetermined minimum value when the first liquid line is connected with the process tank and the process tank is to be protected from contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Angela Eubisch, Thomas Höhne, Melanie Müller, Thomas Steckenreiter, Michael Hanko
  • Patent number: 10272410
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices for the manufacturing of high-quality oligonucleic acids. Longer nucleic acids, e.g., genes, can be synthesized in parallel using microfluidic assemblies described herein. Devices described herein include silicon plates having a plurality of channels in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels. The number of microchannels and dimensions of the microchannels provide for rapid exchange of chemical exposure during de novo synthesis of oligonucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Twist Bioscience Corporation
    Inventors: William Banyai, Bill James Peck, Andres Fernandez, Siyuan Chen, Pierre Indermuhle