Patents Examined by Chris L Chin
  • Patent number: 8940478
    Abstract: Methods for forming cell arrays of multiple cell samples arranged substantially in a monolayer on a single substrate particularly suited for diagnostic analysis are disclosed. The cell arrays are formed with a high-speed dispensing apparatus capable of dispensing small volumes in precise, complex patterns. Also disclosed are substrates upon which cell arrays may be formed, and methods for conducting diagnostic analyzes on the formed cell arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: Accupath Diagnostic Laboratories, Inc., Biodot, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew Moore, Miriam Reyes, David Baunoch, Thomas C. Tisone, Brendan O'Farrell
  • Patent number: 8940549
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an assay reagent and an assay for accurately measuring KL-6, in particular, an assay reagent and an assay for accurately measuring KL-6 in samples containing a rheumatoid factor and/or a nonspecific substance other than the rheumatoid factor. KL-6 in samples that contain a rheumatoid factor and/or a nonspecific substance other than the rheumatoid factor can be accurately measured using an immunoassay reagent comprising a solution at a pH of 4.0 to 5.5 containing a rheumatoid factor interference inhibitor and a solution of an insoluble carrier on which anti-KL-6 antibodies are immobilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: Sekisui Medical Co., Ltd., Eidia Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Kondou, Mitsuaki Yamamoto, Chie Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8940523
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pipette tip (100, 200, 201, 300) comprising a tip body (110) having an inner surface and an outer surface (112). The inner surface (111) defines an inner cavity (120, 320), which has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end has an upper opening (131); and the lower end has a lower opening (141). At least a part of the inner surface (111) is provided with capturing agents (151) of at least one type forming at least one capturing-agent region (150) on the at least one inner surface. The at least one capturing agent region (150) is capable of selectively binding target substances (152) of at least one type comprised in a sample to form at least agent-target conjugates (155), the arrangement of which define at least one agent-target region (156).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique S.A.—Recherche et Developpement
    Inventors: Stéphane Follonier, Linsey Fan, Pierre Indermuhle
  • Patent number: 8940548
    Abstract: A method for sensing biomolecules in an electrolyte includes exposing a gate dielectric surface of a sensor comprising a silicon fin to the electrolyte, wherein the gate dielectric surface comprises a dielectric material and antibodies configured to bind with the biomolecules; applying a gate voltage to an electrode immersed in the electrolyte; and measuring a change in a drain current flowing in the silicon fin; and determining an amount of the biomolecules that are present in the electrolyte based on the change in the drain current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marwan H. Khater, Tak H. Ning, Lidija Sekaric, Sufi Zafar
  • Patent number: 8936932
    Abstract: A detection system (100) is described for detecting analytes in a fluid sample. The detection system (100) comprises a transporting means (6) for transporting magnetic and/or electric labels (5) after interaction between the sample fluid and the reagents towards a detection receptacle (1). The detection receptacle (1) is initially substantially magnetic and/or electric label (5) free. By transporting the magnetic and/or electric labels (5) after reaction, interference between unreacted reagents and magnetic and/or electric label-assisted detection can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Wendy Uyen Dittmer, Menno Willem Jose Prins
  • Patent number: 8936947
    Abstract: A method of performing a measurement with a sensor having a sensing surface and at least one capture molecule attached to the sensing surface for forming a binding pair with an analyte of interest, the binding pair having a flexible spatial orientation, the method comprising capturing the analyte of interest with the capture molecule, thereby forming the binding pair in an initial spatial orientation; applying a first electromagnetic force to the sensing surface to alter the spatial orientation of the binding pair; and performing a sensor measurement with the binding pair in the altered spatial orientation. A sensor apparatus implementing this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventor: Friso Jacobus Jedema
  • Patent number: 8932880
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the quantitative determination of molecular interactions between ligands in solution and receptors immobilized on the surface of a solid transparent material coated by one or more antireflective dielectric layers, through direct measurement of the light reflected by the interface between the surface and the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: ProXentia s.r.l.
    Inventors: Fabio Giavazzi, Matteo Salina
  • Patent number: 8927260
    Abstract: An analyte detection system includes a detector situated close to a well of a substrate. The well includes conjugated paramagnetic beads. The detection system also includes a magnetic field generator that provides an oscillating magnetic field in the well and the detector, an oscillator circuit coupled to the detector, and a circuit coupled to the detector that detect the conjugated paramagnetic beads. A method includes applying a magnetic field to well of a substrate with conjugated paramagnetic beads, alternating the polarity of the magnetic field, detecting a waveform associated with the alternating magnetic field, and associating the waveform with the quantity of conjugated paramagnetic beads. An analyte detection kit includes a substrate with an attached antibody that is reactive to the analyte, a conjugated paramagnetic particle, and a conjugated paramagnetic particle detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Fabrico Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Chin, Ronald E. Ham
  • Patent number: 8920328
    Abstract: A blood pressure measurement apparatus includes: a detector, operable to detect a first pulse, a second pulse prior to the first pulse and a third pulse prior to the second pulse under the same pressure; a first distinguisher, operable to distinguish whether waveforms of the first and second pulses are substantially identical with each other; a second distinguisher, when the waveforms are not substantially identical with each other, operable to distinguish whether parameters of the first, second and third pulses meet a condition corresponding to arrhythmia; a determiner, operable to determine the first and second pulses to be pulse waves when the waveforms are substantially identical with each other, and operable to determine the first, second and third pulses to be pulse waves when the parameters meet the condition; and a calculator, operable to calculate a blood pressure value based on the pulse waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Hirabara, Mitsushi Hyogo
  • Patent number: 8921122
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for assessing migration behavior of biological particles, such as neutrophils, under the effect of a gradient. The systems can include one or more migration chambers, one or more gradient sources configured to generate particular gradients, e.g., of chemokines or the like across the width of the migration chamber, and a detection arrangement that is configured to determine spatial profiles across the migration chamber that indicate the extent of migration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Irimia
  • Patent number: 8916390
    Abstract: A portable rapid diagnostic test reader system includes a mobile phone having a camera and one or more processors contained within the mobile phone and a modular housing configured to mount to the mobile phone. The modular housing including a receptacle configured to receive a sample tray holding a rapid diagnostic test. At least one illumination source is disposed in the modular housing and located on one side of the rapid diagnostic test. An optical demagnifier is disposed in the modular housing interposed between the rapid diagnostic test and the mobile phone camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Aydogan Ozcan, Onur Mudanyali, Stoyan Dimitrov, Uzair Sikora, Swati Padmanabhan, Isa Navrus
  • Patent number: 8900881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a quantitative assay device and a method for the determination of an analyte, based on a test strip, which contains a porous test membrane allowing for capillary flow of the analyte and complexes of the analyte, a porous upstream membrane in fluid connection with the test membrane and a porous downstream membrane in fluid connection with the test membrane, wherein the test membrane contains two bands having deposited on there high and low concentrations of different calibrator agents and a test band capable of reacting with conjugated analyte complexes giving rise to a measurable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Jin Po Lee
  • Patent number: 8883489
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing an assay to detect the presence of an analyte in a test sample. A housing defines a slot for receiving a sample collector, and a capsule contains a buffer liquid, the capsule being sealed by an openable lid, and being connected to the housing such that insertion of a sample collector into the slot causes the lid to open releasing the buffer liquid into the slot. The housing further defines an incubation chamber containing or configured to receive a reagent, and an aperture permitting liquid communication between said slot and the incubation chamber. The apparatus comprises one or more test elements, a substantially liquid tight sealing member separating the incubation chamber and the test element(s), and an activation mechanism operable to open said liquid tight sealing member thereby bringing at least a portion of the or each test element into liquid communication with said incubation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Concateno UK Limited
    Inventors: Alan Pang, Gordon Jowett, Barry Lillis, Jack Fairbank
  • Patent number: 8883518
    Abstract: The present invention provides fluidic devices and systems that allow detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Theranos, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaunak Roy, Melissa Takahashi, Ian Gibbons, Edmond Ku, Thanh Dang, Tammy Burd, Adam Vollmer, Elizabeth A. Holmes
  • Patent number: 8877446
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting protein-protein interactions in living cells, and more particularly, to a method for providing cells comprising a first construct and a second construct, wherein the first construct comprises a polynucleotide encoding a first fusion protein which comprises a bait protein, a first fluorescent protein and a CBD (cellulose-binding domain) protein, and wherein the second construct comprises a polynucleotide encoding a second fusion protein which comprises a prey protein and a second fluorescent protein so as to allow formation of inclusion bodies, and detecting interactions between the bait protein and the prey protein that are displayed by inclusion bodies, a method for isolating the prey protein bound to the bait protein using the cells comprising the constructs, the cells, and a kit for detecting protein-protein interactions, comprising the constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology
    Inventors: Seung Goo Lee, Su-Lim Choi, Jong Sik Gam, Jae Jun Song, Sang Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 8877519
    Abstract: A chemical sensor element contains a resonator having a first reflector in which particles of a fine metal structure are arranged two-dimensionally and periodically is counterposed with interposition of a dielectric layer to a second reflector, wherein the resonance wavelength of a resonator in which the entire of the first reflector is replaced by a metal thin film having the same thickness as the metal fine structure is different from the surface plasmon resonance wavelength induced in the metal fine structure; and the mode of the surface plasmon resonance excited in the metal fine structure is coupled with the mode of the resonator in which the entire of the first reflector is replaced by the metal thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamada, Yoichiro Handa
  • Patent number: 8877515
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a measurement kit for developing a first developing solution and a second developing solution from different directions to suppress background noise, and an immunochromatography kit. The present invention provides a measurement kit, which comprises a first developing member for supplying a first developing solution and a second developing member for supplying a second developing solution, wherein the developing direction of the first developing solution is allowed to intersect with the developing direction of the second developing solution, so that development is carried out by developing the first and second developing solutions in different developing directions, and a water absorbent portion is established on the downstream of each of the developing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Chiku, Junichi Katada, Hideyuki Karaki, Hiroki Terada
  • Patent number: 8871527
    Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic in vitro methods as well as kits and devices to be used in the methods of the present invention for diagnosis or prognosis of a pathologic condition characterized by the presence/absence of an endogenous hormone and/or hormone analog(s) thereof involved in diabetes or metabolic syndrome. The methods comprise a quantitative separation of at least those analytes of interest whose common presence interferes with measuring the presence/absence or concentration of one of the analytes of interest by a subsequent analytical method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Mikkel Nissum, Christoph Eckerskorn, Andreas Pfuetzner, Thomas Forst
  • Patent number: 8865458
    Abstract: The present invention includes but is not limited to a specimen collection device that includes a chamber capable of collecting a specimen, a specimen passage slot, a reservoir, a reservoir seal, and a test device. A sample or specimen added to the chamber flows through the specimen passage slot into the reservoir. Flow into the reservoir may be limited by the reservoir seal. The test device positioned within the reservoir detects the presence or concentration of an analyte within the sample or specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Alere Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: James T. Ramsey, Larry Hartselle
  • Patent number: 8859298
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for detecting a pathogenic conformational isomer of the prion protein in a sample, said method comprising a preliminary step for capturing the pathogenic conformational isomer by putting the sample into contact with nanobeads covered with a ligand of the pathogenic conformational isomer, and then applying a cyclic amplification of the misfolded prion protein directly on the solid support having captured the pathogenic conformational isomer, and detecting the presence of the pathogenic conformational isomer. The invention also relates to a kit for applying this method and to a method for decontaminating a biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Etablissement Francais du Sang
    Inventors: Christiane Segarra, Joliette Coste Van Der Luur, Daisy Bougard