Patents Examined by Dennis M White
  • Patent number: 8431087
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a carbon dioxide detector having a borosilicate substrate. It may also have a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution disposed on the borosilicate substrate. The carbon dioxide detector may be part of a carbon dioxide detector system also including an air intake operably connected to the housing to allow air to reach the carbon dioxide detector. The carbon dioxide detector may include a borosilicate substrate and a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution disposed on the borosilicate substrate. This detector may be part of a further system, such as a resuscitation system. The detector may be made by wetting a borosilicate substrate with a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution and drying the indicator solution to immobilize it and form a dried carbon dioxide detector. It may be used to detect the concentration of carbon dioxide in an air sample by exposing the detector to the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Rafael Ostrowski, Martin Debreczeny
  • Patent number: 8431088
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a carbon dioxide detector having a borosilicate substrate. It may also have a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution disposed on the borosilicate substrate. The carbon dioxide detector may be part of a carbon dioxide detector system also including an air intake operably connected to the housing to allow air to reach the carbon dioxide detector. The carbon dioxide detector may include a borosilicate substrate and a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution disposed on the borosilicate substrate. This detector may be part of a further system, such as a resuscitation system. The detector may be made by wetting a borosilicate substrate with a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution and drying the indicator solution to immobilize it and form a dried carbon dioxide detector. It may be used to detect the concentration of carbon dioxide in an air sample by exposing the detector to the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Rafael Ostrowski, Martin Debreczeny
  • Patent number: 8420405
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a carbon dioxide detector having a borosilicate substrate. It may also have a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution disposed on the borosilicate substrate. The carbon dioxide detector may be part of a carbon dioxide detector system also including an air intake operably connected to the housing to allow air to reach the carbon dioxide detector. The carbon dioxide detector may include a borosilicate substrate and a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution disposed on the borosilicate substrate. This detector may be part of a further system, such as a resuscitation system. The detector may be made by wetting a borosilicate substrate with a carbon dioxide responsive indicator solution and drying the indicator solution to immobilize it and form a dried carbon dioxide detector. It may be used to detect the concentration of carbon dioxide in an air sample by exposing the detector to the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Rafael Ostrowski, Martin Debreczeny
  • Patent number: 8404197
    Abstract: A cup assembly for holding a sample to be analyzed spectrochemically, includes a tubular longitudinal member which is disposed symmetrical about a central axis. The tubular member extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end. An indented peripheral flange is defined at the second end. The indented flange has an inverted L shaped cross-section. An annular collar extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end. An internal peripheral flange is defined at the first end. The internal flange has an inverted L shaped cross-section complementing the indented flange of the tubular member. When a substantially thin film is interposed between the second end of the tubular member and the first end of the annular collar, the film is retained between the sample cell body and the collar between the indented flange and the internal flange. The cup may have a funnel shaped sample retaining chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Monte J. Solazzi
  • Patent number: 8398939
    Abstract: A microfluidic test module for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid, the test module having an outer casing configured for hand-held portability, the outer casing having an inlet for receiving the fluid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, a hybridization chamber mounted in the casing, the hybridization chamber containing electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes for detecting the target nucleic acid sequences, each of the ECL probes having an ECL luminophore for emitting photons when in an excited state and a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, and electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse to excite the ECL luminophores, wherein, the hybridization chamber has a volume less than 900,000 cubic microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Mehdi Azimi, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8398940
    Abstract: A test module for excitation of electrochemiluminescent probes configured to detect target nucleic acid sequences, the test module having an outer casing having a receptacle for receiving a fluid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes having an ECL luminophore for emitting photons when in an excited state and a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse to excite the ECL luminophores, a detection photosensor for exposure to the photons emitted by the ECL luminophores, control circuitry providing the electrical pulse to the electrodes, and, a universal serial bus (USB) connection such that the outer casing is configured as a USB drive for transmitting data regarding detection of the targets in the fluid to an external device, wherein during use, the ECL probes that have detected one of the target nucleic acid sequences reconfigure such that the functional moiety do
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Alireza Moini, Mehdi Azimi
  • Patent number: 8394340
    Abstract: A microfluidic test module for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid, the test module having an outer casing having an inlet for receiving the fluid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, electrode pairs for receiving an electrical pulse, electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probe spots in contact with each of the electrode pairs respectively, the ECL probe spots containing ECL probes having an ECL luminophore for emitting photons when in an excited state and a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, such that the electrical pulse to the electrode pair excites the ECL luminophores, wherein, the mass of the ECL probes in each of the probe spots is less than 270 picograms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Geneasys Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Mehdi Azimi
  • Patent number: 8394648
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the fabrication of photonic biosensor arrays and applications of arrays produced by the method in the biomedical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Attomarker Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Shaw, Rouslan Vladimir Olkhov
  • Patent number: 8389299
    Abstract: This invention relates to photonic biosensor arrays in particular employing plasmon resonance based sensing, and to methods and apparatus for reading such arrays. A biosensor array for plasmon resonance-based sensing of a plurality of different biological targets simultaneously, the array comprising a transparent substrate having a surface bearing a plurality of assay spots for plasmon resonance sensing, each of said assay spots comprising a discrete metallic island, a said metallic island comprising a plurality of metallic nanoparticles to which are attached functionalizing molecules for binding to a said biological target, different said islands bearing different said functionalizing molecules for binding to different ones of said biological targets, and wherein total internal reflection of light at said surface at a wavelength at or near a said plasmon resonance results in scattering of said light away from said surface, said scattering being modulated by said binding of said biological targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Attomarker Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Shaw, Rouslan Vladamir Olkhov, William Leslie Barnes
  • Patent number: 8388893
    Abstract: A combined detector capable of simultaneously detecting both a value indicating a physical/chemical phenomenon such as a pH value and the intensity of an energy beam such as light. The combined detector comprises a physical/chemical phenomenon detecting system (10) and an energy beam detecting system. The physical/chemical phenomenon detecting system (10) has a sensing section (21) whose potential varies with a physical/chemical phenomenon, a charge supply section (22) for supplying first charge to the sensing section, a charge supply control section (23) provided between the sensing section (21) and the charge supply section (22), a first charge storage section (26) for storing the first charge transferred from the sensing section (21), and a charge transfer control section (27) provided between the sensing section (21) and the first charge storage section (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: National University Corporation Toyohashi University of Technology
    Inventors: Kazuaki Sawada, Junichi Matsuo, Hirokazu Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 8388910
    Abstract: A portable test module for excitation of electrochemiluminescent probes configured to detect target nucleic acid sequences, the test module having an outer casing configured for hand-held portability, the outer casing having a receptacle for receiving a fluid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes having an ECL luminophore for emitting photons when in an excited state and a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, and, electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse to excite the ECL luminophores, wherein during use, the ECL probes that have detected one of the target nucleic acid sequences reconfigure such that the functional moiety does not quench the photon emission from the ECL luminophore when excited by the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Mehdi Azimi, Kia Silverbrook, Alireza Moini
  • Patent number: 8383414
    Abstract: An optic light guide test sensor comprises a light guide, a reagent-coated membrane, and a mesh layer. The reagent-coated membrane and the mesh layer are attached to the light guide at an output end of the light guide. The light guide test sensor is adapted to be used to test the level of an analyte in a biological fluid sample when used with a readhead. A method of manufacturing the light guide test sensor involves providing a plurality of light guides, providing a strip of reagent-coated membrane, and providing a strip of mesh layer. The reagent-coated membrane and mesh layer are attached to the light guides by ultrasonic welding. The reagent-coated membrane and mesh layer may also be attached to the light guides by adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery S. Reynolds, Steven C. Charlton, Sung-Kwon Jung, Suny J. George
  • Patent number: 8383065
    Abstract: A test module for detecting target nucleic acid sequences in a fluid, the test module having an outer casing having a receptacle for receiving the fluid containing the target nucleic acid sequences, electrochemiluminescent (ECL) probes having an ECL luminophore for emitting photons when in an excited state and a functional moiety for quenching photon emission from the ECL luminophore by resonant energy transfer, electrodes for receiving an electrical pulse to excite the ECL luminophores, and, a detection photosensor for exposure to the photons emitted by the ECL luminophores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Alireza Moini, Mehdi Azimi, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8377380
    Abstract: To provide a sensing device using a piezoelectric sensor having an oscillation area for detection and an oscillation area for reference and capable of achieving a high measurement sensitivity by improving shapes of excitation electrodes. On a quartz-crystal piece 20a, there are provided strip-shaped left side area and right side area which are formed symmetrically to be separated from each other into left and right with respect to a center of a circle 53 being a contour of a planar shape of a reaction channel 52 and extend in a longitudinal direction in a parallel manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Yorita, Shunichi Wakamatsu, Shigenori Watanabe, Takeru Mutoh
  • Patent number: 8372651
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a surfactant in a microelectronic process is disclosed. Specifically, the monitoring of a surfactant occurs by studying the absorbance of a sample collected from a microelectronic process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Amy M. Tseng, John E. Hoots, Brian V. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8349279
    Abstract: A samples storage system for pharmaceutical development in which the usable volumes of ultramicrotubes (384 tubes) are increased and smooth insertion and extraction of ultramicrotubes is possible irrespective of the positions of the ultramicrotubes. The samples storage system includes tubes in which samples are sealed and a storage rack for vertically accommodating a plurality of the tubes in a grid pattern. Each tube is of a rectangular hollow tubular cross-section and the intersect is tapered toward the bottom portion of the tube. Corner portions of the outer four side surfaces of the tubes are chamfered. The storage rack has engagement partition walls forming open-ended sections in a grid pattern inside the rack frame. The height of the walls is smaller than the length of the tube, and tube-supporting pins project vertically from the intersections of the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Taike, Kazuhiro Tsutsumi, Hisao Nishii, Nobuaki Matsumoto, Yukio Ueyama
  • Patent number: 8349277
    Abstract: A test module for concentrating pathogens in a biological sample, the test module having an outer casing with a receptacle for receiving the sample, a dialysis device in fluid communication with the receptacle and configured to separate the pathogens from other constituents in the sample, and, a lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device being in fluid communication with the dialysis device and configured to analyze the pathogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Geneasys Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Mehdi Azimi, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8348843
    Abstract: A meter is provided that includes an improved user interface that enables the user to take a specific action, leading them directly to data input options. Such a user interface could be used to input first selected information, such as whether a test was premeal or postmeal, immediately after receiving a result. Optionally, the user interface may include the ability to add an additional comment after inputting the first selected information. Provision of such a user interface would facilitate simpler capture of the first selected information each time the user performs a test, leading to an enhanced understanding of a patient's level of glycemic control. Designing a user interface to enable first selected information to be entered by a user directly after receiving a result is more likely to engage a patient by making it easy and simple to enter important information. This may enable capture of the information thought to be most pertinent e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: LifeScan Scotland Limited
    Inventors: Stanley Alan Young, David William Taylor, Allan Orr, Cheryl Neary, Nicola Canning, Marc Daniel Stern
  • Patent number: 8343778
    Abstract: The invention encompasses microfluidic microarray assemblies (MMA) and subassemblies and methods for their manufacture and use. In one embodiment, first and second channel plates are provided and are sealingly connected to a test chip in consecutive steps. Each plate includes microfluidic channels configured in a predetermined reagent distribution pattern. The test chip comprises a plurality of discrete test positions, each test position being located at the intersection between a first predetermined reagent pattern and a second predetermined reagent pattern, wherein at least one of said patterns is non-linear. The first channel plate allows the distribution of a first reagent on said test chip, wherein said first reagent is immobilized at said test positions. The second channel plate allows the distribution of a second reagent on said test chip, wherein said second reagent comprises a plurality of different test samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Simon Fraser University
    Inventors: Hua Zhong Yu, Meenakshinathan Parameswaren, Paul Chi Hang Li, Xing Yue Peng, Hong Chen, Wa Lok Chou
  • Patent number: 8323982
    Abstract: Fluid analyte sensors include a photoelectrocatalytic element that is configured to be exposed to the fluid, if present, and to respond to photoelectrocatalysis of at least one analyte in the fluid that occurs in response to impingement of optical radiation upon the photoelectrocatalytic element. A semiconductor light emitting source is also provided that is configured to impinge the optical radiation upon the photoelectrocatalytic element. Related solid state devices and sensing methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Francis LeBoeuf, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Michael Edward Aumer