Patents Examined by Dennis M White
  • Patent number: 9297762
    Abstract: Devices, systems, kits, and methods for detecting and/or identifying a plurality of spectrally labeled bodies well-suited for performing multiplexed assays. By spectrally labeling the beads with materials which generate identifiable spectra, a plurality of beads may be identified within the fluid. Reading of the beads is facilitated by restraining the beads in arrays, and/or using a focused laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Empedocles, Andrew Watson, Jian Jin
  • Patent number: 9291620
    Abstract: Provided is an in vitro diagnostic tool configured to quantitatively or qualitatively detect a suspected substance in a test solution, the tool including: a first porous layer having a first surface and a second surface; a base sheet bonded to the first surface; a second porous layer bonded to the second surface; and a reagent configured to react with the suspected substance and carried in at least a part of the second porous layer, wherein: the first porous layer has a matrix structure of first nanofibers formed by electrostatic spinning; the second porous layer has a matrix structure of second nanofibers formed by electrostatic spinning; and a fiber diameter of the second nanofibers is smaller than a fiber diameter of the first nanofibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Yoshioka, Takahiro Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 9284520
    Abstract: Methods and devices for biological sample preparation and analysis are disclosed. A device may have a linear or circular arrangement of containers, with a connecting structure such as a bar or disk. Fluidics channels between containers allow the performance of different techniques for sample preparation, such as lysing, washing and elution. Different functional elements, such as grinders or mixers, may be attached to the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Imran R. Malik, Erika F. Garcia, Xiomara Linnette Madero, Axel Scherer
  • Patent number: 9279771
    Abstract: A three-dimensional porous photonic structure, whose internal pore surfaces can be provided with desired surface properties in a spatially selective manner with arbitrary patterns, and methods for making the same are described. When exposed to a fluid (e.g., via immersion or wicking), the fluid can selectively penetrate the regions of the structure with compatible surface properties. Broad applications, for example in security, encryption and document authentication, as well as in areas such as simple microfluidics and diagnostics, are anticipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Ian B. Burgess, Lidiya Mishchenko, Benjamin Hatton, Marko Loncar
  • Patent number: 9272279
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an apparatus useful in conducting detection of compounds on blotting membranes. The device is comprised of several layers including a porous support layer below the blotting membrane(s), a flow distributor above the blotting membrane(s) and optionally a well on the flow distributor to contain the liquid to the desired area and to allow for lower starting volumes of such liquid. Preferably, the flow distributor is a non-binding or low binding hydrophilic porous membrane such as a 0.22 micron membrane and the support layer is a grid or sintered porous material. The distributor and support are held together to form an envelope around the membrane(s). The use of a hinge, clips and other such devices is preferred in doing so.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Scott, Phillip Clark, Kurt E. Greenizen, Ryan A. Amara, Robert Colonna
  • Patent number: 9266105
    Abstract: An apparatus for bonding two substrates includes a first roller, a second roller that forms a nip with the first roller, a substrate transport configured to move the first substrate and a second substrate through the nip simultaneously, and a controller. The controller operates the substrate transport to move the first substrate and the second substrate through the nip simultaneously, with a pattern of a hydrophobic material on a first side of the first substrate engaging a first side of the second substrate. The first substrate engages the first roller, which has a higher temperature than the second roller, and the hydrophobic material penetrates the first and second substrates to bond the substrates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Beachner, Jing Zhou, Mandakini Kanungo, Nancy Y. Jia, Paul J. McConville, Wei Hong
  • Patent number: 9265856
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple-component material including a substrate and a printed layer on the substrate. The printed layer includes a color-changing composition to indicate a change in condition, such as a change in pH. The color-changing composition includes a matrix-forming component, a colorant, a surfactant and a pH adjuster. The pH adjuster includes a low molecular weight organic acid and a high molecular weight organic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: Xuedong Song, Thomas M. Ales, III
  • Patent number: 9267944
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the presence of biomolecules in a sample using biosensors that incorporate resonators which have functionalized surfaces for reacting with target biomolecules. In one embodiment, a device includes a piezoelectric resonator having a functionalized surface configured to react with target molecules, thereby changing the mass and/or charge of the resonator which consequently changes the frequency response of the resonator. The resonator's frequency response after exposure to a sample is compared to a reference, such as the frequency response before exposure to the sample, a stored baseline frequency response or a control resonator's frequency response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuegang Zhang, Andrew Berlin, Qing Ma, Li-Peng Wang, Valluri Rao, Mineo Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 9259730
    Abstract: Invention; It is about the tubes used to obtain blood products through centrifuge in order to cure open and closed injuries, to heal hard and soft tissues and to diagnose in all fields of medicine and dentistry. Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) obtained in the tubes the surface of which contacts blood and made from pure titanium or titanium alloys has a better structure of fibrin than that is obtained through classical methods. The efficiency of the high speed centrifuge is increased with this designed tube and Platelet Rich Fibrin can be removed from the tube without spoiling it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Akman Serhan, Tunali Mustafa
  • Patent number: 9254848
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems configured to determine an amount of alcohol in an alcohol-containing liquid discharged from a drinking vessel or an amount of the alcohol-containing liquid discharged from the drinking vessel, drinking vessels configured to measure alcohol content or other property of an alcohol-containing liquid held therein, other related components such as mat devices that facilitate determining the amount, and related methods. The systems, drinking vessels, and methods disclosed herein facilitate determination of an amount of alcohol in an alcohol-containing liquid discharged from a drinking vessel or an amount of alcohol-containing liquid discharged from the drinking vessel, which may be indicative of an amount of alcohol consumed by a drinker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9250189
    Abstract: A detection kit is used for detecting compounds and includes a magnifying lens in a cap that magnifies a surface of a color-changing detection swab when placed on the body of the detection kit. For example, the cap includes a plurality of lenses that are integrally formed in a plastic cap, and each lens magnifies the surface of a different swab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Field Forensics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig R Johnson
  • Patent number: 9248446
    Abstract: A disposable blood separation set and a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber having an inlet, an outlet and a gravity valve inside the cell separation chamber. The valve is responsive to the gravitational field created by the speed of the rotor. When the rotor spins at high speed, the gravity valve may open the outlet at a location proximal to an axis of rotation of the rotor. When the rotor spins at a lower speed, the gravity valve may open the outlet at a location distal from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Terumo BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Kolenbrander, Geoffrey Uhl
  • Patent number: 9228953
    Abstract: This invention relates to a testing system for assessing the level of a biochemical marker, comprising a disposable device (2) with a sample inlet (4) and a at least one visible detection compartment (5A, 5B), arranged with composition including a chemical means (Y) for direct detection of said biochemical marker, wherein said composition also includes an inhibitor (Z) arranged to first detection compartment (5A) being arranged to block the biochemical marker up to a certain concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Calmark Sweden AB
    Inventors: Mathias Karlsson, Sofia Hiort Af Ornaes
  • Patent number: 9221049
    Abstract: A device and a method for separating a supernatant of a liquid sample are proposed, in which an outlet is closed off by a water-soluble membrane that dissolves after a certain length of time so that the supernatant of the sample is automatically drained away after centrifugation. The water-soluble membrane may in principle may also be used for other purposes for temporarily retaining a liquid in a holding chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Microparts GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Schoen, Tanja Thiele
  • Patent number: 9220447
    Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus for eliciting a blood sample. The apparatus has a housing having an aperture. A shaft extends in the housing and a testing member is mounted on the shaft which rotates with the shaft. A lancing member is pivotably mounted to the testing member and a lancet protrudes from the lancing member. The lancing member is arranged to pivot relative to the testing member from a retracted position to a skin penetrating position in which the lancet extends into or through the aperture when the testing member is rotated so that the lancing member is coincident with the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Richter, Ross MacArthur, Elizabeth Verity Wolseley-Hext, Joseph David Cowan, Lee Thomas Smith, David John Mills
  • Patent number: 9221053
    Abstract: A test reagent container includes: a bottom part; a peripheral wall part on the periphery of the bottom part; a storage part which opens upward and with an internal diameter of an inner peripheral wall decreased with depth; a film which seals the opening of the storage part; a discharge channel which penetratingly passes from an inner bottom surface of the storage part to the bottom part of the container body; a projecting part formed downwardly projecting from the bottom part to seal an outlet of the discharge channel; a breakable part including a thick-walled part and a thin-walled part thinner than the thick-walled part formed on the periphery of the projecting part. The breakable part is broken when the projecting part is depressed from outside of the container, the projecting part is inserted into the inside of the discharge channel, and the sealed state of the outlet is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: Fujibo Holdings, Inc., NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Masahide Inoue, Minoru Asogawa, Yoshinori Mishina
  • Patent number: 9212989
    Abstract: A chemical composition analyzer may be used to optically determine and report chemical compositions associated with gases within a gas collection and transmission infrastructure. This analyzer includes a number of optical sensors which may be used to perform spectroscopic spectrographic analysis in order to determine the chemical composition of the gas. Additionally other sensors may be used to measure other physical properties associated with the gas. These sensors are tied to a data collection system wherein the output of the optical sensors and sensors used to measure the physical properties of the gas may be combined and processed in order to determine in a nearly continuous fashion the chemical composition associated with the gas at various locations within the gas collection and transmission infrastructure. This real time compositional analysis may be used to determine valuations of the gas or to optimize other processes or equipment configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: JP3 Measurement, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Little, Charles E. Miller
  • Patent number: 9213043
    Abstract: In embodiments disclosed herein, a diagnostic system is provided having a cartridge comprising at least one needle; at least one reservoir; at least one fluidic seal; and at least one fluidic channel of a fluidic pathway, wherein the cartridge is configured to store at least one reagent and at least one waste material on the cartridge. The diagnostic system is provided also having a diagnostic instrument comprising the fluidic pathway; an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection system; and a pump, wherein the fluidic pathway begins and ends in the cartridge and has a substantially single direction of flow in a pathway fluidically connecting the diagnostic instrument and the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: WELLSTAT DIAGNOSTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Alan Cook, Sang Cho, Charles Quentin Davis, Kevin E Dorsey, Jason Charles Harley, Jonathan Leland, Rober Krikor Matikyan, Sjef Otten, Jeffrey Howard Peterman, Brian B Thomas
  • Patent number: 9207244
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. In some embodiments, the reader component communicates with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: CUE INC.
    Inventors: Ayub Khattak, Clinton Sever
  • Patent number: 9201043
    Abstract: Devices for detecting a particle in a fluid sample are provided. The device includes a segmented microfluidic conduit configured to carry a flow of a fluid sample, where the conduit includes one or more nodes and two or more sections, and a node is positioned between adjacent sections of the conduit. The device also includes a detector configured to detect a change in current through the conduit. Also provided are methods of using the devices as well as systems and kits that include the devices. The devices, systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including diagnostic assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Lydia Lee Sohn, Karthik Balakrishnan, George Anwar, Matthew Rowe Chapman