Patents Examined by Dennis White
  • Patent number: 10359421
    Abstract: Provided is an inspection kit that proper inspection can be performed even if a tester drips a remainder of sample. The inspection kit includes: a reagent device having a sample-dripping part, the reagent device being capable of making a sample dripped on the sample-dripping part flow in a first direction from an upstream side toward a downstream side; and a case surrounding the reagent device. A liquid-absorbing part is provided with a portion near the sample-dripping part of the case, the liquid-absorbing part guiding, according to capillary action, the remainder of the sample in a second direction differing from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaori Shimada, Kenji Narahara
  • Patent number: 10357774
    Abstract: A module for processing fluids includes one or more collapsible fluid chambers supported on a substrate, a compression element supported on the substrate and configured to be movable with respect to the one or more chambers, and an actuating element coupled to the compression element and configured to effect movement of the compression element relative to the one or more fluid chambers to collapse each fluid chamber by compressing the fluid chamber between the compression element and the substrate as the compression element moves over the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: GenMark Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventor: David Walter Wright
  • Patent number: 10350592
    Abstract: An integrated device for a sample collection and transfer is provided. The integrated device comprises a capillary channel disposed between a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer comprises a hydrophilic layer comprising a fluid inlet for receiving a sample fluid to the capillary channel, wherein the capillary channel comprises an inner surface and an outer surface and an outlet for driving out the sample fluid. The device further comprises an interface assembly comprising: a third layer, a fourth layer, a fifth layer, and a flow path. The interface assembly is disposed on the outer surface of the capillary, at a determining position relative to the outlet, such that the capillary is in contact with the third layer of the interface assembly and the outlet is in contact with the flow path of the interface assembly for driving out the sample fluid from the integrated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ralf Lenigk, Erin Jean Finehout, Xuefeng Wang
  • Patent number: 10354412
    Abstract: A receptacle for detecting a targeted substance is provided and may include at least one chamber configured to accommodate a reagent and a test swab. A first opening may be provided at a first end of the receptacle and a testing area may be provided at a second end of the receptacle. The receptacle may further include an image, readable by an image sensor, that is positioned a predetermined distance from the testing area and configured to facilitate alignment of the image sensor with the testing area for a colorimetric analysis of the targeted substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: DETECTACHEM, INC.
    Inventors: Travis Kisner, Derek Roosken, Aaron Sanders
  • Patent number: 10343170
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for sensing an analyte, such as acetone, in breath. The apparatus includes a conditioning device that dehumidifies a breath sample, a sorbent material that extracts the analyte from the dehumidified breath sample, and a nanoparticle-based sensor. The apparatus produces first and second gas streams that flow over the nanoparticle-based sensor. The first gas stream is used to generate a baseline signal, and the second gas stream is used to carry the extracted analyte from the sorbent material to the nanoparticle-based sensor. Various additional designs of analyte sensing devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Invoy Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Lubna M. Ahmad, Rhett L. Martineau
  • Patent number: 10340032
    Abstract: Point of care drug of abuse test system configured to allow a small number of general test kits to be used to analyze many different combinations of analytes, while preserving privacy and the chain of custody. The system uses disposable multiple-analyte test kits and allows the operator to select which subset of kit analytes to run. The computerized device images the test kits and transmits test results to a remote server along with a test specific ID code. The test kit is often obfuscated so that the local operator cannot interpret the results. Other donor information, such as driver's licenses and signatures, are also obtained and transmitted as well. The remote server uses the test specific ID code to retrieve an obfuscation code (answer key) from the server's database, allowing the server to interpret the results. The annotated results are transmitted to a recipient along with suitable donor verification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventors: James Taylor Ramsey, Stephen David Gobin
  • Patent number: 10324072
    Abstract: Moisture sensing color change compositions are built of nanofibers of suitable small dimension based on diacetylene monomers that are polymerized in situ in a dried film containing a hygroscopic polymer that is bound to the nanofibers either directly or through crosslinkers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Jinsang Kim, Sungbaek Seo, Youngchang Yu
  • Patent number: 10324042
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and kit includes one or more use protocol indicators having a color changeable dye, the dye being translucent or having a first color upon immediate exposure to an environment and for a defined time thereafter and the dye changing color after exposure to the environment for the defined time. A dual environment indicator includes a first indicator color changeable dye being translucent or having a first color upon immediate exposure to a first environment and changing color after exposure to a second environment and a second indicator color changeable dye being translucent or having a first color upon immediate exposure to the second environment and for a defined time thereafter and changing color after exposure to the second environment for the defined time. A time exposure indicator comprises at least one color changeable dye disposed to change color in a sequential manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Sensor International, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Heacock
  • Patent number: 10318472
    Abstract: A multisite sensing system including two or more analyte sensors, an interface device, and a shared bus. The interface device may be configured to receive a power signal and generate power for powering the analyte sensors and to convey data signals generated by the analyte sensors. The shared bus connected to the interface device and each of the analyte sensors and configured to provide the power generated by the interface device to the analyte sensors and to provide the data signals generated by the analyte sensors to the interface device. The interface device may be an inductive element. The shared bus may be a two wire, multiplexed bus. The analyte sensors may be spatially separated for analyte sensing at least two different locations. The analyte sensors may generate data signals indicative of the presence and/or amount of the same analyte or of one or more different analytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Andrew DeHennis
  • Patent number: 10309961
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bio-sensing device. The bio-sensing device includes an array of unit cells, each unit cell including: a source electrode and a drain electrode spaced apart from each other; a sensing film that serves as a channel between the source electrode and the drain electrode; and gate electrodes spaced apart from the sensing film, wherein the gate electrodes is disposed at a lower level than the source electrode, the drain electrode and the sensing film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: NDD, INC.
    Inventors: Sae Young Ahn, Hyun Hwa Kwon
  • Patent number: 10309976
    Abstract: A substrate for sample analysis has a rotation axis, a first chamber having a first space for retaining a liquid, a second chamber having a second space for retaining the liquid to be discharged from the first chamber, and a first channel having a path connecting the first chamber and the second chamber. The first space includes a first portion and a second portion, and a coupling portion located between the first and second portions. The substrate includes a wall portion partitioning the first and second portions from each other. The second chamber is more distant from the rotation axis than is the first portion. The coupling portion is closer to the rotation axis than is the wall portion. The second portion at least includes a portion which is more distant from the rotation axis than is the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: PHC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Johno, Fusatoshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10308977
    Abstract: A device for processing a biological sample includes a first substrate having a first cavity, a second substrate having a second cavity, a filter element having a plurality of perforations, and an electrically conductive structure. The first cavity forms a first chamber segment of a chamber for accommodating the biological sample. The second cavity forms a second chamber segment of the chamber for accommodating the biological sample. The filter element is formed between the first cavity and the second cavity in order to hold back a plurality of organic cells of the biological sample on the plurality of perforations when the biological sample moves between the first cavity and the second cavity through the filter element. The electrically conductive structure is arranged on the filter element and is configured to cause lysis of the organic cells and/or to duplicate and/or detect defined segments of exposed DNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Brettschneider, Jochen Hoffmann, Karin Lemuth
  • Patent number: 10302639
    Abstract: Provided is a thermal transfer medium for a testing device, the thermal transfer medium including a support, a solid-phase reagent layer provided over the support and containing a reagent over a surface of the solid-phase reagent layer; and a protective layer provided over the solid-phase reagent layer in a manner to cover the reagent, wherein an average thickness of the protective layer is 0.5 ?m or greater but 30 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Miyuki Hirata, Rie Kobayashi, Mio Akima
  • Patent number: 10300480
    Abstract: A pipetting device (100) for an apparatus (164) for processing a sample or reagent is disclosed. The pipetting device (100) comprises a coupling mechanism (102), wherein the coupling mechanism (102) comprises at least a first coupling unit (104) adapted to be coupled to a first pipetting tip and a second coupling unit (106) adapted to be coupled to a second pipetting tip, and a tilt mechanism (112) for moving the first coupling unit (104) between an untilted position, in which the first coupling unit (104) and the second coupling unit (106) are arranged parallel to one another, and a tilted position, in which the first coupling unit (104) is tilted relative to the second coupling unit (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Rudolf Bachmann, Rolf Schneebeli
  • Patent number: 10302636
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for detecting analytes from a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Sentilus Holdco, LLC
    Inventors: Ashutosh Chilkoti, Angus Hucknall
  • Patent number: 10295531
    Abstract: The present invention provides a detection instrument capable of easily detecting an intended detection object without any skilled technique. The detection instrument (1) of the present invention includes a detection portion (12), a detection reagent which develops a color by specifically reacting with a detection object in a sample is placed in the detection portion (12), positional information of the detection reagent in the detection portion (12) is information on the detection object, and color development of the detection reagent can be optically read. It is preferred that a bar code is formed in the detection portion (12), and the detection reagent is placed as a part of the bar code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: NEC SOLUTIONS INNOVATORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Iwao Waga
  • Patent number: 10295473
    Abstract: Gas detector tubes may be used to determine a concentration of target gases in air. The gas detector tubes described may be read either by and optical reader or visually by the user. A gas detector tube reader having an optical reader capable of reading a length of stain, a color change and color density of a reagent in a gas detector tube. The gas detector tube may further comprise sensors for measuring the environmental conditions during sampling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Nextteq, LLC.
    Inventors: Bryan I. Truex, Gueorgui M. Mihaylov
  • Patent number: 10281407
    Abstract: A multi-fluid test strip may include a first zone to test a first fluid, a second zone to test a second fluid, and a third zone intermediate the first zone and the second zone. The third zone may prevent cross-contamination of the first fluid with the second zone and prevent cross-contamination of the second fluid with the first zone. The multi-fluid test strip may also include a first grip zone and a second grip zone. The first zone may be intermediate the first grip zone and the third zone and the second zone may be intermediate the second grip zone and the third zone. The first grip and second grip zones may be dimensioned to permit gripping of the first and second grip zones without touching the first or second zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Jon A. Petty
  • Patent number: 10274475
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured to detect a beverage that is contaminated with a substance. The apparatus may include a testing material, wherein the testing material may comprise a cavity having a complementary shape to a molecule associated with the substance. The apparatus may include a taste substance filling the cavity, wherein the taste substance filling the cavity may bleed out into the beverage when the molecule associated with the substance in the beverage replaces the taste substance filling the cavity, wherein a taste of the beverage may change when the taste substance bleeds out into the beverage as an indicator that the substance is present in the beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: DrinkSavvy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Abramson, Alex Nivorozhkin, Nelson Landrau, John C. MacDonald, Brendan Walker
  • Patent number: 10272434
    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. The reader component may communicate 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: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: CUE HEALTH INC.
    Inventors: Ayub Khattak, Clinton Sever, Paul Nelson, Ryan Cooper, Thomas Congdon, Justin DeMartino, Raphael Shapiro, Mark Duncan