Patents Examined by Dwayne K. Handy
  • Patent number: 12162081
    Abstract: The invention relates to an expandable vacuum chamber (10) having flat frame elements (14) and end plates (12) and to a method for producing such a vacuum chamber (10). The end plates (12) are lined up in front of and behind the frame elements (14) in the axial direction (Ra) and, together with the frame elements (14), delimit a chamber volume of the vacuum chamber (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Inventor: Christof-Herbert Diener
  • Patent number: 12162015
    Abstract: A system, method, and platform for target detection, the system including: a base substrate; a set of sample processing regions defined at a broad surface of the substrate, wherein each of the set of sample processing regions includes: a set of microwell subarrays arranged in a gradient between an upstream end and a downstream end of each respective sample processing region, and a boundary separating each respective sample processing region from adjacent sample processing regions; and a cover substrate configured to mate with the base substrate in a coupled mode, the cover substrate comprising a network of venting channels aligned with the set of sample processing regions upon mating the base substrate with the cover substrate in the coupled mode, the network of venting channels providing gas exchange between the base substrate and an environment surrounding the microwell assembly. The invention(s) can be used for MPN assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignees: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Bio-Rad Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Kalyan Handique, Ronald Lebofsky, Emilie Celine Claudie Macke, Rebecca Dievart, Christophe Quiring, Sophie Pierre
  • Patent number: 12153061
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cartridge assembly tray for conducting automated biochemical tests, such as immunoassay tests. The tray comprises a base member, a hinged frame and a locking mechanism. The base member includes a plurality of slots within the base member. Each of the plurality of slots is to receive a test cartridge. The hinged frame is coupled to the base member. The hinged frame is capable to rotate to an opened position or a closed position. The hinged frame includes a horizontal push bar configured to apply a downward force to test cartridges received in the plurality of slots when the hinged frame is in the closed position. The locking mechanism is to lock the hinged frame in the closed position when the hinged frame rotates to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: ACCESS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Yongli Ren, Ming Xia, Genqian Li
  • Patent number: 12145155
    Abstract: A controller detects an error based on a most recent height of a nozzle at detection of contact of a nozzle with a sample by a liquid surface sensor and a previous height of the nozzle at detection of contact of the nozzle with the sample by the liquid surface sensor, and upon detection of the error, provides an error notification in a manner different from that at detection of another error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takanori Onoki, Kiyohiro Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 12146882
    Abstract: A system for processing a sample includes a unitary body. The unitary body including a snap lid, the snap lid having a capillary. The unitary body including a lysing container. The unitary body including a test element and a sliding actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Polymer Technology Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Joyce
  • Patent number: 12111236
    Abstract: A sample collection and detection device includes a collection cavity. The device further includes a sample collector. The sample collector comprises a collection rod and an absorption element, and the absorption element has a hollow cavity. A part of the collection rod is received in the hollow cavity of the absorption element. A first lug for blocking and locating the absorption element is arranged on the collection rod. Also provided is a method for collecting and detecting sample using the sample collection and detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Assure Tech. (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Shi sheng Ling
  • Patent number: 12089936
    Abstract: A method for inversion counting or phlebotomist monitoring can include identifying, by processing circuitry, whether a blood collection tube is present in image data from a camera situated to capture images of a phlebotomist collecting a sample, in response to identifying the blood collection tube is present in the field of view of the camera based on the image data, identifying whether the blood collection tube includes blood therein, after identifying the blood is present in the blood collection tube, counting, based on the image data, a number of inversions performed on the blood collection tube, and in response to determining the number of inversions performed is less than a required number of inversions, issuing an alert indicating that insufficient inversions were performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: CCQCC Corp.
    Inventor: George S. Cembrowski
  • Patent number: 12083513
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a device for storing a liquid sample, in which the device has a sample acceptance well, one or more storage chambers, and one or more fluidic channels fluidly coupling the sample acceptance well to the one or more storage chambers. The apparatus also includes a well plate having a plate and multiple wells formed in the plate, in which the device and the well plate are configured to be attached to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Ramin Haghgooie, Robert Granier, Kenneth T. Kotz, Anne C. Petrofsky
  • Patent number: 12085489
    Abstract: An analytic plate or other substrate having a permanent etchable, laserable, and/or developable marking surface coating (referred to herein as an “etchable coating” or as a “developable coating”) that is present on at least a portion of any side or surface thereof and is used to deposit a permanent indicium thereon, and a method of using the analytic plate or substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Inventor: Lee H. Angros
  • Patent number: 12077805
    Abstract: An optical measurement instrument is an integrated instrument that includes an optical cavity with a light source, a sample cuvette, and an optical sensor. The instrument can be used for taking measurements of organism concentration in one or more samples. Preferably, the instrument holds multiple, individually-loaded, independent fluid samples and determines bacteria concentration via a forward-scattering signal. The instrument can incorporate onboard incubation to promote bacterial growth in the samples such that, once a certain bacterial concentration is achieved, the higher concentration sample can be used with a mass spectrometer to identify the type of bacteria. The instrument and mass spectrometer can be a part of a network for medical diagnostic testing data where data is stored in a manner that is inherently untainted by patient identifiable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: IP Specialists Ltd.
    Inventors: Dana A. Marshall, Theodore S. McMinn, Dan Vadim Regelman
  • Patent number: 12059676
    Abstract: A device and method for separating serum or plasma from blood cells in a whole blood specimen. The present invention uses a cap with a reservoir, such that blood cells are packed into the cap when the specimen container is centrifuged. When the cap is removed, the blood cells are also removed, and the serum or plasma is left in the specimen tube where it can be readily extracted by a pipette which is able to reach all the way to the bottom of the specimen tube minimizing the dead volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Babson Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Olson
  • Patent number: 12055544
    Abstract: Diagnostic assay devices for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample solution may comprise a microreactor configured to form a sample solution containing the analyte, flow the sample solution therethrough in a first direction to form an analyte-capture molecule complex, and transfer the sample solution to an absorbent strip pad configured to flow therethrough, in a second direction crossing the first direction, the sample solution including the analyte-capture molecule complex and indicate a presence of the analyte-capture molecule complex. The diagnostic devices may be used, for example, to identify the presence of SARS-Cov2, RSV, influenza A, influenza B or other pathogens in samples from patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Access Bio, Inc.
    Inventors: Young Ho Choi, Jungho Back, Hyoungsoo Kim, Hanmaru Chon, Myungkyu Jang, Hyeon Suk Kim, Myoun Woo Kim, Hyewon Park, Suji Lee, Olivia Haejeong Kim
  • Patent number: 12023677
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sample tube for polymerase chain reaction. The sample tube includes a sample tube body having an annular side wall and a bottom wall connected to annular side wall, wherein the annular side wall and the bottom wall form an accommodating space for accommodating a reaction mixture; and a first extension member extending from the bottom wall to the accommodating space, wherein, to carry out PCR, the reaction mixture immerses the first extension member, such that the light from the light source enters into the reaction mixture via the bottom and the bottom wall of the sample tube and the first extension member sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Credo Diagnostics Biomedical Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Ta Lai, Yu-Cheng Ou, Jim-Yi Liao, Yi-Hsi Chen
  • Patent number: 12005450
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the reduction of the volume of a sample; the method comprises an acceleration step, during which a container containing the sample is accelerated so that a part of a liquid component of the sample flows out of an opening of one end of the container; according to some embodiments, the container is made to rotate around a rotation axis passing through the container; the container is orientated radially relative to the rotation axis with its opening facing outwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Menarini Silicon Biosystems S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianni Medoro, Alex Calanca, Fabrizio Alberti
  • Patent number: 11965898
    Abstract: An automatic nucleic acid detection system and a method thereof are disclosed. The automatic nucleic acid detection method includes: performing, by an automatic control subsystem, on a nucleic acid extraction machine platform, a nucleic acid extraction on one or more specimens in a sample tray to generate one or more corresponding nucleic acids in the sample tray; distributing, by the automatic control subsystem, on a nucleic acid distribution machine platform, the nucleic acid in each hole of the sample tray and a first reagent into a plurality of holes of a detection tray, wherein the number of holes of the detection tray is greater than that of the sample tray; and performing, by the automatic control subsystem, on a nucleic acid detection machine platform, a nucleic acid detection on the detection tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: TCI GENE INC, TCI CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yung-Hsiang Lin, Cheng-Hong Hsieh, Ciao-Ting Chen, Tsung-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11927600
    Abstract: A fluidic bridge device for transport of a fluid sample between a first sample processing device and a second sample processing device. The fluidic bridge may include one or more fluid channels extending between fluid-tight couplings attachable to transfer ports of the first and second sample processing device. In one aspect the first device is a sample preparation device and the second device is an assay device. The fluidic bridge can include at least two fluid conduits, at least one for transport of the prepared sample, and at least one other to facilitate displacement of air to allow flow of the prepared sample through the other fluid conduit. The fluid channels can include one or more of an amplification chamber, a processing chamber, a gas-permeable vent, a bubble trap, a filter, and an external port. Methods of preparing and transporting a fluid sample between devices are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventor: Douglas B. Dority
  • Patent number: 11927576
    Abstract: A compact rock pyrolytic analysis and evaluation instrument comprises a sample introduction system, a pyrolytic furnace, a bypass system, a total hydrocarbon amount and methane content analysis system, a signal acquisition control system and a computer. The pyrolytic furnace is respectively connected with the sample introduction system and the bypass system, the total hydrocarbon amount and methane content analysis system is connected with the bypass system, the signal acquisition control system is used for controlling and connecting the total hydrocarbon amount and methane content analysis system, and meanwhile, the signal acquisition control system is communicated with the computer. The disclosure simultaneously detects the total amount of hydrocarbons produced by rock pyrolysis and the content of methane gas produced by rock pyrolysis, and the obtained data are reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventors: Shujuan Kang, Rixiang Zhu
  • Patent number: 11904321
    Abstract: A container includes a lower portion and a lid to connect with the lower portion. The lid includes a fluidic interface, a swing bar, and a counter structure disposed on an opposite side of the fluidic interface relative to the swing bar. The fluidic interface includes a first liquid port, a second liquid port, a gas port, and a seal ring disposed around the first liquid port, the second liquid port, and the gas port, the first liquid port disposed along a center axis of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Reed, Rui Zheng
  • Patent number: 11904289
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for generating radionuclides for use in production of radiopharmaceuticals; synthesizing the radionuclides generated and removing any unwanted products; measuring the quantity and activity level of the synthesized radionuclides; distributively delivering the radionuclides in appropriate quantities to modular cassette synthesis units in a modular cassette subsystem for contemporaneous/parallel production of radiopharmaceutical output and that allow reuse and/or quick, safe, and disposable replacement of portions of the subsystem; delivering non-radionuclide components to the modular cassette synthesis units as part of production of radiopharmaceutical output; measuring the quantity and activity level of each stream of radiopharmaceutical output; purifying the radiopharmaceutical output; dispensing individual doses in sterile vial(s); automatically producing labeling and dose related information; performing automated quality control on extracted samples of produced radiopharmaceuti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Cardinal Health 414, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Eshima, Mehmet Husnu, James Stone, Derrick Alcaide, Joseph E. Zambanini, Thomas A. Klausing, Chad E. Bouton, Henry Padgett, Brian C. Kelley, Scott N. Danhof, David A. Holley, Jeffrey T. Stroup, James B. Gleeson, Eric Hassenpflug, James A. Prescott, Herman Benecke, Daniel B. Garbark
  • Patent number: 11899033
    Abstract: The analyzer of the present invention is specifically adapted to provide moisture determinations for foods and other agricultural material. It allows the operator to introduce a precise weight of sample into a crucible in a closed furnace in a controlled environment through an access port in the furnace cover. The access port in the cover can be tapered to allow easy access to an underlying aligned crucible and allow an operator to add and remove sample material from the crucible until a precise desired sample weight is reached as measured by a balance within the furnace. The access port is enclosed by an insulated cover after the samples are sequentially placed in the crucibles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Leco Corporation
    Inventor: Larry S. O'Brien