Patents Examined by Jonathan Hurst
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Patent number: 9561504Abstract: A microreactor for performing chemical reactions, includes a body (2, 3), a first chamber (5) and a second chamber (7), both formed in the body (2,3). Interconnections (8) are provided for fluidly coupling the first chamber (5) and the second chamber (7) through the body (2, 3). The microreactor also includes a venting passage (10; 110; 210) formed in the body (2,3) and having a venting outlet (10b) in the second chamber (7) and at least one venting inlet (10a) in the first chamber (5), at a location where formation of bubbles is expected upon introduction of a liquid in the first chamber (5).Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Michele Palmieri, Gaetano Panvini
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Patent number: 9550157Abstract: Disclosed are magnetic agitation mixing systems for use with flexible container reaction vessels. In one aspect of the invention, the orientation of magnetic coupling between the impeller magnets and the external driver magnets is modified such that the coupling is neither strictly axial nor strictly radial. Also disclosed are “receiver-less” retainer configurations whereby the single-use container need not have a rigid base that defines a cup or post to engage of rotatable agitator.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: GE HEATHCARE BIO-SCIENCES CORPInventors: Thomas Erdenberger, Richard L. Damren, Colin R. Tuohey, Michael Fisher, Parrish M. Galliher, Jonathan A. Kenney
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Patent number: 9550971Abstract: Bioreactors suitable for housing a predetermined volume of culture medium comprising a plurality of containers of approximately equal internal volume in which the culture medium resides, wherein the predetermined volume of culture medium is retained in approximately equal amounts within each of the plurality of containers during operation of the bioreactor, and wherein the internal volume of each container is selected so that the amount of culture medium in each container exceeds 50 vol. % of the container internal volume during operation of the bioreactor, and related methods of use.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLCInventor: Sarfaraz K. Niazi
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Patent number: 9534236Abstract: An example includes an apparatus, method, and system for producing and extracting a gas from a wastewater fluid. The apparatus can include a membrane including at least one hollow fiber, the at least one hollow fiber configured to convey a gas extracted from a wastewater fluid. Bacteria can be immobilized within the membrane, and the bacteria configured to produce the gas during treatment of the wastewater fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Paige J. Novak, William A. Arnold, Erin M. Surdo
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Patent number: 9526823Abstract: A cell treatment device which allows cell dispersion liquid including cancer cells to pass therethrough to cause at least the cancer cells to be subjected to at least one of a physical action, a chemical action, and a biologically activating action, includes: a slit member having a first surface and a second surface and including a through hole having a slit shape penetrating from the first surface to the second surface and extending in one direction, the through hole having a tapered portion, wherein the width of a cross section of the tapered portion orthogonal in the one direction reduces from the first surface toward the second surface side, and is smaller than an average diameter of the cancer cells at an end on the second surfaces side, and the cell dispersion liquid is allowed to pass from the first surface side through the through hole to the second surface side.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Satomi Yoshioka
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Patent number: 9523699Abstract: An apparatus and methods for dispensing sample holders for use in an automated sample analyzer is disclosed herein. The apparatus for dispensing sample holders includes a rotating carousel for housing stack of sample holders. Stacks of sample holders from the rotating carousel are fed into a chute where sample holders contact a set of rotating members having helical threads thereon. The helically threaded rotating members engage the sample containers and separate each sample holder from the remaining sample holders in the stack by rotation of the helically threaded rotating members. The sample holder can then be transferred for use in an automated sample analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Biokit, S.A.Inventors: Mark Talmer, Paul C. Dahlstrom
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Patent number: 9523070Abstract: A photobioreactor includes an input light delivery component and a plurality of photobioreactor media disposed in a stacked relationship, each of which is coupled to the input light delivery component, wherein each photobioreactor medium is adapted to be inoculated with a photosynthetic, biofuel-producing culture, further wherein each photobioreactor medium includes at least one hollow fiber membrane (HFM) disposed thereon in a region that is adapted to be inoculated with the photosynthetic, biofuel-producing culture, that can transport at least one of a gas and a photobioreactor product producible by the photosynthetic, biofuel-producing culture, wherein each photobioreactor medium is characterized by an input light-scattering mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: CORNELL UNIVERSITYInventors: David Erickson, Largus Angenent, Devin Doud, Erica Jung, Michael Kalontarov
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Patent number: 9499290Abstract: Reactors that allow mixing and gasification by converting the entire floor of the reactor vessel to a sparge filter is described.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2011Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLCInventor: Sarfaraz K. Niazi
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Patent number: 9493826Abstract: Provided are devices comprising multivolume analysis regions, the devices being capable of supporting amplification, detection, and other processes. Also provided are related methods of detecting or estimating the presence nucleic acids, viral levels, and other biological markers of interest.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGOInventors: Rustem F. Ismagilov, Feng Shen, Jason E. Kreutz, Wenbin Du, Bing Sun
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Patent number: 9493359Abstract: An apparatus for producing trichlorosilane, including: a reaction vessel in which a supply gas containing silicon tetrachloride and hydrogen is supplied to an internal reaction passageway to produce a reaction product gas containing trichlorosilane and hydrogen chloride; a heating mechanism that heats the interior of the reaction vessel; a gas supply section that supplies the supply gas in the reaction vessel; and a gas discharge section that discharges the reaction product gas from the reaction vessel to the outside, wherein the reaction passageway includes: a supply side passageway which is connected to the gas supply section at a central portion of the reaction vessel and flows the supply gas toward the outside while meandering in the reaction vessel; a return passageway which is connected to a downstream end of the supply side passageway and extends to the central portion of the reaction vessel; and a discharge side passageway that is disposed so as to be connected to a downstream end of the return passagType: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATIONInventors: Toshiyuki Ishii, Hideo Ito, Yuji Shimizu
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Patent number: 9469426Abstract: Stationary bioreactors and mixing vessels fitted with single-use flexible bags utilizing wave hydrodynamic principle are described for use in every type of biological process and products.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLCInventor: Sarfaraz K. Niazi
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Multivolume devices, kits and related methods for quantification of nucleic acids and other analytes
Patent number: 9464319Abstract: Provided are devices comprising multivolume analysis regions, the devices being capable of supporting amplification, detection, and other processes. Also provided are related methods of detecting or estimating the presence nucleic acids, viral levels, and other biological markers of interest.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGOInventors: Rustem F. Ismagilov, Feng Shen, Jason E. Kreutz, Wenbin Du, Bing Sun -
Patent number: 9464973Abstract: A sample support (100, 101, 102, . . . ), in particular for cryopreservation of biological samples, is described and includes: a holder part (10) with a sample receiving chamber (11), a retaining device (12, 13) on which a sample can be disposed, and support connecting elements (14, 15) which are directed at opposite holder part ends (16, 17) and are formed to fit together so that a plurality of holder parts (16) can be put together. A sample store (200), which includes an assemblage of a large number of such sample supports, and a method for the cryopreservation of biological samples, are also described.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Günter R. Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann
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Patent number: 9462802Abstract: Methods and systems of maintaining, evaluating, and providing therapy to a lung ex vivo. The methods and systems involve positioning the lung in an ex vivo perfusion circuit; circulating a perfusion fluid through the lung, the fluid entering the lung through a pulmonary artery interface and leaving the lung through a left atrial interface; and ventilating the lung by flowing a ventilation gas through a tracheal interface. Maintaining the lung for extended periods involves causing the lung to rebreath a captive volume of air, and reaching an equilibrium state between the perfusion fluid and the ventilation gas. Evaluating the gas exchange capability of the lung involves deoxygenating the perfusion fluid and measuring a time taken to reoxygenate the perfusion fluid by ventilating the lung with an oxygenation gas.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: TRANSMEDICS, INC.Inventors: Robert Fishman, Robert Havener, Ihab Abdel Fattah, Anas Abdelazim, Scott Newell, Tom Bishop, Tamer Khayal, Stanley Kyi, Ron Taylor, Doug Harriott, Matthew De Remer, Paul Murray, John Sullivan, Mark Anderson, Richard Bringham, Michael Van Driel, Waleed Hassanein
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Patent number: 9457497Abstract: A microfluidic device having a substrate with an array of curvilinear cavities. The substrate of the microfluidic device is preferably fabricated of a polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane. The microfluidic device is manufactured using a gas expansion molding technique.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: University of RochesterInventor: Lisa A. DeLouise
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Patent number: 9447461Abstract: Provided are devices and methods for effecting processing of samples, including essentially isothermal amplification of nucleic acids, at multiple reaction locations in a single device. In some embodiments, the disclosed devices and methods provide for effecting parallel sample processing in several hundred locations on a single device.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGOInventors: Rustem F. Ismagilov, Feng Shen, Jason E. Kreutz, Bing Sun, Wenbin Du
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Patent number: 9446169Abstract: A method for the creation of endothelial parent vessels from human vascular endothelial cells in vitro in a culture perfusion device (CPD) including a collagen chamber, inlet ports, a capillary tube, and an outlet port. A collagen solution is injected into the collagen chamber through a syringe needle until the chamber is filled with collagen. The CPD is perfused by filling the inlet ports and sequentially priming the inlet ports, and the outlet ports. A perfusable channel is created in the collagen chamber and a concentrated suspension of endothelial cells is injected into the inlet ports. The endothelial cells are injected into the at least one perfusable channel and incubated to attach to the walls of the perfusable channel. The cells are distributed within the CPD; and perfused to form a parent vessel having homogeneous monolayers of cells.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2011Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: NORTIS, INC.Inventor: Thomas Neumann
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Patent number: 9428621Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: XYLECO, INC.Inventors: Marshall Medoff, Thomas Craig Masterman
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Patent number: 9422519Abstract: A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system includes a hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 that transports the fed biomass material from a lower side to an upper side in an apparatus body 13 by screw means 14, feeds pressurized hot water 15 from an upper side different from a feed position of the biomass material 11 into the apparatus body 13, which is pressurized hot water to be discharged, so as to separate a lignin component and a hemicellulose component from the biomass material; a biomass solid discharging unit 18 that discharges a biomass solid 20 from the upper side of the apparatus body 13; and a slurrying vessel 21 communicating with the biomass solid discharging unit 18, into which water 19 is injected and the discharged biomass solid 20 is added to obtain a slurried biomass solid are provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LTD.Inventors: Hideo Suzuki, Yoshio Kuromi, Yoshitaka Kimura
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Patent number: 9416014Abstract: An apparatus for producing trichlorosilane, including: a reaction vessel in which a supply gas containing silicon tetrachloride and hydrogen is supplied to produce a reaction product gas containing trichlorosilane and hydrogen chloride; a heating mechanism that heats the interior of the reaction vessel; a gas supply section that supplies the supply gas in the reaction vessel; and a gas discharge section that discharges the reaction product gas from the reaction vessel to the outside, wherein a reaction passageway is formed in the interior of the reaction vessel, in which a plurality of small spaces partitioned by a plurality of reaction tubular walls that have different inner diameters and are substantially concentrically disposed communicate by flow penetration sections formed alternately in lower portions and upper portions of the reaction tubular walls in order from the inside, and the gas supply section and the gas discharge section are connected to the reaction passageway.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATIONInventors: Toshiyuki Ishii, Hideo Ito, Yuji Shimizu