Patents Examined by Lyle A. Alexander
  • Patent number: 9903798
    Abstract: Specimen collection slides, methods of fabricating and methods of utilizing such specimen collection slides whereby each specimen collection slide includes a top rigid layer with an opening, a bottom rigid layer with an opening substantially the same size as the top layer opening, a middle rigid section having an opening larger than the openings in both the top and bottom layers, and a filtration media residing within the opening in the middle section. The top, bottom and middle are secured together to provide the resultant slide with thickness and rigidity that lends the slide to be utilized in automated handling processes and instruments. The middle section of the slide encases the filtration media and sandwiches it between the top and bottom layers so that the filtration media is protected from damage. Each slide may have its own unique identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas W. Astle
  • Patent number: 9896522
    Abstract: A solid phase reagent and method for simultaneously capturing and fluorescently labeling an analyte with multiple reactive sites to provide a mono-labeled analyte are disclosed. The reagent can be used in the method and comprises a plurality of analyte-reactive groups tethered to a porous solid phase, wherein each analyte-reactive group is covalently attached to a fluorescent group either directly or indirectly, wherein the distance between adjacent analyte-reactive groups is greater than the gyration radius of a captured analyte; the fluorescent group is covalently attached to a cleavable anchor group either directly or through a first spacer; and the cleavable anchor group is covalently attached to the solid phase either directly or through a second spacer, wherein the solid phase is a porous solid or a porous gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Gyula Vigh, Roy T. Estrada, III
  • Patent number: 9891237
    Abstract: Hydroxyphenylbenzazole compounds that are useful for the selective detection of zinc, aluminum, chromium, and iron cations in vitro and in vivo. The Hydroxyphenylbenzazole compounds include a 2-hydroxyphenyl group bound to a single benzazole group; a first ligand group that is a Schiff base moiety; and a second ligand group selected from a Schiff base moiety and a hydroxyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Yi Pang, Junfeng Wang
  • Patent number: 9839893
    Abstract: The present invention provides microfabricated substrates and methods of conducting reactions within these substrates. The reactions occur in plugs transported in the flow of a carrier-fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Rustem F. Ismagilov, Joshua David Tice, Helen Song, Lewis Spencer Roach
  • Patent number: 9829471
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for determining the pH of fluid. Example devices include a device comprising a surface configured to contact the fluid and a pH indicator covalently bound thereto, wherein the pH indicator has a first color prior to contact with the fluid and changes color as a function of the pH of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Victoria Jody Hammond, John Kenneth Hicks
  • Patent number: 9829476
    Abstract: For checking engine oil, especially containing rate of FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester), we provide a measuring device including a cylindrical and upright analysis vessel having a reading scale with which a surface boundary is measured. In the vessel, the engine oil is mixed with reagents including alcohol(s) and a demulsifier. And the decreased volume is checked as volume of the FAME contained in the engine oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: YANMAR
    Inventors: Kay Kian Hee, Kamaruddin Kudumpor, Beverly Kah Waynee, Siti Norbaria Sally Bt. Pick Thall Tan, Aaron Willinton William
  • Patent number: 9821313
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening a reaction vessel having a body forming a volume for liquid, and a lid. In the method at least one reaction vessel is placed on a transport vehicle and the reaction vessel is positioned on the vehicle so that the vessel's rotation about its own axis is prevented. Then, the at least one reaction vessel is transferred on the vehicle and a guide rod, attached to the lid that is attached by a hinge to the reaction vessel, is pushed by the movement of the vehicle against a guide surface that forces the lid to turn on the hinge so that the lid is at least partially opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy
    Inventors: Vesa Nuotio, Juhani Siidorov, Sami Kukkonen
  • Patent number: 9817005
    Abstract: Methods are described for determining the amount of metabolites of leflunomide in a sample. More specifically, mass spectrometric methods are described for detecting and quantifying teriflunomide in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Ivestments Incorporated
    Inventor: Karin O. Thomassian
  • Patent number: 9817011
    Abstract: System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Buse, Byron J. Knight
  • Patent number: 9804070
    Abstract: A biological fluids concentration device, including a tube-in-tube assembly, is disclosed. The tube-in-tube assembly receives biologic fluids and may then be placed in the bucket of a centrifuge and spun to separate out the components of the biological fluid by their various densities. For example, whole blood may be centrifuged in the tube-in-tube assembly for separating into plasma, red blood cell component, and a buffy coat. A piston slideably and sealingly engages an inner tube of the tube-in-tube assembly, the inner tube fitting within an outer tube. A lid is designed to engage the top of the outer tube, which lid has an opening therein for receipt of a plunger. The plunger is adapted to move up and down with respect to the lid and the tubes, so as to sealingly, in a down position, and unsealingly, in an open position, engage the top of the inner tube of the tube-in-tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ALLIANCE PARTNERS, LLC
    Inventors: Emad Hassouneh, Logan White, Matt Schmidt, Andrew Enke, Frank Morris
  • Patent number: 9802183
    Abstract: An analytical device configured for the introduction of the liquid or solid sample into a sample chamber where it is extracted by a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, wherein the extract then passes into a chamber where it undergoes a Friedel-Crafts (FC) reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: John David Hanby
  • Patent number: 9772333
    Abstract: Mass spectrometry (MS) active, fluorescent rapid tagging reagent is provided having three substituent groups: (a) a tertiary amino group or other MS active atom; (b) a highly fluorescent moiety; and (c) a reactive group that can react with an amine. The reactive group provides rapid tagging of desired bio-molecules. The fluorescent moiety provides the fluorescent signal. The tertiary amino group provides the MS signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Water Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl W. Brousmiche, Ying-Qing Yu
  • Patent number: 9753027
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cantilever sensor, and a biosensor having the same, wherein the cantilever sensor including a slit formed on a flat board and a cantilever formed by the slit, a first electrode formed on the cantilever, and a second electrode formed on the flat board countered to the first electrode about the slit, wherein the electrodes are formed on the cantilever sensor having the slit, whereby sensing can be conducted by an electric method, through which the sensor can be effectively miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kyoseon Hwang, Tae Song Kim, Rhokyun Kwak, Won Woo Cho, Myung Sic Chae
  • Patent number: 9746399
    Abstract: A device and method for headspace sampling is disclosed herein. The headspace sampling device comprises a sample holding device configured to be sealed in a vial. The sample holding device has a pair of electrodes gap spaced from one another and a basket extending between the electrodes configured to hold a sample. The basket is configured to heat a sample held therewith and volatize at least a portion of the sample upon an electrical current being passed through the electrodes and the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: The Unites States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, The National Institute of Standards and Technology
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bruno
  • Patent number: 9719985
    Abstract: A method uses an Dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) surfactant based bio film that reacts with a material in a known manner, and a device that utilizes such a biofilm, to detect material of interest is provided. The principles of the present invention are particularly useful in detecting/measuring a material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
    Inventor: Mark L. Witten
  • Patent number: 9718059
    Abstract: System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Buse, Byron J. Knight, Julian Groeli
  • Patent number: 9715998
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for monitoring level of paraben comprising: dissolving a sample in a solvent and obtaining a supernatant containing paraben by ultrasonic vibration and high speed centrifugation; performing a derivatization reaction between a derivatization reagent and paraben by adding the derivatization reagent into the supernatant to obtain a derivatization solution containing a tagged paraben; extracting the derivatization solution by an extractant to obtain an extract containing the tagged paraben; and ionizating the tagged paraben by a laser beam and analyzing mass-to-charge ratio of the tagged paraben by an analyzer to determine molecular weight thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Kaohsuing Medical University
    Inventors: Chi-Yu Lu, Yi-Hsuan Lee
  • Patent number: 9696261
    Abstract: A multi-channel device includes up to three channels for optical testing of liquid samples. The liquid sample(s) may include surface water, drinking water, processed water or the like. The multi-channel device may include a turbidity channel and a color channel that measure turbidity and color, respectively, of a liquid sample using spectrographic analysis. The multi-channel device may also include a colorimetric channel that measures the concentration of various analytes in a liquid sample, such as free chlorine, total chlorine, copper and phosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Viktor Slobodyan, William M. Christensen, Paul Schilling, Joseph Phillip Erickson
  • Patent number: 9687754
    Abstract: A system for extracting oil from oil-bearing plant parts has an extraction vessel supported by an upright stand, a separator vessel mounted below the extraction vessel, and an expansion filter vessel mounted downstream from the separator vessel. A source of hydrocarbon solvent supplies liquid gas to the top of the extraction vessel, while a recycling pump connected to the separator vessel facilitates transport of the solvent through the plant material in the extraction vessel. The solvent is recovered and re-circulated, while extracted oil is removed from the separator. A computer-based temperature control assembly having a cooling device and a jacketed injection coil regulates temperature of the solvent delivered to the extraction assembly. A thermal jacket is mounted on each of the separator vessel and the expansion filter vessel, with the thermal jackets supplying heat and cold to the interior of the separator vessel and the expansion filter vessel and helping evaporate and condense the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Matthew Ellis
  • Patent number: 9643181
    Abstract: A microfluidic system-on-a-chip includes signal processing, light generation and detection, and fluid handling functions formed on a single substrate. The disclosed integrated system has a smaller footprint than device structures where individual components are manufactured separately and then assembled. Moreover, the integrated system obviates alignment challenges associated with conventionally packaged architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hung-Yang Chang, Ning Li, Fei Liu, Qiqing C. Ouyang, Seshadri Subbanna, Yajuan Wang