Patents Examined by Maris R Kessel
  • Patent number: 11951471
    Abstract: A pipette for use with a pipette tip or syringe including a piston positioned within a cylinder comprises a pipette housing extending between an upper end and a lower end. Two parallel rods are positioned in the pipette housing, wherein one of the two parallel rods is coupled to a lifting rod. An operating element is configured to protrude outwardly from the pipette housing and be displaced relative to the pipette housing. A gear mechanism is arranged in the pipette housing and comprises a drive comprising a moveable input member and configured to be driven by the operating element, and an output comprising at least one moveable output member and configured to drive the two parallel rods. Successive displacements of the input member by the operating element are configured to alternately displace one of the two parallel rods and then another of the two parallel rods by the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Marc Wilth, Dana Tuchscherer, Matthias Kunsch, Florian Tesch, Burghardt Reichmuth
  • Patent number: 11846632
    Abstract: A sample measurement device including: a dispensing mechanism that includes a nozzle capable of penetrating through a plug body that closes a sample container and of aspirating and discharging a sample housed in the sample container, and that dispenses the sample into a disposable container from the sample container through the nozzle; a cleaning mechanism that cleans the nozzle; and a first measurement section that performs measurement for an immunological test of the sample dispensed by the dispensing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Shiba, Hironori Katsumi, Tsuyoshi Fukuzaki
  • Patent number: 11740203
    Abstract: A diagnostic system that includes a cartridge and a reader is discussed herein. The cartridge can contain a patient sample, such as a blood sample. The cartridge is inserted into the reader and the patient sample is analyzed. The reader contains various analysis systems, such as an electrophoresis detection system that uses electrophoresis testing to identify and quantify various components of the blood sample. The reader can process data from the various patient sample analysis to provide interpretative results indicative of a disorder, condition, disease, or infection of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Hemex Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Galen, Umut Atakan Gurkan, Muhammad Noman Hasan, James Daren Bledsoe, Tyler Witte
  • Patent number: 11730850
    Abstract: Provided is an indoor air cleaning device for a vehicle using a nonthermal plasma and an operation method thereof, and more particularly, to an indoor air cleaning device for a vehicle using a nonthermal plasma, in which ozone is generated by a nonthermal plasma through corona discharge and an air purifying filter is sterilized through strong oxidization action of ozone, achieving more hygienic and continuous management, static electricity of an electrostatic filter is recharged with the controlled magnitude of applied voltage to maintain the best purification performance of the filter, and negative ions beneficial for human body are generated, creating pleasant indoor air conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: KYUNGPOOK NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jingyu Kim, Jaeseung Jeong
  • Patent number: 11719687
    Abstract: A method for obtaining information encoded on an electrochemical test strip is provided. The test strip has two electrodes disposed within a sample space and the information is encoded on the test strip prior to introduction of liquid sample. The method includes the step of introducing sample to the sample space so that the sample is in contact with the two electrodes within the sample space. In another step a value is determined that is representative of the double layer capacitance of the test strip and/or the equivalent capacitance of the test strip. The determined value is then translated into information reflecting a characteristic of the test strip prior to introduction of sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: AgaMatrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Sridhar Iyengar, Ian Harding, Richard Williams, Kevin Cai
  • Patent number: 11686705
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying DNA strand size and purifying the DNA based on strand size using electrophoresis. The methods include moving, via voltage, a plurality of DNA strands through a separation gel from an inlet of a capillary or passage to either a first outlet or a second outlet dependent on the DNA strand length. In some implementations, the system is a capillary electrophoresis system. In other implementations, the system is a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Gemma Mendonsa, Tim Rausch, Riyan Alex Mendonsa
  • Patent number: 11679173
    Abstract: The Portable Sanitizer Spritzier Station as disclosed includes an undercarriage of frontward and backward motion rollers and sidewards rollers configured to ambulate the station in a first mode and to convey carts there through in a second mode and to collect used sanitizer for recycle and refuse. The disclosure also includes an upper structure of clear side panels and clear tarp ends and inside guide rails between conveyor belts and a sanitizer pipe network directing sanitizer upward from a floor thereof and downward from a ceiling thereof. The disclosure further includes a controller configured to determine one of the first and the second modes and to determine a time limit for the sanitizer to be sprayed through the sanitizer pipes and to control the rollers and conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Traci Long
  • Patent number: 11644434
    Abstract: Methods and biosensor systems for compensating an analyte measurement are provided. The methods and systems determine a secondary output signal based on the measured primary output signal in order to better approximate the effects of an extraneous stimulus on the primary output signal under actual measurement conditions. The methods and systems according to the present disclosure may provide a more accurate analyte measurement, and may be particularly useful in detecting and compensating an analyte measurement during an off-condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG
    Inventor: Huan-Ping Wu
  • Patent number: 11592418
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte includes partially stabilized zirconia in which a stabilizer forms a solid solution in zirconia. The partially stabilized zirconia includes at least monoclinic phase particles and cubic phase particles as crystal particles that configure the partially stabilized zirconia, and an abundance ratio of the monoclinic phase particle is 5 to 25% by volume. The partially stabilized zirconia includes stabilizer low-concentration phase particles of which concentration of the stabilizer at a particle center is equal to or less than 1 mol %, as the crystal particles. The stabilizer low-concentration phase particles have a particle-size distribution of number frequency thereof having a peak at which an average particle size is 0.6 to 1.0 ?m, and a particle size at 10% of a cumulative number is 0.5 ?m or greater, and of the overall low-concentration phase particles, 50% by volume or greater belong to the peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yoshida, Satoshi Suzuki, Makoto Noguchi
  • Patent number: 11579067
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and associated method for concentration of polarizable molecules within a fluid medium. The apparatus comprising a structure defining a cavity, having a cross-sectional dimension of 200 nm or less; at least two translocation electrodes positioned relative to the structure to enable generation of a DC electric field passing through the cavity; and at least two trapping electrodes positioned relative to the structure to enable generation of a time-varying electric field proximal to the cavity inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: IMPERIAL COLLEGE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Joshua Benno Edel, Kevin Joseph Freedman
  • Patent number: 11579111
    Abstract: A biosensor pixel for measuring current that flows through the electrode surface in response to electrochemical interactions and a biosensor array architecture that includes such biosensor pixels. The biosensor pixel includes an electrode transducer configured to measure a current generated by electrochemical interactions occurring at a recognition layer placed directly on top of it in response to an electrical voltage placed across an electrode transducer-electrolyte interface. The biosensor pixel further includes a trans-impedance amplifier connected to the electrode transducer, where the trans-impedance amplifier is configured to convert the current into a voltage signal as the electrochemical interactions occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Arjang Hassibi, Arun Manickam, Rituraj Singh
  • Patent number: 11579113
    Abstract: A sensor element includes: an element base made of an oxygen-ion conductive solid electrolyte; an internal space provided inside the element base; an electrochemical pump cell configured to pump oxygen in and out between the internal space and outside; a porous thermal shock resistant layer provided to an outermost peripheral part in a predetermined range at one end part of the element base, at which a gas inlet is provided; and a buffer layer adjacent to the thermal shock resistant layer on a pump surface and a heater surface. A thermal diffusion time in a thickness direction of the thermal shock resistant layer is 0.4 sec to 1.0 sec inclusive, and a total thermal diffusion time in a stacking direction of the thermal shock resistant layer and the buffer layer is 0.2 sec to 1.0 sec inclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Hino
  • Patent number: 11579112
    Abstract: A sensor element includes an element base made of an oxygen-ion conductive solid electrolyte, an internal space provided inside the element base, an electrochemical pump cell that pumps oxygen in and out between the internal space and outside, and a porous thermal shock resistant layer provided to an outermost peripheral part in a predetermined range at one end part of the element base, at which a gas inlet is provided. A thermal diffusion time in a thickness direction of the thermal shock resistant layer is 0.4 sec to 1.0 sec inclusive. A thermal diffusion time at a leading end part of the thermal shock resistant layer covering the gas inlet at a farthest leading end position at the one end part is longest, and a thermal diffusion time at a pump surface is longer than a thermal diffusion time at a heater surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Hino
  • Patent number: 11567033
    Abstract: A sensor element includes: an element base including: a ceramic body made of an oxygen-ion conductive solid electrolyte, and having an inlet at one end portion thereof; at least one internal chamber located inside the ceramic body, and communicating with the gas inlet; and an electrochemical pump cell including an outer electrode, an inner electrode facing the chamber, and a solid electrolyte therebetween, and a porous leading-end protective layer covering a leading end surface and four side surfaces in a predetermined range of the element base on the one end portion, wherein the protective layer has an extension extending into the gas inlet and fixed to an inner wall surface of the ceramic body demarcating the gas inlet, and a gap communicating with the gas inlet is located in the protective layer, with demarcated by a portion of the protective layer continuous with the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Watanabe, Takashi Hino, Mika Kai
  • Patent number: 11561198
    Abstract: Device and methods for use in a biosensor comprising a multisite array of test sites, the device and methods being useful for modulating the binding interactions between a (biomolecular) probe or detection agent and an analyte of interest by modulating the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor. An electrochemically active agent that is suitable for use in biological buffers for changing the pH of the biological buffers. Method for changing the pH of biological buffers using the electrochemically active agents. The methods of modulating the binding interactions provided in a biosensor, analytic methods for more accurately controlling and measuring the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor, and analytic methods for more accurately measuring an analyte of interest in a biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Christopher Johnson, Sam Kavusi, Nadezda Fomina, Habib Ahmad, Autumn Maruniak, Christoph Lang, Ashwin Raghunathan
  • Patent number: 11543383
    Abstract: A liquid droplet manipulation system has a substrate with at least one electrode array and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of the electrode array and for providing the electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting. A working film is placed on top of the electrodes for manipulating samples in liquid droplets with the electrode array. At least one selected individual electrode of the electrode array is configured to be penetrated by light of an optical detection system for the optical inspection or analysis of samples in liquid droplets that are located on the working film. Also disclosed is working film that is to be placed on the electrode array and a cartridge that includes such a working film for manipulating samples in liquid droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventors: Travis Lee, Michael Benjamin Franklin, Kailiang Wang, Anne R. Kopf-Sill
  • Patent number: 11519877
    Abstract: Devices and methods for performing dielectrophoresis are described. The devices contain sample channel which is separated by physical barriers from electrode channels which receive electrodes. The devices and methods may be used for the separation and analysis of particles in solution, including the separation and isolation of cells of a specific type. As the electrodes do not make contact with the sample, electrode fouling is avoided and sample integrity is better maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Rafael V. Davalos, Hadi Shafiee, Michael Benjamin Sano, John L. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 11506629
    Abstract: An apparatus and method wherein the apparatus includes a channel; at least one pair of electrodes provided within sides of the channel; an electrolyte configured to move through the channel such that when the electrolyte is positioned between the at least one pair of electrodes the electrolyte provides a current path between the at least one pair of electrodes; and wherein the at least one pair of electrodes are configured such that movement of the electrolyte through the channel enables a time varying voltage to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Darryl Cotton, Adam Robinson, Di Wei
  • Patent number: 11478178
    Abstract: This document describes a conformable substrate that includes a hydrogel having adhesion-promoting moieties, said adhesion-promoting moieties comprising one or more catechol groups. The conformable substrate includes an array of microelectrodes bonded to the hydrogel by the adhesion-promoting moieties via the one or more catechol groups. This document also describes a method for transfer printing of an electronic structure to a hydrogel. The method includes the steps of coating a donor substrate with a film of polyacrylic acid, crosslinking the film of polyacrylic acid in a solution comprising divalent ions, patterning a microelectrode array onto the crosslinked film of polyacrylic acid, laminating an adhesive hydrogel substrate onto the donor substrate coated by the crosslinked film of polyacrylic acid comprising the patterned microelectrode array, and separating the crosslinked film of polyacrylic acid from the donor substrate in a monovalent solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Christopher J. Bettinger, Haosheng Wu, Congcong Zhu
  • Patent number: 11474067
    Abstract: A method of using a graphite electrode to measure a concentration of glucose or methionine from a biological sample is described. A mechanical pencil lead may be used, as the graphite electrode, and the biological sample may come from a patient's serum. The glucose or methionine may produce a peak current response within a range of 0.4-0.8 V when the sample is subjected to linear scan voltammetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Abdel-Nasser M. Kawde, Nurudeen Adewale Odewunmi