Patents Examined by Matthew D Krcha
  • Waste disposal system
    Patent number: 11426737
    Abstract: A waste disposal system for the disposal of consumables through a waste chute into a waste container includes a waste chute having a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is situated outside the waste container and the second opening opens toward the waste container. The first opening and the second opening are arranged at a first distance from one another, wherein the waste chute includes a plurality of self-resetting lamellae for the partial or complete closure of the openings. The lamellae form at least two lamella annuli arranged at a second distance above one another, wherein at least one first lamella annulus closes the first opening and at least one second lamella annulus closes the second opening, and the second distance between the lamella annuli is at least one third, preferably at least half and particularly preferably at least three quarters of the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Kalbfell, Joachim Bernhard
  • Sensor array, apparatus for dispensing a vapor phase reactant to a reaction chamber and related methods
    Patent number: 11430674
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a vapor phase reactant to a reaction chamber is disclosed. The apparatus may include: a vessel having an inner volume configured to contain a liquid chemical; an array of sensors configured for detecting a fill level of the liquid chemical disposed within the inner volume, wherein the array of sensors are vertically distributed within the inner volume with an irregular vertical interval between adjacent sensors. The apparatus may also include: an inlet disposed in the vessel and configured for providing a carrier gas into the inner volume; and an outlet disposed in the vessel and configured for dispensing the vapor phase reactant from the inner volume to the reaction chamber. A sensor array for detecting the fill level of a liquid chemical is also disclosed, as well as methods for dispensing a vapor phase reactant to a reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Yoshio Susa
  • Flow cell having a reagent reservoir
    Patent number: 11426725
    Abstract: A flow cell having at least one reservoir region containing a liquid reagent. The reservoir region is delimited by a carrier element introduced into an opening in the flow cell together with the reagent, wherein the carrier element seals off the reservoir region from the outside in a fluid-tight manner, and has a vessel and/or capillary structure holding the liquid reagent on the carrier element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: THINXXS MICROTECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: Lutz Weber
  • Pipette for use with a pipette tip
    Patent number: 11426720
    Abstract: A pipette comprises a pipette housing comprising an upper end and a lower end, a nipple configured to contact and retain a pipette tip, a drive apparatus configured to aspirate a liquid specimen into the pipette tip and expel the liquid specimen from the pipette tip, and an ejection apparatus. The ejection apparatus comprises a curved support rotatably mounted within the pipette housing, an ejection rod, a first sensing element positioned on the ejection rod and configured to be guided on a first curve on a perimeter of the curved support, and an operating element coupled to the curved support and configured to rotate relative to the pipette housing. The ejection apparatus is configured to rotate the curved support out of a start position by rotating the operating element. The first curve displaces the first sensing element downward a the ejection rod moves the pipette tip off of the nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Florian Tesch
  • Integrated device with external light source for probing detecting and analyzing molecules
    Patent number: 11428635
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An integrated device includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits radiation; at least one element for directing the emission radiation in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission radiation travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the integrated device. Each sensor may detect emission radiation from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Quantum-Si Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Rothberg, Ali Kabiri, Jason W. Sickler, Brett J. Gyarfas, Jeremy Lackey, Gerard Schmid, Benjamin Cipriany, Jack Jewell, Lawrence C. West, Michael Ferrigno, Paul E. Glenn, Anthony Bellofiore
  • Compact testing device
    Patent number: 11420201
    Abstract: A lateral flow testing device includes a main body adapted to support an element for collecting a sample. The element is supported at a distal end of the testing device and is in fluid communication with one or more testing components having an analyte detection zone for detecting one or more analytes present in said sample. The testing components produce visual information related to said sample, thereby informing the user of the outcome of a test. The device incorporates a handle reconfigurable with respect to said main body such that in a first handle configuration, the handle hinders sight of the visual information to improve privacy of the test, and in a second handle configuration, the handle facilitates the collection of said sample by increasing a distance between a proximal end of the testing device and the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GMBH
    Inventors: Paul J. Laverack, James Gani
  • Cell capture apparatus
    Patent number: 11421198
    Abstract: A cell capture apparatus includes a cell separation unit having a flat plate shape and a cell capture unit having a flat plate shape located therebelow. A liquid sample and a carrier liquid flow in a cell-separation flow passage of the cell separation unit. The liquid sample contains multiple large cells, multiple small cells, and a sample liquid component. The cell-separation flow passage separates a set of large cells and the carrier liquid from a set of small cells and the sample liquid component. The cell capture unit includes a large-cell flow passage in which the set of large cells and the carrier liquid flows, and multiple electrode wires for attracting the large cells by means of dielectrophoresis. Multiple cell capturing wells are formed in the large-cell flow passage. Each of the multiple cell capturing wells has a size that can capture one of the large cells attracted by the electrode wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: NOK CORPORATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Takayuki Komori, SooHyeon Kim, Teruo Fujii
  • Variable spacing rack
    Patent number: 11420209
    Abstract: A variable spacing PCR amp tube rack can include a plurality of rotors and a plurality of carriages engaged with the rotors so that rotation of the rotors causes translation of the carriages with respect to one another. The rack can include a blade assembly that allows an operator to separate sets of coupled PCR amp tubes from one another. The rack can be designed to accommodate 0.1 ml PCR amp tubes and adjust their spacing from 4.5 mm to 9.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: BIOCONTROL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph Berry
  • Addition of alkaline materials to biotrickling filter or bio-filter make-up water
    Patent number: 11420161
    Abstract: A system for removing undesirable compounds from contaminated air includes a biofilter having an alkaline material introduction system and a fuzzy-logic based controller. A contaminant, such as hydrogen sulfide, is removed from contaminated air by passing the contaminated air through the biofilter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: James Vaughan Harshman
  • Sample measuring system and sample measuring method
    Patent number: 11400455
    Abstract: A sample measuring system to reduce waste generated in a plurality of measurement units to be discarded to a common disposal unit while suppressing interference between measurement units due to waste disposal is provided. The sample measuring system includes a first measurement unit and a second measurement unit for measuring a sample, and a common disposal unit for storing waste generated from the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit. The first measurement unit includes a first disposal port connected to the disposal unit for discharging the waste generated in the first measurement unit. The second measurement unit includes a second disposal port connected to the disposal unit for discharging the waste generated in the second measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Kotake, Kenji Yoshimura, Yuji Watanabe, Masaki Shiba
  • Pipetting method and pipetting device
    Patent number: 11400445
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling at least one of aspirating and of dispensing a liquid dose or of producing a liquid dose in a pipette or in receptacle, the method having the steps of first loading a first pipette with a first working medium at a first pressure having a first sign with respect to a reference pressure, thereby dispensing the liquid dose into the receptacle or aspirating the liquid dose into the first pipette, second loading a second pipette with a second working medium at a second pressure having a second sign with respect to the reference pressure, thereby dispensing the liquid dose into the receptacle or aspirating the liquid dose into the second pipette, discharging a pressure in the first working medium through a controlled valve arrangement to the reference pressure between first and second loadings. A pipetting device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventor: Noa Schmid
  • Device for taking a sample and sample analysis system comprising such a device
    Patent number: 11396011
    Abstract: A device for taking and optionally processing a sample, includes (i) a housing containing a porous matrix that can receive the sample, (ii) a stopper that can be connected to the housing in a tight manner and including a piston that ensures the tight closing of the housing, compressing the porous matrix or the sample, and (iii) a storage receptacle that can be connected to the housing, can receive the sample that has passed through the porous matrix, and includes at least one conduit connecting the inside of the receptacle to the outside, once the porous matrix or the sample is compressed. The device also includes a seal between the stopper and the storage receptacle. The stopper closes the storage receptacle in a tight manner when the stopper and the storage receptacle are connected to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventor: Herve Volland
  • Adjustable lancet and test cartridge for automated medical sample collection and testing
    Patent number: 11389097
    Abstract: A test cartridge includes an adjustable lancet. The adjustable lancet is controlled by a controller. The adjustable lancet automatically detects a subject's finger, adjusts the lancet's height, pricks the finger to draw blood, moves a tube to collect the blood, moves the tube away from the finger, and empties the blood from the tube into a vial or receptacle. The adjustable lancet may include safety features to prevent the lancet to trigger when the subject's fingernail is facing the lancet, to control the amount that the lancet pierces the subject's finger, and/or to prevent the reuse of a test cartridge for multiple persons or multiple times by the same person. The adjustable lancet may include a massager wheel and/or a pressure bar to rub the subject's finger after the finger is pierced to facilitate drawing of the blood from the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: 2Pi-Sigma Corp.
    Inventor: Mehdi Hatamian
  • Monolithic carrier structure including fluid routing for digital dispensing
    Patent number: 11383230
    Abstract: A digital dispense apparatus includes at least one fluid dispense device, at least one reservoir fluidically connected to the at least one fluid dispense device, a monolithic carrier structure carrying the at least one fluid dispense device and reservoir, the monolithic carrier forming fluid routing between the reservoir and the fluid dispense device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Nielsen, Michael W. Cumbie, Devin Alexander Mourey, Silam J. Choy, Kenneth Ward, Christie Dudenhoefer
  • Sample testing device, sample analyzer and sample testing method
    Patent number: 11383232
    Abstract: A sample testing device, a sample testing method, and a sample analyze are provided. The sample testing device includes a pipeline assembly, a testing assembly, and a reaction assembly. The pipeline assembly includes a first pipeline and a second pipeline. The testing assembly includes a sample needle which includes a first connection point. The reaction assembly includes a first reaction cell group connected to a second connection point of the first pipeline and a second reaction cell group which communicates with the second pipeline, and the reaction assembly is configured to treat a biological sample to prepare a test liquid. A test liquid in the first reaction cell group flows to the first connection point via the second connection point of the first pipeline, and a test liquid in the second reaction cell group flows to the first connection point via the second pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO-MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yinming Liu, Jin Teng, Huilin Shi
  • Diagnostic system for hemoglobin analysis
    Patent number: 11376590
    Abstract: A diagnostic system detects and/or measures hemoglobin variants in blood of subject, such as HbA1c, to determine blood glucose concentration in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Umut Gurkan, Arwa Fraiwan, Peter Galen
  • Fabrication of paper-based microfluidic devices
    Patent number: 11376582
    Abstract: Fabricating a fluid testing device includes receiving a substrate, and applying a pattern of hydrophobic material to the substrate. The substrate is positioned between layers of a thermally reflective material. Heat and pressure is applied to the substrate and thermally reflective material to reflow the pattern of hydrophobic material. A protective coating is applied over a portion of the substrate to form the fluid testing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jaione Tirapu Azpiroz, Matheus Esteves Ferreira, Ademir Ferreira da Silva, Ricardo Luis Ohta, Mathias Steiner
  • Methods and systems comprising modified pipettes for transferring and preserving biomaterial
    Patent number: 11376580
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to pipette tips, systems thereof, and methods of their use. In one embodiment, a pipette (100) includes a tip (101) with a defined opening (102) for a biological and/or chemical sample, and a securing structure (103) extending from the end of the tip (101) and in communication with the opening (102), the securing structure (103) having at least one mechanical securing member (104) that is configured to secure the biological and/or chemical sample at the tip (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Lawrence Vernetti, John A. Holmes
  • Droplet digital PCR chip
    Patent number: 11376595
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a droplet digital PCR chip. The droplet digital PCR chip includes at least one chip unit, each chip unit includes a chip body formed by bonding a top piece and a bottom piece, the chip body is internally provided with an inlet chamber, a droplet storage chamber, and an injection hole. The injection hole connects with the inlet chamber, a plurality of droplet generating channels are disposed between the inlet chamber and the droplet storage chamber, a height of the droplet generating channel is smaller than a height of the droplet storage chamber, an injection fluid is injected into the inlet chamber through the injection hole, and the injection fluid is emulsified and enters the droplet storage chamber at a junction of the droplet generating channels and the droplet storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Pilot Gene Technologies (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian Shi, Shuanghong Xiang, Xiaohui Song
  • Cartridge for nucleic acid detection
    Patent number: 11376598
    Abstract: A cartridge 100 for nucleic acid detection is provided with: a first member 110 having multiple nucleic acid extraction wells; a second member 120 having a nucleic acid amplification and determination well for amplification of a nucleic acid and detection of the amplified nucleic acid; and multiple reagent containers 130. The multiple reagent containers 130 are fixed between the first member 110 and the second member 120.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL BIO RESEARCH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima