Patents Examined by Michael A Marcheschi
  • Patent number: 8480976
    Abstract: A receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers arranged to permit multiple process steps or processes to be performed independently or simultaneously. The receptacles are manufactured to separate liquid from dried reagents and to maintain the stability of the dried reagents. An immiscible liquid, such as an oil, is included to control loading of process materials, facilitate mixing and reconstitution of dried reagents, limit evaporation, control heating of reaction materials, concentrate solid support materials to prevent clogging of fluid connections, provide minimum volumes for fluid transfers, and to prevent process materials from sticking to chamber surfaces. The receptacles can be adapted for use in systems having a processing instrument that includes an actuator system for selectively moving fluid substances between chambers and a detector. The actuator system can be arranged to concentrate an analyte present in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Gen-Probe Incorporated, Qualigen, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott S. Breidenthal, Sara H. Fan, Richard S. Lee, Norman C. Nelson, Matthew J. Scott, Jason A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8476064
    Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure is a method and device for the detection of antibiotics in a sample. Embodiments include a microbial culture with growth indicators and sensitivity adjustment reagents. Adjustment reagents include a variety of antibiotic binders that can be added to microbial culture to reduce sensitivity to certain antibiotics. Some embodiments include multiple buffers with a variety of pKa ranges. Some embodiments also include a complete self-contained apparatus for sampling and testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Charm Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Salter, Steven J. Saul, Martin T. Rossi
  • Patent number: 8469871
    Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nash, William T. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8470590
    Abstract: A multiwell plate device is provided having a frame, a substantially flat substrate and a multiwell structure supported by the substrate. The multiwell structure includes multiple bottomless wells formed therein. The substrate is supported by the frame and may be processed by an automated arrayer or instrument that is used to print or spot arrays in a pattern on a reaction surface of the substrate. Thereafter, the multiwell structure may be engaged with the substrate and the multiwell structure and substrate may be engaged with the frame in an upright orientation. For scanning or other analysis, the multiwell structure and substrate may be disengaged from the frame, inverted 180°, and then reengaged with the frame in the inverted orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Erie Scientific Company
    Inventors: Chris Adrien, John C. Bart, James Clements, David Moore, Bryce P. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8466096
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a non-acidic, sulfur-containing, phosphorus-containing compound of the formula I where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are as defined herein. Such a compound may exhibit improved antiwear performance and thermal stability in lubricating compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Afton Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: John Marshall Baker, Naresh Mathur, Roger M. Sheets, David J. DeGonia
  • Patent number: 8454904
    Abstract: A biosensor container comprising a housing defining an internal glucose test strip compartment. The housing has an engagement portion for retaining a detachable means for storing data, and the means for storing data has data stored thereon specific to a batch of glucose test strips. At least one of the housing and the means for storing data includes at least one data reading element that is externally accessible when the means for storing data is retained by the engagement portion of the housing. The container includes various fail safe features to prevent mishandling and insure the user obtains the correct results. The housing includes means for connecting to the bG meter only when the means for storing data is retained by the housing. The housing further includes means for dispensing glucose test strips only when the housing is in either of an attached-to meter mode or a stand-alone mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Surridge, Abner Joseph, Frank Chan, Martin Gerber, Matt Sauers
  • Patent number: 8454224
    Abstract: A fomite tumbler and method of transferring an agent from a source object to one or more fomites is provided. The tumbler provides reproducible and adjustable experimental determination of agent transfer between objects such as during handling. The inventions provide a unique mechanism for studying the transfer of a biological agent through a public use system such as the United States Postal System.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Warren L. Gardner, Jerold R. Bottiger, William R. Sayers, Leslie I. Williams
  • Patent number: 8449630
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of amines and/or Mannich adducts as detergents and/or dispersants in fuel and lubricant compositions for direct-injection gasoline engines. The invention further relates to fuel and lubricant compositions which comprise at least one such Mannich adduct, and also a bisaminoalkylated Mannich adduct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Arno Lange, Hans Peter Rath, Marc Walter, Marco Bergemann, Helmut Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8449828
    Abstract: A chemical cartridge for a blower-type chemical diffusing apparatus includes a chemical-impregnated body including an air-permeable and liquid-absorptive sheet impregnated with a chemical, and a retainer receptacle for containing the chemical-impregnated body. The retainer receptacle includes a liquid pool recess formed at a central area thereof such that liquid chemical stored in the liquid pool recess is permeable towards a peripheral area of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Fumakilla Limited
    Inventors: Kazunori Yamamoto, Shinya Kawamura, Satoshi Yamasaki, Yasuharu Takei, Takao Jo
  • Patent number: 8450105
    Abstract: A process for making a gel comprising combining a silanol species comprising at least two silanol groups per molecule and a hydrophilic hydroxyl species comprising at least two hydroxyl groups per molecule. The gel is capable of being converted to a liquid by application of a mechanical shear force and the liquid is capable of being converted to the gel in the absence of the mechanical shear force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Jackie Y. Ying, Shona Pek, Andrew C A Wan
  • Patent number: 8444926
    Abstract: A heater liner assembly suitable for covering the interior of a plasma processing chamber is provided. In some embodiments, a liner assembly for a processing chamber can include a heating element embedded in a body. A flange extending outward from an outer diameter of the body includes an upper surface having a sealing surface and at least one pad that extends from the upper surface of the flange to an elevation beyond the sealing surface. The pad contributes to control of the temperature of the liner assembly by maintaining the liner assembly spaced apart from the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Fodor, Sophia M. Velastegui, Bok Hoen Kim, Dale R. DuBois
  • Patent number: 8445263
    Abstract: A leakage current on a side surface of a sensor chip of a cell electrophysiological sensor is reduced. In order to do so, a sensor chip having a continuity hole and a chip holding part covering the side surface of the sensor chip are provided. The sensor chip includes silicon as a main component, and the chip holding part is made of glass. The chip holding part is adhesively bonded to the side surface of the sensor chip by glass welding. Thus, in the cell electrophysiological sensor device of the present invention, the airtightness between the side surface of the sensor chip and the chip holding part is improved, so that a leakage current can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ushio, Masaya Nakatani, Soichiro Hiraoka, Akiyoshi Oshima, Makoto Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8445258
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for recycling municipal domestic waste comprises subjecting the waste to steam at 150° C.-200° C. at above atmospheric pressure but less than twice atmospheric pressure, After steam treatment, the resultant material is separated into constituent parts and biomass and/or plastics subjected to further treatment: The further treatment preferably produces bioethanol from the biomass and diesel from the plastics. As an alternative, some or all of the biomass may be gasified in order to produce hydrogen which may, in turn be fed to a fuel cell to produce an electrical output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: VWP Waste Processing Limited
    Inventor: Philip Hall
  • Patent number: 8444929
    Abstract: An adjustable device for delivering chemical solutions into a liquid flow, where a saturated chemical solution is created by dissolving solid chemical contained within a chemical dispensing chamber, the device retained within a housing connected into a fluid flow line such that liquid for treatment flows therethrough. The device allows for adjustment or control of the amount of liquid flow into the dispensing chamber, the amount of saturated chemical solution drawn from the dispensing chamber by the main liquid flow, and the amount of main liquid flow through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: John B. Brandreth, III
  • Patent number: 8445259
    Abstract: An enhanced apparatus and a method for treating organic sludge is constructed such that the sludge is first dewatered with a first dewatering device; the dewatered sludge is passed through a thermal hydrolysis reactor to hydrolyze polymers contained in the dewatered sludge, the hydrolyzed sludge is passed through a digester to digest the hydrolyzed sludge anaerobically, the digested sludge is passed through a second dewatering device to dewater the anaerobically digested sludge to form dewatered cake, solution generated in dewatering with the second dewatering device is passed through a crystallization reactor to crystallize and the remove phosphorus and nitrogen in the solution, and the dewatered cake by the second dewatering device is passed through an incineration or high temperature melt processing apparatus to incinerate or melt the dewatered cake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Seok-woong Kang
  • Patent number: 8420384
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus comprised of devices for simple, fast and cost-effective storage and plating of solid nutrient medium (SNM) for various uses in the field of microbiological analysis. The devices consist of a container which can be aseptically filled with SNM and equipped with a plunger to accurately press out needed amounts of the SNM; a cutting means to cut, hold and transfer SNM; a measuring means to measure the amount of SNM exiting the container; and a growth plate for storage of SNM, growth of microorganisms on SNM, and introduction of indicator substances to SNM for analysis of microorganisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Nanologix, Inc.
    Inventor: Sergey V. Gazenko
  • Patent number: 8409855
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the producing feeds/fertilizers containing died and fermented animal and plant residues. The apparatus includes a fermentation tank, an unobstructed circulation duct connected to the fermentation tank and a blower directly connected to the circulation duct wherein blower supplies air for advancing the residues up the circulation duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hokkaido Tokushushiryou Kabushikikaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Onose
  • Patent number: 8409331
    Abstract: The invention relates to auxiliary systems ensuring functioning of alkaline fuel cell (AFC), in particular to a method and device for sorptive purification of air used in an AFC of carbon dioxide. In accordance with the invention, in the method for purifying air for a fuel cell, the starting air is passed through an adsorber with an adsorbent of carbon dioxide, then the adsorbent is regenerated. After utilization the adsorbent comprising hydrated oxides of transition metals is regenerated at a temperature of 60-120° C. by the air spent in the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Obschestvo S Ogranichennoi Otvetstvennostiyu “Intensis”
    Inventors: Ziya Ramizovich Karichev, Dmitry Alexandrovich Blatov, Stanislav Iliich Simanenkov, Valentina Nikolaevna Shubina
  • Patent number: 8409850
    Abstract: A microorganism testing device includes a measurement chip having a specimen container; a reaction container for mixing a specimen and a dyeing reagent; a bacteria detection portion irradiated with excitation light; a detection liquid waste container a solution flow path which connects the specimen container, the reaction container and the bacteria detection portion, and ventilation ports which are connected to the specimen container, the reaction container and the detection liquid waste container, through a air flow path and is connected to a chip connecting tube. Bacteria are detected in the bacteria detection portion by switching of the states of the containers between a sealed state and a state open to the atmospheric pressure, by moving the specimen to the reaction container to mix and stir the specimen and the dyeing reagent, and by moving of the liquid mixture to the detection liquid waste container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Engineering & Services Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Takenaka, Yasuhiko Sasaki, Ryo Miyake
  • Patent number: 8377687
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for harvesting algae in continuous fermentation. There is a harvester including a main moving belt, a plurality of rollers, and a motor for driving the main motor belt. There is a reactor tank and a vacuum extractor for applying a vacuum over a width of the main moving belt to extract biomass and to dry the main moving belt. The main moving belt has one end in the reactor tanks and another end extended into the vacuum extractor. The algae contained in the reactor tank is collected for further processing, including oil extraction. With algae harvested in the large-scale manner of the present invention, a more efficient oil extraction method can be used because of the concentration, temperature, and pressure can be more easily controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Missing Link Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Samuel L. Shepherd