Patents Examined by Michelle Adams
  • Patent number: 9182384
    Abstract: An analyzing device configured to separate a solution component 18a in a separating cavity 23, which is connected to a measuring cavity through a connecting channel 37 and a measurement channel 38. A first capillary cavity 33 is provided on one side of the separating cavity 23 so as to communicate with the connecting channel 37. The first capillary cavity 33 is formed to extend to the outside of a separation interface 18c of a sample liquid separated in the separating cavity 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Saiki, Kouzou Tagashira, Hirofumi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9176155
    Abstract: A sample processing apparatus includes a sample processing unit for obtaining a sample from a sample container and performing a predetermined process of the sample; a transport unit which includes a transport region for transporting, in a transport operation, a sample rack holding the sample container to the sample processing unit, and a rack removal region where the sample rack is accessible to an operator. A restraining member is also provided, which restrains contact by the operator to the sample rack on the transport region. A transport controller controls the transport unit to transport the sample rack on the transport region to the rack removal region after a predetermined transport suspension event occurs during the transport operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Yamato, Hiroshi Kurono
  • Patent number: 9170251
    Abstract: An instrument configured to determine the concentration of at least one analyte in a fluid is disclosed. The instrument comprises a display, a user-interface mechanism, and a body portion. The body portion houses a test-sensor cartridge and includes an opening configured to receive a test sensor from the test-sensor cartridge. The body portion further includes an indexer and an excise mechanism positioned within the body portion. The indexer includes an indexer face, a retention pin, a flexible pawl, and a user-accessible tab. The indexer is configured to rotate about the retention pin, which extends through a first aperture in the indexer face. The excise mechanism includes a push rod configured to extend through a second aperture in the indexer face and a bar coupled with and generally parallel to the push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare, LLC
    Inventors: Allen J. Brenneman, Huan-Ping Wu
  • Patent number: 9157924
    Abstract: A specimen analyzing apparatus for measuring a specimen by using a reagent which has a dispensing mechanism which includes a dispensing tube for suctioning and discharging liquid; a reagent container holder from which a reagent container is removable when the reagent container is in a container removal area; a receiving section for receiving a replacement command for a replacement of the reagent; and a controller for controlling the dispensing mechanism so as to retreat the dispensing tube from the container removal area when the replacement command has been received by the receiving section. Also, a control method for a specimen analyzing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Yamato, Hiroshi Kurono
  • Patent number: 9134286
    Abstract: An analyzing device including a capillary cavity and an inlet protruding circumferentially outward from an axial center. The capillary cavity and the inlet are connected by a guide section formed so as to extend circumferentially inward and on which a capillary force acts. A sample liquid collected from a leading end of the inlet is transferred to a separation cavity. A bent section and a recess are formed at a connected section of the guide section and the capillary cavity so as to change the direction of a passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Saiki, Kouzou Tagashira
  • Patent number: 9134238
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the amount of various materials in a liquid sample. Because the apparatus is particularly resilient it can be used repeatedly with very harsh liquid samples such as boot water from an oil refinery. The apparatus uses at least one volume and/or concentration independent optical analysis method to determine at least one of: the pH, amount of chloride, and/or amount of iron in the sample. The optical property can be colorimetric, fluorescent or both and result from adding dyes, complexing agents, turbidity inducing compounds, and other optically effecting reagents to the sample. Because the measurements are concentration and volume independent they can be done continuously, quickly, and avoid the inconvenient start and stop procedures in prior art measurement regimens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Rodney H. Banks, Steven R. Ciota, Sascha J. Welz
  • Patent number: 9095547
    Abstract: Glatiramer acetate containing compositions and drug products can be manufactured using methods that include a step of measuring one or both of the alpha helical content of the glatiramer acetate and the random coil content of the glatiramer acetate. These measurements can be compared to particular values or ranges for one or both of alpha helical and random coil content. The results of the comparison can be used in determining whether a given batch of glatiramer acetate should be used to manufacture a glatiramer acetate-containing drug product. The measurement of alpha helical content of the glatiramer acetate and the random coil content can be carried out using various methods, including circular dichroism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramamurthi Sridharan
  • Patent number: 9086370
    Abstract: Methods and devices for signal amplification and/or analyzing a chemical analyte using an electrochemical cell containing colloidal suspension of conductive or redox active nanoparticles in a liquid sample are provided. The liquid sample includes a plurality of electrogenerated chemiluminescent (ECL) moieties and one or more chemical analytes. The colloidal suspension of nanoparticles in the liquid sample are in contact with one or more electrodes of the electrochemical cell. The methods and devices may also employ an optical detection system, which is capable of measuring one or more transient optical properties resulting from redox reactions of the ECL moieties catalyzed by interaction of the nanoparticles with one of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Fu-Ren F. Fan, Allen J. Bard, Xiaoying Xiao
  • Patent number: 9087626
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to pastes and methods of making a moisture determination of the paste during manufacture; optionally, the pastes comprise carbon nanotubes. The instant invention provides a simple and repeatable measurement protocol to determine the moisture or water content in paste comprising a non-aqueous solvent and a solid component, optionally, carbon nanotubes, CNT, and subsequently provide a method to monitor and control moisture level during electrode preparation and battery manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: CNANO TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Caihong Xing, Yunwang Mei, Yan Zhang, Haimei Zang, Gang Xu, Jun Ma
  • Patent number: 9028758
    Abstract: Apparatus for detecting substances in an air sample, the apparatus including: a source of air pressure differential; a cyclone connected to the source of air pressure differential; an air input port connected to the cyclone, to receive the air sample; a substance output port connected to the cyclone, to receive the substances; an input port configured to disperse a finely separated material so that it mixes with said sample; and a detector located at the substance output port, to detect a chemical change in at least one of the substances and the finely separated material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Explodet Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Keinan, Yevgeny Miroshnichenko, Mark Paradny
  • Patent number: 9029163
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a plurality of denaturation curves is disclosed. In accordance with certain embodiments, one variable, such as salt content, pH or another parameter, is varied to create a plurality of different buffer solutions. Each is then used to create a denaturation graph. The plurality of denaturation graphs allows analysis of the effect of that variable on protein stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Avia Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Brown, Burleigh Hutchins, Ernesto Freire
  • Patent number: 9029473
    Abstract: Disclosed are polyvalent macromolecules, compositions comprising the macromolecules, and methods of use. The polyvalent macromolecules have a polymer backbone and pendent groups attached to the polymer backbone. Some or all of the pendent groups have optionally a linker, a surface-seeking group capable of binding strongly to a metal surface, and a spectroscopically detectable chromophore detectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: University of Strathclyde
    Inventors: Peter Cormack, Duncan Graham, Aaron Hernandez-Santana, Arun Prasath Ramaswamy, William Ewen Smith
  • Patent number: 9023652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to detectors for detecting fluorine-containing compounds and/or cyanide containing compounds, including hydrogen fluoride (HF) or HCN gas, hydrofluoric acid in solution, selected chemical warfare agents, selected industrial chemicals which may be hydrolyzed to release HF or HCN gas, compounds containing a cyanide group, and compounds that can release HF or HCN. The detectors comprise i) an organometallic component containing at least one bis-substituted boryl group of the formula —B(RB)(RB?) wherein each RB and each RB? is independently selected from H, halogen, C1-6 alkyl, OR6, N(R6)(R7), SR6, C3-20 aryl or heteroaryl, and C3-20 cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl groups, each of which may be optionally substituted, ii) a Lewis base component, and iii) a solid matrix component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: University College Cardiff Consultants Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Aldridge, Ian A. Fallis
  • Patent number: 9023656
    Abstract: A mass label for labelling and detecting a biological molecule by mass spectroscopy, which label comprises the following structure: X-L-M wherein X is a mass marker moiety comprising the following group: formula (I), wherein the cyclic unit is aromatic or aliphatic and comprises from 0-3 double bonds independently between any two adjacent atoms; each Z is independently N, N(R1), C(R1), CO, CO(R1), C(R1)2, O or S; X is N, C or C(R1); each R1 is independently H, a substituted or unsubstituted straight or branched C1-C6 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic cyclic group, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; and y is an integer from 0-10, L is a cleavable linker comprising an amide bond and M is a mass normalization moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Electrophoretics Limited
    Inventors: Christian Hamon, Josef Schwarz, Wolfgang Becker, Stefan Kienle, Karsten Kuhn, Juergen Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9005524
    Abstract: The present invention provides a series of systems, devices, and methods relating to the determination of explosives, such as peroxides or peroxide precursors, and other species. Embodiments of the invention may allow a sample suspected of containing an explosive (e.g., a peroxide) or other species to interact with a reactant, wherein the sample may react and cause light emission from the reactant. Advantages of the present invention may include the simplification of devices for determination of peroxide-based explosives, wherein the devices are portable and, in some cases, disposable. Other advantages may include relative ease of fabrication and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nomadics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Deans, Aimee Rose, Kevin M. Bardon, Lawrence F. Hancock, Timothy M. Swager
  • Patent number: 8980641
    Abstract: A method of rapidly detecting trace materials including biohazards, toxins, radioactive materials, and narcotics in situ is disclosed. A corresponding apparatus is disclosed. A trace of the material is collected on a pad of the card component, collected by swiping the pad on suspected surface or exposure to the suspected air volume. A novel card component is disclosed that when inserted in a chemical detection unit (CDU), releases reaction chemicals from flexible walled capsules in desired sequence. The exposed pad containing trace material and chemicals are heated in the chemical detection unit to produce a spectral pattern that is analyzed by the optical electronics in the CDU and results are displayed, stored and/or transmitted over a communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Detectachem, LLC
    Inventors: Vaughan L. Clift, Kristin L. Harriman, Richard L. Pettys, David M. Headley, Tiffany M. Conerly
  • Patent number: 8975039
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for staining of one or more samples, including providing one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to be inserted into an auto-staining instrument; and enabling one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for the one or more samples as a function of a choice of self-contained sample processing receptacle, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to process each inserted sample of the one or more samples within the self-contained sample processing receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: SYFR, Inc.
    Inventors: Shazi Iqbal, Steven M. Montgomery, Ronald Chang, Gregory Mote, Douglas B Dority, Jeffrey S. Ross
  • Patent number: 8968660
    Abstract: A chemical analyzer analyzes a sample for a target chemical. The sample and reagent are added to a measurement cell until a detectable change is observed. A reference compound, which does not take part in the reaction between the target chemical and reagent, is added to the reagent. By measuring the concentration of the reference compound, the amount of reagent used may be determined. In one embodiment, a mechanism introduces the sample, adds reagent, mixes, cleans, and flushes the measurement cell, which incorporates a longitudinal chamber having inlets for the sample and reagent and an outlet for measured sample/reagent mixtures. A detector located in or adjacent to the chamber between the inlets and outlet and a piston movable in the chamber carries seals such that movement of a piston sequentially opens the inlets and expels the fluid. The analyzer also includes a device that delivers reagent to a measurement cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aqualysis Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Stephen Charles Davis, John David Petty, John Thomas Huberts
  • Patent number: 8956569
    Abstract: A sample testing system comprising: a transporting apparatus; a testing apparatus for obtain a sample and performing testing on the obtained sample; and a controller. The controller executes operation of: controlling the transporting apparatus so as to transport the sample rack in first direction, such that each sample container held in a sample rack is transported to a obtaining position on which the testing apparatus obtains a sample and then the sample rack is transported toward the second position; changing, when retesting of a sample contained in a sample container is necessary, the transporting direction from the first direction to second direction, and then controlling the transporting apparatus so as to transport the sample container accommodating the sample, for which retesting is necessary, to the obtaining position again. Sample testing method and a computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Hamada, Daigo Fukuma
  • Patent number: 8951804
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method of sample analysis. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: a) cross-linking protein of a cell using a first compound to produce a first cross-linked product comprising cross-linked protein, and RNA; b) contacting the first cross-linked product and a second compound under conditions by which an oligonucleotide portion of the second compound hybridizes to the RNA; c) activating a reaction the first and second compound, thereby covalently crosslinking the oligonucleotide to the cross-linked protein to produce a second cross-linked product; d) isolating the second cross-linked product using an affinity tag; and e) analyzing the isolated second cross-linked product. Compounds for performing the method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Phillip Smart, Robert A. Ach