Patents Examined by Nathan Bowers
  • Patent number: 11549088
    Abstract: A waste treatment, pyrolysis and gasification and concerns an apparatus for syngas bio-methanation include a unit for pyrolysis/gasification receiving organic material, the unit for pyrolysis/gasification generating syngas, comprising at least one membrane reactor inside a liquid bath comprising at least one bacteria population, the membrane reactor comprising at least one hollow fiber in contact with the liquid bath, around which a biofilm is formed and into which the syngas from the unit for pyrolysis/gasification flows, so as to convert the syngas into methane. A method for bio-methanation of syngas comprising a step of providing syngas from a unit for pyrolysis/gasification to a membrane reactor inside a liquid bath comprising at least one suitable bacteria population, the membrane reactor comprising at least one hollow fiber in contact with the liquid bath, around which a biofilm is formed and into which the output syngas of the unit for pyrolysis flows, so as to convert the syngas into methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SUEZ INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Patricia Camacho, Mathieu Haddad
  • Patent number: 11549093
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a light source, a filling portion, and a detector. The light source emits illumination light. The filling portion includes a first surface portion and a second surface portion which are provided on an optical path of the illumination light and are opposite to each other, the filling portion enabling a cavity between the first and second surface portions to be filled with liquid including a cell. The detector detects an interference fringe of the illumination light passing through the cavity, the interference fringe being caused by the liquid including the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Tatsuta, Takeshi Kunihiro, Kazuhiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11530379
    Abstract: Inoculating systems/devices, methods for inoculating a target, and coating methods are disclosed. An example inoculating system may include an inoculating member having a transfer region and a handle region. A pre-determined quantity of viable microorganisms may be disposed on the transfer region. The inoculating member may be configured to transfer the pre-determined quantity of viable microorganisms to a target during an inoculation operation without having to rehydrate the pre-determined quantity of viable microorganisms prior to the inoculating operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: STRATIX LABS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua Erickson, Mark Mulvahill, Maya Burroughs
  • Patent number: 11531031
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: MILTENYI BIOTEC GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Miltenyi, Winfried Schimmelpfennig, Holger Lantow, Niklas Elmar Neuschaefer, Martin Biehl, Eiad Kabaha, Juergen Schulz
  • Patent number: 11505777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological (eg cell) processing assembly comprising an aseptic chamber with apertures adapted for gloves to fit and an incubation chamber connectable to aseptic chamber with transfer hatches, doors secured by multi-walls and inflatable seals, stepped collars for tight closure of doors and closed interaction between the chambers. From the aseptic chamber it can be reached through into incubation chamber. There is a docking spigot on outlet wall to interact with stepped collar to define transfer port between the chambers and a disinfectant delivery device to disinfect transfer port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: EXTRACT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: David Straw, Matthew James Pridden, Daryl Lister, Richard Michael Auty, Stephen Mark Carpmail, Daniel James Ferguson, Paul Nigel Hudson
  • Patent number: 11499977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: MILTENYI BIOTEC B.V. & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Miltenyi, Winfried Schimmelpfennig, Holger Lantow, Niklas Elmar Neuschaefer, Martin Biehl, Eiad Kabaha, Juergen Schulz
  • Patent number: 11499126
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the insertion of a pre-sterilized sensor probe into a sterile vessel. The system of the invention provides a reliable and straightforward way to insert one or more sterile probes into a sterile vessel. The present invention also provides a sterile vessel that includes one or more of the systems of the invention. The sterile vessel can be a flexible or semi-rigid bag or tubing of the type typically used for carrying out biochemical and/or biological processes and/or manipulating liquids and other products of such processes. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for aseptically inserting a probe into a sterile vessel where the method makes use of the system of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions USA LLC
    Inventors: Vincent Francis Pizzi, Jeffrey Carter, Ralph Stankowski
  • Patent number: 11499976
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system, comprising: a) a sample processing unit, comprising an input port and an output port coupled to a rotating container having at least one sample chamber, the sample processing unit configured provide a first processing step to a sample or to rotate the container so as to apply a centrifugal force to a sample deposited in the chamber and separate at least a first component and a second component of the deposited sample; and b) a sample separation unit coupled to the output port of the sample processing unit, the cell separation unit comprising separation column holder (42), a pump (64) and a plurality of valves (1-11) configured to at least partially control fluid flow through a fluid circuitry and a separation column (40) positioned in the holder, the separation column configured to separate labeled and unlabeled components of sample flowed through the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: MILTENYI BIOTEC B.V. & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Miltenyi, Winfried Schimmelpfennig, Holger Lantow, Niklas Elmar Neuschaefer, Martin Biehl, Eiad Kabaha, Juergen Schulz
  • Patent number: 11492582
    Abstract: A bag assembly for use with a heat exchanger includes a flexible bag having of one or more sheets of polymeric material, the bag having a first end that bounds a first compartment and an opposing second end that bounds a second compartment, a support structure being disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment so that the first compartment is separated and isolated from the second compartment. A first inlet port, a first outlet port, and a first drain port are coupled with the flexible bag so as to communicate with the first compartment. A second inlet port, a second outlet port, and a second drain port are coupled with the flexible bag so as to communicate with the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Clinton C. Staheli, Nephi D. Jones, Michael E. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 11492609
    Abstract: A well for electrically stimulating at least one cell. The well includes a bottom portion and comprises an adaptive electrode arrangement for introducing an electric field into the well. The adaptive electrode arrangement includes a pair of electrodes disposed within the well. Each electrode of the pair of electrodes has a distal end and is independently and axially displaceable relative to the other electrode and the bottom portion of the well. The distal end of each electrode of the pair of electrodes is in contact with the bottom portion of the well, ensuring a uniform and constant electric field is applied within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: AMGEN INC.
    Inventors: Chuck Z. Li, Brandon Zachary Sarich, Phillip Ng
  • Patent number: 11492580
    Abstract: Described herein is a beads-free bioprocessor as an automated and cost-effective T cell processing and manufacturing platform. T cells are a core component in CAR T cell therapies for cancer treatment, but are difficult to manufacture to scale in clinically relevant quantities. The 3D bioprocessor provides an alternative device that is scalable, beads-free, easy-to-use, and cost-effective for using CAR T cell therapy in cancer immunotherapy. Besides CAR T cell application, this platform technology has potential for many other applications such as cancer cell isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: Southwest Research Institute, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Jian Ling, Kreg A. Zimmern, Michael C. Milone
  • Patent number: 11485947
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hollow fiber filter arrangement and a bioreactor system comprising such a hollow fiber filter arrangement. The hollow fiber filter arrangement comprising: an inlet for receiving a sample to be filtered in the hollow fiber filter arrangement; an outlet for delivering of the filtered sample out from the hollow fiber filter arrangement; a bundle of elongate hollow fibers connected at a first end to the inlet and connected at an opposite second end to the outlet; and an outer housing enclosing the bundle, wherein a filtrate/waste collection space is provided between the outer housing and the at least one elongated hollow fiber, and wherein the outer housing is made from a flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions USA LLC
    Inventor: Yasser Ali
  • Patent number: 11485950
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cell stimulation device capable of uniformly electrically stimulating cells intended to be electrically stimulated, and of preventing medium components from decomposing and depositing. [Solution] The cell stimulation device according to the present invention is intended to stimulate the cells being cultured in a culture medium, and is characterized in that the cell stimulation device includes an electron emission element for feeding electric charges to the culture medium via a gas phase, and an electric charge collecting electrode for collecting the electric charges from the culture medium, the electron emission element includes a lower electrode, a surface electrode, and an intermediate layer disposed between the lower electrode and the surface electrode, and the electric charge collecting electrode is disposed so as to be contactable with the culture medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hirakawa, Haruo Yamamoto, Tadashi Iwamatsu, Yasuhiro Sakamoto, Hiroyuki Yamaji, Kohji Shinkawa, Mai Takasaki, Shohei Komaru, Fumiaki Sugimori
  • Patent number: 11466240
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of producing uniformly sized organoids/multicellular spheroids using a microfluidic device having an array of microwells. The method involves several successive steps. First, a microfluidic device containing parallel rows of microwells that are connected with a supplying channel is filled with a wetting agent. The wetting agent is a liquid that is immiscible in water. For example, the wetting agent may be an organic liquid such as oil. In the next step, the agent in the supplying channel and the microwells is replaced with a suspension of cells in an aqueous solution that contains a precursor for a hydrogel. Next, the aqueous phase in the supplying channel is replaced with the agent, which leads to the formation of an array of droplets of cell suspension in the hydrogel precursor solution, which were compartmentalized in the wells. The droplets are then transformed into cell-laden hydrogels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
    Inventors: Eugenia Kumacheva, Elisabeth Prince
  • Patent number: 11453010
    Abstract: In an apparatus and process described, an organic fraction of solid waste is separated from light contaminants such as plastics and heavy contaminants such as grit. The organic fraction is subsequently processed by anaerobic digestion, which converts volatile solids to gas. In a first stage of the process, the waste is processed through a separator such as a vertical mill, which removes light fraction contamination, reduces organics particle size and dilutes the waste to thereby produce a slurry. In a second stage of the process, the slurry passes through a grit removal system, which removes heavy and settleable material, for example by way of a hydrocyclone. The light and heavy fraction contaminants are not carried through to the digestion process. The particle size of the organics is also reduced to facilitate digestion and the slurry has a dry solids concentration suitable for anaerobic digestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Theodoulou, Youngseck Hong, Nick Braithwaite, Marion De Backer
  • Patent number: 11447766
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an apparatus for immobilizing a microbial cell, the apparatus including: a mixing tank in which a cell-carrier-containing mixed solution is accommodated; a nozzle part through which the cell-carrier-containing mixed solution is injected from the mixing tank and is discharged to the outside; and a reaction tank in which a cell immobilized bead is formed by contact between the cell-carrier-containing mixed solution discharged from the nozzle part and an aqueous curing agent solution. In the apparatus for immobilizing a microbial cell according to the present disclosure, since the cell-carrier-containing mixed solution is injected through an air spraying nozzle, even when an immobilized carrier solution having a high viscosity is used, a microbial cell immobilized bead having a small size and having a spherical shape, or an almost spherical shape may be mass-produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: DAESANG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Baek Joong Kim, Tae Gun Kim, Min Su Kim, Tae Yong Kim, Eun Bum Song
  • Patent number: 11445723
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preserving corneal endothelial cells at a high cell survival rate. The present disclosure provides a method of preserving corneal endothelial cells and/or corneal endothelium-like cells, comprising preserving the corneal endothelial cells and corneal endothelium-like cells in a container with a bottom area of at least about 0.7 cm2. Accordingly to the present invention, corneal endothelial cells can be preserved at a high cell survival rate. Corneal endothelial cells preserved in this manner have functions of normal corneal endothelial cells. Such cells can also be used as cells for treating a corneal endothelial disease or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: The Doshisha
    Inventors: Noriko Koizumi, Naoki Okumura
  • Patent number: 11446660
    Abstract: An organism evaluation system for analyzing organisms within a fluid flow, comprising one or more of a stimulation section comprising a means for inducing a motive response in a living organism within the fluid flow passing through the stimulation section and a shepherding section comprising a means for separating such an organism from the fluid flow, a flow normalizing section in fluid communication with the stimulation section and/or shepherding section, and a viewing section in fluid communication with the flow normalizing section, the viewing section comprising a body having formed therein a body cavity defining a viewing port, the viewing section further comprising an optical system mounted relative to the body for viewing the fluid flow within the viewing port through a cavity first opening, whereby image data relating to the fluid flow and organisms therein is acquired via the optical system for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: SCANLOGX, INC
    Inventor: John Miles Brubacher
  • Patent number: 11433396
    Abstract: In a polymer assay cartridge having wells containing reagents, beads and sample, where the wells are covered (e.g., with ParafilmĀ® or films) and shipped to the point of care, the reagents and well contents can leak out. The reagent solutions are made semi-solid by adding hydrogel reagents and cooling to form a gel. Preferably, the hydrogel is heated before an assay is conducted with the cartridge, and pigmented beads in the wells indicate melting or excessive heating, or congealing of the hydrogel, based on pigment color change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Fannin Partners LLC
    Inventors: Leo Linbeck, III, Dev Chatterjee, Michael John Heffernan
  • Patent number: 11427797
    Abstract: Presented is an airway organ bioreactor apparatus, and methods of use thereof, as well as bioartificial airway organs produced using the methods, and methods of treating subjects using the bioartificial airway organs. The bioreactor comprises: an organ chamber; an ingres line connecting the organ chamber and a reservoir system and comprising an arterial line, a venous line and a tracheal line; an egress line connecting the chamber and the reservoir system, pumps in ingress and egress lines; a controller to control fluid exchange; a chamber pressure sensor connected to the organ chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventor: Harald C. Ott