Patents Examined by Neil N Turk
  • Patent number: 9658219
    Abstract: A microelectronic sensor device for the detection of target components with label or magnetic particles includes a carrier with a binding surface at which target components can collect and optionally bind to specific capture elements. An input light beam is transmitted into the carrier and totally internally reflected at the binding surface. The amount of light in the output light beam is detected by a light detector. Evanescent light generated during the total internal reflection is affected by target components and/or label particles at the binding surface and will be missing in the output light beam. This is used to determine the amount of target components at the binding surface from the amount of light in the output light beam. A magnetic field generator is optionally used to generate a magnetic field at the binding surface by which magnetic label particles can be manipulated, such as attracted or repelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Coen Adrianus Verschuren, Dominique Maria Bruls, Albert Hendrik Jan Immink, Femke Karina De Theije, Thea Van Der Wijk, Alexander Marc Van Der Lee, Johannes Joseph Hubertina Barbara Schleipen
  • Patent number: 9651478
    Abstract: The analyzer according to the embodiment comprises an irradiation optical part that irradiates a mixture inside reaction tubes with light from a light source. Moreover, a detection optical part detects light transmitted through the mixture. Moreover, the irradiation optical part comprises a first optical element in which the light source is disposed at the front focal position and that concentrates light from the light source. Moreover, a second optical element guides light transmitted through the first optical element to the reaction tubes. In addition, an incident numerical aperture adjustment member is provided at the rear side of the first optical element and adjusts the numerical aperture when light from the light source is incident on the reaction tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shoichi Kanayama, Tomoyuki Tada, Naotada Okada
  • Patent number: 9645091
    Abstract: A portable, hand-held electro-optical reader and specimen sample collector is provided, including an absorbent pad, one or more test strips contained in the collector handle to provide observable results through a window, the handle insertable into the reader for immediate recording and analysis. The system includes means to automatically provide subject and test specific data with the test results and retain samples for later verification analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: BAMBURGH MARRSH, LLC
    Inventors: Paul D. Slowey, James Wickstead, Keith Seritella, Brian Forbes, John Ennis, Richard Herrig, Jason Giddings, Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 9623412
    Abstract: A system for diagnostic testing may include a meter for performing a diagnostic test on a sample applied to a test media, the meter having a housing and an interface for receiving a signal representing coding information, and a container configured to contain test media compatible with the meter, the container having a coding element associated therewith. Additionally, the system may provide a mechanism for removing the meter from an interconnected test container and reattaching it to a new container using on-container coding methods that can recalibrate the meter for the new container of test strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Trividia Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary T. Neel, Brent E. Modzelewski, George R. Rounds, Carlos Oti, Allan Javier Caban, Jeffrey Akins
  • Patent number: 9566579
    Abstract: A serological pipet for use with liquid handling may include a tip and a mounting portion with at least two sections with substantially circular cross-sections configured to fit into a pipet controller holder, the mounting portion may include a porous filter. The pipet may also include a tubular shaft with permanently marked volume indicating graduation marks. The tubular shaft may connect the tip and the mounting portion. A first section of the at least two sections and a second section of the at least two sections may have different diameters and a distance between the first section and the second section may be dimensioned to inscribe a cone having an angle of 11 degrees plus or minus 5 degrees. The tip, the mounting portion, and the tubular shaft may be made out of plastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Vistalab Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yevgeniy Kozlenko
  • Patent number: 9557260
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring arrangement for optically evaluating a chemical reaction quantitatively, comprising a sample carrier having a carrier layer and a sample layer having an analysis side and a light outlet side opposite the analysis side, and comprising a photosensitive sensor having a plurality of photodetectors on a carrying body and having a transparent surface layer arranged over the photodetectors. A plurality of test sections are arranged on the analysis side at a distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the sample layer. The analysis side is arranged on the carrier layer in such a way that the test sections face a volume of a microfluidic system. The sample carrier is detachably arranged in an accommodating device, so that the light outlet side faces the photosensitive sensor and the test sections are arranged over the photodetectors. Furthermore, the distance between the test sections and the photodetectors is less than 700 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Greiner Bio-One GmbH
    Inventor: Max Sonnleitner
  • Patent number: 9556416
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an analyte in a sample includes an illumination source for generating electromagnetic energy to illuminate the sample at an interrogation region, a concave collector element having an optical axis, and a focal point, the interrogation region being coincident with the focal point of the concave collector element, a closed flow cell having a flow path defined between a sample inlet and a sample outlet, the flow path passing through the interrogation region and a sorting region disposed downstream of the interrogation region. The portion of the flow path passing through the interrogation region is coaxially aligned with the optical axis of the concave collector element. The apparatus further includes the sample comprising or suspected of comprising the analyte and flowing in the flow path, wherein the analyte generates a detectable signal in response to illumination. The apparatus also includes a detector for detecting the detectable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: MICROBIX BIOSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Mark Luscher, Randall Marks
  • Patent number: 9546953
    Abstract: A device for real-time analysis of airborne chemical, biological and explosive substances has at least a gas analysis sensor, a fluorescence/luminescence sensor and a sensor for determining the particle size and number of particles. Each of the sensors is connected to a multireflection cell (multipass laser cell) as an open measurement path. In addition, the device also includes an evaluation unit for the real-time analysis of chemical, biological and explosive substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Spherea GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Goebel, Matthias Kessler
  • Patent number: 9541539
    Abstract: Embodiments of a dissolved oxygen sensor are disclosed herein. Embodiments as disclosed herein may include a window of optically transparent material disposed in an opening in a fluid flow path, where a luminophor is attached to the side of the window exposed to the fluid in the flow path. An optical probe may be disposed opposite the window from the fluid flow path on an axis at an angle to the window fluid flow path. The optical probe includes an excitation light source for illumination of the luminophor and a reference light source. An optical reception guide is configured to conduct light from the luminophor to a photodiode adjacent to the end of the optical reception guide distal the window when the luminophor is illuminated by the excitation light source. The optical probe is configured to determine a measure of oxygen concentration of the fluid in the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Machuca, Kyle William Montgomery, Ronald Phillip Chiarello
  • Patent number: 9523677
    Abstract: A system and method for a flow cytometer system including a prepared sample fluid with reference beads; an interrogation zone that analyzes the prepared sample fluid; a peristaltic pump system that draws the sample fluid through the interrogation zone; and a processor that monitors a measured volume of sample fluid sampled by the peristaltic pump system and an expected sample volume based on data generated by the analysis of the sample fluid. A system and method is additionally described using an alternative volume sensing fluidic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Accuri Cytometers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack T. Ball, Grant C. Howes, Collin A. Rich
  • Patent number: 9518950
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube-based micron scale chemical sensor or sensor array is provided that enables the remote detection of hydrogen sulfide and other chemicals in a gas stream. The sensor is suitable for use in harsh environments of high temperature and pressure such as those encountered during petrochemical exploration and recovery. Multiplex sensor devices detect two or more chemical agents simultaneously, or they can detect conditions such as pressure, salinity, humidity, pH, or scale-forming ions. Incorporation of read out electronics and an RF signal generator into the sensor device enables it to communicate to a relay station or receiver for 3D mapping or other analysis. Methods are also provided for fabricating the chemical sensor device and using the device for detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Ahmed Busnaina, Yung Joon Jung, Sivasubramanian Somu, Aniket Datar, Young Lae Kim
  • Patent number: 9513005
    Abstract: A controller monitors oxygen levels in a bio-fuel fired device and automatically controls dampers, blowers and the like to reduce generation of smoke or other pollutants, thereby promoting proper operation of a catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Biomass Controls, LLC
    Inventors: John Schneider, Matt Fraga, Eric Dithrich, Jeffrey R. Hallowell
  • Patent number: 9506865
    Abstract: An instrument is disclosed with a lens system including an objective lens system. The objective lens system is disposed between a light source and the plurality of reaction regions. The objective lens system includes a field lens array, and a pupil plane, wherein the pupil plane and the light source are located on opposite sides of the field lens array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Furlan, Joachim Wietzorrek
  • Patent number: 9506940
    Abstract: A configuration of detecting light from the front face of a light source is the best for confirming the variation of a light quantity, but when a plurality of light sources are present, as many detectors for checking a light quantity as the light sources are necessary and the apparatus configuration becomes complex. In the present invention, a detector for checking a light source light quantity is installed in a reaction container transfer mechanism used commonly for a plurality of detection sections, and the light quantities of light sources are checked with the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Keiko Yoshikawa, Akihisa Makino
  • Patent number: 9482682
    Abstract: The present invention is a reagent preparation apparatus, comprising: a reagent preparation unit configured to prepare a reagent for processing a sample; a measuring unit configured to measure a property of the reagent prepared by the reagent preparation unit; a waste section configured to discard the prepared reagent when a measurement result by the measuring unit does not meet a predetermined condition; and a controller configured to control a reagent preparation operation of the reagent preparation unit, wherein the controller controls the reagent preparation unit to stop the reagent preparation operation when a number of times of discarding a reagent has reached a predetermined plurality of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Ikeda, Noriyuki Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 9482613
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides instruments and methods for detecting an analyte which are capable of exciting a plurality of luminescence labels and detecting light emitted therefrom. The instrument includes a filter carrier adapted for carrying a plurality of filter portion pairs, each pair related to a luminescence label and comprising a first filter portion for transmitting excitation light, and a second filter portion for transmitting emitted light. The first filter portion of a pair comprises a second filter portion of another pair. Also, the filter portions are arranged such that a pair can be brought into an operative condition whereby a first filter portion is in the excitation beam path and a second filter portion is in the emission beam path. The filter carrier and beam paths may be moved with respect to each other by a moving mechanism so as to bring a pair into operative condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Furlan
  • Patent number: 9482623
    Abstract: A connection assembly for a test device comprises a carriage for receiving at least a portion of a test device and a receptacle for co-operation with the carriage. The carriage is longitudinally movable with respect to the receptacle and is latchable to the receptacle at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SPD SWISS PRECISION DIAGNOSTICS GMBH
    Inventor: Robin Brown
  • Patent number: 9464988
    Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance fluorescence analysis device emits a light beam to a prism in which a metal film is formed on a prescribed surface while changing an angle of incidence relative to the metal film in a state in which the light beam is totally reflected, measures light generated on a surface of the metal film, determines an angle at which the light beam enters the metal film based on a change in intensity of the measured light, adjusts the emitting direction of the light beam so that the light beam enters the metal film at the determined angle of incidence, and measures fluorescence generated on the surface of the metal film in a state in which the light beam is emitted the adjusted direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Sando, Takahiro Mohri, Gou Yanagihara, Kenichi Miyata, Masataka Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9446406
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for evaluating the quality of an environment or process by measuring light emitted from a bioluminescent sample containing ATP, ADP, or alkaline phosphatase. The apparatus comprises a sample collection and analysis system used to collect a sample, mix reagents, react the sample, and collect it in a measurement chamber. The system includes an instrument having a photon detection assembly for use with the sample testing device and one or more probe assemblies that optically cooperate with the instrument. The instrument includes a dark chamber with a reflective interior surface which may be concave or preferably spherical, and a photon detection sensor such as a multi-pixel photon counter sensor. A substantially transparent portion of the probe assembly, and liquid contained therein, focus bioluminescence toward the photon detection sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: BioControl Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Warren Gordon, Jon Keith Perrin, Alexander Michael Diener, David Oscar Iverson, Kyle Stuart Johnson, Garet Glenn Nenninger, John Russell Murkowski, Kristin Marie Will, Chad Austin Brinckerhoff, Phillip T. Feldsine, Tim Allen Kelly
  • Patent number: 9417235
    Abstract: An object is to provide an optical measurement apparatus for performing an efficient test by optical measurement without incurring incorrect measurements. To this end, the measurement apparatus utilizes a test instrument mounted thereto and including a carrier with a reagent retaining portion for application of a sample. The measurement apparatus includes a reader for color development at the reagent retaining portion, and a controller for driving control of the reader and for required determination. The controller performs the determination by utilizing the data obtained by reading the color development of the reagent after a reaction completion period Tr1-Tr6 depending on the reagent and starting from the mounting of the test instrument. When detecting that the color development at the reagent retaining portion is completed before the lapse of the reaction completion period Tr1-Tr6 after the mounting of the test instrument, the controller stops the test for the test instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakagawa, Shinya Nakajima, Tokuo Kasai, Kyouichi Ohshiro