Patents Examined by Neil N Turk
  • Patent number: 11199532
    Abstract: A system for imaging captured cells comprising: an illumination module configured to illuminate a target object; a platform configured to position the target object in relation to the illumination module; a filter module configured to filter light transmitted to the target object and/or to filter light received from the target object, an optical sensor configured to receive light from the target object and to generate image data; and a focusing and optics module configured to manipulate light transmitted to the optical sensor. The system can further comprise one or more of: a control system configured to control at least one of the illumination module, the platform, the focusing and optics module, the filter module, and the optical sensor; a tag identifying system configured to identify and communicate tag information from system elements; a thermal control module configured to adjust temperature parameters of the system; and an image stabilization module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kalyan Handique, Kyle Gleason, Christopher Siemer, Priyadarshini Gogoi, Saedeh Sepehri Javdani, Gene Parunak, Aaron Kehrer, Jon Meines
  • Patent number: 11187712
    Abstract: The present invention makes it possible for an automated analyzer including two or more types of photometers to obtain suitable output of the measurement results of the plurality of photometers and suitable data alarm output even if there is an abnormality, or the like, at the time of measurement. This automated analyzer includes, for example, two types of photometers having different quantitative ranges and an analysis control unit for controlling analysis that includes measurement of a given sample using the two types of photometers. If two types of data alarms corresponding to abnormalities, or the like, during measurement have been added to the two types of measurement results from the two types of photometers, the analysis control unit selects measurement result and data alarm output corresponding to the combination of the two types of data alarms and outputs the same to a user as analysis results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Yuto Kazama, Masahiko Iijima, Chie Yabutani, Kenji Kogure
  • Patent number: 11181513
    Abstract: There is provided a biogas flux chamber constructed in one embodiment from a metal can with an open bottom and an epoxy interior coating. The chamber is inserted into the soil to allow influx of soil gases. The lid includes a sampling septum and a vent tube to prevent pressure build-up when the lid is in place which allows for an increase in interior gas concentrations. The rubber sampling septum is installed in a hole in the lid. The vent tube is constructed using flexible copper tubing inserted through the lid and secured using a bulkhead-fitting, and rubber O-ring to seal the insertion hole. The copper tubing is bent to form a double-curved ā€˜Cā€™ shape which positions the open ends of the tube above and below the lid surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Charles E. Konemann, Bradford M. Kard
  • Patent number: 11181478
    Abstract: Biosensor including a device base having a sensor array of light sensors and a guide array of light guides. The light guides have input regions that are configured to receive excitation light and light emissions generated by biological or chemical substances. The light guides extend into the device base toward corresponding light sensors and have a filter material. The device base includes device circuitry electrically coupled to the light sensors and configured to transmit data signals. A passivation layer extends over the device base and forms an array of reaction recesses above the light guides. The biosensor also includes peripheral crosstalk shields that at least partially surround corresponding light guides of the guide array to reduce optical crosstalk between adjacent light sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: Cheng Frank Zhong, Hod Finkelstein, Boyan Boyanov, Dietrich Dehlinger, Darren Segale
  • Patent number: 11154866
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. The reader component may communicate with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: CUE HEALTH INC.
    Inventors: Ayub Khattak, Clinton Sever, Paul Nelson, Ryan Cooper, Thomas Congdon, Justin Demartino, Raphael Shapiro, Mark Duncan
  • Patent number: 11143585
    Abstract: A photoelectrical device for detection of bacterial cell density includes a substrate, a driving electrode layer, an AC power source and a photoelectric conversion layer. The driving electrode layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a central electrode and a peripheral electrode pattern surrounding the central electrode. A fluid sample is disposed on the driving electrode layer. The AC power source is electrically connected to the driving electrode layer, and used to produce a non-uniform alternating electric field in the fluid sample on the driving electrode layer for driving the target bioparticles to gather up on the central electrode to form a particle cluster. The photoelectric conversion layer is used for receiving a light detecting beam after passing through the particle cluster and outputting an electric current based on the optical density of light detecting beam. The electric current changes as a concentration of the target bioparticles changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratories
    Inventors: I-Fang Cheng, Tzu-Ying Chen, Yi-Ling Chen
  • Patent number: 11131621
    Abstract: An analysis device includes an optical disc drive, a gate information processing unit, a detection circuit, and a gate shift processing unit. The optical disc drive rotates a specimen analysis disc and detects a measurement radial position for an optical pickup. The detection circuit generates gate signals shifted by a gate shift amount in each measurement radial position in a rotating direction of the specimen analysis disc, and generates count values of the respective gate signals. The gate shift processing unit divides a gate signal-corresponding region of the corresponding gate signal by a unit gate shift amount in the rotating direction of the specimen analysis disc to define a plurality of divided regions and sets count values of the divided regions based on the count values of the gate signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: JVC KENWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Saito, Shigehiko Iwama, Masahiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11125753
    Abstract: A system detects an analyte suspected of being present in a sample. The reader reads an optical tag on a substrate, which is configured to immobilize the tag on a substrate surface. The optical tag is bound to a probe and includes a plurality of pores that create an effective index of refraction. The plurality of pores and a thickness of the tag are selected for a reflectance property. The substrate is configured to contact a sample suspected of comprising an analyte. The probe is capable of binding specifically to the analyte. The reader is configured to expose the tag to light to generate a sample spectral signature that is a function of the effective index of refraction, the thickness of the optical tag, and whether the analyte is coupled to the probe. The sample spectral signature is compared to a reference to detect the analyte in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TruTag Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hod Finkelstein, Timothy Learmonth
  • Patent number: 11125691
    Abstract: Biosensor including a device base having a sensor array of light sensors and a guide array of light guides. The light guides have input regions that are configured to receive excitation light and light emissions generated by biological or chemical substances. The light guides extend into the device base toward corresponding light sensors and have a filter material. The device base includes device circuitry electrically coupled to the light sensors and configured to transmit data signals. A passivation layer extends over the device base and forms an array of reaction recesses above the light guides. The biosensor also includes peripheral crosstalk shields that at least partially surround corresponding light guides of the guide array to reduce optical crosstalk between adjacent light sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: Cheng Frank Zhong, Hod Finkelstein, Boyan Boyanov, Dietrich Dehlinger, Darren Segale
  • Patent number: 11125678
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing measurements of one or more materials are provided. One system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels. Another system is configured to image one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. An additional system is configured to substantially immobilize one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. A further system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels, to image the one or more materials in the imaging volume, to substantially immobilize the one or more materials in the imaging volume, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles J. Collins, William R. Deicher, Jarden E. Krager, Adam R. Schilffarth, Ross G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11099132
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical measurement device for a reaction vessel, and a method therefor. An object is to measure the optical state within a reaction vessel in an efficient, rapid, and highly reliable manner, without an expansion of the device scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL BIO RESEARCH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Patent number: 11067590
    Abstract: A sample dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a sample and a reagent to the reaction vessel at a first dispensing position and the reaction cell positioned at a second dispensing position; a second reagent vessel disposed on a track of the sample dispensing mechanism; and a control unit configured to control the sample dispensing mechanism, in which the control unit is configured to, based on information on presence or absence of incubation of an analysis item, control the sample dispensing mechanism to dispense a sample and a reagent to the reaction vessel positioned at the first dispensing position in a case where the incubation is not required by the analysis item, and control the sample dispensing mechanism to dispense a sample to the reaction cell positioned at the second dispensing position in a case where the incubation is required by the analysis item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rei Konishi, Akihisa Makino
  • Patent number: 11067587
    Abstract: To reduce the risk of mistaken operation and improve convenience in an automatic analysis device. Information about types of measurement inputted from an input device is combined in an examination mode creation screen image 301 on a display device of an automatic analysis device that performs analysis of specific types of measurement on a specimen container accommodating a specimen, the information about types of measurement including biochemistry examination items 303, immunology examination items 304, ISE examination items 304, blood clotting examination items 306, etc. This information is associated with an examination mode name 302, which comprises discretionary setting information, and is stored in a table of a storage unit. Information which is to be displayed on the display device and for which a change in settings is to be enabled is limited on the basis of the stored information about types of measurement associated with the examination mode name 302.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Joji
  • Patent number: 11060967
    Abstract: Biomarkers of high blood pressure are measured to identify high blood pressure of the subject based on one or more biomarkers. In many embodiments, the response of the biomarker to blood pressure occurs over the course of at least an hour, such that the high blood pressure identification is based on a cumulative effect of physiology of the subject over a period of time. The methods and apparatus of identifying high blood pressure with biomarkers have the advantage of providing improved treatment of the subject, as the identified biomarker can be related to an effect of the high blood pressure on the subject, such as a biomarker corresponding to central blood pressure. The sample can be subjected to increases in one or more of pressure or temperatures, and changes in the blood sample measured over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: NUEON INC.
    Inventors: Robert G. Messerschmidt, Howland D. T. Jones
  • Patent number: 11059045
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. The reader component may communicate with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: CUE HEALTH INC.
    Inventors: Ayub Khattak, Clinton Sever, Paul Nelson, Ryan Cooper, Thomas Congdon, Justin Demartino, Raphael Shapiro, Mark Duncan
  • Patent number: 11051508
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus (1) for mixing slaughter offal with a preservative agent, the apparatus comprising an offal collection tank (3) with a bottom (4) provided with a discharge opening (5) connectable to a closable discharge, an agitator (8) extending into the offal collection tank, and a pump unit (9) operatively connectable to the discharge, wherein the apparatus further comprises a preservative reservoir (7) mounted on top of the collection tank (3). A collection and preservation system is provided, wherein the addition of preservation agent can be strictly controlled, can easily and quickly be installed and connected when it is to be used. After use, the system is easily removed and cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V.
    Inventors: Adolph Bartholomeus Gijtenbeek, Harry van Tuijn, Marinus Johannes Gerardus Maria Ploegmakers
  • Patent number: 11041811
    Abstract: Apparatus, sensor chips and techniques for optical sensing of substances by using optical sensors on sensor chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: GENALYTE, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence Cary Gunn, III, Muzammil Iqbal, Brad Spaugh, Frank Tybor
  • Patent number: 11014843
    Abstract: A portable remote sensing system for real-time assessments of total suspended solids (TSS) in surface waters using above-water hyperspectral measurements. The system combines a miniature high signal-to-noise ratio spectrometer coupled to a credit card-size computer, lens, rechargeable battery, GPS, display panel, and dedicated software to derive TSS from above-water spectral measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: Roy Armstrong
  • Patent number: 10996168
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes controlling an instrument to measure a fluorescence emission spectrum of a sample including a first peak emission wavelength and at least a second peak emission wavelength, emitted in response to an excitation wavelength and controlling the instrument to measure an absorbance obtained at the excitation wavelength of the sample. The method may include determining, using the computer, a ratio of the measurements at either the second peak emission wavelength, or a sum of measurements at a plurality of peak emission wavelengths including at least the first peak emission wavelength and the second peak emission wavelength, to the first peak emission wavelength, and calculating, using the computer, a value for a quality parameter based on a combination of at least the ratio and the absorbance measurement. The method may include controlling an associated process based on the quality parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Horiba Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Adam Matthew Gilmore
  • Patent number: 10980423
    Abstract: Examples described herein include electronic devices which may serve as hemochromatic analyzers, leveraging sensors and computation available on the electronic devices themselves, such as smartphones and smartwatches. In this manner, minor to no hardware modification may be required to a mobile phone or other electronic device to allow the device to predict hemoglobin levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Edward J. Wang, Shwetak N. Patel