Patents Examined by Paul Hyun
  • Patent number: 9716140
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a fluid sensor and a method for examining a fluid. A fluid sensor includes a substrate which comprises a recess for receiving a fluid to be examined, wherein the fluid sensor is implemented to detect electrical changes in the recess caused by the fluid to be examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e. V.
    Inventor: Ignaz Eisele
  • Patent number: 9714916
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a particle analyzer and a particle test control method and device thereof. The method comprises: after acquiring a diluted sample, preserving a part of the diluted sample, and monitoring whether a pore blocking event occurs during a counting process; when the pore blocking event occurs, suspending the test of the sample, and performing an unblocking operation; and after the unblocking operation is completed, controlling a liquid addition system to again acquire the preserved part of the sample from a reaction cell or a tube of the liquid addition system and inject it into a counting cell, and then re-counting the sample in the counting cell by an impedance method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO-MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tao Shen, Huilin Shi, Jin Teng, Wenheng Guo
  • Patent number: 9714954
    Abstract: An automation system for use with in-vitro diagnostics that includes a track configured to provide one or more paths and a plurality of sleeves. Each sleeve is configured to hold one of a plurality of fluid containers. The system also includes a plurality of carriers configured to travel along the track. Each carrier is separable from each sleeve and configured to hold one of the plurality of sleeves. The system further includes a tray having a plurality of rows. Each row is configured to hold at least one of: (i) one or more of the plurality of sleeves; and (ii) one or more of the plurality of carriers. The tray is configured to at least one of: (i) unload the plurality of sleeves or the plurality of carriers from the tray; and (ii) load the plurality of sleeves or the plurality of carriers to the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Gelbman
  • Patent number: 9709519
    Abstract: The ability to switch at will between amperometric measurements and potentiometric measurements provides great flexibility in performing analyses of unknowns. Apparatus and methods can provide such switching to collect data from an electrochemical cell. The cell may contain a reagent disposed to measure glucose in human blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: AgaMatrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Harding, Sridhar G. Iyengar, Baoguo Wei, Steven Diamond, Martin Forest
  • Patent number: 9702847
    Abstract: Various devices, systems and methods for determining a parameter of and/or detecting chemical and biological substances in bodily fluid are described herein. A device or system may include a substrate. An active sensor having an electrical characteristic and/or a control sensor may be disposed on the substrate. In certain variations, a differential between a first signal from the active sensor, and a second signal from the control sensor may be used to determine a parameter of the chemical or biological substance in the sample of bodily fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Avails Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Meike Herget, Oren S. Knopfmacher
  • Patent number: 9696318
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrophilic film that causes a liquid to diffuse rapidly in a single direction. The hydrophilic film comprises a substrate having a texture of parallel sunken and raised patterns, and a hydrophilic coat comprising a coat of silicon dioxide particles. The present invention also provides a method for preparing the hydrophilic film. The method comprises: preparing an aqueous dispersion of silicon dioxide particles, wherein the average size of the silicon dioxide particles is 1 to 60 nm, and the concentration of the silicon dioxide particles is 0.05% to 15% by weight; coating the aqueous dispersion of silicon dioxide particles on a substrate, wherein the substrate has a texture of parallel sunken and raised patterns; and drying the substrate coated with the aqueous dispersion of silicon dioxide particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Te-Wei Chen, Huang Chin Hung, Naiyong Jing
  • Patent number: 9696729
    Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic technology enabling rapid and economical manipulation of reactions on the femtoliter to microliter scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Rustem F. Ismagilov, Bo Zheng, Cory John Gerdts
  • Patent number: 9682396
    Abstract: A system for depositing substances onto a deposition surface can comprise a first contact spotter comprising multiple spotting orifices fed by multiple fluid inlet conduits such that the first contact spotter is capable of depositing multiple spots of different substances onto the deposition surface simultaneously, and a second contact spotter comprising a second spotting orifice fed by a second fluid inlet conduit. The system can also include a positioning device adapted to alternatively position and seal the first contact spotter and second contact spotter on the deposition surface at an overlapping location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: CARTERRA, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua W. Eckman, Adam Miles, James Smith, Christopher Morrow, Bruce K. Gale
  • Patent number: 9671318
    Abstract: A specimen collector includes a sleeve with one or more interior walls defining a substantially hollow interior cavity. The sleeve further includes an inlet port in fluid communication with the interior cavity and an outlet port in fluid communication with the interior cavity. The sleeve further includes a first side aperture and a second side aperture. The specimen collector also includes a tray slidable within the interior cavity of the sleeve. The tray includes a first specimen well and a second specimen well that alternately may be placed into fluidic communication with the inlet and outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Bedoe, Taylor Ling, James Burgess
  • Patent number: 9671416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sample processing system and method for processing biological samples, comprising a sample processing device having: a receiving plate, which is arranged substantially horizontally in a plane; a first and second working arm, which can move relative to the receiving plate and extend substantially parallel to each other in a second direction (Y) over the receiving plate; at least one pipetting device mounted on the first working arm, which is movable in a second direction (Y) and in a third direction (Z) orthogonal in relation to the first and second direction (X, Y); at least one gripping device, mounted on the second working arm, with grippers that can be rotated around a gripper axis of rotation (GA) parallel to the third direction (Z); and a control device for controlling the pipetting device and the gripping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Bonaduz Ag
    Inventor: Nando Giovanoli
  • Patent number: 9664654
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to flame based detection methods for compressed mobile phase chromatography. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the operation of a flame ionization detector for carbon dioxide based chromatography, such as supercritical fluid chromatography. The present disclosure includes a method of matching a chromatographic column with a flame ionization detector inner burner including providing a chromatographic column with an internal diameter, determining an optimal mobile phase flow rate for the chromatographic column, calculating an optimal inner diameter of the inner burner that combined with the internal diameter and flow rate of the column produces optimal detector performance, and providing a flame ionization detector inner burner having an inner diameter substantially equal to the calculated optimal inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: WATERS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Joseph D. Michienzi, James P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9658242
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable ultra-filtration system comprising a disposable pipetting tip and a disposable ultra-filtration cartridge, wherein the cartridge includes a membrane filtration chamber and a dead-end channel. In use, a piston in the pipette pressurizes air within the channel; the pressurized air can subsequently move the piston and cause a reverse flow back through the membrane of the cartridge, unplugging the pores thereof. Also disclosed is an automated workstation incorporating the disposable ultra-filtration system, and a system comprising the automated workstation, useful for measuring the free therapeutic drug concentration and free hormone concentration in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: CHROMEDX CORP.
    Inventor: James Samsoondar
  • Patent number: 9645065
    Abstract: A flow analyzer includes a flow container, a fluid-introducing section that introduces an introduction target fluid into the flow container, a fluid control section that performs a control process that cyclically changes the flow rate or the fluid pressure of the introduction target fluid that is introduced into the flow container from the fluid-introducing section, a discharged fluid analysis section that performs a component analysis process on a discharged fluid that has been discharged from the flow container, and a frequency analysis section that performs a frequency analysis process on a discharge profile, the discharge profile being obtained from control information about the introduction target fluid and analysis results for the discharged fluid, and representing the relationship between the component ratio in the discharged fluid and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: The University of Tokyo, JEOL Ltd.
    Inventors: Shu Kobayashi, Kenji Takasugi
  • Patent number: 9645090
    Abstract: Beginning with a sheet of optically transparent material, one may fabricate a great many shaped optical wafers, each in the form of a thin and essentially flat piece of optical material having a narrow cross-sectional width relative to length, and a sharply narrowed tip at one end. The fabrication process involves passing a sheet of optically transparent material through one or more operational steps wherein cutting, shearing, embossing, microperforating, or a combination thereof is performed. The fabrication process may further include a cladding operation, a tip texturing operation, and an analyte-reactive reagent deposition operation. The completed optical wafers are separated and each may be mounted into a user-operated device along with systems for educing a fluid sample to be expressed from a living organism, for bringing the tip of the optical wafer into contact with the fluid sample, and for illuminating and assaying the fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Light Pointe Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 9636678
    Abstract: A sample vessel assembly, comprising a base member including a base flange having first and second opposing surfaces, first and second sides intersecting with one another; and a first sidewall extending from the first surface at a distance from the first and second sides; and a lid member, including: a lid flange having third and fourth opposing surfaces, third and fourth sides intersecting with one another; and a second sidewall extending from the third surface at a distance from the third and fourth sides, the second sidewall engageable with the first sidewall such that the first surface of the base flange and the third surface of the lid flange are in an opposing spaced-apart relationship with one another and such that the first and second sidewalls cooperate with one another to define a sample chamber. Further disclosed is a method for automated analysis of samples in a sample vessel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SnapLab Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Justin Briggs
  • Patent number: 9636681
    Abstract: A test tube holder holds various types of test tubes substantially perpendicular, and is structured to be durable against extraction and insertion of the test tubes. The test tube holder includes a housing part having a hollow portion, a holding part positioned on an upper side of the housing part and having an opening portion, which accepts a test tube, and a housing portion, which houses the accepted test tube. An elastic part is formed inside the holding part so as to abut on the housed test tube. The test tube holder has a weight housed inside the hollow portion. The holding part and the elastic part may be integrally formed. Inside the hollow portion of the housing part, besides the weight, an individual identification tag, an electromagnetic wave absorbent, and a support member for a tapered test tube can be housed in accordance with usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohga, Tatsuya Fukugaki, Tetsuya Isobe, Kuniaki Onizawa
  • Patent number: 9625413
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing a discrete glucose testing and bolus dosage determination including a glucose meter with bolus calculation function are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kent Sloan, R. Curtis Jennewine
  • Patent number: 9623407
    Abstract: A microfluidic device including one or more microchannels. Each microchannel comprising: a microchannel portion with a longitudinal liquid barrier that defines first and second regions. The device includes one or more first liquid passages at the level of the longitudinal barrier. A liquid inlet allows liquid to enter the first region and a liquid outlet allows liquid to leave the microchannel portion. A transverse liquid barrier between the microchannel portion and the liquid outlet holds liquid in the first region. The device includes one or more second liquid passages at the level of the transverse liquid barrier. A liquid pump displaces liquid through a microchannel portion. The first liquid passages allow excess liquid in the first region to flow into the second region, transversally to the longitudinal barrier. The second liquid passages allow excess liquid in the longitudinal portion to be discharged via the liquid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Delamarche, Onur Gökce
  • Patent number: 9612202
    Abstract: This invention concerns the use of nanoparticles comprising an analyte in the preparation of a calibration standard for use in an analytical atomic spectroscopic technique and a method of calibrating such an instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: REAGECON DIAGNOSTICS LTD
    Inventors: John Barron, Vaclav Sychra, John O'Keeffe
  • Patent number: 9597683
    Abstract: A microchip is provided. The microchip includes a substrate structure including a fluid channel configured to contain a sample solution, wherein the fluid channel is maintained at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure prior to injection of the sample solution into the fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Watanabe, Yuji Segawa