Patents Examined by Rebecca M Giere
  • Patent number: 11821818
    Abstract: A biosensor may provide a magnetoresistive (MR) film comprising a nonmagnetic layer may be sandwiched between the two ferromagnetic layers. The MR film may be positioned on a substrate, where the edges of the MR film are in contact with leads. Additionally, the leads may be in contact with pads. The sensors may provide quasi-digital readout that enable greatly enhanced sensitivity. In some embodiments, biosensors may be arranged as array of sensors. The array of sensors may be arranged as a symmetric or asymmetric N1×N2 array, where N1 and N2 are integers, N1 represents the number of sensors linked together in series, and N2 represents the number of sensor sets in parallel, where each sensor set may comprise one or more sensors. Further, the array of sensors may be coupled to a voltmeter, which may be a single voltmeter in some cases that allows the sensors to all be probed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Dmitri Litvinov, Long Chang, Richard Willson
  • Patent number: 11796473
    Abstract: The invention broadly relates techniques for imaging and medical diagnosis and, more particularly, to the fabrication of flexible plasmonic gratings and the use thereof in detection of biomarkers. A first aspect of the invention provides for techniques for the fabrication of novel, flexible plasmonic gratings that can be inexpensively fabricated onto fiber optic cables, flexible films and substrates with non-uniform surfaces to enhance the imaging resolution. A second aspect of the invention provides for an ultra¬high sensitivity (single molecule counting) biomarker detection platform useable for medical diagnosis based on a fluorescent sandwich ELISA assay performed on a plasmonic grating platform incorporated with a fluorescence detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Shubhra Gangopadhyay, Sangho Bok, Cherian Joseph Mathai, Keshab Gangopadhyay, Sheila Grant, Aaron Wood, Syed Barizuddin
  • Patent number: 11789016
    Abstract: Methods, systems and kits are described herein for detecting the results of an assay. In particular, the methods, systems and devices of the present disclosure rely on a difference between the diffusion rates of a reporter molecule and an analyte of interest in order to quantify an amount of analyte in a microfluidic device. The analyte may be a secreted product of a biological micro-object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PHENOMEX INC.
    Inventors: Troy A. Lionberger, Phillip J. M. Elms, Anupam Singhal, Randall D. Lowe, Jr., Volker L. S. Kurz, Paul M. Lebel
  • Patent number: 11782042
    Abstract: Contamination detection systems, kits, and techniques are described for testing surfaces for the presence of hazardous contaminants, while minimizing user exposure to these contaminants. Even trace amounts of contaminants can be detected. A collection kit provides a swab that is simple to use, easy to hold and grip, allows the user to swab large areas of a surface, and keeps the user's hands away from the surface being tested. The kit also provides open and closed fluid transfer mechanism to transfer the collected fluid to a detection device while minimizing user exposure to hazardous contaminants in the collected fluid. Contamination detection kits can rapidly collect and detect hazardous drugs, including trace amounts of antineoplastic agents, in healthcare settings at the site of contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Weston F. Harding, Erik K. Witt, Austin Jason Mckinnon, Ray Isaacson, Bart Peterson, Marcel Arantes Souza, Matthew Oshinski
  • Patent number: 11774445
    Abstract: The particle trapping device according to the present invention comprises: a lead-in channel; a flattened channel disposed on the downstream side of the lead-in channel; a rectangular channel disposed on the downstream side of the flattened channel; and a particle pit trap disposed at least on a first inner wall face of the rectangular channel, wherein the lead-in channel has a channel cross-section larger than a channel cross-section of the flattened channel; the flattened channel has a flat channel cross-section whose the width is longer than its height; the rectangular channel has a rectangular channel cross-section, and is provided with the first inner wall face, a second inner wall face opposed to the first inner wall face, a third inner wall face, and a fourth inner wall face opposed to the third inner wall face; and the lead-in channel, the flattened channel, the rectangular channel, and the particle pit trap are characterized by being configured in such a way that a portion of liquid containing target
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY PUBLIC CORPORATION OSAKA
    Inventor: Yan Xu
  • Patent number: 11752498
    Abstract: A fluidic device (100) is described for locally coating an inner surface of a fluidic channel. The fluidic device (100) comprises a first (101), a second (102) and a third (103) fluidic channel intersecting at a common junction (105). The first fluidic channel is connectable to a coating fluid reservoir and the third fluidic channel is connectable to a sample fluid reservoir. The fluidic device (100) further comprises a fluid control means (111) configured for creating a fluidic flow path for a coating fluid at the common junction (105) such that, when coating, a coating fluid propagates from the first (101) to the second (102) fluidic channel via the common junction (105) without propagating into the third (103) fluidic channel. A corresponding method for coating and for sensing also has been disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Benjamin Jones, Tim Stakenborg, Paolo Fiorini
  • Patent number: 11754499
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for quantifying an amount of enzyme molecules. Systems and methods of the invention are provided for measuring an amount of target by forming a plurality of fluid partitions, a subset of which include the target, performing an enzyme-catalyzed reaction in the subset, and detecting the number of partitions in the sunset. The amount of target can be determined based on the detected number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Darren Roy Link, Michael L. Samuels
  • Patent number: 11731130
    Abstract: A lateral flow assay device comprises a test strip to receive a quantity of fluid comprising a quantity of exosomes and detect the presence of a target analyte on the surface of the exosomes. The test strip comprises a conjugate pad that contains a set of one or more types of tetraspanin binding reagents conjugated with a label. Each type of tetraspanin binding reagent is configured to bind with a corresponding type of exosome tetraspanin and form an immunocomplex comprising an exosome. The conjugate pad is fluidly connected to a membrane. The membrane comprises a test line comprising an immobilized binding reagent to the target analyte. The immobilized binding reagent to the target analyte is configured to bind to a protein of the target analyte on the surface of an exosome in an immunocomplex comprising the exosome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: 2Pi-Sigma Corp.
    Inventor: Mehdi Hatamian
  • Patent number: 11714084
    Abstract: A rapid detection method of a target biomolecule comprising an antigenic moiety is provided. The method includes providing a source biological sample comprising the target biomolecule; contacting the source biological sample to an ion-exchange medium; eluting the captured-target biomolecule from the ion-exchange medium as an eluate, and loading the eluate to a rapid diagnostic testing device comprising an antibody. The eluate comprises a concentrated form of the biomolecule in a solution having a salt concentration greater than 150 mM. A concentration of the target biomolecule in the eluate is in a range from about 2× to 25× compared to a concentration of the biomolecule in the source biological sample. The target biomolecule binds to the antibody under the salt concentration of greater than 150 mM. A device for rapid detection of target biomolecule is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Jeremiah Misner, Gregory Andrew Grossmann, Cathryn Ellen Olsen, John Richard Nelson, Brian Christopher Bales, David Roger Moore, Paul Michael Smigelski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11709161
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting analytes using particles having different physico-chemical properties, such as buoyancy, size, density, spectral characteristics, and/or binding properties, in solution-based sandwich assays and solution-based competition assays. The methods can be performed using rotors and bench-top centrifuges and provide for rapid, qualitative and quantitative detection of analytes. The present invention also provides kits that can be used to perform the methods, and mixtures containing particles suitable for the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ZOETIS SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh K. Mehra, Kenneth P. Aron
  • Patent number: 11697118
    Abstract: Systems, methods, techniques, devices and apparatuses for detecting cancer. A handheld device which performs an automated analysis from a droplet of whole blood for other bodily fluid. The device is inexpensive, non-invasive, easy to use, and easily transportable, enabling better screening for a wider range of diseases, enabling the detection of metastases at an earlier stage, when interventions are more effective, enabling regular monitoring of patients receiving therapy or those in remission, and enabling a major contribution to the growing body of scientific evidence on how to treat certain cancers based on information gathered about the genomic profile of a tumor. In short, the present invention saves more lives, with fewer resources, and causing minimal harm than prior art techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Inventor: Adrianna Davies
  • Patent number: 11691144
    Abstract: There is provided an assembly, useable to screen sample fluids for predefined molecules, the comprising, a needle unit comprising n hollow needles, wherein n is greater than one; a flow cell unit comprising m flow cells, wherein m is greater than one, each flow cell having an input and an output, and a test surface on which ligands can be provided; a first selector valve unit which is fluidly connected between the needle unit and flow cell unit, which is operable to selectively fluidly connect any one of the n hollow needles with the m flow cells in the flow cell unit; a pumping means which is selectively operable to provide negative pressure; a second selector valve unit which is fluidly connected between the pumping means and the output of each flow cell. There are further provided methods of screening sample fluids for predefined molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Creoptix AG
    Inventor: Kaspar Cottier
  • Patent number: 11693004
    Abstract: Disclosed are real-time insect surveillance sensor devices and methods that use a colorimetric readout for detecting insect disease vectors (such as mosquitoes which can transmit pathogens such as DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV). The method involves an attractive or feeding solution combined with detector conjugates. The conjugate can specifically detect proteins present in insect saliva and/or proteins specific to mosquito-borne pathogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Willenberg, Sudipta Seal
  • Patent number: 11693002
    Abstract: A method for image analysis of medical test results, comprising receiving information from a mobile device application regarding a test performed using a testing device, wherein the testing device includes a plurality of immunoassay test strips and at least one test function indicator on a surface thereof, wherein the mobile device application is configured to recognize the at least one test function indicator to trigger performance of one or more of the plurality of medical test functions, receiving at the server an image of the testing device from the mobile device application, determining by the server RGB values for a plurality of pixels of the image, normalizing by the server the RGB values into a single value, comparing the single value to a control value, and providing by the server a risk indicator, wherein the risk indicator indicates a likelihood of a presence of a medical condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: RELIANT IMMUNE DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jovan Hutton Pulitzer, Henry Joseph Legere, III
  • Patent number: 11692927
    Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic devices and methods for quantifying the amounts of an acute phase reactant (e.g., C-reactive protein (CRP) or serum amyloid A (SAA)) in a body fluid sample and/or white blood cell counts in blood sample. In particular, the present invention provides a rapid assay to detect CRP, SAA, and/or white blood cells in blood with high sensitivity and specificity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Essenlix Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Y. Chou, Wei Ding
  • Patent number: 11684919
    Abstract: Methods for screening a plurality of sample fluids for molecules which can bind to predefined ligands, comprising, selecting one of a plurality of flow cell groups by fluidly connecting the selected flow cell group to a sample delivery unit; injecting a sample fluid to be screened from the sample delivery unit into the flow cells in the selected flow cell group; for each flow cell in the selected flow cell group, recording a signal using a sensor which represents the binding and/or the dissociation of molecules of the sample fluid to/from ligands on the test surface of that flow cell; carrying out a damage assessment step using said recorded signals; if it is determined that the test surface of a flow cell in the selected flow cell group is damaged, then fluidly connecting the other flow cell group to the sample delivery unit. There is further provided assemblies which can be used to implement the afore-mentioned methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Creoptix AG
    Inventor: Kaspar Cottier
  • Patent number: 11680945
    Abstract: A test element for an assay includes: a cartridge having a housing which includes a priming pad capable of containing a liquid fluid, a wash port having an opening in the housing, and an opening for directly or indirectly applying a sample; and an assay device positioned within the cartridge in fluid communication with the wash port containing an analytical reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond F. Jakubowicz
  • Patent number: 11680944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems that utilize a combination of immunoassay and magnetic immunoassay techniques to detect an analyte within an extended range of specified concentrations. In particular, a device is provided for detecting an analyte in a biological sample. The device includes a first electrochemical sensor positioned on a substrate. The first electrochemical sensor includes an immobilized layer of antibody configured to bind to the analyte. The device further includes a second electrochemical sensor positioned adjacent to the first electrochemical sensor on the substrate, and a magnetic material that generates a magnetic field aligned with respect to the second electrochemical sensor. The magnetic field captures magnetic beads that have an immobilized layer of antibody configured to bind to the analyte, and concentrates the magnetic beads on or near a surface of the second electrochemical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Abbott Point of Care Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Hua Hu, Antti Leo Oskari Virtanen, Cary James Miller, Kenneth Harold Hardage
  • Patent number: 11674960
    Abstract: An implantable diagnostic device in accordance with the present disclosure provides various benefits such as a compact size thereby allowing implanting of the device inside animate objects; low cost due to incorporation of inexpensive detection circuitry and the use of conventional IC fabrication techniques; re-usability by heating thereby allowing multiple diagnostic tests to be performed without discarding the device; and a configuration that allows performing of simultaneous and/or sequential diagnostic tests for detecting one or more similar or dissimilar target molecules concurrently or at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Axel Scherer, Samuel Njoroge, Jingqing Huang
  • Patent number: 11668638
    Abstract: A microchannel for processing cells by compression of the cells including an inlet, ridges and an outlet. Each ridge including a compressive surface and a cell adhesion entity. The outlet configured to remove at least one of a first portion of the cells and a second portion of the cells from the microchannel. Each ridge oriented at an angle of from 25 degrees to 70 degrees relative to a center axis of the microchannel. The cell adhesion entity configured such that the first portion of the cells has a first adhesion property relative to the cell adhesion entity to follow a first trajectory through the microchannel. The cell adhesion entity further configured such that the second portion of the cells has a second adhesion property relative to the cell adhesion entity to follow a second trajectory through the microchannel. The first trajectory is different from the second trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Sulchek, Alexander Alexeev, Bushra Tasadduq