Patents Examined by Sally Merkling
  • Patent number: 9789486
    Abstract: An adaptor to help control local humidity of a sample includes a delivery port having a first side and a second side, opposite the first side. The first side includes an opening that is to be connected to a fluid source. The second side includes a sidewall. A platform extends from the sidewall. A vial holder is connected to the sidewall. A portion of the sidewall is absent above the platform to allow manipulation of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Whitman College
    Inventors: Douglas H Juers, Christopher A Farley
  • Patent number: 9738889
    Abstract: A syringe device having a plunger beneath which is disposed a rupturable capsule containing a nucleic acid wash buffer and a rupturing mechanism for rupturing the capsule, wherein the capsule, syringe, plunger, and rupturing mechanism are so configured as to first apply pneumatic pressure to force a nucleic acid solution through a membrane and to thereafter rupture the capsule and force a first volume of the wash buffer through the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel Lai
  • Patent number: 9738926
    Abstract: The disclosure provides three-dimensional crosslinked polymer networks comprising one or more channels extending from the surface and/or near the surface of the network into the interior of the network, arrays comprising the networks, processes for making the networks, and uses of the networks and arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Safeguard Biosystems Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Holger Klapproth, Sonja Bednar
  • Patent number: 9731292
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for performing assays, especially for determining the presence and/or amount of one or more analytes. In particular, the invention relates to a device for the detection of analytes, comprising a reversibly compressible matrix located between a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is located opposite to the first surface, and wherein the distance between the first surface and the second surface is variable. The invention also relates to a corresponding method using such a device for the detection of one or more species of analytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CLONDIAG GMBH
    Inventors: Eugen Ermantraut, Torsten Schulz, Thomas Ellinger, Daniel Weicherding
  • Patent number: 9725753
    Abstract: Provided is a device that, on the basis of a measurement result of a current that has a low value and a wide distribution, identifies the composition of biological molecules passing through a nanoparticle path. This biomolecule information analysis device obtains a current value by applying an electrical field to biomolecules passing through a gap between a first electrode and a second electrode, and identifies the structure of the biomolecules by integrating the current value and making a comparison with a reference value (see FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Ono, Tatsuo Nakagawa, Yoshimitsu Yanagawa, Takayuki Kawahara, Akira Kotabe, Riichiro Takemura
  • Patent number: 9719935
    Abstract: A technique relates to determining a presence of a known nucleic acid sequence of a known molecule in a sample. A sample surface is coated with a select segment of the known molecule. Beads are coated with a first molecule. A targeted nucleic acid sequence is attached to a second molecule that binds to the first molecule, such that the targeted nucleic acid sequence is attached to the beads via first and second molecules. The sample is placed on the sample surface. The sample includes the liquid medium, beads, and targeted nucleic acid sequence being tested. Brownian motion of beads is monitored to determine whether the Brownian motion of the beads is restricted or not restricted. When the Brownian motion of beads is restricted, the presence of the known nucleic acid sequence is in the sample, thus indicating that the targeted nucleic acid sequence is the known nucleic acid sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Venkat K. Balagurusamy, Stephen J. Heisig, Gong Su
  • Patent number: 9714444
    Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple analyte detection include a system for distribution of a biological sample that includes a substrate, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of sample chambers, a sample introduction channel for each sample chamber, and a venting channel for each sample chamber. The system may further include a preloaded reagent contained in each sample chamber and configured for nucleic acid analysis of a biological sample that enters the substrate and a sealing instrument configured to be placed in contact with the substrate to seal each sample chamber so as to substantially prevent sample contained in each sample chamber from flowing out of each sample chamber. The substrate can be constructed of detection-compatible and assay-compatible materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Min Yue, David M. Liu, Joy Roy, Yuh-Min Chiang, Joon Mo Yang, Dennis Lehto, Charles S. Vann, Nigel P. Beard, Ian A. Harding, John R. Van Camp, Alexander Dromaretsky, Sergey V. Ermakov, Mark F. Oldham, Maryam Shariati, Umberto Ulmanella
  • Patent number: 9702805
    Abstract: An airborne-substance detection device includes a cartridge and an optical detector. The cartridge includes: an inflow plate having formed therein a micropore that allows inflow of a microparticle-containing gas; a trapping plate disposed opposite the micropore and having the ability to capture the microparticles on a surface facing the micropore; and a main body in which the inflow plate and the trapping plate are installed, and in which a channel is formed that channels the gas to the micropore. The optical detector optically detects the microparticles captured on the trapping plate. The trapping plate is disposed on the outermost side of the cartridge, and is configured from a light transmissive member. The optical detector detects the captured microparticles on the trapping plate from the back side of the trapping plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Takenaka, Shigenori Togashi
  • Patent number: 9671360
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a biosensor comprising (a) forming an insulating layer in an electrode region; (b) coating the first photoresist layer on the insulating layer; (c) performing the first exposing process on the first electrode region through the first photomask; (d) removing unexposed area of the first photoresist layer except for the first electrode region using development; (e) coating the second photoresist layer on the first electrode region and the insulating layer after the step (d); (f) performing the second exposing process on the second electrode regions through the second photomask; (g) performing the third exposing process on the top portion of the second photoresist layer through a photomask with open areas in the shape of micro-sized wires connecting the second electrode regions; (h) removing the second photoresist layer except for the portions exposed in the steps (c), (f) and (g) using development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: UNIST (ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
    Inventors: Heung Joo Shin, Jeong Il Heo, Yeong Jin Lim
  • Patent number: 9669408
    Abstract: A slight volume collector adapted to collect a sample liquid with slight volume and be assembled to a detecting device is provided. The slight volume collector includes a body and an extension part. The extension part extends outward from the body and protrudes from the body. The extension part has a through hole, and the through hole passes through the extension part and corresponds to the body. The sample liquid is adapted to be adhered to and arranged in the through hole due to capillarity, and a volume of the sample liquid is substantially equal to a capacity of the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Sheng-Chieh Lin, Pin-Chung Sun, Yao-Ting Tseng, Shih-Jen Lu, Chung-Ju Wu, Chien-Lung Huang
  • Patent number: 9671398
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for the rapid in situ determination of the existence of a hook effect and expansion of the dynamic range of a point of care immunoassay. For example, a system for identifying a hook effect and expanding the dynamic range of an immunoassay is provided that may include a primary sensor having first immobilized antibodies that may be configured to generate a first signal based on a presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample. The system may further include an attenuated sensor having second immobilized antibodies at a reduced concentration relative to a concentration of the first immobilized antibodies on the primary sensor and that may be configured to generate a second signal based on the presence or absence of the target analyte in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Abbott Point of Care Inc.
    Inventors: John Campbell, Linda Nguyen, James Smith, Wenda Weiss, Barry Lee Dowell
  • Patent number: 9663760
    Abstract: The present invention efficiently and cost-effectively extracts and collects cells from a tissue. The inventors have discovered that the tissue can be effectively fragmented and the resulting cells can be purified using a system or kit with multiple components. An advantage of the present invention is that tissue processing takes place in a closed system such that sterility can be maintained throughout the process, even if certain components are removed during processing, for example through the use of valves, clamps, and heat seals. Furthermore, any or all of the steps can be automated or manually accomplished, according to the specific needs of the application or the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Auxocell Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Rouzbeh R. Taghizadeh, John Meade
  • Patent number: 9663780
    Abstract: A solid-core ring-magnet having one or more cavities is provided. The magnet can have an overall cylindrical shape or a rectangular-prism shape. In either case, a portion of cavity walls of the magnet are ring shaped, causing the magnetic field lines to emanate from the magnet in the shape of a ring. The diameter of the ring shaped cavities can be constant throughout, constant through a portion of the cavity, variant throughout, or variant through a portion of the cavity. The cavities open to the end of the magnet, and terminate toward the core of the magnet. Also provided are systems and kits having solid-core ring-magnets. Methods of purifying a macromolecule using the solid-core ring-magnets are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ALPAQUA ENGINEERING, LLC
    Inventor: Olaf Stelling
  • Patent number: 9644200
    Abstract: A method for preparing a sample by utilizing a shearing force in the presence of a size stabilizer to break apart the sample to obtain nucleic acid molecules in a usable size range. Once nucleic acid molecules are obtained, magnetic nanoparticles are used to concentrate and clean the nucleic acid molecules for further testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Integrated Nano-Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis M. Connolly, Tara Holz, Vera Tannous, Christopher Kilcoin, Konstantin Aptekarev, David B. Bailey, Richard S. Murante, Nathaniel E. Wescott
  • Patent number: 9645160
    Abstract: The automatic analysis device measures time sequential data on a scattered light amount as reaction process data, and quantitatively determines the concentration of an analyte from a change in light amount. The automatic analysis device has a function of selecting reaction process data to be used for quantitative determination from the reaction process data obtained by measurement using a plurality of light receivers at different angles. As a result of using this function, data is selected from the reaction process data obtained by measurement using the plurality of light receivers at different angles in accordance with the concentration of the analyte and whether the priority is given to high sensitivity in the case where sensitivity is prioritized or a dynamic range, and the result of the quantitative determination is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sakuichiro Adachi, Tomonori Mimura, Hajime Yamazaki, Masaki Shiba
  • Patent number: 9631222
    Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for sampling, detecting and/or characterizing particles. Devices and methods of the invention, including particle samplers, impactors and counters, include a filter component for removing particles in the exhaust flow of the device, for example, to eliminate or minimize the potential for the device itself to provide source of particles in an environment undergoing particle monitoring. This aspect of the present devices and methods is particularly useful for monitoring particles in manufacturing environments requiring low levels of particles, such as cleanroom environments for electronics manufacturing and aseptic environments for manufacturing pharmaceutical and biological products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Cliff Ketcham, Paul B. Hartigan, Ronald W. Adkins
  • Patent number: 9622690
    Abstract: A measurement device includes a housing that has an attached biosensor that includes a reagent selectively responding to a specific analyte in a biological fluid, and is configured so as to be carried by a user, an analyte measurer that measures a concentration of the specific analyte with a biosensor, and a motion measurer that measures a motion level of the housing. A living activity level calculator calculates a living activity level of the user based on the motion level measured by the motion measurer, a recorder records the living activity level calculated by the living activity level calculator, and a controller associates the concentration of the specific analyte measured by the analyte measurer with an event of living activity of the user, estimated based on the living activity level recorded in the recorder, and records them in the recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Terashima, Masataka Nadaoka
  • Patent number: 9610540
    Abstract: There is provided an exhaust gas treatment apparatus. The exhaust gas treatment apparatus includes: a main discharge passage through which exhaust gas of combustion equipment is discharged; an heat exchanger between the combustion equipment and the main discharge passage; a nitrogen oxide decreasing device connected to the main discharge passage to decrease nitrogen oxides of exhaust gas; a bypass connected from the combustion equipment to the main discharge passage as a passage bypassing the heat exchanger to supply high temperature exhaust gas from the combustion equipment to the nitrogen oxide decreasing device; and a variable exhaust regulator disposed between the bypass and the main discharge passage to vary the amount of relatively high temperature exhaust gas flowing in the bypass and the amount of exhaust gas flowing in the main discharge passage in a correlated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: GEESCO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Buk-Ryong Cho, Dae-Woo Kim, Ha-Kue Park
  • Patent number: 9522396
    Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method for automatic detection of pathogens within a sample. The apparatus and method are especially useful for high-throughput and/or low-cost detection of parasites with minimal need for trained personnel. The invention entails automated microscopic data acquisition, and performing image processing of images captured from a sample using classification algorithms. Visual classification features of structures are extracted from the image and compared to visual classification features associated with known pathogens. A determination is reached whether a pathogen is present in the sample; and if present, the pathogen may be identified to a pathogen species. Diagnosis is rapid and does not require medically trained personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: S.D. Sight Diagnostics Ltd.
    Inventors: Ido Bachelet, Joseph Joel Pollak, Daniel Levner, Yonatan Bilu, Noam Yorav-Raphael
  • Patent number: 9448224
    Abstract: A disposable cartridge adapted to be used with a sensor-dispensing instrument comprises a housing, test sensors, a mechanical mechanism and moveable seals. The housing forms at least one opening therethrough. The test sensors are stacked in the housing. The test sensors are adapted to assist in testing at least one analyte. The mechanical mechanism is adapted to urge the test sensors in a first direction. One of the test sensors is positioned for ejection from the cartridge. The moveable seals is adapted to be in a closed position that seals the at least one opening so as to provide a substantially moisture-proof and a substantially air-tight cartridge, and one of the moveable seals is adapted to be in an open position that allows one of the test sensors to be moved therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG
    Inventors: Mohammad A. Kheiri, D. Glenn Purcell