Patents Examined by Yelena G. Gakh
  • Patent number: 9182384
    Abstract: An analyzing device configured to separate a solution component 18a in a separating cavity 23, which is connected to a measuring cavity through a connecting channel 37 and a measurement channel 38. A first capillary cavity 33 is provided on one side of the separating cavity 23 so as to communicate with the connecting channel 37. The first capillary cavity 33 is formed to extend to the outside of a separation interface 18c of a sample liquid separated in the separating cavity 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Saiki, Kouzou Tagashira, Hirofumi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9182409
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying and quantifying by mass spectrometry imaging at least one target analyte in a tissue sample, comprising the following steps: a) depositing the tissue sample to be analyzed on a support; b) analyzing the sample by mass spectrometry imaging, so as to obtain the mass spectrum of the target analyte in said tissue sample; c) weighting a signal associated with the mass spectrum of the target analyte in said tissue sample by a tissue extinction coefficient (TEC) specific to the target analyte and to the tissue sample which is obtained by using a control tissue sample; and d) using the weighted signal of the target analyte to determine the quantity of target analyte in the tissue sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: IMABIOTECH
    Inventors: Jonathan Stauber, Fabien Pamelard, David Bonnel, Grégory Hamm
  • Patent number: 9180451
    Abstract: A fluidic cartridge for detecting chemicals, formed by a casing, hermetically housing an integrated device having a plurality of detecting regions to bind with target chemicals; part of a supporting element, bearing the integrated device; a reaction chamber, facing the detecting regions; a sample feeding hole and a washing feeding hole, self-sealingly closed; fluidic paths, which connect the sample feeding and washing feeding holes to the reaction chamber; and a waste reservoir, which may be fluidically connected to the reaction chamber by valve elements that may be controlled from outside. The integrated device is moreover connected to an interface unit carried by the supporting element, electrically connected to the integrated device and including at least one signal processing stage and external contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Federico Giovanni Ziglioli, Amedeo Maierna, Ubaldo Mastromatteo, Gabriele Barlocchi, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Patent number: 9182353
    Abstract: Described is a lab-on-a-chip device and a method employing a lab-on-a-chip device for determining the concentration of species present in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: Corey Alan Salzer, Vishnu Vardhanan Rajasekharan, Isabel Nicola Huenig, Rainer Froemel, Markus Lenhard, Rolf Dieter Uthemann, Aria Farjam
  • Patent number: 9181631
    Abstract: Provided is a silicon crystalline material, which is manufactured by a CZ method to be used as a material bar for manufacturing a silicon single crystal by an FZ method and has a grasping section for being loaded in a crystal growing furnace employing the FZ method without requiring mechanical processing. A method for manufacturing such silicon crystalline material is also provided. The silicon crystalline material is manufactured by the silicon crystal manufacturing method employing the CZ method and is provided with the grasping section, which is manufactured in a similar way as a shoulder portion, a straight body portion and a tail portion in a silicon crystal growing step employing the CZ method, and is loaded in a single crystal manufacturing apparatus employing the FZ method to grow single crystals. A seed-crystal used in the silicon crystal manufacture employing the CZ method is used as the grasping section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SUMCO TECHXIV CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Togawa, Ryosuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 9176049
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample includes the step of irradiating a reaction portion of a sample BL and a reagent 40 in a reaction cell 34A of an analysis unit with light to obtain data D0 indicating optical characteristics of this portion. The method further includes the steps of irradiating a reference cell 34B which is not provided with a reagent 40 with light in a state in which the sample BL is supplied to the cell to obtain reference data D1 indicating optical characteristics of this portion, irradiating a base portion 34C of the analysis unit with light to obtain reference data D2 indicating optical characteristics of this portion, and obtaining data D3 indicating optical characteristics of the sample BL before reaction with the reagent 40 based on the reference data D1 and D2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Arkray Inc
    Inventors: Koji Fujimoto, Kotaro Shinozaki, Shigeru Kitamura
  • Patent number: 9176155
    Abstract: A sample processing apparatus includes a sample processing unit for obtaining a sample from a sample container and performing a predetermined process of the sample; a transport unit which includes a transport region for transporting, in a transport operation, a sample rack holding the sample container to the sample processing unit, and a rack removal region where the sample rack is accessible to an operator. A restraining member is also provided, which restrains contact by the operator to the sample rack on the transport region. A transport controller controls the transport unit to transport the sample rack on the transport region to the rack removal region after a predetermined transport suspension event occurs during the transport operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Yamato, Hiroshi Kurono
  • Patent number: 9170251
    Abstract: An instrument configured to determine the concentration of at least one analyte in a fluid is disclosed. The instrument comprises a display, a user-interface mechanism, and a body portion. The body portion houses a test-sensor cartridge and includes an opening configured to receive a test sensor from the test-sensor cartridge. The body portion further includes an indexer and an excise mechanism positioned within the body portion. The indexer includes an indexer face, a retention pin, a flexible pawl, and a user-accessible tab. The indexer is configured to rotate about the retention pin, which extends through a first aperture in the indexer face. The excise mechanism includes a push rod configured to extend through a second aperture in the indexer face and a bar coupled with and generally parallel to the push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare, LLC
    Inventors: Allen J. Brenneman, Huan-Ping Wu
  • Patent number: 9171707
    Abstract: The invention provides improvements in reagents for use in electron transfer dissociation ionization techniques for use in mass spectrometry, particularly for sequencing peptides and proteins using mass spectrometric techniques involving electrospray ionization and MS/MS characterization of fragment ions. The novel reagents used in the inventive methods allow for more effective determination of protein sequences, especially of long peptides or post-translationally modified protein fragments. Use of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons azulene, homoazulene, and acenaphthylene, and homodimers and heterodimers thereof, are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: John E. P. Syka, Philip D. Compton, Donald F. Hunt
  • Patent number: 9157924
    Abstract: A specimen analyzing apparatus for measuring a specimen by using a reagent which has a dispensing mechanism which includes a dispensing tube for suctioning and discharging liquid; a reagent container holder from which a reagent container is removable when the reagent container is in a container removal area; a receiving section for receiving a replacement command for a replacement of the reagent; and a controller for controlling the dispensing mechanism so as to retreat the dispensing tube from the container removal area when the replacement command has been received by the receiving section. Also, a control method for a specimen analyzing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Yamato, Hiroshi Kurono
  • Patent number: 9157921
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to mass spectral analysis. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve analyzing a lipid containing sample using a mass spectrometry technique, in which the technique utilizes a liquid phase that does not destroy native tissue morphology during analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Robert Graham Cooks, Livia Schiavinato Eberlin, Christina Ramires Ferreira, Allison Lisa Dill, Demian R. Ifa
  • Patent number: 9134286
    Abstract: An analyzing device including a capillary cavity and an inlet protruding circumferentially outward from an axial center. The capillary cavity and the inlet are connected by a guide section formed so as to extend circumferentially inward and on which a capillary force acts. A sample liquid collected from a leading end of the inlet is transferred to a separation cavity. A bent section and a recess are formed at a connected section of the guide section and the capillary cavity so as to change the direction of a passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Saiki, Kouzou Tagashira
  • Patent number: 9134247
    Abstract: A SERS method and apparatus employ a sample device having support structure including a first material containing a SER-active metal functionalized with a binding agent having specific capability for binding a designated target analyte. An analyte sample is introduced upon the functionalized SER-active metal; conditions to effect binding of the target analyte to the binding agent are maintained; unbound chemicals, biochemicals, or biologicals are removed; a second SER-active material is introduced to cause it to attach to the bound target analyte; the support structure is irradiated to generate a SER spectrum, with the first and second SER-active materials acting in concert; and the SER spectrum is detected and analyzed to determine the presence and quantity of the target analyte. Alternatively, the second SER-active material may be functionalized with a binding agent, with the procedure being modified accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: REAL-TIME ANALYZERS, INC.
    Inventors: Atanu Sengupta, Frank E. Inscore, Chetan Shende, Michael J. Donahue, Stuart Farquharson
  • Patent number: 9134238
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the amount of various materials in a liquid sample. Because the apparatus is particularly resilient it can be used repeatedly with very harsh liquid samples such as boot water from an oil refinery. The apparatus uses at least one volume and/or concentration independent optical analysis method to determine at least one of: the pH, amount of chloride, and/or amount of iron in the sample. The optical property can be colorimetric, fluorescent or both and result from adding dyes, complexing agents, turbidity inducing compounds, and other optically effecting reagents to the sample. Because the measurements are concentration and volume independent they can be done continuously, quickly, and avoid the inconvenient start and stop procedures in prior art measurement regimens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventors: Rodney H. Banks, Steven R. Ciota, Sascha J. Welz
  • Patent number: 9123520
    Abstract: A method for selective detection of volatile and non-volatile explosives in a mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer at a parts-per-quadrillion level without preconcentration is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of ionizing a carrier gas with an ionization source to form reactant ions or reactant adduct ions comprising nitrate ions (NO3?); selectively reacting the reactant ions or reactant adduct ions with at least one volatile or non-volatile explosive analyte at a carrier gas pressure of at least about 100 Ton in a reaction region disposed between the ionization source and an ion detector, the reaction region having a length which provides a residence time (tr) for reactant ions therein of at least about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Robert G. Ewing, David A. Atkinson, Brian H. Clowers
  • Patent number: 9095547
    Abstract: Glatiramer acetate containing compositions and drug products can be manufactured using methods that include a step of measuring one or both of the alpha helical content of the glatiramer acetate and the random coil content of the glatiramer acetate. These measurements can be compared to particular values or ranges for one or both of alpha helical and random coil content. The results of the comparison can be used in determining whether a given batch of glatiramer acetate should be used to manufacture a glatiramer acetate-containing drug product. The measurement of alpha helical content of the glatiramer acetate and the random coil content can be carried out using various methods, including circular dichroism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramamurthi Sridharan
  • Patent number: 9087626
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to pastes and methods of making a moisture determination of the paste during manufacture; optionally, the pastes comprise carbon nanotubes. The instant invention provides a simple and repeatable measurement protocol to determine the moisture or water content in paste comprising a non-aqueous solvent and a solid component, optionally, carbon nanotubes, CNT, and subsequently provide a method to monitor and control moisture level during electrode preparation and battery manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: CNANO TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Caihong Xing, Yunwang Mei, Yan Zhang, Haimei Zang, Gang Xu, Jun Ma
  • Patent number: 9086370
    Abstract: Methods and devices for signal amplification and/or analyzing a chemical analyte using an electrochemical cell containing colloidal suspension of conductive or redox active nanoparticles in a liquid sample are provided. The liquid sample includes a plurality of electrogenerated chemiluminescent (ECL) moieties and one or more chemical analytes. The colloidal suspension of nanoparticles in the liquid sample are in contact with one or more electrodes of the electrochemical cell. The methods and devices may also employ an optical detection system, which is capable of measuring one or more transient optical properties resulting from redox reactions of the ECL moieties catalyzed by interaction of the nanoparticles with one of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Fu-Ren F. Fan, Allen J. Bard, Xiaoying Xiao
  • Patent number: 9068939
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for providing and using a material including: a template molecule; a first cluster of one or more nanoparticles located at a first site on the template molecule; and a second cluster of one or more nanoparticles located at a second site on the template molecule and spaced apart from the first cluster. In some embodiments, the first and second clusters of nanoparticles exhibit a plasmon resonance having a first resonant peak and a second resonant peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF CALCUTTA
    Inventors: Anjan Kr. Dasgupta, Sarita Roy
  • Patent number: 9040305
    Abstract: The invention encompasses analyzers and analyzer systems that include a single particle analyzer, methods of using the analyzers and analyzers systems to analyze samples, either for single particles, e.g., protein molecules, or for multiple particles (multiplexing), methods of doing business based on the use of the analyzers or analyzer systems of the system, and electronic media for storing parameters useful in the analyzers and analyzer systems of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Singulex, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe J. Goix, Robert Puskas, John Todd, Richard A. Livingston, Douglas Held