Patents by Inventor Erhua Cao

Erhua Cao has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11879901
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ACCESS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Ming Xia, Yushan Tan, Jun Chen, Erhua Cao, Genqian Li, Robert F. Zuk
  • Publication number: 20230184792
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Ming Xia, Yushan Tan, Jun Chen, Erhua Cao, Genqian Li, Robert F. Zuk
  • Patent number: 11598784
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Access Medical Systems, LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Ming Xia, Yushan Tan, Jun Chen, Erhua Cao, Genqian Li, Robert F. Zuk
  • Publication number: 20220107330
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Hong TAN, Ming XIA, Yushan TAN, Jun CHEN, Erhua CAO, Genqian LI, Robert F. ZUK
  • Patent number: 11199555
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Access Medical Systems, LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Ming Xia, Yushan Tan, Jun Chen, Erhua Cao, Genqian Li, Robert F. Zuk
  • Publication number: 20190285658
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Hong TAN, Ming XIA, Yushan TAN, Jun CHEN, Erhua CAO, Genqian LI, Robert F. ZUK
  • Patent number: 10379116
    Abstract: This invention relates to a detection system for measuring a fluorescent signal in a fluorescent assay. The system comprises a probe having a small sensing surface bound with a fluorescent label, and a light source and a detector both mounted at the proximal side of the sensing surface of the substrate. The invention also relates to a method for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample using a probe tip having a small surface area (?5 mm) and a high molecular weight polymer (?1 MD) having multiple binding molecules and multiple fluorescent labels. The binding reaction is accelerated by flowing the reaction solutions laterally and moving the probe tip up and down in the reaction vessels. The invention furthers relates to a fluorescent labeling composition comprising a cross-linked FICOLLĀ® molecule having a plurality of binding molecules and a plurality of fluorescent labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Access Medical Systems, LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Robert F. Zuk, Yushan Tan, Erhua Cao, Min Xia, Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 10345319
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Access Medical Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Ming Xia, Yushan Tan, Jun Chen, Erhua Cao, Genqian Li, Robert F. Zuk
  • Publication number: 20180306829
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Hong TAN, Ming Xia, Yushan Tan, Jun Chen, Erhua Cao, Genqian LI, Robert F. Zuk
  • Patent number: 9804179
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ACCESS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Ming Xia, Yushan Tan, Jun Chen, Erhua Cao, Genqian Li, Robert F. Zuk
  • Patent number: 9719936
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for use in detecting an analyte in a sample based on thin-film spectral interference. The assembly comprises a waveguide, a monolithic substrate optically coupled to the waveguide, and a thin-film layer directly bonded to the sensing side of the monolithic substrate. The refractive index of the monolithic substrate is higher than the refractive index of the transparent material of the thin-film layer. A spectral interference between the light reflected into the waveguide from a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface varies as analyte molecules in a sample bind to the analyte binding molecules coated on the thin-film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ACCESS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Yushan Tan, Erhua Cao, Ming Xia, Robert F. Zuk
  • Publication number: 20170043338
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Hong TAN, Ming XIA, Yushan TAN, Jun CHEN, Erhua CAO, Genqian LI, Robert F. ZUK
  • Publication number: 20160370363
    Abstract: This invention relates to a detection system for measuring a fluorescent signal in a fluorescent assay. The system comprises a probe having a small sensing surface bound with a fluorescent label, and a light source and a detector both mounted at the proximal side of the sensing surface of the substrate. The invention also relates to a method for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample using a probe tip having a small surface area (?5 mm) and a high molecular weight polymer (?1 MD) having multiple binding molecules and multiple fluorescent labels. The binding reaction is accelerated by flowing the reaction solutions laterally and moving the probe tip up and down in the reaction vessels. The invention furthers relates to a fluorescent labeling composition comprising a cross-linked FICOLLĀ® molecule having a plurality of binding molecules and a plurality of fluorescent labels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Hong TAN, Robert F. ZUK, Yushan TAN, Erhua CAO, Min XIA, Jun CHEN
  • Patent number: 9468926
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for conducting immunoassay test. The apparatus includes a groove unit having a groove along a vertical direction configured to hold a rod-shaped portion of a probe along the vertical direction, and a push pin configured to move along a horizontal direction, the push pin being capable of residing at a first position and a second position. A tip of the push pin is capable of pressing the rod-shaped portion of the probe against the groove when the push pin resides at the first position. The distance between the tip of the push pin and the groove is larger than a diameter of the rod-shaped portion of the probe when the push pin resides at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ACCESS MEDICAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Ming Xia, Yushan Tan, Jun Chen, Erhua Cao, Genqian Li, Robert F. Zuk
  • Publication number: 20150204795
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for use in detecting an analyte in a sample based on thin-film spectral interference. The assembly comprises a waveguide, a monolithic substrate optically coupled to the waveguide, and a thin-film layer directly bonded to the sensing side of the monolithic substrate. The refractive index of the monolithic substrate is higher than the refractive index of the transparent material of the thin-film layer. A spectral interference between the light reflected into the waveguide from a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface varies as analyte molecules in a sample bind to the analyte binding molecules coated on the thin-film layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Yushan Tan, Erhua Cao, Ming Xia, Robert F. Zuk
  • Patent number: 8940238
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for use in detecting an analyte in a sample based on thin-film spectral interference. The assembly comprises a waveguide, a monolithic substrate optically coupled to the waveguide, and a thin-film layer directly bonded to the sensing side of the monolithic substrate. The refractive index of the monolithic substrate is higher than the refractive index of the transparent material of the thin-film layer. A spectral interference between the light reflected into the waveguide from a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface varies as analyte molecules in a sample bind to the analyte binding molecules coated on the thin-film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Access Medical Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Yushan Tan, Erhua Cao, Ming Xia, Robert F. Zuk
  • Publication number: 20140295578
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cartridge for an immunoassay test. The cartridge comprises (a) a probe well comprising a probe and a cap, the cap being in a closed position to enclose the probe in the probe well, wherein the probe has a bottom tip coated with analyte-binding molecules, (b) a sample well to receive a sample, (c) one or more reagent wells, (d) a plurality of wash wells each containing a first aqueous solution, and (e) a measurement well having a light transmissive bottom, the measurement well containing a second aqueous solution, wherein the openings of the sample well, reagent well, measurement well and wash wells are sealed. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for loading and releasing a probe. The apparatus comprises a push pin and a groove to load and transfer the probe to a plurality of locations, such as different wells in the above-mentioned cartridge, to conduct the immunoassay test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Hong TAN, Ming Xia, Yushan Tan, Jun Chen, Erhua Cao, Genqian Ll, Robert F. Zuk
  • Patent number: 8753574
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cartridge for an immunoassay test. The cartridge comprises (a) a probe well comprising a probe and a cap, the cap being in a closed position to enclose the probe in the probe well, wherein the probe has a bottom tip coated with analyte-binding molecules; (b) a sample well to receive a sample; (c) one or more reagent wells; (d) a plurality of wash wells each containing a first aqueous solution; and (e) a measurement well having a light transmissive bottom, the measurement well containing a second aqueous solution; wherein the openings of the sample well, reagent well, measurement well and wash wells are sealed. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for loading and releasing a probe. The apparatus comprises a push pin and a groove to load and transfer the probe to a plurality of locations, such as different wells in the above-mentioned cartridge, to conduct the immunoassay test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Access Medical Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Ming Xia, Yushan Tan, Jun Chen, Erhua Cao, Genqian Li, Robert F. Zuk
  • Publication number: 20140093432
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for use in detecting an analyte in a sample based on thin-film spectral interference. The assembly comprises a waveguide, a monolithic substrate optically coupled to the waveguide, and a thin-film layer directly bonded to the sensing side of the monolithic substrate. The refractive index of the monolithic substrate is higher than the refractive index of the transparent material of the thin-film layer. A spectral interference between the light reflected into the waveguide from a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface varies as analyte molecules in a sample bind to the analyte binding molecules coated on the thin-film layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Yushan Tan, Erhua Cao, Min Xia, Robert F. Zuk
  • Patent number: 8597578
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assembly for use in detecting an analyte in a sample based on thin-film spectral interference. The assembly comprises a waveguide, a monolithic substrate optically coupled to the waveguide, and a thin-film layer directly bonded to the sensing side of the monolithic substrate. The refractive index of the monolithic substrate is higher than the refractive index of the transparent material of the thin-film layer. A spectral interference between the light reflected into the waveguide from a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface varies as analyte molecules in a sample bind to the analyte binding molecules coated on the thin-film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Access Medical Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Tan, Yushan Tan, Erhua Cao, Min Xia, Robert F. Zuk