Patents Issued in April 26, 2016
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Patent number: 9322736Abstract: In accordance with some implementations of the described invention, a testing device is provided which includes a safety shield having one or more motion control cam tracks, wherein the cam tracks are configured to receive a cam follower that is connected to a mounting member onto which is mounted one or more testing modules. The testing modules perform specific functions for testing a sample product. The mounting member is moved within the safety shield as the cam follower tracks within the motion control cam tracks. In such implementations, the mounting member is further connected to two or more hydraulic cylinders or other actuators which are configured to move the mounting member to various positions within an x-axis and a y-axis. The integrated safety and motion control features of the safety shield provide precise, repeatable movement of the mounting member while preventing injuring to a user. Other implementations are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: ZAXIS, INC.Inventors: Scott C. Peeler, Brian W. Guest, Christopher H. Jensen
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Patent number: 9322737Abstract: An insulator for separating two objects with different electrical potential, the insulator including an insulating body enclosing a first volume for housing a gas, the body being provided with an opening, and a sealing arrangement arranged to seal the opening in the body and including a first gas-tight sealing element for sealing the opening and provided with a first closable opening, and a second gas-tight sealing element for sealing the opening, and arranged inside the first sealing element so that the first and second sealing elements define a second volume significantly smaller than the first volume. The second sealing element is provided with a second closable opening which in cooperation with the first closable opening enable control of the gas pressure in the first volume. Methods for leakage detection of the insulator are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: ABB Technology LtdInventors: Anders Holmberg, Anna Brorsson, Bengt Asplund, Jonas Persson, Mattias Lundborg
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Patent number: 9322738Abstract: A gas analyzer for a vacuum chamber includes processing electronics configured to receive mass spectral data, receive input of total pressure in the vacuum chamber, receive external input from at least one sensor, and employ the mass spectral data, the total pressure in the vacuum chamber, and the external input from the at least one sensor to calculate a vacuum quality index based on at least one criteria of quality.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Gerardo A. Brucker, Kenneth D. Van Antwerp, Jr.
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Patent number: 9322739Abstract: An eyeglass lens measuring apparatus includes a measuring optical system configured to measure optical properties of an eyeglass lens for the right eye and optical properties of an eyeglass lens for the left eye; and a point marking mechanism including a first point marking member configured to provide a first mark point defining an optical center and an astigmatic axis of the eyeglass lens which are acquired by using the measuring optical system, and a second point marking member configured to provide a second mark point defining an upper portion and a lower portion of the eyeglass lens, wherein the point marking mechanism is configured to provide the eyeglass lens for the right eye and the eyeglass lens for the left eye respectively with the second mark points almost the same in position.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.Inventor: Motoshi Tanaka
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Patent number: 9322740Abstract: This invention relates to a distributed disturbance sensing device based on polarization sensitive optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) and the related demodulation thereof. The device, adopting OFDR, polarization controlling and analysis techniques, consists of a ultra-narrow linewidth tunable laser source module, polarization generating and polarization splitting balanced detecting module, laser source optical frequency and phase monitoring module, high-speed optical switch and so on to establish a large-scale and long-distance optical sensing network. The demodulation method consists of analysis the polarization information from sensing optical fiber, the method of suppressing and compensating of the non-linear optical frequency and the laser phase noise, super-resolution analyzing, advanced denoising method and the polarization information analysis method based on Jones and Mueller's matrices using distributed wave plate model of optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: TIANJIN UNIVERSITYInventors: Tiegen Liu, Kun Liu, Zhenyang Ding, Junfeng Jiang, Dingjie Li
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Patent number: 9322741Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas analyzing system having a function of navigating an adjusting procedure of a gas analyzer, and the system includes an analyzer for analyzing exhaust gas and a manager for managing or controlling the analyzer, and the manager includes a procedure display part for selectively displaying adjustment items necessary for adjustment of the analyzer in a predetermined order in a predetermined area of one screen, and a detail input screen display part for displaying a detail input screen of the selected adjustment item.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: HORIBA, Ltd.Inventors: Koji Watanabe, Tetsu Yoshioka
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Patent number: 9322742Abstract: The present invention is intended to be able to determine an appropriate purge time in a hydrogen flame ionization type exhaust gas analyzer and a system incorporating the analyzer which includes: a collector electrode for capturing ions generated from exhaust gas by hydrogen flame; an acquisition circuit adapted to acquire ion current caused by the ions captured by the collector electrode; and an abnormality determining part for determining an abnormality in the case where a difference between a first output value of the acquisition circuit in the case where there flows no ion current caused by the exhaust gas to the collector electrode and a second output value of the acquisition circuit in the case where zero gas is introduced into the hydrogen flame is equal to a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: HORIBA, LTD.Inventors: Masaru Miyai, Hiroshi Nakamura, Masahiro Nishikawa
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Patent number: 9322743Abstract: This invention is a test system 1 that is used for a mobile object such as a vehicle or a component used for the mobile object, and the test system 1 comprises one or a plurality of devices for test 4 used for a test and a device administrating device 7 that is connected to the device for test 4 in a communicable manner and that administrates the device for test 4, and is characterized by that the device administrating device 7 or the device for test 4 comprises a QC storing part 45 that stores a regulation ID to identify a regulation for the test and a quality check time or item to be provided for the device for test 4 in a mutually associated manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: HORIBA, Ltd.Inventors: Katsumi Uratani, Katsuhiro Hachiuma
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Patent number: 9322744Abstract: Provided is a tire air pressure monitoring device capable of accurately determining the wheel position of a transmitter. The tire air pressure monitoring device comprises: a transmitter installed on each wheel for transmitting detected air pressure information via a wireless signal; a rotational position detection mechanism disposed on the vehicle body side which detects the rotational position of each wheel and also outputs rotational position information to a communications line at prescribed time intervals; and a vehicle body side rotation position estimation mechanism that estimates the rotational position (i.e., number of teeth) at the time of transmission by the transmitters, on the basis of the reception information for the wireless signal from the transmitters and the rotation position information for the wheels input via the communications line.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Shima, Kazuo Sakaguchi, Syoji Terada
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Patent number: 9322745Abstract: To prevent occurrence of a slip between a tire and a drum and a flat spot on the tire and to reduce cycle time at a time of testing the tire, this tire testing method includes causing a control mechanism to control a motor to drive the tire to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed lower than a specified rotational speed if a linear sensor detects that the tire transported onto a center conveyor is sandwiched between an upper spindle and a lower spindle, and to control a moving mechanism to move a drum until the drum contacts the tire that rotates at the predetermined rotational speed. If a load cell detects the contact between the tire and the drum, then the control mechanism accelerates the rotation of the tire from the predetermined rotational speed to the specified rotational speed and increases a load applied to the tire by the drum, and the tire is tested.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.Inventor: Takehiko Wakazono
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Patent number: 9322746Abstract: Sample bags having at least one multilayer wall are described. The multilayer wall may include an inner layer and a sealing layer. The sealing layer is outside of the inner layer and forms a seam around at least a portion of the sample bag. In certain embodiments, the inner layer comprises a patterned periphery. The patterned periphery extends into the seam to provide the inner layer with a mechanical stability. The inner layer may be a thin metal foil or a plastic film and the sealing layer may include a sealing surface of a thermoplastic, wherein the thermoplastic of each sealing layer may be fused to form a seal around the periphery of the sampling bag. The sample bag thereby an inner layer with a low permeable, low adsorption layer coupled with a second layer providing an effective seal results in a sample bag with improved sample gas stability.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: NEXTTEQ LLCInventors: Gueorgui M. Mihaylov, Bryan I. Truex
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Patent number: 9322747Abstract: A system and method for collecting a selected phase of a representative sample from a multiphase fluid flowing through a flowline, preferably located subsea. The system includes a multiphase sampling apparatus attachable to the flowline for sampling the representative sample; a vehicle sampling apparatus (e.g., ROV) locatable proximate the flowline having a power supply and a fluid sample collector for storing at least one selected phase of the representative sample; an interface for connecting the multiphase sampling apparatus and the vehicle sampling apparatus; and a temperature control arrangement disposed between the multiphase sampling apparatus and the vehicle sampling apparatus configured to minimize the temperature difference between the representative sample and the multiphase fluid flowing through the flowline.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Asmund Boe, Jonathan W. Brown, Paul B. Guieze, John A. Kerr, Ricardo Vasques
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Patent number: 9322748Abstract: A tissue refining device for collecting and processing tissue received from a harvesting device under suction from a vacuum source comprising an improved canister and separator device wherein the canister is reinforced to avoid cracking, an eccentric funnel is used to separate the space within the canister which also allows for visual inspection and control of the tissue, liquid, and fat. A specially designed barbed spout on the funnel allows for flex at that connection without loss of device integrity. The device also has a proprietary method for placement on its custom stand.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Inventor: Melbourne Kimsey, II
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Patent number: 9322749Abstract: A sample can be collected from an enclosed container by opening a sample collection valve and drawing the sample from the enclosed container. After delivery of the sample out of a fluid flow path, a sanitizing fluid can be directed along the fluid flow path to sanitize the fluid flow path.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Bend Research, Inc.Inventors: David Dixon Newbold, Douglas Lee Millard, George Lewis Ellis, Jr.
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Patent number: 9322750Abstract: A system and method for improving operation of a needle trap by changing a flow path through a needle trap to enable a needle to draw a fluid sample into a working end of the needle and out through the side hole, wherein drawing the sample through the side hole eliminates the possibility of a leak through the side hole while drawing a fluid sample into the working end.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: TORION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Joseph L. Oliphant, Nathan Porter, Anthony D. Rands
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Patent number: 9322751Abstract: An aerosol collecting device includes: a sample plate; and a housing having a sample passing space around the sample plate so as to enclose at least part of the sample plate, wherein the housing includes: a first body having a sample inlet on one surface thereof; and a second body having a suction opening on one surface thereof, the suction opening configured to suck air inside the sample passing space, the second body formed to be engaged with the first body in a state where the sample plate is interposed therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: AGENGY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENTInventors: Jonghee Lee, Young-Su Jeong, Sun Kyung Choi, Ju Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 9322752Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, compositions, and methods for analyzing a sample containing particles. In some aspects the system comprises an analyzer which may be a visual analyzer. In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a particle imaging system comprising a flowcell through which a sample containing particles is caused to flow, and a high optical resolution imaging device which captures images for image analysis of samples. Other compositions, methods and features of this disclosure are disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: IRIS International, Inc.Inventors: Bart J. Wanders, Thomas H. Adams, Gregory A. Farrell, Warren Groner, Xiaodong Zhao
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Patent number: 9322753Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a staining methodology employing a particle contrast agent composition capable of rapidly staining cells in a single step. The particle contrast agent composition can be comprised of a combination of one or more particle contrast agents and one or more permeabilizing agents, optionally including one or more fixing agents and other components. The particle contrast agent composition can include Crystal Violet, 5PD-Lytic, and Proclin 300.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: IRIS International, Inc.Inventor: Jack Cremins
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Patent number: 9322754Abstract: The present invention relates to a holding apparatus (10) for receiving specimen slides (1), having a holder (3, 4, 5) for handling the holding apparatus (10) and having at least two identification units (2a, 2b) that make available different information items to enable characterization of the orientation of the holding apparatus (10) in a stainer or coverslipper.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbHInventors: Markus Berberich, Christian Wilke, Jürgen Tenhaef
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Patent number: 9322755Abstract: A cell capturing filter, in which cells or particles having a predetermined size or greater in a sample may be easily captured, and clogging of a flow passage due to the captured cells or particles may be prevented, and stresses acting on the captured cells or particles may be reduced, having a first surface and a second substrate having a second surface that is bonded to the first surface, wherein the first substrate may include a flow passage formed in the first surface of the first substrate so that a sample flows in the flow passage, and a barrier that protrudes across the flow passage, and the second substrate may include a fine groove formed in an area on the second surface corresponding to the barrier, and a gap may exist between a surface of the barrier and the fine groove.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Tae-seok Sim, Min-seoks Kim, Mi-jeong Song, Jeong-gun Lee, June-young Lee, Yeon-jeong Kim, Sang-hyun Baek, Jin-mi Oh, Hyo-young Jeong
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Patent number: 9322756Abstract: A nondispersive infrared (NDIR) micro-optics sensor package is described that includes one or more light sources, a photodetector, and control circuitry coupled to the one or more light sources to non-invasively measure blood alcohol concentration, such as without utilizing ex vivo bodily fluids for the measurements. Additionally, a mobile phone device configured to measure blood alcohol concentration is described that includes a mobile phone system and an NDIR micro-optics sensor package as disclosed above. Further, a process for measuring alcohol content within a subject is described.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Arvin Emadi, Nicole D. Kerness, Christopher F. Edwards
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Patent number: 9322757Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are disclosed for testing various properties of a sample, such as a cable or duct. The apparatus includes a duct and a plurality of radius controlling units. The radius controlling units are used to generate bends having a desired bending radius at different sections of the duct. Sensors are provided to measuring different forces and conditions of the sample or the duct. A controller can be provided for receiving sensor measurements and controlling various aspects of the test.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.Inventor: David Z. Chen
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Patent number: 9322758Abstract: A method for determining allowable bearing pressures of a steel footing on variable subsurface materials whether native soils, rock, or manmade construction material is disclosed. The method continuously measures vertical displacement by an optical technique of a dismantable steel footing under the impact of a free falling steel drop weight. The load pulse of the drop weight is measured by means of a load cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Inventor: John Fahd Fadlo Touma
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Patent number: 9322759Abstract: The invention provides a method of calibrating a vibrating tube densitometer intended to operate at combined elevated temperatures and pressures.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Mobrey LimitedInventors: Tinghu Yan, George Macdonald, David Malcolm Campbell
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Patent number: 9322760Abstract: The subject matter of this invention is a device for measuring the contact angle of a liquid drop on a material surface. The shadow of a drop of a test liquid is projected onto a tilted shadow surface. An image of the drop on the shadow surface is recorded with an image recording device, and the contact angle is calculated from the image and the known angle of tilt of the shadow surface. A method that is suitable for this is likewise disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: SITA Messtechnik GmbHInventors: Ralf Haberland, Lukas Pescoller, Sebastian Gottschall, Lars Schümann
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Patent number: 9322761Abstract: A method of inspecting a clinical specimen for a presence of one or more interferents, such as those that might be found within clinical analytical blood specimens by subjecting the specimen to centrifugation to separate the specimen into a red blood cell portion and a blood serum or plasma portion is provided. Subsequent to the centrifuging procedure, the serum or plasma portion of the clinical analytical specimen may be tested for the presence of one or more interferents such as hemolysis, icterus, lipemia, or liquid nonuniformities therein. Additionally, physical dimensional characteristics of the sample container and/or specimen may be determined. Apparatus for carrying out the method are described, as are other aspects.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventor: Kerry L. Miller
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Patent number: 9322762Abstract: A monitoring method, device, and electric installation for monitoring ageing of at least one electric equipment unit. The monitoring method includes entering and storing ageing computation data by type of equipment, measuring physical quantities representative of environmental conditions of the electric equipment unit, the measuring of the physical quantities including measuring humidity content with a humidity sensor and measuring salinity content with a salinity sensor, computing ageing according to the measured physical quantities including the humidity content and the salinity content, and according to the stored ageing computation data, and generating electric equipment ageing data that indicates the ageing of the electric equipment unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SASInventors: Michel Cercueil, Marc Houdray
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Patent number: 9322763Abstract: Autonomous non-destructive inspection equipment provides automatic and/or continuous inspection and evaluation of a material under inspection. The inspection equipment comprises at least one detection sensor and at least one detection sensor interface for a computer. The signals are communicated from the sensor to the computer. The signals are then conditioned and evaluated according to knowledge already inputted into the computer. The computer iterations are processed until an acceptable conclusion is made regarding the type of imperfection that is detected.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Inventors: Stylianos Papadimitriou, Wanda Papadimitirou
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Patent number: 9322764Abstract: Apparatuses include a base, a linear beam of paper material connected to the base, and an adhesive surface connected to the base adjacent the linear beam. In its un-deformed state, the linear beam is straight and elongated. A coating (e.g., a flexible moisture barrier) covers only a second side along the length of the linear beam (and does not cover a first side). The adhesive surface is a contact self-adhesive. The linear beam develops a curvature toward the adhesive surface from exposure to an atmospheric excessive moisture level above a previously established moisture level. A sufficient amount of curvature causes the linear beam to contact the adhesive surface, and the linear beam remains permanently attached to the adhesive surface after contacting the adhesive surface, thereby indicating that at some point the previously established moisture level has been exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: George A. Gibson, Linn C. Hoover
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Patent number: 9322765Abstract: An optical system comprising a light source comprising a plurality of light emitting elements (LEEs) is presented. The light source is mounted on the same substrate or chip board so that the LEEs are in thermal contact with each other such as to enable thermic conduction and heat transfer between the LEEs. The system is switchable between light source modes in which different light emitting elements or a different number of light emitting elements is switched in an on mode and in a down mode respectively. In all light source modes, one or more light emitting elements, such as those with longer expected lifetime, remain in the on mode, while one or more light emitting elements, such as those with shorter expected lifetime, may be switched in the down mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Rik Harbers, Philipp Nicolas Zeller
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Patent number: 9322766Abstract: A rapid test method for evaluating the delamination in glass packaging is provided. The method includes exposing the glass packaging means to an atmosphere consisting of steam in order to form a corrosion zone; and subsequently carrying out at least one other step. The other step includes: visualizing the corrosion zone using a light microscope; visualizing the corrosion zone by a staining process with a subsequent inspection process; or removing glass components in ultrapure water and quantifying the removed glass components. The rapid test method provides a conclusion about whether a glass packaging exhibits a tendency to delaminate or not in a simple and reliable manner and in a relatively short time span.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: SCHOTT AGInventors: Volker Scheumann, Michaela Klause, Uwe Rothhaar
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Patent number: 9322767Abstract: Devices and methods for performing a point of care blood, cell, and/or pathogen count or a similar blood test. Disclosed herein are systems that can be used to provide rapid, accurate, affordable laboratory-quality testing at the point of care. The systems described herein are capable of imaging and counting individual cells in a prepared cell sample (e.g., a peripheral blood smear or a blood sample prepared in a microfluidic device) or another prepared cell-containing sample without the need for a microscope or other expensive and cumbersome optics. The systems described herein are designed to eliminate or replace expensive, centralized clinical testing equipment and technical personnel. Such systems may include automated data reporting and decision support.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: i-calQ, LLCInventor: Joel R. L. Ehrenkranz
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Patent number: 9322768Abstract: A pseudo-active chemical imaging sensor including irradiative transient heating, temperature nonequilibrium thermal luminescence spectroscopy, differential hyperspectral imaging, and artificial neural network technologies integrated together. The sensor may be applied to the terrestrial chemical contamination problem, where the interstitial contaminant compounds of detection interest (analytes) comprise liquid chemical warfare agents, their various derivative condensed phase compounds, and other material of a life-threatening nature. The sensor measures and processes a dynamic pattern of absorptive-emissive middle infrared molecular signature spectra of subject analytes to perform its chemical imaging and standoff detection functions successfully.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Arthur H. Carrieri, Tudor N. Buican, Erik S. Roese, James Sutter, Alan C. Samuels
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Patent number: 9322769Abstract: A method detects the degree of spoilage of food by exposing a food sample to an excitation wave having a first wavelength of about 340 nm or about 380 nm, wherein the excitation wave has a bandwidth of 40 nm or less. The excitation wave is permitted to interact with the food sample and return emission spectra. A detector detects the emission spectra. A predetermined threshold value is established which defines when a food sample is or is not spoiled. The emission spectra is analyzed at a second wavelength of about 400 nm, about 450 nm or about 530 nm to provide a test or measured value of the emission spectra indicative of the degree of spoilage of the food sample. Whether or not a food sample is spoiled beyond the predetermined threshold is determined by comparing the measured value to the predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Inventors: Robert R. Alfano, Yang Pu, Wubao Wang
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Patent number: 9322770Abstract: A method for adjusting, calibrating and/or checking a function of a photometric sensor, which is embodied for measuring at least one measured variable in a medium, wherein the sensor works with at least one measuring wavelength and at least one reference wavelength, comprising the steps as follows: mounting a calibration insert in a receptacle provided therefor at the sensor, adjusting, calibrating and/or performing the function check, and removing the calibration insert, characterized in that the transmittance of light of the measuring wavelength and the transmittance of light of the reference wavelength through the calibration insert are different. The invention relates further to a calibration insert.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER CONDUCTA GESELLSCHAFT FUR MESS- UND REGELTECHNIK MBH + CO. KGInventors: Peter Lindmuller, Matthias Grossmann, Thilo Kratschmer
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Patent number: 9322771Abstract: The inventive concept provides apparatuses and methods for monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes in real time using polarized light. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a light source configured to generate light, a beam splitter configured to reflect the light toward the wafer being processed, an objective polarizer configured to polarize the light reflected toward the wafer and to allow light reflected by the wafer to pass therethrough, a blaze grating configured to separate light reflected by the wafer according to wavelength, an array detector configured to detect the separated light and an analyzer to analyze the three-dimensional profile of the structure/pattern being formed in the wafer.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Woong-Kyu Son, Kwang-Hoon Kim, Deok-Yong Kim, Sung-Soo Moon, Jung-Hoon Byun, Ji-Hye Lee, Choon-Shik Leem, Soo-Bok Chin
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Patent number: 9322772Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring the absorbance of a substance in a solution, comprising: i) a sample cell (30) of known path length (b) for containing said solution (S), said cell being transparent to light of a predefined wavelength spectrum; ii) plural LED's each being independently operable by means of a controller (25) each for emitting light, within said predefined wavelength spectrum, along a light path; iii) a band pass filter (22) in the light path; iv) a beam splitter (24) for dividing light from said source propagating along the path into a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being directable by the beam splitter toward a reference detector (42) and said second portion being directable into the cell (30); v) a reference detector (42) for detecting the intensity of said first portion of light directed by said beam splitter; and vi) a sample detector (40) for detecting the intensity of the second portion propagating from the cell; the apparatus allowing a sample in the cellType: GrantFiled: May 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences ABInventors: Hanno Ehring, Fredrik Lars Jarhede, Erik Ostlund
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Patent number: 9322773Abstract: An optical spectral sensing device for determining at least one property of a fluid. The device has an elongated porous body, a first end and a second end, a solid-state optical emitter at the first end of the body oriented to emit radiation toward the second end of the body, and a solid-state optical detector at the second end of the body oriented to detect radiation emitted by the optical emitter. A package for detecting properties of a fluid includes a body defining a cavity, with a movable and biased carrier for an optical detector or emitter mounted in the cavity for increased reliability. A system for determining relative concentrations of fluids in a sample includes emitter/detector pairs operating at reference wavelength and wavelengths corresponding to absorption peaks of at least two fluids, and a processor for determining concentration based on measured data and calibration data.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Measurement Specialties, Inc.Inventors: John Coates, Robert Qualls
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Patent number: 9322774Abstract: An NDIR gas-sensor arrangement for measuring a target-gas concentration comprises a variable-power infrared-radiation emitter that can project radiant energy from one side of a space containing the target gas and through the space to the other side thereof, a infrared-radiation receiver on the other side of the space and positioned to be irradiated by the radiant energy projected by the emitter through the space for emitting a signal corresponding to radiation received, and a filter between the receiver and the space and permeable only to radiation of a wavelength range that corresponds to the target gas. A controller connected to the radiation receiver calculates the target-gas concentration on the basis of the signal from the receiver to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: paragon AGInventor: Ralf Moenkemoeller
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Patent number: 9322775Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus to perform frequency comb spectroscopy.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: CNR—CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHEInventors: Gianluca Gagliardi, Saverio Avino, Antonio Giorgini, Paolo De Natale
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Patent number: 9322776Abstract: A system for characterizing a bi-directional reflectance distribution function scattered light pattern of a portion of a sample is disclosed. The system can comprise a hemispherical member comprising an reflective inner surface; an entrance port operable to receive electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source; a first reflective optical element operable to receive at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation and to direct the at least the portion of the electromagnetic radiation onto the portion of the sample to be characterized; a wide-angle lens operable receive the electromagnetic radiation that was specularly reflected and diffusely scattered from the portion of the sample onto the inner surface of the hemispherical member; and an imaging device operable to record intensity information imaged by the wide-angle lens to characterize the bi-directional reflectance distribution function scattered light pattern of the portion of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Stephen Kerry Wilcken
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Patent number: 9322777Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for identifying, classifying, differentiating, etc., objects. For example a hyperspectral imaging system can include a dark-field module operably coupled to at least one of an optical assembly, a dark-field illuminator, and a hyperspectral imaging module. The dark-field module can include circuitry having one or more sensors operable to acquire one or more dark-field micrographs associated with scattered electromagnetic energy from an object interrogated by the dark-field interrogation stimulus. The hyperspectral imaging module can be operably coupled to the dark-field module, and can include circuitry configured to generate an angular-resolved and spectrally resolved scattering matrix based on the one or more dark-field micrographs of the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Tokitae LLCInventors: Michael C. Hegg, Benjamin K. Wilson
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Patent number: 9322778Abstract: An optical sensing apparatus and a method for detecting characteristics of a sample.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignees: THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONGInventors: Ho Pui Ho, Shu Yuen Wu, Chi-Man Lawrence Wu, Siu Pang Ng, Siu Kai Kong
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Patent number: 9322779Abstract: A stability of at least one foulant within a hydrocarbon-based fluid sample may be determined where the hydrocarbon-based fluid sample may have or include, but is not limited to a hydrocarbon fluid and foulant particles. The fluid sample may have a viscosity ranging from about 0.5 cSt to about 5000 cSt. The hydrocarbon-based fluid sample may be centrifuged, and a laser light (in the near-infrared region) with a detector may be applied to the hydrocarbon-based fluid sample. At least one transmittance measurement from the laser light passing through the hydrocarbon-based fluid sample may be used to measure foulant flocculation. A foulant stability reserve measurement may be obtained by comparing a first transmittance measurement of the centrifuged hydrocarbon-fluid sample to a second transmittance measurement of a non-centrifuged hydrocarbon-fluid sample.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: Marco Respini
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Patent number: 9322780Abstract: A method for wavelength-resolving and high spatial resolution fluorescence microscopy in which fluorescence labels in a sample are repeatedly excited to emit fluorescence radiation and frames including images of isolated labels are produced with a microscope. The positions of the images of the isolated fluorescing labels are localized with a localization precision exceeding the optical resolution of the imaging beam path of the microscope. The imaging beam path of the microscope has a diffractive element which, during the imaging, diffracts the image of the sample comprising the isolated fluorescing labels into a first diffraction order so that each frame contains the first diffraction order images of the isolated fluorescing labels. A parameter of the first diffraction order images of the isolated fluorescing labels is evaluated and an indication of the wavelength of the isolated fluorescing labels is derived from this evaluated parameter.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbHInventors: Thomas Kalkbrenner, Ralf Wolleschensky
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Patent number: 9322781Abstract: A method for producing an optically stimulated luminescene (OSL) dosage detection crystal is disclosed, where an Al2O3 is first covered with carbon. The carbon atoms are diffused then in vacuum into the Al2O3 lattices. Then, the oxygen and carbon atoms react with each other in an anneal process under 1 atm. At this time, oxygen and the carbon atoms are enabled to react with each other, and thus C+O result in CO, or C+O2 form CO2, so that oxygen vacancy deficiencies are formed in the Al2O3 crystal. At this time, a uniformly carbon distributed crystal structure is thus simply obtained.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Inventor: Mitch M. C. Chou
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Patent number: 9322782Abstract: An image obtaining apparatus and an image obtaining method are provided. The image obtaining apparatus including a light source configured to generate excitation light causing a fluorescent label of a biological sample to emit light; an image sensor; an optical system configured to cause the image sensor to form a fluorescent image of the partial area of the biological sample; a movement control unit; a generation unit configured to continuously expose the image sensor during the movement of the focal position of the optical system, and to generate a long-time exposed image of the partial area; and a calculation unit configured to analyze a frequency of the generated long-time exposed image, and to calculate positional information in the optical axis direction of the fluorescent label by using at least results of the analysis.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Koichiro Kishima
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Patent number: 9322783Abstract: We describe a detection module used in an apparatus (and a system of the apparatus and the detection module) for conducting luminescence assays in multi-well plates, wherein the detection module includes a housing comprising a light detector and a control board. The apparatus and detection module each include engagement elements that align and engage the detection module with the apparatus in the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: MESO SCALE TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Charles M. Clinton, Jacob N. Wohlstadter
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Patent number: 9322784Abstract: A microplate reader and method has at least one measuring device and a holding device for accommodating at least one microplate and for positioning samples-containing wells of microplates in relation to the measuring device. The at least one measuring device is used for detecting light emitted by samples in wells of a microplate and/or which is influenced by samples transilluminated by light in the wells. The microplate reader has a control unit for controlling the composition of a gas atmosphere surrounding the wells containing the samples. A respective use is characterized particularly in that living cells are measured in a controlled gas atmosphere, wherein the living cells are chosen from microaerophilic, optionally anaerobic and obligatorily anaerobic microorganisms as well as fungi and eukaryotic cells.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Josef Grassl, Gerald Probst, Markus Schürf
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Patent number: 9322785Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a 3D model of and/or detecting inclusions in a polished gemstone such as diamond is described. The gemstone (103) is rotated in a series of discrete increments. At each rotational position of the gemstone, the gemstone (103) is illuminated with collimated light (111,112) and a silhouette image recorded. At each rotational position, the gemstone (103) is also (before further rotation) illuminated with diffuse light (109), and a diffuse image recorded. The images are analyzed to obtain a 3D model of the surface of the gemstone. Features may then be identified in the diffuse images and tracked between subsequent diffuse images. The tracked features may be located relative to the 3D model of the gemstone, taking into account reflection and refraction of light rays by the gemstone. Some or all of the located features may then be identified as inclusions.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: De Beers UK Ltd.Inventors: James Gordon Charters Smith, Graham Ralph Powell