Patents Issued in June 21, 2016
  • Patent number: 9372158
    Abstract: A laser profiler includes: a laser diode mounted within a substantially cylindrical housing; a conical mirror positioned upstream from the laser diode within the cylindrical housing; and a transparent shroud positioned to surround the conical mirror. A beam produced by the laser diode is directed to the conical mirror and is reflected therefrom at 360° through the transparent shroud to produce a ring of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Jennison Corporation
    Inventors: Mark P. Johnsen, Theodore J. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9372159
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting heliostat failures in a concentrating solar plant, the system comprising a plurality of stationary lights and cameras mounted to towers that surround, or are situated within, a field of heliostats. Heliostats may be commanded via a control system to move to a position wherein light may be expected to be reflected from a given stationary light to a given camera, whereupon a first set of images of the heliostat are taken. Heliostats may then be commanded via the control system to move to a position wherein light may no longer be expected to be reflected from said stationary light to said camera, whereupon a second set of images of the heliostat are taken. An image processor may search the first and second set of images to determine if reflected light is present. If reflected light from said stationary light is not found in the images, the heliostat may be determined to have experienced a failure mode. Failed heliostats may then be flagged for inspection, repair, or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: eSolar, Inc.
    Inventor: Maximilian Zavodny
  • Patent number: 9372160
    Abstract: A method and system for optically inspecting the ends of a manufactured part at a single inspection station having a measurement axis are provided. The system includes a fixture assembly having a rotatable first fixturing component and a rotatable second fixturing component mating with and removably connected to the first fixturing component to transmit torque from the first fixturing component to the second fixturing component. The second fixturing component has a device for holding the part in a generally horizontal orientation and permit rotation of the horizontally held part between first and second angular positions about the measurement axis. The system also includes an actuator assembly, an illumination device, a lens and detector assembly and at least one processor to process electrical signals generated by the lens and detector assembly to determine at least one geometric dimension or any visual defects at the ends of the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GII ACQUISITION, LLC
    Inventor: Michael G. Nygaard
  • Patent number: 9372161
    Abstract: Provided are an ion source, an ion gun, and an analysis instrument, which are capable of performing sputtering without damage to a surface of a sample and improving detection sensitivity in mass spectroscopy. In the ion source, an emission opening to which ionization liquid is supplied is disposed in an electric field formed in vacuum environment by an extracting electrode so that super large droplet cluster ions are generated from the emission opening. When the sample is irradiated with a super large droplet cluster ion beam, the sample surface is subjected to sputtering without damage, so as to remove contamination substances or to expose a new surface of the sample. In mass spectroscopy, detection sensitivity is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ULVAC-PHI, INC.
    Inventors: Daisuke Sakai, Mauo Sogou, Kenzo Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 9372162
    Abstract: A method and a system are provided to characterize subterranean formations, which includes extracting drill cuttings from a drilling fluid, and grouping the drill cuttings into a group of cuttings based on a time of arrival of the drill cuttings at the Earth's surface, wherein these steps can be repeated at least once to provide a plurality of groups of drill cuttings that arrive sequentially at different recorded times that correspond to different downhole locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Ingrain, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus Ganz
  • Patent number: 9372163
    Abstract: A method of X-ray diffraction-based analysis for determining the structure of a crystal sample is provided. The method comprises conducting pre-experiment to collect a first set of diffraction images including reflections at corresponding intensities. The method also comprises conducting a main experiment to collect a second set of diffraction images, the diffraction images of the second set including the reflections with higher relative intensities than those produced during the first experiment, at least some of the diffraction images of the second set including topped reflections resulting from detector saturation. The method also includes a step of replacing intensities of the topped reflections from the second set of images with intensities obtained for the corresponding reflections from the first set of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Ruf, Joerg Kaercher, Bruce C Noll
  • Patent number: 9372164
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is an x-ray florescence (XRF) test system which comprises an XRF test instrument used for testing a test target's responses to X-rays, the instrument including a test window allowing the X-ray and its responsive energy to pass through, and at least one window protecting film allowing X-rays to pass through and providing protections to the window, the film being configured to be coupled with the window in a fashion to be removed from or applied or reapplied over the window. The corresponding calibration mode can be manually or automatically applied according to the specific film presently in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Fabrice Cancre, Ted Michael Shields, Jiawei Tan
  • Patent number: 9372165
    Abstract: Disclosed are a gas sensor, and a method of manufacturing and using the same. The method includes: forming a detection material on a heater; coating an encapsulant on the detection material; and heating the heater to remove the encapsulant from the detection material when the gas sensor is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hyung Kun Lee, Woo Seok Yang, Nak Jin Choi, Seung Eon Moon, Jong Dae Kim
  • Patent number: 9372166
    Abstract: An integrated circuit and a method of making the same. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate. The integrated circuit also includes a relative humidity sensor on the substrate. The relative humidity sensor includes a first sensor electrode, a second sensor electrode, and a humidity sensitive layer covering the first and second electrodes. The integrated circuit further includes a thermal conductivity based gas sensor on the substrate. The thermal conductivity based gas sensor has an electrically resistive sensor element located above the humidity sensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: AMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Roel Daamen, Aurelie Humbert, Pascal Bancken
  • Patent number: 9372167
    Abstract: A multiple layer gel and method for forming a multiple layer gel are provided. The multiple layer gel includes an isolation layer and an electrolyte layer. The isolation layer provides a molecular weight screen, to prevent proteins or other molecules from contacting a reference cell covered by the isolation layer. The electrolyte layer covers the isolation layer, and provides a source of ions that place the reference cell in ionic and/or electrical contact with a fluid sample. The multiple layer gel can be used to maintain a reliable reference voltage from an associated reference cell while an electrical potential or other electrical characteristic of a sample fluid is being determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Aytu BioScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Raphael Bar-Or, David Bar-Or, Leonard T. Rael
  • Patent number: 9372168
    Abstract: A potentiostat includes a voltage regulator, a current mirror, a capacitor, a comparator, a current source, and a counter. The voltage regulator maintains a voltage on a working electrode of an electrochemical sensor. The current mirror develops a mirror current that mirrors an input current from the working electrode. The capacitor is alternately charged by the mirror current, causing the capacitor voltage to increase at a rate related to the current's magnitude, and discharged by a control current, causing the capacitor voltage to decrease. The comparator outputs a waveform that includes upward and downward transitions based on the variations of the capacitor voltage. The current source produces the control current based on the waveform. The counter counts the number of upward or downward transitions in the waveform during a predetermined sampling period to produce a digital output. The digital output is representative of the magnitude of the input current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Verify Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Alireza Dastgheib, Brian Otis
  • Patent number: 9372169
    Abstract: Provided is a method for accurately quantifying a chemical substance contained in a sample solution at a significantly low concentration of not more than 1×10?8M. A measurement system used for the method includes a counter electrode 13, a first reference electrode 12, a first working electrode 11a, a second working electrode 11b, a second reference electrode 14 and a gel-coated electrode 15. The gel-coated electrode 15 is electrically equivalent to the second working electrode 11b. The gel-coated electrode 15 comprises an electrode body 31 and a gel 34. The surface of the electrode body 31 is coated with the gel 34. The gel 34 contains a standard electrolyte and an ionic liquid. The gel 34 contains no water. The ionic liquid is hydrophobic and nonvolatile. The ionic liquid is composed of a cation and an anion. The standard electrolyte is composed of the cation and a halide ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Arimoto
  • Patent number: 9372170
    Abstract: In an electrochemical gas sensor (1), a carrier substrate (2) has an underside (3) and a top side (4), wherein an electrode structure (20) with an electrolyte layer (6) is arranged at the top side (4), while a gas inlet for a measurement gas is formed at the underside (3). A porous region (7) formed of a porous material is provided in the carrier substrate (2), such that diffusion openings in the porous material connect the underside (3) to the top side (4) in a gas-permeable manner, and a connection (5, 27) of a measurement electrode (25, 26) is formed in a gas-tight surface region (33, 34, 35) at the top side (4) adjacent to the porous region (7) and the connection (5, 27) is at least partly covered by the electrolyte layer (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Testo AG
    Inventors: Ralf Stich, Peter Ziegler, Luciana Pitta-Bauermann
  • Patent number: 9372171
    Abstract: A nanosensor for detecting molecule characteristics includes a membrane having an opening configured to permit a charged carbon nanotube to pass but to block a molecule attached to the carbon nanotube. The opening is filled with an electrolytic solution. An electric field generator is configured to generate an electric field relative to the opening to drive the charged carbon nanotubes through the opening. A sensor circuit is coupled to the electric field generator to sense current changes due to charged carbon nanotubes passing into the opening, and to bias the electric field generator to determine a critical voltage related to a force of separation between the carbon nanotube and the molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Binquan Luan, Ruhong Zhou
  • Patent number: 9372172
    Abstract: A system for detecting partial discharge in electrical components may include a control system that may operate a drive in an industrial automation system. The industrial automation system may include the electrical components being analyzed for partial discharge. The system may also include one or more acoustic sensors that may detect one or more acoustic waveforms generated within at least one of the electrical components. The system may also include a monitoring system that may receive the acoustic waveforms from the acoustic sensors and determine whether the one electrical component is experiencing partial discharge based on the acoustic waveforms. The monitoring system may then send a notification to the control system when the one electrical component is determined to be experiencing partial discharge, such that the notification indicates that the one electrical component is experiencing partial discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongyuan Cheng, Catalin F. Gemanaru, Navid Reza Zargari, Robert N. Bickford
  • Patent number: 9372173
    Abstract: An inspection fixture is provided that includes a fixture, a lens, an ultrasonic phase array, a mirror and a liquid supply connector. The fixture body includes an inner chamber and an opening to the inner chamber. The lens defines a portion of the inner chamber. The ultrasonic phase array generates ultrasonic signals and is positioned to send the ultrasonic signals through the lens. The mirror is received within the inner chamber and is positioned at 45° in relation to the lens to reflect the ultrasonic signals from the lens out an opening to an inspection area of a body to be inspected and to reflect returned ultrasonic signals from the inspection area to the lens. The liquid supply connector is in fluid communication with the inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Orbital ATK, Inc.
    Inventors: Clint D. Thomson, Jeremy D. Palmer, Robert N. Andersen, Kenneth B. Riding
  • Patent number: 9372174
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection probe comprising: a flexible ultrasonic array, a flexible coupling component arranged to ultrasonically couple the flexible ultrasonic array to a workpiece at a coupling boundary surface, a loading component arranged to apply a pressure to the coupling component to a surface opposite the coupling boundary surface to maintain contact between the coupling boundary surface and a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Bond-Thorley, Richard Freemantle
  • Patent number: 9372175
    Abstract: An active ultrasonic room occupancy sensor with the output amplitude of the transmitter controlled by the amplitude of power applied to the transmitter to control the zone of coverage for a sensor. An adjustable voltage regulator under control of a microcontroller applies controlled amplitude voltage to the transmitter to adjust the output amplitude of the transmitter. The adjustable amplitude transmitter allows an occupancy sensor to have its total output energy adjusted to conform to the area to be covered. Lowering the total ultrasonic energy in the monitored space lowers the sensitivity of the receiver to inappropriate activations. Lowering the input power to the transmitter also lowers the total internal system noise and provides an improved signal to noise ratio in the receiver. Alternatively, the power applied to the receiver may also be controlled by an adjustable voltage regulator under control of the microcontroller to improve receiver efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Joyce
  • Patent number: 9372176
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection method for inspecting a first article. The method includes, in a first inspection process: measuring the distance between a first surface of the first article and a nominal axis at three or more measurement locations along the axis of the surface; using the measured distances to produce a mathematical model of the surface of the first article; transmitting an ultrasonic wave from a first side of the first article through the first surface of the first article at a plurality of inspection locations along the axis of the first surface, and receiving a transmitted waveform which has passed through at least part of the first article; using the model to normalize each transmitted waveform at each inspection location to the nominal axis; and identifying a signature signal from the normalized transmitted waveform at each inspection location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: Edwill Alejandro Escobar-Ruiz
  • Patent number: 9372177
    Abstract: A method of detecting high-temperature exposure of a composite may include applying a composition comprising an adduct suitable for detecting heat and/or mechanical stress in a composite, wherein the adduct reverts to first and second adduct components after exposure of the composition to a temperature of from about 190° C. to about 260° C. to a surface of the composite; exposing the surface to which the composition has been applied to ultraviolet light; and measuring fluorescence of the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Megan N. Watson, Morteza Safai
  • Patent number: 9372178
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for determining viscosity, surface tension and/or surface tension/viscosity ratio are presented. The methods use the measurement of liquid penetration rate in a test medium to evaluate liquid properties. In particular the methods and apparatuses can be used to determine the quality of frying or cooking oils in terms of polymer or polar compounds. The point of rejection of frying oils according to recommendations and legal limits can be determined. In one embodiment the time required for the oil to penetrate a given distance in a test strip is measured. The time is related to the above liquid (oil) properties and can be correlated to the amount of polymer and/or polar compounds in the oil sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Eleni Kalogianni
  • Patent number: 9372179
    Abstract: This invention provides a means for measuring a cholesterol content of a chicken egg by a non-destructive means. This invention relates to a method for measuring a cholesterol content of a chicken egg comprising: a step of light irradiation of irradiating the chicken egg with light in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range; a step of light detection of detecting light radiated from the chicken egg caused by that the light irradiated in the step of light irradiation is transmitted through the chicken egg or reflected inside the chicken egg; a step of spectrum acquisition of acquiring a near-infrared spectrum of the light detected in the step of light detection; and a step of cholesterol content determination of determining a cholesterol content of the chicken egg on the basis of the near-infrared spectrum acquired in the step of spectrum acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: National Research and Development Agency National Agriculture and Food Research Organization
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Abe, Masahiro Amari
  • Patent number: 9372180
    Abstract: A method for examining filled containers, which are filled with CO2-containing products such as beer or lemonade, for contaminants such as glass fragments, including examining, e.g. by means of a camera, a container for gas bubbles in the product/in the container and/or for gas mists in the container, and sorting out the container, if gas bubbles are determined in the product and/or if CO2 mists are determined in the container, and re-examining the container at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Herbert Kolb
  • Patent number: 9372181
    Abstract: The present invention provides fluorogenic compounds for the detection of target metal ions wherein the compounds exhibit a Stokes shift greater than 50 nm and the detectable signal is modulated by photoinduced electron transfer (PET). The present compounds consist of three functional elements, the ion sensing moiety (chelating moiety), the reporter moiety (fluorophore or fluorescent protein) and spacer or linker between the sensing and reporter moieties of the present compound that allows for PET upon binding of a metal ion and excitation by an appropriate wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Gee, Vladimir Martin
  • Patent number: 9372182
    Abstract: This invention refers to a fuel composition identification system and method (2) for an automotive vehicle combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Limitida
    Inventors: Fernando Lepsch, Tulio Italico Moreira Coletto, Fernando de Oliveira Júnior
  • Patent number: 9372183
    Abstract: A method is provided for the discrimination of cells from other particles, as well as of different types of cells in raw milk samples by impedance microflow cytometry. A method is provided of analysing the quality of raw milk in terms of its bacterial and somatic cell content without the need to pre-treat the milk sample, such that the analysis can take place directly at the production site. One advantage is discriminating and counting somatic cells from milk particles (consisting mainly of lipid vesicles) by high-frequency impedance analysis directly performed on untreated raw milk. Another advantage is that the method allows diagnosing the status of a mastitis infection directly after milking according to the analysis of the somatic cell count. Another advantage is to allow a fast method for determining the bacterial cell count in raw milk directly after milking. In addition, viability of both somatic and bacterial cells can be determined without the need of any cell label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Amphasys AG
    Inventors: Marco Di Berardino, Grit Schade-Kampmann
  • Patent number: 9372184
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing a test strip includes a container configured to store a stack of test strips. The container maintains appropriate environmental conditions, such as humidity, for storing the test strips. An engaging member is disposed in the container and is adapted to contact one test strip of the stack of test strips. An actuator actuates the engaging member to dispense the one test strip from the container. Since one test strip is dispensed at a time, the remaining test strips are not handled by the user. Accordingly, the unused test strips remain free of contaminants such as naturally occurring oils on the user's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: John Lovell
  • Patent number: 9372185
    Abstract: A MEMS-based system and a method are described for separating a target particle from the remainder of a fluid stream. The system makes use of a unique, microfabricated movable structure formed on a substrate, which moves in a rotary fashion about one or more fixed points, which are all located on one side of the axis of motion. The movable structure is actuated by a separate force-generating apparatus, which is entirely separate from the movable structure formed on its substrate. This allows the movable structure to be entirely submerged in the sample fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: Owl Biomedical, Inc., Innovative Micro Technology
    Inventors: John S Foster, Daryl W. Grummitt, Jaquelin K. Spong, Kimberley L. Turner, John C. Harley
  • Patent number: 9372186
    Abstract: The methods and apparatus of the present invention allow the evaluation of inflammation of the esophagus. Measurements may be utilized, for example, to diagnose a disease of the esophagus, to monitor inflammation of the esophagus, or to access the treatment of a disease of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for measuring esophageal inflammation comprising deploying a device into the esophagus of a subject, removing the device after a predetermined period of time, analyzing the device for a diagnostic indicator of esophageal inflammation and evaluating the diagnostic indicator to diagnose esophageal inflammation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, A BODY CORPORATE, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
    Inventors: Glenn T. Furuta, Steven J. Ackerman
  • Patent number: 9372187
    Abstract: A detection/determination kit with which a substance to be detected or the amount thereof can be rapidly, inexpensively, and easily detected or determined; and a detection/determination method. The kit, which is for detecting a substance to be detected (50) contained in a specimen, comprises: a first compound (10) comprising a first substance including a stimulus-responsive polymer (11) and, bonded to the first substance, a first antibody (13) against the substance (50); and a second compound (20) comprising a second substance (21) which is hydrophilic and, bonded thereto, a second antibody (23) against the substance (50). The first antibody (13) and second antibody (23) can simultaneously combine with the substance (50) at different sites in the substance (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: ORTHO-CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JNC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiya Sawai, Eri Oowada, Yasunobu Sato, Hirokazu Nagaoka, Satoru Sugita
  • Patent number: 9372188
    Abstract: An integrated microelectronic sensor is provided in a disposable flow membrane sensing device. The integrated sensors detect electromagnetic effect labels in flow detection zones above the sensor in the membrane. The labels are small particles that give off a detectable electromagnetic signal. They are commonly used for isolating and quantifying biochemical targets of interest. The sensors are fabricated using planar integrated circuit technologies. Sensors can detect labels of several types including magnetic, electric, and photonic. These types all have in common the fact that the sensor detects the label at a distance. Magnetoresistive sensors for detecting magnetic labels, and photodiodes for detecting photonic labels are described. A system for using the sensors is described. There are disposable cartridges with a backing that supports the sensors and membrane is described. The integrated sensor in the cartridge is designed to be discarded after use. Also, label excitation sources are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Mark Christopher Tondra
  • Patent number: 9372189
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a biomarker specific to lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis; and use applications of the biomarker. Provided are: a biomarker comprising an anti-rabphilin 3a antibody; and a test method using the biomarker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Sugimura, Yutaka Oiso, Shintaro Iwama, Atsushi Enomoto, Takuya Kato
  • Patent number: 9372190
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the amount of circulating CD36 protein or a fraction thereof which is present in cell-free plasma, preferably in a high molecular weight plasma fraction, such as a lipoprotein fraction selected from Low Density Lipoprotein, Intermediate Density Lipoprotein, and Very Low Density Lipoprotein using an immunological method which comprises the steps of (i) providing a plasma sample to be investigated, (ii) providing an anti-CD36 antibody, (iii) exposing the sample to be investigated to the antibody, and (iv) detecting and quantifying the amount of CD36 which binds to the antibody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Region Nordjylland
    Inventor: Aase Handberg
  • Patent number: 9372191
    Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for detecting methicillin-resistant Staphylcoccus aureus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Alere Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Dorothy Joanis, Myron Whipkey, Erin Hayes, Steven Muszynski, Alan H. Davis, Kristin Gordon, Roger N. Piasio, Norman James Moore
  • Patent number: 9372192
    Abstract: A lateral flow assay detects and differentiates between viral and bacterial infections. A combined point of care diagnostic device tests markers for viral infection and markers for bacterial infection, to effectively assist in the rapid differentiation of viral and bacterial infections. In one preferred embodiment, the bacterial marker is CRP. In another preferred embodiment, the viral marker is MxA. In some embodiments, it is unnecessary to lyse the cells in the sample prior to applying it to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Sambursky, Uma Mahesh Babu, Robert W. VanDine
  • Patent number: 9372193
    Abstract: A system and method for determining individualized medical intervention for a particular disease state, and especially for cancers, that includes the molecular profiling of a biological sample from the patient, determining whether any molecular findings including one or more genes, one or more gene expressed proteins, one or more molecular mechanisms, and/or combinations of such exhibit a change in expression compared to a reference, and identifying a non-specific disease therapy or agent capable of interacting with the genes, gene expressed proteins, molecular mechanisms, or combinations of such molecular findings that exhibited a change in expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Caris MPI, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Von Hoff, Robert J. Penny
  • Patent number: 9372194
    Abstract: There are described novel fluorescent dyes, conjugates which include a radical of a dye and a biological or a synthetic moiety and diagnostic and in vivo assays utilizing such conjugates and other products including the dyes and conjugates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Ramdas Pai
  • Patent number: 9372195
    Abstract: Specific peptides are provided, and derived ionization characteristics of those peptides, from the Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor (cMET) protein. The peptides are particularly and surprisingly advantageous for quantifying by the method of Selected Reaction Monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry the cMET protein directly in biological samples that have been fixed in formalin, or what can also be termed as Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry. Such biological samples are chemically preserved and fixed where the biological sample is selected from tissues and cells treated with formaldehyde containing agents/fixatives including: formalin-fixed tissue/cells; formalin-fixed/paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue/cells; FFPE tissue blocks and cells from those blocks; and tissue culture cells that have been formalin fixed and or paraffin embedded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: EXPRESSION PATHOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: David Krizman, Todd Hembrough, Sheeno Thyparambil
  • Patent number: 9372196
    Abstract: One or more cells are labeled with minor stable isotopes, characterized, and preserved for subsequent use as a bio-specimen reference standard. The one or more cells are grown in culture media supplied with minor stable isotopes in concentrations substantially different from normally occurring concentrations, thereby supplanting major stable isotopes that would normally be incorporated into the proteins of the cells. The proteins of the cells are thus labeled by the minor stable isotopes and can be used in proteomic characterization of the cells. The cells are preserved by fixation as a reference standard. Cells of the reference standard are mixed with the sample and subject to mass spectrometry evaluation, whereby the labeled proteins of the reference standard can be used in determining the proteome of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: BIOPROXIMITY, LLC
    Inventor: Brian M. Balgley
  • Patent number: 9372197
    Abstract: The present invention relates to, among other things, a gel electrophoresis system for detecting the level of specific Apolipoproteins and/or lipoprotein particles present in intact lipid particles in a biological sample. The system includes a gel substrate to receive a biological sample, at least two lipoprotein-binding complexes. Each complex includes an antibody that binds a lipoprotein particle or a portion thereof, which is bound to a signal producing molecule capable of producing or causing production of a detectable signal. The system also includes a device for detecting the detectable signal. The present invention also relates to methods of assessing the level of specific Apolipoproteins and/or lipoprotein particles present in a biological sample, determining whether a subject is at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, and monitoring the risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: True Health Diagnostics, LLC
    Inventors: Philip Guadagno, Erin Grace Bellin
  • Patent number: 9372198
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of diagnosing entry of gastrointestinal contents into the respiratory tract of a patient suffering from reflux disease. The method comprises orally administering to a subject formulation comprising a detectable label that is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract but can be absorbed from the respiratory tract. The extent of the gastrointestinal contents entering the respiratory tract can be estimated by measuring the level of the detectable label in a body fluid, e.g., blood or urine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: ARADIGM CORPORATION, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventor: Igor Gonda
  • Patent number: 9372199
    Abstract: The sample analyzer includes: a reagent arranging section for arranging a plurality of reagents; an analyzing section for analyzing a measurement sample prepared by mixing a sample and the reagent arranged on the reagent arranging section; a display device; an input device; and a display control section for displaying a reagent arrangement displaying region for displaying a plurality of reagent marks inscribed with a reagent name respectively on the display device, wherein the each reagent mark is displayed in a manner selectable by the input device, wherein arrangement of the each reagent mark on the reagent arrangement displaying region corresponds to arrangement of the each reagent on the reagent arranging section, wherein the display control section displays detailed information related to the reagent corresponding to the reagent mark selected by the input device on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujino, Kyozo Fujita, Mitsuyo Ito
  • Patent number: 9372200
    Abstract: A rotation speed detecting device is provided. The rotation speed detecting device is electrically connected to a motor of a color wheel, and includes a phase detecting unit and a time calculating unit. The phase detecting unit is suitable for detecting a reference phase point of a rotation information outputted by the motor, and outputting a phase signal according to the reference phase point. The time calculating unit is electrically connected to the phase detecting unit, and calculates a speed information of the motor according to the phase signal. In this way, the rotation speed of the motor of the color wheel is correctly measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jui-Ta Liu
  • Patent number: 9372201
    Abstract: Methods for determining a yaw angle and a pitch angle cycle for a wind turbine are disclosed. The methods comprise measuring during a measuring time a wind speed and a wind direction at a plurality of measuring heights between the maximum and minimum height at the wind site, determining an average wind speed and an average wind direction for each of the measuring heights during the measuring time, and determining a wind speed distribution and wind direction distribution between the maximum height and the minimum height, and determining one or more yaw-pitch combinations of yaw angle and pitch angle cycles as a function of an azimuth position of a rotor blade that lead to a desired angle of attack along the rotor swept area. The present disclosure further relates to methods of operating a wind turbine and suitable wind turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Delong Zuo, John Schroeder, Carlo Enrico Carcangiu, Justin C. Morse
  • Patent number: 9372202
    Abstract: A packaged device of one embodiment includes a device layer section, and first and second packaging members. The device layer section is one where a movable microdevice including a movable part and a terminal part is formed. The first packaging member is joined to the device layer section, and includes a wiring region provided at a position corresponding to the terminal part and a conductive plug extending through the wiring region. The second packaging member is joined to a side of the device layer section opposite the first packaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: DRNC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Inoue, Takashi Katsuki, Fumihiko Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 9372203
    Abstract: Disclosed are various actuators for probe exchangers for use in scanning probe microscopes (SPMs). The probe exchange actuators are designed so as to impose no net forces on a probe clamp attached to the high resolution piezoelectric positioning mechanism to which the probe is being transferred. These actuators therefore impose no net force on the delicate high resolution piezoelectric positioning mechanism, thus helping protect it from physical damage during the probe exchange process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: JAMES MASSIE DESIGN, INC.
    Inventor: James Massie
  • Patent number: 9372204
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor body (1?) that can be used as part of a sensor assembly, optionally a capacitive sensor that is used to measure the clearance between the tip of a gas turbine engine blade and the surrounding casing. The sensor body includes a core layer (2) having an electrically conductive electrode layer (6). An outer insulating layer (4) substantially surrounds the core layer (2) and extends along a front part (8) of the sensor body to define a window layer (10) that provides a hermetic seal that excludes gas from any interface between the constituent layers of the sensor body. The core layer (2) and the outer insulating layer (4) are formed from the same electrically non-conducting ceramic material to avoid any problems with differential thermal expansion. The electrode layer (6) is embedded within a front part of the sensor body and extends between the core layer (2) and the window layer (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Future Technology (Sensors) Ltd
    Inventor: Howard Elliott
  • Patent number: 9372205
    Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) is disclosed. The PCB includes a plurality of first signal pads, a plurality of signal channels, and a plurality of second signal pads. The first signal pads are adjacently disposed to define an opening. At least one of the first signal pads is configured to be electrically connected to at least one of signal traces of a membrane core inserted into the opening. All of the signal channels are electrically connected to all of the first signal pads respectively. All of the second signal pads are electrically connected to all of the signal channels respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Cheng Hsu
  • Patent number: 9372206
    Abstract: A package includes a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip includes a test pad, and a plurality of microbump pads, wherein each microbump pad of the plurality of microbump pads is electrically connected to the test pad. The package further includes a substrate; and a plurality of microbumps configured to electrically connect the semiconductor chip to the substrate, wherein each microbump of the plurality of microbumps is electrically connected to a corresponding microbump pad of the plurality of microbump pads. The package further includes a package substrate, wherein the package substrate comprises a bump pad, wherein an area of the bump pad is greater than a combined area of the test pad and the plurality of microbump pads. The package further includes a bump configured to electrically connect the substrate to the package substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Wu, Hsien-Pin Hu, Shang-Yun Hou, Shin-Puu Jeng, Chen-Hua Yu, Chao-Hsiang Yang
  • Patent number: 9372207
    Abstract: A current measurement and voltage measurement transducer for power measurements has an upper split core attached to an upper housing and a lower split core attached to a lower housing. The upper housing and lower housing have a common hinge surface and engaging surfaces for maintaining closure and providing a magnetic circuit which surrounds a conductor placed inside the transducer, and the magnetic circuit is coupled to windings around the split core, thereby providing a measurement of current. The housings also provide one or more piercing pins which penetrate the insulation of the conductor and provide a voltage measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: EKM Metering, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Brouwer, Jameson Brouwer, Adam Brouwer