Patents Issued in October 11, 2016
  • Patent number: 9464970
    Abstract: The invention relates inter alia to an automated stainer for staining, in particular for hemalum-eosin (HE) staining, of a histological sample, the automated stainer exposing the sample to the action of at least one stain using at least one staining parameter. The automated stainer is notable for the fact that the automated stainer comprises an input means with which a staining parameter is definable, in particular is inputtable or is selectable from a plurality of possible staining parameters; and that a control apparatus is present which, upon application of the defined staining parameter, ascertains the prospectively expectable outcome of an action and displays it to the user with a display apparatus, before the automated stainer actually stains the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Berberich
  • Patent number: 9464971
    Abstract: A clearing agent and mounting solution for microscopy is disclosed comprising (a) trichloroethanol, (b) optionally, trichloroacetic acid, (c) optionally, glycerol and (d) optionally, water, where the refractive index of the solution is greater than or equal to about 1.3810. The solution can further comprise a C1-C6 alcohol, other acids, and/or a stain. The solution can also comprise derivatives and/or analogs of 2,2,2-trichloroethanol and/or trichloroacetic acid. Also disclosed is a method of preparing specimens for microscopy comprising (a) applying a specimen to a microscope slide or a cuvette, (b) applying a quantity of the above solution sufficient to mount the specimen, and (c) optionally applying a cover slip. The solution can be used effectively with stains or dyes, and with fresh, partially dry or dried materials, and for temporary or semi-permanent to permanent mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
    Inventors: James E. Simon, Thomas Villani, Adolfina Koroch
  • Patent number: 9464972
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method for measuring an extract (1000) released from a product sample (330) in vitro. The apparatus (100) comprising an in vitro environment which simulates an in vivo environment. The apparatus (100) contains a product sample (330) with the product sample (330) exposed to the in vitro environment. An extract (1000) is produced from the product sample (330) when the product sample (330) is subjected to the in vitro environment. The extract (1000) is analyzed to determine the amount of at least one element in the extract and the rate of release of at least one element in the product sample (330). The product sample is a smokeless tobacco product. An element analyzed for is nicotine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Xie, Ryan Q. Meng, Jie Zhang, Yong-Li Zong, Peng Li
  • Patent number: 9464973
    Abstract: A sample support (100, 101, 102, . . . ), in particular for cryopreservation of biological samples, is described and includes: a holder part (10) with a sample receiving chamber (11), a retaining device (12, 13) on which a sample can be disposed, and support connecting elements (14, 15) which are directed at opposite holder part ends (16, 17) and are formed to fit together so that a plurality of holder parts (16) can be put together. A sample store (200), which includes an assemblage of a large number of such sample supports, and a method for the cryopreservation of biological samples, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Günter R. Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 9464974
    Abstract: An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Lee H. Angros
  • Patent number: 9464975
    Abstract: A particular composite test specimen includes a first tab, a second tab, and a gage section between the first tab and the second tab. The first tab, the second tab, and the gage section are machined from a composite test blank. The composite test blank includes a plurality of plies arranged with first ply layers having fibers oriented in a first direction and second ply layers having fibers oriented in a second direction, where the first direction is different than the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jack J. Esposito, Joshua S. Dustin
  • Patent number: 9464976
    Abstract: The present invention relates to in-line viscometers with no moving parts for monitoring the viscosity of fluids. One embodiment of the invention is a viscometer including a first tube, a second tube, a first flow metering device coupled with the first tube, a second flow metering device coupled with the second tube. The second tube is larger in diameter than the first tube. Another embodiment is directed to a method for maintaining a desired viscosity during a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Saint Clair Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Norcross, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9464977
    Abstract: A system for deforming and analyzing particles includes a substrate defining an inlet, and an outlet; a fluidic pathway fluidly coupled to the inlet and the outlet and defining a delivery region upstream of a deformation region configured to deform particles, wherein the fluidic pathway comprises a first branch configured to generate a first flow, and a second branch configured to generate a second flow that opposes the first flow, wherein an intersection of the first flow and the second flow defines the deformation region; a detection module including a sensor configured to generate a morphology dataset characterizing deformation of the particles, and a photodetector configured to generate a fluorescence dataset characterizing fluorescence of the particles; and a processor configured to output an analysis of the plurality of particles based at least in part on the deformation dataset and the fluorescent dataset for the plurality of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Dino Di Carlo, Daniel R. Gossett, Henry T. K. Tse, Aram Chung
  • Patent number: 9464978
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems to combine the capabilities of a hematology analyzer with those of a flow cytometer to yield a far more powerful analytical system than either device alone. In one embodiment, a method of analyzing a cell sample includes receiving a first data generated by an analysis of a first aliquot of the sample on a first particle analyzer having a fluorescence measurement device such as a flow cytometer, detecting at least one unresolved cell population in the first data, and accessing a second data stored on a storage device wherein the second data was previously generated by interrogating a second aliquot of the sample using at least one of a cell volume measurement device and a cell conductivity measurement device in a second particle analyzer such as a hematology analyzer. The unresolved cell population in the first data is then resolved using the second data. Corresponding system embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Gutierrez, Cheng Qian, John S. Riley
  • Patent number: 9464979
    Abstract: There is described an apparatus for monitoring a conductive fluid conduit arranged to carry a fluid stream. The apparatus comprises a power supply, a plurality of electrical contact points connected to the fluid conduit, a voltage measurement device, and a processor. The power supply has a reference mode of operation and a sample mode of operation. In the reference mode of operation the power supply is operable to supply an alternating electric current through the fluid conduit at a high frequency such that the current is confined near the surface of the fluid conduit due to the skin effect. In the sample mode of operation the power supply is operable to supply an electric current through a full thickness of the fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Teledyne Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Clarke, Barry John Hemblade
  • Patent number: 9464980
    Abstract: Improved apparatuses and methods for testing turf or other surfaces, in one embodiment, a turf testing apparatus includes two actuators for moving a shoe relative to a turf surface. The first actuator moves the shoe along a substantially horizontal axis and the second actuator moves the shoe along a substantially vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Paul W Yngve
  • Patent number: 9464981
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for point-of-care and/or distributed testing services. The methods and devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device can be modified to allow for more flexible and robust use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical, laboratory, and other applications. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can allow for effective use of samples by improved sample preparation and analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Theranos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Gibbons, Anthony J. Nugent, Anthony Delacruz, Daniel L. Young, Elizabeth A. Holmes, Andrew Drake, Timothy Michael Kemp, Sunny Balwani, Chinmay Pangarkar
  • Patent number: 9464982
    Abstract: An optical sensor may include a sensor head that has an optical window for directing light into a flow of fluid and/or receiving optical energy from the fluid. The optical sensor may also include a flow chamber that includes a housing defining a cavity into which the sensor head can be inserted. In some examples, the flow chamber includes an inlet port defining a flow nozzle that is configured to direct fluid entering the flow chamber against the optical window of the sensor head. In operation, the force of the incoming fluid impacting the optical window may prevent fouling materials from accumulating on the optical window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, William M. Christensen
  • Patent number: 9464983
    Abstract: A concentration determination apparatus may determine a concentration of a target component in an arbitrary layer of an observed object including a plurality of light scattering medium layers. The concentration determination apparatus may include an irradiation unit, light scattering medium layer selection unit, a light receiving unit, a light intensity acquisition unit, an optical absorption coefficient calculation unit, and a concentration calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Amano, Koichi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9464984
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally relate to illumination gas imaging and detection. Camera systems can illuminate a target scene with light sources configured to emit absorbing and non-absorbing wavelengths with respect to a target gas. An image of the target scene illuminated with a non-absorbing wavelength can be compared to a non-illuminated image of the target scene in order to determine information about the background of the target scene. If sufficient light of the non-absorbing wavelength is scattered by the scene toward a detector, the target scene comprises an adequate background for performing a gas imaging process. A camera system can alert a user of portions of the target scene suitable or unsuitable for performing a gas imaging process. If necessary, the user can reposition the system until sufficient portions of the target scene are recognized as suitable for performing the gas imaging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew F. Schmidt, Tyler B. Evans, Derek Hutton
  • Patent number: 9464985
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed that are configured to permit nanoplasmonic spectroscopy sensing in the form of colorimetric sensing. An example apparatus involves: (a) an array layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein a plurality of nanoholes are defined in the top surface of the array layer, wherein the plurality of nanoholes each have at least one sidewall surface and a bottom surface, (b) a thin metal film disposed on the top surface of the array layer and on the bottom surface of each of the plurality of nanoholes, and (c) a plurality of nanoparticles disposed on the at least one sidewall surface of the plurality of nanoholes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Gang Logan Liu, Manas Ranjan Gartia, Austin Yin Kyai Hsiao
  • Patent number: 9464986
    Abstract: A multiplex fiber optic biosensor including an optical fiber, a plurality of noble metal nanoparticle layers, a plurality of light sources and a light source function generator is disclosed. The optical fiber includes a plurality of sensing regions which are unclad regions of the optical fiber so that the fiber core is exposed, wherein the noble metal nanoparticle layers are set in each sensing regions. The light sources emit light with different wavelengths, and the noble metal nanoparticle layers absorb the lights with different wavelengths, respectively. The light sources emit the lights in different timing sequences or different carrier frequencies, wherein when the lights propagate along the optical fiber in accordance with the different timing sequences or the different carrier frequencies, a detection unit detects particle plasmon resonance signals produced by interactions between the different noble metal nanoparticle layers and the corresponding analytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: National Chung Cheng University
    Inventors: Lai-Kwan Chau, Chen-Han Huang, Hisng-Ying Lin, Yu-Chia Liu
  • Patent number: 9464987
    Abstract: A device and system for monitoring the sludge level in a septic system tank, wherein a plurality of monitoring devices are positioned within a septic tank being monitored. Each monitoring device preferably includes a base unit, and a probe arm extending down from the base unit into the septic tank, wherein each probe arm includes a light emitting diode arm and a dark sensor photocell arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Andrew Gillespie
  • Patent number: 9464988
    Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance fluorescence analysis device emits a light beam to a prism in which a metal film is formed on a prescribed surface while changing an angle of incidence relative to the metal film in a state in which the light beam is totally reflected, measures light generated on a surface of the metal film, determines an angle at which the light beam enters the metal film based on a change in intensity of the measured light, adjusts the emitting direction of the light beam so that the light beam enters the metal film at the determined angle of incidence, and measures fluorescence generated on the surface of the metal film in a state in which the light beam is emitted the adjusted direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Sando, Takahiro Mohri, Gou Yanagihara, Kenichi Miyata, Masataka Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9464989
    Abstract: A gas sampling device includes an analysis block defining a first portion of a chamber and a dilution block defining a second portion of the chamber. The sampling device includes an exhaust gas orifice at the first portion for withdrawing gas from the chamber in response to an applied suction, a sample gas orifice at the second portion to modify passage of a sample gas entering the chamber in response to the suction, and a dilution gas orifice at the second portion to modify passage of a dilution gas entering the chamber in response to the suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Brand-Gaus, LLC
    Inventors: Joel A. Brand, Aron D. Gaus
  • Patent number: 9464990
    Abstract: A method for quick and easy identification of layer thickness and uniformity of entire large-area graphene samples on arbitrary substrates utilizing fluorescence quenching microscopy in which a polymer mixed with fluorescent dye is applied onto the graphene, then viewing the sample under a fluorescence microscope. A large-scale, high-resolution montage image of the sample is obtained for histogram-based segmentation based on contrast relative to the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jennifer Reiber Kyle, Cengiz S. Ozkan, Mihrimah Ozkan
  • Patent number: 9464991
    Abstract: A method for inspecting a polysilicon layer includes: radiating excitation light to the polysilicon layer; and detecting a photoluminescence signal generated by the excitation light, wherein average power of the excitation light has a range of 1 W/cm2 to 10 W/cm2, and peak power of the excitation light has a range of 100 W/cm2 to 1000 W/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Voronov, Suk-Ho Lee, Jae-Seung Yoo, Kyung-Hoe Heo, Gyoo-Wan Han
  • Patent number: 9464992
    Abstract: An automated defect inspection system has been invented and is used on patterned wafers, whole wafers, broken wafers, partial wafers, sawn wafers such as on film frames, JEDEC trays, Auer boats, die in gel or waffle packs, MCMs, etc., and is specifically intended and designed for second optical wafer inspection for such defects as metalization defects (such as scratches, voids, corrosion, and bridging), diffusion defects, passivation layer defects, scribing defects, glassivation defects, chips and cracks from sawing, solder bump defects, and bond pad area defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. O'Dell, Thomas Verburgt, Mark Harless, Cory Watkins
  • Patent number: 9464993
    Abstract: An apparatus allows a sample mounted within a temperature controlled radome system to be tested. The apparatus maintains the sample under controlled temperatures and allows radiation from a radiation source to expose the sample to broadband electromagnetic radiation of varying power, frequency and angle of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marcio C. de Andrade, Anna M. Leese de Escobar
  • Patent number: 9464994
    Abstract: Highly sensitive and tunable RF sensors that provide detection and analysis of single cells and particles are provided. The tunable RF sensors are configured as tunable interferometers, wherein cells or particles to be analyzed are passed through a channel, such as a microfluidic channel, across waveguides corresponding to reference and test branches of the interferometers. A network analyzer coupled to the interferometers can be configured to measure a plurality of scattering parameters, such as transmission scattering coefficients (S21) of the reference and test branches, to evaluate characteristics of cells passing through the channel. A plurality of tunable interferometers may be employed, each interferometer operating in different frequency bands such that information obtain from the plurality of interferometers may be combined to provide further information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventors: Pingshan Wang, Yan Cui, Yuxi He, David Moline, Jiwei Sun
  • Patent number: 9464995
    Abstract: Methods and devices for magnified imaging of three-dimensional samples are disclosed. The methods include imaging sample sections of a sample section series using a first particle-optical device. Coordinates of the imaged sample point are acquired and stored in such a way that the coordinates of the imaged sample point can be associated with the respective image of this sample point. The method also includes selecting a volume of interest (VOI), and transmitting the coordinates of the selected VOI to a second particle-optical device. In addition, the method includes imaging the selected VOI by means of the second particle-optical device. A plurality of planes of a sample section are imaged in order to obtain a 3D image of the selected VOI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Ruprecht-Karls-Universitaet-Heidelberg
    Inventors: Martin Edelmann, Alexandra F. Elli, Andreas Schertel, Rasmus Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9464996
    Abstract: A processing device and method for a spectrometric measurement in terms of energy of a photon flux that may be received by a photosensitive element of a detector comprises the following successive steps: converting each photon received by the photosensitive element into an electrical signal, a characteristic of which is representative of the energy of the photon considered; filtering each electrical signal with a first low-pass filter whose cutoff frequency is adjusted as a function of the photon flux, the bigger the flux, the higher the cutoff frequency; determining the characteristic of each filtered electrical signal; generating an energy spectrum for the photon flux received as a function of the characteristic of the filtered electrical signals; and filtering the energy spectrum with a second low-pass filter whose cutoff frequency is adjusted as a function of the photon flux, the bigger the flux, the lower the cutoff frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Multix SA
    Inventors: Eric Marche, Caroline Boudou, Patrick Radisson
  • Patent number: 9464997
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring an effective atomic number of an object are disclosed. The apparatus includes: a ray source configured to product a first X-ray beam having a first energy and a second X-ray beam having a second energy; a Cherenkov detector configured to receive the first X-ray beam and the second X-ray beam that pass through an object under detection, and to generate a first detection value and a second detection value; and a data processing device configured to obtain an effective atomic number of the object based on the first detection value and the second detection value. The Cherenkov detector can eliminate disturbance of X-rays below certain energy threshold with respect to the object identification, and thus accuracy can be improved for object identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Shuwei Li, Zhiqiang Chen, Yuanjing Li, Ziran Zhao, Yinong Liu, Qingjun Zhang, Weibin Zhu, Yi Wang, Shuqing Zhao, Wenjian Zhang
  • Patent number: 9464998
    Abstract: An electron microscope system includes a laser system operable to generate an optical pulse and a pump pulse and a microscope column. The microscope column includes a multiple cathode structure having a plurality of spatially separated cathode regions. Each of the cathode regions are operable to generate an electron pulse. The microscope column also includes an electron acceleration region adjacent the multiple cathode structure, a specimen region operable to support a specimen, and a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ahmed H. Zewail, John Spencer Baskin, Haihua Liu
  • Patent number: 9464999
    Abstract: Generally discussed herein are techniques, software, apparatuses, and systems configured for detecting an anomaly in a temperature sensor. In one or more embodiments an apparatus can include one or more computer processors configured to: (1) receive a series of temperature sensor readings from a temperature sensor, (2) determine if the temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations as a function of the received sensor readings, and (3) in response to determining that the temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations, recording in a memory data indicating that the temperature sensor is exhibiting behavior consistent with experiencing oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Girija Parthasarathy
  • Patent number: 9465000
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring at least one property of a fluid includes a housing for receiving the fluid, a first and second spaced electrodes positioned in the housing, and an impedance modifier positioned between the first and second electrodes that changes an electrical impedance of the fluid between the electrodes. Electronic circuitry generates different waveform voltages across the electrodes and the fluid, monitors an output thereof to thereby obtain data related to impedance of the fluid for each waveform voltage; and combines data related to the outputs to create a unique identification signature for the fluid. Once signatures for known fluids have been created, they can be compared to a generated signature of an unknown fluid to identify the unknown fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Intellectual Reserves, LLC
    Inventors: Leon Brown, Alvin R Wirthlin
  • Patent number: 9465001
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring an electrical characteristic of a fluid using a measuring circuit. In one implementation, the measuring circuit includes a sensing component, a current supply connected to the sensing component, a sensor switchably connected to the sensing component, an array of components switchably connected to the sensing component, and a monitoring circuit connected to the sensing component. A controller performs a calibration of the measuring circuit by switching parallel impedances in and out of the circuit while measuring voltages across the sensing component. The voltages are measured at at least two different phase angles that are determined by the calibration. Once voltages at different impedances and different phases are determined, the controller calculates a value of the electrical characteristic of the fluid by interpolating between lines of fixed capacitance or resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: BOURNS, INC.
    Inventor: James Gregory Stanley
  • Patent number: 9465002
    Abstract: A method and device for performing DNA sequencing and extracting structural information from unknown nucleic acid strands. The device includes a microwell structure, where identical DNA strands are immobilized within the microwell structure on a surface of a micro-bead, an active electrode or a porous polymer. The device further includes a CMOS-integrated semiconductor integrated circuit, where the CMOS-integrated semiconductor integrated circuit includes metal layers on a silicon substrate, where the metal layers form an active electrode biosensor. In addition, a sensing electrode is formed by creating openings in a passivation layer of the CMOS-integrated semiconductor integrated circuit to hold a single bead, on which the DNA strands are immobilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Arjang Hassibi, Arun Manickam, Rituraj Singh
  • Patent number: 9465003
    Abstract: A membrane electrode includes a novel sensor combining a filtering function of a membrane and a signal measuring ability of an electrode. A target material may be measured by filtration through the membrane. A small amount of target materials may be detected with high sensitivity using an amplified electrical signal by increasing electrical conductivity by reducing metal ions on the membrane, and thus the target material may be subject to quantitative analysis. In addition, only a target material selectively binding to a receptor may be filtrated by passing a sample through the membrane after a receptor material is fixed to the electrode, and thus may be used to detect an electrical signal. In addition, the sensor may measure a signal in various methods such as electrical conductivity, impedance, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF BIOSCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Min Gon Kim, Jun Hyoung Ahn, Yun Ju Sung, Yong Beom Shin, Hyo Arm Joung
  • Patent number: 9465004
    Abstract: A sensor device for sensing a gas includes a sensing region, and a readout region that is electrically and mechanically connected to the sensing region by way of a connecting web. The readout region, the sensing region, and the connecting web are formed from a substrate, and are isolated from the substrate by a clearance cutout. The sensing region has an ion-conducting region configured to provide a measuring signal dependent on the gas. The readout region (is configured to read out the measuring signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Fix, Denis Kunz, Andreas Krauss, Kathy Sahner, Philipp Nolte
  • Patent number: 9465005
    Abstract: Analyte sensors for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample. The sensors have a sample chamber having an inlet with a projection extending from an edge of the sensor for facilitating flow of sample into the sample chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventor: Yi Wang
  • Patent number: 9465006
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring information indicative of electromobility in a sample includes a light source for generating coherent light, a modulator that modulates the optical path length, particularly a reciprocatable modulator arranged for modulating a first part of the generated light, a sample cell for accommodating the measured sample for applying an electric field to the sample and for receiving a second part of the generated light for interaction with the sample in the electric field, a modulator monitor for monitoring the modulator by detecting interference between a first part of the light coming from the modulator and an unmodulated third part of the generated light, and a light detector arranged separately from the modulator monitor for detecting interference between a second part of light coming from the modulator and light received from the sample cell. The detected signal includes the information indicative of electromobility in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Anton Paar GmbH, Research & Development
    Inventors: Harald Noack, Christian Moitzi
  • Patent number: 9465007
    Abstract: A nanosensor may include a substrate that has a hole formed therein, a first insulating layer that is disposed on the substrate and has a nanopore formed therein, first and second electrodes that are disposed on the first insulating layer and are spaced apart from each other, first and second electrode pads that are disposed on the first and second electrodes, respectively, and a protective layer disposed on the first and second electrode pads. A method of manufacturing a nanosensor may include forming a first insulating layer, graphene, and a metal layer on a substrate, patterning the metal layer and the graphene, forming a protective layer on a portion of the graphene and the metal layer, exposing a portion of the graphene by removing a portion of the protective layer, forming a hole in the substrate, and forming a nanopore in the first insulating layer and the graphene to be connected to the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeo-young Shim, Tae-han Jeon, Dong-ho Lee, Hee-jeong Jeong, Seong-ho Cho
  • Patent number: 9465008
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamically adjusting a gain of an eddy current device are provided. The method includes providing calibration information to the eddy current device using a probe and switching between a first mode and a second mode of the eddy current device, the first mode exciting only a first coil to measure liftoff of the probe from a surface of a workpiece, the second mode exciting the first coil and a second coil to measure dimensions of a flaw within a workpiece. The method also includes determining a thickness of a non-conductive coating covering at least a portion of the workpiece using the first coil, adjusting a gain setting of the eddy current device based on the determined thickness and the calibration information, and determining dimensions of the flaw using the first and second coils and the adjusted gain setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Scott Groninger, Soundarrajan Kaliaperumal, Galen Lee Swyers, David George Perrett
  • Patent number: 9465009
    Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring device including: an ultrasonic transducer device; an emission unit for emitting an ultrasonic beam; a reception unit for receiving an ultrasonic echo reflected by a test subject; and a processing unit for processing reception, wherein the processing unit identifies a transfer function with respect to the ultrasonic transducer device and the test subject based on a first reception signal corresponding to an ultrasonic beam radiated to a first area in the test subject, a second reception signal corresponding to an ultrasonic beam radiated to a second area in the test subject, and a third reception signal corresponding to an ultrasonic beam radiated to a third area located between the first area and the second area in the test subject, and performs ultrasonic image generation processing including filter processing using a deconvolution filter including the transfer function performed on the reception signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jiro Tsuruno, Hiroshi Kanai, Hideyuki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9465010
    Abstract: A method to identify and manage recyclable materials provides a recyclable material with a quartz crystal identification element configured to oscillate at a predetermined frequency associated with the recyclable material. A mobile device detects the oscillation frequency of the quartz crystal, identifies the recyclable material based on the detected oscillation frequency, and sends that information to a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel P. Borges, Claude Falbriard, Grant D. Miller, Nader M. Nassar
  • Patent number: 9465011
    Abstract: A sensor for use in magnetostrictive testing of a structure. An array of sensor elements is attached to a flexible backing. Each sensor element has a thin strip made from magnetostrictive material, a first coil wrapped around the width of the strip and operable to provide a DC bias magnetic field, and a second coil wrapped around the width of the strip and operable for MsS generation and detection. Typically, the first coils of all strips are electrically connected to each other and the second coils of all strips are electrically connected to each other, to form two separate coil circuits. The probe may be wrapped around the circumference of a cylindrical structure, and used for magnetostrictive testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Sergey A. Vinogradov, Hegeon Kwun, Darryl L. Wagar
  • Patent number: 9465012
    Abstract: Provided is a method for measurement of a change in environment at a sensor. The sensor has: a first layer formed of a piezoelectric material; a second layer formed adjacent the first layer and acoustically coupled with the first layer; and electrodes disposed to apply a driving signal to the first layer to generate bulk acoustic waves. The temperature coefficient of frequency of the first layer is different to that of the second layer. In the method, a first layer resonant frequency associated with the first layer and a combination resonant frequency associated with a combination of the first and second layers are detected. A shift in one or both of the first layer resonant frequency and the combination resonant frequency is detected. A portion of the shift caused by a temperature change at the sensor is identified. Another portion of the shift caused by an environmental change at the sensor other than the temperature change is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Cambridge Enterprise Limited & University of Bolton
    Inventors: Andrew Flewitt, William Milne, Luis Garcia-Gancedo, Jack Luo
  • Patent number: 9465013
    Abstract: HPLC methods for detecting, identifying and quantifying munitions compounds or munitions materials are disclosed. Insensitive munitions explosives (IMX) can be detected along with conventional munitions compounds such as 2,4,6-trinitrotolene (TNT) in a single column analysis. The methods are also useful to provide analytical evaluation of soil samples, aqueous samples such as ground water samples and tissue samples containing insensitive munitions explosives (IMX).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
    Inventors: Amber Lea Russell, Jennifer Maureen Seiter, Jessica Ann Coleman, Anthony Joseph Bednar
  • Patent number: 9465014
    Abstract: The invention provides a sheath-flow interface for producing electrospray from a capillary. The electrospray generated by the interface can be used as the source of ions for mass spectrometry. Electrokinetic flow in the interface can move a sheath liquid past the end of a capillary so as to mix with an analyte effluent discharged from the capillary. The sheath liquid and analyte mixture can be directed to an electrospray emitter to generate an electrospray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: University of Notre Dame du Lac
    Inventors: Norman Dovichi, Liangliang Sun, Guijie Zhu
  • Patent number: 9465015
    Abstract: An efficient absorption spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system may be configured to measure solid, liquid or gaseous samples. Vacuum ultra-violet wavelengths may be utilized. Some of the disclosed techniques can be used for detecting the presence of trace concentrations of gaseous species. A preferable gas flow cell is disclosed. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used with a gas chromatography system so as to detect and identify species eluted from the column. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an electrospray interface and a liquid chromatography system so as to detect and identify gas phase ions of macromolecules produced from solution. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used to characterize chemical reactions. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an ultra short-path length sample cell to measure liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: VUV Analytics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Harrison, Anthony T. Hayes, Phillip Walsh
  • Patent number: 9465016
    Abstract: A method is provided for isolating a compound in a sample by chromatography. The method includes determining an analytical gradient of an analytical system; performing an analytical run using the analytical gradient; identifying a target compound in the sample and determining an analytical retention time of the target compound using chromatographic results of the analytical run; determining an elution point of the target compound using the analytical retention time, the analytical gradient and characteristics of the analytical system; determining automatically a focusing gradient of a preparative system, including a slope segment; and performing a preparative run using the focusing gradient to separate the target compound from the sample. The slope segment includes a slope determining a concentration of solvent in a solvent mixture, which linearly increases from a first offset below the elution point of the target compound to a second offset above the elution point of the target compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Wolf, Vlastimil Hruska, Andreas Tei, Manuel Renz
  • Patent number: 9465017
    Abstract: A method and a device for preparing a qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples are presented. The device affords the possibility of delimiting and isolating a specific region of a solid or liquid sample. A liquid, e.g. a solvent or extracting agent, is added in the delimited and isolated region. Thereafter the created mixture of substance and liquid is, in a plug-shaped fashion, pressed out of the closed region by means of a neutral liquid or the same liquid, and supplied to the measuring instrument in the form of a highly concentrated solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: CAMAG
    Inventors: Matthias Loppacher, Eike Reich
  • Patent number: 9465018
    Abstract: A method for examining wear of a connector contact using atom transfer radical polymerization. Metals in the connector contact are involved in atom transfer radical polymerization. In the method, polymers are formed via atom transfer radical polymerization. A polydispersity index of the polymers are determined. The exposure of underlying metal layers of the connector contact is determined based on the based on the polydispersity index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah K. Czaplewski, Joseph Kuczynski, Jason T. Wertz, Jing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9465019
    Abstract: A sensor system runs real-time software on the processor to receive and log temperature and humidity data from the sensors. A processor processes the data, reformats the data packaged with GPS information provided by the centralized sensor control system for transmission to the platform receiver (including error checking), and provides a diagnostic interface for displaying logged data and status information. This data is time stamped and transmitted to the centralized sensor control system across the external control/data interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Blue Storm Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Lockhart, Thomas Wallace, Randal Brumbaugh, Malcolm Robbie, Brian Patterson, Donna Blake, Andreas Goroch