Patents Issued in March 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9599555
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a doping profile of a sample includes a generator and at least one detector of terahertz light of multiple frequencies, configured to operate in a transmission and/or reflection mode; a materials refractive index library; and an inverse algorithm that can match simulated spectra using a trial doping profile and the materials library with the measured spectra from a sample, and map out or measure an activated doping profile into, or a free carrier distribution into, the interior of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rochester Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Christiaan Richter, Chih-Yu Jen
  • Patent number: 9599556
    Abstract: A gas sensing system includes a signal generator including a wavelength tunable laser, the signal generator providing a first periodic signal and a second periodic signal, wherein the first periodic signal comprises a wavelength scanning signal and the second periodic signal comprises a modulation signal; an optical signal absorption path which is wavelength selective, wherein the generated signal covers at least one of the absorbance band; a signal detector that uses lock-in detection to detect a second harmonic of the second periodic signal after absorption, the signal detector further including a local reference generator, a multiplier, and a low pass filter; a local reference includes a first path (ref1) that outputs sinusoidal signal with frequency equals to that of the second signal in signal generator, and a second path (ref2) that outputs sinusoidal signal of two times ref1 frequency; and a local reference generator having a first phase shifter that is configurable from 0 to 2? and a second phase shif
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Junqiang Hu, Ting Wang
  • Patent number: 9599557
    Abstract: An optical sensor is arranged in an indentation of a dust line, the indentation being equipped with at least one gas inlet nozzle for removing the dust from the optical sensor. Dust is transported through the dust line. An optical property of the dust is measured using at least one optical sensor arranged in an indentation of the dust line, and the dust is then removed from the optical sensor by blowing in air using the at least one gas inlet nozzle arranged in the indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Alexander Michael Gigler, Holger Hackstein, Remigiusz Pastusiak, Kerstin Wiesner
  • Patent number: 9599558
    Abstract: A measuring device and corresponding method for measuring a measurement object, comprising an illumination device for illuminating the measurement object with an illumination pattern, a pattern generation device with at least one pattern generating element for bringing about a positionally variant intensity distribution of the illumination pattern, and an optical sensor arrangement for detecting the illumination pattern reflected and/or scattered by the measurement object. The measuring device has an optics which is telecentric at least on the measurement object side and is arranged in a beam path from the illumination device to the measurement object. The optical sensor arrangement detects the illumination pattern through at least one part of the telecentric optics. The pattern generating device is designed in such a way that the illumination pattern has a positionally and/or spectrally variant vertex focal length distribution on the measurement object side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Westphal, Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: 9599559
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention are directed to applying intimate contact pressures to samples while undergoing ATR infrared interrogation. As a general mode of operation, after a solid sample is placed on the ATR element, a force actuator moves an anvil arm to apply a contact force to the sample against the ATR. Thereafter, when the scan is over, the user can see the result of the one or more scans. The force actuator may be a motor or a solenoid or other type of force actuator. The applied contact force may be a fixed force or may be a user-selectable force or may be automatically controlled through feedback from the spectrometer based on the spectroscopic signature of the sample material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Pastore, Kenneth J. Vachon, Jr., Brendon D. Tower, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes, Aaron Sean Poynton
  • Patent number: 9599560
    Abstract: Method for detecting metals in a liquid are described. The liquid is contacted with a hexahydrotriazine and/or a hemiaminal material, and a UV absorption spectrum of the material before and after exposure to the liquid is examined to determine whether metals are present in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dylan J. Boday, Jeannette M. Garcia, James L. Hedrick, Rudy J. Wojtecki, Thomas Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9599561
    Abstract: Disclosed are calibration apparatuses for fluorescent microscopy instruments and methods of making and using them. Specifically, disclosed are calibration apparatuses with a fluorescent layer, such as photoresist, deposited on a substrate, with an optional layer of a reflective material, such as chrome. Illumination of the fluorescent and/or reflective layers, and detection and analysis of the resulting emissions allows evaluation of the instrument with respect to both reflective and fluorescent channels. Selection of appropriate fluorescent materials for the one or more fluorescent layers allows the evaluation of an instrument with respect to different fluorophores, as would be used with an instrument capable of two color detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Affymetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Bei-Shen Sywe, Mark Borodkin, Chuan Gao, Liana Ilkova, Devin Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9599562
    Abstract: Techniques for imaging a characteristic of a sample with a plurality of conjugates of diamond-metallic nanoparticles having a nitrogen vacancy center. The plurality of conjugates can be exposed to a sample and the nitrogen vacancy centers can be optically pumped. One or more microwave pulses can be applied to the nitrogen vacancy center, and a fluorescent response can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventor: Dirk R. Englund
  • Patent number: 9599563
    Abstract: An LED inspection lamp has plurality of LED sources for emitting electromagnetic radiation at different peak wavelengths for causing visible fluorescence in different leak detection dyes. A lens is associated with each LED. Radiation passing through lenses is superimposed in target area at target distance. Another LED inspection lamp has plurality of LEDs emitting electromagnetic radiation at a peak wavelength. A lens adaptor has lens housing for attachment to LED inspection lamp with a single LED for causing visible fluorescence, and a lens. Substantially all of the radiation from the LED passes through the lens and is focused in a target area at a target distance from the lenses. LED spot lights have a similar configuration. The LEDs may produce white light from distinct LEDs or from white LEDs. The light may be a flashlight or fixed spot light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jack Brass, Richard J. Doran, Donald L. Klipstein, Thomas M. Lemons, Bjarki Hallgrimson, Sarah Dobbin
  • Patent number: 9599564
    Abstract: A quantum dot-polymer nanocomposite sensor array for chemical vapor sensing includes plurality of sensors respectively formed by different nanocomposite films. Each nanocomposite film is formed by a plurality of QDs and a polymer solution made from a polymer and a corresponding solvent. The plurality of sensors are disposed on a substrate for impingement by an excitation light source. Fluorescence emission intensity of the sensors is measured for a preselected duration of time and then the sensors are placed into contact with a chemical vapor. The changes in fluorescence emission intensity for all sensors are detected over time and the combined changes in fluorescence are compared to establish a unique combined response for each target chemical vapor. Using this unique combined response from a sensor array, target chemical vapor can be detected, classified, and identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: The Mitre Corporation
    Inventor: Sichu Li
  • Patent number: 9599565
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for identification and analysis of materials and molecular structures. An apparatus for identification and analysis of materials and molecular structures may include a laser. The laser may, in turn, include an amplified spontaneous emission-suppressed single-frequency laser excitation source. The apparatus may further comprise a plurality of filters. The plurality of filters may include reflective volume holographic grating blocking filters. The apparatus may also comprise an optical unit and an optical spectrometer. The optical unit may be configured to deliver excitation energy to a sample substance and capture Raman signal scattering from the sample substance. The optical spectrometer may be disposed in a path of the Raman signal and configured to measure a spectrum of the Raman signal and generate a detection signal. Finally, the apparatus may comprise a processing unit configured to analyze the spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ondax, Inc.
    Inventors: James Carriere, Lawrence Ho, Frank Havermeyer, Eric Maye, Randy Heyler
  • Patent number: 9599566
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for measuring the concentration of anionic polymers in an industrial water system. Specifically, the concentration of anionic polymer can be measured by combining an indicator dye composition that includes an acridine compound or a salt thereof to a water sample and measuring the absorbance of the mixture. The concentration can be determined by comparing the absorbance of the mixture to absorbance values on a pre-determined calibration curve. The dosage of anionic polymer can be optionally adjusted based on the concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventor: Hua Zheng
  • Patent number: 9599567
    Abstract: A chemical detector for rapid, simultaneous detection of multiple chemicals including chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and explosives having one or more gas chromatography columns each with a chemosorbent or a chemo-reactive stationary phase and an infrared-transparent base, a bright infrared light source, a mechanism to direct the light source to any point along any of the columns, and an infrared sensor. Another disclosed detector has one or more gas chromatography columns each on the surface of a substrate having at least one infrared-transparent waveguide pattern, a bright infrared light source, and at least one ring resonator for each column, where each ring resonator is coated with a chemosorbent or a chemo-reactive stationary phase, and where each ring resonator spectroscopically probes the stationary phase. Also disclosed are the related methods for chemical detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: R. Andrew McGill, Robert Furstenberg, Viet K. Nguyen, Chris Kendziora, Michael Papantonakis, Todd H. Stievater
  • Patent number: 9599568
    Abstract: A method of determining the appearance of losses of cohesion in a transparent ceramic coating layer (16) formed on a substrate (10), the method comprising the steps that consist firstly in looking for an image representative of a separation zone, if any, between the ceramic layer and the substrate, and secondly in analyzing the detected image, if any, with the image being viewed optically at particular wavelengths that are greater than or equal to 500 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Gregory Fabre, Jean-Yves Guedou, Vincent Guipont, Michel Christian Marcel Jeandin
  • Patent number: 9599569
    Abstract: Methodology for determining optical functions of thin films with enhanced sensitivity to “p” polarized electromagnetic radiation reflected from both interfaces of an absorbing film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: J.A. WOOLLAM CO., INC.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Tiwald, Jeremy A. Van Derslice
  • Patent number: 9599570
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an image of a gemstone under evaluation which is coded according to angular ranges in its angular spectrum across a broad range of tilts, this allows for scintillation of a gemstone to be demonstrated based on a singular coded image of the gemstone. Scintillation information is thus presented in a single image, or as a plurality of images showing fire scintillation, flash scintillation, and other scintillation related criteria as a series of static images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: American Gem Society
    Inventor: Jason Quick
  • Patent number: 9599571
    Abstract: An inspection system configured for “no-blow” use in a pressurized gas pipeline includes a push rod wound around a spool for convenient deployment and portability. A camera disposed on one end of the push rod is configured to relay images back to a monitor. A motor is configured for remote actuation by an operator, and provides for self-propelled movement of the camera in the pipeline. An entry tube is configured for sealed entry into the pipeline to facilitate entry of the camera and push rod. A guide shoe at the end of the entry tube provides a smooth transition for the camera and push rod as it leaves the entry tube and enters the pipeline. An automatically deployable and retractable positioning system is used to keep the camera away from an interior surface of the pipeline, and in the case of smaller pipelines, centers the camera within the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ULC Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Gregory Penza, George Lohr, Hermann Herrlich
  • Patent number: 9599572
    Abstract: An optical inspection system including a first multiplicity of cameras operative to image a second multiplicity of regions on an object, a third multiplicity of illumination sources and at least one illumination manager operative to combine illumination from the third multiplicity of illumination sources and thereafter to direct illumination therefrom to the second multiplicity of regions, the at least one illumination manager including a beam distributor receiving a composite input beam of a multiplicity of non-mutually coherent, spatially concentrated laser pulses and directing a multiplicity of composite output beams of a plurality of the non-mutually coherent, spatially concentrated laser pulses to a corresponding plurality of spatially distinct locations corresponding to the second multiplicity of regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Orbotech Ltd.
    Inventors: Ronen Levy, Ofer Saphier, Ariel Danan
  • Patent number: 9599573
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for inspecting semiconductor samples. On an inspection tool, a plurality of different wavelength ranges is selected for different layers of interest of one or more semiconductor samples based on whether such different layers of interest have an absorber type material present within or near such different layers of interest. On the inspection tool, at least one incident beam is directed at the different wavelength ranges towards the different layers of interest and, in response, output signals or images are obtained for each of the different layers of interest. The output signals or images from each of the different layers of interest are analyzed to detect defects in such different layers of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Lange
  • Patent number: 9599574
    Abstract: A system for inspecting an object that is at least translucent extending along a vertical axis A, having at least one marking and being located in an inspection area including at least one inspection assembly that comprises a main illumination device positioned on one side of the inspection area, comprising a light source and emitting at least one light beam of illumination axis ?. An acquisition device is positioned opposite the illumination device relative to the inspection area and comprising acquisition optics of optical axis ?? and an image sensor optically aligned with the acquisition optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Guillaume Bathelet
  • Patent number: 9599575
    Abstract: A system for generating calibration information usable for wafer inspection, the system including: (I) a displacement analysis module, configured to: (a) calculate a displacement for each target out of multiple targets selected in multiple scanned frames which are included in a scanned area of the wafer, the calculating based on a correlation of: (i) an image associated with the respective target which was obtained during a scanning of the wafer, and (ii) design data corresponding to the image; and (b) determining a displacement for each of the multiple scanned frames, the determining based on the displacements calculated for multiple targets in the respective scanned frame; and (II) a subsequent processing module, configured to generate calibration information including the displacements determined for the multiple scanned frames, and a target database that includes target image and location information of each target of a group of database targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials Israel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zvi Goren, Nir Ben-David Dodzin
  • Patent number: 9599576
    Abstract: A system for determining properties and structural integrity of a material comprises a probe including a housing, a source operable to propagate an acoustic energy through a thickness of the material, a source operable to propagate a radio frequency (RF) energy through the thickness of the material, an acoustic member mounted within the housing and operable to measure a response of the material to the acoustic energy, and a radio frequency (RF) member mounted within the hollow interior in a close proximity to the acoustic member and operable to measure a response of the material to the RF energy. A hardware interface device is coupled to both acoustic and RF members. A controller is coupled to the hardware interface and configured to receive the acoustic and RF response signals and includes a processor operable to process the received acoustic and RF response signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nokomis, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Richard Portune, Walter John Keller, III
  • Patent number: 9599577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an imaging system (100) for generating X-ray images. The system (100) comprises at least one X-ray source, preferably an array of X-ray sources (101a-101d), and an X-ray detector (103) with an array of sensitive pixels (103a-103e). A collimator (102) is arranged between the X-ray source and the detector such that two openings (P) of the collimator (102) allow the passage of X-rays towards two neighboring pixels (103a-103e) while the region between said pixels is substantially shielded. This shielding of the usually insensitive regions between pixels reduces unnecessary X-ray exposure. A sufficiently large X-ray intensity can be achieved by using a plurality of small X-ray sources (101a-101d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Juergen Engel, Gereon Vogtmeier
  • Patent number: 9599578
    Abstract: A control method of a radiation tomographic imaging apparatus having a gantry rotating section equipped with a radiation tube including a liquid bearing and a rotor configured to support an anode and configured to rotate is provided. The control method includes a control step that is configured to start a rotation of the gantry rotating section at a second velocity slower than a first velocity, start control for stopping the rotation of the rotor, and control the gantry rotating section and the radiation tube so as to stop the gantry rotating section at a home position. The control method further includes a setting step configured to set at least one of the second velocity and the delay time such that a rotational angular position of the gantry rotating section at a time that the rotor stops rotation averagely varies when a shutdown is performed plural times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Hirofumi Yanagita, Ryosuke Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9599579
    Abstract: The method is for inspecting an infrastructure having a corrugated pipe at least partially surrounded by soil. The corrugated pipe has a cylindrical wall which is corrugated along a length thereof and forming a longitudinally extending series of corrugations. The method generally has the steps of emitting, outwardly from the interior of the corrugated pipe, a beam of radiation particles directed towards a given voxel positioned beyond an inner face of the cylindrical wall and along a scanning plane parallel to an orientation of individual ones of the corrugations of the cylindrical wall; detecting backscattered photons scattered back from the given voxel and along the scanning plane; and generating inspection data based on the detected backscattered photons associated with the given voxel for use in inspecting the corrugated pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Inversa Systems LTD.
    Inventor: Shawn Durette
  • Patent number: 9599580
    Abstract: A method and device that analyzes a sample with a diffractometer that includes a collimated source, a spectrometric detector, and a detection collimator. The sample is irradiated with an incident beam and the detector has a detection plane with multiple physical or virtual pixels. An measured energy spectrum is established for each pixel and each measured energy spectrum is readjusted. The spectrum is expressed as a function of a variable that accounts for the energy of the scattered radiation and an angle of diffraction. The fulfillment of at least one multiple material criterion is verified. Groups of pixels are formed using the results of the verification step, each group corresponding to a layer of material and different groups corresponding to different layers of material, and the spectra are combined by group, during which, for each group, the readjusted spectra for the pixels of the group are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, MOZIDO, INC.
    Inventors: Bahaa Ghammraoui, Caroline Paulus, Joachim Tabary
  • Patent number: 9599581
    Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gas isotherm techniques to evaluate wettability of porous media, such as hydrocarbon reservoir rock, can include constructing a NMR gas isotherm curve for a porous media sample gas adsorption under various pressures. A hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature of the porous media sample can be determined using the NMR gas isotherm curves. A wettability of the porous media sample can be determined based on the NMR gas isotherm curve. The wettability can be determined for porous media samples with different pore sizes. In the case of reservoir rock samples, the determined wettability can be used, among other things, to model the hydrocarbon reservoir that includes such rock samples, to simulate fluid flow through such reservoirs, or to model enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from such reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hyung Tae Kwak, Ahmad Mubarak Al-Harbi
  • Patent number: 9599582
    Abstract: A resistance circuit for monitoring a support structure is provided. The resistance circuit may include a first set of resistors disposed at a belt-side and a second set of resistors disposed at a monitor-side. The first set of resistors may be configured to indicate one or more voltages thereacross corresponding to an effective resistance of the support structure. The first set of resistors may include at least one temperature-dependent resistor. The second set of resistors may be configured to indicate one or more voltages thereacross corresponding to an initial effective resistance of the support structure. The second set of resistors may include at least one switched resistor having an adjustable resistance capable of selectively approximating the initial effective resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard N. Fargo, Peter Liaskas
  • Patent number: 9599583
    Abstract: A humidity sensor element includes a dielectric substrate, a nonporous conductive electrode disposed on the dielectric substrate, a permeable conductive electrode having a thickness in a range of from 4 to 10 nanometers and permeable by water vapor, and a detection layer sandwiched between the nonporous conductive electrode and the permeable conductive electrode. The permeable conductive electrode is parallel to the nonporous electrode. Both conductive electrodes have respective conductive leads attached thereto. The detection layer includes a copolymer having monomeric units comprising wherein M represents H, or an alkali metal. A humidity sensor including the humidity sensor element is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Stefan H. Gryska, Michael C. Palazzotto, Krzysztof A. Lewinski
  • Patent number: 9599584
    Abstract: Provided are methods, systems and devices for thermodynamically evaluating electrochemical systems and components thereof, including electrochemical cells such as batteries. The present systems and methods are capable of monitoring selected electrochemical cell conditions, such as temperature, open circuit voltage and/or composition, and carrying out measurements of a number of cell parameters, including open circuit voltage, time and temperature, with accuracies large enough to allow for precise determination of thermodynamic state functions and materials properties relating to the composition, phase, states of charge, health and safety and electrochemical properties of electrodes and electrolytes in an electrochemical cell. Thermodynamic measurement systems of the present invention are highly versatile and provide information for predicting a wide range of performance attributes for virtually any electrochemical system having an electrode pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (C.N.R.S.), NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Rachid Yazami, Cher Ming Tan
  • Patent number: 9599585
    Abstract: Provided is a galvanic cell type oxygen sensor including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte solution, and a first oxygen permeable membrane, wherein the concentration of oxygen detected before ordinary use of the sensor is controlled into the range of 0.1 to 4.0% by volume both inclusive, or the output voltage of the sensor before ordinary use of the sensor is controlled into the range of 2.5 to 20% both inclusive of the output voltage thereof at the time of the ordinary use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventor: Naohisa Kitazawa
  • Patent number: 9599586
    Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for determining an ion concentration in a sample. According to these techniques of this disclosure, an ion concentration of a sample is determined based on detecting at least one change in an electrical characteristic of a semiconductor device due to a gate insulation layer of the semiconductor device placed in contact with the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan Krivec, Guenter Schagerl
  • Patent number: 9599587
    Abstract: An ISFET includes a control gate coupled to a floating gate in a CMOS device. The control gate, for example, a poly-to-well capacitor, is configured to receive a bias voltage and effect movement of a trapped charge between the control gate and the floating gate. The threshold voltage of the ISFET can therefore by trimmed to a predetermined value, thereby storing the trim information (the amount of trapped charge in the floating gate) within the ISFET itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Patrice M. Parris, Weize Chen, Richard J. De Souza, Md M. Hoque, John M. McKenna
  • Patent number: 9599588
    Abstract: The invention comprises portable, rugged and relatively compact electrochemical cells. Each cell has the ability to be removably and nondestructive secured to one surface of a substrate of indefinite size. In-situ electrochemical measurements may be made on portions of existing structures such as ships, bridges, or buildings. An electrochemical cell comprises an analytical chamber which can be utilized with potentiostats. An electrochemical cell is a self-contained portable probe comprising an electrochemical cell, an electronics component and a fluid handling component. Said probe is capable of performing electrochemical measurements by itself without the use of an external potentiostat, such as monitoring corrosion, effectiveness, or integrity of conductive and nonconductive coatings on bare and coated metallic or conductive substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ElectraWatch, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Dunn, Guy D. Davis, Robert A. Ross, Paul A. Bell
  • Patent number: 9599589
    Abstract: A method is provided for sensing arrival and monitoring flow of a sample in a testing device. A meter relay is provided for sensing a sample arrival in the testing device that includes three electrodes for measurement of an analyte in a sample that includes a switch located in an analog or digital part of a circuit, the testing device including a reference electrode lead, a counter electrode lead, and a working electrode lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Don Alden
  • Patent number: 9599590
    Abstract: The disclosure provides cassettes, electrophoresis systems, methods for making the device, and methods of fractionating a sample using the cassettes and electrophoresis systems described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sage Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Grosvenor Sabin, Joshua Gomes, Todd J. Barbera, Charles Sidoti, Simranjit Singh, T. Christian Boles
  • Patent number: 9599591
    Abstract: An integrated sensor that is capable of discriminating the distance of a label from the sensor without using an optical signal. The label is attached to a single probe molecule or a group of probe molecules that interacts with a single or group of target molecules. As a consequence of this interaction, the probe molecule and/or the target molecule undergo a conformal change. This conformal change leads to perturbations in the distance of the label from the sensor. Thus, measurements and properties such as the concentration and the identity of one or more target molecules can be discerned from signals generated by the sensor (or by a plurality of sensors in a sensor array) and subjected to analysis using general purpose programmable computers programmed with suitable software that controls the analytical process, and such measurements and properties can be provided as a result of the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Alex H. Pai, Stephen A. Chapman, Seyed Ali Hajimiri
  • Patent number: 9599592
    Abstract: A method of magnetic crack depth prediction for a magnetisable component of a first geometry comprising determining a measure of remnant magnetic flux leakage for a section of the component and, converting the remnant magnetic flux leakage to a predicted crack depth for that section of the component using an empirically determined relationship between remnant magnetic flux leakage and crack depth for a previously tested in service component of the first geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Ian Stewart Blair, Stephanie Klecha, Lloyd Lissiman
  • Patent number: 9599593
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing provides an elongate strip of ultrasound transmissive material coupled at a proximal end to an object under test. The elongate strip has a transverse cross-section with a width and thickness giving an aspect ratio greater than unity and matched to the ultrasonic transducer such that excitation induces an ultrasonic signal to propagate along the elongate strip to the proximal end and to enter the object under test. These pulses are particularly suited for time-of-flight measurements, thickness measurements, crack measurements and the like. The elongate strip helps to separate the transducer from a potentially hostile environment associated with the object under test. The elongate strip also has a large area of contact with the object under test allowing efficient transmission of energy into the object under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Imperial Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Peter Cawley, Frederick Bert Cegla
  • Patent number: 9599594
    Abstract: Adsorptive bed devices include a scaffold in housing having a stress absorbing rigid structure and open cells filled with adsorptive beads. The scaffold restricts movement of the plurality of adsorptive beads, absorbs stress induced by a hydraulic pressure gradient along a direction of liquid flow and transfers a portion of the induced compressive stress to the housing. In one embodiment the adsorptive bed is packed into a chromatography column, and in another embodiment the adsorptive bed is sealed in a monolithic block. In another embodiment, the adsorptive bed device includes an adsorptive block, first and second planar distributors and peripheral seal. The adsorptive media includes multiple layers of planarly cohesive media and when operated in a shallow bed configuration possesses significant tensile strength along its planar dimensions enabling it to support the hydraulic pressures that will be generated by the fluids being processed through the adsorptive devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SPF TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Gaston de los Reyes
  • Patent number: 9599595
    Abstract: A modulator for simply providing fast and precise sampling of a chromatographic peak eluting from a first column into a second column of a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatograph, where the modulator includes a planar component containing a first gas passage for connecting a carrier gas source to the second separation column, a second gas passage for connecting the first separation column to an exhaust outlet, a connecting gas passage between the first and second gas passages, and two individually controllable open/close valves arranged in parallel connection in the first gas passage between its connection to the carrier gas source and the branch-off of the connecting gas passage, and where the gas passages and valves are formed in the planar component by micromachining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Udo Gellert
  • Patent number: 9599596
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor element, comprising indicators (2), selected from luminescence-active means that are of the same type or different, and indicator protectors (1), and to a sensor, comprising at least one such sensor element, an energy source that excites the luminescence emission of the indicators, and a detector unit, wherein the sensor element or sensor is suitable for detecting molecular oxygen in a gaseous or liquid medium and/or for determining the molecular oxygen content of a gaseous or liquid medium and at least one layer of the sensor element bearing the indicator protectors is designed in such a way that the diffusion rate of the molecular oxygen formed on the indicator protectors by means of the reduction of strong oxidants back into the medium is greater than the diffusion rate of molecular oxygen from the medium in the direction of the at-least-one layer bearing the indicator molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Bonaduz AG
    Inventors: Dirk Schoenfuss, Claudius-Michael Ortega Schulte
  • Patent number: 9599597
    Abstract: In some embodiments, vehicle-based natural gas leak detection methods are used to generate 2-D spatial distributions (heat maps) of gas emission source probabilities and surveyed area locations using measured gas concentrations and associated geospatial (e.g. GPS) locations, wind direction and wind speed, and atmospheric condition data. Bayesian updates are used to incorporate the results of one or more measurement runs into computed spatial distributions. Operating in gas-emission plume space rather than raw concentration data space allows reducing the computational complexity of updating gas emission source probability heat maps. Gas pipeline location data and other external data may be used to determine the heat map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Picarro, Inc.
    Inventors: David Steele, Sze M. Tan, Chris W. Rella
  • Patent number: 9599598
    Abstract: An SOx gas sensor includes a first solid electrolyte member composing a part of a wall of a gas reduction chamber and provided with a first gas introducing hole for introducing sample gas into the gas reduction chamber, an oxidation part for oxidizing noise gas other than the SOx gas in the sample gas, and a reduction mechanism for reducing the SOx gas in the sample gas, in the gas reduction chamber; a communication unit provided with a second gas introducing hole for introducing the sample gas into a gas measurement chamber from the gas reduction chamber; and a second solid electrolyte member composing a part of a wall of the gas measurement chamber and provided with an oxidation mechanism for oxidizing the SOx gas, and a measurement mechanism for measuring the concentration of the SOx gas, in the gas measurement chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuhei Katayama, Shigeaki Suganuma
  • Patent number: 9599599
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method includes determining an amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in dialysate flowing through a dialysis system using a CO2 sensor associated with the dialysis system, determining, using a pH sensor associated with the dialysis system, a pH level of the dialysate, and calculating a level of bicarbonate in the dialysate based at least in part on the determined amount of CO2 measured in the gas and the determined pH level of the dialysate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Ash, Thomas A. Sullivan, David Carr, Michael James Beiriger
  • Patent number: 9599600
    Abstract: A sensor control apparatus controls a gas sensor by means of digital control and restrains a decrease in accuracy of pump current control. A gas detection system includes such a sensor control apparatus. The sensor control apparatus includes a reference voltage generation section, and can change the maximum current range of pump current Ip in the current DA conversion section. The sensor control apparatus can set the maximum current range of the pump current Ip to a proper range in accordance with the type or characteristic of a gas sensor to be controlled. Namely, in the case where a gas sensor has a small sensor maximum current, the maximum current range of the current DA conversion section is changed to a range determined in consideration of the sensor maximum current of the gas sensor, which restrains a decrease in the accuracy in controlling the pump current Ip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuzo Higuchi, Tomonori Uemura
  • Patent number: 9599601
    Abstract: A sample testing cartridge is usable to perform a variety of tests on a visco-elastic sample, such hemostasis testing on a whole blood or blood component sample. The cartridge includes a sample processing portion that is in fluid communication with a sample retention structure. A suspension, such as a beam, arm, cantilever or similar structure supports or suspends the sample retention portion relative to the sample processing portion in a unitary structure. In this manner, the sample retention portion may be placed into dynamic excitation responsive to excitation of the cartridge and correspondingly dynamic, resonant excitation of the sample contained within the sample retention portion, while the sample processing portion remains fixed. Observation of the excited sample yields data indicative of hemostasis. The data may correspond to hemostasis parameters such as time to initial clot formation, rate of clot formation, maximum clot strength and degree of clot lysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: CORAMED TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Peter Delmenico, Carlos G. Lopez-Espina, Gabriel Raviv
  • Patent number: 9599602
    Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels in plasma are useful in diagnosing cardiovascular disease. The ratio of H2S to NO in plasma is useful in diagnosing peripheral artery disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Christopher G. Kevil, Elvis A. Peter, Xinggui Shen
  • Patent number: 9599603
    Abstract: A method modulating adhesion and migration of at least one cadherin expressing cell includes administering a cadherin modulating agent to the at least one cadherin expressing cell in an amount effective to modulate cell adhesion and migration. The cadherin modulating agent includes a small molecule peptidomimetic of a peptide or cyclic peptide that comprises a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence. The cadherin modulating agent can promote or inhibit neurite outgrowth when applied to at least one neuron disposed on a substrate coated with a cadherin molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Susann Brady-Kalnay, Susan Burden-Gulley
  • Patent number: 9599604
    Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to a device (or “flow chamber”), methods of making a device, methods of using a device, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter S. McFetridge