Patents Issued in April 18, 2017
  • Patent number: 9625411
    Abstract: A sensor, and methods of making, for determining the concentration of an analyte, such as glucose, in a biological fluid such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. The sensor includes a working electrode and a counter electrode, and may include an insertion monitoring trace to determine correct positioning of the sensor in a connector. The sensor is calibration-adjusted, eliminating the need for a user to enter a calibration code or for the meter to read a calibration code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Wang, Benjamin J. Feldman
  • Patent number: 9625413
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing a discrete glucose testing and bolus dosage determination including a glucose meter with bolus calculation function are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kent Sloan, R. Curtis Jennewine
  • Patent number: 9625414
    Abstract: A diagnostic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure is applied to measure values of impedance-related parameters for one or more sensing electrodes. The parameters may include real impedance, imaginary impedance, impedance magnitude, and/or phase angle. The measured values of the impedance-related parameters are then used in performing sensor diagnostics, calculating a highly-reliable fused sensor glucose value based on signals from a plurality of redundant sensing electrodes, calibrating sensors, detecting interferents within close proximity of one or more sensing electrodes, and testing surface area characteristics of electroplated electrodes. Advantageously, impedance-related parameters can be defined that are substantially glucose-independent over specific ranges of frequencies. An Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) enables implementation of the EIS-based diagnostics, fusion algorithms, and other processes based on measurement of EIS-based parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Ning Yang, Rajiv Shah
  • Patent number: 9625415
    Abstract: A diagnostic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure is applied to measure values of impedance-related parameters for one or more sensing electrodes. The parameters may include real impedance, imaginary impedance, impedance magnitude, and/or phase angle. The measured values of the impedance-related parameters are then used in performing sensor diagnostics, calculating a highly-reliable fused sensor glucose value based on signals from a plurality of redundant sensing electrodes, calibrating sensors, detecting interferents within close proximity of one or more sensing electrodes, and testing surface area characteristics of electroplated electrodes. Advantageously, impedance-related parameters can be defined that are substantially glucose-independent over specific ranges of frequencies. An Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) enables implementation of the EIS-based diagnostics, fusion algorithms, and other processes based on measurement of EIS-based parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Ning Yang, Raghavendhar Gautham, Bradley C. Liang, Rajiv Shah
  • Patent number: 9625416
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods and kits for high speed, high resolution of analytes by capillary electrophoresis starting with uncoated capillaries. The compositions comprise a sieving component, comprising a non-crosslinked acrylamide polymer, and a surface interaction component, comprising at least one uncharged and non-crosslinked water-soluble silica-adsorbing polymer. Methods for employing the novel compositions in capillary electrophoresis are provided. Kits comprising the novel compositions for use in the novel methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Karl O. Voss, Aldrich N. K. Lau
  • Patent number: 9625417
    Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to ion detectors and systems. In some examples, the ion detector can include a plurality of dynodes, in which one or more of the dynodes are coupled to an electrometer. In other configurations, each dynode can be coupled to a respective electrometer. Methods using the ion detectors are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Urs Steiner, Daniel Robert Marshak
  • Patent number: 9625418
    Abstract: A conduit sensor device comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, a first magnet rotor assembly residing proximate the first end portion of the device and rotatable between first and second positions, a second magnet rotor assembly residing proximate the second end portion of the device and rotatable between first and second positions. The first magnet rotor assembly includes a first plurality of magnets axially arranged about a first axis. The first magnet rotor assembly includes a first top portion and a first bottom portion securing the first plurality of magnets within the first magnet rotor assembly. The second magnet rotor assembly includes a second plurality of magnets axially arranged about a second axis. The second magnet rotor assembly includes a second top portion and a second bottom portion securing the second plurality of magnets within the second magnet rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: INVODANE ENGINEERING LTD
    Inventors: Paul Laursen, Corry Comello
  • Patent number: 9625419
    Abstract: A conduit sensor device includes first and second pairs of permanent magnets. First and second rotor shunts include first and second rotatable magnets and interposed between the first and second pairs of permanent magnets, respectively. A shunt shaft includes a first helical worm gear and a second helical worm gear mounted thereon. The first rotor shunt includes a first rotatable magnet and a first rotor gear locked together. The first helical worm gear meshing with the first rotor gear driving the first rotor gear and the first rotatable magnet. The second rotor shunt includes a second rotatable magnet and a second rotor gear locked together. The second helical worm gear meshes with the second rotor gear driving the second rotor gear and the second rotatable magnet. The surface areas of the first and second pairs of permanent magnets equals the surface area of the first and second rotatable magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: INVODANE ENGINEERING LTD
    Inventors: Paul Laursen, Corry Comello, Roderick Lee
  • Patent number: 9625420
    Abstract: A sensing sensor includes a wiring board, a piezoelectric resonator, a channel forming member, a channel, an effluent channel, a capillary member, and an absorbing member. The effluent channel is disposed at a downstream side of the channel. The effluent channel is configured to discharge the sample solution inside of the channel by capillarity. The capillary member is disposed at a downstream side of the effluent channel in contact with the sample solution flowing through an inside of the effluent channel. The capillary member is configured to cause the sample solution to flow through by the capillarity. The absorbing member is disposed at a downstream side of the capillary member. The absorbing member is configured to absorb the sample solution flowing through the capillary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NIHON DEMPA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kukita
  • Patent number: 9625421
    Abstract: A scanner system and method for acquisition of position-based ultrasonic inspection data are described. The scanner system includes an inspection probe and a first non-contact linear encoder having a first sensor and a first scale to track inspection probe position. The first sensor is positioned to maintain a continuous non-contact interface between the first sensor and the first scale and to maintain a continuous alignment of the first sensor with the inspection probe. The scanner system may be used to acquire two-dimensional inspection probe position data by including a second non-contact linear encoder having a second sensor and a second scale, the second sensor positioned to maintain a continuous non-contact interface between the second sensor and the second scale and to maintain a continuous alignment of the second sensor with the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventor: Charles Keith Sword
  • Patent number: 9625422
    Abstract: During a marine seismic survey, shots are fired at a time interval shorter than an S-wave listening time during which seismic receivers within a predetermined distance from the shot location detect reflected S-waves caused by an earlier shot. In portion of data acquired during the survey, information related to the S-wave reflections caused by the earlier shot is blended with information related to P-wave and S-wave reflections from a later shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventor: Julien Cloud
  • Patent number: 9625423
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a composite structure. A pulsed laser beam having a number of properties is generated. Each of the number of properties is within a selected range. The pulsed laser beam generated by the generation laser system is directed towards a composite structure comprised of a number of composite materials. A number of ultrasonic waves are formed in the composite structure when the pulsed laser beam contacts the composite structure without causing any undesired inconsistencies in the composite structure outside of selected tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard H. Bossi, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Jeffrey Reyner Kollgaard, Alan Frank Stewart, William P. Motzer, Clarence Lavere Gordon, III, Matthew O'Donnell, Jinjun Xia, Ivan Pelivanov, Chen-wei Wei
  • Patent number: 9625424
    Abstract: Disclosed is phased array inspection system with automatically generated PAUT scan plan based on a set of configurable probe operation parameters and a combination of preferred code requirement and rules given by PAUT expertise. The complex code requirements and PAUT expertise are pre-assembled into a plurality of templates applicable to categories of inspection tasks by PAUT experts. Requirements and optimization scoring schemes are then used to automatically score each of specifically proposed scan plan setup, including the selection of probe operation parameters against the corresponding template for a specific task. This allows less skilled field inspector to operate with the correct interpretation of the complex code and accurate evaluation of the scan plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS SCIENTIFIC SOLUTIONS AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Benoit LePage, Martin St-Laurent
  • Patent number: 9625425
    Abstract: A bond inspection system may include a material that reacts to applied activation energy by creating a compression wave, the material positioned adjacent a surface of a structure having a bond to be inspected and shaped in a predetermined pattern, such that reaction of the material causes compression waves to travel through the surface and structure; a source of activation energy capable of directing the activation energy at the material; and a controller programmed to actuate the source of activation energy to direct the activation energy at discrete portions of the predetermined pattern of material in a predetermined sequence selected to create a plurality of the compression waves so that the compression waves reflect from an opposite side of the structure as a plurality of tension waves that combine at substantially the same time at a bondline of the structure to be inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alan Frank Stewart, Marc Joel Piehl, Douglas Allen Frisch, Kevin R. Housen, William J. Sweet
  • Patent number: 9625426
    Abstract: The invention describes the process by which a standard mixture of organic compounds are spiked and retained onto a composite sorbent matrix for the controlled generation of a standard in fluid above the spiked matrix either in a gaseous or aqueous phase. The novelty of the aforementioned composite matrix stems from the combination of an immobilizing liquid phase such as silicone oil or a polyacrylonitrile solution, and solid, porous particles such as polystyrene-co-divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) or hydrophilic/Lipophilic Balance (HLB) particles to strongly retain the spiked standards. These novel composite mixtures exhibit sorptive capabilities greater than the sum of their individual components. In addition swelling of the particles with the liquid phase facilitates immobilization of the composite sorbent matrix in the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventors: Janusz Boleslaw Pawliszyn, Jonathan James Grandy, German Augusto Gomez Rios
  • Patent number: 9625427
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and an arrangement for selective solvent evaporation from a liquid feed, the feed comprising one or more components diluted in at least a first solvent or a solvent blend, comprising: a) a first tubular vessel having a distal end or a channel suitable for the formation of a droplet of a first volume, at an inflow rate n, at the tip or in the lumen of the tubular vessel, and b) means for subjecting the droplet to a solvent removal step at an evaporation rate r2 to evaporate at least part of the first solvent or solvent blend, to accumulate the components in the feed in the droplet during the evaporation process at an accumulation rate r3, to obtain a concentrated feed volume in a concentrated droplet, wherein the evaporation and/or inflow rates are continuously adjusted to achieve a desired accumulation rate. The invention further relates to a method for selective solvent removal from an analyte mixture obtained in a chromatographic separation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN
    Inventors: Thomas Hankemeier, Jan-Willem Schoonen, Heiko Jan Van Der Linden, Paul Vulto
  • Patent number: 9625428
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the modulation of flame gas stoichiometry to a flame-based detector for use in chromatographic separations are presented. As the total mass flow rate of mobile phase entering the flame-based detector changes (e.g., as a result of density programming in the separation), the mass flow rate of combustion gases to the detector are altered in proportion to the amount of mobile phase entering the detector. As a result, flame stability and sensitivity of the detector can be maintained by the methods and apparatus of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael O. Fogwill, Joseph D. Michienzi, James P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9625429
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, kits, and methods for purification and analysis of analytes having a broad range of hydrophobicities by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Using one set of liquid chromatography columns, one set of mobile phase buffers, and, optionally, a single ionization method (e.g., electrospray ionization), a wide range of analytes can be purified and analyzed on a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system. LC-MS purification and analysis of analytes having a broad range of partition coefficients is accomplished by selecting LC run parameters and MS system parameters that are particular to different classes of analytes without having to make column or buffer changes or any other hardware configuration changes to the LC-MS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Cohesive Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Herman, Robert Dewitte, Dayana Argoti
  • Patent number: 9625430
    Abstract: An electrolytic device comprising: a central sample flow channel, first and second regenerant flow channels, first and second charged barriers disposed between said sample flow channel and first and second regenerant flow channels, and pairs of oppositely charged, spaced electrodes disposed in the regenerant flow channels. Also, electrolytic devices with a different electrode configuration are described. Also, methods of using the devices, e.g., for suppression in an ion chromatography system are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: DIONEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kannan Srinivasan, Sheetal Bhardwaj, Rong Lin
  • Patent number: 9625431
    Abstract: A liquid gas vaporization and measurement system, and associated method, for efficiently vaporizing a continuous sample of liquid gas, such as liquid natural gas (LNG), and accurately determining the constituent components of the gas. A constant flow of liquid gas sampled from a mass storage device is maintained in a vaporizing device. Within the vaporizing device the liquid gas is flash vaporized within heated narrow tubing. The liquid gas is converted to vapor very quickly as it enters one or more independently operating vaporizer stages within the vaporizing device. The vapor gas is provided to a measuring instrument such as a chromatograph and the individual constituent components and the BTU value of the gas are determined to an accuracy of within +/?0.5 mole percent and 1 BTU, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Mustang Sampling, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth O. Thompson, Walter F. Gerhold
  • Patent number: 9625432
    Abstract: The invention is a biologically inspired artificial olfactory method and system comprising the design of at least one septum with at least two nostrils, wherein each nostril is designed having special characteristics. This artificial nose permits detecting the direction wherefrom a smell emanates. The septum is utilized to realize the separation of the air currents external to the olfactory system. In this manner the measurement of the environment may be obtained in two different positions simultaneously. These measurements reflect different concentrations and reaction times, consequently they may be utilized to calculate the direction wherefrom a smell emanates. Each nostril comprises an air chamber performing the principal biological processes carried out within the nose. These processes are: the process of aspiration, the process of division, the process of conduction, the sensing, the processing, the transformation of the air or smell filtration, and expulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: INSTITUTO TECNOLOGICO Y DE ESTUDIOS SUPERIORES DE MONTERREY
    Inventors: Blanca Lorena Villarreal Guerra, Jose Luis Gordillo Moscoso
  • Patent number: 9625433
    Abstract: Disclosed are an intake analysis system and a method thereof comprising an intake sensing device and a cloud computing device. The intake sensing device may be installed in a container containing an ingesta, providing for analyzing a component of the ingesta to generate a detecting signal, and sensing a weight variation of the container having the ingesta therein to generate a weight sensing signal; the cloud computing device receives the detecting signal and weight sensing signal transmitted and calculates a calorie value and an intake value to generate substance ingested information, and compares the calorie value and the intake value. When the calorie value or intake value is greater than a predetermined value respectively, the cloud computing device generates a noticing signal, and transmits the substance ingested information and noticing signal to the intake sensing device, and the intake sensing device displays the substance ingested information and noticing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: Inventec Appliances (Pudong) Corporation, Inventec Appliances Corp., Inventec Appliances (Nanchang) Corporation, Inventec Appliances (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-Tao Wang
  • Patent number: 9625434
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a permanent sealing assembly for a container, such as a reagent bottle. The permanent sealing assembly allows for drip-less reagent container exchange for liquid analysis instruments. The permanent sealing assembly may be integrated into a container, such as a reagent bottle, and provides an outflow tube that extends into the container. The permanent sealing assembly and the outflow tube thereof remain in the container such that, on an exchange of regent containers, a removable cap assembly of the liquid analysis instrument may be affixed to a new container of reagent without the risk of reagent from the old container contacting the surroundings. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventor: Nelson Dervaes
  • Patent number: 9625435
    Abstract: A basic unit for a mobile water analyzing system includes a photometer, a test element receptacle, a photometric measuring track, and a pump actuator. The photometer comprises a light source configured to generate a measurement beam and a light detector configured to receive the measurement beam. The test element receptacle is configured so as to allow a separate test element comprising a measuring section and a pump port to be inserted into the test element receptacle. The photometric measuring track is defined by the measuring section when the separate test element is inserted into the test element receptacle. The measurement beam and the photometric measuring track are aligned during a photometric measurement so that a photometric measurement occurs along a longitudinal length of each of the photometric measuring track and the measuring section. The pump actuator is cooperatively connected with the pump port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: HACH LANGE GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Lundgreen, Aria Farjam, Rolf Uthemann, Andreas Mitreiter, Isabel Huenig, Markus Lenhard, Rainer Froemel, Hans-Joachim Kumpch
  • Patent number: 9625436
    Abstract: A method of determining the geographic origin of a metal can comprise measuring a first isotope and a second isotope of the metal by high-resolution mass spectrometry; calculating a ratio of the first isotope and the second isotope; comparing the ratio to native ratios of isotopes of the metal of native samples from a plurality of geographic locations using a database; and matching the ratio to a geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Howard Mazurkiewicz, Paul Hubbard Ford, Troy A. Farrar
  • Patent number: 9625437
    Abstract: Explosion test systems for determining explosibility indicies (Kst) of certain dust and gaseous fuels are provided. The test systems comprise a combustion vessel (130) and associated control equipment (110) containing software for operating the combustion vessel and collecting data generated thereby. The combustion vessel (130) generally comprises a test chamber (140) and a reservoir module (150) operable to inject a fuel into the test chamber, wherein an ignition module (170) ignites the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Farrell, Stuart Johnson
  • Patent number: 9625438
    Abstract: The device for measuring expansive soil shrinkage includes a plurality of molds, a plate positioned beneath each mold, and a scale. The scale includes a primary plate having a center portion including an aperture and a secondary plate. The primary plate is positioned on top of the secondary plate. The scale also includes a plurality of primary supports, each primary support being positioned between the primary plate and the secondary plate, as well as a first arm movably positioned on the primary plate and a second arm movably positioned on the primary plate, the first arm and the second arm being connected to one another by a plurality of test wires. Further, the scale includes a plurality of cantilever arms movably positioned on the primary plate. The cantilever arms are configured for supporting one of the molds on the test wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Refat Ahmed Ibrahim El-Sheikhy, Mosleh Ali Al-Shamrani
  • Patent number: 9625439
    Abstract: Method for determining the composition of a material, including obtaining a reference model of composition (MoC) of the material based on a molecular formula distribution of the material, and reconciling, using at least one computer processor, the reference MoC to match at least one target property of the material, is provided. The reference MoC can be expressed as a combination of molecular lumps with associated reference percent. The reconciliation can be carried out using by constrained optimization of information entropy, and the optimization can be performed on a more coarse-grained basis relative to the reference MoC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Roland B Saeger, Kaiyuan He
  • Patent number: 9625440
    Abstract: A method of marking a hydrocarbon liquid includes the step of adding to the liquid, as a tracer compound, a compound of Formula I: wherein at least one of R1-R4 is selected from: i. a bromine or fluorine atom; ii. a partially or fully halogenated alkyl group; iii. a branched or cyclic C4-C20 alkyl group; iv. an aliphatic substituent linking two positions selected from R1-R4 in Formula I to one another; or v. a phenyl group substituted with a halogen atom, an aliphatic group or halogenated aliphatic group. The tracer compounds are resistant to removal from the fuel by chemical laundering or by contact with absorbents such as charcoal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON MATTHEY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Duncan McCallien, Vincent Brian Croud
  • Patent number: 9625441
    Abstract: A biological sample measurement device includes a biological sample measuring instrument and measurement-related information supply instrument which supplies measurement-related information. Measurement-related information supply instrument has reading unit which reads the measurement-related information, first storage unit which stores identification information of measurement-related information supply instrument, and transmission unit which transmits the measurement-related information and the identification information of measurement-related information supply instrument to the biological sample measuring instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Watanabe, Masumi Aono
  • Patent number: 9625442
    Abstract: The present invention has an object of improving the measurement accuracy in a biological information measurement device, e.g., for measuring a blood glucose level. The device is configured to be able to change at least one of i) a voltage value to be applied to the second input terminal and the third input terminal (i.e., the blood component measurement counter electrode 7 and the blood component measurement working electrode 6) in the second biological information measurement mode D and ii) a voltage application time during which a voltage is applied to the second input terminal and the third input terminal in the second biological information measurement mode D based on the first biological information in the first biological information measurement mode A. A hematocrit value is measured in the first biological information measurement mode A, and a glucose value is measured based on the hematocrit value in the second biological information measurement mode D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teppei Shinno, Shouko Hironaka
  • Patent number: 9625443
    Abstract: A method for measuring ammonia in a blood sample may involve positioning the blood sample in proximity with an ammonia gas sensor, generating a current with the ammonia gas sensor in response to ammonia gas released from the blood sample, and measuring the current generated by the ammonia gas sensor, using a current measurement member coupled with the ammonia gas sensor. A device for measuring an ammonia level in a blood sample may include a blood sample containment member, an ammonia gas sensor coupled with the blood sample containment member, and a current measurement member coupled with the ammonia gas sensor. The method and device may be used to measure an ammonia level in a blood sample as small as one drop of blood, or approximately 0.05 mL of blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Thomas Richard Veltman, Chun J. Tsai, Matthew William Kanan, Gilbert Chu
  • Patent number: 9625444
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of constructing an integrated artificial immune system that comprises appropriate in vitro cellular and tissue constructs or their equivalents to mimic the normal tissues that interact with vaccines in mammals. The artificial immune system can be used to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates in vitro and thus, is useful to accelerate vaccine development and testing drug and chemical interaction with the immune system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: SANOFI PASTEUR VAXDESIGN CORPORATION, THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE WHITEHEAD INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH, MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE OF NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: William L Warren, Heather Fahlenkamp, Russell Higbee, Anatoly Kachurin, Conan Li, Mike Nguyen, Robert Parkhill, Guzman Sanchez-Schmitz, Darrell J. Irvine, Gwendalyn J. Randolph, Nir Hacohen, Bruce Torbett
  • Patent number: 9625445
    Abstract: Methods for detection and diagnosis of Sjögren's Syndrome in a subject, determining the stage or progression of Sjögren's Syndrome in a subject, determining the effectiveness of a treatment for Sjögren's Syndrome, and selecting a subject for treatment for Sjögren's Syndrome are disclosed. The methods typically include measuring the level of one or more Sjögren's Syndrome biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from a subject. Biomarkers for Sjögren's Syndrome include, but are not limited to, GADD153 and Del-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Augusta University Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Babak Baban, Mahmood Mozaffari, Rafik Abdelsayed, Jun Yao Liu
  • Patent number: 9625446
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for determining or predicting response to cancer therapy in an individual using differential image analysis of immunohistochemically stained tumor samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Sarah S. Bacus
  • Patent number: 9625447
    Abstract: The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Allergan, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Zhu, Joanne Wang, Birgitte P. S. Jacky, D. Dianne Hodges, Fernandez-Salas Ester
  • Patent number: 9625448
    Abstract: Double caged GABA compounds and compositions including the same are described. Methods of synthesizing and using double caged GABA compounds are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Diana Shi, Samuel Wang, Martin Semmelhack
  • Patent number: 9625449
    Abstract: An in vitro method for determining the bioavailability of zinc (II) ions from an oral care composition comprises: providing a sample comprising, the oral care composition; contacting the sample with a biorelevant substrate, separating the biorelevant substrate from the sample, contacting the biorelevant substrate with an indicator under conditions selected such that the indicator is capable of reacting with zinc (II) ions, and determining a light absorbance of the indicator. The indicator is zincon or a salt thereof. The method is useful for estimating the ability of an oral care composition to deliver therapeutically-active zinc (II) ions to the oral cavity. Also provided is the use of zincon and a biorelevant substrate in vitro to determine the bioavailability of zinc (II) ions from an oral care composition comprising, a zinc source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Stanislav Jaracz, Harsh M. Trivedi, Lyndsay Schaeffer-Korbylo, Lynette Zaidel
  • Patent number: 9625450
    Abstract: A method of obtaining a mixture of cells enriched in hepatic progenitors is developed which comprises methods yielding suspensions of a mixture of cell types, and selecting those cells that are classical MHC class I antigen(s) negative and ICAM-1 antigen positive. The weak or dull expression of nonclassical MHC class I antigen(s) can be used for further enrichment of hepatic progenitors. Furthermore, the progenitors can be selected to have a level of side scatter, a measure of granularity or cytoplasmic droplets, that is higher than that in non-parenchymal cells, such as hemopoietic cells, and lower than that in mature parenchymal cells, such as hepatocytes. Furthermore, the progeny of the isolated progenitors can express alpha-fetoprotein and/or albumin and/or CK19. The hepatic progenitors, so isolated, can grow clonally, that is an entire population of progeny can be derived from one cell. The clones of progenitors have a growth pattern in culture of piled-up aggregates or clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Lola M. Reid
  • Patent number: 9625451
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting chronic sinusitis, which comprises measuring the concentration of a periostin protein in blood or nasal secretion collected from a test subject. Thereby, a method for detecting chronic sinusitis, which is capable of detecting chronic sinusitis more simply, more promptly and less invasively, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: SAGA UNIVERSITY, YAMAGATA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kenji Izuhara, Shoichiro Ohta, Kazuhiko Arima, Hiroshi Shiraishi, Shoichi Suzuki, Nobuo Ohta, Akihiro Ishida, Yusuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9625452
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for estimating the glomerular renal function in a convenient and non-invasive manner. As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above object, the present inventors found that there is a high correlation between the urinary megalin excretion rate and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in renal disease patients, and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be estimated with high probability in a non-invasive manner by measuring the megalin level in the urine. This has led to the completion of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Denka Seiken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Yamagata, Akira Hiwatashi, Masahiro Hagiwara, Hiroyuki Kurosawa, Yoshiaki Hirayama
  • Patent number: 9625453
    Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous membrane for detecting at least one target analyte in a sample. The membrane includes an array that comprises at least one capture element and the at least one control element printed on the membrane surface, the at least one capture element corresponding to and being able to bind a target analyte, the plurality of control elements, when present including: i) at least one fiduciary marker, ii) at least one negative control to monitor background signal, iii) at least one negative control to monitor assay specificity, iv) at least one positive colorimetric control, v) at least one positive control to monitor assay performance or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Pictor Limited
    Inventor: Sarita Kumble
  • Patent number: 9625454
    Abstract: The compositions and methods described herein are designed to introduce functionalized microparticles into droplets that can be manipulated in microfluidic devices by fields, including electric (dielectrophoretic) or magnetic fields, and extracted by splitting a droplet to separate the portion of the droplet that contains the majority of the microparticles from the part that is largely devoid of the microparticles. Within the device, channels are variously configured at Y- or T junctions that facilitate continuous, serial isolation and dilution of analytes in solution. The devices can be limited in the sense that they can be designed to output purified analytes that are then further analyzed in separate machines or they can include additional channels through which purified analytes can be further processed and analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York
    Inventors: Helmut Strey, Robert Kimmerling, Tomasz Bakowski
  • Patent number: 9625455
    Abstract: A method for performing a chemical and/or a biological assay including the following successive steps of: a) providing an assay device with a microchannel having an inlet and an outlet and restricting means for restricting movement toward the outlet of microparticles introduced in the microchannel while letting a fluid to flow through the restricting means, b) introducing microparticles in the microchannel via the inlet, c) restricting the movement of said microparticles in the microchannel toward the outlet using the restricting means, d) flowing a fluid sample through the microchannel, and e) performing a biological and/or chemical read-out on each microparticle. The method also includes the steps of: f) moving the microparticles in the microchannel, and g) repeating successively the steps d) and e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MYCARTIS NV
    Inventors: Raphael Tornay, Nicolas Demierre, Jose De Gil, Robin Muller, Didier Falconnet
  • Patent number: 9625456
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorescent silica-based nanoparticle that allows for precise detection, characterization, monitoring and treatment of a disease such as cancer The nanoparticle has a fluorescent compound positioned within the nanoparticle, and has greater brightness and fluorescent quantum yield than the free fluorescent compound To facilitate efficient urinary excretion of the nanoparticle, it may be coated with an organic polymer, such as polyethylene glycol) (PEG) The small size of the nanoparticle, the silica base and the organic polymer coating minimizes the toxicity of the nanoparticle when administered in vivo The nanoparticle may further be conjugated to a ligand capable of binding to a cellular component associated with the specific cell type, such as a tumor marker A therapeutic agent may be attached to the nanoparticle Radionuclides/radiometals or paramagnetic ions may be conjugated to the nanoparticle to permit the nanoparticle to be detectable by various imaging techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research, Cornell University
    Inventors: Michelle Bradbury, Ulrich Wiesner, Oula Penate Medina, Hoosweng Ow, Andrew Burns, Jason Lewis, Steven Larson
  • Patent number: 9625457
    Abstract: An assay device includes: a liquid sample zone; a reagent zone downstream and in fluid communication with the sample zone containing a reagent material; a detection zone in fluid communication with the reagent zone having capture elements bound thereto; and a wicking zone in fluid communication with the capture zone having a capacity to receive liquid sample flowing from the detection zone. The sample receiving zone, the reagent zone, the detection zone and the wicking zone define a fluid flow path and at least a part of the fluid flow path has a substrate and projections which extend substantially vertically from the substrate, wherein the projections have a height, cross-section and a distance between one another that defines a space between the projections capable of generating capillary flow parallel to the substrate surface. In addition, the fluid flow path having projections includes a corner section which changes the direction of the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Kanaley, Zhong Ding, Philip C. Hosimer, Edward R. Scalice, Susan Danielson, David A. Tomasso, Timothy C. Warren
  • Patent number: 9625458
    Abstract: Biosensors are made by attaching covalently or non-covalently at least one reporter group to one or more specific positions of a bacterial periplasmic binding protein (bPBP). Upon binding of ligand to the biosensor, there is a change in the signal transduced by the reporter group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Homme W. Hellinga, Loren L. Looger
  • Patent number: 9625459
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) wherein A?-specific antibodies in a biological sample of a person that is suspected of having AD are detected comprising the following steps: —contacting the sample with A?-aggregates or with particles having A?-aggregate like surfaces and allowing the A?-specific antibodies to bind to the A?-aggregates, and —detecting the A?-specific antibodies bound to the A?-aggregates by a single particle detection technique, preferably by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS); and wherein the amount of A?-specific antibodies detected is compared with the amount in a sample of known AD status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: AFFIRIS AG
    Inventors: Guenther Staffler, Andreas Mairhofer, Achim Schneeberger, Martina Lutterova, Walter Schmidt, Frank Mattner
  • Patent number: 9625460
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for identifying autoimmune diabetes are provided. One aspect provides a method for the evaluation of risk and progression of autoimmune diabetes in mammalian subjects. The method includes measuring the enzymatic activities and/or protein concentrations of neutrophil elastase and proteinase 3 in a subject and comparing the measured levels of these proteases to respective reference levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: VERSITECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Aimin Xu, Yudong Wang, Ling Zhong, Siu Ling Lam
  • Patent number: 9625461
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting or screening for the presence of cancer in a subject. The method comprises obtaining, providing or collecting a tissue or fluid sample (such as a urine sample) from said subject, and then determining the presence or absence of delta-catenin in said sample, or increased levels of delta-catenin in said sample as compared to a normal or control subject. The presence of delta-catenin in said sample, or increased levels of delta-catenin in said sample, indicating said subject is afflicted with or at least at risk of developing cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Qun Lu, Yan-Hua Chen