Patents Issued in August 14, 2018
  • Patent number: 10048202
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a material within a sample comprising signal generation circuitry generates a first signal including a first orbital angular momentum (OAM) signature and applies the first signal to the sample. A detector receives the first signal after the first signal passes through the sample and identifies the material within the sample based on a detected second orbital angular momentum caused by an interaction of the first signal with chiral molecules within the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: NxGen Partners IP, LLC
    Inventors: Solyman Ashrafi, Roger D. Linquist
  • Patent number: 10048203
    Abstract: A method for optical detection of residual soil on articles (such as medical instruments and equipment), after completion of a washing or a rinsing operation by a washer. A soil detection system provides an indication of soil on the articles by detecting luminescent radiation emanating from the soil in the presence of ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: STERIS Inc., INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUE / NATIONAL OPTICS INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Daniel Rochette, Pascal Gallant, Ozge Mermut, Francois Baribeau, Isabelle Noiseux, Isabelle Gosselin
  • Patent number: 10048204
    Abstract: Described herein are microfluidic devices and methods of detecting an analyte in a sample that includes flowing the sample though a microfluidic device, wherein the presence of the analyte is detected directly from the microfluidic device without the use of an external detector at an outlet of the microfluidic device. In a more specific aspect, detection is performed by incorporating functional nanopillars, such as detector nanopillars and/or light source nanopillars, into a microchannel of a microfluidic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yann Astier, Huan Hu, Ning Li, Devendra K. Sadana, Joshua T. Smith, William T. Spratt
  • Patent number: 10048205
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining contamination in a petroleum-based sample, including irradiating the petroleum-based sample with a light beam from a light source such that a fluorescence signal is generated, guiding, by a mirror, the fluorescence signal to a gear-less rotating diffraction grating, the gear-less rotating diffraction grating spatially separating a fluorescence wavelength from the florescence signal, detecting, by an optical detector, fluorescence wavelength, transforming the fluorescence wavelength into a spectral contour diagram, the spectral contour diagram comprising a fluorescence wavelength variation over time, and determining, the contamination in the petroleum-based sample using the spectral contour diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ezzat Hegazi, Vincent Cunningham, Christof Brunner, Christoph Stamm
  • Patent number: 10048206
    Abstract: A fluorescence viewing device is configured to take a difference between one of an image of a first frame and an image of a second frame output from an imaging device and the other of the first frame image and the second frame image stored in an image storage means, whereby clear observed images can be obtained without influence of background light. In the fluorescence viewing device, an exposure time of a fluorescence image acquisition period and an exposure time of a background image acquisition period are different from each other. Since ON/OFF durations of excitation light also become asymmetric according to the asymmetry of the exposure times, the device can reduce user's feeling of strangeness due to blinking of the excitation light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hirawake, Mitsuharu Miwa
  • Patent number: 10048207
    Abstract: Provided are compositions, kits, and methods for detecting a vesicle comprising a membrane permeable marker that is converted into a detectable marker inside the vesicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun-ju Kang, Ye-ryoung Yong, Myo-yong Lee
  • Patent number: 10048208
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An integrated device includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits radiation; at least one element for directing the emission radiation in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission radiation travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the integrated device. Each sensor may detect emission radiation from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Quantum-Si Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Rothberg, Ali Kabiri, Jason W. Sickler, Brett J. Gyarfas, Jeremy Lackey, Gerard Schmid, Benjamin Cipriany, Jack Jewell, Lawrence West, Michael Ferrigno, Paul E. Glenn, Anthony Bellofiore
  • Patent number: 10048209
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely detecting, locating, and identifying chemicals and chemical compounds through optically opaque materials. Electromagnetic radiation in the Terahertz range emitted from an antenna array is modulated to excite target molecules. The apparatus then stops the excitation energy and the molecules emit an electromagnetic signature detectable by the device at standoff distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventor: Richard Graziano
  • Patent number: 10048210
    Abstract: With a spectroscopic analysis method of the present invention, by performing principal component analysis on optical spectra measured at individual positions of a specimen, principal components of a plurality of orders that constitute the individual optical spectra are calculated; for the individual orders, principal-component images in which values thereof are principal-component scores of the individual principal components corresponding to the positions are created; distribution patterns of the principal-component scores are identified in the individual principal-component images; the morphology of the specimen is identified in a morphological image in which the specimen is captured; the principal-component images that have principal-component-score distribution patterns correlated with the morphology of the specimen are identified; and the individual optical spectra are reconstructed by using the principal components of orders corresponding to the orders of the identified principal-component images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: OLYPMUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Sato, Shinichi Takimoto
  • Patent number: 10048211
    Abstract: A device for detecting an analyte in a sample comprising: an array including a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a nanochain comprising: a first nanostructure, a second nanostructure, and a third nanostructure, wherein size of the first nanostructure is larger than that of the second nanostructure, and size of the second nanostructure is larger than that of the third nanostructure, and wherein the first nanostructure, the second nanostructure, and the third nanostructure are positioned on a substrate such that when the nanochain is excited by an energy, an optical field between the second nanostructure and the third nanostructure is stronger than an optical field between the first nanostructure and the second nanostructure, wherein the array is configured to receive a sample; and a detector arranged to collect spectral data from a plurality of pixels of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Enzo Di Fabrizio, Andrea Fratalocchi, Juan Sebastian Totero Gongora, Maria Laura Coluccio, Patrizio Candeloro, Gianni Cuda
  • Patent number: 10048212
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the quality of a directed self-assembling method used for generating directed self-assembling patterns. The method for evaluating comprises obtaining at least one set of parameter values for a parameterized set of processing steps and material properties characterizing the directed self-assembling method, thus characterizing a specific directed self-assembling method used for generating a directed self-assembled pattern. The method furthermore comprises obtaining a scattered radiation pattern on the directed self-assembled pattern obtained using the directed self-assembling method characterized by the set of parameter values, thus obtaining scattered radiation pattern results for the directed self-assembled pattern. The method furthermore comprises determining based on the scattered radiation pattern results a qualification score and correlating the qualification score with the set of parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Roel Gronheid, Lieve Van Look, Paulina Alejandra Rincon Delgadillo
  • Patent number: 10048213
    Abstract: A method of forming of an item includes: selecting a component of the item that is formed of an element; mixing one or more identifiable additives with the element; forming the component with the mixture; performing an atomic level test on at least a portion of the component; and recording the results of the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew M. Wilds, Philip C. Theriault, Michael K. Burkland
  • Patent number: 10048214
    Abstract: An inspection method of a rolling element includes the steps of: projecting an X-ray from a light source to a rolling element, detecting the X-ray passing through the rolling element by a detector, calculating data of the detected X-ray to form an image, and detecting a defect in the rolling element based on the image. At the step of projecting an X-ray, the light source rotates relatively around the rolling element while the X-ray is projected to an entire region of the rolling element facing the light source. At the step of forming an image, data of the X-ray for one circuit around the rolling element is calculated to generate the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Tanaka, Katsutoshi Muramatsu, Hiroaki Suzuki, Daichi Ito, Masayuki Nozaki
  • Patent number: 10048215
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to non-destructively obtain, in an X-ray imaging apparatus, a sectional image of a subject with spatial resolution higher than spatial resolution of an image detector. In the present invention, the image detector is two-dimensionally moved with respect to an incident X-ray for each half (180°) rotation of the subject, and a plurality of image groups (CT data sets) is obtained at different positions of the image detector. An image (sinogram) is synthesized from each image group thus obtained, which image is equal to an image obtained with a detector whose pixel size is smaller than the pixel size constituting the above described image detector. From this synthesized image, a sectional image with high spatial resolution is calculated by reconstruction calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Yoneyama, Rika Baba, Keisuke Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 10048216
    Abstract: An X-ray analyzer includes: an excitation source for exciting a sample to radiate a characteristic X-ray; an X-ray detector that detects the characteristic X-ray; a collimator; at least one window that is provided between the sample and the X-ray detector and allows the characteristic X-ray to pass through; and a cooling unit that cools the window, wherein the window is laminated with one or more layer of an aluminum film and one or more layer of an insulating film, wherein a total thickness of the aluminum film of the at least one window is equal to or greater than 150 nm and is less than 300 nm, and wherein a size of the collimator is set such that a quantity of radiant heat to the X-ray detector of the atmospheric temperature when the window is not present is equal to or less than 10 ?W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH SCIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichi Tanaka, Kazuo Chinone
  • Patent number: 10048217
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the direct measurement of specific heat at constant pressure (Cp). A control fluid of a known amount is supplied to a near adiabatic test chamber having a volume. A collapsible bladder within the test chamber is inflated with an incompressible fluid, changing the volume of the test chamber. The change in pressure and temperature of the control fluid relative to the change in volume of the test chamber is measured. The steps are repeated with a sample fluid. The isentropic enthalpy and specific heat at constant pressure of the sample fluid is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Klaus Brun, Sarah B. Simons, Jeffrey A. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10048218
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for non-invasive data acquisition from a human or animal body 7, comprising an antenna for irradiating a portion of the body, said antenna being connected to a source and a processor for collecting the data pursuant to the irradiation, wherein the antenna is a leaky wave antenna 1, 2, 3, 4 operable using a dielectric layer, the system being configurable so that the portion of the body 7 is at least partially used for the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST-NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO
    Inventors: Frans Antonius Nennie, Andrea Neto, Stefania Monni
  • Patent number: 10048219
    Abstract: A probe for identifying and measuring volume fraction constituents of a fluid using time domain analysis and frequency domain analysis to identify individual volume fraction constituents within a pipe on a real time basis and to measure the volume of the individual volume fraction constituents flowing through the pipe on a real time basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Mohr and Associates
    Inventors: Charles L. Mohr, Brandt C. Mohr, Benno Mohr, Michael Stordahl, James Van Corbach, Erik Von Reis, Christopher Mulkey, Ryan Sams, David Hurley, Gordon Anderson, Daniel Kenney, William Rausch, Edgar Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10048220
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, a gate structure over a first surface of the substrate, and a source region and a drain region in the substrate adjacent to the gate structure. The semiconductor structure further comprises a channel region interposing the source and drain regions and underlying the gate structure. The semiconductor structure further comprises a first layer over a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface, and a second layer over the first layer. The semiconductor structure further comprises a sensing film over the channel region and at least a portion of the first and second layers, and a well over the sensing film and cutting off the first layer and the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Lin, Chang-Ming Wu, Lee-Chuan Tseng, Shih-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 10048221
    Abstract: A method of detecting chlorate in soil includes contacting soil wetted with a solvent containing an electrically conductive salt with an electrode comprising layers of vanadium-substituted phosphomolybdate alternating with layers of para-rosaniline, and performing voltammetry with the electrode, wherein a catalytic reduction current indicates a likelihood of the presence or absence of chlorate in the soil. A system includes a potentiostat operably connected to the electrode and in communication with hardware and software sufficient to produce an output indicating a chlorate level in soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Walter J. Dressick, Scott A. Trammell, Lisa C. Shriver-Lake
  • Patent number: 10048222
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ionization detector having a base having an enclosed chamber. The enclosed chamber has a first end and a second end. The detector also includes a first outlet which is a source of an excitable medium. A second outlet is provided which functions a source of an analyte that is transported by a carrier gas. An ionization source for creating a discharge from said excitable medium is also provided. The collector electrode generates a time dependent current based on its interaction with ionized analytes from which the analyte may be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Masoud Agah, Shree Narayanan Sreedharan Nair
  • Patent number: 10048223
    Abstract: A particulate measurement system (10) includes an auxiliary electrode current measurement circuit (780), which can determine whether or not an auxiliary electrode current Iir has flowed to a second wiring line (222) as well as its magnitude. When a particulate sensor (100) is operating normally, since a second electrode (132) and a casing CS are electrically insulated from each other, no current flows to the second wiring line (222). However, when the second electrode (132) and the casing CS are electrically shorted by soot or the like, the auxiliary electrode current Iir flows to the second wiring line (222). Therefore, by providing the auxiliary electrode current measurement circuit (780), the particulate measurement system (10) can determine the state of adhesion of particulates, etc., in the particulate sensor (100), and can determine whether or not the particulate measurement system (10) is in an anomalous state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru Hisada, Katsunori Yazawa
  • Patent number: 10048224
    Abstract: A magnetic particle imaging apparatus includes magnets [106,107] that produce a gradient magnetic field having a field free region (FFR), excitation field electromagnets [102,114] that produce a radiofrequency magnetic field within the field free region, high-Q receiving coils [112] that detect a response of magnetic particles in the field free region to the excitation field. Field translation electromagnets create a homogeneous magnetic field displacing the field-free region through the field of view (FOV) allowing the imaging region to be scaled to optimize scan time, scanning power, amplifier heating, SAR, dB/dt, and/or slew rate. Efficient multi-resolution scanning techniques are also provided. Intermodulated low and radio-frequency excitation signals are processed to produce an image of a distribution of the magnetic nanoparticles within the imaging region. A single composite image is computed using deconvolution of multiple signals at different harmonics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Patrick W. Goodwill, Steven M. Conolly
  • Patent number: 10048225
    Abstract: A method for inspection of tubes in a boiler is disclosed. The method of inspecting includes the steps of providing an apparatus having a sensor and a housing adapted to contain the sensor. The method further including the steps of extending the apparatus into a tube bundle until a desired tube for inspection is reached; rotating the apparatus until the sensor is positioned over the tube to be inspected; clamping the housing around the tube to be inspected, thereby clamping the sensor around the tube; transmitting a pulse of guided waves into the tube to be inspected and detecting reflected signals; and acquiring data from the reflected signals and determining the condition of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Hegeon Kwun, Matthew Capps, James Crane, Stanley M. Walker
  • Patent number: 10048226
    Abstract: An imaging method and an imaging apparatus based on a magnetic flux leakage testing. The imaging method includes: selecting an imaging region having a corrosion defect on a pipeline to be tested; dividing the imaging region into a plurality of grid areas; scanning by a three-dimensional sensor array the pipeline to be tested so as to obtain magnetic flux leakage testing data; creating a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system in the imaging region, defining a first two-dimensional matrix of defect images according to the plurality of grid areas based on the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and creating a second two-dimensional matrix of magnetic flux leakage signals according to the magnetic flux leakage testing data based on the three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system; and mapping the second two-dimensional matrix to the first two-dimensional matrix using a pre-trained wavelet neural network so as to image the corrosion defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Shengli Oilfield Branch Company of China Petroleum Chemical Co., Ltd., Drilling Technology Research Institute of Sinopec Shengli Petroleum Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Songling Huang, Wei Zhao, Shen Wang, Huanquan Sun, Laiju Han, Shihua Zhang, Yongtai Sun
  • Patent number: 10048227
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surface property inspection method and apparatus for inspecting the surface properties of a test object subjected to two stages of shot peening. The present invention is an apparatus 1 includes an AC power supply, an AC bridge circuit, and an evaluation apparatus. The AC bridge circuit is constituted by a variable resistor, a reference detector and inspection detector. The inspection detector includes a coil wound so as to oppose the surface property inspection area of the test object M; an eddy current is excited in the test object M by supplying AC power to the coil. A pass/fail judgment of the first shot peening can be made by inspecting the surface properties of a test object subjected to a second shot peening only after the second shot peening is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyasu Makino, Hideaki Kaga
  • Patent number: 10048228
    Abstract: Diagnostic systems including a pressure sensor, a determiner in communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the determiner is structured to estimate a sonic speed of a fuel based on identification of a fundamental oscillation frequency are disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods comprising receiving, by a pressure interpreter, a pressure signal, determining, by a determiner in communication with the pressure interpreter, a fundamental frequency of oscillation of the pressure signal, and determining, by the determiner, a sonic speed of a fuel based on the fundamental frequency of oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Donald J. Benson, David M. Carey
  • Patent number: 10048229
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surface inspection device; more specifically to the inspection of complex geometry welded joints. There is provided a device suitable for structural health monitoring of a surface said device comprising; a guide rail and a platform comprising at least one sensor, wherein said platform is cooperatively engaged with said guide rail, when said platform traverses along the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Alan Raymond Turner, David Mathew Cummings, Andrew David John Nixon
  • Patent number: 10048230
    Abstract: A method for determining the presence of damage in a structure includes applying energy to the structure to induce tension shockwaves in the structure. The method also includes detecting sound waves caused by the tension shockwaves using at least one acoustic emission sensor on the surface of the structure. Additionally, the method includes determining the presence of damage in the structure due to the applied energy based on detected sound waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alan F. Stewart, Hong H. Tat, Richard H. Bossi
  • Patent number: 10048231
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable, comprising: a primary side (I) and a secondary side (II), which are galvanically isolated from one another, wherein the secondary side (II) has a sensor element sensitive for the process variable (2) and an electronics unit (9) of the secondary side and provides a measurement signal representing the process variable, and wherein the primary side (I) has an electronics unit (8) of the primary side for evaluating the measurement signal and for producing an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Franco Ferraro, Philipp Walser
  • Patent number: 10048232
    Abstract: A photo acoustic non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a food snack is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an acoustic capturing device, and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool directs a laser towards a food snack placed on a surface and creates pressure waves that propagate through the air and produce an acoustic signal. The acoustic capturing device records and forwards the signal to a data processing unit. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Texture of food snacks are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ou Bai, Wilfred Marcellien Bourg, Jr., Scott Fagan, Enrique Michel-Sanchez, Shahmeer Ali Mirza, Scott G. Richardson, Chen C. Shao
  • Patent number: 10048233
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting analytes in a liquid sample may include an elongated primary channel through which an ionic species flows, the primary channel extending through a primary channel member, a first regenerant channel through which a regenerant flows, the first regenerant channel extending adjacent to the primary channel and being formed in a first block, a first charged barrier having exchangeable ions capable of passing ions of only one charge, positive or negative, and of blocking bulk liquid flow, the first charged barrier disposed between the primary channel member and the first block for separating the primary channel from the first regenerant channel, and a first sealing member disposed between the first charged barrier and the first block defining the first regenerant channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: DIONEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kannan Srinivasan, Glenn M. Kuse, Rong Lin, Sheetal Bhardwaj
  • Patent number: 10048234
    Abstract: Analyzer 1 for analyzing a fluid 3 containing at least one substance to be analyzed and at least one inflammable substance containing: a source of gas 9 to provide a flux of diluent gas, an injecting nozzle 11 for introducing samples of the fluid into the flux of diluent gas and for producing a gaseous flux, and a detector 7 for analyzing the gaseous flux, wherein: the source of gas is intended to deliver a flux of diluent gas containing a material capable of supporting the combustion of the inflammable substance, preferably to deliver a flux of air, the injection nozzle is configured so as to introduce into the diluent gas samples of the fluid such that the average volume fraction of the fluid in the gaseous flux is less than 1/2,000 and preferably less than 1/20,000, and the detector contains at least one microsensor for detecting the substance to be analyzed. Corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: Apix Analytics, Total SA, EIF—Astute
    Inventors: Phillipe Andreucci, Eric Colinet, Philippe Coric, Jean-Claude De Wit, Pierre Puget
  • Patent number: 10048235
    Abstract: The present invention relates to axial flow chromatography columns, methods for separating one or more analytes in a liquid by the use of such columns, and systems employing such columns. The column comprises a first port and a second port, the first port and said second port being at essentially the same level or elevation above the level of the bed space on the chromatography column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GE Healthcare BioProcess R&D AB
    Inventor: Klaus Gebauer
  • Patent number: 10048236
    Abstract: A system for sampling a sample material includes a probe which can have an outer probe housing with an open end. A liquid supply conduit within the housing has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust conduit within the housing is provided for removing liquid from the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be provided for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate. A droplet dispenser can dispense drops of a sample or a sample-containing solvent into the open end of the housing. A sensor and a processor can be provided to monitor and maintain a liquid dome present at the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventor: Gary J. Van Berkel
  • Patent number: 10048237
    Abstract: A preparative separation chromatograph system having a column for temporally separating components in a sample and for discharging an eluate fluid with the components, a detector for obtaining an absorbance spectrum of the eluate fluid, and a fraction collector for continuously creating a chromatogram. The system further includes: a peak section determiner; a differential value determiner for calculating a differential spectrum value and for determining whether or not the absolute value of the differential spectrum value is equal to or less than a predetermined value; and a fraction collector controller for controlling the fraction collector so as to fractionate the eluate fluid during a period of time for which it is determined that the chromatogram peak of the target component is present and for which it is also determined the absolute value of the differential spectrum value is equal to or less than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Mito, Etsuho Kamata, Hiroshi Miura, Kenichi Mishima, Toshinobu Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 10048238
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a chromatograph used to control production of a chemical product. The method involves sampling a chemical mixture of chemical components used during the production to form the chemical product, measuring the composition of the sample with a chromatograph and adjusting the amount of the chemical components based on the measured composition. The method also involves measuring actual parameters of the sample with at least one gauge, determining expected parameters of the sample based on the measured composition and the measured actual parameters using an equation-of-state, and detecting a fault in the chromatograph by comparing the expected parameters with the actual parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventors: Dale Duespohl, Robert Reib, John Parrish
  • Patent number: 10048239
    Abstract: A structure is provided. The structure may include an environmental test chamber including a sample chamber, a first air path beginning in the sample chamber and extending through a humidity control chamber, the first air path circulates air between the test chamber and the humidity control chamber, and a second air path beginning in the sample chamber and extending through a pollutant control chamber, the second air path circulates air between the test chamber and the pollutant control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Prabjit Singh
  • Patent number: 10048240
    Abstract: A control apparatus that controls a gas concentration sensor includes a sweep circuit, a current detection resistor, and a calculation portion. The sweep circuit supplies the gas concentration sensor with a sweep current. The calculation portion calculates impedance of the gas concentration sensor. The gas concentration sensor and the current detection resistor are sequentially connected in series along a direction from the sweep circuit to a reference voltage. The sweep circuit has a constant voltage circuit and a reference resistor. An increasing and decreasing tendency of a manufacturing variation of the reference resistor and an increasing and decreasing tendency of a manufacturing variation of the current detection resistor are identical. The calculation portion divides a product of a resistance value of the current detection resistor and a time variation of applied voltage to the gas concentration sensor by a time variation of applied voltage to the current detection resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Nishimoto, Masafumi Umeno, Yuji Yamada
  • Patent number: 10048241
    Abstract: Embodiments of a water detection apparatus are disclosed that can detect characteristics of food products. The apparatus may include a conveying mechanism configured to move a food product through an aperture in the apparatus, a transmitter coil configured to transmit a signal within the aperture, and a receiver coil configured to receive the signal altered by the food product, and a signal processing unit configured to determine an output value associated with the food product moving through the aperture. The output value can be based, at least in part, on the signal and the altered signal. The output value can corresponds to a characteristic of the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: DESERT VALLEY DATE, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory Paul Kirkjan
  • Patent number: 10048242
    Abstract: A device installable into a tap to detect the presence of one or more types of contaminants in the tap water. When the tap is operated, a sample chamber fills with the tap water, such that one or more electronic receivers are capable of detecting the presence of contaminants. Preferably, at least one of the one or more electronic receivers is a photometric sensor for detecting absorption of ultraviolet (UV) light in the 250 nm to 300 nm range. A UV254 LED can be activated when water fills the sample chamber, and a measurement circuit calculates Total Organic Carbon (TOC) by correlation with UV254 absorbance. The device can transmit contamination data, including, but not limited to TOC levels, to a remote apparatus for remote monitoring of the tap water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Shenzhen Yimu Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Chen, Zhiqiang Li
  • Patent number: 10048243
    Abstract: Provided is a small and simple automatic water quality surveillance apparatus that can automatically sense toxic substances, oil, mold, or the like contained in raw water. The apparatus includes an odor-sensing water tank through which the raw water circulates. The tank further includes an odor sensor sensing an odor, such as an oily odor, a mold odor, and so on. Upon having sensed the toxic substances, oil, mold, or the like, an alarm is automatically issued thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: KANKYO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Takahiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10048244
    Abstract: A method to determine the distribution of non-reactive sulfur compounds and reactive sulfur compounds in petroleum samples by separating non-reactive sulfur compounds from reactive sulfur compounds in a petroleum composition includes the step of contacting the petroleum composition with a Ag-containing cation exchange media. The petroleum composition and the Ag-containing cation exchange media are contacted with a non-reactive sulfur compound solvent capable of eluting the non-reactive sulfur compounds in the presence of the Ag-containing cation exchange media and incapable of eluting the reactive sulfur compounds in the presence of the Ag-containing cation exchange media at the conditions of the exchange. The non-reactive sulfur compounds are eluted from the media with the non-reactive sulfur compound solvent to provide a first fraction. The amount of non-reactive sulfur compounds in the first fraction is then determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan P. Rodgers, Winston K. Robbins, Vladislav V. Lobodin
  • Patent number: 10048245
    Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting a target molecule are provided herein. The methods entail contacting a sample with a polymer scaffold, the polymer comprising at least one association site configured to associate with the target molecule. The sample is brought into contact with the polymer to determine whether the target molecule is present in the sample under conditions allowing the target molecule, if present, to associate with the polymer scaffold. The methods further involve loading the polymer into a device comprising a pore or channel that connects two volumes, configuring the device to pass the polymer through the pore or channel from one volume to the other volume, and determining, with a sensor configured to detect objects passing through the pore or channel, whether the target molecule is associated with the association site, and thereby detecting the presence or absence of the target molecule in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Two Pore Guys, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor J. Morin, Daniel Alexander Heller, William B. Dunbar
  • Patent number: 10048246
    Abstract: A biological detecting cartridge adapted to gather a detected fluid includes a collection port, a first flowing layer structure communicating with the collection port and a second flowing layer structure communicating with the first flowing layer structure. The first and the second flowing layer structures are disposed in different levels in the biological detecting cartridge. A flowing method of a detected fluid in a biological detecting cartridge is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SKYLA CORPORATION HSINCHU SCIENCE PARK BRANCH
    Inventors: Chia-Chun Wei, Hung-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 10048247
    Abstract: A system configured to receive and eject a fluid testing device test strip. The system includes a strip connector having first and second guide rails, and divider walls each having a channel. A sled has first and second legs connected to a cross member. Each leg has a contact leg extending inwardly from a chamfered end. The first and second legs when positioned parallel to the guide rails have the contact leg captured in the divider wall channels retaining the sled in sliding contact with the guide rails for motions in loading and ejection directions. A mechanism assembly is movably connected to the fluid testing device. The cross member is coupled so operation in a first direction displaces the sled in the loading direction positioning the sled in a test strip test position, and opposite operation positions the contact legs in direct contact with and ejects the test strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Will A. Bishop, James R. Hanson, Joyce A. Trese
  • Patent number: 10048248
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a biologic fluid sample includes the steps of: a) providing a spatially mapped chamber; b) providing a predetermined repeatable non-uniform spatial distribution of one or more constituents within the sample, which distribution indicates the presence or absence of a statistically significant number of constituents within the sample in each chamber sub-region; c) selecting one or more image techniques for each sub-region based on the presence or absence of the statistically significant number of one or more constituents in that sub-region as indicated by the distribution; d) creating image data representative of the biologic fluid sample in each sub-region, using the one or more image techniques selected for that sub-region; and e) analyzing the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Abbott Point of Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Xie, Stephen C. Wardlaw
  • Patent number: 10048249
    Abstract: A blood coagulation analyzer comprises: a light irradiation unit configured to apply light onto a container configured to store a measurement specimen containing a sample and a reagent, and comprising: light sources including a first light source configured to generate light of a first wavelength for blood coagulation time measurement, a second light source configured to generate light of a second wavelength for synthetic substrate measurement, and a third light source configured to generate light of a third wavelength for immunonephelometry measurement; and optical fiber parts facing the respective light sources; a light reception part configured to receive light transmitted through the container; and an analysis unit configured to analyze the sample using an electric signal outputted from the light reception part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoto Nishimura, Tsuyoshi Fukuzaki
  • Patent number: 10048250
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and assays for identifying agents useful in the treatment of fibrotic conditions. The invention provides polypeptide and nucleic acid TARGETs, siRNA sequences based on these TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs. The invention is further related to pharmaceutical composition comprising siRNA sequences based on the TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs for use in the treatment of fibrotic conditions. The invention further provides in vitro methods for reduction or inhibition of macrophage differentiation into alternatively-activated macrophages (M2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GALAPAGOS NV
    Inventors: Richard Antonius Jozef Janssen, Annemarie Nicolette Lekkerkerker, Thomas Van Es, Johannes Melchior Petrus Stallen
  • Patent number: 10048251
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a strip for an improved lateral flow assay of a biological sample on a single plane and a lateral flow chromatography assay using a test device containing the same. The strip of the present invention consists of a single-pad, which can improve lateral flow assay by providing an easy and simple procedure and clear visual reading. The strip of the present invention is consisted of sample application (sample) zone and reactant-resultant zone where the reaction mixture is deposited (reactant) are all on a same plane. In addition, the present invention provides a chromatographic method wherein hemoglobin is separated from analyte by a differential chromatography on the solid phase. Any interference of detection of the result by hemoglobin is removed by the present invention. The present invention provides advantages including an easy and simple procedure with a quick and clear response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ACCESS BIO, INC.
    Inventors: Hyeon Suk Kim, Tae-Hee Koo, Young Ho Choi