Using Sample Absorption For Chemical Composition Analysis Patents (Class 250/339.12)
  • Patent number: 9622663
    Abstract: A rotation type optical tomography scanner is provided, including an illuminating unit disposed on a surface of an object-to-be-detected for emitting incident light to tissues under the surface of the object-to-be-detected; a detecting unit disposed on the object-to-be-detected and rotating around the illuminating unit to receive diffuse light diffused from the tissues under the surface of the object-to-be-detected and generate tissue sensing information; and a positioning unit for generating position information of the rotation type optical tomography scanner. The rotation type optical tomography scanner transmits the sensing information and the position information to a remodel module to rebuild the tissue images under the surface of the object-to-be-detected, thereby expanding the scanning range of the object-to-be-detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Wai-Chi Fang, Tien-Ho Chen, Shih Kang, Shih-Yang Wu, Ching-Ju Cheng
  • Patent number: 9603652
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator, an electrosurgical instrument, an optical clarity sensor and a control component. The electrosurgical generator generates electrosurgical energy for use during electrosurgery. The electrosurgical instrument is coupled to the electrosurgical generator and treats tissue. The optical clarity sensor is coupled to the electrosurgical generator and is adapted to measure tissue with at least two optical frequencies. The control component is operatively coupled to the optical clarity sensor and receives sensor data therefrom. The control component communicates control instructions to the electrosurgical generator to control the generation of the electrosurgical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: John D. Carlton, Darren Odom
  • Patent number: 9594293
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the function to control the lighting direction onto an object surface, focus the light, and maintain the lighting uniformity. A ring light system takes advantage of a contoured reflector to match with the uniform, non-focused ring light source, and converting the non-focused ring light source into a focused uniform ring light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Tzyy-Shuh Chang, Changhung Lin, Hsun-Hau Huang
  • Patent number: 9557268
    Abstract: Instrument and method for detecting pesticides and other analytes. A sample to be tested is mounted on a cassette and inserted into a housing which is substantially impervious to light, and light from a source within the housing is directed toward the sample to induce fluorescent emission from analyte on the sample. Fluorescent emissions from the sample are monitored with a detector within the housing to detect emissions having a spectral content characteristic of the analyte to be detected. Data from the detector is processed, and information based on the processed data is displayed. In some embodiments, the instrument is calibrated with data from a reference sample of known concentration or density. The detector measures the analyte in units of mass per unit area, and in some embodiments the mass per unit area is converted to units of concentration or density of the analyte in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: GAUGE SCIENTIFIC, LLC, BIO-CHEK LLC
    Inventors: Danny Gene Morrow, Louis John Dietz, Darius Akbar Sadeghi
  • Patent number: 9551829
    Abstract: A photoacoustic detection device including a nanophotonic circuit including a first chip on which is formed at least one optical waveguide and in which is formed a set of cavities defining a Helmholtz resonator; at least one optical source capable of emitting an optical signal in a given wavelength range, capable of being modulated at an acoustic modulation frequency, this source being attached to the first chip; a second chip forming a cap for said cavities and including acoustic sensors; and electronic circuits for processing the output of the acoustic sensors formed in the first or the second chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives, Universite De Reims Champagne Ardenne
    Inventors: Mickaël Brun, Sergio Nicoletti, Bertrand Parvitte, Virginie Zeninari
  • Patent number: 9500580
    Abstract: A gas detector and method are presented. The gas detector includes a launcher unit for coupling and merging light beams in mid-infrared and infrared wavelength ranges into a single light beam and directing the merged single light beam towards a gas flow path; a receiver unit for generating at least one photo detector current signal based on the light beam transmitted through the gas flow path; and a control unit for processing at least one photo detector current signal to measure concentration of the at least two gases present in the gas flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Chayan Mitra, Narendra Digamber Joshi, Vinayak Tilak, Gordon Raymond Smith, Eric YuHang Fung, Sandip Maity, Rachit Sharma, Steven Keith Handelsman
  • Patent number: 9417125
    Abstract: A sample cell for IR spectrophotometric analysis of a liquid sample is provided. The sample cell comprises two substantially parallel transparent plates enclosing a cavity for holding the liquid sample, and a temperature control loop for controlling a temperature of the liquid sample in the cavity. The temperature control loop comprises at least one temperature sensor for measuring a temperature in or close to the cavity, at least one heating element for increasing a temperature of the liquid sample, and control means, coupled to the temperature sensor and the heating element for controlling the heating element in dependence of the temperature in or close to the cavity. The heating element comprises at least one heating foil which is attached to or thermally coupled to a first one of the transparent plates in such a way to allow an IR light beam to pass through the transparent plates and the cavity without being hindered by the heating foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: DELTA INSTRUMENTS B.V.
    Inventor: Anne Gerben Terpstra
  • Patent number: 9366626
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention are directed to applying intimate contact pressures to samples while undergoing ATR infrared interrogation. As a general mode of operation, after a solid sample is placed on the ATR element, a force actuator moves an anvil arm to apply a contact force to the sample against the ATR. Thereafter, when the scan is over, the user can see the result of the one or more scans. The force actuator may be a motor or a solenoid or other type of force actuator. The applied contact force may be a fixed force or may be a user-selectable force or may be automatically controlled through feedback from the spectrometer based on the spectroscopic signature of the sample material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Pastore, Kenneth J. Vachon, Jr., Brendon D. Tower, Gregory H. Vander Rhodes, Aaron Sean Poynton
  • Patent number: 9275265
    Abstract: A seed sorter system is operable to sort seeds based on one or more characteristics of the seeds. The system includes a seed loading station operable to isolate individual seeds from a plurality of seeds and load the isolated seeds into a seed tray, an imaging and analysis subsystem operable to collect image data of at least a top portion and a bottom portion of each of the seeds in the seed tray and determine one or more characteristics of each of the seeds, a seed off-load and sort station operable to remove the seeds from the seed tray and sort the seeds to desired receptacles based on the determined one or more characteristics of the seeds, and a seed transport operable to move the seed tray between the seed loading station, the imaging and analysis subsystem, and the seed off-load and sort station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham, Steven H. Modiano
  • Patent number: 9222888
    Abstract: Chlorophyll fluorometry may be used for detecting toxins in a sample because of changes in micro algae. A portable lab on a chip (“LOAC”) based chlorophyll fluorometer may be used for toxin detection and environmental monitoring. In particular, the system may include a microfluidic pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) chlorophyll fluorometer. The LOAC PAM chlorophyll fluorometer may analyze microalgae and cyanobacteria that grow naturally in source drinking water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: UT-Battelle, LLC, University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventors: Elias Greenbaum, Jie Wu
  • Patent number: 9176053
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide a method for detecting an etching residue and relate to the field of display technologies, with the purpose of detecting an etching residue so as to improve product yield. The method comprises: fitting the boundary of a pattern in a position to be detected by film color difference, and positioning the pattern in a position to be detected, thereby acquiring the pattern in a position to be detected; testing an infrared spectrum of the pattern in a position to be detected, and obtaining an infrared spectrogram; determining whether the residue exists according to the infrared spectrogram. The method of the invention may be applicable for the detection of an etching residue during the process of preparing an array substrate or a cell substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD, BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Linlin Wang, Xi Chen, Shoukun Wang, Jianfeng Yuan
  • Patent number: 9134227
    Abstract: Method for determining polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration in a solid state sample. The method includes exposing the sample to diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy, recording at least one spectroscopic parameter of infrared diffuse reflection of the sample, which is a signal obtained at one or more frequencies within a range of frequencies (+/?10 cm?1) selected from the group consisting of 3000-3100 cm?1, 740, 777, 814, 842, 1430, 1510, 1600, 4055-4056, 4642-4646, 5924, and 5951-5953 cm?1, and performing data analysis by correlating the at least one spectroscopic parameter with variables of a trained multivariate calibration model related to PAH concentrations, thereby determining PAH concentrations in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: UNIVERSITAT FUR BODENKULTER WIEN
    Inventors: Leslie Joseph Janik, Andreas Paul Loibner, Juergen Kattner, Eva Edelmann
  • Patent number: 9134134
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a recording medium for estimating and displaying a destination are provided. In the method, a plurality of places frequently visited by a user is set first. Then, a current location of the electronic apparatus is continuously detected by using a positioning module, and a distance between the current location and each of the places is calculated. Whether the distance between the current location and each of the places increases is determined. When the distance increases, the corresponding place is removed and the remaining places are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Wang, Chi-Chen Cheng, Peter Chin
  • Patent number: 9101310
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatuses, etc. for glucose sensor signal stability analysis. In certain example embodiments, a series of samples of at least one sensor signal that is responsive to a blood glucose level of a patient may be obtained. Based at least partly on the series of samples, at least one metric may be determined to assess an underlying trend of a change in responsiveness of the at least one sensor signal to the blood glucose level of the patient over time. A reliability of the at least one sensor signal to respond to the blood glucose level of the patient may be assessed based at least partly on the at least one metric assessing an underlying trend. Other example embodiments are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying Luo, Rebecca K. Gottlieb, Meena Ramachandran, Chia-Hung Chiu, Nandita Dangui-Patel, Michael Kremliovsky, Jefferson Rose
  • Patent number: 9086373
    Abstract: Methods and systems for real time, in situ monitoring and blending of hydrocarbon fluids from multiple transmission lines feeding into a downstream line or vessel are described. The method and system include the scanning of the NIR range on fluids within each of at least two transmission lines. The spectroscopic optical data from the two scans is used to determine flow rates of the fluids from each transmission line to, for example, achieve a desired energy content, physical properties, or speciation in the blended fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: JP3 Measurement, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Little, III, Matt Thomas
  • Patent number: 9012849
    Abstract: A system for measuring the absorption spectrum of a sample is provided that includes a broadband light source that produces broadband light defined within a range of an absorptance spectrum. An interferometer modulates the intensity of the broadband light source for a range of modulation frequencies. A bi-layer cantilever probe arm is thermally connected to a sample arm having at most two layers of materials. The broadband light modulated by the interferometer is directed towards the sample and absorbed by the sample and converted into heat, which causes a temperature rise and bending of the bi-layer cantilever probe arm. A detector mechanism measures and records the deflection of the probe arm so as to obtain the absorptance spectrum of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Wei-Chun Hsu, Jonathan Kien-Kwok Tong, Bolin Liao, Brian Burg, Gang Chen
  • Patent number: 9000375
    Abstract: Methods and systems for real time, in situ monitoring of fluids, and particularly the determination of both the energy content and contaminants in a gas or oil transmission facility, are provided. The system may include two separate scanning sources to scan two different, but overlapping, NIR ranges, or may involve two separate scans from a single scanning spectroscopy source. The first scan ranges from approximately 1550 nm up through 1800 nm and a second scan concurrently scans at a high resolution across a band from approximately 1560-1610 nm, the wavelength of interest for hydrogen sulfide (though similar scans are contemplated in alternative wavelength ranges for alternative contaminants). The second scan may provide very narrow (0.005 nm) step resolution over just the wavelength of interest for the contaminant and may scan at a substantially higher power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: JP3 Measurement, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Little, III, Matthew R. Thomas, Jie Zhu
  • Patent number: 9002650
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining phase fractions (relative concentrations) within a multiphase fluid mixture, in the presence of an injected hydrate inhibitor. Combining this phase fraction information with a hydrate inhibitor injection rate (HIIR) enables resolving oil and water flow rates for the phase fractions. The liquid flow rates and a total combined flow rate of the fluid mixture—determined based on a differential pressure of the fluid mixture through a given area—enable resolving a gas flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lievois, Vijay Ramakrishnan, Babajide Adejuyigbe
  • Patent number: 8965101
    Abstract: A seed sorter system is operable to sort seeds based on one or more characteristics of the seeds. The system includes a seed loading station operable to isolate individual seeds from a plurality of seeds and load the isolated seeds into a seed tray, an imaging and analysis subsystem operable to collect image data of at least a top portion and a bottom portion of each of the seeds in the seed tray and determine one or more characteristics of each of the seeds, a seed off-load and sort station operable to remove the seeds from the seed tray and sort the seeds to desired receptacles based on the determined one or more characteristics of the seeds, and a seed transport operable to move the seed tray between the seed loading station, the imaging and analysis subsystem, and the seed off-load and sort station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham, Steven H. Modiano
  • Patent number: 8847163
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for resolving absorption spectra such as ultraviolet or visible spectra having individual peaks attributable to more than one component in a sample mixture. The invention exploits the observation that the peak wavelength varies according to the component concentrations, providing the basis for an initial estimate of these. A curve fitting exercise is performed for a range of possible concentrations encompassing the initial estimates so that the a theoretical spectrum having the closest match to that observed provides for a refined estimate of component concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Anthony Foster
  • Patent number: 8759775
    Abstract: Method for the selective detection of petroleum hydrocarbon in an environmental sample containing natural organic matter. The method includes subjecting the sample to infrared (IR) radiation, and detecting an IR signal centered on a signal at 1380 cm?1, 2690 cm?1, 2730 cm?1, 2830 cm?1, 2870 cm?1, 4164 cm?1, 4256 cm?1, 4329 cm?1 and/or 4388 cm?1. Detection of the IR signal indicates the presence of petroleum hydrocarbon in said sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Sean Thomas Forrester, Michael John McLaughlin, Leslie Joseph Janik
  • Patent number: 8742340
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining and replicate unknown ratios of original target liquid blends, such as hydrocarbon fuel blends or contaminants, by using an in-process fluorescence-monitored procedure. The methods rely on trial-and-error mixing of the fuel ingredients into a single container. At the end of the trial-and-error procedure, the formed blend becomes an exact replica of the target fuel blend. The methods can also be used to build calibration curves without employing sets of previously prepared standard solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ezzat Mahmoud Hegazi, Abdullah H. Al-Grainees
  • Patent number: 8704181
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice detection device and method for detecting ice on an aircraft in flight. The device includes a transmitter which emits a first and a second radiation in the direction of a reflective surface, these two radiations respectively being within a first wavelength band and a second wavelength band; and a receiver which captures the reflected radiations. The transmitter and said receiver are fixed on an external surface of the aircraft. Then a computer determines the presence or absence of ice as a function of the intensity of the captured radiations. The reflective surface is located outside the boundary layer of the aircraft during flight and includes a heating/cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Zodiac Aerotechnics
    Inventors: Manuel Thorez, Laurent Paszkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8686364
    Abstract: Methods and systems for real time, in situ monitoring of fluids, and particularly the determination of both the energy content and contaminants in a gas or oil transmission facility, are provided. The system may include two separate scanning sources to scan two different, but overlapping, NIR ranges, or may involve two separate scans from a single scanning spectroscopy source. The first scan ranges from approximately 1550 nm up through 1800 nm and a second scan concurrently scans at a high resolution across a band from approximately 1560-1610 nm, the wavelength of interest for hydrogen sulfide (though similar scans are contemplated in alternative wavelength ranges for alternative contaminants). The second scan may provide very narrow (0.005 nm) step resolution over just the wavelength of interest for the contaminant and may scan at a substantially higher power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: JP3 Measurement, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Little, III, Matthew R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140042323
    Abstract: A method of using spectroscopic envelopes for determining components in a sample may include selecting spectroscopic envelopes and passing input light through a sample comprising at least one absorbing component is provided. The method includes measuring throughput light with a photo-detector and determining the concentration of the at least one absorbing component in the sample using the measured throughput, wherein at least one of the plurality of spectroscopic envelopes overlaps at least one absorption band of the at least one absorbing component in the sample. An apparatus for determining components in a sample including an input light source having a spectrum and a sample container having a fixed optical path-length is also provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of pre-selected spectroscopic envelopes to select spectral portions of the throughput light from the sample; and at least one photo-detector to measure the throughput light selected by the spectroscopic envelopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Shen, Christopher Michael Jones, Michael T. Pelletier
  • Patent number: 8648305
    Abstract: Methods and systems for real time, in situ monitoring of fluids, and particularly the determination of both the energy content and contaminants in a gas or oil transmission facility, are provided. The system may include two separate scanning sources to scan two different, but overlapping, NIR ranges, or may involve two separate scans from a single scanning spectroscopy source. The first scan ranges from approximately 1550 nm up through 1800 nm and a second scan concurrently scans at a high resolution across a band from approximately 1560-1610 nm, the wavelength of interest for hydrogen sulfide (though similar scans are contemplated in alternative wavelength ranges for alternative contaminants). The second scan may provide very narrow (0.005 nm) step resolution over just the wavelength of interest for the contaminant and may scan at a substantially higher power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: JP3 Measurement, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Little, III, Matthew R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140014841
    Abstract: A system for measuring the absorption spectrum of a sample is provided that includes a broadband light source that produces broadband light defined within a range of an absorptance spectrum. An interferometer modulates the intensity of the broadband light source for a range of modulation frequencies. A bi-layer cantilever probe arm is thermally connected to a sample arm having at most two layers of materials. The broadband light modulated by the interferometer is directed towards the sample and absorbed by the sample and converted into heat, which causes a temperature rise and bending of the bi-layer cantilever probe arm. A detector mechanism measures and records the deflection of the probe arm so as to obtain the absorptance spectrum of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Wei-Chun Hsu, Jonathan Kien-Kwok Tong, Bolin Liao, Brian Burg, Gang Chen
  • Patent number: 8618484
    Abstract: An apparatus for radiometric measurement of thin fluid films includes a housing (1) enclosing means of radiation, a radiation guide, a reflector (4) and one or more detectors (5). The means of radiation is normally an IR radiator (2). The radiation guide is either a radiation tube (3) or a radiation cone (7). The reflector (4) is of the type non-imagining optics. If there is more than one detector (5) normally at least one detector is a reference detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Microfluid AB
    Inventor: Leif Cronvall
  • Patent number: 8614096
    Abstract: Method of determining a total HF concentration metric in an environment including measuring an uncorrected HF concentration metric in the environment based on a first infrared absorption measurement at a wavelength corresponding to a vibrational frequency of a non-hydrogen bonded gas phase HF molecule; determining an ambient H2O concentration metric in the environment available for reaction with the non-hydrogen bonded gas phase HF molecules at or about the time of obtaining the first infrared absorption measurement; calculating a HF hydrate concentration metric in the environment based on the uncorrected HF concentration metric, the ambient H2O concentration metric and a reaction equilibrium relationship between the non-hydrogen bonded gas phase HF molecule and the HF hydrate; and determining the total HF concentration metric in the environment based on the uncorrected HF concentration metric and an amount of HF determined by the HF hydrate concentration metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Manuel S. Alvarez, David B. Spry
  • Patent number: 8592768
    Abstract: A fiber optic evanescent absorption sensor. This invention makes use of two sources and one detection system, or one source and two detection systems, or two of each to determine a large range of absorbance with high accuracy for a fixed interaction length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventor: Nicholas Djeu
  • Patent number: 8563934
    Abstract: A system and method for fluorescence spectral imaging of target material to detect the presence of a contaminant (such as aflatoxin in corn) is provided. An ultraviolet light source is coupled with a light-excluding compartment. The fluorescence from the UV excited target passes through a filter (liquid crystal tunable, acoustic-optic tunable, a filter wheel, or other wavelength splitting device) and a lens, to a spectral imaging camera. Fluorescence spectral image data from the camera are analyzed by a computer and presented in human-readable form. Aflatoxin detection in contaminated corn kernels is based on peak fluorescence and peak fluorescence shift in the spectral range from 451 nm to 500 nm. Aflatoxin contamination level within the target material is quantified based on peak fluorescence and peak fluorescence shift and computed corn kernel pixel statistics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mississippi State University
    Inventors: Haibo Yao, Zuzana Hruska, Russell D. Kincaid, Thomas E. Cleveland, Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 8552382
    Abstract: A method of determining a physical property of a composite material includes providing a series of composite materials/surfacing films, which are subjected to increasing thermal experience to create a set of thermal effect standards, collecting mid-IR spectra on those standards, performing data pre-processing and then multivariate calibration on the spectra of the composite materials/surfacing films, and using that calibration to predict the thermal effect for samples in question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul H. Shelley, Gregory J. Werner, Paul G. Vahey
  • Patent number: 8525114
    Abstract: The present invention may include methods and apparatus for the detection of explosives using near infrared or infrared spectroscopy to detect nitro or even carbonyl groups. Embodiments may include, at least one radiation emitter may emit at least one wavelength towards a target. At least one reflected wavelength may be generated after the wavelength collides with the target. A reflected wavelength may then be detected by at least one detector and analyzed with an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: University of Wyoming Research Corporation
    Inventor: John F. Schabron
  • Patent number: 8502152
    Abstract: The subject matter discloses a method for detecting concentration of air contaminants, comprising obtaining an average sample single beam value, the average sample single beam value comprises a first set of single beam measurements obtained from a detector; obtaining an average background single beam value, the average background single beam value comprises a second set of single beam measurements obtained from the detector; comparing the average sample single beam value to the average background single beam value to determine the concentration of air contamination; continuously updating the averages upon detection of new single beam measurements; wherein the second set of single beam measurements comprises a plurality of single beam measurements that were detected by the detector prior to the detection of the single beam measurements included in the first set of single beam measurements. In some cases, the first set partially overlaps with the second set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Atmosfir Optics Ltd.
    Inventors: Ram Hashmonay, Robert Howard Kagann, Gilad Shpitzer, Yair Shpitzer, Michael James Chase
  • Patent number: 8492722
    Abstract: A volatile organic compound sensor includes a source of infrared (IR) light, a detector for detecting the IR light, and a space defined between the IR light source and the IR light detector. The space includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The IR light detector measures an amount of IR light transmitted through the space, the measured IR light transmitted being attenuated by VOC light absorption when in the space. An amount of the IR light attenuation is related to a concentration of the VOCs present in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Seongsik Chang, Krzysztof Nauka
  • Patent number: 8446586
    Abstract: A method and device for processing mammalian adipose tissue such that the vascular rich fraction is separated from the vascular poor fraction, Mammalian adipose tissue in the form of morselated surgical biopsies and/or lipoaspirate from liposuction is placed within a novel syringe attached to a detection device measuring either color, light saturation, infra-red light, heme, iron or oxygen saturation. This process involves no label and minimal manipulation and handling of the tissue. This process and device may also be used intra-operatively under sterile conditions for immediate use within the same individual receiving liposuction or surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Allan Yang Wu, David Martin Morrow
  • Patent number: 8436309
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring a phase fraction of a flow stream are disclosed. An infrared phase fraction meter includes a light source for emitting into a flow stream infrared radiation that includes first and second wavelength bands. The first wavelength band substantially transmits through first and second phases of the flow stream and is substantially absorbed by a third phase. In contrast, the second wavelength band is substantially absorbed by the second phase relative to the first and third phases. One or more detectors simultaneously detect attenuation of the first and second wavelength bands upon the infrared radiation passing through at least a portion of the flow stream, and a phase fraction of the second phase is determined based on the attenuation. As an example, the first, second and third phases are gas, water and oil, respectively, produced from a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lievois, David Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8401271
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for evaluating and sorting seeds based on characteristics of the seeds. One system includes an imaging and analysis subsystem that collects image data from the seeds and analyzes the collected image data for characteristics of the seeds. This subsystem can include an imaging theater having mirrors that reflect image data from the seeds to an imaging device for collection. The system can also include an off-loading and sorting subsystem configured to sort the seeds based on their characteristics. And, one method includes illuminating the seeds and collecting image data from the seeds for determining their characteristics. The image data can be collected from at least three portions of the seeds at each of a plurality of sequentially changing spectral wavelengths. In addition (or alternatively), the image data can be collected from top and bottom portions of the seeds using a single imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R. Eathington, Mike Graham, Steven H. Modiano
  • Patent number: 8390814
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a sampling device, and more particularly, a sampling device that facilitates spectroscopic measurements with a variable path length and the necessary software controlled algorithms and methods for such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: C Technologies
    Inventors: Mark Salerno, I-Tsung Shih, Craig Harrison
  • Publication number: 20130026367
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method and a computer program for determining a lipid-water ratio and a scattering parameter of a sample. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus comprising a light source and a detector arranged to measure an optical parameter at various wavelengths, where the wavelengths are selected so that at two of the wavelengths the absorption coefficients for both water and lipids are substantially identical. This enables determination of a scattering parameter. A further measurement at a third wavelength enables determination of a water-lipid ratio. According to a specific embodiment, the light source and the detector are arranged in relation to an interventional device, so as to be able to examine a tissue in terms of lipid-water ratio and scattering during an intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Jeroen Jan Lambertus Horikx, Gerhardus Wilhelmus Lucassen, Rami Nachabe, Marjolein Van Der Voort
  • Publication number: 20120217403
    Abstract: A material may be identified using THz radiation that simultaneously or sequentially includes at least one first frequency portion and a second frequency portion different therefrom. An object formed from the material to be identified is irradiated with the THz radiation and the THz radiation exiting the object is detected using a phase-sensitive THz receiver. A time or phase offset, caused by the object, is measured at least for the first frequency portion and a material thickness is determined therefrom. Attenuation of the received signal, at least for the second frequency portion, is determined. An absorption coefficient for at least the second frequency portion is calculated using the material thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Bernd Sartorius, Helmut Roehle, Dennis Stanze
  • Patent number: 8193502
    Abstract: An optical absorption gas sensor comprising a body having an internal wall which defines a chamber, at least one aperture in the body through which a gas sample can enter the chamber, a light source, at least one reflector, a detector assembly which extends into the chamber and has a first side and an opposite second side, a detector which measures light which is incident at least a range of angles on at least a part of a first surface of the detector assembly on the first side of the detector assembly, wherein the light source is located within the chamber on the second side of the detector assembly, the whole being configured such that light from the light source passes through the gas sample and is reflected around the detector assembly, by the at least one reflector, onto the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Alphasense Limited
    Inventors: Elizabeth Jane Hodgkinson, John Robert Saffell, Richard Smith
  • Patent number: 8189901
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for sorting seeds based on identified phenotypes of the seeds. In various embodiments, the system includes an optics and controller station structured and operable to collect image data of a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of side portions of each respective seed in a set of seeds, and to analyze the collected image data to determine whether each seed exhibits a desired phenotype. The system further includes a seed loading, transporting and sorting station structured and operable to singulate each seed of the set of seeds from a plurality of seeds in a bulk seed hopper, transport the set of seeds to the optics and controller station, and selectively sort each seed to a respective one of a plurality of seed repositories based on whether each respective seed exhibits the desired phenotype.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Steven H. Modiano, Kevin L. Deppermann, James Crain, Sam R Eathington, Mike Graham
  • Patent number: 8190240
    Abstract: A device and method for gas measurements in body cavities are provided. These may be any body cavity containing a free gas, where there is an interest in detecting and/or measuring the concentration of said free gas by non-invasive or minimally invasive method. According to an exemplary embodiment measurement of free oxygen in cranium cavities is performed by scattering media absorption spectroscopy, and in particular variations of such oxygen. This is particularly useful for diagnostic purposes based on the measurements, for instance for detecting sinusitis or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GasPorOx AB
    Inventors: Sune Svanberg, Linda Person, Katarina Svanberg
  • Patent number: 8148691
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a dual-beam NDIR gas sensor for detecting water vapor by obtaining a variant sensor components domain (“G0”) when there is no water vapor gas in the sample chamber, obtaining a physics measurement domain (“G”) for a set of known concentrations of the water vapor gas in the sample chamber, the known concentrations being measurable quantities exceeding zero, using G to calculate a G0i from a known concentration of water vapor in the sample chamber for each of multiple master calibration curves, and then selecting the master calibration curve with the lowest difference between its G0i and the G0 of the NDIR gas sensor as the calibration curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Jacob Y Wong
  • Patent number: 8106361
    Abstract: A method determines an alcohol content of liquids that contain at least water and alcohol as well as sugar or similar substances, in the liquid. The liquid is located in an analysis cell is irradiated by an IR-LED light source, which emits infrared radiation with ?=1000-1500 nm. The IR light absorption is measured at least two different wavelengths, and the measurement values are converted into data on the alcohol content of the liquid. The liquid is irradiated with a first IR radiation with a wavelength ?1, where the absorption coefficient of the alcohol, and the absorption coefficient of the water, are identical in magnitude, and with at least a second IR radiation with a wavelength ?2, where the absorption coefficients and are different. The absorption measurement values determined by an IR detector are applied to a calculating unit for the calculation of the alcohol content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Anton Paar GmbH
    Inventor: Roman Benes
  • Publication number: 20120018638
    Abstract: Detection and identification of minute quantities of condensed or solid state materials with significantly improved performance over the present state-of-the-art, comprises illuminating a small target particle with an appropriate laser radiation at a wavelength that is strongly absorbed by the target. The resulting temperature rise is observed by monitoring the increased blackbody radiation from the sample. An unambiguous determination of the target compound or the target material composition can be achieved through the use of a tunable laser that generates an absorption fingerprint of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Chandra Kumar Naranbhai Patel, Anadi Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 8096165
    Abstract: A spectrophone assembly comprises a single detector chamber, a plurality of lasers, a gas inlet for supplying a gas sample to the single detector chamber, and at least one microphone. The detector chamber has an internal geometry arranged to be simultaneously acoustically resonant at a plurality of different resonant frequencies. Each laser operates at a different wavelength and is positioned to emit radiation into the single detector chamber, and is operable to emit radiation that is amplitude modulated at a frequency rate corresponding to a particular resonant frequency different from the resonant frequency of each other laser, simultaneously with each other laser. The microphone(s) are positioned in the single detector chamber so that each microphone is located at or near a maximum of a corresponding acoustic resonance defined by the internal geometry of the detector chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Robert A. Crane
  • Patent number: 8094311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multivariate calibration which can be used when the optical system used for that method does not comprise a multi-channel detector such as a CCD sensor or a line array of photodiodes. An optical system without a multi-channel detector doesn't allow to carry out preprocessing steps. Thus there is the need to carry out these preprocessing steps in another way. It is suggested to partially replace the preprocessing step by a measurement of the optical signal, whereby the measurement comprises transmitting or reflecting the optical signal by an optical element, thereby weighing the optical signal by a spectral weighing function. The advantage of the invention is to teach how such an optical system without a bulky and expensive CCD sensor can be used to carry out a multivariate calibration and preprocessing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Natallia Uzunbajakava, Aleksey Kolesnychenko, Antonius Theodorus Martinus Van Gogh, Gert 'T Hooft, Frank Jeroen Pieter Schuurmans
  • Patent number: 8044354
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of classifying a polymer containing surface is provided including collecting one or more spectra of infrared energy reflected from the surface over a spectrum of wavelengths; performing multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths; comparing results of the multivariate processing with one or more predetermined material classification models derived from model material infrared energy spectra collected from one or more model material surfaces, the one or more model material surfaces each having a known polymer material composition; and, sorting the polymer containing surface into the proper class based on a similarity of the results of the multivariate processing at one or more wavelengths with the predetermined material classification models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory J. Werner, Paul H. Shelley, Panagiotis E. George