Fluid Material Examination Patents (Class 324/204)
  • Patent number: 9234876
    Abstract: A miniature oxygen sensor makes use of paramagnetic properties of oxygen gas to provide a fast response time, low power consumption, improved accuracy and sensitivity, and superior durability. The miniature oxygen sensor disclosed maintains a sample of ambient air within a micro-channel formed in a semiconductor substrate. O2 molecules segregate in response to an applied magnetic field, thereby establishing a measureable Hall voltage. Oxygen present in the sample of ambient air can be deduced from a change in Hall voltage with variation in the applied magnetic field. The magnetic field can be applied either by an external magnet or by a thin film magnet integrated into a gas sensing cavity within the micro-channel. A differential sensor further includes a reference element containing an unmagnetized control sample. The miniature oxygen sensor is suitable for use as a real-time air quality monitor in consumer products such as smart phones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Olivier Le Neel, Ravi Shankar
  • Patent number: 9091658
    Abstract: This present invention relates to a device for the measurement of the amount of oxygen in a gas mixture, or other gas with significantly different magnetic susceptibility than the background gas mixture, by the use of a suspended test body in a magnetic field that experiences force due to the magnetic susceptibility of the measurand gas. In order to enable a fast time response for the system with a change in oxygen concentration, a flow regime is presented which allows a fast sweep of the measurement volume combined with adjustable, balanced pressure drops via a flow balancing element (or elements) within the flow channels to independently minimise flow related uncertainties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Servomex Group Limited
    Inventors: Ian C. Gaskin, Richard P. Kovacich, Christopher R. Edwards, James D. Hobby, Martin Lopez
  • Patent number: 9091717
    Abstract: A method for nondestructive and noncontact detection of faults in a test piece, with a transmitter coil arrangement with at least one transmitter coil, a receiver coil arrangement with at least one receiver coil for detecting a periodic signal which has a carrier oscillation whose amplitude and/or phase is modulated by a fault in the test piece. A signal processing unit producing a useful signal receiver coil signal, and an evaluation unit evaluating the useful signal for detection of a fault in the test piece. A self-test unit automatically or upon an external request undertakes systematic quantitative checking of signal processing functions of the signal processing unit and/or systematic quantitative checking of the transmitter coil arrangement and/or of the receiver coil arrangement and/or upon external request undertakes calibration of the signal processing unit using a calibration standard which replaces the transmitter coil arrangement and/or of the receiver coil arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Prüftechnik Dieter Busch AG
    Inventor: Roland Hölzl
  • Patent number: 9030193
    Abstract: A system by which the proportion of ferromagnetic particles in a dielectric medium is measured. A magnetic field is generated by two signals in the medium: a low frequency feed and a relatively high frequency excitation. The feed magnetizes the ferromagnetic particles in the medium to the nonlinear range of the magnetization curve. The excitation is generated so that its spectrum is relatively wide and it is dense with frequency components. The level of the excitation is so high that the magnetic flux density in the medium corresponding to the excitation fluctuates nonlinearly, when the feed is at its peak value or near this. The magnetic field of the medium is measured by a secondary winding, and from the response signal produced by the sensor is detected the part resulting from the magnetic non-linearity, which part is the output signal. In the detection the response is multiplied by the signal, which arises magnetic field and includes the same random fluctuation as the response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Hemeltron
    Inventor: Arvi Kruusing
  • Patent number: 9024631
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium configured to transport a constituent of fluid sample that binds to a functionalized magnetic particle. The apparatus includes a substrate connected to an input port, a magnetic nanowire, and either a temporally changing magnetic field generator or a spin-polarized current source. The magnetic nanowire is disposed in a surface of the substrate. The width and thickness of the magnetic nanowire are configured so that a domain wall propagating along the nanowire in response to the temporally changing magnetic field continuously couples to a superparamagnetic particle introduced into the input port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Geoffrey Stephen Beach, Elizabeth Ashera Rapoport
  • Publication number: 20150097553
    Abstract: A measuring device for measuring one or more electromagnetic fields is provided. The measuring device includes a measuring sensor arrangement which is operable to detect the one or more electromagnetic fields and to generate one or more corresponding measurement signals; moreover, the measuring device further includes a data processing arrangement which is operable to process the one or more corresponding signals to generate an analysis of the one or more electromagnetic fields. Furthermore, the measuring device includes a liquid for at least partially influencing at least a part of the measuring sensor arrangement for simulating one or more physiological effects of the one or more electromagnetic fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: The Mind App Ltd Oy
    Inventor: Gustaf Walter Kranck
  • Publication number: 20150070000
    Abstract: An instrument for determining fluid properties is provided. The instrument (300) includes a tube (304) receiving the fluid, a single magnet (302) attached to the tube, and a single coil (306) wound around the single magnet. The single coil is coupled to a pulse current source (312) and receives a pulse current that creates a magnetic field in the single coil, the created magnetic field interacting with the single magnet to drive the tube to vibrate. The instrument further includes a detector (306) coupled to the tube, wherein the detector is coupled to measurement circuitry (310) and detects properties of the tube as it vibrates, and the measurement circuitry determines the fluid properties based on the detected properties. The instrument also includes a housing (314) enclosing the tube, the single magnet, and the single coil wound around the single magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Li Gao, Michael T. Pelletier, Mark A. Proett
  • Patent number: 8933694
    Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic biosensor device comprising a sensor cartridge for receiving an assay to be tested, an electromagnetic unit for producing a magnetic field at a sensor surface of the sensor cartridge, and detection means for detecting the presence of magnetic particles close to the sensor surface. The electromagnetic unit is adapted to periodically produce a magnetic field having at least a first and a second magnetic field strength, the ratio of the amount of time of applying the first magnetic field strength to the amount of time of the period of applying the first and the second field strength being varied during the measurement. The invention further provides a method for applying a magnetic field to a sensor surface of a magnetic bio sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijkle Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Hans Van Zon, Mykhaylo Ovsyanko
  • Patent number: 8912788
    Abstract: System and methods for detecting substances such as explosives via the nuclear quadrupole resonance effect. We observe that the nuclear quadrupole resonances of explosives located within a cavity portal involve continuous Rabi transitions which are nonlinear processes since stimulated emission occurs. In other words, where there are no resonances caused by the presence of an explosive, high average power and low average power measurements should be identical. However, when resonances are stimulated by the system, the difference between these two conditions can be compared to determine a correction to measurements made when a person located in the cavity has explosive material on their person, without the need for separate empty portal or elaborate calibration procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Judy Feng, William Mouyos, Benjamin McMahon
  • Patent number: 8901930
    Abstract: A method for detecting metal in an inner region of a caster mold during a casting process using a plurality of eddy current probe assemblies, wherein each of the plurality of eddy current probe assemblies is configured to generate a primary magnetic field passing through nonconductive mold material of the casting mold to the inner region of the casting mold and to provide a signal indicative of a detected secondary magnetic field caused by eddy currents induced in the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nemak Dillingen GmbH
    Inventors: Glenn Byczynski, Robert Patrick, Christian Fruehauf
  • Patent number: 8896293
    Abstract: A system for sensing and controlling concentration of magnetic particles in magnetorheological fluid comprising a wire coil and an AC voltage generator that, when energized, creates a magnetic flux field including a fringing field. When the fringing field extends through the magnetorheological fluid, the impedance in the circuit is proportional to the concentration of magnetic particles. A reference wire coil identical to the sensing wire coil is connected therewith. A demodulator is connected to each of the coils sends an impedance difference signal to a feedback controller connected to controllable dispensing apparatus for adding a calculated amount of replenishing fluid to the magnetorheological fluid. The system may be incorporated into an integrated fluid management module having apparatus for receiving and replenishing spent magnetorheological fluid and a sensor system in accordance with the present invention for use in a magnetorheological finishing system having a carrier wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: QED Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kordonski, Keith Beadle, Sergei Gorodkin, Arpad Sekeres
  • Patent number: 8847579
    Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement of the magnetic susceptibility of a gas mixture comprises: a gas sample chamber (8) adapted to receive the gas mixture; a test body (1) rotatably suspended within the gas sample chamber; magnets (10) within the gas sample chamber; a compact optical system for detecting rotation of the test body (1) including a light source (12), photodetectors (13) arranged to detect a light signal, and a mirror (5) attached to the test body (1). An actuation system is arranged to keep the test body (1) substantially at a null position. The optical system comprises at least one photodetector positioned on each side of the light source. The light source is arranged to emit a light beam towards the test body. The photo detectors are arranged to each detect an edge of a light beam reflected from the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Servomex Group Limited
    Inventors: Richard P. Kovacich, Colin G. Stocks, Christopher R. Edwards, James D. Hobby
  • Patent number: 8847335
    Abstract: A micro-electrochemical sensor contains magnetic compounds inserted within a substrate that exert a magnetic force of attraction on paramagnetic beads held in contact with an electrode. The magnetic compounds can be contained within a fluid that is introduced into a void in the substrate. The electrode can be spaced apart from the magnetic compounds by a dielectric multi-layer membrane. During the fabrication process, different layers within the membrane-electrode structure can be tuned to have compressive or tensile stress so as to maintain structural integrity of the membrane, which is thin compared with the size of the void beneath it. During a process of forming the structure of the sensor, the tensile stress in a TiW adhesion layer can be adjusted to offset a composite net compressive stress associated with the dielectric layers of the membrane. The membrane can also be used in forming both the electrode and the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Shian-Yeu Kam, Tien-Choy Loh, Ying Yu, Fery Riswan, Frederic Sala
  • Patent number: 8816674
    Abstract: A magnetic particle producing part including magnetic and counterpart members in a path of a particle-includable liquid, at least one of the members being moved to press the other member in the liquid, the magnetic member being worn by particles in the liquid to produce magnetic particles; a magnetic particle measuring part positioned in the path same as in the producing part to measure the magnetic particle concentration in the liquid; and a control part converting the concentration of the magnetic particles detected by the measuring part into a concentration of particles in the liquid on the basis of a calibration line representing a correlation preliminarily measured between the concentrations of the magnetic particles and of the particles in the liquid to detect the concentration in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: IHI Corporation, Diesel United, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidemi Ukai, Takashi Fujii
  • Patent number: 8744773
    Abstract: An intelligent rain sensor incorporates at least one hygroscopic member and a sensor that generates signals representative of its amount of expansion due to absorption of moisture. A microcontroller executes a pre-programmed algorithm that determines at least the rate of expansion and uses that information to distinguish between actual rainfall events on the one hand, and high humidity, dew or a light sprinkle on the other hand, and sends a shut off command to an irrigation controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Woytowitz, La Monte D. Porter
  • Patent number: 8729886
    Abstract: A device for measuring alternating current (AC) magnetic susceptibility and the method for measuring the same are provided. The device comprises an AC magnetic susceptibility coil set, a signal capturing unit, and a signal processing unit. The device detects AC magnetic susceptibility signals from under testing particles in the magnetic field with variable AC frequencies, and extracts the AC magnetic susceptibility intensity variation and phase difference and/or the real part and the imaginary part of the AC magnetic susceptibility by the signal processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Magqu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shieh-Yueh Yang
  • Publication number: 20140103910
    Abstract: A differential transformer type magnetic sensor includes a board, a drive coil, a first differential coil, and a second differential coil. The drive coil includes a planar coil in which a dimension of a first direction which is one of longitudinal and transverse dimensions is smaller than that of a second direction which is the other of the longitudinal and transverse dimensions, and is disposed on the board. The first differential coil includes a planar coil having the same shape as the drive coil, and is disposed on the board. The second differential coil includes a planar coil having the same shape as the drive coil, and is disposed on the board. The first differential coil and the second differential coil are electrically connected so that a direction of induced current flowing along the first differential coil and a direction of induced current flowing along the second differential coil are opposite to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Masashi Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20140097829
    Abstract: A device includes an excitation coil, a detector coil, and a processing circuit. The excitation coil is aligned about a volume. The excitation coil is configured to carry a first and second biasing current and generate a magnetic field in the volume. The detector coil is configured to generate an electrical signal based on a detected field within the volume. The detected field is based on the magnetic field. The processing circuit is configured to generate data based on the electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Wang, Liang Tu
  • Publication number: 20140062461
    Abstract: Liquid level detectors are described. An example liquid level detector includes a housing and an arm extending through the housing. A lever assembly is coupled to the arm and the housing, and movement of the arm causes the lever assembly to open or close a switch via a magnetic field when a liquid reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Bob Yuan
  • Patent number: 8664940
    Abstract: A graphite-based sensor includes an undoped graphite structure that adsorbs foreign atoms and molecules. A magnetization detection device includes a substrate on which the graphite structure is adhered, a current source by which a current is applied to the substrate and the graphite structure, and a voltage measuring device coupled to the substrate. When the graphite structure adsorbs the gas molecules, the graphite structure exhibits a ferromagnetic-type behavior, and a corresponding voltage generated in the magnetic detection device changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alexandre M. Bratkovski, Iakov Veniaminovitch Kopelevitch
  • Patent number: 8659287
    Abstract: Magnetic and counterpart members are immersed in a liquid which may include hard particles. At least one of the members is moved while pressed to the other member. The magnetic member is worn by hard particles in the liquid to produce magnetic particles in the liquid. A concentration of the magnetic particles produced is measured and is converted into a concentration of hard particles in the liquid on the basis of a calibration line representing a correlation measured in advance between the concentrations of the magnetic particles and of the hard particles in the liquid. Thus, the concentration of the hard particles in the liquid is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignees: IHI Corporation, Diesel United, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidemi Ukai, Takashi Fujii
  • Patent number: 8624584
    Abstract: A device for detecting a magnetic field response or changes in a magnetic response of at least one magnetic particle in a carrier fluid, the detection comprising measuring the magnetic particles characteristic rotation period, and the measurement involving measurement of a Brownian relaxation in the carrier fluid under influence of an external pulsed magnetic field. The device includes means for generating the pulsed magnetic field, at least two substantially identical detection coils connected in gradiometer coupling to detection electronics for measuring the differential induced voltage which is dependent on the frequency dependent susceptibility or the magnetization change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Acreo Swedish ICT AB
    Inventors: Anatol Krozer, Christer Johansson, Jakob Blomgren, Karolina Petersson, Dag Ilver, Andrea Prieto Astalan, Christian Jonasson
  • Patent number: 8614572
    Abstract: An integrated magnetic field generation and detection platform is described that is capable of manipulating and detecting individual magnetic particles, such as spherical super-paramagnetic beads, and providing biosensing functionality. The platform is implemented in an integrated circuit, a portion of the surface of which is functionalized with one or more biochemical agents that binds tightly (i.e., specifically) with a target analyte. The magnetic beads are similarly functionalized with one or more biochemical agents that that bind specifically with the target analyte. When a sample is introduced, magnetic beads that specifically bind to the integrated circuit can be separated from non-specifically bound beads and detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Octavian Florescu, Bernhard E. Boser, Moritz Mattmann
  • Patent number: 8596109
    Abstract: A device for measuring the concentrations of paramagnetic gases in a gas sample has at least one modulatable magnetic flux source, which has an air gap, to which a gas sample can be fed. A controllable power source, for generating current and voltage signals, is coupled with the modulatable magnetic flux source in order to generate a modulatable magnetic flux within the air gap. Two measuring points are arranged at least partly within the air gap. Each measuring point has an electrically controllable heating device and a heat conduction-measuring unit or resistive measuring device. Each measuring point is coupled with a variable power source to heat the heating device to a working temperature. Each measuring point is coupled with a measuring circuit to measure heat conduction measured signals generated by the heat conduction-measuring unit, from which the concentrations of paramagnetic gases, which are contained in the gas sample, can be derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Stark, Peter Dreyer, Alfred Kelm, Günter Steinert, Anja Künzel
  • Patent number: 8587330
    Abstract: A conductivity counter and method of determining conductivity of a fluid sample are disclosed. The counter is suitable for high-speed, accurate counting of discrete events or items, such as cancer cells, passing through a fluid sample cell. A variable frequency current source is used to supply an excitation current to a sample cell connected in parallel with an inductance or the electrical equivalence of an inductance. This configuration can be accurately modeled as a parallel RLC circuit when the system is operated at a stable frequency. The current source frequency is tuned to the resonance frequency of the equivalent RLC circuit, which effectively eliminates the capacitive and inductive components of the impedance, leaving only purely resistive components. The output signal is due to perturbations in the fluid sample, such as passing cancer cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University And Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventor: Donald A. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8581575
    Abstract: An inductively working sensor for determining the conductivity of a liquid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Eberheim, Thomas Nagel, Andre Thieme, Hendrik Zeun
  • Patent number: 8570027
    Abstract: A method of magnetic imaging at long detection ranges. In one embodiment the method comprises introducing a magnetic sample having magnetic particles into a detection field; detecting weak magnetic field signals of the magnetic particles; forming an image from the detected signals; and determining the location and quantity amount of the magnetic particles. The method further comprises introducing a magnetic sample to a human or other organism's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: University of Houston System
    Inventors: Shoujun Xu, Li Yao
  • Patent number: 8522604
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detection of wear particles in a lubricant are disclosed. The apparatus includes a microfluidic device including a microchannel sized for a lubricant containing wear particles to pass therethrough and first and second electrodes extending into the microchannel. A detection system is coupled with the electrodes for detection of wear particles passing through the microchannel, based on a change in capacitance of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Jiang Zhe, Li Du, Joan E. Carletta, Robert J. Veillette
  • Patent number: 8485014
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods for compensation of mechanical imbalance in a measurement apparatus, that provides options for increased accuracy and/or less expensive manufacture of a torsion balance. Orientation measurements are taken and an imbalance torque about the torsion spring's axis of rotation is determined, and used to calculate a compensation. The measurement apparatus of one embodiment includes a test body and a set of magnets for generating a first disturbing force on the test body in response to a paramagnetic gas. A conductor element in the magnetic field receives an electrical current that generates a second opposing force to the test body, under feedback control that varies the current until the test body achieves a balanced null position. The control signal required to achieve the fixed null position is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Servomex Group Limited
    Inventors: Colin Stocks, James Hobby, Martin Lopez, Chris Edwards
  • Patent number: 8482295
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the level of a plurality of phases of a conductive or semi-conductive mixture in a vessel. The systems and method include a vessel configured to hold the mixture, a plurality of antennas configured to transmit electromagnetic and/or eddy current signals into the mixture to impinge upon the plurality of phases and to receive corresponding signals reflected from the plurality of phases, a transmitter module configured to generate electromagnetic and/or eddy current signals in communication with the plurality of antennas, a receiver module configured to receive electromagnetic and/or eddy current signals in communication with the plurality of antennas, a control module in communication with the transmitter module and the receiver module configured to control their operation, and a signal analysis module in communication with the receiver module configured to process the reflected signals to determine the levels of the plurality of phases within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Afshin Sadri, Ehsan Shameli, Bert O. Wasmund, Nils W. Voermann
  • Patent number: 8466675
    Abstract: A magneto-impedance element with a longitudinal columnar section whose cross section about a longitudinal center axis is either a circle or a polygon inscribed in the circle, and which has a trap region configured to trap a magnetic substance that is formed in a band region extending along at least one of two lines of intersection between a plane containing the center axis and a lateral surface of the longitudinal columnar section and a non-trap region for a magnetic substance that is a region of the lateral surface of the magneto- impedance element excluding the trap region. The magneto-impedance element is used to provide a detection apparatus and a detection method that can easily detect a magnetic substance with high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Miki Ueda, Takashi Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20130147465
    Abstract: A device to detect the level of liquid metal (M) in a casting apparatus includes a box-like structure associated in correspondence with an upper end of a crystallizer. The box-like structure has a peripheral cavity inside in which a device for the generation and detection of a variable magnetic field is disposed. The device for the generation and detection extends for a segment beyond an inner corner of the crystallizer so as to face directly into the open top of the crystallizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: DANIELI AUTOMATION SPA
    Inventor: Lorenzo Ciani
  • Patent number: 8415944
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stabilizing ac magnetic susceptibility of a magnetic fluid, comprising the following steps: (A) preparing two reagents of known magnetic concentration, including a first one in a mixture of an xC1 ?l, m1-emu/g magnetic fluid and a yC1 ?l PBS solution and a second one in a mixture of an xC2 ?l, m2-emu/g magnetic fluid and a yC2 ?l PBS solution, in addition to a to-be-detected reagent in a mixture of an xS ?l, mS-emu/g magnetic fluid and a yS ?l PBS solution: (B) detecting alternatively ?ac,o signals; (C) calculating a new ?ac,o value, i.e. ?ac,cal, for S via ? ac , cal = ? ac , o , S - ? ac , o , C ? ? 1 ? ac , o , C ? ? 2 - ? ac , o , C ? ? 1 × ( x C ? ? 2 - x C ? ? 1 ) + ? C ? ? 1 ; and (D) repeating steps (B) and (C) to find the ?ac,cal for a next run, and then finding a time dependent ?ac,cal for S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Magqu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shieh-Yueh Yang
  • Patent number: 8384374
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically testing CMOS magnetoresistive biochips is disclosed. The apparatus includes: means for directly or indirectly applying physical pressure to the fluid pumping chamber in a cartridge; a liquid injector for injecting liquid into the reaction chamber in the cartridge through an inlet or inlets in fluid connection to said reaction chamber; a CMOS magnetoresistive biochip located in the reaction chamber in the cartridge; means for applying a magnetic field to said CMOS magnetoresistive biochip in the cartridge; an electronic module for communicating with and supplying power as well as control signals to said biochip; a microprocessor to control and coordinate the aforementioned components; and a user interface for information processing. The apparatus provided by the present invention reduces the complexity of operation and enhances the detection sensitivity to a great extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dongguan Bosh Biotechnologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yunhua Gao
  • Patent number: 8378669
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an integrated magnetic particle measurement device for detecting a presence or absence of magnetic particles in a sample volume includes at least one sensor cell having a differential sensor pair. An active sensor oscillator frequency is responsive to one or more magnetic particles situated within a sample volume. The sensor cell is configured to be operative in the absence of an externally applied magnetic field. A frequency measurement circuit provides as a time-multiplexed output a first count representative of the active sensor oscillator frequency and a second count representative of the reference sensor oscillator frequency. A calculated difference between the first count and the second count is indicative of a presence or an absence of one or more magnetic particles within the sample volume. An integrated magnetic particle measurement system array and a method for detecting one or more magnetic particles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Seyed Ali Hajimiri
  • Publication number: 20130033255
    Abstract: Measurement of a precessional rate of a gas, such as an alkali gas, in a magnetic field is made by promoting a non-uniform precession of the gas in which substantially no net magnetic field affects the gas during a majority of the precession cycle. This allows sensitive gases that would be subject to spin-exchange collision de-phasing to be effectively used for extremely sensitive measurements in the presence of an environmental magnetic field such as the Earth's magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Thad Gilbert Walker, Brian Robert Lancor, Robert Wyllie
  • Patent number: 8368396
    Abstract: This invention provides a magnetic sensor element that can detect a detection target substance with high accuracy. The magnetic sensor element includes a multi-magnetic domain structure in which a plurality of magnetic domains extend in a row in one direction and in which the magnetic domains that are adjoining have easy magnetization axes in opposite directions to each other. The multi-magnetic domain structure has a surface region. Within the surface region, when counting from one end of the multi-magnetic domain structure, affinities for a magnetic particle or a substance that can be immobilized on the magnetic particle are mutually different at a first surface portion located at a boundary between a (2n?1)th (n is a natural number) magnetic domain and a (2n)th magnetic domain and a second surface portion located at a boundary between the (2n)th magnetic domain and a (2n+1)th magnetic domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Miki Ueda
  • Patent number: 8358123
    Abstract: Method of quantifying an analyte in a liquid medium by means of magnetic particles functionalized by specific ligands of the analyte being quantified, consisting in applying a magnetic field to a liquid medium for a time period several times shorter than that of the reaction between the analyte being quantified and the ligands of the magnetic particles, in measuring the optical density of the liquid medium after applying the magnetic field, in repeating this cycle of applying the magnetic field and of measuring the optical density several times over the duration of the reaction between the analyte and the ligands, in calculating, by extrapolation, a limiting value for the optical density for an infinite magnetic field application time and in deducing therefrom the concentration of the analyte in the liquid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Bertin Technologies
    Inventors: Eric Compain, Catherine Rouzeau, Karine Bizet
  • Patent number: 8354841
    Abstract: A method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a region of action, magnetic particles and the use of magnetic particles is disclosed, which method comprises the steps of: —introducing magnetic particles into a region of action, —generating a magnetic selection field having a pattern in space of its magnetic field strength such that a first sub-zone having a low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone having a higher magnetic field strength are formed in the region of action —changing the position in space of the two sub-zones in the region of action by means of a magnetic drive field so that the magnetization of the magnetic particles change locally, —acquiring signals, which signals depend on the magnetization in the region of action, which magnetization is influenced by the change in the position in space of the first and second sub-zone, wherein the magnetic particles comprise a core region and a shell region, the core region comprising a magnetic material, wherein the magnetic mater
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Hans Marc Bert Boeve, Denis Markov
  • Patent number: 8354836
    Abstract: A device for detecting electrically conductive particles in a liquid flowing in a pipe section, with a transmitter coil surrounding the pipe section for inducing eddy currents in the particles, at least one first inductive receiver coil surrounding the pipe section and a second inductive receiver coil which is spaced axially to the first receiver coil and which surrounds the pipe section, the first and the second receiver coils being located in the region of the transmitter coil and being subtractively connected, in order to output a difference signal according to the eddy currents induced by the transmitter coil, and the transmitter coil forming the primary side and the receiver coils forming the secondary side of a transformer arrangement. An evaluation unit evaluates the difference signal in order to detect passage of electrically conductive particles in the pipe section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Prüftechnik Dieter Busch AG
    Inventors: Edwin Becker, Thomas Knoell, Roland Hoelzl
  • Publication number: 20120299584
    Abstract: A system by which the proportion of ferromagnetic particles in a dielectric medium is measured. A magnetic field is generated by two signals in the medium: a low frequency feed and a relatively high frequency excitation. The feed magnetizes the ferromagnetic particles in the medium to the nonlinear range of the magnetization curve. The excitation is generated so that its spectrum is relatively wide and it is dense with frequency components. The level of the excitation is so high that the magnetic flux density in the medium corresponding to the excitation fluctuates nonlinearly, when the feed is at its peak value or near this. The magnetic field of the medium is measured by a secondary winding, and from the response signal produced by the sensor is detected the part resulting from the magnetic non-linearity, which part is the output signal. In the detection the response is multiplied by the signal, which arises magnetic field and includes the same random fluctuation as the response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Hemeltron
    Inventor: Arvi Kruusing
  • Patent number: 8283912
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting magnetic particles in a sensitive region of a sample chamber includes a dump region. Magnetic particles can be moved by magnetic forces from the sensitive region into the dump region which is arranged such that the magnetic particles cannot return to the sensitive region by pure sedimentation. The separation between the sensitive and the dump region can optionally be enforced by a barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Hans Nieuwenhuis, Petrus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Lankvelt
  • Patent number: 8283184
    Abstract: In a method for measurement of very small local magnetic fields, in particular of local magnetic stray fields produced by magnetic beads, at least one magnetoresistive element is used. The element includes a hard-magnetic reference layer and a soft-magnetic sensor layer, whose magnetization can be rotated to a parallel position or an antiparallel position with respect to the reference layer magnetization, and whose output signal which can be tapped off is dependent on the position of the sensor layer magnetization with respect to the reference layer magnetization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Manfred Rührig
  • Patent number: 8274278
    Abstract: An automated, non-destructive anhysteretic magnetization characterization method for studying and modeling soft magnetic materials. This measurement method employs a “reading-waveform” that allows multiple points of reference to be established in tracing out the B waveform. In using the reference values from this waveform, the components of B that cannot be measured directly may be calculated with precision. In turn, the initial magnitude of the B waveform is identified as the unknown component of the anhysteretic state. The processes can be repeated for different values of static fields as well as a function of temperature to produce a family of anhysteretic magnetization curves. The core characterization was performed without physically altering the core, so that the true anhysteretic magnetization curve, and the true B-H loop under applied bias H, is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Jeremy Walker, Stephen E Saddow
  • Patent number: 8269483
    Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring a building material are disclosed. The system and the method provide a comprehensive monitoring throughout a manufacturing and an application process and provide a real time data feedback relating to the physical characteristics of the building material. The system and method include mixing a predetermined amount of taggant particles with a predetermined volume of at least one component of the building material in order to comprehensively monitor a mix ratio and segregation of the building material during manufacturing and application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas C. Targosz
  • Patent number: 8264220
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a region of action includes a selector for generating a magnetic selection field having a pattern in space of its magnetic field strength such that a first sub-zone having a low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone having a higher magnetic field strength are formed in the region of action. A driver is provided for changing the position in space of the two sub-zones in the region of action by a magnetic drive field so that the magnetization of the magnetic particles changes locally. A receiver is also provided for acquiring signals, which signals depend on the magnetization in the region of action, which magnetization is influenced by the change in the position in space of the first and second sub-zone. Further, a coil arrangement is provided including a surrounding coil and a magnetic field generator such that the surrounding coil almost completely surrounds the magnetic field generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Bernhard Gleich, Juergen Weizenecker
  • Publication number: 20120203529
    Abstract: This present invention relates to a device for the measurement of the amount of oxygen in a gas mixture, or other gas with significantly different magnetic susceptibility than the background gas mixture, by the use of a suspended test body in a magnetic field that experiences force due to the magnetic susceptibility of the measurand gas. In order to enable a fast time response for the system with a change in oxygen concentration, a flow regime is presented which allows a fast sweep of the measurement volume combined with adjustable, balanced pressure drops via a flow balancing element (or elements) within the flow channels to independently minimise flow related uncertainties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Servomex Group Limited
    Inventors: Ian C. Gaskin, Richard P. Kovacich, Christopher R. Edwards, James D. Hobby, Martin Lopez
  • Patent number: 8237434
    Abstract: An electromagnetic system for biosensors including two independent electromagnetic units separated in the region of pole shoes of the electromagnetic units positioned under a gap, a cartridge positioned in the gap providing a sample volume and a biosensor having a sensor surface located at one or more inner surfaces of the cartridge proximate to the pole shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Petrus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Lankvelt, Menno Willem Jose Prins, Albert Hendrik Jan Immink
  • Patent number: 8237443
    Abstract: The position of a movable downhole component such as a sleeve in a choke valve is monitored and determined using an array of sensors, preferably Hall Effect sensors that measure the strength of a magnetic field from a magnet that travels with the sleeve. The sensors measure the field strength and output a voltage related to the strength of the field that is detected. A plurality of sensors, with readings, transmits signals to a microprocessor to compute the magnet position directly. The sensors are in the tool body and are not mechanically coupled to the sleeve. The longitudinal position of the sleeve is directly computed using less than all available sensors to facilitate the speed of transmission of data and computation of actual position using known mathematical techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Don A. Hopmann, Daniel M. Cousin, Levon H. Yeriazarian, Juan P. Franco, Ahmed J. Jasser, Priyesh Ranjan
  • Publication number: 20120187938
    Abstract: A flow cytometer has a flow chamber in which labeled cells are highly likely to be detected by a corresponding sensor as a medium carrying the magnetically labeled cells flows through the flow chamber. The flow chamber has at least one sensor positioned on an inner surface thereof to detect the cells. The flow chamber also has a magnetic or magnetizable cell guiding device which can be positioned upstream of the sensor in the direction of flow to guide the flowing, magnetically labeled cells directly across the sensor, so that only a small percentage of labeled cells pass outside of the reach of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludwig Bär, Helmut Eckert, Oliver Hayden, Sandro Francesco Tedde, Michael Vieth, Roland Weiss