Monochromatic (e.g., Laser) Patents (Class 356/318)
  • Patent number: 11037283
    Abstract: Provided is a hyperspectral imaging (HSI)-based inspection apparatus capable of quickly and stably performing two-dimensional (2D) HSI for an inspection object, and accordingly, capable of quickly and accurately inspecting the inspection object. The HSI-based inspection apparatus includes: a stage on which an inspection object is arranged; an optical system configured to allow light to be incident on the inspection object and emit the light reflected from the inspection object; a scan mirror configured to reflect the emitted light from the optical system while rotating; and a hyperspectral camera configured to obtain an image having a wavelength direction and a line direction as two axes for light reflected from the scan mirror, wherein, by using the rotation of the scan mirror, the hyperspectral camera is configured to perform the 2D HSI for the inspection object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Jang, Yasuhiro Hidaka, Young-kyu Park, Ye-eun Park, Yu-Sin Yang
  • Patent number: 11038268
    Abstract: A signal generator for a phased array antenna comprises a laser light source arranged to provide an optical spectrum comprising a plurality of spaced wavelengths. The signal generator further comprises a dispersion unit arranged to introduce a delay to a plurality of spectral components of the optical spectrum associated with the spaced wavelengths. The delay is dependent on the wavelength of the spectral components of the optical spectrum. The signal generator further comprises a heterodyning device configured to generate a signal for the phased array antenna by heterodyning the spectral components associated with different ones of the spaced wavelengths of the laser light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (publ)
    Inventors: Paolo Ghelfi, Antonella Bogoni, Francesco Laghezza, Sergio Pinna, Filippo Scotti, Giovanni Serafino
  • Patent number: 11000183
    Abstract: A laser-induced breakdown spectroscope according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a laser head which emits a laser beam; a focusing lens which focuses the laser beam on a target specimen; a plasma reactor unit which amplifies first plasma, which is generated on the target specimen positioned at a focal point of the laser beam passing through the focusing lens, by controlling electron density and electron energy of the first plasma; a collection lens which focuses second plasma amplified by the plasma reactor unit; and a spectrophotometer which analyzes the second plasma focused by the collection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Pyun, Dae-hoon Lee, YoungHoon Song, Kwan-Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 11002675
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, detection of a fire event via detection of scattered light of at least two wavelengths is based on rates of change between measurements of the scattered light of the different wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: VALOR FIRE SAFETY, LLC.
    Inventor: Matthew Erdtmann
  • Patent number: 10987011
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying or monitoring circulatory failure in a subject, which method comprises assessing the subject's microcirculation in respect of the following parameters: (a) functional capillary density (FCD); (b) heterogeneity of the FCD; (c) capillary flow velocity; (d) heterogeneity of capillary flow velocity; (e) oxygen saturation of microvascular erythrocytes (SmvO2); and (f) heterogeneity of SmvO2; wherein parameters (a) to (d) are assessed visually by microscopy and parameters (e) and (f) are assessed by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS); well as apparatus and software designed for performance of such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: OSLO UNIVERSITETSSYKEHUS HF
    Inventor: Knut Kvernebo
  • Patent number: 10983326
    Abstract: At least one embodiment relates to an apparatus for super-resolution fluorescence-microscopy imaging of a sample. The apparatus includes an objective lens having a forward field of view, the objective lens being configured to collect light. The apparatus may also include a processing arrangement configured to perform super-resolution fluorescence-microscopy imaging of the sample with the collected light. Further, the apparatus includes a waveguide component located forward of the objective lens and configured to (i) receive light from outside the forward field of view, and (ii) use total internal reflection within the waveguide component to direct excitation light. In addition, the apparatus includes an electronic optical-path control system configured to cause input light of a first wavelength to follow a first optical path corresponding to a first optical mode and also configured to cause input light of the first wavelength to follow a second optical path corresponding to a second optical mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventors: Balpreet Singh Ahluwalia, Mark Schüttpelz
  • Patent number: 10983060
    Abstract: The invention provides systems for characterizing a biological sample by analyzing emission of fluorescent light from the biological sample upon excitation and methods for using the same. The system includes a laser source, collection fibers, a demultiplexer and an optical delay device. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully set forth. Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
    Inventors: Pramod Butte, Paul Lapchak, David Scott Kittle
  • Patent number: 10962756
    Abstract: A system is described to facilitate the characterization of particles within a fluid contained in a vessel using an illumination system that directs source light through each vessel. One or more optical elements may be implemented to refract the source light and to illuminate the entire volume of the vessel. As the refracted source light passes through the vessel and interacts with particles suspended in the fluid, scattered light is produced and directed to an imager, while the refracted source light is diverted away from the imager to prevent the source light from drowning out the scattered light. The system can therefore advantageously utilize an imager with a large depth of field to accurately image the entire volume of fluid at the same time, facilitating the determination of the number and size of particles suspended in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: AMGEN INC.
    Inventors: Dmitry Fradkin, Graham F. Milne, Thomas Clark Pearson
  • Patent number: 10933621
    Abstract: Apparatus (1, 14) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), wherein the energy beam (4) is guided onto a build plane (5) via an irradiation device (6), wherein an evaluation unit (11) is provided that is adapted to determine spectral information of radiation (12) emitted in the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Schödel, Peter Pontiller-Schymura, Boris Eichenberg
  • Patent number: 10908073
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided, in which an observation volume is defined by a volume where light from illumination means and a field of view of detection means overlap. The central axes of said light from the illumination means and said field of view of the detection means are non-parallel, and the sample is transported through the observation volume during imaging, preferably by rotation of a sample container holding the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: SINGLE TECHNOLOGIES AB
    Inventors: Bengt Sahlgren, Raoul Stubbe, Johan Strömqvist
  • Patent number: 10868613
    Abstract: A passive fiber optic switching (“PFOS”) device may provide failover in a fiber optic network by switching a working path between different fibers of a redundant set of fibers. The PFOS device may operate passively (e.g., without an active, external, and/or continuous power supply) by harvesting the power that it needs from the light that passes over any one or more fibers that are connected to the PFOS device. The PFOS device may detect issues that disrupt signaling and/or light transmission on the working path based on quality (e.g., signaling and/or light properties) of the working path, and/or diagnostic messaging received from other devices on the working path. The PFOS device may include an optical switch, such as a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (“MEMS”) mirror switch, that can change the working path by switching light to any fiber of the redundant set of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Donna L. Polehn, Mark T. Watts
  • Patent number: 10837918
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-destructive method of characterizing CMAS infiltration and CMAS assisted damage in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). Such approach is especially relevant for determining the lifetime of coatings on e.g. turbines or parts of the turbines such as blades or in-liners of the combustion chambers. The turbines can be gas turbines or high-pressure turbines or others and may be stationary or used for example in aviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignees: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V, University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravisankar Naraparaju, Uwe Schulz, Seetha Raghavan, Estefania Bohorquez
  • Patent number: 10830705
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of spectral analysis of the chemical composition of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and can be used in metallurgical factories to monitor the ongoing production of molten (liquid) electrically conductive materials directly in the melting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventors: Aleksandr Nikolaevich Zabrodin, Sergei Aleksandrovich Zabrodin
  • Patent number: 10802405
    Abstract: A method for generating EUV radiation is provided. The method includes generating a target droplet with a target droplet generator. The method further includes recording an image of the target droplet on a first image plane to detect a first position of the target droplet. The method also includes recording an image of the target droplet on a second image plane to detect a second position of the target droplet. In addition, the method includes projecting a laser pulse onto the target droplet when the target droplet is located on a focus plane. The method further includes adjusting at least one parameter of the target droplet generator according to the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chieh Hsieh, Shang-Chieh Chien, Li-Jui Chen, Po-Chung Cheng
  • Patent number: 10799983
    Abstract: A laser welding device includes: a laser scanner body configured to emit a laser beam to a workpiece; a jet nozzle configured to jet gas so as to cause the gas to cross an optical path of the laser beam emitted from the laser scanner body; and a guide plate disposed on the downstream side in the flow direction of the gas, from the optical path of the laser beam emitted from the laser scanner body. The guide plate is configured to change the flow direction of the gas that has crossed the optical path of the laser beam into a direction away from a laser irradiation position on the workpiece toward the downstream side in the flow direction of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ko Nakamura, Junichiro Makino, Takehiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10791915
    Abstract: A subject irradiated with violet light and green light is imaged to obtain RGB signals, based on which a base image is produced. Frequency filtering processing is applied to the B signal to obtain a blood vessel extraction signal, in which a most superficial blood vessel, a superficial blood vessel, and a middle-layer blood vessel at different depths are extracted. Edge strength of each blood vessel in the blood vessel extraction signal is calculated. Display control processing based on the edge strength of each blood vessel is applied to the base image. Thereby, a first image or a second image is produced. In the first image, the most superficial blood vessel, the superficial blood vessel, and the middle-layer blood vessel are displayed in a distinguishable manner. In the second image, the most superficial blood vessel, the superficial blood vessel, and the middle-layer blood vessel are selectively enhanced or suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yuki Terakawa
  • Patent number: 10766242
    Abstract: A consolidating device for an additive manufacturing system is provided. The consolidating device includes at least one first energy beam generator, at least one second energy beam generator, at least one first lens, at least one second lens, and at least one reflective element. The first energy beam generator is configured to generate a first energy beam. The second energy beam generator is configured to generate a second energy beam. The first lens has a first entrance pupil and is positioned between the first energy beam generator and the layer of material. The second lens has a second entrance pupil and is positioned between the first lens and the layer of material. The first entrance pupil and the second entrance pupil substantially overlap. The reflective element is positioned between the first lens and the second lens, and is configured to reflect the second energy beam onto the layer of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Harris Karp, Victor Petrovich Ostroverkhov
  • Patent number: 10761016
    Abstract: A quantification device for the level of lipids and/or proteins present within hepatic tissues. The Device includes: a light source, having at least one vacuum tungsten lamp with a total power of between 0.5 and 2 watts, with a total brightness of between 1000 and 2000 lumens and a total color temperature of between 6000 and 10000 degrees Kelvin; a photosensitive sensor having a sensitivity wavelength of between 800 nm and 2450 nm, configured to capture the light emitted from the light source after diffraction within liver tissues; means for extracting a diffraction spectrum of the light according to an image captured by the photosensitive sensor; and means for analyzing the spectrum in order to determine a level of lipids and/or proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Institut Georges Lopez
    Inventors: Carlos Castro-Benitez, George Antoine Lopez
  • Patent number: 10684205
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus to improve the precision and reproducibility of particle size analysis by laser diffraction is presented. Powder particles are typically prepared for laser diffraction testing using an ultra-sound bath which will disperse particle agglomerates and allow a precise measurement. However, the precision and reproducibility of agglomerate dispersion is affected by ultra-sound probe wear, corrosion and age. Differences in sonication performance can be compensated by voltage adjustments to the ultra-sound probe, leading to substantial improvements in the precision and reproducibility of particle size determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Hovione Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Leandro Martins
  • Patent number: 10684225
    Abstract: For multi-dimensional high-resolution imaging a structure marked with fluorescence markers, fluorescence enabling light is focused to illuminate a measurement area in a sample. A partial area of the measurement area is subjected to fluorescence inhibiting light. The partial area omits a center of the measurement area in that an intensity distribution of the fluorescence inhibiting light comprises a line-shaped intensity minimum. A minimal extension of the intensity minimum in a direction through the center area is by a factor k?2 smaller than a diameter of the measurement area in said direction. Without spatial resolution, fluorescence light emitted out of the measurement area is measured for a plurality of consecutive angle positions of the intensity minimum about the center, while the measurement area, for each angle position, is subjected to the fluorescence enabling light. A value of the measured fluorescence light is assigned to the position of the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: LASER-LABORATORIUM GOETTINGEN E.V
    Inventors: Alexander Egner, Claudia Geisler, Jennifer-Rose Krueger
  • Patent number: 10677741
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may enable simultaneous preparation of a substrate for adhesive bonding and detection of minute contaminants on the substrate. Various embodiments may enable detection of contaminants on a surface of a substrate while the surface of the substrate is being prepared for adhesive bonding by laser ablation. Various embodiments may provide an integrated laser treatment and measurement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: John W. Connell, Frank L. Palmieri, William T. Yost, John W. Hopkins, Rodolfo I Ledesma
  • Patent number: 10677733
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed that allow for analysis with simplified sample preparation. Of particular relevance is the analysis of wire samples (e.g., weld wires) using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) or optical emission spectrometry (OES). Representative devices can isolate a sample, such as in a sealed, inert environment in an analytical instrument. These devices may include first and second sample end attachments connected to a body, which has a connecting portion that may be configured for alignment with the face of the instrument. The body may also include a rotatable cap, and the sample end attachments may be joined to this cap (e.g., at opposite ends thereof) to allow adjustment of the angular position of the sample, relative to the connecting portion, which in use may be affixed to the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Leoni, Michael Bush, Wayne Minter, Neil P. Hagerty, Artur Malinouski
  • Patent number: 10670510
    Abstract: Refractive index of biological specimens is a source of intrinsic contrast that can be explored without any concerns of photobleaching or harmful effects caused by extra contrast agents. This feature also contains rich information that can be related to the metabolism of cells at the cellular and subcellular levels. The present invention relates to systems and methods that can provide, without any moving parts, the 3-D refractive index map of continuously flowing biological samples in a micro-fluidic channel, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yongjin Sung, Niyom Lue, Zahid Yaqoob, Ramachandra Dasari, Peter T. C. So
  • Patent number: 10663404
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly portable, highly flexible standard of distance chemical detector such as can be used, for example, for standoff detection of explosives. Aspects of the invention include techniques for portability compactness and ways to diminish influence of fluorescence on Raman spectroscopy. Additional features can include a compact imaging spectrometer, a wirelessly connected smart device for user interface, and an auto-focus/range finder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Alakai Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Dean Babnick, Darius Vunck, Robert Douglas Waterbury, Timothy Molner, Ed Dottery
  • Patent number: 10641712
    Abstract: A system for sorting reusable raw-material pieces, where the chemical composition of the raw-material pieces is analyzed by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), where the raw-material pieces in a first step are subjected to a plurality of first laser pulses in order to remove surface coatings and/or contaminants from the raw-material pieces, and in a second step, one or more further laser pulses from the same laser are used to generate a plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Clean-Lasersysteme Gmbh
    Inventors: Edwin Buchter, Winfried Barkhausen, Hans-Bernd Pillkahn
  • Patent number: 10620118
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying optical materials, and more specifically to methods employed to identify glass and other optical materials used in medical devices. The method includes the steps of (1) selecting refractive index liquids matching a given optical sample; (2) determining the matching points for the refractive index liquids; and (3) calculating the refractive indices and selecting best fit optical materials. The invention also relates to a system for identifying optical materials. The system is under the control and operation of a computing device which documents, displays and stores all the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: STERIS Instrument Management Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jurgen Zobel
  • Patent number: 10613096
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a system for causing relative motion between a sample and an irradiation spot. The sample includes fluorescent markers having respective wavelengths. A gating system provides a gating signal based at least in part on resultant light substantially at an irradiation wavelength. A detection system detects fluorescent light from the irradiated markers and provides detection signals representing the fluorescent light detected concurrently with a gate-open signal. In some examples, the detection system detects fluorescent light at multiple wavelengths and provides respective detection signals. A spectral discriminator arranged optically between the sample and the detection system receives the fluorescent light from the sample and provides respective fluorescent light at the wavelengths to the detection system. A flow cytometer can spectrally disperse resultant fluorescent light and measure the wavelengths separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: CAPTL LLC
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, J. Paul Robinson
  • Patent number: 10585028
    Abstract: An optical analysis apparatus, including: a sample delivery system from which a liquid sample may be delivered in operation; a flow cell defining a channel through which, in operation, the delivered liquid sample may flow at a controllable rate, the channel including an optical analysis region; an illumination source focused on a portion of the optical analysis region that, in operation, illuminates a single particle at a time in a stream of the sample wider than the single particle; a detector that, in operation, detects light resulting from the illumination of the sample and outputting a signal representative of the detected light; and an analysis system receiving the representative signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Charted Scientific, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Calvin
  • Patent number: 10583468
    Abstract: A laser coating removal system includes a detector and a controller. The detector detects wavelengths associated with radiative emission of elements in laser-induced plasma generated by the laser coating removal. The controller generates concentration data based on the wavelengths, the concentration data indicating concentration of the elements in the laser-induced plasma, and notifies a user of the laser coating removal system in response to concentration of one of the elements in the laser-induced plasma being greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Surclean, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Hagedorn, Donald Sprentall
  • Patent number: 10571598
    Abstract: A security inspection apparatus and a security inspection method are disclosed. In one aspect, an example apparatus includes a CT inspection device and a Raman spectrum inspection device, the CT inspection device includes: a CT scanner scanning an object to be inspected to generate a CT image, an image recognizing device recognizing the CT image to check whether or not the object has a suspected hazardous article, and an object marking device making a predetermined marker on the object which has the suspected hazardous article. The Raman spectrum inspection device includes: a Raman spectrum measuring device extracting a Raman spectrum of the suspected hazardous article in the object, a Raman spectrum comparing device comparing the Raman spectrum of the suspected hazardous article with Raman spectra of known compositions to determine a composition of the suspected hazardous article, and an object marker recognizing device recognizing the predetermined marker on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Jianhong Zhang, Nei Yang, Hongqiu Wang, Yumin Yi, Hu Tang, Guohua Wei
  • Patent number: 10537225
    Abstract: A marking method includes: a step of irradiating, with first light (narrow band light) from an endoscope, an observation target site not suitable for spray of a coloring agent in a subject; a step of picking up an image of, through the endoscope, second light (reflected light of the narrow band light) generated at the observation target site through irradiation of the observation target site with the narrow band light; a step of displaying an image in which a site suspected to be a tumor is highlighted by generating the image based on the second light received through the endoscope; and a step of providing a tissue denatured portion around the site suspected to be a tumor by using an energy radiation device while the displayed image is observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Futatsugi, Shigeru Imai, Shin Hirashima
  • Patent number: 10527496
    Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a detector assembly for use in analysis of elemental composition of a sample by using optical emission spectroscopy is provided, the detector assembly comprising a rotatable element that is rotatable about an axis and that has attached thereto a laser source for generating laser pulses for invoking optical emission on a surface of the sample, which laser source is arranged to generate laser pulses focused at a predefined distance from said axis at a predefined distance from a front end of the detector assembly, and an optical receiver for capturing optical emission invoked by said laser pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science Limited
    Inventor: Jukka Hassi
  • Patent number: 10520372
    Abstract: An optical manufacturing process sensing and status indication system is taught that is able to utilize optical emissions from a manufacturing process to infer the state of the process. In one case, it is able to use these optical emissions to distinguish thermal phenomena on two timescales and to perform feature extraction and classification so that nominal process conditions may be uniquely distinguished from off-nominal process conditions at a given instant in time or over a sequential series of instants in time occurring over the duration of the manufacturing process. In other case, it is able to utilize these optical emissions to derive corresponding spectra and identify features within those spectra so that nominal process conditions may be uniquely distinguished from off-nominal process conditions at a given instant in time or over a sequential series of instants in time occurring over the duration of the manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SIGMA LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Vivek R. Dave, Mark J. Cola, R. Bruce Madigan, Martin S. Piltch, Alberto Castro
  • Patent number: 10514338
    Abstract: A target within a sample can be characterized using an energy source configured to transform a metal in the sample into a plasma and an optical spectroscopic detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plasma to provide an optical-spectrum signal. A processor can determine presence of the metal in the sample using the optical-spectrum signal. The target can include a microbe or biological toxin. A recognition construct comprising a metal and a scaffold can be applied to the sample. The scaffold can bind to the target. Energy can be applied to transform at least some of the sample into a plasma. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plasma can be detected to provide an optical-spectrum signal of the sample. A preparation subsystem can add the recognition construct to the sample and a washing subsystem can wash unbound recognition construct out of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Robinson, Bartlomiej P. Rajwa, Valery P. Patsekin, Euiwon Bae
  • Patent number: 10481074
    Abstract: Systems in a flow cytometer having an interrogation zone and illumination impinging the interrogation zone include: a lens subsystem including a collimating element that collimates light from the interrogation zone, a light dispersion element that disperses collimated light into a light spectrum, and a focusing lens that focuses the light spectrum onto an array of adjacent detection points; a detector array, including semiconductor detector devices, that collectively detects a full spectral range of input light signals, in which each detector device detects a subset spectral range of the full spectral range of light signals; and a user interface that enables a user to create a set of virtual detector channels by grouping detectors in the detector array, such that each virtual detector channel corresponds to a detector group and has a virtual detector channel range including the sum of subset spectral ranges of the detectors in the corresponding detector group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Collin A. Rich
  • Patent number: 10422693
    Abstract: Described herein are optical sensing devices for photonic integrated circuits (PICs). A PIC may comprise a plurality of waveguides formed in a silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate, and a plurality of heterogeneous lasers, each laser formed from a silicon material of the SOI substrate and to emit an output wavelength comprising an infrared wavelength. Each of these lasers may comprise a resonant cavity included in one of the plurality of waveguides, and a gain material comprising a non-silicon material and adiabatically coupled to the respective waveguide. A light directing element may direct outputs of the plurality of heterogeneous lasers from the PIC towards an object, and one or more detectors may detect light from the plurality of heterogeneous lasers reflected from or transmitted through the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Aurrion, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Fish, Jonathan Edgar Roth, Brandon Buckley
  • Patent number: 10401280
    Abstract: In one example, testing cells extend along a length of a slot. Each testing cell includes a microfluidic channel extending from the slot, a pump to move fluid from the slot into the channel, a discharge nozzle through which fluid exits the channel, a fluid discharger to discharge fluid from the channel through the nozzle and a photosensor. A light guide is provided to receive light from an external light source and is to serially transmit the light to the microfluidic channel of each of the plurality of testing cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Hewett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Timothy L. Weber
  • Patent number: 10295465
    Abstract: The invention relates to an in vitro diagnostic method for quantification of a clinical chemistry analyte from a clinical sample wherein the clinical chemistry analyte undergoes a chemical reaction or reactions with a reagent or reagents in one or several steps, or in a reaction sequence, or catalyzes a chemical reaction, or reactions, or a reaction in a reaction sequence of a reagent or reagents, in one or several steps, in a reaction system. The reaction or reactions or reaction sequence result in a change of a measurable property of a compound or compounds of said reaction or reactions or reaction sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Arctic Diagnostics Oy
    Inventors: Erkki Soini, Aloksi Soini, Juhani Soini, Niko Meltola
  • Patent number: 10281406
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing one or more elements of targeted moving food surfaces uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to detect the presence, absence, or amount of an element on a heterogeneous surface of an object, including surfaces of food products. A laser is used to quantify an element concentration without destroying the object. The method can be configured to include an automated on-line system comprising a closed-loop feedback control system operable to select a predetermined concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventors: Richard E. Russo, Jong Hyun Yoo, Chunyi Liu
  • Patent number: 10284797
    Abstract: An image generating system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an image obtaining device, an image generating circuit, and an image processing circuit. The image obtaining device includes an illuminating system that irradiates an object included in a module in which the object and an imaging element are integrated together, with light sequentially from a plurality of different radiation directions. The image obtaining device obtains a plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of different radiation directions. The image generating circuit generates a high-resolution image of the object having a higher resolution than each of the plurality of images by combining the plurality of images together. The image processing circuit detects noise resulting from a foreign object located farther from an imaging surface of the imaging element than the object and removes the noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Adachi, Yoshikuni Sato, Hideto Motomura
  • Patent number: 10270998
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: a light source that emits a light pulse onto an object, and a light detector that detects a reflected light pulse returning from the object. The light detector detects a first part of the reflected light pulse in a first period, and detects a second part of the reflected light pulse in a second period that starts after the first period. The first period includes at least a part of a rising period, the rising period being a period from start to end of increase of intensity of the reflected light pulse. The second period includes a part of a falling period, starts after start of the falling period and does not include the start of the falling period, the falling period being a period from start to end of decrease of the intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Nakamura, Takamasa Ando, Teruhiro Shiono
  • Patent number: 10232473
    Abstract: A system and method for performing laser induced breakdown spectroscopy during laser ablation of a coating, such as a TBC coating, deposited on a surface of a component, particularly to enable obtained spectrometry signals of the ablated coating to be used to monitor and control the laser ablation removal process in real-time. The system includes a laser energy source and a scan head interconnected with the laser energy source to receive a laser beam therefrom and then direct the laser beam onto the surface of the coated component. Collection optics collect radiation emitted from a laser-induced plasma generated by the laser beam at the surface of the coated component. The system is further equipped to spectrally analyze the radiation and generate a feedback signal for control and optimization of one or more operational parameters of the laser energy source in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ying Zhou, Hongqiang Chen, Matthew Vaughan Schulmerich, Jason Christopher Gritti
  • Patent number: 10201299
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a chemo-optical sensor unit for transcutaneous measurement of a concentration of a gas, comprising: at least one gas-permeable sensing layer adapted to be irradiated with a predetermined radiation; and at least a first gas-permeable layer adjacent to one side of the at least one sensing layer, adapted to pass gas whose concentration is to be measured through the gas-permeable layer towards the sensing layer; at least one volatile acid and/or base binding layer in the gas-pathway from the skin to the sensing layer; adapted to pass gas whose concentration is to be measured through the volatile acid and/or base binding layer towards the sensing layer; wherein said chemo-optical sensor unit is adapted to operate with a contact medium between the chemo-optical sensor unit and the skin and wherein the chemo-optical sensor unit is adapted to measure an optical response of the at least one sensing layer, whose optical response depends on the concentration of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Josephus Arnoldus Henricus Maria Kahlman, Nicolaas Lambert, Hans Willem Van Kesteren
  • Patent number: 10197445
    Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a detector assembly for use in analysis of elemental composition of a sample by using optical emission spectroscopy is provided, the detector assembly including a rotatable element that is rotatable about an axis and that has attached thereto a laser source for generating laser pulses for invoking optical emission on a surface of the sample, the laser source arranged to generate laser pulses focused at a predefined distance from said axis at a predefined distance from a front end of the detector assembly, and a detector element for capturing optical emission invoked by said laser pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science Limited
    Inventor: Jukka Hassi
  • Patent number: 10180425
    Abstract: A DNA ligand capable of structural changes upon binding to a target is used as a molecular switch with a SPFS (surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy) biosensor to realize one-step SPFS biosensing with rapid turnaround time. The SPFS biosensor has a thin metal film on a prism; when a light of a certain wavelength irradiates on the prism at a certain angle, a strong electrical field is generated at the surface of the metal film. The DNA is immobilized on the metal film surface with its free terminal modified with a fluorescent marker. Without the target, the DNA is folded and the fluorescent marker is located in the region of metal quenching near the metal surface. Upon binding to the target, the DNA is extended and the fluorescent marker is located in the region of enhanced electric field near the metal surface and emits a strong fluorescent signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA LABORATORY U.S.A., INC.
    Inventor: Noriaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10101210
    Abstract: A portable analyzer determines composition of a sample and includes excitation means for invoking an optical emission from a surface of the sample, detector means for observing a selectable wavelength in said optical emission and for recording a detection signal that is descriptive of at least one characteristic of said optical emission at a selected wavelength, analysis means for determination of elemental composition of the sample on basis of one or more detection signals; and control means for carrying out a spectral analysis by operating the excitation means to generate the optical emission for recording respective detection signals at predefined wavelengths, operating the detector means to record the respective one or more detection signals at said one or more predefined wavelengths, and operating the analysis means to determine elemental composition of the sample on basis of said recorded detection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science Limited
    Inventor: Tuomas Pylkkanen
  • Patent number: 10073034
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the lifetime of an excited state in a sample, in particular a fluorescence lifetime, and to an apparatus for carrying out such a method. First, an excitation pulse is generated and a sample region is illuminated with the excitation pulse. Then, a first digital data sequence is generated which is representative of the power-time profile of the excitation pulse, and a first switching instant is determined from the first digital data sequence. Moreover, the detection light emanating from the sample region is detected by a detector, and a second digital data sequence is generated which is representative of the power-time profile of the detection light, and a second switching instant is determined from the second digital data sequence. Finally, the time difference between the first and second switching instants is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Widzgowski
  • Patent number: 10060777
    Abstract: An “air-data probe” system measures at least one component of freestream velocity by tracking the motion of a laser-induced breakdown (“LIB”) spark created in a freestream flow. Neutral density filters are positioned or deployed so that the brightness of the initial LIB spark doesn't over saturate the LIB sensor system. This allows for more consistent tracking of the LIB spark throughout the duration of the LIB spark, including the later stages where the LIB spark is not nearly as bright as the initial LIB spark, thereby allowing all or substantially all of the light generated by the LIB spark to reach the sensors. This provides for enhanced visibility and more accurate detection of the LIB spark over time and as air density changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventors: Alan B Cain, Stanislav Gordeyev, R. Mark Rennie
  • Patent number: 10052024
    Abstract: Provided is a biometric device which may include a light source unit configured to irradiate an organism with inspection light, a light-collection unit arranged facing a region on a surface of the organism and configured to spatially-integrally collect output light emitted from the region in accordance with the inspection light, and a light-reception unit configured to receive the collected output light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Sato
  • Patent number: 10025081
    Abstract: An objective and an illumination unit for selectable generation of an orthoscopic beam path proceeding through the objective for pointlike scanning illumination, and of a conoscopic beam path proceeding through the objective for evanescent illumination of an object are disclosed. The illumination unit has a light source for generating illuminating rays along an illuminating beam path; a displacement unit for deflecting the illuminating beam path; a scanning eyepiece, placed after the displacement unit for focusing the illuminating rays into an image plane of the scanning eyepiece; and a mirror surface arranged in the image plane of the scanning eyepiece, having a transparent region for generating the orthoscopic beam path and having an at least partly reflective region facing toward the scanning eyepiece for generating the conoscopic beam path from the illuminating beam path, the image plane is located in a plane conjugated with the exit pupil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Euteneuer, Christian Schumann