Having Particles Suspended In Liquid Patents (Class 356/441)
  • Patent number: 11855051
    Abstract: A method is provided for the selective harvest of microLED devices from a carrier substrate. Defect regions are predetermined that include a plurality of adjacent defective microLED devices on a carrier substrate. A solvent-resistant binding material is formed overlying the predetermined defect regions and exposed adhesive is dissolved with an adhesive dissolving solvent. Non-defective microLED devices located outside the predetermined defect regions are separated from the carrier substrate while adhesive attachment is maintained between the microLED devices inside the predetermined defect regions and the carrier substrate. Methods are also provided for the dispersal of microLED devices on an emissive display panel by initially optically measuring a suspension of microLEDs to determine suspension homogeneity and calculate the number of microLEDs per unit volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: eLux, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Sasaki, Kurt Ulmer, Paul J. Schuele, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Patent number: 11585278
    Abstract: A method of determining one or more fuel characteristics of an aviation fuel for powering a gas turbine engine of an aircraft includes: measuring one or more trace substance parameters of the fuel, the one or more trace substance parameters each associated with a respective trace substance in the fuel; and determining one or more fuel characteristics of the fuel based on the one or more trace substance parameters. Further, a fuel characteristic determination system, a method of operating an aircraft, and an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Peter Swann, David M Beaven, Craig W Bemment, Alastair G Hobday, Benjamin J Keeler, Christopher P Madden, Martin K Yates
  • Patent number: 11315910
    Abstract: A method is provided for the selective harvest of microLED devices from a carrier substrate. Defect regions are predetermined that include a plurality of adjacent defective microLED devices on a carrier substrate. A solvent-resistant binding material is formed overlying the predetermined defect regions and exposed adhesive is dissolved with an adhesive dissolving solvent. Non-defective microLED devices located outside the predetermined defect regions are separated from the carrier substrate while adhesive attachment is maintained between the microLED devices inside the predetermined defect regions and the carrier substrate. Methods are also provided for the dispersal of microLED devices on an emissive display panel by initially optically measuring a suspension of microLEDs to determine suspension homogeneity and calculate the number of microLEDs per unit volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: eLux, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Sasaki, Kurt Ulmer, Paul J. Schuele, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Patent number: 11022620
    Abstract: A method of characterizing a specimen for HILN (H, I, and/or L, or N). The method includes capturing images of the specimen at multiple different viewpoints, processing the images to provide segmentation information for each viewpoint, generating a semantic map from the segmentation information, selecting a synthetic viewpoint, identifying front view semantic data and back view semantic data for the synthetic viewpoint, and determining HILN of the serum or plasma portion based on the front view semantic data with an HILN classifier, while taking into account back view semantic data. Testing apparatus and quality check modules adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Kluckner, Shanhui Sun, Yao-Jen Chang, Terrence Chen, Benjamin S. Pollack
  • Patent number: 10924692
    Abstract: A camera includes a time-of-flight illuminator configured to emit active IR light and a plurality of spectral illuminators, each spectral illuminator configured to emit active spectral light in a different spectral light sub-band. The camera further includes a sensor array that includes a plurality of differential sensors. Each differential sensor is configured to differentially measure both 1) the active IR light, and 2) the active spectral light in each of the different spectral light sub-bands. The camera further includes an output machine operatively connected to the sensor array. The output machine is configured to output a matrix of pixels based on time-multiplexed measurements of the sensor array. Each pixel of the matrix includes 1) a depth value, and 2) a plurality of spectral values. Each of the plurality of spectral values corresponds to a spectral light sub-band of one of the plurality of spectral illuminators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sergio Ortiz Egea, Michael Scott Fenton, Cyrus Soli Bamji
  • Patent number: 10876974
    Abstract: An inspection device (1) inspects an amount of dielectric particles contained in a sample liquid. The inspection device includes a dielectric collection unit (3), a pump unit (10) and an AC voltage supply unit (11). The dielectric collection unit includes at least one pair of electrodes (41, 42) and a flow channel (13) extending in a predetermined direction on the pair of electrodes. The pump unit is configured to feed the sample liquid to follow the flow channel in the predetermined direction. The AC voltage supply unit is configured to supply, to the pair of electrodes, an AC voltage with a predetermined frequency to cause dielectrophoresis for dielectric particles in the fed sample liquid. The dielectric collection unit includes a plurality of slit regions (Rs) aligned in the predetermined direction between the pair of electrodes. Each of the plurality of slit regions is separated from each other within the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: AFI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaharu Enjoji, Yoshikazu Wakizaka, Satoshi Uchida, Eiko Kato, Masayo Takano
  • Patent number: 10741654
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, at least one gate stack, a gate spacer and a dielectric cap. The gate stack is located on the semiconductor substrate. The gate spacer is located on a sidewall of the gate stack. The gate spacer includes a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer with different etch properties. The dielectric cap at least caps the gate spacer. The dielectric cap and the second dielectric layer define a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Ting Li, Jen-Hsiang Lu, Chih-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 10463255
    Abstract: Optical sources having multiple optical emitters are described, which may be used in a sensor array used to detect optical properties of a subject, including hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations. Multiple optical emitters can be positioned within an optical source. The optical source may include a diffuser and one or more optics, which may direct light from the multiple optical emitters along substantially the same optical direction to the diffuser. The diffuser may receive light from the one or more optics and transmit light from the optical source where the transmitted light has a greater angular distribution than light emitted by one of the optical emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Invisio Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Wilder, Russell L. Herrig, Chandran V. Seshagiri, Bertan Hallacoglu
  • Patent number: 10281394
    Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a system for the parallelized recording of at least one variable during a biological/chemical process are disclosed. A matrix, which has at least one container and which can be positioned on a measurement carrier, is provided to accommodate the liquid samples. A measuring unit, which comprises a controllable radiation source for electromagnetic radiation and at least one sensor for detecting electromagnetic radiation, is fixedly disposed in or on the measurement carrier. When at least one matrix with the containers is placed onto the measurement carrier, the respective measuring unit is assigned to the base of each container from the outside. During the measurement by the measuring unit, a movement device is used to move the measurement carrier with a defined radial movement about a fixed axis orthogonal to the gravitational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: PreSens Precision Sensing GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Matthias Ude
  • Patent number: 9810622
    Abstract: A sample testing system includes a test receptacle support structure, an optical element positioned for transmitting electromagnetic radiation emitted or reflected by a sample disposed in a test receptacle supported by the test receptacle support structure, a cleaning member, and an automated transport arm configured to (i) detachably couple the cleaning member, (ii) move the detachably-coupled cleaning member into a position proximate to and/or contacting the optical element, and (iii) decouple the cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Norbert D. Hagen, Byron J. Knight, David Opalsky
  • Patent number: 9696192
    Abstract: A device for measuring flow is provided. Tubing having a polymer therein is activated, followed by downstream detection of agents released by the polymer. The downstream detection of the agents provides for a calculation of the flow to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Biosynergetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon H. Nyhart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9557313
    Abstract: The safety and proper performance of jet aircraft engines requires that any contamination of jet fuel, for example by water or by improper contaminants, be filtered (removed) before delivery of the fuel, through hoses, to the fuel tanks of the aircraft. Coalescing devices and filters in the fuel delivery system are used to attain this result. A typical problem is that filter materials chemically react with surfactants, and this causes the filter subsequently to “disarm” or fail to perform its function of removing water, which can lead to delivery of fuel containing excessive water. A solution to this problem is to pre-test the fuel for such surfactants by feeding a small fuel sample that has been mixed with “challenge water” through a smaller ‘representative’ test filter and monitor the performance. Using a fluorescent dye in the “challenge water,” the amount of water that passes the test filter is detected, compared with a baseline data and fuel quality determination is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Alan James Fougere
  • Patent number: 9410937
    Abstract: The safety and proper performance of jet aircraft engines requires that any contamination of jet fuel, for example by water or by improper contaminants, be filtered (removed) before delivery of the fuel, through hoses, to the fuel tanks of the aircraft. Coalescing devices and filters in the fuel delivery system are used to attain this result. A typical problem is that filter materials chemically react with surfactants, and this causes the filter subsequently to “disarm” or fail to perform its function of removing water, which can lead to delivery of fuel containing excessive water. A solution to this problem is to pre-test the fuel for such surfactants by feeding a small fuel sample that has been mixed with “challenge water” through a smaller ‘representative’ test filter and monitor the performance. Using a fluorescent dye in the “challenge water,” the amount of water that passes the test filter is detected, compared with a baseline data and fuel quality determination is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: D-Z INC.
    Inventor: Alan James Fougere
  • Patent number: 9203208
    Abstract: A system and method for high power parametric amplification based on performing amplification in a frequency domain after time domain pulses are optically Fourier transformed, to overcome bandwidth limitations. In a nutshell, a first optical Fourier transformation of a seed spectrum is performed and parametric amplification is carried out in this spatially dispersed frequency plane. As a consequence, individual parts of the spectrum can be amplified using an optical amplification medium comprising a series of optical amplification units, such as different narrowband crystals, placed one next to each other. Each crystal is tuned independently to optimize its corresponding spectral slice. A second optical Fourier transformation recovers the time domain laser pulses. This method enables scalability of amplified bandwidth and pulse energy at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Bruno E. Schmidt, Francois Legare, Heide Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 9018608
    Abstract: An optical liquid sensor utilizing a light source, fiber optic cables, a light detector and an irregular transparent surface is provided to detect the presence of liquid in mist and continuous form. The sensor may be integrated into a probe designed for insertion into a pressurized fluid process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: A+ Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Donald P Mayeaux
  • Patent number: 9007591
    Abstract: The present invention includes: an optical fiber being provided either of between a light source and a measurement cell and between the measurement cell and a light detection part; and light path switching means adapted to achieve switching between a measurement cell passage state in which a light path formed by light transmission means passes through the measurement cell and a measurement cell non-passage state in which the light path formed by the light transmission means passes through a region different from the measurement cell, wherein calibration processing for a first calibration with a long calibration cycle is performed in the measurement cell passage state, and calibration processing for a second calibration with a short calibration cycle is performed in the measurement cell non-passage state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: HORIBA, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimihiko Arimoto, So Takagi, Takaaki Yada
  • Publication number: 20150070702
    Abstract: Measuring device of the present invention includes a plurality of measuring sites for generating a plurality of optical paths and various dilutions. The range for concentration measurement and the measurement accuracy are enhanced due to the plurality of optical path length, and the interference on the measurement ranges and results caused by the concentration or the turbidity of suspended solid is reduced and removed by water sample dilution, and thus the characteristic wavelengths of the components in the water are measured. Next, the information of spectrum database is used to determine the ingredients which may exist in the water (qualitative analysis), and UV-VIS-NIR absorbance spectrum analysis is used to obtain the concentration of the respective ingredients in the water at the same time (quantitative analysis).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicants: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NATIONAL CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shu-Liang Liaw, Chien-Ku Chen, Hsin-Yi Wang, Yang-Yu Lin, Chen-Hua Chu, Chih-Chung Chan
  • Patent number: 8942458
    Abstract: A method for distinguishing and sorting cells characterized by comprising distinguishing and sorting a specific cell mass or a part of the cells in the cell mass with the use of transmitted light data reflecting the morphological characteristics of the cells such as size and shape optionally together with side-scattering light data reflecting the characteristics of the internal structure of the cells. The part of the cells in the specific cell mass as described above are at the G1 stage or at a part of the M stage in the cell cycle. A part of the cells at the G1 stage are referred to as the left bottom line in an analytical dispersion diagram of the cells wherein the abscissa indicates the transmitted light data, while a part of the cells at the M stage are referred to as the right bottom line in the analytical dispersion diagram of the cells wherein the abscissa indicates the transmitted light data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Ken Tsukii, Jie Xu
  • Patent number: 8867039
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus for obtaining suspended particle information are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes emitting light from a light source, dividing the light source into a first path and a second path, and directing the first path to a first container comprising a plurality of particles in a suspension material. The example method also includes directing the second path to a second container containing a suspension material devoid of particles, retrieving a first transmission value of the first path through the first container, and retrieving a second transmission value of the second path through the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: University of Notre Dame du Lac
    Inventors: Steven Ruggiero, Carol Tanner
  • Patent number: 8807879
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Mehmet Toner, Dino Dicarlo, Jon F. Edd, Daniel Irimia
  • Patent number: 8798951
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing measurements of one or more materials are provided. One system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels. Another system is configured to image one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. An additional system is configured to substantially immobilize one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. A further system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels, to image the one or more materials in the imaging volume, to substantially immobilize the one or more materials in the imaging volume, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne D. Roth, Charles J. Collins, Nicolas F. Arab, Donald A. Conner, Robert S. Roach, David L. Smith
  • Patent number: 8784012
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Mehmet Toner, Dino DiCarlo, Jon F. Edd, Daniel Irimia
  • Patent number: 8786455
    Abstract: A tool lubrication delivery monitoring system and a method of control. An accelerometer is provided to detect a position of a valve and fluid flow through the valve. Accelerometer data may be compared to a baseline profile to determine whether fluid flow or valve operation is within established parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: James William Perry, Chandra Jalluri
  • Patent number: 8766169
    Abstract: A method and system for controlled fractionation of particles. A sample having a plurality of particles of different size distributions. A uniform array for the preparing of optical traps having a selected array lattice constant. The plurality of particles for inputting the plurality of particles to the uniform array of optical traps at a driving direction angle ? and the plurality of particles separating along different directions ?v based on variable particle attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventors: David G. Grier, Ke Xiao
  • Patent number: 8760659
    Abstract: An optical-type turbidity sensor including a casing accommodating photo emitting means and photo receiving means therein, wherein the photo emitting means and the photo receiving means are arranged side-by-side on a same side of the casing, preferably underneath a same lens-shaped, transparent portion of the same, and are facing to, and spaced from, a reflecting surface carried by the casing and adapted to receive a light radiation from the photo emitting means for reflecting it towards the photo receiving means; the reflecting surface is operatively associated with means for varying a distance existing between the reflecting surface and the side of the casing provided with the photo emitting and photo receiving means arranged side-by-side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Sergio Giordano, Domenico Pietrafesa
  • Patent number: 8730479
    Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for light detection and signal processing for droplet-based assays. An exemplary system provides a method of detection for droplets. An examination region of a channel may be illuminated with first pulses of light interleaved with second pulses of light as droplets pass through the examination region, the first pulses being spectrally distinct from the second pulses. Data may be collected representing light detected during illumination of the examination region with the first pulses and the second pulses. Each droplet may be illuminated with a beam of light that is narrower than a diameter of the droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Ness, Mark A. Arbore, Jerry E. Hurst, David L. Klein, Donald A. Masquelier
  • Patent number: 8717568
    Abstract: Methods, storage mediums and systems (MS&S) are provided which successively image an imaging region of an assay analysis system (AAS) as particles are loaded into the imaging region, generate a frequency spectrum of each image via a discrete Fourier transform, integrate a same coordinate portion of each frequency spectrum and terminate the loading of particles upon computing an integral which meets preset criterion. In addition, MS&S are provided which send a signal indicative of whether enough particles are in an imaging region for further processes by an AAS based on the magnitude of integral calculated from an image's frequency spectrum. MM&S are also provided such that the steps of generating a frequency spectrum of each image and integrating a portion of each frequency spectrum are replaced by generating a convolved spatial image with a filter kernel and integrating a same coordinate portion of each convolved spatial image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventor: Nicolas Arab
  • Patent number: 8715572
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection, analysis, and collection of rare cellular events, wherein rare cellular events are defined by events comprising less than 5% of a total number of cells in a sample. The systems and methods generally include: (1) a flow cell dimensioned so as to permit a flow of a sample through the flow cell at a flow rate greater than 300,000 cells per second; (2) a laser positioned to emit a laser beam directed to the flow cell; (3) one or more deflector components disposed between the laser and the flow cell, wherein the deflector component is configured to affect a position of the laser beam relative to the sample flow; (4) one or more fluorescence emission detectors; and (5) one or more processor configured to detect rare cellular events based on fluorescence emission from cell-binding surface markers introduced into the sample prior to the sample being flowed through the flow cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Jiong Wu, Mahesh Junnarkar, Giacomo Vacca
  • Patent number: 8692998
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for in-depth fluorescence imaging using two-photon fluorescence imaging in turbid media. The apparatus includes a detector which can significantly enhance the use of a detection method that allows to efficiently collect scattered fluorescence photons from a wide area of the turbid sample. By using this detector it is possible to perform imaging of turbid samples, simulating brain tissue at depths up to 3 mm, where the two-photon induced fluorescence signal is too weak to be detected by previous means used in conventional two-photon microscopy. The detector separates the excitation and detection optics which allows a more efficient collection of fluorescence and enhancing the possible imaging depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Enrico Gratton, Alexander Dvornikov, Viera Crosignani
  • Patent number: 8681334
    Abstract: A method for quantifying the soil dispersion capacity of a cleaning product or component thereof where the method comprises the following steps: a) making a solution comprising the cleaning product or component thereof; b) adding the soil to the cleaning product or component thereof solution to form a mixture; and c) measuring the light blocked by the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paul Lapham, Eric San Jose Robles
  • Patent number: 8681215
    Abstract: A method and a particle analyzer are provided for determining a particle size distribution of a liquid sample including particles of a lower size range, particles of an intermediate size range, and particles of an upper size range. A dark-field image frame is captured in which the particles of the lower size range and the particles of the intermediate size range are resolved, and a bright-field image frame is captured in which the particles of the intermediate size range and the particles of the upper size range are resolved. Absolute sizes of the particles of the intermediate size range and the particles of the upper size range are determined from the bright-field image frame. Calibrated sizes of the particles of the lower size range are determined from the dark-field image frame by using the particles of the intermediate size range as internal calibration standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: ProteinSimple
    Inventors: Frederick David King, Clark Adrien Merchant, Peter Oma
  • Patent number: 8654337
    Abstract: A turbidity sensor for sensing the turbidity of a fluid in a working chamber in a household appliance is disclosed to include a light-transmissive body shell defining therein an accommodation chamber and covered with a cover member, and a sensor module, which includes a circuit board mounted in the accommodation chamber inside the body shell, a holder block a set of light-transmitting devices and a set of light-receiving devices on the circuit board in a right angle relationship for emitting light onto the fluid and picking up reflected light from suspended particles/impurities in the fluid for determination of the turbidity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Solteam Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Shang-Jung Wu, Zen-Chyuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8605283
    Abstract: In a particle analyzing apparatus including a capillary for passing through a fluid containing particles to be analyzed, an optical system is employed to collect fluorescent light emitted from particles or substances labeled to the particles with improved collection efficiency preserving resolution of the instrument. The optical system may include a first collection lens attached to the capillary and a first reflection element arranged adjacent to the first collection lens configured to reflect fluorescent light of one or more wavelengths. The optical system may include a second collection lens attached to the capillary and a second reflection element arranged adjacent to the second collection lens configured to reflect fluorescent light of one or more wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventor: Fedor Ilkov
  • Patent number: 8582106
    Abstract: An automatic optical measurement system (100) is provided. The measurement system (100) includes a sample vial (10) and an automatic optical measurement apparatus (90) configured to receive the sample vial (10). The automatic optical measurement apparatus (90) is configured to detect a presence of the sample vial (10) in the automatic optical measurement apparatus (90) and measure a light intensity of light substantially passing through the sample vial (10) if the sample vial (10) is present. The measured light intensity is related to sample material properties of a sample material within the sample vial (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: Perry A. Palumbo, Brian Harmon
  • Patent number: 8576399
    Abstract: A method for turbidity measurement in a measured medium uses a turbidity sensor, which comprises at least a first and a second emitter and at least a first and a second detector. The first and the second emitters are excited one after the other to produce light signals directed into the measured medium; wherein each light signal travels along a first propagation path through the measured medium to the first detector, and is converted by such into a first detector signal; and travels along a second propagation path through the measured medium to the second detector, and is converted by such into a second detector signal. A turbidity value is ascertained based on the first and the second detector signals; wherein, by means of at least one additional detector, to which at least one of the light signals travels along an additional propagation path, an additional detector signal is ascertained, and, on the basis of the additional detector signal, the turbidity value is checked as regards its plausibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Edin Andelic, Rudiger Frank
  • Patent number: 8507282
    Abstract: When assessing the start time of the limulus reaction between biogenous biologically active substances and LAL and using the reaction start time to determine the concentration of the biogenous biologically active substances, in order to exclude the influence of progressive changes which occur regardless of the conditions of the limulus reaction, the strength of transmitted light or scattered light in the liquid mixture of the measurement sample and LAL is detected, the variation (delta) in the transmittance or number of gel particles is acquired at set intervals, and the time when the variation (delta) crosses a threshold value is taken as the reaction start time. Furthermore, the time intervals when acquiring the abovementioned delta are not uniform, and either change over time from the start of measurement as defined by a time function, or multiple sequences with differing time intervals are prepared in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Kowa Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Yabusaki, Takuya Hara, Yuka Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20130169949
    Abstract: Measuring device of the present invention includes a plurality of measuring sites for generating a plurality of optical paths and various dilutions. The range for concentration measurement and the measurement accuracy are enhanced due to the plurality of optical path length, and the interference on the measurement ranges and results caused by the concentration or the turbidity of suspended solid is reduced and removed by water sample dilution, and thus the characteristic wavelengths of the components in the water are measured. Next, the information of spectrum database is used to determine the ingredients which may exist in the water (qualitative analysis), and UV-VIS-NIR absorbance spectrum analysis is used to obtain the concentration of the respective ingredients in the water at the same time (quantitative analysis).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicants: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NATIONAL CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: National Central University, Industrial Technology Research Institute
  • Patent number: 8437001
    Abstract: A method for forming a nanostructure penetrating a layer and the device made thereof is disclosed. In one aspect, the device has a substrate, a layer present thereon, and a nanostructure penetrating the layer. The nanostructure defines a nanoscale passageway through which a molecule to be analyzed can pass through. The nanostructure has, in cross-sectional view, a substantially triangular shape. This shape is particularly achieved by growth of an epitaxial layer having crystal facets defining tilted sidewalls of the nanostructure. It is highly suitably for use for optical characterization of molecular structure, particularly with surface plasmon enhanced transmission spectroscopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: IMEC, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
    Inventors: Kai Cheng, Pol Van Dorpe, Liesbet Lagae, Gustaaf Borghs, Chang Chen
  • Publication number: 20130044324
    Abstract: An ultraviolet sensor arrangement detects the amount of sulfur in a fuel of an internal combustion engine by emitting an ultraviolet light field in the presence of the fuel. A detector is disposed to detect a responsive amount of fluorescent light and provide a sensing signal indicative of the amount of sulfur in the fuel. A filter (or filters) receives the sensing signal and provides a filtered sensing signal to a sensing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: CATERPILLAR INC.
  • Publication number: 20130016354
    Abstract: A turbidity sensor for sensing the turbidity of a fluid in a working chamber in a household appliance is disclosed to include a light-transmissive body shell defining therein an accommodation chamber and covered with a cover member, and a sensor module, which includes a circuit board mounted in the accommodation chamber inside the body shell, a holder block a set of light-transmitting devices and a set of light-receiving devices on the circuit board in a right angle relationship for emitting light onto the fluid and picking up reflected light from suspended particles/impurities in the fluid for determination of the turbidity of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: SOLTEAM OPTO, INC.
    Inventors: Shang-Jung Wu, Zen-Chyuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8334980
    Abstract: A novel low-power and compact laser spectroscopic sensor is described herein. Embodiments of the disclosed sensor utilize state-of-the-art microprocessors and digital processing techniques to reduce power consumption and integrate functions into a small device. In particular, novel software methods are disclosed which allow the use of low-power microprocessors which draw no more than about 0.02 W of power. Such low-power enables long battery life and allows embodiments of the sensor to be used in portable applications. In addition, the system architecture and methods described in this disclosure allow a single integrated embedded processor to control all the subsystems necessary for a laser spectroscopic sensor further reducing sensor size and power consumption. In addition, a power efficient method of calibrating a photoacoustic laser spectroscopic sensor is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Stephen So, Gerard Wysocki, J. Patrick Frantz, Frank K. Tittel
  • Publication number: 20120293799
    Abstract: A method and a device for the automatic determination of selected physical and colloidal chemistry parameters by determining the attenuation of radiated waves through monodisperse or polydisperse dispersion samples subjected to gravitation or centrifugation, wherein during the segregation by means of centrifugation or gravitation, the instantaneous transmission IT(t, r) characterizing the current segregation status of the waves radiated with the intensity Io(t, r) and/or the instantaneous scattering IS(t, r) as a function of the position within the samples is repeatedly determined and recorded at high resolution at any arbitrary time for one or more wavelengths over the entire length of the sample or in selected partial sections of it, simultaneously for multiple and even concentrated samples with known and/or unknown physical and colloidal chemistry properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: L.U.M. GESELLSCHAFT FUR LABOR- UMWEL TDIAGNOSTIC & MEDIZINITECHNIK mbH
    Inventors: Dietmar LERCHE, Titus Sobisch, Torsten Detloff, Frank Babick, Michael Stintz
  • Patent number: 8300225
    Abstract: An optical measurement apparatus can be provided, in which the sample is optically measured without loss of the illuminating light with high sensitivity. A glass plate as the transparent member 50 is placed in the interface between the end face 43 of the optical waveguide 40 guiding the illuminating light L generated by the laser light source 20 and the wall face of the capillary 30. According to the above feature, the air layer is prevented from existing in the interface between the end face 43 of the optical fiber 40 and the wall face of the capillary 30, thus the sample S can be optically measured with high sensitivity and few variability without causing the loss of the illuminating light L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Tsukii, Jie Xu, Kenichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8296088
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing measurements of one or more materials are provided. One system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels. Another system is configured to image one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. An additional system is configured to substantially immobilize one or more materials in an imaging volume of a measurement device. A further system is configured to transfer one or more materials to an imaging volume of a measurement device from one or more storage vessels, to image the one or more materials in the imaging volume, to substantially immobilize the one or more materials in the imaging volume, or some combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne D. Roth, Charles J. Collins, William R. Deicher, Jarden E. Krager, Adam R. Schilffarth, Ross G. Johnson, Colin D. Bozarth, Victor Selvaraj, Nicolas F. Arab, Bruce J. C. Bernard, Donald A. Conner, Robert S. Roach
  • Publication number: 20120257203
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for in-depth fluorescence imaging using two-photon fluorescence imaging in turbid media. The apparatus includes a detector which can significantly enhance the use of a detection method that allows to efficiently collect scattered fluorescence photons from a wide area of the turbid sample. By using this detector it is possible to perform imaging of turbid samples, simulating brain tissue at depths up to 3 mm, where the two-photon induced fluorescence signal is too weak to be detected by previous means used in conventional two-photon microscopy. The detector separates the excitation and detection optics which allows a more efficient collection of fluorescence and enhancing the possible imaging depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Enrico Gratton, Alexander Dvornikov, Viera Crosignani
  • Patent number: 8263956
    Abstract: An optical measuring instrument includes: a flow channel for allowing a specimen to be circulated therein; a first light source including a light emitting diode for emitting light to be used for optical adjustment and/or image confirmation in the flow channel; a second light source for irradiating light upon the specimen circulated in the flow channel; and a light detector for detecting the spectrum intensity of the light emitted from the first and second light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Imanishi, Motohiro Furuki
  • Patent number: 8211708
    Abstract: The light measurement apparatus of the invention, in which the light is irradiated to the sample dispersed in the liquid flowing through the flow passage, is used for measuring optical information of the sample. The apparatus includes a light source portion 20 for irradiating the irradiating light L to the liquid 11, a light receiving portion 31 to receive the optical information of the sample S including the irradiating light transmitted through the liquid to generate a receiving light signal SG1, under a condition in which the liquid is irradiated by the irradiating light of the light source portion 20 in a state that a relative position of the sample S to the irradiating light varies at constant speed, a measurement portion 120 for measuring variation of the receiving light signal according to the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Tsukii, Toru Takahashi, Shinichi Taguchi, Jie Xu
  • Patent number: 8199323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of characterizing a scattering medium. According to the invention, the processing on the electromagnetic radiation scattered by the scattering medium is carried out for an unpolarized signal. In this way, only the anisotrophic incoherent transport of radiation induced by the scattering medium is obtained in the characterization according to the invention. According to the invention, the data representative of the angular variation of the first image representing the unpolarized scattered radiation is representative of the purely isotrophic part of the scattering. Having obtained this purely isotrophic part, it is then possible, according to the invention, to calculate a second image representative of the non-isotrophic part of the scattering. This non-isotrophic part represents the anisotrophic transport of radiation induced by the medium at the moment of scattering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique—CNRS
    Inventors: Christophe Baravian, François Caton, Jérôme Dillet
  • Publication number: 20120140230
    Abstract: A method of inspecting a clinical specimen for a presence of one or more interferents, such as those that might be found within clinical analytical blood specimens by subjecting the specimen to centrifugation to separate the specimen into a red blood cell portion and a blood serum or plasma portion is provided. Subsequent to the centrifuging procedure, the serum or plasma portion of the clinical analytical specimen may be tested for the presence of one or more interferents such as hemolysis, icterus, lipemia, or liquid nonuniformities therein. Additionally, physical dimensional characteristics of the sample container and/or specimen may be determined. Apparatus for carrying out the method are described, as are other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.
    Inventor: Kerry L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8186913
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and devices are provided for focusing particles suspended within a moving fluid into one or more localized stream lines. The system can include a substrate and at least one channel provided on the substrate having an inlet and an outlet. The system can further include a fluid moving along the channel in a laminar flow having suspended particles and a pumping element driving the laminar flow of the fluid. The fluid, the channel, and the pumping element can be configured to cause inertial forces to act on the particles and to focus the particles into one or more stream lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Mehmet Toner, Dino DiCarlo, Jon Edd, Daniel Irimia