Analyzer, Structured Indicator, Or Manipulative Laboratory Device Patents (Class 422/50)
  • Patent number: 8685744
    Abstract: A mobile water analyzing system for determining an analyte in a water sample includes a basic unit and a test element configured to be inserted into the basic unit. The test element includes a sample line with an inlet opening configured to receive the water sample, a measuring section forming a measuring track and configured to allow the determination of an analyte, a pump opening, and a key reagent disposed inside the sample line. The basic unit includes a test element receptacle configured to hold the inserted test element, an analyzer with an analyzer measuring track formed by the measuring section, and a pump actuator cooperatively connected with the pump opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hach Lange GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Lundgreen, Aria Farjam, Rolf Uthemann, Andreas Mitreiter, Isabel Huenig, Markus Lenhard, Rainer Froemel, Hans-Joachim Kumpch
  • Patent number: 8685751
    Abstract: A method of continuously regulating fluid pressure of a first fluid in a fluid flow path by continuously adjusting at least one fluid flow characteristic of a second fluid flow which is engaged with the first fluid flow through a flexible barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: XY, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas B. Gilligan
  • Patent number: 8683672
    Abstract: A gas sensing device (nanosensor) includes a substrate with at least a pair of conductive electrodes spaced apart by a gap, and an electrochemically functionalized semiconductive nanomaterial bridging the gap between the electrodes to form a nanostructure network. The nanomaterial may be single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) functionalized by the deposition of nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of an elemental metal (e.g., gold or palladium), a doped polymer (e.g., camphor-sulfonic acid doped polyaniline), and a metal oxide (e.g. tin oxide). Depending on the nanoparticles employed in the functionalization, the nanosensor may be used to detect a selected gas, such as hydrogen, mercury vapor, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, water vapor, and/or ammonia, in a gaseous environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Marc A. Deshusses, Nosang V. Myung, Wayne Bosze
  • Patent number: 8679405
    Abstract: Rotatable bomb device includes a housing with a hollow interior for receipt of a rotatable component to a vessel, and support for the component in the interior; and the component for such receipt and support in the housing. The device may be employed as a reactor or in test methods, for example, methods such as oxygen uptake tests analogous or equivalent to the ASTM-D-2272 and ASTM-D-4742 test methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Tannas Company
    Inventors: James F. Secrist, Robert J. Hite, Jr., Gregory C. Miiller, Theodore W. Selby, William A. Atkins
  • Patent number: 8680974
    Abstract: An electronic device may communicate wirelessly with another electronic device. The electronic device may include a first processor configured to control only wireless communications with the another device but not operations associated only with the electronic device, a second processor configured to control the operations associated only with the electronic device but not the wireless communications with the another device, and a memory device connected between the first and second processors. The first and second processors may each be configured to exchange information with the memory device separately and independently of the exchange of information by the other of the first and second processors with the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Roche Diagnostics International Ltd.
    Inventors: Ulf Meiertoberens, Raymond Strickland, Harvey Buck, Jr., Michael J. Celentano, Peter Sabol, Urs Anliker, Thomas von Bueren, Jean-Noel Fehr, Markus Oberli, Marcel Frikart, Markus Jungen
  • Patent number: 8673645
    Abstract: The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stephen R. Quake, Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer
  • Patent number: 8673218
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light source for irradiating molecules present in a detection volume with one or more selected wavelengths of light and directing the fluorescence, absorbance, transmittance, scattering onto one or more detectors. Molecular interactions with the light allow for the identification and quantitation of participating chemical moieties in reactions utilizing physical or chemical tags, most typically fluorescent and chromophore labels. The invention can also use the light source to separately and simultaneously irradiate a plurality of capillaries or other flow confining structures with one or more selected wavelengths of light and separately and simultaneously detect fluorescence produced within the capillaries or other flow confining structures. In various embodiments, the flow confining structures can allow separation or transportation of molecules and include capillary, micro bore and milli bore flow systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Lumencor, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudia B. Jaffe, Steven M. Jaffe, Michieal L. Jones
  • Patent number: 8673216
    Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems, and methods for detecting an analyte vapor. Particularly, electronegative analyte vapors, such as those vapors evolving from explosive compounds, are typical analytes detected the devices. The devices operate using a resistivity change mechanism wherein a nanostructured chemiresistive material undergoes a resistivity change in the presence of an analyte vapor. A resistivity change indicates the presence of an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Washington
    Inventors: Antao Chen, Danling Wang, Qifeng Zhang, Guozhong Cao
  • Patent number: 8673240
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods useful for the detection and analysis of various analytes. The analyte detection device of this invention has the general structure of a substrate and a plurality of pillars attached to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Zyomyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Jedrzejewski, Nock Steffen, Peter Wagner, Pierre Indermuhle, Frank G. Zaugg
  • Patent number: 8673648
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method separation analysis of reducing sugars with enhanced sensitivity and an analytical apparatus therefore employing the post-column fluorescence detection/boric acid complex anion exchange method. The method disclosed is a method for analysis of reducing sugars using the post-column fluorescence detection/boric acid complex anion exchange method, and characterized in that a back-pressure generator is installed in the flow path between the heater, which is for causing a reaction by heating a sample separated by column chromatography with a basic amino acid, and a fluorometric detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8668872
    Abstract: A method for analysis of an object dyed with fluorescent coloring agents. Separately fluorescing visible molecules or nanoparticles are periodically formed in different object parts, the laser produces the oscillation thereof which is sufficient for recording the non-overlapping images of the molecules or nanoparticles and for decoloring already recorded fluorescent molecules, wherein tens of thousands of pictures of recorded individual molecule or nanoparticle images, in the form of stains having a diameter on the order of a fluorescent light wavelength multiplied by a microscope amplification, are processed by a computer for searching the coordinates of the stain centers and building the object image according to millions of calculated stain center co-ordinates corresponding to the co-ordinates of the individual fluorescent molecules or nanoparticles. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional images are provided for proteins, nucleic acids and lipids with different coloring agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Super Resolution Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Andrey Alexeevich Klimov, Dmitry Andreevich Klimov, Evgeniy Andreevich Klimov, Tatiana Vitalyevna Klimova
  • Patent number: 8668886
    Abstract: A bioreactor that combines the steps of recombinant expression and separation of a biological product by binding the secreted biological product with a resin, discarding the nutrient medium and eluting the biological product as a concentrated solution, eliminating the steps of sterile filtration and volume reduction. The method also allows loading of resin for column-purification, eliminating all steps of perfusion process and maintaining a sink condition of a toxic product in nutrient medium to optimize productivity of host cells. The instant invention also allows harvesting of solubilized inclusion bodies after the cells have been lysed and refolding of proteins inside the bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC
    Inventor: Sarfaraz Niazi
  • Patent number: 8663581
    Abstract: A chemical pre-concentrator is provided having a support structure, an airflow conduit, and a layer of a reactive chemical compound on a surface of the support structure is used for collecting and pre-concentrating at least one chemical analyte from a dilute sample. A method of concentrating a gaseous sample is provide that includes exposing the chemical pre-concentrator with a dilute gaseous sample that contains at least one chemical analyte; and forming a conjugate of the at least one chemical analyte. A method of diagnosing a disease state in a mammalian patient is provided using the chemical pre-concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoan Fu, Richard M. Higashi, Michael Nantz
  • Patent number: 8663561
    Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for analyzing liquid samples by forming discrete sample aliquots (boluses) in an elongated conduit which contains a hydrophobic carrier liquid. Aliquots may be analyzed by adding at least one reagent to the sample aliquot that reacts selectively with an analyte contained therein. The reaction product, which is selective for the analyte of interest and proportional to its concentration, is measured with an appropriate detector. Intrinsic sample properties of the sample may also be measured without the need for adding chemical reagents. The invention enables simple and accurate testing of samples using time honored wet-chemical analysis methods in microliter volume regimes while producing remarkably small volumes of waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Charles J. Patton
  • Patent number: 8663575
    Abstract: There is described a sample holder and associated fluid container assembly for optical analysis of a fluid sample within a translucent container of the fluid container assembly. The sample holder includes clamping members rotatably mounted to a frame for rotation, about parallel axes spaced apart from each other, between a container accepting position in which the clamping members are spaced apart from the translucent container, and an analysis position in the clamping members abut the translucent container. The clamping members each define an optical waveguide slot extending therethrough that is substantially aligned with the translucent container when the clamping members are disposed in the analysis position, to thereby provide optical access to the translucent container for optical analysis of the fluid sample therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canadian Blood Services
    Inventors: Elisabeth Maurer, Georg Maurer, Keddie Brown, Gyasi Bourne, Kenneth MacCallum, Paul Charlebois
  • Patent number: 8664001
    Abstract: An immunochemical filter device which has filter material attached to a support member (such as a cap) which is, in turn, attachable to a sample collection vessel. The filter material includes a labeled binding reagent that is released from the filter material into solution by migration of a liquid sample solution through the filter material. The mixture of the sample solution and the labeled specific binding reagent is transferred to an analyzer device for performance of a method for determining the presence or absence of an analyte in a sample solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ani Biotech Oy
    Inventors: Aimo Niskanen, Mika Saramaki
  • Patent number: 8663559
    Abstract: A sample analyzer that includes a sample preparing section operative to aspirate a sample from a sample container and a measuring section operative to prepare a plurality of measurement samples from the aspirated sample. A control unit is configured to sequentially measure the plurality of prepared measurement samples, obtain a plurality of measurement data for the respective measurement samples, and obtain an analysis result of a predetermined item of the sample based on the plurality of measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Shibata, Noriyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8658093
    Abstract: System and methods for detecting analytes such as pathogenic cells are described. The methods allow for the direct measurement of analytes such as pathogenic organisms without the need for sample preparation and/or PCR. The devices can be used individually as point-of-use sensors for airborne pathogens and other pathogenic organisms in foods and agriculture products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Aldrich N. K. Lau, Robert G. Eason, Kristian M. Scaboo, Handong Li
  • Patent number: 8658113
    Abstract: Provided are a thin film valve device and a thin film valve control apparatus in which a hole or a channel in the body of the thin film valve device is opened and closed using the heat generated from a heat generating apparatus and the centrifugal force. The thin film valve device and the thin film valve control apparatus are applicable to, for example, a diagnostic lab-on-a-chip that can detect a trace amount of a material in a fluid, a rotatable bio-disc in which a bio chip, such as a protein chip and a DNA chip, is integrated, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Chern Yoo
  • Patent number: 8652852
    Abstract: A method is provided for pumping fluid through a channel of a microfluidic device. The channel has an input port and an output port. The channel is filled with fluid and a pressure gradient is generated between the fluid at the input port and the fluid at the output port. As a result, fluid flows through the channel towards the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: David J. Beebe, Jay W. Warrick, Michael W. Toepke, Ivar Meyvantsson, Glenn M. Walker
  • Patent number: 8652848
    Abstract: A method for analyzing blood cells in a whole blood sample obtained from a cat is provided. An electrical measurement result and an optical measurement result of the whole blood sample are acquired. The electrical measurement result is obtainable by electrically measuring blood cells in the whole blood sample and the optical measurement result is obtainable by optically measuring blood cells in the whole blood sample. On the basis of the electrical measurement result and the optical measurement result, volume of red blood cells in the whole blood sample is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Nagai, Hideaki Matsumoto, Yuichi Hamada
  • Patent number: 8651158
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of: treating an organic polymer with an electron beam-generated plasma; exposing the treated polymer to air or an oxygen- and hydrogen-containing gas, generating hydroxyl groups on the surface of the polymer; reacting the surface with an organosilane compound having a chloro, fluoro, or alkoxy group and a functional or reactive group that is less reactive with the surface than the chloro, fluoro, or alkoxy group; and covalently immobilizing a biomolecule to the functional or reactive group or a reaction product thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Stella H. North, Evgeniya H. Lock, Scott G. Walton, Chris Rowe Taitt
  • Patent number: 8647592
    Abstract: Method for transport of suspensions containing mechanically sensitive material with a sample-transporting device comprising transport conduits and at least one system for accelerating a sample or aliquot through the transport conduit from at least two burets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer Technology Services GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Steigmiller, Hans Tups, Karsten Sommer, Sonja Danstedt, Martin Schiffhauer, Sebastian Schmidt, Jörg Kauling, Arndt Braun
  • Patent number: 8647885
    Abstract: Process for detecting a gaseous compound of BX3, HX or X2 type within a gas using a composition containing a probe molecule, characterized in that the probe molecule is a molecule for which the reaction with one or more compounds of BX3, HX or X2 type leads to a variation of at least one of its physicochemical properties, this variation being measurable via a suitable analysis technique, and in that the following steps are carried out in this order: (a) measurement of said physicochemical property of the probe molecule, such as a spectral property, (b) bringing the gas into contact with the composition containing the probe molecule from step (a), (c) repeat measurement of said physicochemical property, (d) correlation of the variation of said spectral property between steps (a) and (c) in the presence of said gaseous compound of BX3, HX or X2 type, the measurement of the physicochemical property from step (a) possibly being a prior step, process for trapping gaseous compounds of BX3, HX or X2 type contained i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
    Inventors: Thu-Hoa Tran-Thi, Philippe Banet, Loic Legagneux
  • Patent number: 8647574
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing and collecting samples for analyte testing. The system can include a sample preparation system and a sample collection system coupled to the sample preparation system. The sample preparation system can include at least one of a deformable self-supporting receptacle comprising a reservoir and a freestanding receptacle comprising a reservoir. The reservoir can be adapted to contain a liquid composition. The sample collection system can be positioned in fluid communication with a reservoir of the sample preparation system, and can be adapted to capture an analyte of interest. The method can include providing a fluid path defined at least partially by the sample preparation system and the sample collection system, positioning the liquid composition in a reservoir of the sample preparation system, and moving at least a portion of the liquid composition in the fluid path to the sample collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Stephen C. P. Joseph, Raj Rajagopal, David J. Velasquez, Cynthia D. Zook, Sailaja Chandrapati, Daniel E. Siltberg, Paul J. Cobian, Theresa J. Gerten
  • Patent number: 8647883
    Abstract: A method of quantitatively measuring the concentration of a chemical species in a sample solution with a sensor film. A hydrogel sensor film is prepared having a chemical composition comprising an indicator that changes its optical property in the ultra-violet, visible or near-infrared spectral range upon being exposed to the chemical species in the sample solution. The film is exposed to a fixed amount of the sample solution. The concentration of the chemical species in the sample solution is quantified using the average absorbance measured from the sensor film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav A. Potyrailo, Timothy M. Sivavec, Caibin Xiao, Theodore J. Cecconie, Lamyaa Hassib, Andrew M. Leach, David B. Engel
  • Patent number: 8647588
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging of an optical sensing fiber is disclosed. The apparatus includes a substrate with a plurality of openings, and each opening is configured for holding an optical sensing assembly. The assembly is positioned in the opening with a tip of the assembly extending through the opening to be suspended from the substrate. In addition, openings are arranged so the assembly positioned therein avoids contacting another assembly positioned therein. The apparatus can include a support member for supporting the substrate and positioning the substrate so the tip of the assembly suspended from the opening in the substrate contacts solution in one of a plurality of wells in a container adjacent to the substrate. The assembly can be configured for preparing of the optical assembly for assay. An agitation assembly for agitating the container to create flow of the solution in the container wells over an optical sensing assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Recknor, Hong Tan, Robert Zuk, Krista Leah Witte, Sae Choo, Scott Lockard
  • Patent number: 8641619
    Abstract: An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: James Say, Michael F. Tomasco, Adam Heller, Yoram Gal, Behrad Aria, Ephraim Heller, Phillip John Plante, Mark S. Vreeke, Keith A. Friedman, Fredric C. Colman
  • Patent number: 8641971
    Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating a liquid sample with acoustic energy to generate cavitation in the liquid sample is provided. The apparatus includes a source and is adapted to receive a cartridge in such a way, that the apparatus focuses the HIFU waves emitted from the source onto a liquid air interface that is present within the cartridge. This focusing is performed when the cartridge is inserted into a receiving section of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Biocartis SA
    Inventors: Arie R. Van Doorn, Michiel De Jong
  • Patent number: 8641972
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring a substrate concentration by accumulating an energy resulting from a reaction between a biocatalyst and a substrate recognized by the biocatalyst to a certain level; and using a dependency of an accumulation rate on the substrate concentration as an index; and a apparatus therefor. In particular, the present invention provides a method in which the measurement of the accumulation rate is carried out by measuring a frequency of an energy release in a certain amount of time when the energy accumulated in the capacitor reaches the certain level and is then released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: Bioengineering Laboratories, LLC, Arkray, Inc., Ultizyme International Ltd.
    Inventors: Wakako Tsugawa, Koji Sode
  • Patent number: 8641974
    Abstract: A device dynamically detects particles of a fluid. The device can be miniaturized for detecting and selecting magnetized particles, particularly cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludwig Bär, Oliver Hayden
  • Patent number: 8642344
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring a substrate concentration by accumulating an energy resulting from a reaction between a biocatalyst and a substrate recognized by the biocatalyst to a certain level; and using a dependency of an accumulation rate on the substrate concentration as an index; and a apparatus therefor. In particular, the present invention provides a method in which the measurement of the accumulation rate is carried out by measuring a frequency of an energy release in a certain amount of time when the energy accumulated in the capacitor reaches the certain level and is then released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: Bioengineering Laboratories, LLC, Arkray, Inc., Ultizyme International Ltd.
    Inventors: Wakako Tsugawa, Koji Sode
  • Patent number: 8642345
    Abstract: A method of measuring a chemical vapor concentration is provided. A chemical vapor sensor measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, an ethanol vapor sensor is provided, sized for being inconspicuous and on-board a vehicle, having a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode, for detecting a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. For the passive mode, a vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectable level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. In an aspect, an active breathalyzer is used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel F. Sultan, David K. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8637324
    Abstract: The present invention relates to bead incubating and washing on a droplet actuator. Methods for incubating magnetically responsive beads that are labeled with primary antibody, a sample (i.e., analyte), and secondary reporter antibodies on a magnet, on and off a magnet, and completely off a magnet are provided. Also provided are methods for washing magnetically responsive beads using shape-assisted merging of droplets. Also provided are methods for shape-mediated splitting, transporting, and dispensing of a sample droplet that contains magnetically responsive beads. The apparatuses and methods of the invention provide for rapid time to result and optimum detection of an analyte in an immunoassay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Pollack, Vamsee K. Pamula, Ramakrishna Sista, Arjun Sudarsan
  • Patent number: 8636956
    Abstract: A sensor main unit 1 is axially split into three sub-segments. A light-emitting element 2 is attached to one end portion, and a light-receiving element 3 is attached to the other end portion. A respiratory flow path 4 is formed so as to penetrate through the center portion. The sensor main unit 1 is attached to a position on the face below the nostrils, and respiratory gas from the nostrils is guided into the respiratory flow path 4 and is caused to cross over the optical axis connected the light-emitting element 2 and the light-receiving element 3, thereby measuring a carbon dioxide gas in the respiratory gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Yamamori, Yoshinobu Ono, Takeshi Kojima, Noriaki Todokoro
  • Patent number: 8632733
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a device and a kit for collecting body fluids. The device includes a body fluid collection portion comprising a body fluid absorbing material. The body fluid connecting portion has a free edge and is hingedly connected at the edge opposite to the free edge to a first support panel and a second support panel. A base panel is hingedly connected to the first support panel or the second support panel. In a first folded condition the body fluid collection portion is sandwiched between the first support panel and the second support panel in a substantially face contacting relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Labor Diagnostika Nord GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Manz, Matthias Kuper
  • Patent number: 8634075
    Abstract: The invention encompasses analyzers and analyzer systems that include a single molecule analyzer, methods of using the analyzer and analyzer systems to analyze samples, either for single molecules or for molecular complexes. The single molecule uses electromagnetic radiation that is translated through the sample to detect the presence or absence of a single molecule. The single molecule analyzer provided herein is useful for diagnostics because the analyzer detects single molecules with zero carryover between samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Singulex, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Livingston
  • Patent number: 8632730
    Abstract: In one aspect, a diagnostic test system includes a receptacle, optical detectors, and a logic circuit. Each of the optical detectors has a corresponding view in the receptacle and produces an electrical signal at a respective detector output in response to light from the corresponding view. The logic circuit includes logic inputs that are respectively coupled to the detector outputs and that produce an output logic signal corresponding to a logical combination of signals received at the logic inputs. In another aspect, respective detection signals are produced in response to light received from respective ones of multiple views of the test strip, and at least one output logic signal corresponding to a respective logical combination of the detection signals is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Alverix, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Petrilla, Daniel B. Roitman
  • Patent number: 8628722
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems configured to determine an amount of alcohol in an alcohol-containing liquid discharged from a drinking vessel or an amount of the alcohol-containing liquid discharged from the drinking vessel, drinking vessels configured to measure alcohol content or other property of an alcohol-containing liquid held therein, other related components such as mat devices that facilitate determining the amount, and related methods. The systems, drinking vessels, and methods disclosed herein facilitate determination of an amount of alcohol in an alcohol-containing liquid discharged from a drinking vessel or an amount of alcohol-containing liquid discharged from the drinking vessel, which may be indicative of an amount of alcohol consumed by a drinker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8628732
    Abstract: Provided is an immobilization device for fitting a connecting member of a chip and a connecting member of a cover together, where a spatial clearance between the chip and cover is small. The immobilization device includes a substrate (102), a cover means (101) including a fitting means to fit with a chip (103) placed on the substrate (102), a rotating arm means (201) rotatably joined to a first joining means (301) of the substrate (102) and to a second joining means (302) of the cover means (101), and a parallel maintaining means (203) for fitting the fitting means and the chip (103) together with the fitting means and the chip (103) maintained in substantially parallel by the first joining means (301) or the second joining means (302) moving along a chip surface or a plane parallel to the chip surface. The fitting means rotates freely against the chip (103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Asogawa, Hayataro Kochi
  • Patent number: 8628723
    Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a specimen into a flow cytometer comprises: a syringe having a hollow barrel containing the specimen, a plunger partially within the barrel and a needle that extends into a volume of a nozzle of the flow cytometer; a one-way port in the nozzle forming a seal against the needle; a mounting platform coupled to both the syringe and to the flow cytometer; and a syringe pump coupled to the plunger, the syringe pump comprising a motor, a drive mechanism coupled to the motor; and a clamping mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism, wherein the motor operates the drive mechanism so as to cause the clamping mechanism to depress the plunger into the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Angela L. Vandergaw
  • Patent number: 8622906
    Abstract: An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: James Say, Michael F. Tomasco, Adam Heller, Yoram Gal, Behrad Aria, Ephraim Heller, Phillip John Plante, Mark S. Vreeke, Fredric C. Colman
  • Patent number: 8623296
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices, assemblies, and systems are provided, as are methods of manipulating micro-sized samples of fluids. Microfluidic devices having a plurality of specialized processing features are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Sean M. Desmond, Zbigniew T. Bryning, John Shigeura, Gary Lim, Adrian Fawcett, Jacob K. Freudenthal, Gary Bordenkircher
  • Patent number: 8623294
    Abstract: A channel control mechanism for a microchip has a laminated structure formed of members including elastic members, and includes: a sample reservoir for packing a sample therein; a reaction reservoir in which mixture and reaction of the sample are performed; and a channel formed in a middle layer of the laminated structure, for bringing the sample reservoir and the reaction reservoir into communication with each other. The channel control mechanism performs the reaction and analysis in such a manner that the sample is delivered into the reaction reservoir through the channel. A shutter channel (pressurizing channel) is provided in a layer different from a layer in which the channel is formed so that the pressurizing channel partially overlaps the channel. The channel is closed through applying a pressurized medium to the shutter channel (pressurizing channel), and the channel is opened through releasing a pressure of the pressurized medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Asogawa, Hisashi Hagiwara, Tohru Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 8623663
    Abstract: A new reaction apparatus including a capillary having an inner surface to which a probe molecule that specifically binds to an analyte is immobilized, allowing a short throughput time for completing the binding reaction, and achieving a highly efficient reaction using a small amount of a sample and a process of the reaction are provided. The reaction apparatus includes a capillary having an inner surface to which a probe molecule that specifically binds to an analyte is immobilized; a columnar magnetic body that is disposed in a fluid containing the analyte in the state that the fluid is placed in the capillary; end-fixing means for fixing one end of the columnar magnetic body in the capillary by a DC magnetic field; and end-moving means for moving the other end of the columnar magnetic body by an AC magnetic field so as to transfer the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Adarsh Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8617490
    Abstract: A reaction cassette for biochemical assay, a biochemical assay device including the reaction cassette, and a biochemical assay method performed by using the biochemical assay device are provided. The reaction cassette includes a first space, a second space, a third space, and an inner wall. The first space is configured to accommodate liquid and includes a first opening facing upward. The second space includes a second opening whose direction is perpendicular to the direction of the first opening. The first space and the second space are disposed such that when the reaction cassette is rotated, liquid in the first space can flow into the second space. The third space is located under the first space and includes a third opening whose direction is the same as the direction of the first opening. The inner wall connects the second opening and the third opening, which serves as a liquid flow channel between the second space and the third space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Apex Biotechnology Corp.
    Inventors: Kai Tsung Teng, Yueh-Hui Lin, Thomas Y. S. Shen
  • Patent number: 8617487
    Abstract: Saliva sample collection systems are configured with special attention to ease-of-use for the unskilled user and safe transport and delivery by a conventional delivery services such as Federal Express. A sealed cavity is formed by tight coupling of two primary elements: a receiving vessel element and a sealing cap element. The receiving vessel has integrated therewith: a standing means, a fill-line window, a funnel system, a knife, a threadset, and containment tube among others. A complementary cap element includes a cooperating threadset, label receiving surface, gripping surface, seal means and reservoir with piercable thin-film membrane. These two primary elements may be accommodated in an application-specific shipping container which support two shipping modes whereby the system may be shipped safely to and from a donor user each way in a different shipping mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Venture lending & Leasing VI, Inc.
    Inventors: James Plante, David Becker, Edgar MacBean, Kathryn J. Elliott
  • Patent number: 8617488
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices are described that include a rigid base layer, and an elastomeric layer on the base layer. The elastomeric layer may include at least part of a fluid channel for transporting a liquid reagent, and a vent channel that accepts gas diffusing through the elastomeric layer from the flow channel and vents it out of the elastomeric layer. The devices may also include a mixing chamber fluidly connected to the fluid channel, and a control channel overlapping with a deflectable membrane that defines a portion of the flow channel, where the control channel may be operable to change a rate at which the liquid reagent flows through the fluid channel. The devices may further include a rigid plastic layer on the elastomeric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Woudenberg, Jing Wang, Hou-Pu Chou
  • Patent number: 8617071
    Abstract: An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: James Say, Michael F. Tomasco, Adam Heller, Yoram Gal, Behrad Aria, Ephraim Heller, Phillip John Plante, Mark S. Vreeke, Keith A. Friedman, Fredric C. Colman
  • Patent number: 8617469
    Abstract: The invention describes methods that use nanostructures and quantum confinement to detect and manipulate chemical and biochemical molecules. To increase selectivity and sensitivity nanostructures are built to have the density of states similar to that in analyte that will be detected and operated. Using device that incorporates such nanostructures, measuring electrical and optical properties of nanostructures and analyte or charge and energy transfer between the nanostructures and analyte a rapid and sensitive continuous detection in fluids can be achieved. Detection can be further enhanced by controlling external environmental parameters and applying external fields. In addition to be detected analyte can be positioned, moved, separated, extracted, and controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Branislav Vlahovic, Vanja Vlahovic Malloy