Including Centrifuge Patents (Class 422/72)
  • Patent number: 12030046
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for rapid identification of a microorganism within sampling device. The sampling device has a plurality of reaction chambers each having a different reactive agent for reacting with the microorganism to indicate the presence of a microorganism in said reaction chamber. A detector detects each of the plurality of reaction chamber for detecting the presence of a microorganism in said reaction chamber. The invention automates CRISPR CAS 12 and/or CAS 13 method. The invention is a general platform for detection of segments of DNA or RNA using CRISPR CAS 12 and/or CAS 13 proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: CITROGENE INC.
    Inventors: S Abbas Hosseini, Amir Tork
  • Patent number: 11964277
    Abstract: A metered volume microfluidic device can include fluid flow microfluidics. The fluid flow microfluidics can include an inflow channel, a metered volume chamber positioned to receive working fluid from the inflow channel, a metered volume outflow channel positioned to receive and direct a metered volume of the working fluid when discharged from the metered volume chamber, and a capillary check valve. The capillary check valve can allow excess working fluid to exit the metered volume chamber when filling the metered volume chamber via the inflow channel. The capillary check valve can also prevent excess working fluid that has passed there through from being reintroduced into the metered volume chamber when the working fluid is discharged into the metered volume outflow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Olsen, Si-lam J. Choy, Paul Mark Haines, Justin M. Roman
  • Patent number: 11815440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a substrate (105a) comprising a sample reception area (110) and a sensing area (111). The method comprises the steps of: 1) applying a sample on the sample reception area; 2) rotating the substrate around a predetermined axis; 3) during rotation, at least part of the liquid travels from the sample reception area to the sensing area due to capillary forces acting between the liquid and the substrate; and 4) removing the wave of particles and liquid formed at one end of the substrate. The sensing area is closer to the predetermined axis than the sample reception area. The sample comprises a liquid part and particles suspended therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
    Inventors: Onur Durucan, Michael Stenbaek Schmidt, Tomas Rindzevicius, Anja Boisen
  • Patent number: 11752122
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions of N-acetylcysteine for use in treating aortic stenosis. Methods of treating aortic stenosis in a subject comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of N-acetylecysteine (NAC) or other thiol-reactive compound, or agents that inhibit TGF-Beta activation and/or signaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
    Inventor: Jasimuddin Ahamed
  • Patent number: 11378528
    Abstract: A tomographic imaging system and a connection assembly thereof are disclosed. The connection assembly includes a carrying platform and a holding bed. The carrying platform includes a rotatable component, a first circuit board and a connecting component. The rotatable component has a first end coupled to a rotor and rotates relative to the first circuit board and the connecting component. The holding bed includes a holding component, a bearing, and a second circuit board. The holding component includes an engaging portion and a holding portion. The second circuit board is coupled to the holding component through the bearing. The engaging portion is detachably connected to the second end of the rotatable component, and the second conductive terminals of the second circuit board abut against the first conductive terminals of the first circuit board to achieve an electric connection, so as to identify the holding bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Fu-Xuan Jiang, Chiang-Hsun Huang
  • Patent number: 11126424
    Abstract: A power tool system includes a power tool; a battery pack detachably connected to the power tool, and a cloud server capable of wirelessly communicating with the power tool. The power tool includes a wireless communication unit configured to establish a wireless communication link with an external device and a file storage unit coupled to the wireless communication unit and configured to store content data in a preset data structure. The preset data structure includes a packet header configured for information transmission, a packet tail including a check bit, and a data packet body including a data length, a data type, a packet serial number, data content and an electronic serial number. A simple and efficient method of deduplicating data is used to release the memory space of the memory and improve data transmission efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Nanjing Chervon Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dezhong Yang, Zhao Hu, Dongyue Wang, Yang Wang, Yunfeng Hu
  • Patent number: 11110454
    Abstract: A microfluidic structure in which a plurality of chambers arranged at different positions are connected in parallel and into which a fixed amount of fluid may be efficiently distributed without using a separate driving source, and a microfluidic device having the same. The microfluidic device includes a platform having a center of rotation and including at least one microfluidic structure. The microfluidic structure includes a sample supply chamber configured to accommodate a sample, a plurality of first chambers arranged in a circumferential direction of the platform at different distances from the center of rotation of the platform, and a plurality of siphon channels, each of the siphon channels being connected to a corresponding one of the first chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: NEXUS DX, INC.
    Inventor: Beom Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 11071985
    Abstract: A centrifugal microfluidic chip mounting, kit and method include a swivel joint permitting a chip to rotate about an axis of the chip in a plane swept by a centrifuge, and a force applicator for controlling an angle of the swivel and for applying a force in proportion to a rotational rate of the centrifuge. The mounting includes: a blade part (18) that couples to, or defines, a blade (10) of a centrifuge at a radial distance from a centrifuge axis (12); a chip part (20) that holds the chip at an orientation having a normal not perpendicular to the axis; a one degree of freedom (DoF) joint (16) between the blade part and the chip part; and a force applicator (28) which bears on the chip part at a fixed set of one or more points, which do not surround, and are not surrounded by, the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Liviu Clime, Teodor Veres, Keith Morton
  • Patent number: 11052408
    Abstract: Fluid separation chambers are provided for rotation about an axis in a fluid processing system. The fluid separation chamber may be provided with first and second stages, with the first and second stages being positioned at different axial locations. In another embodiment, at least one of the stages may be provided with a non-uniform outer diameter about the rotational axis, which may define a generally spiral-shaped profile or a different profile for fractionating a fluid or fluid component. One or more of the stages may also have a varying outer diameter along the axis. The profile of the chamber may be provided by the chamber itself (in the case of rigid chambers) or by an associated fixture or centrifuge apparatus (in the case of flexible chambers).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G. Pieper, Salvatore Manzella, Jr., Brian C. Case, Steven R. Katz, Kyungyoon Min
  • Patent number: 10779731
    Abstract: A patient management system includes a patient unit that obtains results data from a patient device and provides for two-way communication between the patient unit and a remote database. The patient unit can communicate with the remote database to obtain encounter instruction data for a given encounter as well as to send response data for the given encounter. A back office system can also access the database to retrieve the patient data for one or more patient users. The back office system can further add or modify encounter instruction data for use during a next encounter at the patient unit. The back office system can also set a dosage for the patient that can be stored in the remote database and retrieved by the patient unit as part of the given encounter. The back office system may also employ a rules engine that can be programmed according to an established protocol and can automatically generate encounter instructions and dosage information for one or more patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignees: THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION, ZTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Chmiel, Heather Gornik, John R. Bartholomew, Carlos Grodsinsky, Jonathan Schaffer
  • Patent number: 10746661
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a system for operando measurements that comprises, a reactor (1) comprising a reactor chamber (9) having at least one window (19) transparent for radiation for irradiating a sample (24) provided inside the reaction chamber (9), a radiation source (21, 31) for generating the radiation for irradiating the sample (24), wherein the radiation source (21, 31) is arranged to irradiate the sample at an irradiation location situated on the sample; a detection unit (26, 33) for detecting radiation scattered, emitted, reflected or diffracted by the sample (24) or transmitted through said sample (24), a sampling capillary (12) comprising an orifice (14) for collecting a fluid sample inside the reactor chamber (9), wherein the orifice (14) of the sampling capillary (12) is arranged at a fixed position relative to the irradiation location, wherein the reactor (1) is movable relative to the radiation source (21, 31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: REACNOSTICS GMBH
    Inventors: Raimund Horn, Oliver Korup
  • Patent number: 10695759
    Abstract: A microfluidic reagent card for medical testing and assaying is disclosed. The microfluidic reagent card comprises a card body (10) and a plurality of micropipes, the plurality of micropipes is fixed onto the card body (10). The plurality of micropipes is arranged radially. Each of the micropipe is configured to have a sample inlet end (1) and a closed end (2), and a detection liquid layer (3) and a separation medium layer (4) are arranged inside each micropipe in sequence from the sample inlet end (1) to the closed end (2). The micropipe has a diameter of 0.1-1.0 mm. As the micropipe is configured to have a small diameter, the fluidity of liquid and gel decreases inside the micropipe, and the liquid interface will not flow even when the micropipe is placed in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TIANJIN DEXIANG BIOTECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhigang Huang
  • Patent number: 10539583
    Abstract: A substrate for sample analysis including: a substrate including a rotation axis; a first chamber, which includes a first space which retains the liquid; a second chamber, which includes a second space which retains the liquid discharged from the first chamber; and a first flow passage, which includes a path connecting the first chamber and the second chamber in which the first flow passage has a first opening and a second opening, the first opening and the second opening are connected to the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively, and the first opening is positioned on a side closer to the rotation axis than the second opening, in which the first space includes a first region, which includes a portion extending from the first opening and in which the first space of the first chamber has a capacity larger than a capacity of the first flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: PHC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fusatoshi Okamoto, Masahiro Johno
  • Patent number: 10493416
    Abstract: A thermal convection generating chip (1) includes a rotatory body (2), a thermal convection pathway (11) provided in the rotatory body (2), and a supply path (12A to 12C) that supplies a liquid to the thermal convection pathway (11). The supply path (12A to 12C) includes a liquid receiving section (121) that receives the liquid and a suction passage (122) that provides communication between the liquid receiving section (121) and the thermal convection pathway (11). The suction passage (122) has a first region (122a) extending between a midsection of the suction passage (122) and the thermal convection pathway (11), and a second region (122b) extending between the midsection and the liquid receiving section (121). The liquid in the first region (122a) is separated from the liquid in the second region (122b) through rotation of the rotatory body (2) to be supplied to the thermal convection pathway (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Masato Saito, Yuichiro Kiriyama, Eiichi Tamiya
  • Patent number: 10478817
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer cartridge, spinnable about a rotational axis, has fluid and aliquoting chambers, a metering chamber connected to a vent that is nearer to the rotational axis than the metering chamber, first and second ducts connecting the fluid and aliquoting chambers, and the metering and aliquoting chambers, respectively. Metering chamber side walls taper away from a central region, wherein capillary action next to the walls is greater than in the central region. Fluid flows to the metering chamber using capillary action via the second duct that has an entrance and exit in the aliquoting and metering chambers, respectively; the exit being closer to the rotational axis than the entrance. A downstream fluidic element connects to the metering chamber via a valve. A fluidic structure receives and processes a biological sample into the processed biological sample and has a measurement structure that enables measurement of the processed biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Sascha Lutz, Juergen Spinke
  • Patent number: 10308976
    Abstract: Methods and devices for the selective lysis of cells in a sample comprising micro-organisms such as bacteria are provided. The selective lysis is obtained by incubating the sample in a non-ionic detergent under alkaline conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Bart Edward Jozef Gusta Van Meerbergen, Oana Mihaela Piciu, Ron Gill, Kristiane Anne Schmidt, Sieglinde Neerken, Marc Wilhelmus Gijsbert Ponjee, Zeynep Seflek, Roel Penterman, Paul Arnold Van De Wiel
  • Patent number: 10307757
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer cartridge, spinnable around a rotational axis, has aliquoting and metering chambers, a connecting duct there between, and a vent connected to the metering chamber and nearer to the rotational axis than the metering chamber. The metering chamber has side walls that taper away from a central region. Capillary action next to the side walls is greater than in the central region. A circular arc about the rotational axis passes through a duct entrance in the aliquoting chamber and a duct exit in the metering chamber. The cartridge has a downstream fluidic element which is part of a fluidic structure for processing a biological sample into the processed biological sample. A valve connects the metering chamber to the fluidic element, which is fluidically connected to the fluidic structure. The fluidic structure receives the biological sample and has a measurement structure for enabling measurement of the processed biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Sascha Lutz, Juergen Spinke
  • Patent number: 10309976
    Abstract: A substrate for sample analysis has a rotation axis, a first chamber having a first space for retaining a liquid, a second chamber having a second space for retaining the liquid to be discharged from the first chamber, and a first channel having a path connecting the first chamber and the second chamber. The first space includes a first portion and a second portion, and a coupling portion located between the first and second portions. The substrate includes a wall portion partitioning the first and second portions from each other. The second chamber is more distant from the rotation axis than is the first portion. The coupling portion is closer to the rotation axis than is the wall portion. The second portion at least includes a portion which is more distant from the rotation axis than is the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: PHC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Johno, Fusatoshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 10286396
    Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: Brandeis University, President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Seth Fraden, Hakim Boukellal, Yanwei Jia, Seila Selimovic, Amy Rowat, Jeremy Agresti, David A. Weitz
  • Patent number: 10272574
    Abstract: A pick and place device for use in an in vitro diagnostics automation system is provided that includes a motor and a rotatable motor shaft coupled to the motor and a gripping assembly. The gripping assembly includes a yoke selectively coupled to the rotatable motor shaft and configured to rotate with the rotatable motor shaft when the yoke is coupled to the rotatable motor shaft. The gripping assembly also includes a first movable finger mount and a second movable finger mount each coupled to the rotatable motor shaft and configured to move toward each other and away from each other in a linear direction responsive to the rotation of the motor shaft when the yoke is uncoupled from the rotatable motor shaft. Fingers extending from the movable finger mounts are configured to move toward each other and away from each other in the linear direction and rotate with the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Gebrian
  • Patent number: 10080981
    Abstract: Systems for removing gas from a sealant and transferring gas-less sealant to an applicator are provided. The system may comprise: a rotatable chamber including: a first opening for receiving sealant; a hollow conduit arranged such that when gas accumulates in the center of the rotatable chamber when the rotatable chamber is rotating, the gas is ventable from the rotatable chamber; a second opening for receiving gas-less sealant from the rotatable chamber after the gas is vented from the hollow conduit; and a motor operatively configured to rotate the rotatable chamber; and a gas-less sealant applicator in fluid communication with the second opening of the rotatable chamber such that gas-less sealant released by the second opening is flowable into the applicator. The system may also include a robot arm including an end effector with a sealant dispensing nozzle. A method for applying sealant to an aircraft structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gregg W. Podnar
  • Patent number: 10006922
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the optical measurement of blood analytes, such as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum albumin as a functional metric of mean blood glucose in the diagnosis of diabetic patients. Non-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is employed as the analytical method for quantitative detection of blood analytes. Using processing techniques, non-enzymatic glycosylation (glycation) of the analytes results in measurable and highly reproducible changes in the acquired spectral data, which enable the accurate measurements and classification of glycated and unglycated analytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ramachandra Dasari, Ishan Barman, Narahara Chari Dingari, Jeon Woong Kang
  • Patent number: 9938494
    Abstract: A cell detachment device includes: a base; a vessel holder, to which a culture vessel is to be fitted; a guide mechanism configured to guide reciprocating movement of the vessel holder; a collided member configured to collide with the vessel holder when the vessel holder is moving; an urging member configured to urge the culture vessel toward the collided member; and a power imparting mechanism configured to impart, to the vessel holder, power for causing the vessel holder to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keizo Watakabe, Junji Iizaka, Hitoshi Hasunuma, Katsumi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9889453
    Abstract: A centrifugal separation apparatus includes a plurality of centrifugal separators each comprising a rotator which supports a plurality of sample containers containing a sample therein, a base in which the centrifugal separators are arranged in columns and stages and a route is defined therein, the centrifugal separators being movable inside the base, and a movement mechanism that sequentially move the centrifugal separators along the route in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: AOI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Teruaki Itoh
  • Patent number: 9863951
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rare cell isolation device including: a first body which is disposed above a filtration membrane and includes a first inlet for injecting a biospecimen; and a second body which is disposed under the first body and bonded to the filtration membrane, wherein the first body and the second body have a disk-shaped structure to be rotatable around their centers, and the filtration membrane is disposed to be separated from the center of the second body in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: UNIST (ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
    Inventors: Yoon Kyoung Cho, Young Lim Lee
  • Patent number: 9746485
    Abstract: An automatic blood coagulation analysis device including a computation processing unit which executes computation processing according to a pre-installed program, and a storage unit which stores data acquired from outside and data obtained through computation processing by the computation processing unit. The computation processing unit comprises an Fbg computation module, a correction coefficient computation module, a reference value setting module and a difference module. The storage unit comprises a standard sample measured value holding unit, base value holding unit, standard sample difference value holding unit, reference value holding unit, correction coefficient holding unit, specimen measured value holding unit and specimen difference value holding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9683214
    Abstract: To provide an autoserum-containing bone marrow cell culture system, whereby bone marrow cells, which are collected from a subject without using an anticoagulant, are subjected to an anticoagulation treatment using a medium in a liquid-tight state, cultured and then further cultured using the serum of said subject which is prepared in a liquid-tight state; an autoserum-containing bone marrow cell culture method; and a method for producing a medicinal composition which comprises, as the active ingredient, autoserum-containing cultured bone marrow cells. [Solution] An autoserum-containing bone marrow cell culture system for culturing bone marrow cells, which are collected from a subject without using an anticoagulant, using the serum of said subject, said system comprising a bone marrow cell suspension-storing device, a collected blood-storing device, an autoserum-acquiring device, and a bone marrow cell-culturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Sapporo Medical University
    Inventors: Osamu Honmou, Yoshihiro Yoshikawa, Naomi Morikawa
  • Patent number: 9643183
    Abstract: The centrifugal channel device includes a channel body, a collecting unit and a waste liquid tank. The channel body includes a first surface and a second surface relatively disposed. The channel body includes a sample inlet, a sample channel, an isolation tank, a reagent inlet, a reagent channel and a mixing channel. The sample inlet is disposed on the first surface. The sample channel is connected to the sample inlet. The isolation tank is adjacently disposed and communicates with the sample channel. The reagent inlet is disposed on the first surface. The reagent channel is connected to the reagent inlet. One end of the mixing channel is connected with the sample channel and the reagent channel. The collecting unit has an opening and an overflow hole. The opening communicates with another end of the mixing channel. The waste liquid tank communicates with the opening of the collecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Chang, Sheng-Yan Hu, Cheng-Hsien Lu
  • Patent number: 9616430
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal separator for separation of at least two components of a fluid mixture which have different densities. The centrifugal separator comprises a rotor arranged for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation (R) and having a rotor wall which surrounds a separating chamber within the rotor, with an inlet adapted to feeding the fluid mixture into the rotor's separating chamber, and at least one outlet adapted to discharging outwardly from the rotor a component separated from the fluid mixture. A rotor shaft supports the rotor and is drivably connected to a motor (M) for rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation (R). A hub is provided outside the rotor, and the hub and the rotor shaft are arranged to be connected together from the outside of the rotor by means of a lockable and releasable fastening which is configured to lock the rotor shaft relative to the hub in both a torque-transmitting and an axial force-transmitting way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Roland Isaksson, Peter Thorwid
  • Patent number: 9518291
    Abstract: Methods and devices for biological sample preparation and analysis are disclosed. A device may have a linear or circular arrangement of containers, with a connecting structure such as a bar or disk. Fluidics channels between containers allow the performance of different techniques for sample preparation, such as lysing, washing and elution. Different functional elements, such as grinders or mixers, may be attached to the containers. The device may have a reaction cartridge with a reaction chamber to perform techniques such as polymerase chain reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Imran R. Malik, Erika F. Garcia, Xiomara Linnette Madero, Axel Scherer
  • Patent number: 9500579
    Abstract: Examples are described including assay platforms having tooth elements. An impinging element may sequentially engage tooth elements on the assay platform to sequentially align corresponding detection regions with a detection unit. In this manner, multiple measurements may be made of detection regions on the assay platform without necessarily requiring the starting and stopping of a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Jon Sommer, Ulrich Y. Schaff
  • Patent number: 9463458
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing samples as well as various microfluidic, microcentrifuge and microfilter devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases using mitochondrial and/or platelet samples. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a microfluidic device that selectively captures and analyzes a desired amount of target biological particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Dignity Health
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Valla
  • Patent number: 9433947
    Abstract: This invention provides a centrifugal microfluidic disk and methods for separating targets or cells and collecting the targets or cells in the centrifugal microfluidic disk by using the density gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Andrew Man Chung Wo, Chen-Lin Chen, Cheng-Wei Yang, Wei-Hao Lian
  • Patent number: 9403629
    Abstract: In some aspects, a keyed cap for a container is provided. Furthermore, in some aspects, a keyed container device including a container and the keyed cap for the container is also provided. Still further, in some aspects, a keyed containing system including a container, keyed cap for the container, and an electronic device having a keying element that is adapted to mate or otherwise fit with a specific keying element on the keyed cap. If a keyed cap has a keying element that does not correctly correspond to a specific keying element on an electronic device, then the keyed cap will not properly mate with the keying element on the electronic device. For example, the two keying elements that do not match may not fit sufficiently far enough within each other to permit the piercing member on the electronic device to reach a septum on the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Roger W. Accurso
  • Patent number: 9347033
    Abstract: A method of processing an adipose tissue to collect adipose derived regenerative cells is provided, wherein the method comprises providing a vessel comprising a fluid jet mixer, introducing the adipose tissue into the vessel, introducing a buffer solution into the vessel; washing the adipose tissue using the fluid jet mixer; introducing an enzyme solution into the vessel; initiating jet mixing into the vessel comprising the adipose tissue, the enzyme solution, and the buffer solution using the fluid jet mixer to digest the adipose tissue to form a digestion product; phase-separating the digestion product into a digested buoyant fat layer and a non-buoyant aqueous layer; and collecting the non-buoyant aqueous layer comprising the adipose derived regenerative cells. A system of processing an adipose tissue to collect adipose derived regenerative cells is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zaeem Ashraf Khan, Aaron Joseph Dulgar-Tulloch, Stefan Rakuff, Philip Alexander Shoemaker, Erik Leeming Kvam, Xiaohui Chen, Jaydeep Roy
  • Patent number: 9316656
    Abstract: The present invention includes a device comprising a lid and a vessel forming an interface that allows transfer of waste from a purification chamber to a waste chamber and method for purification of an analyte are disclosed wherein a supernatant is separated from a solid phase to which an analyte is bound by centrifugation via the lid of the device. The present invention also includes methods for use of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ROCHE MOLECULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Emad Sarofim, Lotar Schenk, Hans-Peter Wahl
  • Patent number: 9276353
    Abstract: An improved electrical outlet providing a lockable electrical connection between a male plug and the outlet to securely retain the plug. The method to secure and retain the plug imparts minimal stress to the outlet and to the male plug so as to not substantially decrease the durability of either. The outlet decreases the shocking potential to a user or unwitting child by remaining un-energized when idle, and prohibits movement from its idle position until the outlet has received the plug terminal prongs. The shape of the movable receptacle assembly and its corresponding cavity blocks a child from contacting the outlets power source with a metallic object, while making the power source available to the receptacle assembly when initiated by the user. The outlets locking action steps secure and energize the plug simultaneously during the locking action steps in a user friendly manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventors: Shawn M. Wolfe, Nicholas P. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 9216413
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic apparatus for producing a volume flow that is uniform over time in a metering process. In various solution processes or reaction processes it is essential to have a specified given volume flow or mass flow of fluid available to ensure reliable dissolution of the reagent or ensure that the reaction takes place. In microfluidic apparatus in which separation of particles from a fluid, particularly blood, is carried out through a membrane, the volume flow through the membrane decreases continuously. In order to achieve a uniform volume flow during metering, it is envisaged that first of all a reservoir is filled from a first channel, so that the contents of the reservoir can then be fed to the metering process by opening a fluid stop. The emptying of the reservoir takes place with a uniform volume flow of 0.05 microliters per second to 10 microliters per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM MICROPARTS GMBH
    Inventors: Gert Blankenstein, Christian Schoen
  • Patent number: 9211549
    Abstract: The invention provides a sequential centrifuge for centrifuging discrete samples. Methods of more efficiently centrifuging discrete samples sequentially are also provided. The apparatus and methods for sequentially centrifuging discrete samples provide improved operating efficiencies over conventional batch centrifuges. Such advantages include reducing dwell time, increasing system throughput, reducing sample processing system footprint, and improving precision of the analytical process. The sequential centrifuge further provides the capability of handling critical samples without compromising the operating efficiencies achieved in centrifuging discrete samples in a sequential manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: TriPath Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: William Alan Fox, Charles L. Carrico
  • Patent number: 9211512
    Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus capable of being mounted on a rotation driving unit. When mounted on the rotation driving unit and rotated, a fluid flow is induced in the apparatus due to a centrifugal force. the microfluidic apparatus includes a sample supplying unit that comprises a sample chamber to house a sample and provides a fluid including a target material in which fine beads are bound to a target cell in the sample; a density-gradient separation unit that houses a density gradient material with a lower density than the target material, and receives the fluid from the sample supplying unit to separate the target material from the fluid based on a density difference; a fluid supplying channel connecting the sample supplying unit to the density-gradient separation unit to form a passage of the fluid; and a fluid supplying valve provided to the fluid supplying channel to selectively allow a flow of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Seok S. Kim, Jong-myeon Park
  • Patent number: 9134203
    Abstract: A blood sample apparatus includes a blood sample tube, a cap, and an indicator. The blood sample tube has an exterior surface, an inner cavity disposed within the exterior surface, and an open end. The cap closes the open end of the blood sample tube. The inner cavity is under a vacuum-seal or connected to a suction device for drawing a blood sample into the inner cavity. The indicator is attached to or includes a portion of the blood sample tube for indicating a type, or lack thereof, of blood additive disposed within the inner cavity. When the cap is removed from the open end of the blood sample tube the indicator remains attached to or still includes the portion of the blood sample tube. If the indicator is a label it extends around at least half of a perimeter of the blood sample tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Bradley Smith, Sarah Benson
  • Patent number: 9101943
    Abstract: The present invention provides a centrifugal particle separation and detection device, which can separate and detect particles according to the particle size. The centrifugal particle separate and detection device is practiced with a centrifuge to separate particles, and can be applied to cancer cell detection, blood lymphocyte isolation, tissue engineering, polynucleotide hybridization, microorganism separation and detection and fine chemical purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Da-Jeng Yao, Chih-Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 9079180
    Abstract: There are provided a microchip provided with a liquid reagent retaining portion that retains the liquid reagent, and a usage thereof, wherein the liquid reagent is sealed into the liquid reagent retaining portion by a sealant inactive to the liquid reagent, exhibiting flowability at the time of using the microchip, and the microchip further has a separating portion to separate the liquid reagent and the sealant, connected to the liquid reagent retaining portion, and the separating portion is composed of a separation tank for separating the liquid reagent and the sealant, and an accommodation tank for accommodating a separated substance, connected to the separation tank by a first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun Momose
  • Patent number: 9039992
    Abstract: A centrifuge to which sample tubes can be introduced while the centrifuge is in motion. The centrifuge comprises a carousel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the carousel has a plurality of positions for sample tubes for a centrifugation operation, a plurality of drive mechanisms attached to the upper portion of the carousel, a movable element mounted upon each drive mechanism, the movable element capable of traversing the length of the drive mechanism when the drive mechanism is actuated, a sample tube-holding assembly comprising a sample tube holder and a bearing attached to each movable element, and at least one balancing element capable of contributing to a force vector that cancels an imbalance vector generated by rotation of the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventor: Patrick P. Fritchie
  • Publication number: 20150125945
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Holmes, John Kent Frankovich
  • Patent number: 9020782
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling of ski vibration consisting an accelerator/actuator sub-system attached to the ski and a adaptive vibration control application residing in the user smart-phone and communicating with the accelerometer/actuator sub-system over Bluetooth radio interface is disclosed. The adaptive vibration control application extracts vibration frequencies and amplitudes from signal received from an accelerometer, separates such frequencies according to their types—bending or torsional, and after thresholding and scaling by the ski calibration parameters and by the user desired ski response, apply such signal to the control loop and consequently to the actuators to provide vibration dampening force. In one embodiment, such actuators are attached to the ski, while in another embodiment such actuators are embedded into the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: IPComm
    Inventors: Stanislaw Czaja, Grzegorz Staszczuk, Muhammad Afsar
  • Patent number: 9012228
    Abstract: Provided is a method for checking a blood status including: a step of supplying blood to the centrifugal container of a disk; a step of rotating the disk to centrifuge the blood cells and blood plasma in the centrifuge container, and detecting the actual moving distance per hour of the blood cells in the centrifugal container; and a step of establishing a first graph which represents the actual moving distance of the blood cells per hour, and a second graph which represents the theoretical moving distance of the blood cells per hour, and thereafter calculating the hematocrit of the blood cells and the viscosity of the blood plasma by comparing the first graph with the second graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Postech Academy-Industry Foundation
    Inventors: Dong Sung Kim, Moonwoo La, Sangmin Park
  • Patent number: 9005547
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disc-like assay chip, and more specifically, the present invention provides an assay chip which can effectively clean a cleaned object existing in a fluid loop, and can be appropriately applied to a detection method of a reaction system using a step of necessarily cleaning the cleaned object, such as an immunofluorescent antibody method, and applied to a detection method using an enzymatic reaction (especially, an ELISA method). The present invention further provides a disc-like assay chip which is mounted on a centrifugal device such as a rotational disc and can perform detection or quantitation on a target substance through optical measurement after a specimen and a reagent react by use of a centrifugal force generated by rotation of the centrifugal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Iwamoto, Kazuhiro Oguchi, Kenji Hamachi
  • Patent number: 8999729
    Abstract: A device for conducting an agglutination assay comprising several reaction vessels, each reaction vessel comprising an upper chamber having an opening for accepting reactants and/or a sample; and a lower chamber comprising an end in communication with the upper chamber for receiving fluids from the upper chamber, a closed end opposite to the end, and a matrix for separating agglutinates from non-agglutinates; wherein the device further comprises a rotating support able to rotate around an axis and holding pivotally the reaction vessels in a way to allow the reaction vessels to pivot about an axis essentially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the support when the latter is rotated, such that the fluids remain in the upper chamber when the support is not rotated, and can flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber and into the matrix when the support is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Symbion Medical Systems Sarl
    Inventors: Isabelle Delafosse, Fabrice Ummel, Antonio Yanez
  • Patent number: 8990048
    Abstract: System for adaptive control and release of ski bindings comprising a smart-phone based application performing calculation of forces applied to the ski-binding system by analyzing acceleration vectors received from accelerometers embedded in the bindings, then instantaneously releasing both bindings if one or more of the predefined safety thresholds was exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: IPComm
    Inventors: Stanislaw Czaja, Andrzej Bachleda-Curus, Ilona Stawski, Muhammad Afsar