Resistance Or Conductivity Patents (Class 422/82.02)
  • Patent number: 8519446
    Abstract: A gas sensor for sensing chemical gases utilizes a metal oxynitride as the sensing material, which changes its conductivity when exposed to the analyte gas. The change in conductivity is measured for the sensor output. The metal may be either tungsten or molybdenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Nanotech Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald I. Dass, James Novak
  • Publication number: 20130209991
    Abstract: Sensors based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are integrated into a microfluidic system outfitted with data processing and wireless transmission capability. The sensors combine the sensitivity, specificity, and miniature size of SWNT-based nanosensors with the flexible fluid handling power of microfluidic “lab on a chip” analytical systems. Methods of integrating the SWNT-based sensor into a microfluidic system are compatible with the delicate nature of the SWNT sensor elements. The sensor devices are capable of continuously and autonomously monitoring and analyzing liquid samples in remote locations, and are applicable to real time water quality monitoring and monitoring of fluids in living systems and environments. The sensor devices and fabrication methods of the invention constitute a platform technology, because the devices can be designed to specifically detect a large number of distinct chemical agents based on the functionalization of the SWNT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Northeastern University
    Inventor: Northeastern University
  • Patent number: 8501092
    Abstract: The present invention provides a calorimeter device, generally comprising a reaction vessel which may be U-shaped and which may be cantilevered; and a sensor for detecting temperature changes. In various embodiments, the sensor detects heat input into or output from the reaction vessel; changes in the electrical properties of a material coated onto the reaction vessel; changes in the mechanical properties of the reaction vessel; or changes in the resonance properties of the reaction vessel. The present invention further provides arrays of a subject calorimeter device. The present invention further provides a system for detecting a temperature change. The present invention further provides methods of detecting a temperature change that occurs as a result of a chemical, biochemical, biological, light-induced, or physical process. The methods generally involve introducing a sample into a subject device, and detecting a temperature change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: James K. Gimzewski
  • Patent number: 8497130
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chemiresistor-based sensor for measuring the presence or amount of analyte in an electrolyte solution; said chemiresistor comprising (i) a chemiresistor film wherein the impedance of said nanoparticle film changes in the presence of an analyte; and (ii) two electrically conducting electrodes in electrical contact with said nanoparticle film; wherein said electrically conducting electrodes are adapted to be connected to a device for measuring the impedance of said chemiresistor film under a voltage signal and wherein the impedance of the double layer capacitor formed by the two electrically conducting electrodes in the presence of the electrolyte solution, is larger than the impedance of the chemiresistor film either before or after exposure of the chemiresistor film to the analyte. A method of using said chemiresistor-based sensor to measure the presence or amount of analyte is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Burkhard Raguse, Edith Chow
  • Patent number: 8496870
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making lead-free piezoelectric ceramic films. Specifically, the invention is directed to a method for fabricating lead-free piezoelectric free standing films having enhanced piezoelectric properties. The films may be used for a number of applications including incorporation in microelectronic devices such as energy harvesting devices and sensor technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Wei-Heng Shih, Wan Y. Shih, Huidong Li
  • Patent number: 8489341
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring fluid in a fluid line are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first capacitor and a processor in communication with the first capacitor. The first capacitor is configured to sense the capacitance of the fluid line at the first capacitor. The processor is configured to compare the sensed capacitance at the first capacitor with a reference capacitance to determine the composition of the fluid in the fluid line at the first capacitor. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a second capacitor. The second capacitor is configured to sense the capacitance of the fluid line at the second capacitor. The processor is configured to compare the sensed capacitance at the second capacitor with a reference capacitance to determine the composition of the fluid in the fluid line at the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Houston Brown
  • Publication number: 20130171738
    Abstract: A chemical sensor that works while being submerged in a highly conductive medium is described. The chemical sensor includes hydrophobic structures that are distributed on conductive electrodes and are separated by small air cavities while submerged in the conductive medium. The hydrophobic structures are arranged such that their hydrophobicity varies in response to exposure to a target analyte. The change in the level of hydrophobicity results in permeation of the conductive liquid on to the conductive electrodes, thereby reducing the resistance levels between the conductive electrodes. The sensor indicates presence of the target analyte in response to detection of a change in resistance between at least two of the conductive electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hyungryul Johnny Choi, Ayse Asatekin Alexiou, Se Young Yang, Christy D. Petruczok, Karen K. Gleason, Nicholas M. Patrikalakis, George Barbastathis
  • Patent number: 8475716
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention described herein is directed to a detection system utilizing at least one radiofrequency identification (RFID) sensor comprising: an RFID sensor comprising: a substrate; an antenna; a sensor material selected to be sensitive to one of chemical or biological environment; and a reader, wherein said reader is configured to measure a signal in the form of a complex impedance from said RFID tag wherein said signal comprises a plurality of frequencies and a frequency shift of the maximum of the imaginary part of the complex impedance, a frequency shift of the minimum of the imaginary part of the complex impedance, a frequency shift of the maximum of the real part of the complex impedance, and changes in magnitude of the real part of the complex impedance; and, wherein said complex impedance is related to a nature and a concentration of analyte species derived from multivariate analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, William Guy Morris
  • Publication number: 20130164832
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for reducing the number of input/output connections required to connect a microfluidic substrate to an external controller for controlling the substrate. For example, provided herein is a device with three groups of independently controllable components, where the first group includes a first lead and a first heater configured to heat a valve; where the second group includes a second lead and a second heater configured to heat a reaction chamber; where the third group includes a third lead and the first and second heaters; and where the first heater is independently controllable via a combination of the first lead and the third lead, and the second heater is independently controllable via a combination of the second lead and the third lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: HANDYLAB, INC.
    Inventor: HANDYLAB, INC.
  • Patent number: 8468680
    Abstract: A biological test member, and method of making the same, is disclosed with the member including a substrate. The test member has usefulness, for example, in testing a person's blood glucose level. A first layer and a second layer of conductive metal are printed or otherwise applied on the substrate in an electrode pattern. The metal or metals are cured or sintered at a low, non-damaging temperature, such as by applying one or more pulses of a high-energy broad spectrum light. A layer of reagent may be provided on said second metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Abner David Joseph
  • Patent number: 8470606
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention also provides methods for splitting droplets. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with top and bottom substrates, a plurality of magnetic fields respectively present proximate the top and bottom substrates, wherein at least one of the magnet fields is selectively alterable, and a plurality of droplet operations electrodes positioned along at least one of the top and bottom surfaces. A droplet is positioned between the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of the magnetic fields is selectively altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Duke University, Advanced Liquid Logic Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay Srinivasan, Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack, Richard B. Fair
  • Patent number: 8465978
    Abstract: Methods and devices for conducting platelet aggregation analysis. A method for conducting platelet aggregation analysis by a cartridge device, including providing a blood sample in the cartridge device, stirring the blood sample within the cartridge device, measuring the electrical impedance between electrodes to obtain measured electrical impedance values, comparing measured electrical impedance values, discarding and repeating the measurements of the electrical impedance in case a variation of the measurements is outside a predetermined threshold range, or reporting the measured electrical impedance values in case the variation of the measurements is within the predetermined threshold range. Reported measured electrical impedance values indicate platelet aggregation in a blood sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: F. Hoffmann-la Roche AG
    Inventors: Andreas Calatzis, Ben Krüger, Marc Wittwer
  • Patent number: 8454819
    Abstract: The present invention includes sensors and systems that include a sensor. A sensor includes a sensor polymer, where the polymer includes a repeating unit having an anilineboronic acid-phosphate complex or an anilineboronic acid complexed with an alcohol or diol. The sensor polymer may be a copolymer, such as a random copolymer, a block copolymer, or an alternate copolymer. The present invention also provides methods for using the sensors described herein, including methods for detecting the presence of an analyte, such as CO2, in a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Sureshraja Neethirajan, Michael S. Freund, Digvir J. Jayas
  • Patent number: 8449825
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structure comprising a biological membrane and a porous or perforated substrate, a biological membrane, a substrate, a high throughput screen, methods for production of the structure membrane and substrate, and a method for screening a large number of test compounds in a short period. More particularly it relates to a structure comprising a biological membrane adhered to a porous or perforated substrate, a biological membrane capable of adhering with high resistance seals to a substrate such as perforated glass and the ability to form sheets having predominantly an ion channel or transporter of interest, a high throughput screen for determining the effect of test compounds on ion channel or transporter activity, methods for manufacture of the structure, membrane and substrate, and a method for monitoring ion channel or transporter activity in a membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Xention Limited
    Inventors: David Geraint Owen, Nicholas Gerard Byrne
  • Patent number: 8440467
    Abstract: Electronic devices comprising a dielectric material, at least one carbon sheet, and two electrode terminals are described herein. The devices exhibit non-linear current-versus-voltage response over a voltage sweep range in various embodiments. Uses of the electronic devices as two-terminal memory devices, logic units, and sensors are disclosed. Processes for making the electronic devices are disclosed. Methods for using the electronic devices in analytical methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: James M. Tour, Yubao Li, Alexander Sinitskiy
  • Patent number: 8440062
    Abstract: A miniature, lightweight, inexpensive, environmental monitoring system containing a number of sensors that can simultaneously and continuously monitor fluorescence, absorbance, conductivity, temperature, and several ions. Sensors that monitor similar parameters can cross-check data to increase the likelihood that a problem with the water will be discovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: David A Kidwell
  • Publication number: 20130115136
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first field effect transistor that includes a first gate electrode, a first drain electrode, and a first source electrode; a second field effect transistor that includes a second gate electrode, a second drain electrode, and a second source electrode, the first and second gate electrodes being at least one of electrically connected or integral, and the first and second source electrodes being at least one of electrically connected or integral; an input electrode electrically connected to the first and second gate electrodes; and an output electrode electrically connected to the first and second source electrodes. The first field effect transistor also includes a first semiconductor material. The second field effect transistor further also incudes a second semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Howard Edan Katz, Patrick N. Breysse, Mukund Bal Dhar, Jonathan Noah Tremblay
  • Patent number: 8431080
    Abstract: A microscale polymer-based apparatus comprises a substrate formed from a first polymer material and at least one active region integrated with the substrate. The at least one active region is patterned from a second polymer material that is modified to perform at least one function within the at least one active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Chang Liu, Jonathan Engel, Kee Ryu
  • Patent number: 8426208
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for determination of ionizing radiation. In some embodiments, the devices comprise nanocomposite materials containing nanostructures (e.g., carbon nanotubes) dispersed in radiation sensitive polymers. In some cases, the device may include a conductive pathway that may be affected upon exposure to ionizing radiation. Embodiments described herein may provide inexpensive, large area, low power, and highly sensitive radiation detection materials/devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, Jose M. Lobez
  • Patent number: 8420404
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to various methods for measuring the amount of an analyte present in a biological fluid using an electrochemical testing process. Various embodiments are disclosed, including the use of AC test signals and the performance of tests having a Total Test Time within about 3.0 seconds or less, and/or having a clinically low Total System Error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Diebold, Terry A. Beaty, Harvey B. Buck, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8415166
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for the detection of a peroxide-based explosive, in particular, triacetone triperoxide (TATP), which is based on a molecular controlled semiconductor resistor (MOCSER) and composed of at least one insulating or semi-insulating layer, at least one conducting semiconductor layer, two conducting pads and a layer of multifunctional organic molecules capable of adsorbing molecules of the peroxide-based explosive. The invention further provides an array of semiconductor devices for the selective detection of a peroxide-based explosive, as well as a method for the selective detection of vapors of a peroxide-based explosive in a gaseous mixture using this array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ron Naaman, Eyal Capua, Roberto Cao
  • Publication number: 20130068622
    Abstract: A device for real time monitoring of fluid composition in microfluidic devices. The invention can be integrated into any microfluidic device where fluid moves along a pathway with a measurement region consisting of at least two measurement electrodes. The fluidic pathway can contain an unbound droplet, a droplet confined in at least one aspect, or a continuous flow. The device also includes control circuitry connected to measurement electrodes that allows for the determination of the droplet composition by measuring at least one of capacitance, resistance, or impedance between said electrodes. This invention can (1) measure droplet composition, (2) compare composition against a known sample, (3) monitor droplet mixing, (4) control mixing to achieve specific mixing ratios, (5) measure the particle concentration within a droplet, (6) determine the position of particles in a droplet, and (7) monitor chemical reactions. These functions call all be performed in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Michael John Schertzer, Ridha Ben Mrad, Pierre Edward Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8398921
    Abstract: A chemical sensor using metal nano-particles and a method for manufacturing a chemical sensor using metal nano-particles are provided. The chemical sensor includes: metal nano-particles; single-ligand organic molecules (or a single molecule) that binds to the metal nano-particles by using a metal bonding functional group; a substrate bonding functional group formed at the metal nano-particles and the single-ligand organic molecules as bound to each other; a substrate; electrodes formed on the substrate and having an interdigitate (IDT) structure; and a substrate functional group formed on the substrate and positioned between the electrodes, wherein the substrate bonding functional group and the substrate functional group are covalently bonded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Myung Lae Lee, Young Jun Kim, Sung Hae Jung, Ho Jun Ryu, Jong Moo Lee
  • Publication number: 20130065317
    Abstract: A sample analyzer comprising: a sample preparing section for preparing first and second measurement sample including reagent and sample; a first detector for detecting a predetermined component in the first measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section; a second detector for detecting the predetermined component in the second measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section; and a controller configured for performing operations, comprising: (a) controlling the first detector to detect the predetermined component in the first measurement sample prepared by the sample preparing section; (b) determining the reliability of the result detected by the first detector; (c) controlling the sample preparing section to prepare the second measurement sample from the same sample when the result has been determined to be unreliable; and (d) controlling the second detector to detect the predetermined component in the second measurement sample, is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: SYSMEX CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130065324
    Abstract: An assay apparatus having an assay strip. The assay strip has a first area with a plurality of magnetic particles bonded thereto. The assay strip also has a microfluidic (or nanofluidic) channel or chamber, having a sensing area including one or more magnetic particle traps and a magnetic field source provided adjacent to the sensing area. Introduction of a fluid causes the magnetic particles to become attached to or displaced by a substance of interest, travel along the microfluidic channel to the sensing area and become concentrated in the one or more traps thus providing an indication of the presence or absence of a substance of interest in the fluid. There may be a plurality of traps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: BIO AMD HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Mitchell, Nasser Djennati
  • Publication number: 20130059396
    Abstract: Fluid analyte sensors include a photoelectrocatalytic element that is configured to be exposed to the fluid, if present, and to respond to photoelectrocatalysis of at least one analyte in the fluid that occurs in response to impingement of optical radiation upon the photoelectrocatalytic element. A semiconductor light emitting source is also provided that is configured to impinge the optical radiation upon the photoelectrocatalytic element. Related solid state devices and sensing methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Valencell, Inc.
    Inventor: Valencell, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8388817
    Abstract: Fluid treatment devices are disclosed. The fluid treatment devices may include a first electrode and a second electrode and a control device which provides an alternating potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Eric John Kruger
  • Patent number: 8383048
    Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting a concentration of one or more element in hydrocarbon and/or natural gas in a oil and gas field application. The device including a microstructure having a low thermal mass suspended within a channel, the microstructure includes a supporting layer and a insulating layer; a controllable thermal device in communication with the supporting layer of the microstructure, wherein the controllable thermal device is controllably heated to one or more release temperature of the one or more element; a sensing layer arranged on the insulating layer to absorb molecules of the one or more element from hydrocarbon and/or natural gas; a detecting and measuring resistance device in communication with the sensing layer for measuring the resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of the one or more element onto the sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature, and storing the data on a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. G. van Hal, Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 8377707
    Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Burke, Lance S. Kuhn, James Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8377702
    Abstract: Method that includes providing plurality of test sites each having first and second layers respectively including inorganic first and second surface sites forming parts of interior of a well, the surface sites having positions and thicknesses being configured for locating thereon portions of unidentified amino acid-containing molecules; exposing each of a first plurality of the test sites to a fluid containing a different one of plurality of pre-identified amino acid-containing molecules and determining bonding signatures onto each of first plurality of test sites; exposing each of second plurality of test sites to another fluid containing unidentified amino acid-containing molecule and determining bonding signatures onto second plurality of test sites; and comparing bonding signatures to determine or exclude identity of unidentified amino acid-containing molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Robert L. Willett, Kirk W. Baldwin, Loren N. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 8377694
    Abstract: A method for the calibration of a device for measuring the total organic carbon content (TOC) of an aqueous solution by measuring resistivity. The method includes the following steps, in the presence of a reference TOC analyzer: (a) producing a calibration point by a measurement carried out on ultrapure water by the device and the analyzer; (b) producing a plurality of calibration points, each calibration point corresponding to a measurement of the resistivity of a solution having a given content of photo-oxidizable compound, by the device and the analyzer, in order to establish a correlation between the values measured by the device and the analyzer; and (c) calibrating the device by at least one algorithm, based on the measurements carried out in the previous step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Pascal Rajagopalan, Celine Le Ninivin-Glipa, Antony Vanheghe
  • Patent number: 8372650
    Abstract: In a sensing element for a nitrogen oxide molecule of the present invention, a sensing portion that is to be bonded to a nitrogen oxide molecule to be sensed is fixed between paired metal electrodes through connecting portions. The sensing portion is a single porphyrin molecule or a single porphyrin derivative molecule each having, as a central metal thereof, iron or cobalt. The connecting portions are each a mercaptophenyleneethynyl group bonded to the single porphyrin molecule or the single porphyrin derivative molecule. Provided are a sensing element for nitrogen oxide molecule, a sensing apparatus for nitrogen oxide molecule, and a method for sensing nitrogen oxide molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Toyoda
  • Patent number: 8372344
    Abstract: In general, the present disclosure is directed toward a novel hybrid spintronic device for converting chemical absorption into a change in magnetoresistance. This device uses a novel magnetic material which depends on the attachment of an organic structure to a metallic film for its magnetism. Changes in the chemical environment lead to absorption on the surface of this organometallic bilayer and thus modify its magnetic properties. The change in magnetic properties, in turn, leads to a change in the resistance of a magnetoresistive structure or a spin transistor structure, allowing a standard electrical detection of the chemical change in the sensor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Thomas M. Crawford, Samir Y. Garzon
  • Patent number: 8361391
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, by: positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils (or antennae); passing a spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) through a first of the induction coils (or antennae); measuring spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) produced in the second of the induction coils (or antennae); and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents (or voltages) in the first and second induction coils (or antennae), thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Boris Rubinsky, Cesar A. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8354307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence and/or the reaction of a biomolecule by monitoring changes of electrical property accurately according to the biological, biochemical or chemical reaction of the biomolecule, and a biochip provided for this purpose. The present invention provides a method for detecting the presence and/or the reaction of a biomolecule in a target sample, wherein the reaction of the target sample is performed under known reaction solution, in which a reference fluid having a high dielectric constant such as water is filled into a reaction chamber before the reaction to measure an impedance value or a capacitance value, after completing the reaction, the reaction solution is removed and said reference fluid having a high dielectric constant is refilled to measure an impedance value or a capacitance value, and then the impedance value or the capacitance value measured before and after the reaction is compared with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Digital Genomics Inc.
    Inventor: Jae-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8354647
    Abstract: A device and method which comprises a sensing surface on a membrane, solid surface or electrode, where the sensing surface contains a photo-voltage active material chosen in relation to a particular target substance to be detected and quantified. The photo-voltage active material is of a type which produces an interfacial photo-voltage electrical signal upon illumination. The particular photo-voltage active material chosen for a particular target substance is one in which the presence of the target substance causes a change in the electrical signal produced. The presence of the target substance modifies the expected photo-voltage produced by the sensing surface upon illumination. The photo-voltage produces signals which are detected by electronic circuits, and the presence and concentration of the target substance is determined by analyzing the difference between the photo-voltage of the target sample versus the photo-voltage of a control sample lacking the target substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: University of North Florida
    Inventors: Jay S. Huebner, Rodolfo T. Arrieta
  • Patent number: 8354059
    Abstract: Not only a downsized cartridge but also an aperture constituted simply and at low cost using a downsized configuration of the cartridge is provided. A measurement channel includes a front-surface-side channel unit provided on a front surface of a cartridge main body; a rear-surface-side channel unit provided on a rear surface of the cartridge main body; and a connection channel unit connecting the front-surface-side channel unit to the rear-surface-side channel unit. An aperture is formed in the connection channel unit, a fluid contact unit of one electrode is arranged in the front-surface-side channel unit, and a fluid contact unit of the other electrode is arranged in the rear-surface-side channel unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: HORIBA, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Miyamura, Kazutaka Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8349259
    Abstract: A biosensor includes a cavity for holding a sample, an electrode system for measuring the sample concentration in the cavity, and a thermocouple for obtaining temperature information during measurement. A measurement device includes a reference temperature junction sensor or an environmental temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of reference temperature junctions of the thermocouple. A temperature compensation measures the temperature difference between a measuring junction and a reference temperature junctions of the thermocouple, and specifies the temperature of a reference temperature junction, thereby using the temperature information as the temperature of a measurement component and performing accurate temperature compensation from the measuring junction temperature information and the environmental temperature information with respect to the measured values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Fujii, Yoshifumi Takahara, Noriyoshi Terashima
  • Patent number: 8349258
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for measuring the amount of an analyte to be detected in human interstitial fluid, comprising a micro-cantilever sensing unit which includes: a first substrate; a micro-cantilever which is substantially in parallel with the first substrate and one end of which is supported onto the first substrate; a gold film formed onto at least one side of the micro-cantilever; a protein layer formed on the gold film, the protein layer being used to adsorb, at a surface thereof, the analyte to be detected in human interstitial fluid; a driving electrode provided on the first substrate; a micro-cantilever electrode which is provided on the first substrate at a position where the micro-cantilever is supported, and which is cooperated with the driving electrode so as to drive the micro-cantilever to produce resonance in a direction perpendicular to the first substrate; and a detecting electrode which is provided on the first substrate and which is cooperated with the micro-cantilever electrode so as to d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tianjin Sunshine Optics Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kexin Xu, Dachao Li
  • Patent number: 8349612
    Abstract: A guided structured testing kit which may include a test strip container, a test strip meter, a testing protocol advisor, and at least one of diagnostic test strip is presented. The diagnostic test strip includes a support element, a glucose reagent provided on the support element, and a glycemic context code provided on the support element. The glycemic context code can be machine-readable. The glycemic context code signals a glycemic context to a test strip meter, either upon insertion of the diagnostic test strip or by a user manually inputting the glycemic context into the test strip meter. A method for performing a guided structured test is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Wiegel, Colleen Csavas, Ulrich Porsch
  • Patent number: 8329116
    Abstract: Provided is a measuring chip, which can spot a specimen liquid of a minute quantity for an immune agglutination easily and precisely to the measuring chip and which can prevent the flow of the specimen liquid and the contamination of the specimen. The measuring chip comprises at least two substrates, a spacer arranged between the substrates, at least one passage made of the substrates and the spacer into a hollow shape and having two open ends, counter electrodes for applying an electric field, and a specimen-spotted portion to be spotted with the specimen. The specimen-spotted portion has a structure made of a square, circular, elliptical or sector shape by that spacer. Moreover, the specimen-spotted portion has two open ends, one of which is connected to one open end of that passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei Tanaka, Tomohiro Yamamoto, Nobuhiko Ozaki, Shinki Kojima
  • Patent number: 8323573
    Abstract: A microfluidic cartridge with solution reservoir-pump chamber is disclosed. The microfluidic cartridge comprises a channel-chamber layer, a sealing layer, a printed circuit board bound with magnetoresistive biochip. The channel-chamber layer includes at least a waste reservoir, a reaction-detection chamber, a solution reservoir-pump chamber and a plurality of micro-channels. Said solution reservoir-pump chamber realizes both functions of solution reservoir and pump chamber in a single structure. Said sealing layer is sealed with said channel-chamber layer to form an integrated microfluidic system with at least a waste reservoir, a reaction-detection chamber, a solution inlet, a solution reservoir-pump chamber and a micro-channel. Said solution reservoir-pump chamber in the present invention consists of elastic objects inside for sealing and pumping. Under pressure, said elastic object propels solution in the reservoir into said reaction-detection chamber via channels of said plurality of micro-channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Yunhua Gao
  • Patent number: 8323572
    Abstract: A measuring device includes a first substrate; and a second substrate bonded on the first substrate. The second substrate has at least two inflow ports, at least two outflow ports, and an injection port. The two inflow ports, the two outflow ports, and the injection port penetrate the second substrate. The first substrate includes partition wall portions opposing to each other, and forming a first cavity between the partition wall portions, and forming at least two second cavities close against one of the partition wall portions. Each second cavity is provided adjacent to the first cavity. Through holes are provided in the respective partition wall portions to connect the first cavity and the second cavity to each other, and the through holes are adapted to capture an object to-be-tested introduced in the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Agency for Science Technology and Research
    Inventors: Masaya Nakatani, Levent Yobas, Julien Reboud
  • Patent number: 8323571
    Abstract: Method and system embodiments of the present invention control the ascorbate concentration in produce treatments and particularly are exemplified in fresh cut fruit and vegetable treatments via measured refractivity and/or electrical conductivity of, and/or calcium ions present in, the treatment solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Primordial Diagnostics Inc, DEA Pulse Instruments
    Inventor: Karan Khurana
  • Patent number: 8318096
    Abstract: A wireless blood glucose meter is a battery-powered apparatus to communicating wirelessly with a portable terminal, and includes a blood glucose level detector that measures a blood glucose level, a transmitter that transmits the blood glucose level measured by the blood glucose level detector to the portable terminal, a receiver that receives a response signal sent from the portable terminal in response to the transmission of the blood glucose level by the transmitter to the portable terminal, and a voltage monitor that monitors the output voltage of the battery. A transmission control circuit changes the transmission method used by the transmitter on the basis of the output voltage of the battery as detected by the voltage monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Okuda, Tooru Aoki, Norio Imai, Akiyoshi Oozawa
  • Patent number: 8318505
    Abstract: A multiple-gate field-effect transistor includes a fluid in a top gate, two lateral gates, and a bottom gate. The multiple-gate field-effect transistor also includes a patterned depletion zone and a virtual depletion zone that has a lesser width than the patterned depletion zone. The virtual depletion zone width creates a virtual semiconductor nanowire that is lesser in width than the patterned depletion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gil Shalev, Amihood Doron, Ariel Cohen
  • Patent number: 8318099
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a wireless sensor, such as an RFID tag, that includes a substrate, an antenna disposed on the substrate, and an environmentally sensitive sensor material disposed over at least a portion of said substrate. Other embodiments an RFID tag and at least one antibody coupled to the RFID tag. The RFID tag includes a substrate, circuitry disposed on the substrate, and an antenna coupled to the substrate. The at least one antibody is capable of affecting the signals emanating from the RFID tag. Further embodiments include a detection system that includes a reader. Yet other embodiments include a method for detecting specific analytes. The method includes providing an RFID tag which emanates a first signal having a first frequency, and enabling the REID tag to emanate a second signal having a second frequency upon attraction of a specific analyte to the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, William Guy Morris, Kenneth Brakeley Welles, II, Andrew Michael Leach, Andrew David Pris
  • Patent number: 8309024
    Abstract: A system for non-destructive determination of the degree of fluorination in carbon monofluoride (CFx) during the process of CFx synthesis is described. The system includes a measuring generator containing a capacitive sensor for measuring a respective capacitance, a base generator containing a capacitive sensor for measuring a base capacitance, and a processor for determining a difference between the respective capacitance and the base capacitance. The system is configured to determine the degree of fluorination based on the difference between the respective capacitance and the base capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Enerize Corporation
    Inventors: Volodymyr I Redko, Elena M Shembel, Volodymyr S Khandetskyy, Dayal T Meshri, Isaac A Angres, Robert Adams, Dmytro Sivtsov, Oxana V Redko, Tymofiy V Pastushkin
  • Patent number: 8309028
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chemiresistor-based sensor for measuring the presence or amount of analyte in an electrolyte solution; said chemiresistor comprising (i) a chemiresistor film wherein the impedance of said nanoparticle film changes in the presence of an analyte; and (ii) two electrically conducting electrodes in electrical contact with said nanoparticle film; wherein said electrically conducting electrodes are adapted to be connected to a device for measuring the impedance of said chemiresistor film under a voltage signal and wherein the impedance of the double layer capacitor formed by the two electrically conducting electrodes in the presence of the electrolyte solution, is larger than the impedance of the chemiresistor film either before or after exposure of the chemiresistor film to the analyte. A method of using said chemiresistor-based sensor to measure the presence or amount of analyte is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Burkhard Raguse, Edith Chow
  • Patent number: 8303897
    Abstract: An organic chemical sensor includes a dielectric core that comprises an elastomer and a high dielectric constant material. The elastomer absorbs an organic chemical to be sensed. An electrically conductive layer is secured to a first side of the dielectric core. A permeable conductive layer is secured to a second side of the dielectric core. The permeable conductive layer is electrically conductive and permeable to the organic chemical to be sensed. The absorption of the organic chemical to be sensed by the elastomeric layer causes a decrease in the capacitance between the electrically conductive layer and the permeable conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventors: Jeannine O. Colla, Paul E. Thoma