Measuring Optical Property By Using Ultraviolet, Infrared, Or Visible Light Patents (Class 422/82.05)
  • Patent number: 10551322
    Abstract: A SERS unit comprises an integrally formed handling board and a SERS element secured within a container space provided in the handling board so as to open to one side in a thickness direction of the handling board. The SERS element has a substrate arranged on an inner surface of the container space and an optical function part formed on the substrate, for generating surface-enhanced Raman scattering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Masashi Ito, Katsumi Shibayama, Toshimitsu Kawai, Kazuto Ofuji, Hiroki Oyama, Yoshihiro Maruyama, Takafumi Yokino, Masaki Hirose, Anna Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10533949
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method, and meter for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample provided on a test strip. The meter (10) may include a body (12), an optical reader (28), and a test strip holder (90). The body (12) has first (14) and second ends (16) and defines a longitudinal axis y extending between the first and second ends (14,16). The optical reader (28) may be coupled to the body (12) and adapted to analyze the analyte on the test strip. The test strip holder (90) may be coupled to the body (12) and include first and second arms (92,94). One of the optical reader (28) or the test strip holder (90) may be movable along the longitudinal axis of the body between a first position, in which the first and second arms (92,94) of the test strip holder (90) overlie the optical reader (28), and a second position, in which the optical reader (28) extends beyond the first and second arms (92,94) of the test strip holder (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG
    Inventor: Steven C. Charlton
  • Patent number: 10527638
    Abstract: To clean a nozzle that is part of an automated analyzer and is provided with both a tubular discharge unit that discharges a cleaning liquid and a tubular suction unit that suctions in cleaning liquid that was discharged from the discharge unit and is running down an outer surface, first the discharge unit is made to start discharging, and then in parallel with said discharging, the suction unit is made to start suctioning. After the suction unit has suctioned in the cleaning liquid running down the aforementioned outer surface for a prescribed length of time, the suctioning is temporarily stopped. Next, after a prescribed amount of the cleaning liquid has accumulated in a cleaning tank, the discharging is stopped, and with the suction unit immersed in the cleaning liquid accumulated in the cleaning tank, the suctioning is restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: JEOL Ltd., Fujirebio Inc.
    Inventor: Nakamura Mizuki
  • Patent number: 10493296
    Abstract: Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, including treatment of conditions, disorders, or diseases mediated by or associated with a target structure, such as a virus, cell, subcellular structure or extracellular structure. The methods may be performed in situ in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy to a subject thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC, DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tuan Vo-Dinh, Jonathan P. Scaffidi, Venkata Gopal Reddy Chada, Benoit Lauly, Yan Zhang, Molly K. Gregas, Ian Nicholas Stanton, Joshua T. Stecher, Michael J. Therien, Frederic A. Bourke, Jr., Harold Walder, Zak Fathi, Jennifer A. Ayres, Zhenyuan Zhang, Joseph H. Simmons, Stephen John Norton
  • Patent number: 10488643
    Abstract: The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein provide sample verification capabilities in a single device or system. Devices are disclosed herein. Systems including these devices are also provided. These devices and systems may be configured for verifying sample integrity prior to a subject leaving a sample collection site so that any further samples or other corrective action can occur without having to make a separate visit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Theranos IP Company, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary Morrison, Daniel Young, Sunny Balwani
  • Patent number: 10488317
    Abstract: Acquiring sets of test data on amounts of foreign matter passed through a recirculation sump screen when different amounts of foreign matter are input; forming a passed foreign matter amount approximate line that approximates the amounts of passed foreign matter with respect to the amounts of input foreign matter on the basis of the sets of test data on the amounts of passed foreign matter; forming a passed foreign matter amount envelope tangent to the passed foreign matter amount approximate line; and estimating a total passed foreign matter amount with respect to the amounts of input foreign matter on the basis of the passed foreign matter amount envelope to evaluate the recirculation sump screen are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Sakata, Hiroyuki Kojima, Hiroshi Matsuoka, Yuji Momose
  • Patent number: 10478816
    Abstract: The invention provides a passive fluidics circuit for directing different fluids to a common volume, such as a reaction chamber or flow cell, without intermixing or cross contamination. The direction and rate of flow through junctions, nodes and passages of the fluidics circuit are controlled by the states of upstream valves (e.g. opened or closed), differential fluid pressures at circuit inlets or upstream reservoirs, flow path resistances, and the like. Free diffusion or leakage of fluids from unselected inlets into the common outlet or other inlets at junctions or nodes is prevented by the flow of the selected inlet fluid, a portion of which sweeps by the inlets of unselected fluids and exits the fluidics circuit by waste ports, thereby creating a barrier against undesired intermixing with the outlet flow through leakage or diffusion. The invention is particularly advantageous in apparatus for performing sensitive multistep reactions, such as pH-based DNA sequencing reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Schultz, David Marran
  • Patent number: 10471424
    Abstract: A microfluidic circuit element comprising a microfluidic main channel and nano interstices is disclosed. The nano interstices are formed at both sides of the main channel and are in fluid communication with the main channel. The nano interstices have a height less than that of the main channel, gives more driving force of the microfluidic channel and provides stable flow of a fluid. The microfluidic circuit element may be made from a plastic material having a contact angle of 90 degrees or less. The microfluidic circuit element is particularly useful when filling a liquid sample to the channel which is empty or filled with air and shows greatly improved a storage stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: INCYTO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sin Kil Cho, Seok Chung
  • Patent number: 10457983
    Abstract: An analytic device comprising a device housing, a dock to receive a camera enabled mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone and other smart devices, and a processing device to communicate with the mobile electronic device and to control a condition of the assay tube, such as temperature. In another example, the analytic device comprises a device housing and a circuit board. A processing device, a heating block defining a recess to support assay tube, and a resistive heater are surface mounted to the circuit board. A light source and a fan are also provided. A dock may be provided to support a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device communicates with the processing device to cause the application of reaction conditions to the assay tube, to perform a PCR procedure, for example. Methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventors: Marc Dominic DeJohn, Jesse Wilson vanWestrienen, Maximilian Maksutovic
  • Patent number: 10459257
    Abstract: A spaser device comprises a graphene resonator and a carbon nanotube (CNT) gain element coupled via exciton-plasmon interaction. The graphene resonator may be a rectangular or square graphene nanoflake (GNF), and the CNT gain element may be characterized by chirality vector (n,m) selected such that the CNT has semiconducting properties. The CNT gain element may be illuminated using a light source having a photon energy corresponding with a first exciton energy (E22) of the CNT, whereby excitons having a second exciton energy (E11) less than the first exciton energy are generated in the CNT, and coupled to a surface plasmon (SP) mode of the graphene resonator. When the rate of generation of excitons having the second exciton energy exceeds a gain threshold, continuous spasing is established within the spaser device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Monash University
    Inventors: Chanaka Rupasinghe, Malin Premaratne, Ivan D. Rukhlenko
  • Patent number: 10332693
    Abstract: A supercapacitor electrode comprising a mixture of graphene sheets and humic acid, wherein humic acid occupies 0.1% to 99% by weight of the mixture and the graphene sheets are selected from a pristine graphene material having essentially zero % of non-carbon elements, or a non-pristine graphene material having 0.001% to 5% by weight of non-carbon elements wherein said non-pristine graphene is selected from graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene fluoride, graphene chloride, graphene bromide, graphene iodide, hydrogenated graphene, nitrogenated graphene, chemically functionalized graphene, or a combination thereof; and wherein said mixture has a specific surface area greater than 500 m2/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Song-Hai Chai, Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 10317385
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods that can be used to automatically calibrate a fluorescence-measuring instrument capable of continuously measuring the concentration of hardness in process water. The calibration method is used to compensate for drift of instrument and equipment, changes of operational conditions, and contamination of reagents and calibration standards. Calibration of the fluorescence-measuring instrument using the present calibration method improves both accuracy and repeatability for subsequent hardness concentration measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Li, Alexandra Knoth, Joe Schwartz, Christopher Brant Wilson, Arthur Kahaian
  • Patent number: 10309960
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting one or more particles such as individual unlabeled molecules or single nanoparticles. In examples described herein, optical energy is introduced into a microtoroid or other microcavity to generate an evanescent field. The microcavity has a functionalized outer surface that has been functionalized with a chemically or biologically active substance such as an antibody, antigen or protein. An indication of a particle bound to the functionalized outer surface of the microcavity is then detected based on a reactive interaction between the particle and the evanescent field while using frequency locking, balanced detection and various filtering techniques. The frequency locking, balanced detection and filtering techniques reduce the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the detection system so that single nanoparticles (e.g. 2.5 nanometers (nm) in radius) and individual molecules (e.g. 15.5 kilo-Dalton (kDa) in size) can be detected in aqueous solution in some examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: Tsu-Te Judith Su
  • Patent number: 10288609
    Abstract: A method for determining the amount of a specific analyte by photometric assays, wherein the specific analyte in a sample reacts with an analyte specific reaction partner in a reaction mixture. At least two calibration curves are generated, the first calibration curve recorded at a first wavelength is optimized for low concentrations of the specific analyte thereby maximizing the lower detection limit and, the second calibration curve recorded at a second wavelength is optimized for high concentrations of the specific analyte thereby maximizing the upper detection limit. The optimized lower detection limit and the optimized upper detection limit results in an extended dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Thorsten Brueckner, Eloisa Lopez-Calle, Norbert Oranth, Josef Roedl
  • Patent number: 10261043
    Abstract: Matrix materials, such as sol-gels and polymers derivatives to contain a redox active material can be used to form electrodes and probes suitable for use in pH meters and other analyte sensing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Lee, Mark Micklatcher, Jai Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 10261041
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring chip cartridge module conducting mobile multi-parameter analyzes of chemical and/or biological substances, comprising a sample inlet for the extraneous introduction of a sample substance into said measuring chip cartridge module, at least one separate reagent inlet for the extraneous introduction of reagents into said measuring chip cartridge module, a measuring chip, the surface of which—designed for sample analysis—at least partially restricts an analysis cell with two openings, such that a liquid surrounding said sample substance can pass into the analysis cell through a first opening for the sample analysis, as well as a channel system, in which said sample substance can be conveyed from said sample inlet to said analysis cell and said reagents can be conveyed from at least the one reagent inlet to said analysis cell, wherein said channel system has no solid reagents, preferably no other substances apart from air and/or inert gas, prior to the introduction of said sam
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Lars Blohm, Eric Nebling, Joerg Albers, Gundula Piechotta
  • Patent number: 10190980
    Abstract: A method for measuring turbidity, chlorine content and color of a liquid, the method including retaining, from a continuous flow of the liquid, a sample volume of the liquid, and at least nearly simultaneously executing at least two of detecting illumination from the sample volume of liquid by at least a first detector operable for detecting illumination from the sample volume of liquid at a 90-degree angle with respect to an illumination beam generated by an illuminator and impinging on the sample volume of liquid, thereby measuring a turbidity of the sample volume of liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BLUE-I WATER TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Alex Rachman, Mikhail Lifshits, Stela Diamant Lazarovich
  • Patent number: 10180400
    Abstract: A device for photometric qualification of lateral flow quick tests by means of camera imaging includes an arrangement which manages with a pinhole aperture with a slot-shaped opening, which has been integrated into the basic housing body, in which the imaging has been optimized with a view to diffraction, imaging scale and integration behavior and in which the illumination and all the components are arranged in a housing which can be produced at a reasonable price, with the result that the quantifiability of customary LFA quick tests is made possible for the user with a sufficient precision. The device can transmit test-specific data automatically and contact-free with the help of electromagnetic waves via a transponder (RFID) and is thus suited for various tests and for quantification of LFA's. The device may work autonomously with an internal microcontroller (embedded system). The figures can be stored and optionally transmitted to a computer via an interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Optricon Entwicklungsgesellschaft Fur Optische Technologien MBH
    Inventors: Wilko Hein, Grigorios Barboutis
  • Patent number: 10175159
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns a cytometry system including a handling system that enables presentation of single cells to at least one laser source. The laser source is configured to deliver light to a cell within the cells in order to induce bond vibrations in the cellular DNA. The system further includes a detection facility that detects the signature of the bond vibrations, wherein the bond vibration signature is used to determine the folding or packing of the DNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: 1087 SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthias Wagner, John Heanue
  • Patent number: 10175110
    Abstract: A hyperspectral camera apparatus is disclosed. The disclosed hyperspectral camera includes a plurality of semiconductor light sources to illuminate the subject with different wavelengths of light, an image sensor to acquire the image of the subject illuminated by the semiconductor light sources, and at least one optical filter provided in front of the image sensor to selectively transmit particular wavelengths of light onto the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventors: Hojun Yoon, Taek Kim
  • Patent number: 10119911
    Abstract: An analyte indicator may include a porous base and may be included in an analyte sensor. The analyte indicator may retain its physical, chemical, and optical properties in the presence of compression. The porous base may not vary in opacity. The analyte indicator may include (i) a polymer unit attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) an analyte sensing element attached to the polymer unit or copolymerized with the polymer unit. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator molecule. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator polymer chains. The analyte indicator may include (i) an indicator polymer chain attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) indicator molecules attached to the indicator polymer chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Huffstetler, Jeremy Emken, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 10119907
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an analytic test unit for use in a test device for detecting an analyte in a bodily fluid, having at least one test element with a carrier film and a reagent layer, the latter being affixed on the carrier side of the carrier film and it being possible to apply bodily fluid on said reagent layer, wherein the light-transparent carrier film can be positioned in the beam path of a photometric measuring unit for optically scanning the reagent layer. According to this disclosure, it is proposed that the carrier film has a surface, modified by a raised surface structure, for reducing reflections in the beam path of the measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans List, Herbert Harttig, Simon Aigner
  • Patent number: 10090145
    Abstract: A system for testing the chemical content of a plurality of plastic containers continuously moving along a test line. The system includes a detector maintained at a first vacuum level for sequentially receiving a sample of air from each of the plurality of plastic containers as they move along the test line and for detecting the chemical content of each of the samples. There is a conduit including a first end proximate the plurality of plastic containers and a second, remote end. There is a sensor module interfacing the conduit between its first end and the second ends. There is also a vacuum pump interconnected to the second end of the conduit to maintain the interior of the conduit at a second, lower vacuum level and to establish an airflow rate to sequentially withdraw and transport air samples from the plastic containers to the sensor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Enos Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Quan Shi, Allan S. Tseng
  • Patent number: 10088414
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed to provide on-chip integrated gas sensor based on photonic sensing. For example, a sensing device is provided to include an optical comb generator that produces an optical comb of different optical comb frequencies in a mid-infrared (MIR) spectral range to interact with a sample under detection, the optical comb generator including a substrate, an optical resonator formed on the substrate and an optical waveguide formed on the substrate and coupled to the optical resonator, and an optical detector that detects light from the sample at the different optical comb frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Michal Lipson, Alexander Gaeta, Austin G. Griffith, Jaime Cardenas, Ryan K. W. Lau, Yoshitomo Okawachi, Romy Fain
  • Patent number: 10006865
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for producing high radiance illumination light for use in semiconductor metrology based on a confined, sustained plasma. One or more plasma confining circuits introduce an electric field, a magnetic field, or a combination thereof to spatially confine a sustained plasma. The confinement of the sustained plasma decreases the size of the induced plasma resulting in increased radiance. In addition, plasma confinement may be utilized to shape the plasma to improve light collection and imaging onto the specimen. The induced fields may be static or dynamic. In some embodiments, additional energy is coupled into the confined, sustained plasma to further increase radiance. In some embodiments, the pump energy source employed to sustained the plasma is modulated in combination with the plasma confining circuit to reduce plasma emission noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Derrick Shaughnessy, Michael S. Bakeman, Guorong V. Zhuang, Andrei V. Shchegrov, Leonid Poslavsky
  • Patent number: 9995681
    Abstract: Device and methods for detecting/quantifying a fluorescent taggant in a liquid sample. Generally, the liquid samples are fuels having low concentrations (measured in ppb) of a fluorescent taggant. The detection/quantification generates a predicted concentration of the fluorescent tagging compound using a process selected from the group of a multivariate process, a background subtraction process, or a combination of both. The invention addresses the detection of an adulteration of gasoline and diesel fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Authentix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Conroy, Philip B. Forshee, Paul J. Cronin, Olusola Soyemi
  • Patent number: 9995678
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for efficiently assessing the results of reflectance spectroscopy on a soil sample to determine the presence of contaminants in the soil, by constructing a model based on analysis of known samples. The model may be constructed using an all possibilities approach and data mining techniques, on a range of samples, for example of different kinds of soil without pollutants and with different levels of pollutants. The Disclosure relates both to the construction of the model and to its use in the field in analyzing soil contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Eyal Ben-Dor, Gil Eshel, Guy Schwartz
  • Patent number: 9970948
    Abstract: If an air bubble is entrained when a reagent is added to a sample, disturbance caused by this air bubble may prevent accurate optical measurement, thereby reducing accuracy for measuring blood clotting ability. The position to dispense the reagent depends on accuracy of stopping a reagent dispensing mechanism and dimensional errors of individual detectors, and thus conventional reagent discharging method may entrain an air bubble because a distance between a nozzle for dispensing the reagent and an inner wall of a reaction vessel is not constant and conditions for dispensing the reagent to the sample vary. In the present invention, an automatic analyzer with a nozzle for sucking and discharging the reagent for blood clotting reaction is provided with a dispensing mechanism that keeps a constant position for the nozzle to discharge the reagent by pressing the nozzle against the inner wall of the reaction vessel within the elastic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Shimamori, Akihisa Makino, Masato Ishizawa
  • Patent number: 9943848
    Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the transducer and the flexible wall. The apparatus may also include beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Michael T. Taylor, Phillip Belgrader, Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Ronald Chang, Stanley H. Sakai, Jesus Ching
  • Patent number: 9889443
    Abstract: A sample analyzer including a reagent reservoir configured to store a plurality of reagent containers; a first reagent dispenser configured to aspirate reagent of a first type from the reagent reservoir and dispense the aspirated reagent into a reaction container disposed at a first dispensing position; a second reagent dispenser configured to aspirate reagent of a second type from the reagent reservoir and dispense the aspirated reagent into a reaction container disposed at a second dispensing position; and a support member configured to support the first and the second reagent dispensers; wherein the first and the second reagent dispensers are supported by the support member so as to be movable independently of each other between each dispensing position and the reagent reservoir is disclosed. A sample analyzing method executed by a sample analyzer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshikatsu Fukuju, Masanori Imazu, Masaki Shiba
  • Patent number: 9891169
    Abstract: An analyte indicator may include a porous base and may be included in an analyte sensor. The analyte indicator may retain its physical, chemical, and optical properties in the presence of compression. The porous base may not vary in opacity. The analyte indicator may include (i) a polymer unit attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) an analyte sensing element attached to the polymer unit or copolymerized with the polymer unit. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator molecule. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator polymer chains. The analyte indicator may include (i) an indicator polymer chain attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) indicator molecules attached to the indicator polymer chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Huffstetler, Jeremy Emken, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 9891217
    Abstract: In one aspect, an assay test strip includes a test label that specifically binds a target analyte and a control label that is free of any specific binding affinity for the target analyte and has a different optical characteristic than the test label. In another aspect, an assay test strip includes a test label that specifically binds a target analyte and at least one non-specific-binding label that is free of any specific binding affinity for the target analyte. Systems and methods of reading assay test strips also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ALVERIX, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick T. Petruno, John F. Petrilla, Michael J. Brosnan, Rong Zhou, Daniel B. Roitman
  • Patent number: 9885712
    Abstract: A method for performing an assay on a liquid sample for the detection of one or more analytes of interest in an assay device having a flow path which includes a sample zone and detection zone thereon includes: dispensing the sample onto the sample zone; combining the sample and a reagent, wherein the sample and reagent may be combined prior to addition of the sample to the sample zone or on the assay device, flowing the combined sample/reagent by capillary action into and through the detection zone having capture elements bound thereto, wherein a signal at least partially representative of the presence or concentration of analyte(s) is produced and detected; determining a reaction time or reaction volume; and determining the concentration of the analyte by using both the detected signal and the reaction time or reaction volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Ding, Edward R. Scalice
  • Patent number: 9862918
    Abstract: A well plate is formed with a well for holding a subject to be sucked by a suction nozzle on an inner bottom part and storing liquid and, a clearance forming member for forming a clearance to allow the liquid to flow in a state where a tip part of the suction nozzle is inserted into and held in contact with the well is provided in the well. According to the present invention, the clearance enabling the liquid to flow is formed even in the state where the tip part of the suction nozzle is inserted into and held in contact with the well in sucking the subject held in the well by the suction nozzle. The suction nozzle can suck the liquid around through the clearance and the subject held in the well is efficiently sucked through the suction port along the flow of the sucked liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Saburo Ito
  • Patent number: 9851618
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a plasmonic apparatus and method. The plasmonic apparatus includes a substrate having a first negative-permittivity layer comprising a first plasmonic surface. The plasmonic apparatus includes a plasmonic nanoparticle having a base with a second negative-permittivity layer comprising a second plasmonic surface. The plasmonic apparatus includes a dielectric-filled gap between the first plasmonic surface and the second plasmonic surface. The plasmonic apparatus includes a plasmonic cavity created by an assembly of the first plasmonic surface, the second plasmonic surface, and the dielectric-filled gap, and having a spectrally separated first fundamental resonant cavity wavelength ?1 and second fundamental resonant cavity wavelength ?2. The plasmonic apparatus includes a plurality of fluorescent particles located in the dielectric-filled gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: Gleb M. Akselrod, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Maiken H. Mikkelsen, Tony S. Pan, David R. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9835620
    Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to testing biological samples and particularly, but not exclusively, to devices, systems, and kits for performing multiple, simultaneous real-time assays on a sample in a single-use disposable format. For example, the technology relates to an apparatus that finds use, for example, for point-of-care diagnostics, including use at accident sites, emergency rooms, in surgery, in intensive care units, as well as for non-medical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: IBIS BIOSCIENCES, INC.
    Inventors: Jared J. Drader, Gordon Bruce Collier, Steven A. Hofstadler
  • Patent number: 9810693
    Abstract: The present invention provides, among other aspects, stabilized chromophoric nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are rationally functionalized with a pre-determined number of functional groups. In certain embodiments, the stable chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are modified with a low density of functional groups. In yet other embodiments, the chromophoric nanoparticles provided herein are conjugated to one or more molecules. Also provided herein are methods for making rationally functionalized chromophoric nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: University of Washington Through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Daniel T. Chiu, Changfeng Wu, Xuanjun Zhang, Jiangbo Yu, Fangmao Ye
  • Patent number: 9778190
    Abstract: An analyte indicator may include a porous base and may be included in an analyte sensor. The analyte indicator may retain its physical, chemical, and optical properties in the presence of compression. The porous base may not vary in opacity. The analyte indicator may include (i) a polymer unit attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) an analyte sensing element attached to the polymer unit or copolymerized with the polymer unit. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator molecule. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator polymer chains. The analyte indicator may include (i) an indicator polymer chain attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) indicator molecules attached to the indicator polymer chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Huffstetler, Jeremy Emken, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 9778276
    Abstract: A liquid handling device that determines a position of a tray utilizing light reflected from structural features of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Isaac Farr, Erick B. Kinas, Kevin F. Peters
  • Patent number: 9772272
    Abstract: A substance determining apparatus determines a substance within a fluid where particles, which have attached the substance, are bound to a binding surface. A sensing unit is configured to generate a sensing signal being indicative of at least one of i) a distance between the particles bound on the binding surface and the binding surface, and ii) an in-plane position of the particles bound on the binding surface. A binding discrimination unit is configured to discriminate between different kinds of binding of the particles bound on the binding surface depending on the generated sensing signal. The binding discrimination unit may be a unit for determining the part of the sensing signal being caused by specifically bound particles and for determining the substance based on this determined part of the sensing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Toon Hendrik Evers, Johannes Joseph Hubertina Barbara Schleipen, Joannes Baptist Adrianus Dionisius Van Zon, Derk Jan Wilfred Klunder, Josephus Arnoldus Hendricus Maria Kahlman, Ron Martinus Laurentius Van Lieshout, Mikhail Mikhaylovich Ovsyanko, Kim Van Ommering
  • Patent number: 9731062
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cleansing blood are disclosed herein. The methods include acoustically separating undesirable particles bound to capture particles from formed elements of whole blood. After introducing the capture particles to whole blood containing undesirable particles, the whole blood and capture particles are flowed through a microfluidic separation channel. At least one bulk acoustic transducer is attached to the microfluidic separation channel. A standing acoustic wave, imparted on the channel and its contents by the bulk acoustic transducer, drives the formed elements and undesirable particles bound to capture particles to specific aggregation axes. After aggregating the particles, the formed elements exit the separation channel through a first outlet and are returned to the patient. The undesirable particles, bound to the capture particles, exit through a second outlet and can be discarded to saved for later study.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventors: Jason O. Fiering, Shivshankar Sundaram
  • Patent number: 9726597
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the investigation of surface properties with a housing, a light source which directs light through an opening in the housing onto a surface to be investigated, with a first detector device which is arranged inside at a first pre-set angle with respect to the light beam radiated onto the surface by the light source, with a second detector device which is arranged at a second pre-set angle with respect to the light beam radiated onto the surface by the light source and with a third detector device which is arranged inside the housing at a third pre-set angle with respect to the light beam radiated onto the surface by the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: BYK-GARDNER GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Sperling, Peter Schwarz
  • Patent number: 9720009
    Abstract: A sample processing apparatus comprises a transporting section configured to transport a sample rack that is capable of holding a sample container at a plurality of holding positions, a detecting section that is configured to detect presence or absence of a rack distinction member at a holding position of the sample rack, an aspirating section that is configured to aspirate a sample in the sample container, and a control section that is configured to control an aspirating operation of the aspirating section. The control section changes an aspirating operation with respect to the sample container held in the sample rack based on the presence/absence of the rack distinction member at the holding position of the sample rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SYSMEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshihisa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9715579
    Abstract: A system is disclosed in which a plurality of in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices each include a network communication device for connecting to a publicly accessible data network. For example, IVD devices are provided with a cellular modem for connecting to a public cellular network. These IVD devices connect to the data network upon completion of a diagnostic test, and upload results of the test, as well as other appropriate data, to a remote device which is also on the network. The IVD devices also download appropriate data from remote network elements. The remote network element may be a network element such as a Hospital Information System (HIS) or Laboratory Information System (LIS) database. Alternatively, the remote device may be a remote server or another IVD device. This connectivity enables the system to accumulate diagnostic test data, and to analyze, report, and/or update the IVD devices based on the accumulated data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Alverix, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Hengstler, Tong Xie
  • Patent number: 9689037
    Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for detecting genetic and/or epigenetic elements. For example, methods and materials for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element, methods and materials for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element within a sample, kits for detecting the presence or absence of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element, kits for detecting the amount of target nucleic acid containing a genetic or epigenetic element present within a sample, and methods for making such kits are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Cascade Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Smith, Nina Yazvenko, Mariya Smit
  • Patent number: 9682378
    Abstract: A mating adaptor for use in assaying a specimen includes an adaptor body having a first receiving area for receiving a computing device and a second receiving area for receiving a specimen delivery cartridge. The mating adaptor further includes an actuator for transmitting a mechanical actuation signal to initiate a fluidic process of a specimen delivery cartridge. The first receiving area includes a first connector corresponding to a computing device connector and the second receiving area includes a second connector corresponding to a specimen delivery cartridge connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: PARATUS DIAGNOSTICS, LLC
    Inventors: John Carrano, Roland Schneider, John Jacob Carrano
  • Patent number: 9658217
    Abstract: A test strip module includes a case, a test strip in the case, and a position anchor extending down past a mating surface to a face of a mobile computing device. The position anchor has a shape matching a feature on the face of the mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: IXENSOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yenyu Chen, Tungmeng Tsai, Chieh Hsiao Chen, Hungchih Wang, Yuwei Tang, Chiachun Hung, Chihchieh Wu
  • Patent number: 9653158
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of changing characteristics of an electronic device, including the steps of: applying light to an electronic device through a plurality of media having different refractive indexes from each other, the electrical characteristics of the electronic device being changed depending on the amount of incident light; and changing an incident angle of light applied the electronic device to adjust the amount of incident light. There is provided a method of providing light incident angle dependency by a simple procedure of accumulating additional media in various electronic devices. In the method, the light incident angle selectivity of the electronic device can be maintained even when the inclination angle of the device is changed depending on the axis parallel to the incident direction of light even though the incident direction thereof is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Kijung Yong, Jinjoo Park
  • Patent number: 9651547
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and devices for amending undiluted and partially diluted urine samples in a manner suitable for performing immunoassays for target analytes, for example NGAL. Generally, the urine sample is treated with reagents including at least one of buffer materials, water soluble proteins, urease, and other interferent mitigants. These reagents control the pH of the urine sample in a manner suitable for immuno-binding reactions and ameliorate interferences, particularly during the detection step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Abbott Point of Care Inc.
    Inventors: Katrina Di Tullio, G. Bruce Collier, John Lewis Emerson Campbell
  • Patent number: 9638477
    Abstract: A cooling device configured to be connected to an object having a surface is disclosed. The cooling device may include a manifold configured to be deposited directly onto the surface of the object, wherein the manifold includes a first side configured to be deposited directly onto the surface of the object, a cavity formed in the first side, an inlet channel fluidly connected to the cavity, and an outlet channel fluidly connected to the cavity. The cooling device may further include a turbulator configured to be deposited directly onto the surface of the object, wherein the turbulator extends into the cavity of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Choi, Chris J. Scolton, John Walter Winkler