Including Mixing Or Agitation Control Patents (Class 435/286.7)
  • Patent number: 11926571
    Abstract: A rotary composter includes a rotatable composting drum, a motor for rotating the drum, an aeration system for supplying air to the drum and an open-loop computerized controller for controlling one or both of the motor and the aeration system based on animal growth data. The rotary composter may also have a wireless nitrogen gas sensor for sensing an amount of nitrogen gas in the drum and a load cell for measuring a mass inside the drum to enable the controller to further control one or both of the motor and the aeration system based on signals from the nitrogen gas sensor and the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: TRI-FORM POLY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Epp, John Epp, Byron Irwin, Abram Klassen, Brian Wilcox
  • Patent number: 11859166
    Abstract: A calculation device (10) includes a calculation unit (14) that: acquires culture data over time indicating a relationship between a DO value detected in a culture solution and an oxygen supply amount controlled by a freely-selected control method, the culture solution being stored in a first culture tank (2) in which a culturing target material is cultured; identifies a culture model indicating a relationship between the oxygen supply amount for the culturing target material increasing over time and the DO value, based on the culture data; and executes simulation of virtually culturing the culturing target material in a second culture tank (20) using a culture control method of culturing the culturing target material based on the culture model and the oxygen supply amount in the second culture tank, and calculates parameters to be used in the culture control method based on the simulation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: JGC JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wataru Hayasaka, Natsumi Yamada, Naoki Tahara
  • Patent number: 11814328
    Abstract: A method for rotting an organic material includes at least partially controlling a rotting device with a control unit and feeding an organic material into a pivoted rotting chamber of the rotting device, having the organic material rotted in the rotting chamber for a rotting time, turning the rotting chamber by a chamber drive unit of the rotting device, and exhausting the rotted organic material from the rotting chamber after the rotting time. A device for rotting the organic material includes a pivoted rotting chamber for enclosing the organic material. The rotting chamber has a port and a cover associated with the port for opening and closing the port, a chamber drive unit configured to turn the rotting chamber, and a control unit connected to the chamber drive unit and configured to operate the chamber drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: Christoph Manka
  • Patent number: 11560325
    Abstract: Bio-filter unit (1) intended for a fish farming system, said bio-filter unit (1) comprising a container (2) with a filter media (3) and an inner architecture, said inner architecture comprising at least one vertical tube (5) having an open input end (6) and an open output end (7), wherein the bio-filter unit (1) is connected to a pump (8) enabling pumping liquid and filter media (3) from a bottom (9) of the container (2) against a top (10) of the container (2) through said at least one vertical tube (5), wherein an upper plate (15) is arranged inclined downwards from and around the open output end (7) of the at least one vertical tube (5) and ends at a distance from a wall (13) of the container, wherein the upper plate (15) Is perforated and wherein a regeneration water outflow (16) is arranged under the upper plate (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: N P INNOVATION AB
    Inventor: Nils-Åke Persson
  • Patent number: 11560539
    Abstract: A reversible liquid filtration system for cell culture perfusion comprises: a bioreactor vessel (B4), for storing the cell culture (L4); a perfusion pump (P7), comprising a reciprocable element (P71) which is movable in opposing first and second pumping directions (dF, dR); a filter (F4); and first and second bi-directional valves (BV1, BV2), each selectively controllable between open and closed positions. The perfusion pump (P7), the filter (F4), and the first and second bi-directional valves (BV1, BV2), together comprise a fluidic circuit in communication with the bioreactor vessel (B4). The bi-directional valves (BV1, BV2) are controllable to open and close in co-ordination with the reciprocating perfusion pump (P7), in order to enable both a two-way filtering flow around the fluidic circuit and also an alternating filtering flow between the bioreactor vessel (B4) and the perfusion pump (P7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Wales, Andrew Tait, Matthew Paley
  • Patent number: 11529631
    Abstract: A reaction processor includes: a reaction processing vessel including a channel in which a sample moves and a pair of air communication ports, a first air communication port and a second air communication port, provided at respective ends of the channel; a temperature control system that provides a medium temperature region and a high temperature region between the first air communication port and the second air communication port in the channel; and a liquid feeding system that discharges and sucks air in order to move and stop the sample inside the channel. One of the pair of air communication ports of the reaction processing vessel that is farther away from the high temperature region communicates with the liquid feeding system via a tube. One of the pair of air communication ports of the reaction processing vessel that is closer to the high temperature region is opened to atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Fukuzawa, Osamu Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 11505774
    Abstract: A sample storage apparatus includes: a lid member; a sample storage container; first and second fluid sucking sections; first and second fluid discharging sections; first to fourth flow paths; and a first fluid identification sensor. The first flow path is connected to the first fluid sucking section, the second flow path is connected to the second fluid sucking section, the third flow path is connected to the first fluid discharging section, and the fourth flow path is connected to the second fluid discharging section. The first fluid identification sensor for identifying a fluid is disposed in the first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignees: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION, OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hodaka Makino, Hirotsugu Kubo, Tetsuya Ogawa, Masahiro Kinooka
  • Patent number: 11441114
    Abstract: A liquid feed device that feeds a liquid medium and a cell suspension to target containers by respectively suited liquid feed methods is provided. A pump 6 is connected between a first liquid bottle 12 containing a liquid medium and a second liquid bottle 2 containing a cell suspension, and a receptacle 8 to be used as a culture container is connected downstream of a second liquid bottle 12. The liquid medium in the first liquid bottle is sent to the receptacle through the pump 6 and a branch point 20 by opening a first supply valve 17, and the cell suspension in the second liquid bottle is sent to the receptacle by opening a first gas introducing valve 10, a second gas introducing valve 15, and a second supply valve 19 and transferring, by pressure, a gas supplied from the first gas introducing valve 10 to the second liquid bottle through the pump 6 and a branch point 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Kiyama, Guangbin Zhou, Daisuke Suzuki, Midori Kato, Hikaru Saito
  • Patent number: 10881056
    Abstract: A bioreactor comprising: an upper container with transparent walls for the material being propagated, the container being provided with gas exchange diffuser to the external environment, humidifier, and artificial illumination; a lower container with transparent walls, having an aluminum tray and a point of water entry and/or nutrient medium, located in the bottom of the container; points of injection/removal of air/oxygen/carbon dioxide located in the lid; point of additional injection of carbon dioxide, close to the bottom of the upper container; hermetic connection device between the upper and lower containers for supply/drainage of the nutrient medium; a screen support for the material to be propagated; locking devices to hermetically close the upper container; and the lower container; and pneumatic drivers of the liquid nutrient medium between the upper container and the lower container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventors: Ricardo Miguel Penchel, Jocemar Palauro dos Reis, Mila Liparize de Oliveira
  • Patent number: 9556409
    Abstract: Fixed bed bioreactor with natural convection and forced draught to obtain bioactive substances by solid-state fermentation (SEF) using fungi macromycetes. This bioreactor may be from turn drum with pendulum motion and natural and forced convection to a tray bioreactor with natural convection. They are used in the production of bioactive substances as crude extracts of lignocellulosic enzymes and fungal polysaccharides obtained by using mixtures of lignocellulosic materials as substrates and macromycetes fungi as inoculum, controlling pH, humidity and particle size, inoculation rate and environmental conditions during fermentation such as temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide and oxygen concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Universidad de Caldas
    Inventors: Sandra Montoya-Barreto, Oscar Julian Sanchez-Toro, Luis Fernando Gutierrez Mosquera
  • Patent number: 9011771
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a proton of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Norbert D. Hagen, Byron J. Knight, David Opalsky
  • Patent number: 8969072
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and automated unloading means for unloading a container from an apparatus. The apparatus of the present invention may include a means for automated loading, a means for automated transfer and/or a means for automated unloading of a container (e.g., a specimen container). In one embodiment, the apparatus can be an automated detection apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample. The detection system also including a heated enclosure, a holding means or rack, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: bioMerieux, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronnie J. Robinson, Mark Joseph Fanning, Stanley Michael Philipak, Anthony Valentino, Mike Ammerman
  • Publication number: 20150040627
    Abstract: Composting Appliances are useful in reducing waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jennifer Melissa Ross DEVINE, Russell Lance SPEILLER, Arthur Hampton NEERGAARD
  • Publication number: 20150044664
    Abstract: A temperature control device and method are provided for an analytical system for performing laboratory protocols. The device includes a well within a housing configured to receive a biological specimen according to a predetermined sample process. The specimen is suspended by a holding device in the well. A thermal element is provided in heat exchange communication with fluid in the well. A temperature sensor is located in the well at a location to be covered and uncovered by rocking motion of fluid in the well. A controller, in communication with the thermal element, the temperature sensor, and an agitation system, is operative to control the thermal element in correlation with temperature data, for example, peak temperature data, from the temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin J. Sullivan, James Kelland, Nhat Khai L. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8945892
    Abstract: A method for the continuous liquefying of organic solids in a fermenter, wherein an outwardly directed flow of solids is produced in a dammed-up liquid, the solids are added in the lower region of the fermenter and the solid fermentation residues are essentially collected and removed below the level of the dammed-up liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Leibniz-Institut fuer Agrartechnik Potsdam-Bornim E.V. (ATB)
    Inventors: Jan Mumme, Bernd Linke, Rainer Toelle
  • Patent number: 8936933
    Abstract: A method of processing a sample may include introducing a sample into a vessel, the vessel having proximal and distal ends, the sample being introduced into the proximal end of the vessel; incubating the sample in the vessel with a substance capable of specific binding to a preselected component of the sample; propelling components of the incubated sample, other than the preselected component, toward the proximal end of the vessel by clamping the vessel distal to the incubated sample and compressing the vessel where the incubated sample is contained; propelling the preselected component toward a distal segment of the vessel by clamping the vessel proximal to the preselected component and compressing the vessel where the preselected component is contained; and mixing the preselected component with a reagent in the distal segment of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: IQumm, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuqi Chen, Lingjun Chen
  • Patent number: 8932544
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for feeding and/or discharging fluids in microreactor arrays through one or several fluid ducts that extend into each individual microreactor and can be individually controlled and regulated, in order to control, regulate, influence, and/or verify processes. The fed or discharged amounts of fluid are introduced into or discharged from the volume of the reaction liquid during a continuous shaking process and are evenly mixed as a result of the shaking process. The continuous shaking process causes sufficient mass transfer and thorough mixing of the reaction partners or fluids while the reaction is not limited or restricted by the mass transfer conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: m2p-labs GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Mueller, Ingo Klammer, Frank Kensy, Jochen Buechs, Mirko Hofmann, Andreas Buchenauer, Uwe Schnakenberg, Wilfried Mokwa
  • Publication number: 20150010990
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. A sensor system interacts with the bioreactor to receive information related to a condition of the bioreactor and/or receive a sample from the bioreactor, which it analyzes. The sensor system sends data signals related to the information and/or the sample to a controller, which determines a control signal based on the received information. The controller sends the control signal to the sensor system which, based on the control signal, performs an action that affects a condition of the bioreactor or affects the sensor system itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Larry Eugene West
  • Publication number: 20140356931
    Abstract: Described is a method for the culture of microalgae, comprising: providing a consortium of at least two living species of microalgae; culturing under illumination the consortium in a controllable bioreactor and under non-sterile aqueous culture conditions; and controlling the culture conditions for affecting at least one of the following output: (i) flocculation and/or settling of said consortium of microalgae; and (ii) adhesion of the microalgae to surfaces of the bioreactor; wherein said culture conditions are controlled to promote (i) and/or to minimize (ii), without adversely affecting growth of the consortium of microalgae. It is also possible to control the culture conditions for affecting iii) the protein, carbohydrate, and/or fat content of the said microalgae consortium. A system for carrying out the method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicants: CENTRE DE RECHERCHE INDUSTRIELLE DU QUEBEC, INSTITUT NATIONAL D'OPTIQUE
    Inventors: Yann LE BIHAN, Marc DAIGLE, Paul GRENIER, Marc LEVESQUE
  • Patent number: 8889404
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing biogas from organic matter including a container (1) which is charged with fermentation substrate by a delivery system (13), and at least two stirring mechanisms (2) arranged in the container, the stirring mechanisms having propellers (3) which are rotated and generate mostly horizontal currents of the fermentation substrate in the container. The propeller diameters, the propeller geometries, and the positions of the propellers in the container are selected such that a shared mixing zone of the medium is generated in the container. Data for determining the mean speed and/or the viscosity of the medium in the mixing zone are detected and transmitted to a control unit (4) which varies actuating variables which modify the power input of the stirring mechanism into the mixing zone and/or the composition and/or the flow behavior of the container contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kai Rostalski, Peer Springer
  • Patent number: 8852858
    Abstract: Methods for performing a hybridization assay between a target biomolecule and an array comprising a surface to which are attached biomolecular probes with different, known sequences, at discrete, known locations, the method comprising: providing a container holding a hybridization mixture comprising the target biomolecule and also holding the array; and creating a temperature gradient in the hybridization mixture oriented within the container such that at least a portion of the target biomolecule is driven onto the surface of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Nikon Research Corporation of America
    Inventor: Michael Sogard
  • Publication number: 20140295532
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for sampling and/or controlling the productivity of a bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Bend Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick J. Ray, Adam S. Carroll, Brandon J. Downey, Lisa J. Graham
  • Patent number: 8815178
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for non-invasive detection of an analyte in a fluid sample. In one embodiment, the device comprises: a collection chamber containing an absorbent hydrogel material; a fluidic channel connected to the collection chamber; a sensing chamber connected to the fluidic channel, wherein the device is comprised of a compressible housing that allows transfer of fluid collected by the collection chamber to be transferred to be extracted and withdrawn to the sensing chamber upon compression of the device, wherein the sensing chamber contains a material that specifically detects the analyte and wherein the sensing chamber is operably linked to a processor containing a potentiostat that allows detection of the analyte using electrochemical sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Daniel Bishop, Jeffrey La Belle
  • Patent number: 8771938
    Abstract: Disclosed are example methods and devices for detecting one or more targets. An example method includes placing a sample including a first target with in a microfluidic device and hybridizing a plurality of copies of the first target with a plurality of nanostructures. The example method includes applying an electric current to the plurality of nanostructures and using an electric field created by the electric current to move the plurality of nanostructures. In addition, the plurality of nanostructures are sorted and evaluated to determine at least one of a presence, an absence, or a quantity of the first target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: University of Notre Dame du Lac
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chia Chang, Jason Gordon, Satyajyoti Senpati, Zachary Gagnon, Sagnik Basuray
  • Patent number: 8765476
    Abstract: Automated sample processing systems may include onboard efficient high-speed mixing of at least two components with an automatic vertical force fluidic turbulent component mixer of which a mixed component may be aspirated and high-speed dispensed in a mixing vial. Other aspects may include single sweep applying a multi-treatment cleaning cycle to at least one slide. A multi-treatment cleaning cycle may include a washing treatment and a drying treatment. In yet other aspects the present invention may include an automated recovery sample processing system with the capability of detecting at least one immediate condition of a fortuitously terminated automatic sample processing run and perhaps even an automatic terminated sample processing run reconstruction calculator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Biocare Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Saradha Avantsa, Ravishankar Melkote, Thomas Maxwell, Geoffrey Cook
  • Patent number: 8759079
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically analyzing a nucleic acid includes: a sample preprocessing device including a plurality of chambers in which reagents mixed with a sample are accommodated according to sample preprocessing process order for extracting a nucleic acid from the sample; and a nucleic amplifying and detecting device connected with the sample preprocessing device to receive the nucleic acid extracted from the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventor: Oh Won Kwon
  • Patent number: 8709793
    Abstract: A bioreactor device, and a method and system for fabricating tissues and growing cells and tissues in the bioreactor device, accommodates less than about 1 mL (or less than about 200 ?L) of local medium volume but sample sizes of about 100 ?L or greater. The bioreactor device includes a bioreactor chamber for containing a sample, where sample growth in response to mechanical, electrical, and biofactor stimulation is monitored through one or more optical ports. Embedded sensors are provided for measuring fluid pressure, pH, temperature, and oxygen tension. The bioreactor device can receive different types of mechanical loadings, including fluid shear, hydrostatic pressure, matrix compression, and clinorotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Juan M. Taboas, Rocky S. Tuan, Steven D. Hudson
  • Patent number: 8709364
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat retaining device for solving problematic adhesion of a container to the heat retaining device. The heat retaining device includes a supporting rod, a top plate, a bottom plate, a heat retaining body, and a supporting spring. A pressing force applied to the container contained in the hole of the heat retaining body compresses the supporting spring to move the heat retaining body downward along the supporting rod. Release of the pressing force moves the heat retaining body upward by an elastic force of the supporting spring until the heat retaining body comes into contact with the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi-High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Akimasa Osaka, Minoru Sano, Hideo Kanno, Akiyuki Nemoto, Yoshiyuki Shoji
  • Patent number: 8703494
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for assaying a sample to quantitatively determine the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Relia Diagnostic Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Rutter, Jang H. Han, Taewoo Kwon
  • Patent number: 8685746
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing and analyzing samples. The system can include a sample preparation system and a sample detection system coupled to the sample preparation system. The sample preparation system can include a deformable self-supporting receptacle comprising a reservoir adapted to contain a liquid composition comprising a source and a diluent. The sample detection system can be positioned in fluid communication with the reservoir, and can be adapted to analyze a sample of the liquid composition for an analyte of interest. The system can further include a fluid path defined at least partially by the reservoir and the sample detection system. The method can include applying pressure to the deformable self-supporting receptacle to move a sample of the liquid composition in the fluid path to the sample detection system, and analyzing the sample for the analyte of interest with the sample detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Stephen C. P. Joseph, Raj Rajagopal, Matthew D. Reier, David J. Velasquez, Cynthia D. Zook, Sailaja Chandrapati
  • Patent number: 8679838
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a serum which contains a large amount of growth factors capable of efficiently promoting the growth of stem cells. A human serum for cell culture which shows a residual ratio of platelets remaining within 20 minutes after blood collection in relation to the whole amount of the platelets is 0% to 20%, and a release ratio of cell growth factors is 20% to 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Suzuki, Seishin Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8669068
    Abstract: A method for determining pectin content in a plant sample includes: 1) adding an acidic alcohol solution to the plant sample, heating in a water bath and filtration; 2) soaking residue from step 1 with an acidic solution, heating in a water bath, a second filtration, bringing to volume after cooling and obtaining filtrate; 3) adding an acetic acid/sodium acetate buffer solution to residue of step 2, adding a pectinase solution, heating under vibration in a water bath, and a third filtration to obtain a filtrate; 4) adding an acetic acid/sodium acetate buffer solution and a pectinase solution to filtrate from step 2, heating the mixture under vibration in a water bath to obtain an enzymatic hydrolysate, adding filtrate obtained in step 3 to the enzymatic hydrolysate, bringing to volume, and obtaining a test solution; 5) drawing the test solution into a continuous flow analyzer to perform analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: China Tobacco Guangdong Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haohui Kong, Yifei Huang, Baofeng Jin
  • Patent number: 8652835
    Abstract: A device for mechanically decollating cells from a cell composite, particularly a shear rotor, a cell isolation unit including such a shear rotor and a method for decollating cells from a cell composite. The aforementioned device includes a rotor having a rotor wall, which is concentrically arranged in a receptacle. A rotor seat is connected to a motor and to which the rotor can be fixed in a detachable manner. A rotational movement of the motor can be transmitted to the rotor by means of the rotor seat. The rotor tapers longitudinally towards the bottom of the receptacle so that different circumferential speeds of the rotor can be transmitted to a liquid sample in the receptacle via the rotor wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Holger Link, Alexander Papra, Michael Blumentritt, Vinh Duong
  • Patent number: 8652830
    Abstract: An apparatus for stimulating cell includes a cell culture chamber, a control device, and first and second exciters. The cell culture chamber includes cell and culture medium. The control device receives first and second exciting signals, and controls magnitudes and phases of the received first and second exciting signals so that a sound pressure level in a focused zone is higher than a sound pressure level in a zone other than the focused zone, and outputs first and second controlled exciting signals. The first and second exciters receive the first and second controlled exciting signals and excite the cell culture chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jennifer H. Shin, SunHee Kim, Jin Young Park, Yang-Hann Kim
  • Patent number: 8637303
    Abstract: A system for assessing the characteristics and toxicity of a water sample comprising: a test chamber; an optical signal generator configured to emit an optical signal into the test chamber; a first digital filter disposed between the optical signal generator and the test chamber; a first optical transducer disposed to generate a first data signal in response to detecting radiant energy in the test chamber; a second digital filter disposed between the first optical transducer and the test chamber; an aqueous suspension of dinoflagellates contained within the test chamber and mixed with the water sample; a stimulator disposed to stimulate the dinoflagellates to emit a bioluminescence signal; and a microprocessor operatively coupled to the optical signal generator, the first digital optical filter, the stimulator, the first optical transducer, and the second digital filter, wherein the microprocessor is configured to assess the spectral characteristics and toxicity of the water sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: David Lapota, Bryan Travis Bjorndal, Gregory Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 8637301
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for a confocal fluorescence detection system has an input channel defined by a body of the microfluidic device, a sample concentration section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the input channel, a mixing section defined by the body of the microfluidic device and in fluid connection with the concentration section, and a detection region that is at least partially transparent to illumination light of the confocal fluorescence detection system and at least partially transparent to fluorescent light when emitted from a sample under observation as the sample flows through the detection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Jeff Tza-Huei Wang, Kelvin J. Liu, Christopher M. Puleo, Tushar D. Rane
  • Patent number: 8569072
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing and delivering samples for analyte testing. The system can include a sample preparation system and a sample delivery system coupled to the sample preparation system. The sample preparation system can include a deformable self-supporting receptacle comprising a reservoir adapted to contain a liquid composition comprising a source and a diluent. The sample delivery system can include a valve positioned in fluid communication with the reservoir and adapted to control the removal of a sample from the sample preparation system. The method can include applying pressure to the deformable self-supporting receptacle to remove a sample from the sample preparation system via the sample delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Stephen C. P. Joseph, Raj Rajagopal, Matthew D. Reier, David J. Velasquez, Cynthia D. Zook, Sailaja Chandrapati
  • Patent number: 8551762
    Abstract: Apparatus useful for feeding a particulate starter material comprising nutrient and bacteria to a mixing tank, for solubilizing the starter material inside the mixing tank, for promoting growth of the bacteria and for discharging an aqueous slurry comprising the bacteria from the mixing tank. The apparatus preferably has a gravity-flow feeder and discharge port, does not require a pump, and comprises disposable parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: NCH Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Anthony Fleming, William Pierre Boesch-Deveze, Jose Eduardo G. Evaro, Robert Clarence Pearce, III, Michael Eugene Rushing, Michael Joseph Trevino
  • Patent number: 8551763
    Abstract: In a method and system for forming concentrated volumes of microbeads, a polymer solution and/or suspension includes a polymer dissolved and/or dispersed in a medium. Streams of a focusing fluid and of the polymer solution and/or suspension flow towards a fluid bath, and into intersection with one another, so &s to focus the polymer solution and/or suspension. The polymer solution and/or suspension stream forms microbeads in the fluid bath. Some of the focusing fluid is drawn from the fluid bath, so as to concentrate the microbeads in die fluid bath. The system includes a flow focusing apparatus and a liquid-containing cell. The focusing apparatus includes polymer and focusing nozzles. The cell contains the fluid bath and has an outlet port, through which the focusing fluid is drawn from the fluid bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: FIO Corporation
    Inventors: Sebastien Fournier-Bidoz, Warren Che Wor Chan
  • Patent number: 8554372
    Abstract: A method of managing resources of a histological tissue processor, the tissue processor comprising at least one retort (12, 14) selectively connected for fluid communication to at least one of a plurality of reagent resources (26) by a valve mechanism (40), the method comprising the step of: nominating resources according to one of: group, where a group nomination corresponds to a resource's function; type, where a type nomination corresponds to one or more attributes of a resource within a group; station, where a station nomination corresponds to a point of supply of a resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Melbourne Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Victor Camfield Windeyer, Michael Houston Drummond
  • Patent number: 8541225
    Abstract: A system and method for using a pulse flow to circulate algae in an algae cultivation apparatus are provided. In order to counteract the negative effects of biofouling on algae cultivation equipment, a pulse flow is created to periodically move through an algae cultivation apparatus. The pulse flow will dislodge algae cells adhering to various surfaces of the apparatus, and it will also create turbulence to stir up any algae cells which may have settled onto the bottom of the apparatus. To produce an increased fluid flow rate required to create an effective pulse flow, a sump, which is periodically filled with drawn algal culture from the apparatus, is located at an elevated position above the apparatus. When released, the algal culture travels through a transfer pipe and into the apparatus with gravity causing the algal culture to flow at a very high rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: General Atomics
    Inventors: David A. Hazlebeck, Jiping Zhang, Xiaoxi Wu
  • Patent number: 8507237
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method for concentrating pathogenic germs potentiaily present in blood products or derivatives and for detecting said germs comprising the following steps: (a) subjecting a sample of said blood product to a blood cell aggregating treatment, (b) eliminating the aggregates formed at step (a) by passing the treated sample over a first filter allowing through the contaminating germs but not the cell aggregates, (c) selectively lyzing the residual cells of the filtrate obtained at step (b), (d) recuperating the contaminating germs by passing the lysate of step (c) over a second filter to detect the contaminating germs possibly trapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: GeneOhm Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Hermet, Isabelle Besson-Faure, Sébastien Ribault, Yann Godfrin, Anne Monnot des Angles
  • Patent number: 8486336
    Abstract: A microchip including a fluid circuit formed by a groove of a first substrate and a surface of a second substrate is provided. The fluid circuit includes a fluid retaining reservoir for containing a fluid. The fluid retaining reservoir includes a fluid outlet or outflow channel for allowing the fluid to flow out, and a partition dividing the fluid retaining reservoir into a first region including a fluid inlet for injecting a fluid into the fluid retaining reservoir and a second region including the fluid outlet or outflow channel. The partition includes at least one communication gate for allowing communication between the first region and the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Kageyama, Youichi Aoki
  • Patent number: 8415142
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for growing algae for sequestering carbon dioxide and then harvesting the algae includes a container for a suspension of algae in a liquid and a bioreactor having a translucent channel in fluid communication with the container to absorb CO2 and grow the algae. A monitor determines the growth of the algae in the channel. A separator separates the grown algae from the suspension and an extractor extracts biomaterials from the grown algae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Malcolm Glen Kertz
  • Patent number: 8409851
    Abstract: A bioactive filter is provided which comprises a transparent canister having gas permeable membranes as entry and exit ports. A source of carbon dioxide in gaseous form is allowed to enter the entry membrane and pass through a solution contained in the canister which supports a live colony of algae. The algae carries out photosynthesis thereby altering the carbon dioxide to oxygen and sugar. The oxygen is released through the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Param Jaggi
  • Patent number: 8409509
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for analyzing particulates. A liquid having a plurality of particulates substantially linearly ordered in a streamline can be externally controlled to provide flow in first and second directions, where, generally, the first direction is opposite to the second direction. A target particulate can be measured from the plurality of particulates at or near a measurement area while the liquid flows in the first flow direction. The flow direction can be reversed and measured at the measurement area while flowing in the second direction. The particulates substantially retain the same linear order during at least one cycle, a cycle being defined by movement in the first direction followed by movement in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Friedrich Srienc, Greg Sitton
  • Patent number: 8398938
    Abstract: A microfluidic thermal bend actuated pressure pulse valve having an inlet for receiving a flow of liquid, an outlet for outputting the flow of liquid, a meniscus anchor between the inlet and the outlet such that the flow from the inlet towards the outlet stops at the meniscus anchor where the liquid forms a meniscus, a movable member for contacting the liquid, and, a thermal expansion actuator for displacing the movable member to generate a pulse in the liquid to dislodge the meniscus such that the liquid flow towards the outlet resumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Geneasys Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Mehdi Azimi, Matthew Taylor Worsman, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8394339
    Abstract: A lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device having a supporting substrate, a sample inlet for receiving a fluid sample, an incubation section in fluid communication with the sample inlet, the incubation section having at least one heater, and, CMOS circuitry between the supporting substrate and the incubation section, wherein, the CMOS circuitry is connected to the at least one heater for maintaining the fluid sample at an incubation temperature for an incubation period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Geneasys Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Mehdi Azimi, Geoffrey Richard Facer
  • Patent number: 8372632
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequestering CO2 using algae comprises a plurality of vertically suspended bioreactors, each bioreactor being translucent and including a flow channel formed by a plurality of baffles. A culture tank contains a suspension of water and at least one algae and includes a plurality of gas jets for introducing a CO2-containing gas into the suspension. The culture tank is in fluid communication with an inlet in each channel for flowing the suspension through the channel in the presence of light. A pump pumps the suspension into the channel inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Malcolm Glen Kertz
  • Patent number: 8367398
    Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic apparatus including: a microfluidic structure for providing spaces for receiving a fluid and for forming channels, through which the fluid flows; and valves for controlling the flow of fluid through the channels in the microfluidic apparatus. The microfluidic structure includes: a sample chamber; a sample separation unit receiving the sample from the sample chamber and separating a supernatant from the sample by using a centrifugal force; a testing unit receiving the supernatant from the sample separation unit for detecting a specimen from the supernatant using an antigen-antibody reaction, and a quality control chamber for identifying reliability of the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Beom Seok Lee, Ji Won Kim, Jeong Gun Lee, Kui Hyun Kim