Of A Liquid Patents (Class 436/150)
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Patent number: 7060652Abstract: A liquid electrode mixture for use in a gas sensor having from about 60 to about 240 milligrams of platinum black catalyst; from about 900 to about 1100 milligrams of water; from about 300 to about 400 microliters of 1-propanol; and from about 100 microliters to about 150 microliters of a polymer mixture comprising from about 40% to about 80% PTFE by weight and water.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2005Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignees: OmegaPoint Systems, LLC, Transducer Technology, Inc.Inventors: Edward L. Gollar, III, Joseph R. Stetter, Nathan Schattke
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Patent number: 7022288Abstract: A chemical detection sensor system comprises a support structure; multiple SERS chemical detection sensors supported by the support structure; multiple chemical reaction sensors, wherein each of the chemical reaction sensors is disposed for undergoing a state change in response to an occurrence of a chemical reaction at one of the SERS chemical detection sensors; a processor supported by the support structure for recording data representing occurrence of a chemical reaction at any of the chemical detection sensors in response to sensing the state change; and a power source for energizing the processor.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Pamela Boss
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Patent number: 7018843Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a first measurement on a biological fluid or control, which first measurement varies with both the concentration of a first component and at least one of the presence and concentration of a second component. The method and apparatus perform a second measurement on the biological fluid or control, which second measurement varies primarily only with the at least one of the presence and concentration of the second component to develop an indication of the at least one of the presence and concentration of the second component. The first and second measurements may be made sequentially or simultaneously. The method and apparatus then remove an amount representative of the indicated presence or concentration of the second component from the concentration of the first component indicated by the first measurement.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2001Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventor: Zindel Herbert Heller
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Patent number: 7018482Abstract: A method of manufacturing electronic devices, in particular, but not exclusively, semiconductor devices, and apparatus for carrying out such a method, in which method wafers 1, which are provided at a surface 2 with a material 3 to be removed, are subjected, while being divided into successive batches, to a wet treatment in a bath 4 containing a solution 5 of an active component in a solvent. The successive batches of wafers 1 are immersed in the solution 5 at first time intervals during the wet treatment of the successive batches, which first time intervals each consist of a processing period during which the material 3 is removed from the surface 2 of the wafers 1, thereby forming ionic components, and a waiting period following the removal of the wafers 1 from the bath 4 at the end of the processing period.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2000Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Marcellinus J. H. J. Geomini
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Patent number: 6995022Abstract: A high throughput, on-line, pulsed ultrafiltration-mass spectrometric method has been developed to determine whether a compound has predetermined characteristics that would make it suitable for a specific purpose, e.g. drug development. The method is useful to generate, identify, and quantify metabolites of compounds formed by drug metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome P450, UDP-glucuronyltransferases, and glutathione transferases. The method is useful for rapid screening of drugs or other compounds to determine the extent of their metabolism and to characterize their primary metabolites. If reactive and potentially toxic metabolites are formed during, e.g. cytochrome P450 oxidation, the metabolites can be reacted with glutathione and then detected on-line using mass spectrometry in a rapid assay to assess the potential for toxicity. In addition, the method is useful for the determination of bioavailability, absorption and cell permeability of compounds.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1999Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of IllinoisInventors: Richard B. van Breemen, Judy L. Bolton
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Patent number: 6979544Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for sensing the presence of an analyte component without relying on redox mediators. This sensor includes (a) a plurality of conductive polymer strands each having at least a first end and a second end and each aligned in a substantially common orientation; (b) a plurality of molecular recognition headgroups having an affinity for the analyte component and being attached to the first ends of the conductive polymer strands; and (c) an electrode substrate attached to the conductive polymer strands at the second ends. The electrode substrate is capable of reporting to an electronic circuit reception of mobile charge carriers (electrons or holes) from the conductive polymer strands. The electrode substrate may be a photovoltaic diode.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Keensense, Inc.Inventor: Randy E. Keen
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Patent number: 6964871Abstract: A system for measuring a glucose level in a blood sample includes a test strip and a meter. The test strip includes a sample chamber or other testing zone, a working electrode, a counter electrode, fill-detect electrodes, and an auto-on conductor. A reagent layer is disposed in the testing zone. The auto-on conductor causes the meter to wake up and perform a test strip sequence when the test strip is inserted in the meter. The meter uses the working and counter electrodes to initially detect the blood sample in the sample chamber and uses the fill-detect electrodes to check that the blood sample has mixed with the reagent layer. The meter applies an assay voltage between the working and counter electrodes and measures the resulting current. The meter calculates the glucose level based on the measured current and calibration data saved in memory from a removable data storage device associated with the test strip.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2004Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Home Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Douglas E. Bell, Gary T. Neel, T. Philip Wong
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Patent number: 6959247Abstract: A system for measuring a glucose level in a blood sample includes a test strip and a meter. The test strip includes a sample chamber, a working electrode, a counter electrode, fill-detect electrodes, and an auto-on conductor. A reagent layer is disposed in the sample chamber. The auto-on conductor causes the meter to wake up and perform a test strip sequence when the test strip is inserted in the meter. The meter uses the working and counter electrodes to initially detect the blood sample in the sample chamber and uses the fill-detect electrodes to check that the blood sample has mixed with the reagent layer. The meter applies an assay voltage between the working and counter electrodes and measures the resulting current. The meter calculates the glucose level based on the measured current and calibration data saved in memory from a removable data storage device associated with the test strip.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Home Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Gary T. Neel, Douglas E. Bell, T. Philip Wong, Allan Javier Caban, David K. Boehm
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Patent number: 6955922Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating an acid or base, e.g. for chromatographic analysis of anions. For generating a base the method includes the steps of providing a cation source in a cation source reservoir, flowing an aqueous liquid stream through a base generation chamber separated from the cation source reservoir by a barrier (e.g. a charged membrane) substantially preventing liquid flow while providing a cation transport bridge, applying an electric potential between an anode cation source reservoir and a cathode in the base generation chamber to electrolytically generate hydroxide ions therein and to cause cations in the cation source reservoir to electromigrate and to be transported across the barrier toward the cathode to combine with the transported cations to form cation hydroxide, and removing the cation hydroxide in an aqueous liquid stream as an effluent from the first base generation chamber. Suitable cation sources include a salt solution, a cation hydroxide solution or cation exchange resin.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2000Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Dionex CorporationInventors: Yan Liu, Hamish Small, Nebojsa Avdalovic
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Patent number: 6955787Abstract: An array of piezoelectric resonators used in a sensor device in order to identify chemical and biological agents. The resonators can operate as bulk acoustic wave (BAW), surface acoustic wave (SAW), or Love mode devices. The sensor device integrates gravimetric, calorimetric, thermal gravimetric, voltage gravimetric and optical detection methods into one sensor system, improving the accuracy of identifying hazardous agents. For gravimetric detection, dual-mode resonators provide simultaneous calorimetric and gravimetric data, one type from each mode. Resonators with heaters on the surfaces will provide thermal gravimetric data. An optical detector can be used to analyze the optical signal from the surface of a coated resonator. Additionally, voltage gravimetric measurements can be made with an electric field set up between the resonator and an external electrode. Thermal voltage gravimetric measurements can be made by adding an integrated heater on the resonator with an external electrode.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Inventor: William Paynter Hanson
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Patent number: 6953693Abstract: A system for measuring a glucose level in a blood sample includes a test strip and a meter. The test strip includes a sample chamber, a working electrode, a counter electrode, fill-detect electrodes, and an auto-on conductor. A reagent layer is disposed in the sample chamber. The auto-on conductor causes the meter to wake up and perform a test strip sequence when the test strip is inserted in the meter. The meter uses the working and counter electrodes to initially detect the blood sample in the sample chamber and uses the fill-detect electrodes to check that the blood sample has mixed with the reagent layer. The meter applies an assay voltage between the working and counter electrodes and measures the resulting current. The meter calculates the glucose level based on the measured current and calibration data saved in memory from a removable data storage device associated with the test strip.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Home Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Gary T. Neel, Douglas E. Bell, T. Philip Wong
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Patent number: 6946299Abstract: A system for measuring a glucose level in a blood sample includes a test strip and a meter. The test strip includes a sample chamber, a working electrode, a counter electrode, fill-detect electrodes, and an auto-on conductor. A reagent layer is disposed in the sample chamber. The auto-on conductor causes the meter to wake up and perform a test strip sequence when the test strip is inserted in the meter. The meter uses the working and counter electrodes to initially detect the blood sample in the sample chamber and uses the fill-detect electrodes to check that the blood sample has mixed with the reagent layer. The meter applies an assay voltage between the working and counter electrodes and measures the resulting current. The meter calculates the glucose level based on the measured current and calibration data saved in memory from a removable data storage device associated with the test strip.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Home Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Gary T. Neel, Douglas E. Bell, T. Philip Wong, Houston F. Voss, Allan Javier Caban, David K. Boehm
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Patent number: 6933153Abstract: This invention relates to a metal ion specific capacitance sensor with exceptional sensitivity and wide operating range. It is versatile because different kinds of recognition elements can be immobilized directly in a self-assembling monolayer substantially completely covering the surface of the measuring noble metal electrode. The electrode then becomes selective to those metal ions in the solution that show affinity to the recognition element on the surface. Compared to previously described electrochemical sensors, the sensor according to the present invention shows many orders of magnitude better sensitivity because of the unique measuring principle.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignees: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologish Onderzoek, School Biological Sciences at the University of BirminghamInventors: Bo Mattiasson, Elisabeth Csoregi, Ibolya Bontidean, Gillis Johansson, Christine Berggren, Nigel Brown, Jonathan Lloyd, Kenneth Jakeman, Jonathan Hobman, Jonathan Wilson, Daniel Van Der Leile, Philippe Corbisier
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Patent number: 6927065Abstract: A method for determining the length and velocity of single elongated macromolecules is disclosed. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining the velocity of elongated polymeric molecules moving relative to one or more detection stations, as well as to methods and apparatus for determining the length of such molecules and the distance between landmarks that may be present on such molecules. The invention makes use of time correlated measurements of signal amplitude profiles that result from interactions between each detection station and portions of each macromolecule.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2001Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: U.S. Genomics, Inc.Inventors: Eugene Y. Chan, Lance C. Gleich, Parris S. Wellman
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Patent number: 6916658Abstract: A method for measuring immature granulocytes in a blood sample is described. The method includes the steps of lysing red blood cells of a blood sample with a lytic reagent, analyzing the sample mixture by DC impedance measurement, determining immature granulocytes from obtained DC histogram, and reporting immature granulocytes in the blood sample. The method further includes measuring nucleated red blood cells in the blood sample.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.Inventors: Jing Li, Yi Li
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Patent number: 6916665Abstract: Provided are pore-subunit polypeptides covalently linked to one or more sensing moieties, and uses of these modified polypeptides to detect and/or measure analytes or physical characteristics within a given sample.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2001Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: The Texas A&M University SystemInventors: Hagan P. Bayley, Stefan G. Howorka, Liviu Movileanu
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Patent number: 6905655Abstract: An electronic system for selectively detecting and identifying a plurality of chemical species, which comprises an array of nanostructure sensing devices, is disclosed. Within the array, there are at least two different selectivities for sensing among the nanostructure sensing devices. Methods for fabricating the electronic system are also disclosed. The methods involve modifiying nanostructures within the devices to have different selectivity for sensing chemical species. Modification can involve chemical, electrochemical, and self-limiting point defect reactions. Reactants for these reactions can be supplied using a bath method or a chemical jet method. Methods for using the arrays of nanostructure sensing devices to detect and identify a plurality of chemical species are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Nanomix, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Christophe P. Gabriel, Philip G. Collins, Keith Bradley, George Gruner
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Patent number: 6890757Abstract: A portable system for analysis of blood or other bodily fluids removable from a patient is disclosed. The system includes a temperature sensing device and a temperature control circuit. The temperature sensing device senses a temperature of a surface of a sensor substrate of a cartridge having an electrical heater device without direct contact with the cartridge or direct exposure to the heating device. The temperature sensing device also generates an electrical signal related to the sensed temperature. The temperature control circuit controls an electrical input to the heater device based on the sensed temperature and a designed control temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: International Technidyne CorporationInventors: James Donald Kurkowski, Brian Keith Sorenson, Jon Michael Tonsager
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Patent number: 6890758Abstract: The concentration of citrate complexing agent in an electroless cobalt or nickel plating bath is determined by titrating a sample of the electroless plating bath containing a small concentration of free fluoride ion with a standard lanthanum nitrate solution. During the titration, La3+ ion first reacts preferentially with the citrate complexing agent and then with fluoride ion, which reduces the free fluoride ion concentration. The endpoint for the titration is indicated by a substantial decrease in the free fluoride ion concentration, which is detected via a fluoride ion specific electrode (ISE). The method can be used for analysis of other complexing agents.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: ECI Technology, Inc.Inventors: Eugene Shalyt, Michael Pavlov, Peter Bratin, Alex Kogan, Michael James Perpich
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Patent number: 6884356Abstract: Methods and apparatus (50) are disclosed for accurately measuring low concentrations of boron in deionized water utilizing the chemical reaction of boric acid with a polyol by injecting very small plugs of concentrated polyol into streams of boron containing and non-boron containing water samples to produce an ionized acids product, and then measuring the conductivity difference (delta conductivity), corrected for interfering or extraneous factors which can effect conductivity, between such boron containing and non-boron containing samples using a conductivity and temperature detector (23).Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2001Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Sievers Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Paul P. Kosenka, Kevin J. O'Neill, Richard D. Godec
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Patent number: 6881578Abstract: Devices and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample are provided. The subject devices are meters characterized by having an internal structure that includes a test strip selecting element having a continuously reduced cross-sectional area configured to select a single test strip at a time and means for determining the concentration of an analyte in a physiological sample applied to the selected test strip. In the subject methods for containing at least one test strip and dispensing a single test strip at a time, a meter having at least one test strip contained therein is provided. The meter is positioned with respect to the ground to cause the single test strip to move from a contained position to a dispensed position. The subject invention also includes kits for use in practicing the subject methods.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: LifeScan, Inc.Inventor: Gary Otake
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Patent number: 6875613Abstract: A device for accessing biological fluid, sampling biological fluid constituents and determining the concentration of at least one target constituent within the accessed biological fluid is provided. The device has at least one micro-piercing member used to penetrate the skin to a selected depth and to access biological fluid, a constituent sampling means and a constituent measuring means. The constituent sampling means comprises a constituent transfer medium, such as a hydrophilic gel material, by which sampled constituents are transferred from the micro-piercing member to the measuring means. The measuring means includes an electrochemical cell having at least one porous electrode through which at least one sampled constituent is caused to enter into the electrochemical cell. Methods of sampling constituents within the skin and measuring the sampled constituents, as well as kits for practicing the invention are provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: LifeScan, Inc.Inventors: Robert Shartle, Koon-wah Leong, Ernest J. Kiser
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Patent number: 6869569Abstract: Blood cells of interest are readily distinguishable from other blood cells and look-a-like particles found in a blood sample by their back-scatter signature. A preferred method for differentiating platelets in a blood sample is to irradiate the cells and particles, one at a time, with a beam of radiation, and to detect back-scattered (reflected) radiation using a plurality of optical fibers to transmit the back-scattered radiation to a high-gain photodetector, e.g. a photomultiplier tube. Preferably, the back-scatter signal so obtained is combined with a second signal representing, for example, either the level of forward-scatter within a prescribed, relatively narrow angular range, or the level of side-scattered radiation, or the level of attenuation of the cell-irradiating beam caused by the presence of the irradiated cell or particle in the beam, or the electrical impedance of the irradiated cell or particle, to differentiate the cells of interest.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2004Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Coulter International Corp.Inventor: Donald L. Kramer
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Patent number: 6871118Abstract: Method intended for continuous detection and control of hydrate formation at any point of a pipe carrying multiphase petroleum fluids. The method uses a compositional code allowing to simulate the circulation modes and conditions at any point of the pipe, considering that the fluid mixture is substantially continuously at equilibrium, that the composition of the multiphase mixture is variable all along the pipe and that the mass of each constituent of the mixture is globally defined by a mass conservation equation regardless of its phase state. The thermodynamic hydrate formation conditions are detected after a particular stage of grouping the petroleum fluids into pseudo-components so as to isolate the hydrate forming components, with definition for each one of a mass fraction and of a certain number of characteristic physical quantities, and the data relative to these particular fractions are applied to the modules so as to determine at any point the hydrate dissociation temperature (Td).Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Institut Francais Du PetroleInventors: Véronique Henriot, Véronique Lachet, Eric Heintze
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Patent number: 6867048Abstract: A method of addressing and driving an electrode array includes the step of addressing one or more electrodes within the array using a plurality of row and column lines. In one aspect of the method, a value corresponding to a voltage is stored in a local memory associated with each electrode. The addressed electrodes are then driven at the voltages corresponding to the stored values. In another aspect of the method, a driving element associated with each addressed electrode is selectively coupled with a voltage line so as to charge the electrode with the voltage on the voltage line. The device and methods may be used in the synthesis of biopolymers such as oligonucleotides and peptides.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Nanogen, Inc.Inventor: Gregory T. A. Kovacs
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Patent number: 6860873Abstract: A body fluid is collected for testing for an analyte contained within the body fluid. The fluid is collected in an apparatus including a reservoir for receiving and collecting a flow of body fluid from a discharge end of a conduit. A capillary test space is in fluid flow communication with the reservoir. The capillary test space is positioned to be in contact with the fluid in the reservoir after the fluid has accumulated to a predetermined transfer volume of fluid. The capillary test space is sized to wick the fluid from the reservoir when the fluid contacts the capillary test space.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Integ, Inc.Inventors: John J. Allen, Joel R. Racchini
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Patent number: 6858433Abstract: A biosensing cell assembly having a measurement loop with a test cell having an analyte reaction zone for amperometric measurement of a response current to determine analyte concentration and a noise cancellation loop arranged to be physically exposed to the same electromagnetic environment as the measurement loop. The noise cancellation loop has a predetermined impedance within a range of the impedance of the test cell analyte reaction zone and provides a current to cancel or reduce the effects of the electromagnetic environment on the measurement loop.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2000Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventor: Maury Zivitz
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Patent number: 6844197Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for matching and validating the response intensity of a sensor array to an odorant with the detection threshold of a human nose.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Brett J. Doleman, Nathan S. Lewis, Erik J. Severin
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Patent number: 6841389Abstract: A method of non-invasive determination of a glucose concentration in blood based on the measurements of the total impedance of the skin of a patient is disclosed. The method is based on a linear model of a first order correlation between the glucose concentration and the total impedance, the model taking into account the rate of change of the glucose concentration. The coefficients used in an approximating function are determined at the preliminary stage measurements by an invasive method.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: GlucoSens, Inc.Inventors: Igor A. Novikov, Alexander V. Kislov
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Patent number: 6838287Abstract: An improved, affordable, and rapid fluid mixture composition or process monitor based on a thermal microstructure sensor. This is preferably accomplished with a microbridge sensor design that has reduced susceptibility to interfering components of the mixture. The sensor described herein is therefore suitable for monitoring the concentration of at least one component in a fluid mixture when the fluid mixture consists of either (1) two components with very different thermal conductivities; or (2) three or more components wherein at least one component has a very different thermal conductivity and the effects of the other components can be largely eliminated, especially if the component of interest is hydrogen and the interference is from the variability in the concentrations of CO2 and H2O.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Ulrich Bonne, Kenneth Creasy, Troy W. Francisco
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Patent number: 6835574Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing calorimetry. The apparatus include optical devices for detecting thermal processes and multiwell sample plates for supporting samples for use with such optical devices. The methods include measurement strategies and data processing techniques for reducing noise in measurements of thermal processes. The apparatus and methods may be particularly suitable for extracting thermal data from small differential measurements made using an infrared camera and for monitoring chemical and physiological processes.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: FLIR Systems Boston, Inc.Inventors: Andy C. Neilson, Michael R. Sweeney, James D. Orrell, III, Michael W. Oster, John M. Hopkins, Marc Samson
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Publication number: 20040253741Abstract: Field-effect transistor (FET) devices with carbon nanotubes as the conducting channel detect chemicals in liquids are described. Chemical detection occurs primarily through analysis of conduction (l) as a function of the applied gate voltage (Vg). The conductivity of liquids is an important variable in the analysis of measurements of the device performance. In high-conducting liquids, screening and liquid conductance dominate in the device measurements; in low-conductive liquids (e.g., cyclohexane), the changes in the NTFET device performance upon exposure to different chemicals are similar to those found for the performance of the device in a gaseous environment. The influence of aromatic compounds on the device electronics can be correlated with their relative ability to donate or withdraw electrons from the carbon nanotube. A shift in the threshold of l-Vg was found to be linear with Hammett sigma values (&sgr;p) for mono-substituted benzene compounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Alexander Star, George Gruner
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Patent number: 6827899Abstract: A test device for testing of analyte concentration in a fluid comprises: a housing (2) having an opening and containing a stack of sensors (16); a transport member (4) rotatably mounted in the opening of the housing, having an axis of rotation which spans the opening; a spring (24) which urges the stack against the transport member; and sealing means (20, 34) for making a moisture tight seal between the transport member and the sensors when the transport member is in a specified rotational position. An outer surface of the transport member has a recessed region (12) which is adapted to receive a single sensor from the stack. Rotation of the transport member with a sensor in the recessed region transports the sensor to a location where it can be connected to a meter (6, 8) and receive a drop of fluid to be tested.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Hypoguard LimitedInventors: Graeme Antony Maisey, James Aitken, Andrew James Woodhead, Stuart Richard May, Michael Pearson, Murdo M. Black, James George Elcoaté Smith
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Patent number: 6821787Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing calorimetry. The apparatus include optical devices for detecting thermal processes and multiwell sample plates for supporting samples for use with such optical devices. The methods include measurement strategies and data processing techniques for reducing noise in measurements of thermal processes. The apparatus and methods may be particularly suitable for extracting thermal data from small differential measurements made using an infrared camera and for monitoring chemical and physiological processes.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Thermogenic Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Andy C. Neilson, Michael R. Sweeney, James D. Orrell, III, Marc Sampson, John M. Hopkins, Michael W. Oster
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Publication number: 20040214334Abstract: A molecular contamination monitoring system includes a piezoelectric measurement sensor exposed to a molecular constituent to be measured; a piezoelectric reference sensor; and a filter for filtering said molecular constituent, the filter located between the reference sensor and the measurement environment. The reference sensor is exposed to the same ambient conditions of temperature, pressure and humidity as the measurement sensor. Alternatively, there may be a plurality of different reference sensors having different filters, or there may be a plurality of different measurement sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2003Publication date: October 28, 2004Applicant: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Rodier, Scott Waisanen, Dale Griffin
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Patent number: 6806050Abstract: This invention provides electromagnetic chips and electromagnetic biochips having arrays of individually addressable micro-electromagnetic units, as well as methods of utilizing these chips for directed manipulation of micro-particles and micro-structures such as biomolecules and chemical reagents. An electromagnetic biochip comprises an individually addressable micro-electromagnetic unit chip with ligand molecules immobilized on its surface. By controlling the electromagnetic field at each unit of the array and combining this control with magnetic modification of biomolecules, these chips can be used for directed manipulation, synthesis and release of biomolecules in order to increase sensitivity of biochemical or chemical analysis and reduce assay time. Other advantages with these chips include minimized damages to biological molecules and increased reproducibility of assay results.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: AVIVA BiosciencesInventors: Yuxiang Zhou, Litian Liu, Ken Chen, Depu Chen, Jia Wang, Zewen Liu, Zhimin Tan, Junquan Xu, Xiaoshan Zhu, Xuezhong He, Wenzhang Xie, Zhiming Li, Xiumel Liu
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Patent number: 6797236Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of reducing noise associated with biomolecular measurement systems. Sensor detection system noise characteristics in the presence of other sensor detection systems are determined and advantageously used to determine an arrangement of the individual sensor cells. The sensor cells are arranged on a substrate such that the system noise is determinable and can thus be filtered from the measurement signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Arne Stoschek
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Patent number: 6767746Abstract: Method and apparatus used to calculate the hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide loading of both rich and lean amine solutions used to remove acidic gas components from sour or production gases in order to produce a sweet or sales gas for transmission purposes. The amine solution is divided into three (3) liquid streams carrying different proportions of heat stable salts, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. Conductivity measurements are made on each of the streams and are converted to acid loading values for the amine. The acid loading values of the amine are used to obtain the hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide loading for the amine solution.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Spartan Controls Ltd.Inventors: Jamie Swallow, Brent Richmond Young
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Patent number: 6762062Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining cholesterol in low density lipoprotein comprising the steps of (a) measuring total cholesterol level in a sample containing at least high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein and chylomicron, and (b) measuring cholesterol levels in the high density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein and chylomicron in the sample, wherein the cholesterol level in the low density lipoprotein is determined by subtracting a value obtained in the step (b) from a value obtained in the step (a). The present invention enables concurrent determination of cholesterol level in low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol level, facilitating acquisition of two types of biological information at a time.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Motokazu Watanabe, Toshihiko Yoshioka, Shiro Nankai
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Patent number: 6752927Abstract: Method and apparatus for suppressed ion analysis in which a sample solution of analyte (e.g., anion) in an eluent of electrolyte counterions (e.g., sodium), is chromatographically separated. Then, the counterions are suppressed in a suppression zone and removed and used to convert the analyte ions to salt form in a salt-converting zone. The suppression and salt-converting zones may be contiguous or remote, and may be performed in devices of the membrane suppresser type. Thereafter, the salts or acids or bases formed from them (e.g., in membrane suppressor devices) are detected. Also, salt conversion can be performed using two ion exchange packed bed salt convertors in which one bed is on-line while the other is regenerated, followed by a reversal of flow.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2001Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Dionex CorporationInventors: Kannan Srinivasan, Sheetal Saini, Nebojsa Avdalovic
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Patent number: 6743398Abstract: A serum/clot separation surface determination apparatus includes a test tube formed of a non-magnetic material containing a blood sample which is separated into a serum and a clot by a silicon separating medium, a detection coil fitted on an outer surface of the test tube, a measurement signal supply unit which supplies a measurement signal having a given frequency to the detection coil, a drive control unit which variably controls a relative position between the detection coil and the test tube in a longitudinal direction of the test tube by moving at least one of the detection coil and the test tube, a signal level detector which detects a level of the measurement signal that varies with the relative position, and a determination unit which determines a position of a sample separation surface obtained by the silicon separating medium, based on the level of the detected measurement signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Inventor: Teruaki Itoh
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Patent number: 6743639Abstract: A ferromagnetic thin-film based magnetic field detection system used for detecting the presence of selected molecular species. A magnetic field sensor supported on a substrate has a binding molecule layer positioned on a side thereof capable of selectively binding to the selected molecular species. The magnetic field sensor can be substantially covered by an electrical insulating layer having a recess therein adjacent to the sensor in which the binding molecule layer is provided. An electrical interconnection conductor can be supported on the substrate at least in part between the sensor and the substrate, and is electrically connected to the sensor. The magnetic field sensor can be provided in a bridge circuit, and can be formed by a number of interconnected individual sensors.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2000Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: NVE CorporationInventors: Mark C. Tondra, John M. Anderson
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Patent number: 6743635Abstract: A system for measuring a glucose level in a blood sample includes a test strip and a meter. The test strip includes a sample chamber, a working electrode, a counter electrode, fill-detect electrodes, and an auto-on conductor. A reagent layer is disposed in the sample chamber. The auto-on conductor causes the meter to wake up and perform a test strip sequence when the test strip is inserted in the meter. The meter uses the working and counter electrodes to initially detect the blood sample in the sample chamber and uses the fill-detect electrodes to check that the blood sample has mixed with the reagent layer. The meter applies an assay voltage between the working and counter electrodes and measures the resulting current. The meter calculates the glucose level based on the measured current and calibration data saved in memory from a removable data storage device associated with the test strip.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Home Diagnostics, Inc.Inventors: Gary T. Neel, Douglas E. Bell, T. Philip Wong, Houston F. Voss
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Patent number: 6743634Abstract: Blood cells of interest are readily distinguishable from other blood cells and look-a-like particles found in a blood sample by their back-scatter signature. A preferred method for differentiating platelets in a blood sample is to irradiate the cells and particles, one at a time, with a beam of radiation, and to detect back-scattered (reflected) radiation using a plurality of optical fibers to transmit the back-scattered radiation to a high-gain photodetector, e.g. a photomultiplier tube. Preferably, the back-scatter signal so obtained is combined with a second signal representing, for example, either the level of forward-scatter within a prescribed, relatively narrow angular range, or the level of side-scattered radiation, or the level of attenuation of the cell-irradiating beam caused by the presence of the irradiated cell or particle in the beam, or the electrical impedance of the irradiated cell or particle, to differentiate the cells of interest.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Coulter International Corp.Inventor: Donald L. Kramer
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Patent number: 6736978Abstract: Method and apparatus for manipulating and monitoring analyte flowing in fluid streams. A giant magnetoresistive sensor has an array of sensing elements that produce electrical output signals which vary in dependence on changes in the magnetic field proximate the sensing elements. The analyte is included in a stream, such that the stream has a magnetic property which is dependent on the concentration and distribution on the analyte therein. The stream is flowed past the giant magnetoresistive sensor and in sufficiently close proximity to cause the magnetic properties of the stream to produce electrical output signals. The electrical output signals are monitored as an indicator of analyte concentration or distribution in the stream flowing past the GMR sensor. Changes in the magnetic field produced by the background stream are introduced by analyte molecules, whose presence in the flow past the GMR will effect the output reading.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Marc D. Porter, Jing Ni, G. Brent Dawson, Ruth Shinar, Robert J. Lipert, Michael C. Granger, Mark Tondra
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Patent number: 6716633Abstract: A blood cell detector includes an orifice section having a single orifice, a first supplying section for supplying a first blood specimen into the orifice section, a second supplying section for supplying a second blood specimen into the orifice section, and first and second electrodes provided on opposite sides of the orifice for detecting a change in impedance of each of the first and second blood specimens when the first and second blood specimens are selectively caused to pass through the orifice.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Sysmex CorporationInventor: Mitsuru Abo
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Publication number: 20040057873Abstract: A chemochromic sensor includes multiple bi-directional LEDs, each optically aligned with one or more test areas. Each LED is used as both a light emitter when driven in forward bias, and as a light detector when driven in reverse bias. By alternating the bias on the LEDs, multi-way light measurements of the test area can be obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2002Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: William S. Yerazunis, Dermot Diamond, Paul H. Dietz
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Publication number: 20040058450Abstract: In a method for sampling a continuous liquid flow, the liquid flow is supplied to a surface along an input flow path. The liquid flow is sampled by forming a sample droplet from a portion of the liquid flow. The sample droplet is moved along an analysis flow path to a processing area of the surface, where the sample droplet is processed. Discrete sample droplets are formed and moved using an electrowetting technique. A binary mixing apparatus and method are also provided. The apparatus comprises an array of electrodes, an electronic controller communicating with the electrodes, a sample droplet supply area communicating with the array, and an additive droplet supply area communicating with the array. The electronic controller alternately energizes and de-energizes selected electrodes to carry out droplet-to-droplet binary mixing operations to obtain one or more droplets having a target mixing ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2002Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Vamsee K. Pamula, Michael G. Pollack, Philip Y. Paik, Hong Ren, Richard B. Fair
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Patent number: 6706533Abstract: A concentration detection method and a concentration detection apparatus, and an agent diluting preparation apparatus capable of accurately estimating the concentration of a solution without the need of strict temperature control, and of estimating the concentration of the solution in real time, and further of cost reduction of diluting and preparing an agent and of simplification of diluting and preparing work are provided herein.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Kanto Kagaku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akio Nomura, Tomoaki Iwao
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Patent number: 6703246Abstract: A thermal method for studying chemical responses, such as catalyzed polymerization reactions that includes the following three steps. The first step is to flow a chemical substance through a conduit, the conduit being in thermal communication with an electrical conductor, the electrical conductor being co-linear with the conduit, the electrical resistance of the electrical conductor being a function of the temperature of the electrical conductor. A length of stainless steel tubing can be used as both the conduit and the conductor. The second step is to flow electricity through the electrical conductor during the first step. The third step is to measure the electrical resistance of the electrical conductor during the second step to determine any change in the temperature of the conduit caused by a response of the chemical substance.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Theodore E. Miller, Charles A. Nielsen, Ray W. Chrisman, Robert E. LaPointe