Including Sample Preparation Patents (Class 436/174)
  • Patent number: 11957809
    Abstract: A process challenge device for evaluation of contamination forming and removal processes inside of narrow and hollow channels comprising sample of at one sample, at least capsule having an inlet connector, a flow shaping element and an internal cavity for holding said sample, a lock—or end cap—for each capsule securing the sample inside the cavity characterized by said tag located in the capsule against one of the walls of the internal cavity that is shaped not to change the parameters of the fluid flow while it flows into said cavity and over the face of the sample simulating the flow through an equivalent narrow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: ASEPTIUM LIMITED
    Inventor: Pawel de Sternberg Stojalowski
  • Patent number: 11761861
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for analyzing an analyte, such as white blood cells in liquid samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Essenlix Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Y. Chou, Wei Ding, Ji Qi
  • Patent number: 11596939
    Abstract: A microfluidic test device has a body, a first chamber having an outlet provided with a first valve and holding a first buffer having a first buffer volume, a primary reaction chamber, a sample inlet for receiving and feeding a sample having a sample volume, into the microfluidic test device, a first fluid path connecting the outlet of the first chamber and the sample inlet, a second fluid path connecting the sample inlet and the primary reaction chamber, a primary test part having a primary test chamber, a third primary fluid path connecting the primary reaction chamber and the primary test part, a primary valve arranged in the third primary fluid path, a flow driving device configured to move fluid from the primary reaction chamber to the primary test part, and a heating assembly configured to heat a reaction fluid in the primary reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SELFDIAGNOSTICS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Indrek Tulp, Clemens Kremer, Grit Rehbein, Christin Münch, Cindy Baumann, Katrin Krõlov
  • Patent number: 11525837
    Abstract: An object is to provide an automatic analyzer that prevents an effect of various environmental changes on an equilibrium state of an immunological binding reaction. An automatic analyzer of an embodiment of the invention includes a B/F separation unit that executes a B/F separation step separating an unreacted component and a reacted component from a liquid in which a sample and a reagent are reacted, a detection unit that detects a reacted component in the liquid after the B/F separation step, and a temperature maintaining unit that maintains the B/F separation unit and the detection unit in substantially the same temperature environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamashita, Takenori Okusa, Shunsuke Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11519923
    Abstract: A system (1) for detecting an analyte of interest in a sample is disclosed that comprises a measurement chamber (21) for metering the sample and including a defined concentration of an activator (27) causing the generation of a product when interacting with the analyte of interest, a heating element (31) thermally coupled to the measurement chamber, a controller (33) adapted to control the heating element such that the measurement chamber is maintained at a defined temperature (Td), a sensor (35) adapted to detect said product, a timer (37) adapted to time an interaction time between the sample and the activator; and a processor (39) responsive to the sensor and the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthineers Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Hans Nieuwenhuis, Markus Hendrikus Van Roosmalen, Per Venge
  • Patent number: 11480584
    Abstract: A system for biological analysis includes a housing, a block assembly within the housing having a sample block and a baseplate, a heated cover and a cover carrier. The sample block receives a sample holder comprising an RFID tag. A first drive mechanism generates relative movement between the sample block and the baseplate along a first axis. A second drive mechanism generates relative movement between the heated cover and the cover carrier along a second axis that is different from the first axis. Based on a first command the first drive mechanism releasably engages the sample block and operates the second drive mechanism to releasably engage the heated cover with the cover carrier. The system also includes first and second RFID antennas that receive RFID data from the sample holder RFID tag that is read by at least one RFID reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS PTE LIMITED, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuan Moon Boo, Wei Fuh Teo, Zeqi Tan, Soo Yong Lau, Ming Tiong Sia, Woon Liang Soh, Ching Yee Lam, Shan Hua Dong, Marc Haberstroh, Michael C. Pallas, Hardeep Sangha
  • Patent number: 11454628
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting a compound, comprising the steps of: contacting a compound with a solid analytical surface (SAS), thereby forming an SAS with an absorbed compound; contacting the SAS with the absorbed compound with a mass tag, wherein the mass tag reacts with the absorbed compound, thereby forming an SAS with a covalently mass-tagged absorbed compound; and detecting the covalently mass-tagged absorbed compound by mass spectrometry. Also disclosed is a device for collecting breath aerosol, comprising a card or an envelope, wherein the card or the envelope comprise a tab, wherein the tab is a SAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Pushkar Kulkarni, Poguang Wang, Roger W. Giese
  • Patent number: 11313042
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for forming transmission electron microscopy sample lamellae using a focused ion beam including directing a high energy focused ion beam toward a bulk volume of material; milling away the unwanted volume of material to produce an unfinished sample lamella with one or more exposed faces having a damage layer; characterizing the removal rate of the focused ion beam; subsequent to characterizing the removal rate, directing a low energy focused ion beam toward the unfinished sample lamella for a predetermined milling time to deliver a specified dose of ions per area from the low energy focused ion beam; and milling the unfinished sample lamella with the low energy focused ion beam to remove at least a portion of the damage layer to produce the finished sample lamella including at least a portion of the feature of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Thomas G. Miller, Jason Arjavac, Michael Moriarty
  • Patent number: 11292005
    Abstract: A container for selective transport of samples of biological material or of biological origin suitable for containing at least a fluid or liquid and/or for containing at least a portion of a collecting device, the container having a selective passage portion configured to prevent exit of a fluid or liquid from the container, through the passage portion, at least in at least an operating sealed condition defined at least by a rest state of the container or by a first value of mechanical shaking of the container and/or by a first value of relative centrifugal force to which the container is subjected, and configured selectively to enable exit of the fluid or liquid from the container, across the passage portion, at least in an operating passage condition, defined at least by a corresponding second state of mechanical shaking of the container and/or wherein the container is subjected to a corresponding second relative centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Copan Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Triva
  • Patent number: 11148138
    Abstract: A digital microfluidics system with electrodes attached to a substrate and covered by a hydrophobic surface, and a control unit for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting; providing in close proximity to electrodes a magnetic conduit for directing a magnetic field of a backing magnet to the first hydrophobic surface; providing on the hydrophobic surface a liquid droplet that has magnetically responsive beads; moving by electrowetting the liquid droplet with the magnetically responsive beads until a part of which is placed atop of the magnetic conduit; actuating the backing magnet of the magnetic conduit and attracting/concentrating magnetically responsive beads; and while actuating the backing magnet, moving by electrowetting the liquid droplet with decreased number of magnetically responsive beads away from the specific magnetic conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: TECAN TRADING AG
    Inventors: Thomas Perroud, Dan Tran, Daniel Hoffmeyer, Tiffany Lay, Manjeet Dhindsa
  • Patent number: 11016044
    Abstract: The nuclear spin hyperpolarization method includes the steps of: irradiating a sample, prepared by doping solid benzoic acid derivative with a pentacene derivative, placed in a space where a static magnetic field is formed by a main magnetic field forming unit, with a laser beam from a laser source; following the light irradiation, irradiating the sample with a microwave from a microwave source while applying a sweeping magnetic field; and after repeating the application of sweeping magnetic field, light irradiation and microwave irradiation, dissolving the benzoic acid derivative in the sample. This enables generation of an aqueous solution containing benzoic acid derivative of which nuclear spins are hyperpolarized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Makoto Negoro, Masahiro Kitagawa, Akinori Kagawa
  • Patent number: 10976225
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for concentrating analyte from large sample solutions using a combination of magnetic microparticles on a digital microfluidic device using virtual channels. Virtual channels are produced by applying voltages to a series of driving electrodes of the DMF that connect a reservoir of solution situated just outside of the DMF device to a fluid exit location. The magnetic microparticles are first exposed to a liquid sample containing the analyte whereupon analytes are bound by analyte specific receptors on the microparticles. By flowing these solutions of magnetic particles through virtual channels in DMF device, large volumes can be processed, regardless of the total capacity of the DMF. Engaging a magnet underneath the DMF device while a suspension of magnetic microparticles is flowed through the virtual channel causes the microparticles to become immobilized and the supernatant solution is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
    Inventors: Darius George Rackus, Aaron Ray Wheeler
  • Patent number: 10940476
    Abstract: A device for high-throughput multi-parameter functional profiling of the same cells in multicellular settings and in isolation is provided. In certain aspects, an integrated microfluidic device for multi-parameter metabolic and other phenotypic profiling of live biological cells is useable with: 1) multicellular clusters or small biopsy tissue samples, 2) cultures of the constituent cells obtained after cluster/tissue dissociation, and 3) the same constituent single cells in isolation. The approach enables study of the effects of multicellular complexity, such as in response to treatment, pathogens, stress, or other factors concerning disease origination and progression. Measurements may be performed on single cells or multicellular populations or tissues in the same assay at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Laimonas Kelbauskas, Honor Glenn, Jeff Houkal, Clifford Anderson, Yanqing Tian, Fengyu Su, Deirdre Meldrum
  • Patent number: 10816451
    Abstract: A system for building a gas processing apparatus includes a compressed gas source, a pressure modulator in communication with the gas source, and a chamber configured to receive a gas permeable material. The chamber is further configured with a first chamber area on one side of the material and with a second chamber area on a second side of the material. A sensor is configured to measure over time a pressure differential between the first and second chamber areas. A memory stores performance characteristic data for a plurality of gas processing apparatus. A processor converts the pressure differential to a material characteristic of the gas permeable material, and compares the material characteristic to at least one selected performance characteristic of the gas processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: David Loeffelholz
  • Patent number: 10791975
    Abstract: A biological fluid sampling transfer device adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the biological fluid sampling transfer device is able to separate a plasma portion from a cellular portion. After separation, the biological fluid sampling transfer device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid sampling transfer device also provides a closed sampling and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. The biological fluid sampling transfer device is engageable with a blood testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the biological fluid sampling transfer device to the blood testing device. The blood testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Bradley M. Wilkinson, Daniel J. Marchiarullo, Gary D. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 10777331
    Abstract: Processes for producing germanium-68 from a gallium target body are disclosed. In some embodiments, germanium-68 and gallium are precipitated to remove metal impurities. Germanium-68 and gallium are re-dissolved and loaded onto an ion exchange column to separate germanium-68 from gallium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: David Pipes, William Uhland, Melissa Perrigo, Mark Owens
  • Patent number: 10760999
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transfer of a tissue section from a first location to a second location. Thermoplastic material is applied to at least one pin of a tissue section transferring apparatus. The thermoplastic material contacts a tissue section while at least partially melted, and when it cools, substantially solid thermoplastic material holds the tissue section to the at least one pin. A tissue section transferring apparatus comprises a heater block, a heat source, and at least one pin attached to and extending from the heater block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Victor Lim
  • Patent number: 10690582
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing biomolecules includes: a storage in which a solution containing a target material is received; a sensor configured to sense the target material; and a flow controller connected between the storage and the sensor to supply the solution to the sensor, wherein the flow controller controls a solution flow to supply the solution containing the target material and the solution containing no target material in an alternating manner. According to the apparatus for sensing biomolecules, the sensing device always achieves a sensing offset, and consequently, long-term continuous measurement is enabled, leading to the maximized usage efficiency of the sensor, and the value of quantitative measurement can be obtained with high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jaebin Choi, Chulki Kim, Sang Kyung Kim, Seok Lee, Chaehyun Lim, Jae Hun Kim, Taikjin Lee, Minah Seo
  • Patent number: 10648969
    Abstract: A method and device for quality controlling a blood-based product. In order to control the quality of a blood-based product which comprises an erythrocyte concentrate, a thrombocyte concentrate, a granulocyte concentrate, a leukocyte concentrate, whole blood and/or blood plasma, a Raman spectrum is recorded. By means of evaluating the Raman spectrum, it is determined whether the blood-based product can be used for a transfusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CellTool GmbH
    Inventors: Raimund Schütze, Karin Schütze
  • Patent number: 10622201
    Abstract: A method for preparing thin layers from liquid samples is disclosed. Such thin layers can be useful when analyzing samples with probes whose penetration length in these samples is short The method consists of squeezing a certain amount of a liquid sample between two approximately flat and parallel surfaces separated by a small distance then cooling down the liquid sample until it freezes in a way that the frozen sample adheres only to one of these two flat surfaces. Removing the non-adhered flat surface leaves the frozen sample layer with the thickness approximately equal to the initial distance between the two parallel surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL (BARBADOS) INC.
    Inventor: Kresimir Franjic
  • Patent number: 10584329
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for universal target capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: DNAE Group Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Colin Dykes
  • Patent number: 10585518
    Abstract: Display module support techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes an external enclosure forming a cavity and a touch display module. The touch display module includes a touch panel assembly having one or more touch sensors and a display module to output a display through at least a portion of the touch panel assembly. The apparatus also includes a support that secures the touch display module to the external enclosure. The support is secured to the external enclosure using a reworkable connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Huston, James Michael Bonicatto, Kenneth Charles Boman, Andrew William Hill, John Stephen Campbell
  • Patent number: 10570439
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a concentrator for concentrating, purifying or otherwise isolating one or more target analytes in a fluid matrix, and related methods, using self-wicking materials, such as monoliths. The present disclosure can be used as a point-of need sample preparation device. The self-contained device can be used for the extraction and concentration of specific target molecules, such as nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignees: Monolythix, Inc., Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
    Inventors: Keith A. Oberg, Anthony Spence, Ivan Rueda, Mark D. Dobbs, Milton Lee
  • Patent number: 10557177
    Abstract: A method for characterizing toxicity of toxic pollutants and a method for characterizing comprehensive toxicity of water bodies. The methods include constructing a reporter gene cell line expressing CHOP gene associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: NANJING UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bing Wu, Yue Yu, Huimei Chen, Su Liu, Xuxiang Zhang, Hongqiang Ren
  • Patent number: 10527528
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for tissue processing and analysis. Tissue chambers are configured to allow single-container chemical processing, imaging, and wax embedding of tissue samples in a single container without manipulation between steps. Tissue chambers with features to support the tissue sample and allow fluid flow between the tissue sample and the tissue chamber surface are disclosed. The features may be index matched to sample structures of interest or dissolvable in clearing solution to allow for in-chamber imaging with minimal distortion. Specialized tissue processing and wax removal apparatuses are also disclosed including for use with tissue chambers having frangible portions to permit ease of wax removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: APPLIKATE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Michael Levene, Richard Torres
  • Patent number: 10450600
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of designing DNA probe chip for room-temperature hybridization in order to solve the solvent evaporation problem occurring when carrying out said hybridization at a high temperature of 40° C.˜50° C. or higher, wherein the method is designed to allow genotyping through hybridizing at a room temperature of 20° C.˜30° C. The method of designing DNA probe chip comprises designing DNA probe to start at ?10˜+5 position that is between ?10 position which is overlapped 10 sequences with primer and +5 position which is 5 sequences far from the 3?-terminal of primer, based on 0 position which is 3?-terminal of primer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: BIOMETRIX TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Tae Sun Kim, Keum Soo Song, Woon Yong Eoum, Chan Young Jung
  • Patent number: 10416225
    Abstract: A detection method for an LED chip comprising the following steps: providing a container with a solvent therein, and putting the LED chips in the container to mix the LED chips with the solvent; providing a base with a circuit therein, the base forms a plurality of receiving holes, a bottom of each receiving holes have an N electrode and a P electrode coupled with the circuit; transferring the solvent and the LED chip mixed in the solvent on the base; detecting the LED chip received in the receiving holes; providing a carrier film and classifying the LED chips on the carrier film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ADVANCED OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Po-Min Tu, Tzu-Chien Hung, Chia-Hui Shen, Chien-Shiang Huang, Chien-Chung Peng, Ya-Wen Lin, Ching-Hsueh Chiu
  • Patent number: 10393725
    Abstract: A system and method that images biological samples and uses chromophores to analyze the imaged samples. The chromophore analysis can be done by itself or in conjunction with fluorophore analysis in High Content Imaging systems. To perform chromophore analysis the biological samples can be labeled with different chromophores and imaged using transmitted light that is at least partially absorbed by the chromophores. To also perform fluorophore analysis the samples can also be labeled with fluorophores that are excited by excitation light. The chromophore analysis and fluorophore analysis can be performed separately or concurrently using a High Content Imaging system. The system provides the expanded capability by illuminating the chromophore-labeled samples with transmitted light of different wavelengths and automatically detecting the images which represent the differential absorption of the colored lights by the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: CELLOMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Richik Niloy Ghosh, Dirk John VandenBerg, III, Keith Rao Heffley, Monica Jo Tomaszewski, Jeffrey Robert Haskins
  • Patent number: 10379016
    Abstract: The apparatus for inoculating agar plates includes a spray chamber having an upper opening for receiving an atomized microbial suspension and a lower opening for receiving an agar plate. The apparatus also includes an atomizer including a reservoir and a fluid tube for delivering the microbial suspension to the atomizer nozzle. A containment feature extends around an inner surface of the spray chamber to catch any drop that may form on its inner wall and advance down towards the lower opening. The spray chamber allows multiple agar plates to be quickly inoculated without cross-contamination of agar habitats, without contaminating the outside of the plates, and without contaminating the work area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Mohd Aftab Alam, Fahad Ibrahim Al-Jenoobi, Mohamed Hamed M. Al-Agamy
  • Patent number: 10361337
    Abstract: Micro light-emitting diode (LED) displays and assembly apparatuses are described. In an example, method of manufacturing a micro-light emitting diode (LED) display panel includes positioning a display backplane substrate in a tank or container, the display backplane substrate having microgrooves therein. The method also includes adding a fluid to the tank or container, the fluid including a suspension of light-emitting diode (LED) pixel elements therein. The method also includes moving the fluid over the display backplane substrate. The method also includes assembling LED pixel elements from the fluid into corresponding ones of the microgrooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Khaled Ahmed, Anup Pancholi, Ali Khakifirooz
  • Patent number: 10345240
    Abstract: The invention combines recent advances in barcode technology with portable wireless communication devices to engineer a simple and low-cost chip-based multiplex wireless detection system. The system can analyze multiple targets of interest simultaneously in minutes and is applicable to detection of pathogens or contaminants in a wide range of fields including medicine, agriculture and the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
    Inventors: Warren Che Wor Chan, Kevin Ming
  • Patent number: 10267794
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aptamer sensor including a substrate having metal nanoparticles formed thereon, an aptamer attached to surfaces of the metal nanoparticles to form a structure by selectively reacting with a target material to be detected, and an intercalating agent inserted between the aptamer and the target material in reaction of the aptamer with the target material to increase shift of an absorption spectrum due to local surface plasmon resonance sensor through aggregation toward the metal nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Min-Gon Kim, Jin-Ho Park, Ju Young Byun
  • Patent number: 10266204
    Abstract: A lane-maintaining control device detects a lane width (H1) of a traveling lane (21) through a camera (4) and performs lane-maintaining control without a deviation from the lane width (H1). When detecting, through the camera (4), that the traveling lane (21) gradually increases (H2>H1 where the increasing lane width is (H2)), the lane-maintaining control device continues the lane-maintaining control on a condition that a turn signal is not operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Isomoto, Shusaku Ombe, Hiroshi Ohmura, Kouichi Kojima, Tsuyoshi Arinaga
  • Patent number: 10183293
    Abstract: A reagent reservoir for fluids, including a storage chamber connected to a duct for conducting fluid out of, into and/or through the storage chamber. The duct includes a duct section delimited by a substrate and a film joined to the substrate. The duct is sealed and is openable at a predetermined breaking point by deflecting the film. The film also delimits the storage chamber and covers a recess in the substrate which forms the duct section. A sealing wall that seals the duct and is integrally joined to the substrate is placed in the recess. The predetermined breaking point is formed by a breakable joining region between the film and an edge portion of the sealing wall facing the film. The dimensions of a peripheral area of the sealing wall, which is formed in the edge portion and runs parallel to the film, determine the surface area of the joining region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: THINXXS MICROTECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Lutz Weber
  • Patent number: 10166330
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical drug delivery system having a base (1) comprising at least two inlets (2), an outlet (20) and a passive mixing chamber (7) having micro pin fins (8) with heights in the range of 10 to 100???? characterized in that the base (1) is selectively coated with nanostructures which are made of a material different than the material of said base, such that the base (1) comprises a plurality of regions R1 to RN each having a different nanostructure coating intensity, and such that a surface tension gradient is established among regions R1 to RN for promoting fluid flow towards the outlet (20). The present invention further proposes a method for obtaining a pharmaceutical drug delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: SABANCI ÜNIVERSITESI
    Inventors: Ali Kosar, Osman Yavuz Perk
  • Patent number: 10018627
    Abstract: A technique for efficiently sealing many substances, such as beads, nucleic acid, protein, virus, cells, and lipid membrane complex, into an array is provided. The present invention provides a method for sealing a substance, including: (i) a step of introducing a first solvent containing a substance on a substrate on which a plurality of receptacles capable of storing the substance are formed separated from each other by a side wall; and (ii) a step of introducing a second solvent having a greater specific gravity than that of the first solvent onto the first solvent, the step (ii) being carried out after the step (i).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Noji, Lisa Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 9930453
    Abstract: The present invention provides a silicon microphone with a high-aspect-ratio corrugated diaphragm and a microphone package including the same. The microphone comprises the corrugated diaphragm on which at least one ring-shaped corrugation is formed in the vicinity of the edge of the diaphragm which is fixed to the substrate, the corrugated diaphragm is flexible, wherein the ratio of the depth of the corrugation to the thickness of the diaphragm is larger than 5:1, preferably 20:1, and the walls of the corrugation are inclined to the surface of the diaphragm at an angle in the range of 80° to 100°. The microphone with the high-aspect-ratio corrugated diaphragm can achieve a consistent and optimal sensitivity and greatly reduce impact applied thereto in a drop test so that the performances, the reproducibility, the reliability and the yield can be improved. The microphone package of the present invention further provides a simplified processing, an improved sensitivity and an improved SNR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Quanbo Zou, Zhe Wang
  • Patent number: 9902990
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices are provided for trapping, isolating, and processing single cells. The microfluidic devices include a cell capture chamber having a cell funnel positioned within the cell capture chamber to direct a cell passing through the cell capture chamber towards one or more a cell traps positioned downstream of the funnel to receive a cell flowing. The devices may further include auxiliary chambers integrated with the cell capture chamber for subsequent processing and assaying of the contents of a captured cell. Methods for cell capture and preparation are also provided that include flowing cells through a chamber, funneling the cells towards a cell trap, capturing a predefined number of the cells within the trap, interrupting the flow of cells, flowing a wash solution through the chamber to remove contaminants from the chamber, and sealing the predefined number of cells in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Carl Lars Genghis Hansen, Michael VanInsberghe, Adam White, Oleh Petriv, Tim Leaver, Anupam Singhal, William Bowden, Veronique Lecault, Dan Da Costa, Leo Wu, Georgia Russell, Darek Sikorski
  • Patent number: 9821308
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for the directed capillary transport of liquids, comprising at least two capillaries (8, 9, 33, 54, 55), the at least two capillaries (8, 9, 33, 54, 55) being designed such that the liquid can be transported in at least some regions in a passive, directed and capillary manner, characterised in that at least two of the capillaries (8, 9, 33, 54, 55) are interconnected in the direction of transport of the liquid via at least one capillary passage conduit (20, 23, 28, 29, 34, 40, 41, 59, 63). The invention is intended for use in the separation of components from a fluidic substance and/or in oil/water separation. A production method is characterised in that at least one part of the capillary structure is generated by means of laser irradiation, by means of a moulding tool, in particular a sintering mould, by means of a milling process, in particular by means of a micro-milling process, or by means of EDM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.v.
    Inventors: Philipp Comanns, Werner Baumgartner, Frank Bernhardt, Kai Winands, Kristian Arntz
  • Patent number: 9791464
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of preparation of lipoproteins from a biological sample, including HDL, LDL, Lp(a), IDL, and VLDL, for diagnostic purposes utilizing differential charged particle mobility analysis methods. Further provided are methods for analyzing the size distribution of lipoproteins by differential charged particle mobility, which lipoproteins are prepared by methods of the invention. Further provided are methods for assessing lipid-related health risk, cardiovascular condition, risk of cardiovascular disease, and responsiveness to a therapeutic intervention, which methods utilize lipoprotein size distributions determined by methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael P. Caulfield, Richard E Reitz, Shuguang Li, Gloria Kwangja Lee, Ronald Krauss, Patricia J. Blanche, W. Henry Benner, Earl Cornell
  • Patent number: 9757725
    Abstract: A system that includes a cartridge housing and a hollow transfer module, according to an embodiment is described herein. The cartridge housing further includes at least one sample inlet, a plurality of storage chambers, a plurality of reaction chambers, and a fluidic network. The fluidic network is designed to connect the at least one sample inlet, a portion of the plurality of storage chambers and the portion of the plurality of reaction chambers to a first plurality of ports located on an inner surface of the cartridge housing. The hollow transfer module includes a second plurality of ports along an outer surface of the transfer module that lead to a central chamber within the transfer module. The transfer module is designed to move laterally within the cartridge housing. The lateral movement of the transfer module aligns at least a portion of the first plurality of ports with at least a portion of the second plurality of ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Stat-Diagnostica & Innovation, S.L.
    Inventors: Jordi Carrera Fabra, Anna Comengés Casas, Rafael Bru Gibert
  • Patent number: 9733166
    Abstract: A tissue embedder comprising a transport mechanism for an input member, the input member adapted to hold a plurality of tissue supports, with each tissue support associated with a mould, a wax bath and a cooling station wherein the transport mechanism moves the input member from a wax bath to a cooling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS MELBOURNE PTY LTD
    Inventors: Eduardo Vom, Chester John Henderson, Craig Matthew Lewis
  • Patent number: 9638621
    Abstract: A method for identifying, analyzing, and quantifying the cellular components of whole blood by means of an automated hematology analyzer and the detection of the light scattered, absorbed, and fluorescently emitted by each cell. More particularly, the aforementioned method involves identifying, analyzing, and quantifying the cellular components of whole blood by means of a light source having a wavelength ranging from about 400 nm to about 450 nm and multiple in-flow optical measurements and staining without the need for lysing red blood cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Martin Krockenberger, Jiong Wu, Bodo Roemer, Giacomo Vacca
  • Patent number: 9551700
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel device and methods thereof with utility application in the high-throughput detection, screening and disease management of cervical disease. The “multiwell” device of the present invention consists of a solid support featuring multiple well-separated areas, each accommodating a patient sample, leading to simultaneous evaluation of patient samples. The methods of the present invention comprise conventional cytological staining, cervical Pap staining, and immunochemical staining using antibodies or combination of antibodies which are capable of binding to biomarkers that are overexpressed in cancer including in cervical carcinoma and dysplasia, as compared to normal controls. The device and methods of the present invention can be practiced in either manual or automated mode, and applied to any biological fluid or cell suspension from any biological specimen in view of a variety of cell biology assays, and in view of detection and screening of cervical and other diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MILAGEN, INC.
    Inventor: Moncef Jendoubi
  • Patent number: 9476811
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for performing droplet-based solid phase processing steps on a digital microfluidic device. A solid phase material, which may be a porous solid phase material such as a porous polymer monolith is formed or located on a digital microfluidic element. The solid phase may be formed by an in-situ method in which the digital microfluidic array is actuated to transport a droplet of solid phase pre-cursor solution to a selected element on the array, and subsequently processed to form a solid phase on the array element. The integration of a solid phase material with a digital microfluidic array enables a wide range of applications including solid phase extraction and sample concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: The Governing Council of the University of Toronto
    Inventors: Jared M. Mudrik, Hao Yang, Aaron R. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 9448142
    Abstract: A milk sampling system for use with an automatic milking machine includes a metering pump (2) having an inlet (9) connected to a induction system (3) and an outlet (10) connected to a discharge system (5). The induction system includes a manifold block (4) with passages forming supply paths (12, 13, 15) for connecting the pump inlet to a milk source, a washing fluid source, and a source of pressurized air, and solenoid valves (21, 22, 25) to selectively open and close the supply paths. The discharge systems includes a manifold block (6) with passages forming a plurality discharge paths (27, 29, 31, 33) for successively delivering discrete milk samples for analysis, and solenoid valves (35, 36, 37, 38) to selectively open and close the discharge paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Mats Gudmundsson
  • Patent number: 9434940
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for universal target capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: DNA Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Dykes
  • Patent number: 9381513
    Abstract: A detection chip is provided. The detection chip includes a substrate, an active reagent, a hydrophilic droplet and a lipophilic substance. The substrate includes a first containing slot, wherein the first containing slot includes a first space and a second space adjacent to each other. The active reagent is disposed in the first space of the first containing slot. The hydrophilic droplet is disposed in the second space of the first containing slot. The lipophilic substance is disposed in the first containing slot, wherein the lipophilic substance is immiscible to the active reagent and the hydrophilic droplet, and separates the active reagent from the hydrophilic droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Liang-Ju Chien, Yu-Ying Lin, Chi-Han Chiou
  • Patent number: 9372080
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment system (3) for a transfer system (1) in an in-vitro diagnostics system. The adjustment system comprises a contact element (4), which is arranged on a movable element (2) of the transfer system (1). The contact element (4) is arranged on the movable element (2) by means of a joint element (5), wherein the joint element (5) has a self-resetting design and wherein a distance measuring sensor (7, 8) is associated with a distance between the contact element (4) and the movable element (2). The adjustment system enables a quick automated adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Achim Herz, Alexander Wiedekind-Klein
  • Patent number: 9322052
    Abstract: A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction includes a body having at least one flow path formed therein. The cartridge also includes a reaction vessel extending from the body for holding a reaction mixture for chemical reaction and optical detection. The vessel comprises a rigid frame defining the side walls of a reaction chamber. The frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber. The vessel also includes flexible films or sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber. In addition, at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each to permit real-time optical detection of analyte in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Kurt E. Petersen, William McMillan, Farzad Pourahmadi, Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority