Digestion Or Removing Interfering Materials Patents (Class 436/175)
  • Patent number: 8202734
    Abstract: A test device and method for determining the presence or absence of an analyte in a fluid sample, the test device including a support bearing a mark thereon, and a matrix defining an axial flow path. In operation, an observation area in the test device becomes transparent, thereby allowing the user to view a mark that is present on a support that is disposed beneath the observation area. Typically, the mark on the underlying support is configured as a minus (?) sign. In the absence of analyte in the sample, the test device presents a negative result as a minus (?) signal. In the presence of analyte in the sample, however, the mark operates in concert with a perpendicular test line on the observation area to present a positive result as a plus (+) signal that is visible to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Quidel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Jerome, Mark Daquipa, Bruce Jacono, Hans Boehringer
  • Publication number: 20120149126
    Abstract: A fluidics apparatus is disclosed for manipulation of at least one fluid sample, typically in the form of a droplet. The apparatus has a substrate surface with a sample manipulation zone for location of the fluid sample. A transducer arrangement such as an interdigitated electrode structure on a piezoelectric body provides surface acoustic waves at the substrate surface for manipulation of the fluid sample. The substrate surface has an arrangement of surface acoustic wave scattering elements forming a phononic crystal structure for affecting the transmission, distribution and/or behaviour of surface acoustic waves at the substrate surface. Also disclosed is a method for lysing a cell. In this method, the cell is comprised in a fluid sample contacting a substrate surface, the method comprising providing surface acoustic waves at the substrate surface, such that the cell lyses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
    Inventors: Rab Wilson, Jonathan M. Cooper, Julien Reboud
  • Patent number: 8192995
    Abstract: A method of correction of particle interference to hemoglobin measurement of a blood sample on a hematology analyzer is provided. The method includes mixing an aliquot of a blood sample with a lytic reagent to lyse red blood cells and forming a sample mixture; measuring absorbance of the sample mixture at a predetermined wavelength of a hemoglobin chromogen formed in the sample mixture, and obtaining an apparent hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample using obtained absorbance; measuring concentration and size of cellular particles remaining in the sample mixture; removing contribution of the cellular particles to the apparent hemoglobin concentration using the concentration and the size of the cellular particles to obtain a corrected hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample; and reporting the corrected hemoglobin concentration of the blood sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuliang Zhang, Jiuliu Lu, Min Zheng, Eric M. Grace, Jing Li, Maritza Lavernia, Ted W. Britton
  • Patent number: 8187826
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for the quantitative analysis of in vivo mutation frequencies of the Pig-A gene in individuals exposed to a genotoxicant, particularly using peripheral blood samples of vertebrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Litron Laboratories, Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Dertinger
  • Patent number: 8187886
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of isolating white blood cells (WBCs) from a sample, e.g., whole blood, using magnetic particles that specifically bind to WBCs and a series of specific steps and conditions. The methods can include one or more of decreasing the viscosity of the sample prior to WBC isolation, agitating the sample at specified frequencies, and/or using a sample container arranged such that all of the sample is placed in close proximity (e.g., within 5, 2, 1, or 0.5 mm) to the source of the magnetic field. The new methods provide for isolation of WBC preparations with high yield, purity, and viability. The methods are designed for compatibility with automation protocols for rapid processing of multiple samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Denise L. Faustman, Douglas E. Burger
  • Patent number: 8173382
    Abstract: The invention provides among other things methods and kits based on assaying for cardiac troponin autoantibodies, either in conjunction with an assay for cardiac troponin and/or as an independent indicator of cardiac pathology, such as myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, and/or ischemic heart disease. Assay methods of the invention can be employed among other things to identify cardiac pathology, or risk thereof, in subjects who have an autoimmune disease or who are related to an individual with an autoimmune disease. In particular embodiments, the invention also provides a method of determining whether a subject having, or at risk for, a cardiac pathology is a candidate for immunosuppressive therapy or immunoabsorption therapy. The invention also provides kits and kit components that are useful for performing the methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Phillip G. Mattingly, Maciej Adamczyk, Roy Jeffrey Brashear, Robert C. Doss
  • Patent number: 8143064
    Abstract: A reagent for classification of leukocytes includes (a) at least two cationic surfactants; (b) at least one organic compound bearing a hydrophobic group and an anionic group; (c) a buffer for adjusting pH into a range of approximately 2-8. Also disclosed is a method for classifying leukocytes with the reagent. With the reagent and method, erythrocytes are lysed rapidly and classification of leukocytes into five groups is achieved in the same channel. The reaction may be carried out at approximately between 10-40° C. and scattered light signals may be detected at two angles for measuring the classification of leukocytes into five groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bing Liu, Wenjuan Xu, Xiangping Meng, Yanmei Qiao, Mulong Liu
  • Publication number: 20120070907
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for depleting a biological sample from a patient of a humanized or chimeric monoclonal antibody prior to cross-matching the sample for transplantation. The method comprises treating the sample with a peptide or other moiety that selectively binds to the antibody, forming a peptide-antibody complex and removing the complex from the serum sample. These steps may be repeated as many times as needed to reduce the humanized or chimeric monoclonal antibody to the desired level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Mark Pescovitz, Benita Book, Ora Pescovitz
  • Patent number: 8137987
    Abstract: Bodily fluid is analyzed for the presence of drugs of a selected panel of drugs in a simultaneous assay in which sample of the fluid is incubated with additional amounts of all drugs of the panel, antibodies specific to each of the drugs of the panel, and microparticles, the microparticles being divided into subsets, one subset for each drug in the panel and each subset distinguishable from the others. The incubation is performed in a liquid medium in which competitive binding occurs, the drugs in the sample competing with those added to the assay medium for binding to the antibodies. In one procedure, the added drugs are pre-coupled to the microparticles while the antibodies are not, and the incubation is followed by further incubating the microparticles with labeled ligands that have affinity for the antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Link, Renato B. del Rosario, Randy V. Sweet, David L. King
  • Patent number: 8133438
    Abstract: A microfluidic device that comprises a microchannel structure in which there are one, two or more flow paths (101;201a,b;301a,a?,b) all of which comprises a porous bed I (104,204,304) that is common for all of the flow paths and exposes an immobilized reactant R that is capable of interacting with a solute S that passes through the bed. The characteristics are that at least one of the flow paths comprises/comprise a second porous bed II (105,205,305) that is placed upstream of porous bed I (104,204,304) and is dummy with respect to interaction with solute S but capable of interacting with a substance DS that is present in a liquid aliquot together with solute S and is capable of disturbing the result of the interaction between solute S and said immobilized reactant R. There is also disclosed a method utilizing the device and variant of the device in which the immobilized R is replaced with a generic affinity ligand LI and/or porous bed II exposes a generic ligand LII that may be different from LI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Gyros Patent AB
    Inventors: Johan Engström, Mats Inganäs, Gunnar Thorsén
  • Patent number: 8129192
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a dithiocarbamate pesticide is provided. The method includes the steps of: adding a crude drug, a preparation containing the same, or a treated product thereof, an aqueous acid catalyst solution, L-cysteine or a salt thereof, and an organic solvent for extraction to a reaction vessel, sealing the vessel, carrying out microwave irradiation, digesting a dithiocarbamate pesticide existing in the crude drug or the preparation containing the same into carbon disulfide, carrying out fractional extraction using the above organic solvent, and then analyzing the extract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Tsumura & Co.
    Inventors: Takahiro Toyoshima, Akiko Kido
  • Publication number: 20120052591
    Abstract: A method of immunoassaying a component to be measured in a sample containing hemoglobin, which comprises reacting a component to be measured in a sample containing hemoglobin with an antibody capable of binding to the component in the presence of a bile acid derivative different from a bile acid derivative that is inherently contained in the sample; a method of suppressing an interference of hemoglobin in immunoassaying a component to be measured in a sample containing hemoglobin, which comprises reacting a component to be measured in a sample containing hemoglobin with an antibody capable of binding to the component in the presence of a bile acid derivative different from a bile acid derivative that is inherently contained in the sample; a reagent of immunoassay of a component to be measured in a sample containing hemoglobin, which comprises a bile acid derivative, are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: KYOWA MEDEX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mizuho Kawamura, Akihito Tomita
  • Patent number: 8124422
    Abstract: An apparatus or method for removing water and concentrating an analyte in solution, wherein the concentrated analyte sample is delivered directly to a vial, such as an autosampler vial that is capable of use in a gas chromatography autosampler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Horizon Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Johnson, Stephen Scheufele
  • Publication number: 20120028367
    Abstract: This document provides methods and materials involved in removing polypeptides (e.g., high abundance polypeptides) from stool samples. For example, methods and materials for preparing a stool sample for detecting polypeptides of low abundance are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: David A. Ahlquist, Harold R. Bergen, Patrick S. Quint, Jonathan J. Harrington
  • Patent number: 8093012
    Abstract: A method of in situ immunohistochemical analysis of a biological sample is provided. The method allows for the multiplex and simultaneous detection of multiple antigens, including multiple nuclear antigens, in a tissue sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Aureon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Hamann, Michael Donovan, Mark Clayton, Angeliki Kotsianti
  • Patent number: 8088625
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent method for detection and diagnosis of familial combined hyperlipidemia. The present invention relates to a method for detection of familial combined hyperlipidemia by measuring the concentration of small, dense LDL cholesterol in a sample collected from a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Denka Seiken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuki Itoh
  • Patent number: 8084223
    Abstract: Methods and reagents are disclosed for detecting a false result in an assay for determining a concentration of an analyte in a whole blood sample suspected of containing the analyte. The method comprises determining by means of the assay a concentration of the analyte utilizing a hemolyzed portion of the blood sample to obtain concentration value 1 and determining by means of the assay a concentration of the analyte utilizing a non-hemolyzed portion of the blood sample and multiplying the concentration times a hematocrit factor to obtain concentration value 2. A ratio of concentration value 1 divided by concentration value 2 is determined and is compared to a predetermined ratio of known reliability. If the ratio is less than the predetermined ratio, a false result is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Tie Quan Wei
  • Patent number: 8084272
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and devices for reducing interference from heterophile antibodies in an analyte immunoassay. In one embodiment, the invention is to a method comprising the steps of (a) amending a biological sample such as a whole blood sample with non-human IgM or fragments thereof by dissolving into said sample a dry reagent to yield a non-human IgM concentration of at least about 20 ?g/mL or equivalent fragment concentration; and (b) performing an electrochemical immunoassay on the amended sample to determine the concentration of said analyte in said sample. Preferably, the sample is amended with IgG or fragments thereof in addition to the IgM of fragments thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Abbott Point of Care Inc.
    Inventors: John Lewis Emerson Campbell, John Emegbero Omakor
  • Patent number: 8071317
    Abstract: Methods and reagents are disclosed for pretreating a sample suspected of containing a hydrophobic drug for conducting an assay method for detecting the hydrophobic drug. A combination is provided in a medium. The combination comprises (i) the sample, (ii) a releasing agent for releasing the hydrophobic drug and the metabolites from endogenous binding moieties, and (iii) a selective solubility agent that provides for substantially equal solubility of the hydrophobic drug and the metabolites in the medium. The selective solubility agent comprises a water miscible, non-volatile organic solvent and is present in the medium in a concentration sufficient to provide for substantially equal solubility of the hydrophobic drug and the metabolites in the medium. The medium, which may further comprise a hemolytic agent, is incubated under conditions for releasing the hydrophobic drug and the metabolites from endogenous binding moieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Tie Q. Wei, Alan Craig, Amy Posey
  • Patent number: 8062860
    Abstract: The present invention relates a method for the enumeration of in vivo gene mutation. The method utilizes differential staining of GPI-anchor deficient erythrocyte populations to distinguish between wild-type and pig-a gene mutants. Quantitative analyses can be conducted on erythrocytes and/or reticulocytes, and is based upon fluorescent emission and light scatter following exposure to an excitatory light source. Counting of mutant erythrocytes or reticulocytes relative to the number of total erythrocytes or reticulocytes can be used to assess the DNA-damaging potential of an exogenous chemical agent, the DNA-damaging potential of an exogenous physical agent, the effects of an exogenous agent which can modify endogenously-induced DNA damage, and the effects of an exogenous agent which can modify exogenously-induced DNA damage. Kits for practicing the invention are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Litron Laboratories, Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Dertinger
  • Publication number: 20110263040
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for reducing matrix effects in protein precipitated bioanalytical samples comprising: a support, and a sorbent associated with the support capable of binding matrix interfering agents present in the bioanalytical sample, wherein the device further comprises filtering means for removing precipitated protein particles. The filtering means is a size exclusion filter or a polymeric or inorganic monolith having a maximum pore size less than or equal to the diameter of the particles to be removed from the sample, and can be integral with the sorbent or associated with the sorbent. The sorbent is characterized by sufficient selectivity between the matrix interfering agents and analytes of interest to provide retention of the matrix interfering agents while providing elution of the analytes of interest (e.g., a reversed phase or a polar modified reversed phase).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: David C. Jones
  • Publication number: 20110262919
    Abstract: On magnetic particles serving as a first support, an antibody against a nonspecific reaction factor is immobilized. These magnetic particles are mixed with a specimen and suspended therein. After suspending, the suspension is sucked up into a pipette chip and a magnet comes close to the pipette chip. While remotely constraining with the magnet the magnetic particles carrying the nonspecific reaction factor bonded thereto, the residual liquid is discharged into a well. Thus, the removal of a contaminant contained in the specimen is completed. The thus treated specimen discharged into the well is subjected to an immunoassay. The magnetic particles carrying the antibody immobilized thereon are mixed with the treated specimen and suspended therein. The suspension is sucked up into a pipette chip and the magnetic particles carrying an antigen bonded thereto are separated by use of the magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Patent number: 8043858
    Abstract: A small-scale dynamic simulator for crude oil refinery desalters has a pressurized oil deviblis configured to hold a supply of crude oil and a water deviblis configured to hold a supply of wash water. At least one chemical feed pump selectively adds emulsion breaker chemicals to the desalter simulator and a low shear metering pump is configured to pump crude oil and wash water through the desalter simulator. An emulsion forming device forms a crude oil-wash water emulsion that is then received in a desalter vessel. The desalting vessel is fitted with electric grids which simulate those found in electric desalters. The emulsion is resolved within the desalter vessel with the assistance of the emulsion breaker chemicals so the wash water and crude oil form distinct phases, with substantially desalted crude oil removed from an upper portion of the desalter vessel and substantially oil-free wash water removed from a bottom portion of the desalter vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cato R. McDaniel, Harold J. Eggert, Kevin S. Solomon, Earl E. Siders, Frank Denison, Alan E. Goliaszewski, David B. Engel, Sherif Eldin, Thomas K. Brow
  • Patent number: 8030091
    Abstract: A test device and method for determining the presence or absence of one or more analytes in a fluid sample, the test device including a support or member bearing a mark thereon, and a matrix or member containing a capture zone. In operation, an observation area in the test device becomes transparent, thereby allowing the user to view a mark that is present on a support that is disposed beneath the observation area. Typically, the mark on the underlying support is configured as a minus (?) sign. In the absence of analyte in the sample, the test device presents a negative result as a minus (?) signal. In the presence of analyte in the sample, however, the mark operates in concert with a perpendicular test line on the observation area to present a positive result as a plus (+) signal that is visible to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Quidel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Jerome, Mark Daquipa, Bruce Jacono, Hans Boehringer, Paul Lambotte, Paul J. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8030081
    Abstract: A reagent for fractional measurement of small, dense LDLs without pretreatment of a specimen, which is adaptable to a rapid and convenient autoanalyzer, is provided. A method for quantitatively determining cholesterol in small, dense LDLs in a sample is further provided. The method includes first step of eliminating lipoproteins other than small, dense LDLs in a sample in the presence of cholesterol esterase and 0.05 g/L to 1.0 g/L of a surfactant that acts on the lipoproteins other than small, dense LDLs, and a second step of quantitatively determining cholesterol in small dense LDLs that remain after the first step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Denka Seiken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuki Itoh
  • Publication number: 20110236888
    Abstract: Method for obtaining a fluid from a collection device assembled to isolate a specimen retrieval device from the pathway of a fluid transfer device used to penetrate a cap of the collection device and to draw and remove the fluid from the collection device for analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bruce W. ANDERSON, Nick M. CARTER, Mordi I. IHEME, Daniel L. KACIAN
  • Patent number: 8026106
    Abstract: Mercuric chloride precipitates are removed from biological cell samples fixed with mercuric chloride and held in an embedding media, by contacting the biological cell samples with an aqueous solution containing a surfactant, and incubating at a temperature in excess of about 50° C. for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly Christensen, Annie Pomerantz
  • Patent number: 8007742
    Abstract: A digester-evaporator for partially digesting a sample and for evaporating the solvent after partial digestion. The digester includes at least one reaction coil; a heating element arranged along a portion of the reaction coil; at least a portion of the reaction coil proximate to its output being preheated by the heating element to a degree sufficient to convert a partially digested sample into vapor; a collector spoon with carrier water for collecting sample vapor; and an evaporator portion including an evaporation chamber including a substantially vertically-oriented tube The collector spoon is arranged in the top of the substantially vertically-oriented tube, and a gas supply tube for supplying a preheated gas provided in a top of the substantially vertically-oriented tube so as to create a cyclonic gas flow into the chamber and carry the sample to a container area in a bottom portion of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: Stephen E. Long, David M. Bunk, Mariana Arce-Osuna
  • Patent number: 8008032
    Abstract: Method of enriching specific cells from cellular samples are disclosed, comprising contacting in solution a cellular sample with affinity-tagged ligands (ATLs) each comprising a first ligand linked to an affinity tag, wherein the ligand selectively binds a cellular marker of the rare cells and the affinity tag can be selectively captured by a capture moiety, wherein the affinity tags do not comprise a magnetic particle; and flowing the sample through a microfluidic device comprising the capture moiety to selectively retain ATL-bound cells. Methods for enriching circulating tumor cells, and devices for enriching specific cells from cellular samples are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Cellective DX Corporation
    Inventors: Allyn Forsyth, Helen Barnes
  • Publication number: 20110201127
    Abstract: There is described a heating system for independently heating at least one sample recipient containing a sample, the sample recipient provided in a sample holder, comprising: a heating chamber having at least one opening and adapted to receive the sample holder; at least one microwave generator for generating microwaves; at least one microwave applicator inside the heating chamber connected to the at least one microwave generator, the at least one microwave applicator comprising an oven cavity portion for creating a mini microwave cavity around a single sample recipient in the sample holder, and for applying microwaves generated by the at least one microwave generator directly to the single sample recipient; and a control unit for controlling the at least one microwave generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: George Feilders, Arthur Ross, Raymond Guay, Ramin Deban, Jules Gauthier
  • Publication number: 20110201126
    Abstract: An interface is provided for coupling a sample source, including a TOC/TN analyzer to an isotope detector, including an isotope ratio mass spectrometer. The interface comprises a sample conduit having an inlet for fluid connection with the sample source and an outlet for fluid connection with the isotope detector. A sample trap is fluidly connected in the sample conduit. A helium bypass conduit is has an inlet for fluid connection with a helium supply line and an outlet for fluid connection with the sample conduit. The interface traps the target sample while contaminants are exhausted. The sample is released from the sample trap and is carried to the isotope detector on a stream of helium. Effluent contaminants are not held in the interface. There is no significant fouling of the interface or contamination of samples carried to the isotope detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Graham John HUGHES
  • Patent number: 7985589
    Abstract: The invention provides a calibrating method for use in a method of determining the quantity of an analyte labeled with an accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) isotope in a test sample. The samples can include, for example, urine, faeces, plasma or blood. The analyte can be, for example, a drug or metabolite of a drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Xceleron, Limited
    Inventors: Ronald Colin Garner, Graham John Lappin
  • Publication number: 20110165695
    Abstract: Electrospray ionization techniques are used to generate reagents that ionize analytes for mass spectrometric analysis by charge transfer. Such techniques may be performed under ambient conditions. Suitable precursors for such reagents include ionizable nonpolar solvents, such as toluene or xylenes, polar solvents, such as water or alcohols, inert gases, such as helium or nitrogen, or combinations thereof. Environmental conditions in the ionization chamber of the mass spectrograph can be manipulated to generate a selected ion of an analyte in preference to other ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Chang-Ching Chan, Mark S. Bolgar, Scott A. Miller, Zhihua Yang, Athula Buddhagosha Attygalle
  • Patent number: 7972804
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of screening for HLA antibodies comprising detecting antibodies specific for native HLA antigens and denatured HLA antigens. The invention also provides for method of predicting whether a transplant recipient has an increased risk for rejecting the transplanted organ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: One Lambda
    Inventors: Jar-How Lee, Rui Pei, Thoa Nong
  • Publication number: 20110151577
    Abstract: A device and a process for preparing biological test samples are presented. The device has a disposable device with a connection mechanism for connecting to a closed sonication tube together with a filter capture unit to capture samples and to handle the samples without requiring additional tubes. With the device and/or method, samples are sonicated in the closed sonication tube that prevents aerosol contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Zhang, Samuel D. Chan, Daisuke Eto, Takatoshi Hamada
  • Patent number: 7964410
    Abstract: A method for preparing an analysis sample which involves the sugar chain capture step comprising a reaction of capturing a sugar chain and/or a sugar derivative from a biological sample by using a sugar chain capture agent and the excision step comprising excising a compound containing a moiety capturing the sugar chain and/or the sugar derivative from the sugar chain capture agent after the completion of the sugar chain capture reaction and releasing the compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Sumitomo Bakelite Company, Ltd., National University Corporation Hokkaido University
    Inventors: Hideyuki Shimaoka, Hiromitsu Kuramoto, Shinichiro Nishimura, Yasuro Shinohara, Yoshiaki Miura, Jun-ichi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7960131
    Abstract: A method of assaying nucleotide receptor P2X7 pore activity in white blood cells contained within a mixed cell sample is provided comprising labeling white blood cells with a white blood cell-specific label; depolarizing the labeled white blood cells with an isotonic depolarizing solution; contacting the labeled white blood cells with dye and a P2X7 agonist in an amount sufficient to activate P2X7 pore activity; contacting the labeled white blood cells with a divalent cation in an amount sufficient to deactivate P2X7 pore activity; and analyzing dye uptake whereby P2X7 pore activity is quantified by the amount of dye taken up in labeled white blood cells treated with the P2X7 agonist relative to labeled white blood cells in the absence of said P2X7 agonist, said P2X7 pore activity being corrected for sample age and by subtraction of P2X7 pore activity contributed by nonviable white blood cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Loren C. Denlinger, Kirk J. Hogan, Paul J. Bertics, Kathleen Schell
  • Patent number: 7955867
    Abstract: In the present invention cells are placed in a multiwell plate and grown. When the assay is to be performed, one uses gravity to wash away any unbound ligands rather than vacuum or centrifugation. The cells are then examined to detect the bound ligand. To perform the washing step(s) the plate is placed into a carrier plate having open wells in register with the wells of the filter plate or one may use a wicking device or an underdrain attached to the bottom of the filter plate. Sufficient wash liquid is added to allow for filtration by the effect of gravity to occur. Cells are retained within the wells at a rate of 4 times that of other rapid methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Y. Park
  • Patent number: 7947465
    Abstract: Bodily fluid is analyzed for the presence of drugs of a selected panel of drugs in a simultaneous assay in which sample of the fluid is incubated with additional amounts of all drugs of the panel, antibodies specific to each of the drugs of the panel, and microparticles, the microparticles being divided into subsets, one subset for each drug in the panel and each subset distinguishable from the others. The incubation is performed in a liquid medium in which competitive binding occurs, the drugs in the sample competing with those added to the assay medium for binding to the antibodies. In one procedure, the added drugs are pre-coupled to the microparticles while the antibodies are not, and the incubation is followed by further incubating the microparticles with labeled ligands that have affinity for the antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Link, Renato B. del Rosario, Randy V. Sweet, David L. King
  • Patent number: 7939274
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel nucleic acids encoding a mammalian PCADM-1 gene, and proteins encoded thereby, whose expression is increased in certain diseases, disorders, or conditions, including, but not limited to, prostate cancer. The invention further relates to methods of detecting and treating prostate cancer, comprising modulating or detecting PCADM-1 expression and/or production and activity of PCADM-1 polypeptide. Further, the invention relates to novel assays for the identification of DNA-binding proteins and the double-stranded oligonucleotide sequences that specifically bind with them. Finally, the invention relates to DNAZYMs or DNA enzymes which specifically bind PCADM-1 mRNA to inhibit PCADM-1 gene expression and thereby destroy tumor cells and tumor tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Philadelphia Health and Education Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Stearns, Youji Hu, Min Wang
  • Patent number: 7939344
    Abstract: New applications for the use of distinguishable particulate labels available in a variety of hues and sized in the submicron range are described. These applications include profiling of cellular components, obtaining secretion patterns, identifying a multiplicity of components in chromatographic or electrophoretic techniques and identification of desired immunoglobulin secreting cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Trellis Bioscience, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Kauvar, Remy Cromer, William D. Harriman, Ellen J. Collarini
  • Publication number: 20110097820
    Abstract: A diagnostic test system for detecting the presence or absence of an analyte within a test sample is provided. For instance, the system may include a swab and a detection unit. The detection unit includes a first component that is capable of receiving the swab, the first component defining an insertion chamber within which a fluid is capable of being retained. The detection unit also includes a second component that defines a detection chamber within which an assay for detecting the presence or absence of the analyte is capable of being contained. The first component is rotatable relative to the second component from an inactive position to an active position. In the inactive position, the fluid remains substantially contained within the insertion chamber. In the active position, the fluid may flow from the insertion chamber to the detection chamber and contact the assay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert John Lyng, Jeffrey Eldon Fish, Rosann Marie Matthews Kaylor, Naveen Agarwal, Lei Huang, John Albert Shuty
  • Patent number: 7932098
    Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for microfluidic processing and/or analysis of samples. The systems include a microfluidic device having a substrate and a thin-film layer formed on the substrate. The thin-film layer may be included in electronics formed on the substrate. The electronics may provide electronic devices configured to sense or modify a property of the sample. The thin-film layer defines an opening for routing movement of fluid and/or sample within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Winthrop D. Childers, Paul Crivelli, David Tyvoll, James A. Feinn, Douglas A. Sexton
  • Patent number: 7919266
    Abstract: A process for the detection of antibodies in a test sample by preparing a suspension of erythrocytes with a test serum or plasma by mixing a test serum or plasma with erythrocytes; incubating the suspension of erythrocytes at a temperature of from 37° C. to 45° C. to bind any antibodies in the test serum or plasma to the surface of said erythrocytes; combining the suspension of erythrocytes with an amount of a solution of a macromolecule which is effective to agglutinate the erythrocytes; packing the resultant red cell agglutinates by centrifuging the suspension of erythrocytes; and, determining the presence of anti-erythrocyte antibodies by observing if antibody-dependent erythrocyte agglutination has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Clavina Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventor: Parviz Lalezari
  • Patent number: 7910378
    Abstract: Methods and reagents are disclosed for pretreating a sample suspected of containing a hydrophobic drug for conducting an assay method for detecting the hydrophobic drug. A combination is provided in a medium. The combination comprises (i) the sample, (ii) a releasing agent for releasing the hydrophobic drug and the metabolites from endogenous binding moieties, and (iii) a selective solubility agent that provides for substantially equal solubility of the hydrophobic drug and the metabolites in the medium. The selective solubility agent comprises a water miscible, non-volatile organic solvent and is present in the medium in a concentration sufficient to provide for substantially equal solubility of the hydrophobic drug and the metabolites in the medium. The medium, which may further comprise a hemolytic agent, is incubated under conditions for releasing the hydrophobic drug and the metabolites from endogenous binding moieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Tie Q. Wei, Alan R. Craig, Amy Posey
  • Patent number: 7897328
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing antibody mediated graft rejection and blood typing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: AbSorber AB
    Inventors: Jan Holgersson, Jining Liu, Linda Lindberg, Per Grufman
  • Patent number: 7892841
    Abstract: A measuring method and a measuring apparatus which can classify and count myeloblast more precisely without influence of other component in a sample including platelet aggregation in measurement of a blood sample with a flowcytometry, wherein damage is given to a cell membrane of erythrocyte and mature leukocyte contained in a hematological sample, a hemocyte in which a cell membrane is damaged is constricted, and this is dyeing-treated with a fluorescent dye which can stain a nucleic acid to obtain a sample, the sample is measured with a flowcytometer, and a cell contained in a first cell group containing myeloblast, which is specified based on forward scattered light information and side scattered light information, and contained in a second cell group containing myeloblast, which is specified based on forward scattered light information and fluorescent information, is counted as myeloblast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sysmex Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Tsuji, Ayumu Yoshida, Shinichiro Oguni
  • Publication number: 20110039351
    Abstract: A method of conducting microwave-assisted high pressure high temperature chemistry is disclosed. The method includes the steps of digesting a sample in a strong acid at a temperature of at least 200° C. in a pressure resistant vessel that includes a lid while exerting a defined force against the lid in order to maintain gases under pressure in the vessel; directing gas under excess pressure from the vessel into a circumferential passage defined by the vessel and its pressure resistant lid; and directing the gas from the circumferential passage outwardly from the lid while preventing gas from flowing outwardly over the edge of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: CEM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wyatt Hargett, JR., David Barclay
  • Patent number: 7888127
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel additive for improved analysis by mass spectrometry. More specifically, ascorbic acid has been found to reduce or eliminate the presence of adducts commonly present in mass spectra. The improved processes and compositions of the invention allow for increased accuracy, sensitivity and throughput for samples analyzed by mass spectrometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sequenom, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Becker
  • Publication number: 20110033949
    Abstract: When an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is used, samples must be introduced in a liquid state. Thus, sample decomposition by acids must be performed. Methods for decomposing samples using beakers or microwaves have caused several problems such as loss of volatile elements, excessive use of acids, emission of harmful gases, limitation of sample capacity and amount, and inconvenience of cleaning up. However, the present invention can treat many samples with one acid injection through gas condensation by both heating of a reaction container and air cooling of a collection pipe, wherein the reaction container is made of fluororesin (Teflon) or quartz. Also, if there are many samples, the samples can be treated at once. Furthermore, since the present invention can treat the samples with a conventional heating plate, the invention can be used at inexpensive costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Young Rok Eum