Liberation Or Purification Of Sample Or Separation Of Material From A Sample (e.g., Filtering, Centrifuging, Etc.) Patents (Class 436/177)
  • Patent number: 11957790
    Abstract: Herein described is a syringe assembly configured for the in situ lyophilization of an initial liquid preparation into a lyophilized product as well as the subsequent sealing of the lyophilized product for storage and transport, user reconstitution of the lyophilized product, and dispensing of the lyophilized product in rehydrated form to a patient in a medical setting, all in the same syringe. The combination lyophilization and dispensing syringe assemblies of the present invention greatly enhance the efficiency of the lyophilization process and find particular utility in conjunction with the dedicated lyophilization apparatus and methods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 11,536,512 and 11,723,870. In particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides for shortened lyophilization cycles in a syringe barrel optionally fitted with a sealing Luer lock cap at its distal end and a vented stopper at its proximal end. During lyophilization, gas may flow out of the syringe barrel and through the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Inventor: Thomas John Harkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11642636
    Abstract: A solution mixer comprising: a main flow path in which a solution circulates; at least one solution introduction flow path connected to the main flow path; and at least one solution discharge flow path connected to the main flow path, wherein the solution discharge flow path has at least one solution discharge flow path valve, and wherein the main flow path has at least one main flow path valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takanori Ichiki, Taro Ueno, Shoichi Tsuchiya, Masashi Kobayashi, Kenji Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11285402
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying diamond CBD oil crystals. A cylindrical glass or metal vessel is provided and supported by least one support post, the vessel having an upper portion and a lower surface having laser etched nucleation sites for initiating crystal growth. A removable head is engageable with the upper portion of the vessel, the head having an uppermost portion and a plurality of ports extending therethrough. A pressurized nitrogen tank is operatively connected to a port of the head, as is a pressure gauge. A safety valve is disposed at the uppermost portion of the head. Optionally, an inline desiccant chamber is also operatively connected to the head. The apparatus crystalizes cannabinoids in either a solventless process or a solvent process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Josh Rutherford, Spencer Uniss, Adam Weiss, Stephen Tolpa
  • Patent number: 11248189
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for plant extraction are disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention comprises an extraction module, a separating module and a reservoir. The method essentially includes plant material preparing, decarboxylating, active components extracting and separating. By using liquid tetrafluoroethane as the solvent in the apparatus of the present invention, the active components of the plant material are efficiently extracted under low pressure extraction and high pressure extraction conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: George Stantchev
  • Patent number: 11141648
    Abstract: A training device for positioning balls on the playing surface of cue sport game tables such as billiards, to assist players in making practice shots to enhance their playing skills and techniques. The training device includes a rectangular base, ramps pivotally attached to the rectangular base and pivoted in a deployed position during use, and in a non-deployed position to provide portability, rails provided on the rectangular base and ramps to accommodate object balls of different sizes, and a ball release system for sequentially deploying balls down the ramps in a controlled manner to accurately position the balls on game tables on a consistent basis without having to push each ball by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Joe Giribaldo
  • Patent number: 11097207
    Abstract: This invention relates to devices and methods for purifying, detecting and using biological cells. A variety of cell types including viable tumor, stem, immune and sperm cells can be purified from a complex biological sample using a column, including a pipette tip column. Methods of the invention can aid research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Purified viable cells can be detected on the column or eluted from the column and detected. Cells on a column can be used as a stationary phase for liquid chromatography. Cells may be removed, recovered and analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventor: Douglas T. Gjerde
  • Patent number: 11084770
    Abstract: A method is provided for removing THC from raw cannabis oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Treehouse Biotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Black, Ryan Beigie, Alex Mateo
  • Patent number: 11001798
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for applying electrical stimulation to cells in a liquid culture medium without using electrodes immersed in the liquid culture medium. This apparatus is an electrical stimulation apparatus A for electrically stimulating cells in a liquid culture medium (2). A liquid culture medium vessel (3) includes: a ring-shaped recess (7) for holding the liquid culture medium (2); and a through hole (6) formed within the ring-shaped recess (7). A magnetic core (1) is made of a magnetic material and disposed such that a portion thereof is inserted through the through hole (6) of the liquid culture medium vessel (3). An excitation coil (5) is wound around the magnetic core (1). A coil power supply (8) supplies a varying current to the excitation coil (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignees: IFG CORPORATION, TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ryoichi Nagatomi, Toshiyuki Takagi, Shinichi Izumi, Toshihiko Abe, Hitoshi Mori, Kenji Yashima, Kazumi Mori
  • Patent number: 10941102
    Abstract: Non-water soluble cannabinoid acids are isolated from trichomes and flower of Cannabis genus by leaching with alkaline water. The leaching with alkaline water converts the cannabinoid acids to water soluble salts. The resulting solution of cannabinoid salts may be used as a source of acidic cannabinoids for pharmaceutical applications or the cannabinoid acid salts may be converted back to their acid form and precipitated into a high purity microcrystalline powder by acidification of the aqueous solution. Compounds that are not water soluble and do not form salts in alkaline water such as many pesticides, fungicides and off flavors will not be concentrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Henry Wohleb, Thomas Jennings Wohleb, Joseph David Friis
  • Patent number: 10811642
    Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method of a display device in which, after a layered body including a resin layer, a TFT layer, and a light emitting element layer is formed on a substrate configured to form a plurality of display devices, the resin layer is irradiated with laser from a back face of the substrate and the substrate is peeled from the layered body using a laser peeling device. The manufacturing method of a display device includes acquiring optical information of the substrate that is peeled off, detecting each acquisition result of the plurality of display devices from each assigned position of the plurality of display devices relative to the substrate, and performing predetermined processing on the display device in a case that the acquisition result of the display device exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mayuko Sakamoto, Shoji Okazaki
  • Patent number: 10775368
    Abstract: A fluidic device includes: a circulation flow path; and a capture part arranged on the circulation flow path and configured to capture a sample substance in a solution and/or a detection part arranged on the circulation flow path and configured to detect a sample substance in a solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignees: The University of Tokyo, NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takanori Ichiki, Taro Ueno, Ryo Kobayashi, Hirofumi Shiono
  • Patent number: 10731201
    Abstract: A microfluidic device includes an input port for inputting a particle-containing liquidic samples into the device, a retention member, and a pressure actuator. The retention member is in communication with the input port and is configured to spatially separate particles of the particle-containing liquidic sample from a first portion of the liquid of the particle containing fluidic sample. The pressure actuator recombines at least some of the separated particles with a subset of the first portion of the liquid separated from the particles. The device can also include a lysing chamber that receives the particles and liquid from the retention member. The lysing chamber thermally lyses the particles to release contents thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: HandyLab, Inc.
    Inventors: Kalyan Handique, Gene Parunak, Aaron Kehrer, Betty Wu, Karthik Ganesan
  • Patent number: 10730042
    Abstract: A biological detection system for detecting a liquid sample containing a plurality of target biological particles includes a capturing device including a cell structure, an inlet, an outlet, a monolithic chip, and a layer of binding agent. The monolithic chip includes a substrate and a plurality of discrete nano-sized structures which are displaced from each other and each of which extends uprightly from the substrate to terminate at a top end. The layer of binding agent is formed on the top end of each of the discrete nano-sized structures for capturing the target biological particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: CE Biotechnology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung-Er Huang, Sheng-Wen Chen, Hsin-Cheng Ho, Wei-Cheng Hsu, Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 10732167
    Abstract: A multi-phase system includes a phase-separated solution comprising at least two phases, each phase having a phase component selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a surfactant and combinations thereof, wherein at least one phase comprises a polymer, wherein the phases, taken together, represent a density gradient. Novel two-phase, three-phase, four-phase, five-phase, or six-phase systems are disclosed. Using the disclosed multi-phase polymer systems, particles, or other analyte of interest can be separated based on their different densities or affinities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles R. Mace, Ozge Akbulut Halatci, Ashok A. Kumar, Nathan D. Shapiro, George M. Whitesides
  • Patent number: 10696646
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to methods for purifying cannabinoids from Cannabis plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Taba IP, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Mayo, Aaron Rieder
  • Patent number: 10639628
    Abstract: Systems and methods for concentrating a sample and detecting an analyte of interest. The system can include a sample detection container that can include a microcavity. The microcavity can include a top opening, a base, and a longitudinal axis. The container can further include a wall that extends to the microcavity, wherein at least a portion of the wall located adjacent the top opening of the microcavity has a slope that is oriented at an effective angle ? with respect to the longitudinal axis of the microcavity. The effective angle ? can be greater than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and at least the portion of the wall located adjacent the top opening of the microcavity that is oriented at the effective angle ? can have a length of at least 5 times a transverse dimension of the microcavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Raj Rajagopal, Kurt J. Halverson, Shawn C. Dodds, Ramasubramani Kuduva Raman Thanumoorthy
  • Patent number: 10576472
    Abstract: Provided is a container for preparing a diluted solution of a biological sample to be used for biological sample analysis. Specifically, provided is a container for specimen dilution, including: an open; a first bottom; a second bottom formed on an inner side wall of the container; and a groove upwardly formed, on the inner side wall of the container, from the second bottom, in which the groove has a constant width equal to a width of the second bottom, or the groove has, at a lower end thereof, a width equal to the width of the second bottom and upwardly widens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SEKISUI MEDICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kumiko Yuki, Hiroaki Taira
  • Patent number: 10512913
    Abstract: A method of separating a plurality of particles (14) from a portion of fluid, comprising directing the plurality of particles (14) into a microchannel (12). A first portion (16) of particles (14) is focused into an equilibrium position in the microchannel (12). The focused first portion (16) is directed into a first outlet (18) aligned with the equilibrium position. A portion of the fluid is directed into one or more outlets (20, 22). A microfluidic device (10) for separating a plurality of particles (14) from a portion of fluid, comprising a microchannel (12) having a first aspect ratio and a length L, thereby focusing the particles (14) directed therein into an equilibrium position in the microchannel, wherein at least a first portion (16) of the particles (14) focuses at distance X from a beginning of the microchannel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: University of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Ian Papautsky, Jian Zhou
  • Patent number: 10486157
    Abstract: A device system, and method of use thereof, for collecting, transporting, and processing a biological sample is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Omega Bio-Tek, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Butts, Qi Guo
  • Patent number: 10300454
    Abstract: A system includes a first chamber, a second chamber, an ultraviolet light source and a microwave source. The first chamber includes an inlet. The second chamber is adjacent the first chamber and includes an outlet and a waveguide. The ultraviolet light source resides within the waveguide of the second chamber. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
    Inventor: Kamal Jaffrey
  • Patent number: 10215429
    Abstract: A system is disclosed comprising a plurality of vapor devices and a computing device, in communication with the plurality of vapor devices, configured for, receiving sensor data and locations from each of the plurality of vapor devices, determining one or more vaporizable materials to be vaporized by each of the plurality of vapor devices based on the sensor data and the locations, and transmitting an instruction to each of the plurality of vapor devices to vaporize the determined one or more vaporizable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Lunatech, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Seamus Blackley
  • Patent number: 10124300
    Abstract: Hierarchical porous membranes suitable for use in oil/water separation processes are provided. The membranes described herein are particularly well suited for separating trace amounts of water (e.g., no greater than 3 wt % water content, no greater than 1 wt % water content, or 50-1000 ppm water) from oil in droplets less than 1 um in size. The membranes have a wide range of applications, including deep seep oil exploration, oil purification, and oil spill cleanup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Brian Richmond Solomon, Kripa K. Varanasi, Md. Nasim Hyder
  • Patent number: 10099002
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for microfluidic separation. More particularly, the disclosure describes a system and method for the purification of a fluid by the removal of undesired particles. The device includes microfluidic separation channels that include multiple outlets. The device also includes isolation slots positioned between each of the microfluidic separation channels. The device's base includes multiple acoustic transducers which in some implementations are configured to protrude into the isolation slots. The acoustic transducers are configured to generate aggregation axes within the separation channels, which are used to separate out undesired particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventors: Hoi-Cheong Steve Sun, Jason Oliver Fiering
  • Patent number: 9951114
    Abstract: Recombinant therapeutic cytokines (“therakines”) for the treatment of cancer are provided. The recombinant therakines include a truncated region of MDA-7/TL-24 (“M4”) not normally found in nature that has anti-cancer activity and a secretory signal which causes secretion of the therakine from plasmid/virus transduced normal and cancer cells and interaction of the therakine to MDA-7/IL-24 receptors on adjacent, neighboring and distant cancer cells. Therakine interaction results in bystander killing of the target cancer cell as well as adjacent, neighboring and distant cancer cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Virginia Commonwealth University
    Inventors: Paul B. Fisher, Praveen Bhoopathi, Swadesh K. Das, Luni Emdad, Devanand Sarkar, Upneet Sokhi
  • Patent number: 9895342
    Abstract: The present invention relates to cannabinoids for use in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Preferably the cannabinoids are one or more phytocannabinoids of: cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidivarin (CBDV) or tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). More preferably the phytocannabinoids are isolated and/or purified from cannabis plant extracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: GW Pharma Limited
    Inventors: Sabatino Maione, Francesco Rossi, Geoffrey Guy, Colin Stott, Tetsuro Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9784678
    Abstract: There is provided an improved method for enhancing fluorescence images of an object, such as a biological tissue, by selectively eliminating or reducing unwanted fluorescence from fluorophores other than the fluorophore of interest. The method is based on the measurement of the lifetime of fluorophores while preserving information related to the fluorescence intensity of the fluorophore of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SOFTSCAN HEALTHCARE GROUP LTD.
    Inventor: Guobin Ma
  • Patent number: 9765000
    Abstract: The present specification discloses methods of purifying one or more cannabinoids from a plant material, purified cannabinoids and pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more cannabinoids produced by the disclosed method, methods and uses for treating a disease or condition employing such purified cannabinoids and pharmaceutical compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Phytoplant Research S.L.
    Inventor: Xavier Nadal Roura
  • Patent number: 9725690
    Abstract: An acoustic standing wave is utilized to separate components from a multi-component fluid, such as animal cells from fluid-cell mixture, in a fluid flow scheme with an acoustophoresis device. For example, the flow scheme and device allows for trapping of falling cells as the cells coalesce, agglomerate, and the weight of the agglomerated mass overcomes the drag and ultrasonic standing wave forces in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter M. Presz, Jr., Bart Lipkiens, Jason Dionne, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Patent number: 9708581
    Abstract: The present invention has its object to provide a material for separating stem cell and a filter for separating stem cell, each is capable of selectively separating and recovering, in a simple and easy manner, stem cells from body fluids or biological tissue-derived treated fluids, a method for separating and recovering stem cells, and stem cells obtained by such method. The present invention is a material for separating stem cell which has a density K of 1.0×104?K?1.0×106 and a fiber diameter of 3 to 40 ?m; a filter for separating stem cell which comprises the material for separating stem cell as packed in a container having a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port; a method of separating and recovering stem cells which comprises using the material for separating stem cell or the filter for separating stem cell; and a method of producing a multipotent cell fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Kobayashi, Kazuaki Yamamoto, Shinya Yoshida, Hideo Niwa, Naohiro Imai, Hirokazu Kurata, Yoshiaki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9581579
    Abstract: The present invention provides a quick extraction kit adapted to a procedure of detecting pesticide residues in agricultural products and a method of obtaining a primary test liquid from an agricultural sample by the quick extraction kit. The quick extraction kit comprises a pipe, a first powder mixture layer and a second powder mixture layer. The method of taking primary test liquid is performed as follows. First, obtaining fragments of the agricultural sample. Second, adding an extraction solvent into the fragments of the agricultural sample to obtain a sample solution. Third, adding the sample solution into the pipe. Finally, driving the sample solution to export from the pipe to become the primary test liquid. The quick extraction kit and the method solve the problem of being unable to quickly obtain the result of detecting pesticide residues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE, COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventors: Shao-Kai Lin, Wei-Chen Chuang, Jou-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 9409166
    Abstract: Disclosed are integrated devices capable of performing a polymerase chain reaction within a single vessel. Also disclosed are related methods of sample analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Michael G Mauk, Haim H Bau, Daniel Malamud, William Abrams
  • Patent number: 9409176
    Abstract: A collection container for collecting biological fluid specimens having an integral fill-line indicator which corresponds to a desired specimen volume is disclosed. The integral fill-line indicator may comprise a ridge that is raised from the surface of the collection container. The integral fill-line indicator may also be altered by surface modification to impart a distinct visual appearance and/or texture. The collection container may have a single or a plurality of integral fill-line indicators which correspond to a desired specimen volume range. A method of manufacturing a collection container having an integral fill-line indicator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Donald J. Carano, Rick Cook, Michael Iskra, C. Mark Newby
  • Patent number: 9399226
    Abstract: A floating element for separating components of a physiological fluid comprises two parts that are relatively movable. The two parts define a prescribed volume between them when at their maximum separation, and one of the parts may be moved toward the other to express the fluid contained in the volume between the parts. The parts are made of materials having densities so that they assume a desired position in the fluid to allow selected components to be easily obtained and expressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: HARVEST TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James R. Ellsworth, Paul McGovern, Mark L. Kibbe
  • Patent number: 9347055
    Abstract: The object is to remove substances that can inhibit nucleic acid amplification from biological samples and nucleic acid extracts, and to allow convenient and accurate evaluation of the presence or absence of a target nucleic acid or the expression level of a target gene in a biological sample, by nucleic acid amplification means employing an enzyme. The invention provides a method for preparation of a sample for use in nucleic acid amplification, to be used for amplification of nucleic acid in a biological sample, which method comprises an extraction step in which a nucleic acid extraction reagent is added to the biological sample to obtain a nucleic acid extract, and a purification step in which the nucleic acid extract is contacted with zeolite to obtain a nucleic acid amplification sample suitable for nucleic acid amplification, to allow nucleic acid detection at high sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: EIKEN KAGAKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuyoshi Mori, Tsugunori Notomi, Tsuyoshi Shindome
  • Patent number: 9250221
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of preparing a standard sample includes forming a second layer containing an analysis target element on a substrate via a first layer. The method further includes dissolving the first and second layers to form a plurality of droplets containing the analysis target element on the substrate. The method further includes drying the droplets to form a plurality of particles containing the analysis target element on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Shoko Ito
  • Patent number: 9222921
    Abstract: A real-time method and analytical system for determining haloacetic acids in water which operate by: (1) extracting samples on ion-exchange absorbent medium; (2) concentrating haloacetic acids on hyper-crosslinked medium; (3) eluting the analytes from the concentration medium for injection into an HPLC system; (4) separating individual haloacetic acid in reverse-phase chromatography performed by the HPLC system; and (5) measuring optical characteristics (UV-absorbance) of haloacetic acids, to determine concentration. The entire process can be performed using a completely self-contained, in-situ mechanism that sits at a water distribution point for 24/7 testing, with automated control, monitoring, reporting, and employment of remedial measures (e.g., automated adjustment of the water treatment process).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Harmesh K. Saini
  • Patent number: 9180452
    Abstract: A microfluidic resistance network (20) is disclosed that comprises a first microfluidic channel (112) in fluidic communication with a first fluid inlet (22); and a second microfluidic channel (114) in fluidic communication with a second fluid inlet (24); wherein the microfluidic resistance network (20) further comprises a cross-shaped dilution stage (100) having the first microfluidic channel (112) as a first dilution stage inlet and the second microfluidic channel (114) as a second dilution stage inlet, the dilution stage further comprising a first microfluidic outlet channel (122) for combining a portion of a first fluid from the first microfluidic channel with a second fluid from the second microfluidic channel (114) and a second microfluidic outlet channel (124) for receiving the remainder of first fluid. A microfluidic device (200) comprising such a microfluidic resistance network (20) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Steven Charles Deane
  • Patent number: 9144801
    Abstract: Sample tube racks having retention bars to retain sample tubes in the racks during processing of the contents of the sample tubes are described. An example rack for holding sample tubes includes a sample tube carrier having an elongated body and walls defining apertures. Each of the apertures is configured to receive a respective one of the sample tubes. The walls define elongated openings, each of which corresponds to a respective one of the sample tubes and extends along at least a portion of a length of the respective sample tube, and the elongated openings enable viewing of information on the outer surfaces of the sample tubes. The example rack also includes an elongated retention bar to be pivotally coupled to one end of the sample tube carrier. The retention bar has openings, each of which is positioned over a respective one of the apertures, and the openings are dimensioned to prevent removal of the sample tubes from the sample tube carrier through the retention bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Brett W. Johnson, Kenneth E. Pawlak, Bryan K. Pawlak
  • Patent number: 9103782
    Abstract: Automated isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system comprising a micro calorimeter with a sample cell and a reference cell, the sample cell is accessible via a sample cell stem and the reference cell is accessible via a reference cell stem. The system further comprises an automatic pipette assembly comprising a syringe with a titration needle arranged to be inserted into the sample cell for supplying titrant, the pipette assembly comprises an activator for driving a plunger in the syringe, a pipette translation unit supporting the pipette assembly and being arranged to place pipette in position for titration, washing and filling operations, a wash station for the titrant needle, and a cell preparation unit arranged to perform operations for replacing the sample liquid in the sample cell when the pipette is placed in another position than the position for titration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Malvern Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Martin Broga, Phillip Price, Stephen Smith
  • Patent number: 9103786
    Abstract: An apparatus for analysis of a sample and in particular of a biological sample. The apparatus contains a microfluidic chip with dies, adapted to be selectively activated or deactivated by presence of target molecules in the biological sample. The apparatus further contains a light source to emit light for illumination of the microfluidic chip and an optical filter to allow passage of the light from the dies once activated or deactivated by the presence of the target molecules. A method for pressurizing a microfluidic chip is also disclosed, where a chamber is provided, the chamber is connected with the microfluidic chip and pressure is applied to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: George Maltezos, Jeremy Witzens, Axel Scherer
  • Publication number: 20150148255
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a plurality of processing vessels and a collector. The collector funnels portions of the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessels. Sequential density fractionation is the division of a sample into fractions or of a fraction of a sample into sub-fractions by a step-wise or sequential process, such that each step or sequence results in the collection or separation of a different fraction or sub-fraction from the preceding and successive steps or sequences. In other words, sequential density fractionation provides individual sub-populations of a population or individual sub-sub-populations of a sub-population of a population through a series of steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: RareCyte, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance U'ren, Daniel Campton, Joshua Nordberg, Steve Quarre, Jonathan Lundt
  • Patent number: 9034651
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for determination of ion concentrations, particularly in downhole water from hydrocarbon wells, aquifers etc. It is useful in a wide range of applications, including predicting the formation of scale and fingerprinting waters from different sources. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of ligands whose electronic configuration is altered by the binding of the scaling ions within a water sample. These alterations are detected electrochemically by applying varying potential to electrodes and measuring current flow as potential is varied, from which is derived the concentration of scaling ions in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Li Jiang, Timothy Gareth John Jones, Andrew Meredith, Markus Pagels, Amilra Prasanna De Silva
  • Patent number: 9029162
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for the analysis of testosterone in a sample using supported liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
    Inventors: Russell Philip Grant, Matthew Crawford, Donald Walt Chandler, William Curtin
  • Patent number: 9029165
    Abstract: A method for detecting electromagnetic waves derived from bacterial DNA, comprising extracting and purifying nucleic acids from a sample; diluting the extracted purified nucleic acids in an aqueous solvent; measuring a low frequency electromagnetic emission over time from the diluted extracted purified nucleic acids in an aqueous solvent; performing a signal analysis of the low frequency electromagnetic emission over time; and producing an output, based on the signal analysis, in dependence on the DNA in the sample. The DNA may be extracted from at least one of blood, feces, urine, saliva, tears, seminal fluid, sweat, seminal and vaginal fluids of a patient, or water to determine, e.g., potability. The samples may be frozen. The extracting and purifying may comprise diluting the sample with an aqueous buffer and mixing; degrading proteins in the diluted sample; precipitating DNA from the buffer solution; and resuspending the precipitated DNA in an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Luc Montagnier
  • Publication number: 20150125864
    Abstract: Provided is a method of stabilizing vesicles in a sample by combining a sample comprising a vesicle with a chelating agent and a composition used in the stabilizing the vesicle in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Hyun Ju KANG, Ga-hee Kim, Ye-ryoung Yong, Kyung-hee Park, Jong-myeon Park
  • Patent number: 9023281
    Abstract: Chemical indicator apparatuses containing one or more chemical indicators for use in monitoring the quality of water in an aquatic environment. The apparatuses are designed and configured to be submersible in the water that is being monitored. In some embodiments, each apparatus includes a plurality of immobilized-dye-based chemical indicators that undergo a physical change as levels of one or more constituents of the water change. Such indicators can be read by one or more suitable optical readers. These and other embodiments are designed and configured to be movable by a corresponding monitoring/measuring apparatus, for example, via a magnetically coupled drive. Also disclosed are a variety of features that can be used to provide a chemical indicator apparatus with additional functionalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Step Ahead Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 9017617
    Abstract: Apparatuses for preparing a sample are disclosed herein. The apparatuses include a chamber, a first valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, a second valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, and a pump comprising an actuator and nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventors: Jesus Ching, David Hsiang Hu, Steve Jia Chang Yu, Phillip You Fai Lee
  • Patent number: 9012228
    Abstract: Provided is a method for checking a blood status including: a step of supplying blood to the centrifugal container of a disk; a step of rotating the disk to centrifuge the blood cells and blood plasma in the centrifuge container, and detecting the actual moving distance per hour of the blood cells in the centrifugal container; and a step of establishing a first graph which represents the actual moving distance of the blood cells per hour, and a second graph which represents the theoretical moving distance of the blood cells per hour, and thereafter calculating the hematocrit of the blood cells and the viscosity of the blood plasma by comparing the first graph with the second graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Postech Academy-Industry Foundation
    Inventors: Dong Sung Kim, Moonwoo La, Sangmin Park
  • Patent number: 9011797
    Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a bubble valve for regulating fluid flow through a microchannel. The bubble valve includes a fluid meniscus interfacing the microchannel interior and an actuator for deflecting the membrane into the microchannel interior to regulate fluid flow. The actuator generates a gas bubble in a liquid in the microchannel when a sufficient pressure is generated on the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Cytonome/ST, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Sebastian Böhm, Manish Deshpande
  • Publication number: 20150104814
    Abstract: Disclosed are sample analysis apparatus and methods. A sample analysis apparatus includes a first unit that rotates a microfluidic apparatus including: a chamber having a space accommodating a sample, a channel that provides a path through which the sample flows; and a valve that selectively opens and closes the channel, a valve driver that supplies energy, used to operate the valve, to the valve in a state of being separated from the microfluidic apparatus, a third unit that rotates the valve driver with respect to a common rotation axis with a rotation axis of the microfluidic apparatus and the third unit, and a control unit that controls the first and third units and the valve driver to supply energy to the valve while the microfluidic apparatus and the valve driver are being rotated at the same rotation speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minseok S. KIM, Hui-sung Moon, Jong-myeon Park