Capture Device Patents (Class 73/864)
  • Patent number: 11782042
    Abstract: Contamination detection systems, kits, and techniques are described for testing surfaces for the presence of hazardous contaminants, while minimizing user exposure to these contaminants. Even trace amounts of contaminants can be detected. A collection kit provides a swab that is simple to use, easy to hold and grip, allows the user to swab large areas of a surface, and keeps the user's hands away from the surface being tested. The kit also provides open and closed fluid transfer mechanism to transfer the collected fluid to a detection device while minimizing user exposure to hazardous contaminants in the collected fluid. Contamination detection kits can rapidly collect and detect hazardous drugs, including trace amounts of antineoplastic agents, in healthcare settings at the site of contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Weston F. Harding, Erik K. Witt, Austin Jason Mckinnon, Ray Isaacson, Bart Peterson, Marcel Arantes Souza, Matthew Oshinski
  • Patent number: 11313771
    Abstract: In an example, a sample collection apparatus to collect sample from a detection subject includes a circumferential ring tubing surrounding an interior and configured to be moved between bottom ring tubing position and top ring tubing position. The circumferential ring tubing includes air nozzles along a circumferential length of the ring tubing to direct air flow toward the interior as the ring tubing is moved from the top ring tubing position to the bottom ring tubing position, to blow air toward the detection subject in a sample collection zone in the interior and to push a sample of the detection subject via an air flow toward a platform on which the detection subject is positioned. The sample includes particles and/or vapor of the detection subject. A receptacle is disposed below the platform to collect the sample carried by the air flow through collection openings of the platform to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as renresenten by the Secretary of Homeland Securitv
    Inventor: Mark Fry
  • Patent number: 11278322
    Abstract: A uterine manipulator device includes: an elongated cannulated tube comprising a proximal end and a distal end; a cervical cup having a top proximal portion of a first diameter and a base distal portion of a second smaller diameter, wherein: the base distal portion includes a hole formed therein having a perimeter including a distal end and a proximal end, and including a longitudinal axis positioned therethrough; one of the proximal end of the perimeter and the distal end of the perimeter is angled away from the longitudinal axis and the other of the proximal end of the perimeter and the distal end of the perimeter is in line with the longitudinal axis; and the elongated cannulated tube is positioned through the hole in the cervical cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Ashley Holbrooks, Rachelle D. Fitzgerald, Christopher Yantsides, David Hughes, Xiao Wu, Irtiza Ali
  • Patent number: 10989632
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to improve uniformity of a standard sample used for evaluating a gas flow type analysis system. The invention includes weighing a background into a container; adding a sample solution to the background; drying the sample solution; adding a solvent that can dissolve the sample into the container; and drying the solvent added to the container. The invention is also characterized in that the solvent is an organic solvent, in particular, acetone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Takada, Shun Kumano, Masuyuki Sugiyama, Hisashi Nagano, Tatsuo Nojiri, Hiroki Mizuno, Yuichiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10921220
    Abstract: An exhaust sampling system includes a dilution tunnel in which exhaust gas from an engine is diluted with a diluent gas, a sample probe in fluid communication with the dilution tunnel, a sample collector, a first flow path in fluid communication with the sample probe and the sample collector, a source of fill gas, a second flow path in fluid communication with the source of fill gas and the sample collector, and a controller that selectively supplies the diluted exhaust gas to the sample collector through the first flow path during a test phase, and that selectively supplies the fill gas to the sample collector through the second flow path during the test phase. At least a portion of the second flow path is different than the first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: AVL TEST SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: James Patrick Williamson, William Martin Silvis
  • Patent number: 10753835
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for sampling fluids without volume limitation comprises, in one implementation, a holder unit, a pumping unit, and a control unit. The pumping unit includes an inlet channel, an outlet channel, a pumping motor, and a circulation hose in which the pumping motor is configured to circulate a fluid specimen from the inlet channel to the outlet channel into the circulation hose. The circulation hose is attached to the outlet channel, and secured to the holder unit displaced from a user to prevent direct contact with the fluid specimen during sampling when dealing with a hazardous specimen. The control unit includes a switch, a regulating module, and an electronic board, and is configured to regulate circulation of the fluid specimen through the pumping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Mohammad Ghadyani
  • Patent number: 10524059
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for fabricating transducers and other types of microstructures having high aspect ratios. To achieve high aspect ratios, wafers are etched from both sides for example using deep reactive ion etching. The three-dimensional structure is designed to have an overall footprint less than four hundred micrometers with a thickness on the order of 0.5-2 millimeters as compared to conventional planar devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Khalil Najafi, Yemin Tang
  • Patent number: 10474920
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides automated robotic microscopy systems that facilitate high throughput and high content analysis of biological samples, such as living cells and/or tissues. In certain aspects, the systems are configured to reduce user intervention relative to existing technologies, and allow for precise return to and re-imaging of the same field (e.g., the same cell) that has been previously imaged. This capability enables experiments and testing of hypotheses that deal with causality over time with greater precision and throughput than conventional microscopy methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: The J. David Gladstone Institutes
    Inventors: Steven M. Finkbeiner, Dale Michael Ando, Aaron C. Daub
  • Patent number: 10422726
    Abstract: An exhaust sampling system for an engine is provided. The exhaust sampling system may include a source of exhaust gas, an exhaust collection unit including at least one collection bag that selectively receives the exhaust gas, and a sample probe in fluid communication with the source of exhaust gas that selectively supplies the at least one collection bag with the exhaust gas. The exhaust sampling system may also include a controller that permits flow of the exhaust gas from the sample probe to the at least one collection bag in a first state and prevents flow of the exhaust gas from the sample probe to the at least one collection bag in a second state. The controller may determine an extraction rate of the sample probe based on an ON time of the engine during a test phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: AVL TEST SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: James Patrick Williamson, William Martin Silvis
  • Patent number: 10281366
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a sampling device for collecting a sample from a target surface, the sample device including a handle, a body extending from the handle, and a mechanical force feedback mechanism. The mechanical force feedback mechanism is configured to change an orientation of the body relative to the handle when force is applied to a target surface by the sampling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Bilodeau, Thomas A. Hagerty
  • Patent number: 10143447
    Abstract: The present invention provides a skin surface sampling device in which a supply tube and a recovery tube are housed in an elongated hand-holdable tubular sleeve, the sleeve having upper and lower ends positioned along a longitudinal axis and the lower end being provided with a sampling head; in which: the supply tube is adapted to convey liquid from a liquid source to the sampling head; the recovery tube is adapted to convey liquid from the sampling head to a liquid collection vessel; the sampling head has a planar surface adapted for application to the surface of the skin to form a contact therewith during sampling; the planar surface has a liquid entry port adapted for liquid communication with the supply tube and a liquid exit port adapted for liquid communication with the recovery tube; and characterized in that: the liquid entry port and the liquid exit port are connected via a guide channel which is adapted to guide liquid from the liquid entry port, along the surface of the skin for the elution of mate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Corrinne Burns, Peter David Carroll, Pareenkumar Patel, Svetlana Riazanskaia, Charles Lawrence Paul Thomas
  • Patent number: 10145192
    Abstract: A soil sampler assembly includes a utility vehicle and a soil sampler module coupled to the utility vehicle. The utility vehicle includes a cab, and the soil sampler module is configured to deposit a soil sample in the cab. For example, the soil sampler assembly includes a conveyor system configured to convey the soil sample to the cab. The conveyor system includes a central conveyor and a lateral conveyor that feeds the central conveyor. The central conveyor is on a travel track. The soil sampler assembly further includes a sampler arm assembly. The sampler arm assembly includes a power cylinder, a guide cylinder, a transfer block, and a probe. The probe has a tip, and the tip of the probe includes an outer surface defining an outer taper bore and an inner surface defining an inner taper bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: SOIL ANALYTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Jay T. Kelley, Matthew J. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20150114141
    Abstract: Provided is a novel particle adsorption microprobe for picking up an extremely fine particle by adsorbing the particle, which can selectively pick up only one extremely fine particle without requiring the application of a physical stress in picking up the particle and without contaminating a foreign matter surface in picking up the particle, and allows the particle to be analytically evaluated as it is in an analyzer after its picking-up. A particle adsorption microprobe of the present invention includes a carbon nanotube aggregate including a plurality of carbon nanotubes and adsorbs only one particle having a diameter of 10 ?m or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Youhei Maeno
  • Publication number: 20150096389
    Abstract: A sampling point for use with an aspirating particle detection system. The sampling point includes: a body; a plurality of apertures in the body for drawing an air sample from an ambient environment; an outlet for delivering the sampled air, at a predetermined sample flow rate, from the body into a sampling pipe of the network of sampling pipes; and a means for maintaining the predetermined sample flow rate regardless of the presence or absence of ambient flow of air about the body. A particle detection system, and air sampling system are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Ron Knox
  • Publication number: 20150083403
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid sampling device comprising a sample chamber (01) including a lower piston (05), an upper piston (02) and an intermediate piston (28). Intermediate piston (28) is moved so as to guarantee a substantially constant volume for chamber (01) when closing the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bruno GARCIA, Jean TRICARD, Claudio FERNANDES-MARTO, Virgile ROUCHON, Thierry WALRAVE
  • Publication number: 20150059497
    Abstract: An aerosol collecting device includes: a sample plate; and a housing having a sample passing space around the sample plate so as to enclose at least part of the sample plate, wherein the housing includes: a first body having a sample inlet on one surface thereof; and a second body having a suction opening on one surface thereof, the suction opening configured to suck air inside the sample passing space, the second body formed to be engaged with the first body in a state where the sample plate is interposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: AGENGY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT
    Inventors: Jonghee LEE, Young-Su JEONG, Sun Kyung CHOI, Ju Hyun KIM
  • Publication number: 20150040690
    Abstract: Provided is a novel particle adsorption probe (1000) for picking up a particle by adsorbing the particle. The particle adsorption probe (1000) can selectively pick up a particle having a specific particle diameter from a group of particles having a wide particle diameter distribution without requiring the application of a physical stress in picking up the particle and without contaminating a foreign matter surface in picking up the particle, and allows the particle to be analytically evaluated in an analysis apparatus directly after picking up the particle. The particle adsorption probe (1000) of the present invention includes a carbon nanotube aggregate (100) including a plurality of carbon nanotubes (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Youhei Maeno
  • Publication number: 20150040689
    Abstract: In example embodiments, particle collection efficiency in aerosol analyzers and other particle measuring instruments is improved by a particle capture device that employs multiple collisions to decrease momentum of particles until the particles are collected (e.g., vaporized or come to rest). The particle collection device includes an aperture through which a focused particle beam enters. A collection enclosure is coupled to the aperture and has one or more internal surfaces against which particles of the focused beam collide. One or more features are employed in the collection enclosure to promote particles to collide multiple times within the enclosure, and thereby be vaporized or come to rest, rather than escape through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Aerodyne Research, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Jayne, Douglas R. Worsnop
  • Publication number: 20150007671
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a device as well as a collection element (1) for collecting a chemical and/or biological sample directly from a surface exposing said sample material. Furthermore, a method for collecting a chemical and/or biological sample directly from a surface exposing said sample material and a kit thereof is subject-matter of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Dobrowolski
  • Patent number: 8920751
    Abstract: The present teachings provide apparatuses and methods for automated handling of samples, e.g., biological or chemical samples. The apparatuses and the methods of the present teachings allow automated performance of various sample manipulation steps without manual intervention. In a preferred embodiment, the present teachings provide apparatuses and methods for automated enrichment of templated beads produced by PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kristopher Barbee, Maximilian Carpino, Raymond Alan Wheeling, Nicholas Peter Bajka
  • Publication number: 20140360288
    Abstract: There is provided a droplet forming device including: a guide part having a pillar shape in which the center thereof is empty; a central separation plate formed above the guide part and having a discharging hole formed in the center thereof; and a fluid storing part formed above the central separation plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Hyun YI, Dong Woo LEE, Bo Sung KU
  • Patent number: 8909479
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method and an apparatus to investigate and quantify a leakage rate for a fluid between a first pipe and a second pipe, the first pipe being surrounded by at least a portion of the second pipe, where the pipes are arranged in a well in a ground and where a measuring arrangement including a flow meter and a pressure meter is put into fluid communication with an annulus defined by the first pipe and the second pipe, where fluid in the gaseous phase is conveyed through the measuring arrangement, as the annulus is used as a separation chamber for gas and liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: ScanWell AS
    Inventor: Morten Kvernvold
  • Patent number: 8900526
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for manually metering liquids, for example a pipette or a metering button. The device comprises a joint forming a seal between a hollow cylinder and a piston housed inside the cylinder, the piston being moved vertically so as to suck in or expel the liquid. During the metering operation, the joint remains fixed with respect to the movement of the piston and comprises parts formed by portions having dedicated geometric and mechanical characteristics which make it possible to locally optimize the functions of sliding, sealing and fastening in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Socorex Isba S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Uldry
  • Patent number: 8900878
    Abstract: A pipetting device having a modular pipetting unit including a pipetting tip for pipetting of fluid samples and a pump conduit for transferring a negative or positive pressure to the pipetting tip is disclosed. The pipetting tip and a portion of the pump conduit adjoining the pipetting tip mutually define a fluid sample conduit for receiving the fluid samples. The modular pipetting unit is detachably attached to an automated positioning device for positioning the modular pipetting unit. A system and method for pipetting of fluid samples using such a pipetting device are also disclosed wherein pipetting of the fluid samples is performed in such a manner that each pipetted fluid sample volume is smaller than a volume of the fluid sample conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Carsten Haack, Thomas Engel, Tobias Holenstein
  • Patent number: 8900527
    Abstract: A pipetting device is described comprising more than one pipetting unit, wherein said pipetting units are independently movable in Y and Z direction and comprise at least one module arranged in a staggered manner compared to the adjacent pipetting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro D'Amore, Urs Knecht, Rolf Schneebeli
  • Patent number: 8877145
    Abstract: A device for generating a drop of a primary liquid is described, including: a reservoir fillable with the primary liquid, a pressure generation device for generating a hydraulic pressure on the primary liquid, at least one inlet channel for introducing a secondary fluid, and a channel having a flow cross-section transverse to a main flow direction, wherein the flow cross-section includes a main region and at least one sub-region extending from the main region, designed such that the primary liquid can be held in the main region by capillary forces, and the secondary fluid can be held in the sub-region by capillary forces, wherein the reservoir is fluidically connected to a first end of the channel via an output opening, and the at least one inlet channel is also fluidically connected to the channel, and wherein the pressure generation device is implemented to apply a hydraulic pressure to the primary liquid, whereby the same is moved along the channel and output at a second end of the channel as free-flying d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg
    Inventors: Tobias Metz, Peter Koltay
  • Patent number: 8877513
    Abstract: The pipetting method is directed to mounting and ejecting a disposable pipette tip. The pipetting system has one or more tip mounting shafts with an upper locking section and a lower sealing section. The upper locking section has outwardly extending lobes spaced around the mounting shaft and located above a stop member. The lower sealing section on the tip mounting shaft is located below the stop. As the mounting shaft is inserted into the collar of the disposable pipette, the collar distorts out of round and engages the lobes on the upper locking section of the tip mounting shaft. Contemporaneously, the lower sealing section of the mounting shaft seals against the barrel of the disposable pipette tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Integra Biosciences AG
    Inventors: Gregory Mathus, Terrance Kelly, Richard Cote
  • Patent number: 8829431
    Abstract: A coupled nanomanipulation and nanospray mass spectrometry (NMS) system for single cell, single organelle, and ultra-trace molecular analysis is disclosed herein. The system primarily comprises a bio-workstation coupled to a NMS. The bio-workstation primarily comprises of a nanomanipulator stage with a plurality of nano-positioners attached to a cabinet with a piezo voltage source and a pressure injector. The present invention further describes a fingerprint lift method that when coupled with the system disclosed herein can be used for retrieval and analysis of trace amounts of drug and explosive residues. The system described herein has been used in the areas of trace and document analysis within the forensic field, trace fiber analysis, and electrostatic lifts for illicit drugs, as well as document and painting analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: University of North Texas
    Inventor: Guido Fridolin Verbeck, IV
  • Publication number: 20140249451
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid sampling, storage, transfer and delivery device comprising housing containing a porous nib. The porous nib in the device contacts the sample, collects the sample, stores the sample, transports the sample inside its porous matrix and releases the sample from the porous matrix upon demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: POREX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guoqiang Mao, James P. Wingo
  • Publication number: 20140238155
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for laser ablation of an analyte from a specimen and capturing of the analyte in a dispensed solvent to form a testing solution. A solvent dispensing and extraction system can form a liquid microjunction with the specimen. The solvent dispensing and extraction system can include a surface sampling probe. The laser beam can be directed through the surface sampling probe. The surface sampling probe can also serve as an atomic force microscopy probe. The surface sampling probe can form a seal with the specimen. The testing solution including the analyte can then be analyzed using an analytical instrument or undergo further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: UT-BATTELLE, LLC, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Gary J. VAN BERKEL, Vilmos KERTESZ, Olga S. OVCHINNIKOVA
  • Publication number: 20140230578
    Abstract: Laboratory spatula having stalk regions with a hollow first end and a hollow second end and at manipulating regions may be used for collecting, transporting or storing a material. A manipulating region may be configured as a shovel region, a scoop region, a whisk region, a punch region, a sieve region, a loop region, a cutting edge, a spreading region, a grinding region, a hook region, a scraper region, a tweezer region, a grasper region, or a pick region. The spatula may be lightweight and disposable, and may be any appropriate size including micro size, a regular size, or a macro size. The spatula may also have an anti-stick surface. The spatula may be calibrated, and may include calibration marks or additional features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: INVESTIGEN, INC.
    Inventors: Margret Elaine Leventhal, Heather Ann Koshinsky, Michael Steven Zwick, Charles Robert Bupp, II
  • Patent number: 8789431
    Abstract: An sampling device for capturing a material sample and a method of using said device to process said material sample in situ within the device. Embodiments of the invention may be disposed as elongate probes having extendable sample capture elements. A sample capture element of such a device may include a sample capture pocket located near a distal end thereof for capturing and trapping a sample of material. The sample capture pocket may be provided with a port for receiving material therein and a port for expelling material therefrom. These ports may be placed in communication with corresponding material transfer channels extending through the sample capture element to allow for the in situ processing of a material sample, and the subsequent discharge of the sample to an analyzer or another downstream location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo AG
    Inventors: Peter Alfred Blacklin, Wayne Fowler, Jr., Joel Michael Hawkins, Howard William Ward, II
  • Patent number: 8776623
    Abstract: The present invention hereby describes an apparatus and/or apparatuses to collect aqueous solutions, gas compounds, solid compounds and/or hydrocarbon liquid samples from a pipe, pipeline, tank or vessel for microbiological analysis; to determine if that environment contains microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) bacterium, which may contribute to the internal wall corrosion of the pipe's, pipeline's, tank's or vessel's metallic composition. The present invention also includes sterile absorbent materials within the apparatus(es); which have different absorbency rates and coatings, which are hydrocarbon and/or aqueous soluble at differing time periods, to represent adequate sampling of the fluids; as it travels through and within a pipe, pipeline, tank or vessel system. Solids are trapped within, and included within, a coated or non-coated sterile matrix which may contain sessilic MIC bacterium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas Maurice Chartier
  • Publication number: 20140174209
    Abstract: A method for preparing a bale sample, a bale sampling apparatus, and a bale sample are provided. The method includes the steps of removing a portion from a bale of fibrous material and wrapping an elongated substrate completely around the portion to form a bale sample. The elongated substrate includes identification information. The identification information includes information that associates the bale sample with the bale of fibrous material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: LANGSTON COMPANIES INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Harold HART, Anton G. HOLTY, Edward D. MAYER
  • Patent number: 8756975
    Abstract: This invention describes a sample collection method that could release and collect residues of explosives and other chemicals from a surface; the described method is implemented into a compact detection system that can be used as a “wand” for screening chemicals residues on human body. The wand configuration includes multiple functionalities for contrabands detection. The invention further describes a desorption method that can control chemical fragmentation pathway during desorption. The invention describes a combined detection device that detects trace chemicals and metal at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Excellims Corporation
    Inventor: Ching Wu
  • Publication number: 20140165713
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to nutrient monitoring in an agricultural field, and more specifically to devices, systems and methods that provide real time analysis and monitoring of one or more nutrients using ion selective electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: PURESENSE ENVIRONMENTAL INC.
    Inventor: Michelle M. Frey
  • Patent number: 8752620
    Abstract: An assembly capable of being disposed in a subterranean bore for obtaining a fluid sample is described. The assembly can include an apparatus having a sample chamber and a housing encasing the sample chamber and providing a pressure source. The pressure source can be disposed of in an annulus defined by the sample chamber and the housing. The assembly can be attached to a slick line or wire line and conveyed into a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Paul Zeller, Paul David Ringgenberg, Scott Luke Miller, Cyrus Aspi Irani
  • Publication number: 20140123775
    Abstract: A sample can be collected from an enclosed container by opening a sample collection valve and drawing the sample from the enclosed container. After delivery of the sample out of a fluid flow path, a sanitizing fluid can be directed along the fluid flow path to sanitize the fluid flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Bend Research, Inc.
    Inventors: David Dixon Newbold, Douglas Lee Millard, Erwin Yaokui Yu, Paul T. Jeffers, Jeffrey W. Weber
  • Patent number: 8715593
    Abstract: The present invention is a pipette tip device for extraction of liquid, semi-solid or solid solutions to be chemically analyzed and the methods for their use. The pipette tip extraction device contains a screen or filter at its lower narrow end to contain solid particulate matter and a barrier at its upper wide end. The optional upper frit is to be made of material that permits liquid solutions to flow through it. In addition to the barrier and screen, the pipette tip extraction device may contain solid-phase sorbent. Through the use of a removable cap, the pipette extraction tip may also serve as a sample collection container or tip in which samples can be delivered to the top of the tip (e.g., for direct collection of samples, including solid samples). A new method for DPX extraction using liquid-liquid-solid-phase extraction is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: William Brewer
  • Patent number: 8685342
    Abstract: A device for receiving and dispensing liquids has a plurality of piston-cylinder units (1, 1?, 1?) which are respectively arranged on a piston plate (2) and a cylinder plate (3). The liquid is received and dispensed by displacing the pistons (1?) in the cylinders (1?) by changing the distance between the plates (2, 3), perpendicularly to the plate planes, by means of a drive mechanism (6) and a plate guiding system. The volume can be determined by an upper abutment (4) and a lower abutment (5), at least one of said abutments being regulatable by a regulating means (8). The device is suitable for handling precise volumes of a larger number of piston-cylinder units (1, 1?, 1?) in a technically simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Bernd Steinbrenner, Roger Steinbrenner
  • Publication number: 20140083213
    Abstract: A device (1) for collecting and transferring samples of biological material, where the device comprises at least: a support body (2) having at least a first end portion (2a) and at least a gripping portion (2b), and a plurality of fibres (6) attached to and arranged on the first portion (2a) of the support body (2) by flocking, such as to define a flocked collecting portion (3) suitable for collecting, on the collecting portion (3), a quantity of a sample of biological material, where the support body (2) is made of polyamide (PA or nylon), in particular polyamide 66 (PA66 or nylon 66). The support body can be provided with at least a weakened portion (4) suitable for enabling a selective breaking of the support body and a separation of the collecting portion (3) at least from a part of the gripping portion (2b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Copan Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Triva
  • Patent number: 8679421
    Abstract: A dispensing device and an analyzer capable of improving dispensing accuracy as well as improving jamming detection accuracy can be realized by having a short distance between a syringe and a suction tip. The dispensing device 10 includes an upper fixed unit 10A, a lower movable unit 10B which is connected to the upper fixed unit 10A, the movable unit being relatively movable with respect to the upper fixed unit 10A, and a Z-axis movement mechanism 55Z which moves the upper fixed unit to and fro. A syringe 4 and a plunger 13 are held by the upper fixed unit 10A. A tip nozzle 8 is attached to the lower movable unit 10B. An interior space of the syringe 4 and an interior space of the tip nozzle 8 are connected with each other by a connection tube 1 having flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Sano, Kazutoshi Onuki, Yoshiyuki Shoji, Isao Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20140047933
    Abstract: A method of collecting a urine sample including appropriately locating hydrophobic sand with respect to the urine sample. Use of the hydrophobic sand including providing a barrier in the form of at least one layer of the sand; and collecting a urine sample by appropriately locating the sand with respect to the urine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SEALSAND INC.
    Inventors: Zeev Birger, Yoram Hasson, Brian David Cohen
  • Patent number: 8652407
    Abstract: A self-contained assay device that is capable of detecting various analyte(s), including bioanalytes, in specimens for example, from biological sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: PalmStat Diagnostics, LLC
    Inventors: Pete Wilson, Eric Butt, Vincent Mata
  • Patent number: 8646340
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sampling method which comprises the steps of: blowing airflow towards a center portion of a sampling surface through a blowing port; and sucking the blown airflow from periphery of the sampling surface through a sucking port, or a sampling method which comprises the steps of: providing a sampling device on a sampling surface, the sampling device being shaped to form a sampling space together with the sampling surface, and the sampling device including a blowing port arranged at the center portion of the sampling device and a sucking port arranged at periphery of the sampling device; blowing airflow towards the sampling surface through the blowing port; and sucking the airflow blown towards the sampling surface through the sucking port so as to collect samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Yangtian Zhang, Jin Lin, Yaoxin Wang, Guanxing Li, Peng Jiao
  • Publication number: 20140020287
    Abstract: An automated seed sampler system includes an imaging device for obtaining images of seeds, an orienting device for orienting the seeds based on the images, and a sampling station for removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the system also includes a transport subsystem for supporting the oriented seeds and conveying the oriented seeds to the sampling station. A method for removing tissue from seeds includes imaging the seeds, orienting the seeds based on image information obtained from the seeds, and removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the method also includes transporting the oriented seeds in a transport subsystem to a sampling station for removing the tissue from the oriented seeds, and/or collecting the tissue removed from the oriented seeds so that a one-to-one correspondence exists between the tissue and the sampled seeds, and/or analyzing the tissue for characteristics indicative of genetic and/or chemical traits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Deppermann, Jennifer Listello, Phillip Rahn, Angela Koestel
  • Patent number: 8631715
    Abstract: A method for transferring a quantity of analytes comprising at least stages of: predisposing a substantially homogeneous mixture of a predetermined initial quantity of at least an analyte and a liquid, obtaining a known concentration value or known amount of the analyte in the mixture; introducing into the mixture at least a collecting portion (3) of a sampling device (1) having a support body (2), the collecting portion (3) comprising a plurality of fibers (6) attached to and arranged on a first portion (2a) of the support body (2) by means of flocking, in order to define a flocked collecting portion (3) or a flocked tampon, such as to collect a part of the mixture on the collecting portion (3); and extracting the collecting portion (3) of the sampling device (1) of the mixture, retaining on the sampling portion (3) a predetermined known quantity of the mixture to be transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Copan Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Triva
  • Patent number: 8623641
    Abstract: In a general aspect, an apparatus for washing biological material is provided which includes an outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve disposed within the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve has an open end for receiving the biological material, and an opposed closed end. The inner sleeve is detachably and slidably positioned within the outer sleeve, and includes a first port for receiving and dispensing washing liquid, a second port defining a liquid flow path between an interior of the inner sleeve and an interior of the outer sleeve, and a filter disposed in the second port. The filter allows passage of washing liquid but not passage of the biological material therethrough. A chamber, formed between the filter and the closed end of the outer sleeve, is configured to permit flow of washing liquid via the filter while retaining the biological material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chung-Nun Chen, Chun-Jen Liao, Chin-Yu Lin, Chin-Fu Chen, Yung-chih Wu
  • Patent number: 8623298
    Abstract: A syringe comprises a syringe body (12) having an axial inner recess (14) extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the syringe body (L), a piston (16) being guided in an axially moveable manner in said inner recess and contributing to the delimitation of a fluid-receiving volume together with a section of a wall (14a) radially delimiting the inner recess (14), and having a needle (24) that can be or is connected to a longitudinal end (12a) of the syringe body (12), wherein the needle (24) has a coupling geometry (28) at the longitudinal end (24a) thereof that is closer to the syringe body, wherein the needle (24) can be connected by said coupling geometry to a counter coupling geometry (30) of the syringe body (12), wherein the geometry composed of the coupling geometry (28) and counter coupling geometry (30) comprises an insertion section (32), which in the assembled state of the syringe (10) is received in a coupling recess (34) of the respectively other geometry, and wherein furthermore safety
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Bonaduz AG
    Inventor: Klaus Leckebusch
  • Publication number: 20140000343
    Abstract: In a sampling head (1) of an analysis arrangement (31), provision is made that a sample stream delivered via a sampling line (2) and a dilution air stream delivered through a dilution air inlet (4) are mixed together in a dilution unit (3) in such a way that a volumetric quantity entrained in at least one receiving space moved along by a movable element (8) between the sampling stream and the dilution air stream are exchanged with each other, wherein the analysis arrangement (31) has a gas analyzer (35) for the analysis of the slightly diluted sample stream and a particle determination unit (32) for the analysis of the enriched dilution air stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Testo AG
    Inventors: Andreas Kaufmann, Florian Beck