Akzo Nobel N.v.

Akzo N.v.

Neotek Biosciences Co. Ltd.

Science Forge, Inc.

Mario Moreno

Gregory D Lewis

Dean L Keiter

Jogin R Wu

Robert N Cichielo

Michael J Keating

B Edward Ramey

A magnetic sensor elastometry device (MSED) and a method to perform the whole blood thromboelastography assay. It contains key components, including sample cuvette, detecting head, rotating disc, optical motion detector, and etc; and measures viscoelasticity of whole blood samples. The device optically monitors the physical motion of the magnetically driven rotating disc immersed in the blood sample. The thromboelastograph is recorded by the optical motion detector reading high pulse counts through a gated time window passing through the rotating disc. The device also includes a microcontroller and its embedded firmware to perform the functions of driving the rotating magnetic disc, generating high-frequency pulses, controlling the data pulse time window, as well as handling the user's interface, data analysis, and maintaining communication with an external computer.

Device and method for performing blood thromboelastographic assays by magnetic sensing

A lightweight, battery operated, portable, personal electronic device capable of faxing, scanning, printing and copying media as a standalone device or in cooperation with other electronic devices including PCs, mobile telephones, PDAs, etc. is provided. The device automatically detects the presence of fax-capable devices and reconfigures the software for compatibility with the fax-capable device eliminating the need for user programming. The device's ergonomic design, intrinsic physical stability, and same side paper feeds and user interface provide use in work areas having limited space. The device includes unidirectional, independent pathways for original and recording media such that paper jams are minimized. Portability is maximized through innovative power management software and hardware.

Portable electronic faxing, scanning, copying, and printing device

A device and method for performing blood coagulation assays, particularly prothrombin times and activated partial thromboplastin times and other clotting parameters are disclosed. The device comprises a disposable strip (containing a sample inlet for sample delivery, a capillary channel for driving force, and a reaction chamber with an appropriate dry reagent for a specific assay) and a piezoelectric sensor. The device could also include a heating element for temperature control, and a magnetic bender. The magnetic bender is driven by an electromagnetic field generator and is attached onto a piezoelectric film in contact with the blood sample. Electric signal generated at the piezo film is characterized by its frequency and amplitude due to the movement of the attached metal film. The signal collected at the site of the piezo film represents the process of a biochemical reaction in the reaction chamber, while blood sample proceeds to the point at which clot formation starts and is amplified by an amplifier and rectified into a Dc voltage and is sent to a recording unit and/or display unit.

Devices and method for performing blood coagulation assays by piezoelectric sensing

A device and method are disclosed for determining whether or not an individual's blood coagulation time is in a normal or abnormal range, and is particularly suitable for measuring prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time coagulation values. The device includes a housing with an area for receiving a sample, a capillary channel or elongated area with an absorbent material, and a gradient heater. Liquid crystal and a coagulation agent can be disposed within the device to mix with a sample added to the device. The mixture passes along the capillary channel or absorbent material and stops moving when the sample has clotted. Due to the gradient heater and liquid crystal, the mixture may or may not change color, depending upon whether the individual has a an abnormally short, normal, or abnormally long clot time.

Blood coagulation monitoring device with liquid crystal and gradient

Obstruction detector for a fluid flow line of a medical laboratory

An apparatus for detecting obstructions of a flow line. A detector housing is provided having a cavity therein. The detector housing has first and second openings into the cavity. The flow line is attached to the detector housing establishing a flow path through the first opening, the cavity, and the second opening, respectively. A pressure detector detects changes in pressure within the cavity, indicating the presence of an obstruction.

Method of detecting an obstruction in a fluid flow line of a medical

A method and apparatus for a liquid level sensor control circuit of a bioassay apparatus for controlling a position of a sampling probe with respect to a surface of a liquid in a container. The apparatus includes a sampling probe, an oscillator circuit coupled to the sampling probe for producing a first output signal having a constant frequency, a comparator coupled to the oscillator circuit for comparing the amplitude of the first output signal to a first reference amplitude and for producing a change signal when the amplitude of the first output signal changes with respect to the reference amplitude, and a controller responsive to the change signal for controlling the position of the sampling probe with respect to the surface of the liquid.

Liquid level sensing probe and control circuit

A needle suitable for piercing a septum of a vacuum sealed container and through which a measured fluid sample from the container may be withdrawn. The needle is capable of withdrawing fluid from small sample volumes, such that the dead volume remaining in the sealed container is reduced. The needle has an elongated body having a longitudinal axis, an unobstructed bore therethrough along the longitudinal axis, a free end, and an end region adjacent said free end which has a slight conical taper toward said free end at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The free end includes an oblique cut through the conically tapered end region at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis being substantially larger than the predetermined angle of the taper so as to produce an elliptical opening at the free end. The elliptical opening lies along a plane diagonal to the longitudinal axis. This produces a toe or tip that is reduced in height allowing for a decrease in dead volume.

Piercing and sampling probe

An infrared touch screen device that is externally adaptable to a video monitor for serving as an input device to a computer connected to the monitor. A bezel is adapted to be releasably secured over a viewing end of a video monitor. A plurality of infrared emitters are disposed along the bezel to form a grid of vertical and horizontal infrared beams in the interior space of the bezel when the emitters are activated. A plurality of infrared sensors are disposed along the bezel. Each sensor is optically aligned with an oppositely disposed one of the emitters. An activating circuit is mounted on the bezel for sequentially activating, in a predetermined sequence, respective ones of the emitters. A scanning circuit is mounted on the bezel for sequentially scanning the sensors in a sequence corresponding to the predetermined sequence, the sensors each producing output signals corresponding to the presence and absence, respectively of an infrared beam emitted by an oppositely disposed infrared emitter. A communication device couples the output signals of the sensors to an input port of a computer connected to the monitor.

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Mario Moreno