| LI-COR, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20110304105 | DIFFUSION AND SORPTION FREE GASKETS FOR GAS EXCHANGE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS - Gaskets are provided for use in gas exchange measurement systems used for photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration measurements. Novel gaskets and gasket designs are provided, including composite gasket designs, along with corresponding construction techniques, which effectively provide low diffusion through bulk material, significant reductions in interfacial diffusion, sufficient compliance to conform to surface irregularities under low applied stresses, and/or low sorption properties, particularly of H | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110284765 | OPTICAL BACKGROUND SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FLUORESCENCE IMAGING - A fluorescence imaging system having an enclosure having an optical excitation and detection system and features designed to suppress or reduce background fluorescence. In certain aspects, all or a portion of the interior walls has a material finish and texture that provides a surface that absorbs at least a portion of any impinging excitation light and which has low auto-fluorescing properties. In certain aspects, a baffle structure is provided on the interior of the structure and is configured to mask portions of the interior and reduce the opening through which light impinges on the detector. In certain aspects, a platform having an optically transparent window is located in the interior of the housing structure for holding a sample for excitation by excitation light from an excitation source, wherein a light-trap structure is positioned or located on an opposite side of the platform relative to the excitation source and configured to receive and contain a substantial portion of any scattered or transmitted excitation light. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110279706 | WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGING - Systems and methods for extending the dynamic range of imaging systems, and more particularly fluorescence or luminescence imaging systems, having low optical background, and a linear detector response. Images of a sample at each of a set of exposure times are acquired, a system-level dark estimate for each exposure time is subtracted from each image to form dark-corrected images, and the different exposures (dark-corrected images) are merged into a wider dynamic-range image. Typically merging is performed on a pixel-by pixel basis. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110278470 | HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE SCANNING WITH REDUCED CHANNEL CROSS-TALK - A multi-channel scanning system adapted to implement a low channel cross-talk, extra-wide dynamic range scanning method by scanning the same location more than once, wherein at least one time, the power of the excitation light and detector gain are set to High for at least one of the channels and Low for at least one of the other channels and different settings are used in subsequent scans. The scans of the same channel taken with different High and Low settings are merged together to produce one wider dynamic range image. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110273704 | Direct, Diffuse, and Total Radiation Sensor - A solar radiation detector comprises a shading element that casts a shadow over one of a number of sensors disposed about the shading element. The shading element and the sensors are spaced in relation to each other that the shadow cast by the shading element always falls on one of the sensors, completely shading that one sensor, while at the same time leaves at least another one of the sensor completely exposed to direct solar radiation. The completely shaded sensor measures substantially only diffuse solar radiation. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110270534 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING GAS FLUX - Disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide means to obtain correct gas density and flux measurements using (i) gas analyzer (open-path, or closed-path gas analyzers with short intake tube, for example 1 m long, or any combination of the two); (ii) fast temperature or sensible heat flux measurement device (such as, fine-wire thermocouple, sonic anemometer, or any other device providing fast accurate gas temperature measurements); (iii) fast air water content or latent heat flux measurement device (such as, hygrometer, NDIR analyzer, any other device providing fast accurate gas water content measurements); (iv) vertical wind or sampling device (such as sonic anemometer, scintillometer, or fast solenoid valve, etc.) and (v) algorithms in accordance with the present invention to compute the corrected gas flux, compensated for T-P effects. In case when water factor in T-P effects is negligible, the fast air water content or latent heat flux measurement device (item iii in last paragraph) can be excluded. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110259850 | PROCESS FOR FORMING A LIGHT BEAM PATH IN A DIELECTRIC MIRROR - An optical mirror element includes an optically transmissive element having a first surface and a second surface, and a reflective coating layer on the first surface that defines a mirror surface. A first portion of the first surface does not include the reflective coating layer such that the first portion defines an optically transmissive window in the mirror surface. Q method of forming an optical mirror element having a window portion includes providing an optical element, masking a first portion of a first surface of the optical element, and thereafter applying a reflective coating to the first surface so as to define a reflective surface, wherein the masked portion defines a transmissive region in the reflective surface. The exposed portion of the first surface may be coated with an anti-reflective coating, either before or after the reflective coating is applied. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110242659 | MULTI-PASS OPTICAL CELL WITH ACTUATOR FOR ACTUATING A REFLECTIVE SURFACE - A multi-pass optical cell with an actuator for actuating a reflective surface is provided. In one preferred embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and a support structure supporting the first and second reflective surfaces. The support structure positions the first and second reflective surfaces to create an optical cell. The apparatus also comprises a source and a detector, which are positioned such that light emitted from the source is reflected in the optical cell at least one time between the first and second reflective surfaces before reaching the detector. The apparatus further comprises an actuator coupled with and operative to actuate the first reflective surface. In some embodiments, the actuator rotates the first reflective surface. Also, in some embodiments, the multi-pass optical cell is an open path multi-pass optical cell, while, in other embodiments, the multi-pass optical cell is a closed path multi-pass optical cell. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110239954 | MODULAR ANIMAL IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE - An imaging system that allows for unhindered access to a sample to be imaged. A housing structure is configured with a drawer having a platform. The platform may be configured to hold a sample, such as an animal, and/or the platform may be configured to mate with a sample holding member, such as a removable carrying tray for holding the sample. The drawer presents the platform to an imaging device or system internal to the housing when in a closed, or imaging, state. When in an extended state, the drawer presents the platform external to the housing to allow unobstructed manipulation of a sample on the drawer platform (or on the sample holding member on the platform). When used, a sample holding member such as a removable carrying tray may be docked with the drawer platform, and various interconnects, such as gas ports and electrical connectors, on the sample holding member engage with corresponding elements on the platform when docked. The tray may be undocked and moved to a remote location having a compatible docking station to allow for preparation or processing of a sample elsewhere. The tray may be docked with a docking station located at a sample preparation station. In the case of a live animal sample, the preparation station may include a sterile hood or other laboratory location. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110235043 | SENSOR AND METHOD OF DETECTING THE CONDITION OF A TURF GRASS - A method of detecting the condition of a turf grass is described. According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises steps of attaching an active sensor to a mower; traversing a section of turf grass; and processing the output of the sensor. A device for detecting the condition of turf grass is also disclosed. The device comprises an array of illuminating devices generating a pattern of illuminating light; a detecting device receiving a pattern of reflected light which is coincident with the pattern of illuminating light; a detecting device adapted to detect stray light from the array of illuminating devices; and a feedback loop controlling the array of illuminating devices. A system employing the device is also disclosed. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110216311 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCKING A LASER WITH A RESONANT CAVITY - A method and apparatus for the photo-acoustic identification and quantification of one or more analyte species present in a gaseous or liquid medium in low concentration utilizing a laser and a resonant optical cavity containing the medium and having within the cavity at least two partially transparent mirrors, one of which is a cavity coupling mirror and one of which is moveably mounted on an assembly responsive to an input signal. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110214481 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PHOTO-ACOUSTIC IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF ANALYTE SPECIES IN A GASEOUS OR LIQUID MEDIUM - A method and apparatus for the photo-acoustic identification and quantification of one or more analyte species present in a gaseous or liquid medium in low concentration utilizing a laser and a resonant optical cavity containing the medium and having within the cavity at least two partially transparent mirrors, one of which is a cavity coupling mirror and one of which is moveably mounted on an assembly responsive to an input signal. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110214480 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PHOTO-ACOUSTIC IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF ANALYTE SPECIES IN A GASEOUS OR LIQUID MEDIUM - A method and apparatus for the photo-acoustic identification and quantification of one or more analyte species present in a gaseous or liquid medium in low concentration utilizing a laser and a resonant optical cavity containing the medium and having within the cavity at least two partially transparent mirrors, one of which is a cavity coupling mirror and one of which is moveably mounted on an assembly responsive to an input signal. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110065597 | SINGLE MOLECULE PROTEOMICS WITH DYNAMIC PROBES - Methods are disclosed utilizing single-molecule proteomics with dynamic probes to accomplish a variety of protein analytic applications. A panel of probes, when used in combination, can resolve and quantify a proteome in a simple assay detecting transient binding to single protein targets. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110061442 | VENT AND SOIL FLUX MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining pressure inside a closed chamber equal to the changing outside pressure, detecting leaks in the plumbing (i.e., air handling system) of a trace gas flux measurement system, and estimating the kinetic volume, e.g., of such a system. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110054803 | Method and Apparatus for Determining Gas Flux - Disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide means to obtain correct gas density and flux measurements using (i) gas analyzer (open-path, or closed-path gas analyzers with short intake tube, for example 1 m long, or any combination of the two); (ii) fast temperature or sensible heat flux measurement device (such as, fine-wire thermocouple, sonic anemometer, or any other device providing fast accurate gas temperature measurements); (iii) fast air water content or latent heat flux measurement device (such as, hygrometer, NDIR analyzer, any other device providing fast accurate gas water content measurements); (iv) vertical wind or sampling device (such as sonic anemometer, scintillometer, or fast solenoid valve, etc.) and (v) algorithms in accordance with the present invention to compute the corrected gas flux, compensated for T-P effects. In case when water factor in T-P effects is negligible, the fast air water content or latent heat flux measurement device (item iii in last paragraph) can be excluded. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20100323389 | FLUORESCENT IMAGING WITH SUBSTITUTED CYANINE DYES - Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful for noninvasive imaging in the near-infrared spectral range. The cyanine compounds of Formula I are presented: | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100110438 | HYBRID GAS ANALYZER - Gas analyzer systems and methods for measuring concentrations of gasses and in particular dry mole fraction of components of a gas. The systems and method allow for rapid measurement of the gas density and/or dry mole fraction of gases for a number of environmental monitoring applications, including high speed flux measurements. A novel coupling design allows for tool-free removal of a cell enclosing a flow path to enable in field cleaning of optical components and to enable re-configuration between open- and closed-path analyzer configurations. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100110437 | GAS ANALYZER - Gas analyzer systems and methods for measuring concentrations of gasses and in particular dry mole fraction of components of a gas. The systems and method allow for rapid measurement of the gas density and/or dry mole fraction of gases for a number of environmental monitoring applications, including high speed flux measurements. A novel coupling design allows for tool-free removal of a cell enclosing a flow path to enable in field cleaning of optical components. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100091290 | SURFACE PREPARATION METHOD FOR ELIMINATING OPTICAL INTERFERENCE FROM ABSORPTION CAVITY MIRRORS - Optical mirror elements having a diffusive backing, methods for making such optical mirror elements, and devices incorporating such optical mirror elements. The optical mirror element typically includes a first, reflective surface, and a second surface having uneven or granular features, wherein light passing through the first surface is diffusely reflected by the uneven or granular features of the second surface. The optical mirror elements are particularly well suited for use in Herriott Cell arrangements in gas analyzers. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100007958 | PROCESS OF FORMING A LIGHT BEAM PATH IN A DIELECTRIC MIRROR - An optical mirror element includes an optically transmissive element having a first surface and a second surface, and a reflective coating layer on the first surface that defines a mirror surface. A first portion of the first surface does not include the reflective coating layer such that the first portion defines an optically transmissive window in the mirror surface. Q method of forming an optical mirror element having a window portion includes providing an optical element, masking a first portion of a first surface of the optical element, and thereafter applying a reflective coating to the first surface so as to define a reflective surface, wherein the masked portion defines a transmissive region in the reflective surface. The exposed portion of the first surface may be coated with an anti-reflective coating, either before or after the reflective coating is applied. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20090170074 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCING BY POLYMERASE SYNTHESIS - This invention relates to improved methods for sequencing and genotyping nucleic acid in a single molecule configuration. The method involves single molecule detection of fluorescent labeled PPi moieties released from NTPs as a polymerase extension product is created. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090139307 | VENT AND SOIL FLUX MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A method and apparatus are provided for maintaining pressure inside a closed chamber equal to the changing outside pressure, detecting leaks in the plumbing (i.e., air handling system) of a trace gas flux measurement system, and estimating the kinetic volume, e.g., of such a system. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090092966 | COLLOIDAL METAL AGGREGATES AND METHODS OF USE - Metal colloidal aggregates substrates useful for metal enhanced fluorescence applications, are disclosed. Method of making and using these colloidal aggregates for enhancing the fluorescent signal in biological assays are also described. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090080194 | FLUORESCENCE FILTERING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOLECULAR IMAGING - An optical system is disclosed that can be used for fluorescence filtering for molecular imaging. In one preferred embodiment, a source subsystem is disclosed comprising a light source and a first set of filters designed to pass wavelengths of light in an absorption band of a fluorescent material. A detector subsystem is also disclosed comprising a light detector, imaging optics, a second set of filters designed to pass wavelengths of light in an emission band of the fluorescent material, and an aperture located at a front focal plane of the imaging optics. A telecentric space is created between the light detector and the imaging optics, such that axial rays from a plurality of field points emerge from the imaging optics parallel to each other and perpendicular to the second set of filters. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090056639 | MODULAR ANIMAL IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE - An imaging system that allows for unhindered access to a sample to be imaged. A housing structure is configured with a drawer having a platform. The platform may be configured to hold a sample, such as an animal, and/or the platform may be configured to mate with a sample holding member, such as a removable carrying tray for holding the sample. The drawer presents the platform to an imaging device or system internal to the housing when in a closed, or imaging, state. When in an extended state, the drawer presents the platform external to the housing to allow unobstructed manipulation of a sample on the drawer platform (or on the sample holding member on the platform). When used, a sample holding member such as a removable carrying tray may be docked with the drawer platform, and various interconnects, such as gas ports and electrical connectors, on the sample holding member engage with corresponding elements on the platform when docked. The tray may be undocked and moved to a remote location having a compatible docking station to allow for preparation or processing of a sample elsewhere. The tray may be docked with a docking station located at a sample preparation station. In the case of a live animal sample, the preparation station may include a sterile hood or other laboratory location. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20080241833 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCING BY POLYMERASE SYNTHESIS - This invention relates to improved methods for sequencing and genotyping nucleic acid in a single molecule configuration. The method involves single molecule detection of fluorescent labeled PPi moieties released from NTPs as a polymerase extension product is created. | 10-02-2008 |
