Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100126286 | Open platform automated sample processing system - An automated sample processing system having a sample input adapted to simultaneously receive a number of sample containers, a reagent input adapted to receive one or more new reagent supplies, a consumable input adapted to receive one or more new consumable supplies, a solid waste output adapted to receive used consumable supplies, a liquid waste output adapted to receive one or more used reagent supplies, and a processing center. The processing center includes a decapper adapted to remove a lid from at least one sample container, an aspirator adapted to remove a specimen from the at least one sample container and transfer the specimen to an output vessel, and a capper adapted to replace the lid on the at least one sample container. The system also includes a sample output adapted to receive the output vessel, and a user interface adapted to receive an input from the user to indicate the identity of the at least one sample container, and control at least one operation based on a physical property of the at least one sample container. | 05-27-2010 |
20100129789 | Automated assay and system - An automated assay processing method including transferring a first number of samples from respective sample containers to a first intermediary vessel, determining the testing adequacy of a second number of samples in a second intermediary vessel, preparing a third number of samples in a third intermediary vessel for downstream testing; and transferring a fourth number of samples from a fourth intermediary vessel to an output sample tray. These steps are all performed essentially simultaneously within the duration of a single clock cycle and are repeated during one or more subsequent clock cycles. The clock cycle may be relative to each intermediary vessel. The clock cycle also may be universal to the first, second, third and fourth intermediary vessels. | 05-27-2010 |
20100205139 | Ensuring sample adequacy using turbidity light scattering techniques - This disclosure generally relates to methods of measuring the adequacy of a clinical sample by estimating the cell count in known fluid volumes using light scattering techniques, in particular turbidity. In another aspect, this disclosure provides machines for measuring the adequacy of a clinical sample by estimating the cell count. These machines can be used for high-throuhput processing of clinical samples. In another aspect this disclosure provides methods of determining whether testing of a clinical sample would be informative. Particular examples using these methods in conjunction with the HC2 HPV test are provided herein. | 08-12-2010 |
20100225920 | Ensuring Sample Adequacy Using Turbidity Light Scattering Techniques - Cervical cancer screening using HPV testing can yields a high negative predictive value of approximately 99.5% for prediction of cervical lesions of CIN3 or greater. However, sample adequacy can affect the number of at-risk women that may go undetected due to the inadequacy of the tested sample. We have approached this challenge of increasing sample assurance of the negative results by estimating the cell count in known fluid volumes using light scattering techniques, in particular turbidity. These methods may be used as a fast, convenient, and economical method for measuring sample adequacy for other uses as well. Particular examples using these methods in conjunction with the HC2 HPV test are provided herein. | 09-09-2010 |
20140112829 | TUBE STRIP HANDLING AND HEATING APPARATUS - A tube strip handling and heating frame having a rectangular outer frame having two spaced longitudinal walls extending in a longitudinal direction, and two spaced lateral walls extending in a lateral direction and extending between respective ends of the longitudinal walls. The outer frame forms an enclosure having an open upper side and an open lower side. The frame also has a number of tube strip wells located inside the outer frame, each tube strip well has a slot elongated in the lateral direction, and each slot is configured to receive a respective tube strip through the open upper side and support the respective tube strip in a vertical direction. The tube strip wells are arranged in a series along the longitudinal direction. | 04-24-2014 |
20140112845 | CONDENSATION-REDUCING INCUBATION COVER - A cover for covering an array of sample tubes during an incubation process. The cover has an upper panel and protrusions extending downward from the upper panel. Each protrusion has an upper seal and a lower seal. The upper seal includes a first conical section that tapers from a first diameter that is larger than the inside diameter of a corresponding sample tube to a second diameter that is smaller than the inside diameter of the corresponding sample tube. The lower seal includes a cylindrical section extending downward from the bottom of the first conical section. The cylindrical section has a diameter selected to create a capillary seal, in the presence of a liquid, between the cylindrical section and an adjacent portion of an inner wall of the corresponding sample tube. | 04-24-2014 |
20140113278 | SAMPLE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHODS - An automated process for converting samples includes: receiving tube strips having a number of sample tubes and samples therein, transferring multiple tube strips to a tube strip holder, dispensing sample conversion buffer into each tube, shaking the tube strip holder a first time, centrifuging the tube strip holder, removing a liquid supernatant from each tube, simultaneously inspecting the contents of each tube, dispensing a specimen transport medium and a denaturation reagent into each tube, shaking the tube strip holder a second time, heating the tube strip holder for a first length of time, shaking the tube strip holder a third time, heating the tube strip holder for a second length of time, shaking the tube strip holder a fourth time, and transferring at least a portion of each sample to a respective well on an output plate. | 04-24-2014 |
20140241946 | OPEN PLATFORM AUTOMATED SAMPLE PROCESSING SYSTEM - An automated sample processing system having a sample input adapted to simultaneously receive a number of sample containers, a reagent input adapted to receive one or more new reagent supplies, a consumable input adapted to receive one or more new consumable supplies, a solid waste output adapted to receive used consumable supplies, a liquid waste output adapted to receive one or more used reagent supplies, and a processing center. The processing center includes a decapper adapted to remove a lid from at least one sample container, an aspirator adapted to remove a specimen from the at least one sample container and transfer the specimen to an output vessel, and a capper adapted to replace the lid on the at least one sample container. The system also includes a sample output adapted to receive the output vessel, and a user interface adapted to receive an input from the user to indicate the identity of the at least one sample container, and control at least one operation based on a physical property of the at least one sample container. | 08-28-2014 |
20140260699 | VISION-GUIDED ASPIRATION APPARATUS AND METHODS - A method for removing supernatant from a sample tube. The method includes providing a sample tube having a pellet at a bottom of the sample tube and a supernatant liquid above the pellet, visually inspecting the sample tube to determine one or more geometric properties of the pellet, and determining an expected height of a top surface of the pellet based on the one or more geometric properties determined in the visual inspection step. The method also includes inserting an aspirator into the supernatant liquid, moving the aspirator downwards towards the expected height of the top surface of the pellet, and aspirating the supernatant liquid through the aspirator. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090037249 | Forecasted Currency Exposure Management - Methods and apparatuses enable forecast currency risk management. A risk management system receives forecast or prospective transaction data denominated in a first currency. A value of forecast currency exposure is determined for the forecast data respective to a second currency. The system matches hedge data to the forecast currency exposure to determine a net prospective currency exposure, which may indicate under- or over-hedging. To compensate for the net prospective currency exposure, the system determines a hedge action. The net prospective currency exposure can then be revised based on the hedge action, and the hedge action and revised net prospective currency exposure can be reported. | 02-05-2009 |
20090187496 | DATA WORKBENCH FOR ACCOUNTING DATA MANAGEMENT - Methods and apparatuses enable management of accounting data for currency exposure analysis. A management system receives general ledger data defining asset and liability accounts balances for a business entity. The management system selectively filters the account balances based on functional currency and whether they are subject to revaluation. The management system can thus provide a data set of data that can properly be evaluated for currency exposure risk. The management system generates one or more reports to indicate what errors or potential errors, if any, exist within the data. The management system may be configured to apply additional filters to the data and/or provide additional processing to prepare the data for passing to a foreign exchange risk analysis module. | 07-23-2009 |
20090204517 | INTERCOMPANY ACCOUNTING DATA ANALYTICS - Methods and apparatuses enable finding and resolving intercompany (I/C) transaction issues in accounting data for a corporate enterprise. A data management tool receives general ledger data that defines intercompany account balances for multiple business entities of the corporate enterprise. The data management tool identifies a trading relationship and a currency relationship between two business entities of the corporate enterprise. The data management tool groups account balances based on the identified trading relationship and currency relationship. The data management tool generates one or more reports or indicators that indicate the grouped account balances. | 08-13-2009 |
20100036775 | FOREIGN CURRENCY GAIN/LOSS ANALYSIS FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY EXPOSURE MANAGEMENT - Tools for analysis of foreign currency gain/loss are described. An analysis tool obtains multicurrency accounting data from one or more systems. Based on a selected exposure period, exchange rates for the exposure period, and the obtained accounting data, the analysis tool can compute an expected foreign currency gain or loss for the exposure period. Exposure for the beginning and ending of the exposure period are computed, and can be compared to generate a delta exposure for the exposure period. The analysis tool then generates an expected foreign currency gain and/or loss for the exposure period, and reports the expected gain/loss. The report indicates actual foreign currency gain/loss balances from accounting records for the exposure period compared to calculated expected foreign currency gain/loss for analysis. Material exceptions between the actual balance and calculated expected balance can be isolated for further investigation to test multicurrency accounting practices in place within the enterprise. | 02-11-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100080712 | System and Method of Disabling an HVAC Compressor Based on a High Pressure Cut Out - A system and method is provided for monitoring a system pressure to infer whether a high pressure cut out (HPCO) switch has opened disabling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor. A system and method are also provided for determining whether to disable the HVAC compressor based on a status of a low pressure cut out (LPCO) switch, an ambient temperature, and system mode state. The systems and methods may be used interchangeably with the appropriate adjustments to decision limits, such as where the LPCO may be monitored to infer status and the HPCO status may be directly used with temperature and system mode state. | 04-01-2010 |
20100080713 | System and Method of Disabling an HVAC Compressor Based on a Low Pressure Cut Out - A system and method is provided for monitoring a system pressure to infer whether a high pressure cut out (HPCO) switch has opened disabling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor. A system and method are also provided for determining whether to disable the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) compressor based on a status of a low pressure cut out (LPCO) switch, an ambient temperature, and system mode state. The systems and methods may be used interchangeably with the appropriate adjustments to decision limits, such as where the LPCO may be monitored to infer status and the HPCO status may be directly used with temperature and system mode state. | 04-01-2010 |
20100123016 | System and Method for Oil Return in an HVAC System - A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time. | 05-20-2010 |
20100125368 | System and Method for Sump Heater Control in an HVAC System - A system and a method are provided for powering up a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and operating a sump heater for a compressor for a first predetermined period of time in response to the HVAC system being powered up. A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and a method for controlling the system are provided. The HVAC system includes a compressor, a sump heater associated with the compressor, and a controller configured to control the compressor and the sump heater so that the sump heater is not operated while the compressor is operated. | 05-20-2010 |
20110100051 | Air Handling Unit With Mixed-Flow Blower - An air handling unit has a cabinet forming a duct, a mixed-flow blower assembly configured to provide airflow through the duct, and a refrigeration coil assembly disposed within the cabinet and downstream of the mixed-flow blower assembly. Another air handling unit has a cabinet forming a duct having a generally downstream direction and a blower assembly to provide airflow through the duct. The blower assembly may have an axis of rotation generally parallel to the downstream direction and the blower assembly may be configured to primarily expel air in a direction that has a directional component that extends radially away from the axis of rotation. | 05-05-2011 |
20120080179 | EXPANSION VALVE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS - A method of reducing a cyclical loss coefficient of an HVAC system efficiency rating of an HVAC system includes operating the HVAC system using a recorded electronic expansion valve position of an electronic expansion valve of the HVAC system, discontinuing operation of the HVAC system, and resuming operation of the HVAC system using an electronic expansion valve position that allows greater refrigerant mass flow through the expansion valve as compared to the recorded electronic expansion valve position. | 04-05-2012 |
20120248212 | Methods and Systems for Controlling a Hybrid Heating System - In at least some embodiments, a hybrid heating system includes a heat pump and an auxiliary furnace. The system also includes a controller coupled to the heat pump and the auxiliary furnace. The controller, in response to receiving a heat request, selects either the heat pump or the auxiliary furnace based on an economic balance point algorithm. | 10-04-2012 |
20130067943 | System and Method for Oil Return in an HVAC System - A system and a method are provided for returning oil in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by determining when an ambient zone temperature is equal to or less than a temperature limit and reversing a direction of refrigerant flow of the HVAC system based on the length of time. Also, a system and a method are provided for monitoring the length of operation in a first and a second heating mode and for reversing a direction of refrigerant flow based on the length of time operation occurs in the first and second heating modes. A system and a method having a first compressor, a first heating mode, a second heating mode, a defrost mode, and a controller is disclosed. The controller selectively controls initiation of the defrost mode in response to an HVAC system operating in a heating mode of operation for a predetermined amount of time. | 03-21-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150057346 | METHODS OF MAINTAINING INTRAMUSCULAR MYOGLOBIN LEVELS, MAINTAINING MAXIMAL AEROBIC CAPACITY, AND ENHANCING THE OXIDATIVE CAPACITY OF MUSCLE IN A SUBJECT - Methods of maintaining intramuscular myoglobin levels, maintaining maximal aerobic capacity, and enhancing the oxidative capacity of muscle in a subject in need thereof are provided. Generally, the methods include administering an effective amount of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate to the subject. The β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate may be administered as part of a nutritional composition. | 02-26-2015 |
20150057350 | FIBROSIS BIOMARKERS AND METHODS OF USING SAME - Methods and systems for using fibrosis biomarkers associated with a prolonged period of physical inactivity are provided. Also provided is a method of reducing the effect of prolonged physical inactivity on the development of fibrosis in a subject who is experiencing or is expected to experience prolonged physical inactivity in the near future by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a leucine metabolite (e.g., β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB)) to the subject. | 02-26-2015 |
20150265650 | METHODS FOR ENHANCING THE EFFECT OF EGCG ON MITIGATING SKELETAL MUSCLE LOSS - Disclosed herein are methods for enhancing the efficacy of epigallocatechin gallate (“EGCg”) in mitigating skeletal muscle loss in a subject. Providing EGCg to a subject in a nutritional composition reduces muscle protein degradation, thereby mitigating skeletal muscle loss in the subject. The combination of EGCg with zinc in a nutritional composition enhances the mitigating effect that EGCg has on muscle loss. Specifically, when used in combination, a nutritional composition containing both EGCg and zinc requires less EGCg to obtain the same mitigating effect that occurs in the same nutritional composition containing EGCg but no zinc. | 09-24-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100260902 | High Fiber Nutritional Emulsions - Disclosed are nutritional aqueous emulsions having high fiber content. These emulsions comprise fat, protein, and carbohydrate, which includes from 1.75% to about 4.0% by weight of diacylglycerol oil and from about 1.5% to about 9.0% by weight of fiber. These emulsions may also comprise fat, protein, and carbohydrate, which includes from 1% to about 4.0% of diacylglycerol oil by weight of the aqueous emulsion and from about 2.0% to about 9.0% of fiber by weight of the aqueous emulsion, wherein the aqueous emulsion has a viscosity of less than about 300 centipoise at 20° C. These high fiber emulsions provide beneficial features, including one or more of stability, desirable hedonics, rheology, and product performance, including a blunted glycemic response profile and or minimal or no gastrointestinal intolerance. | 10-14-2010 |
20100260916 | High Fiber Nutritional Emulsions with Glycerin - Disclosed are nutritional aqueous emulsions having high fiber content. An aqueous emulsion comprising fat, protein, and carbohydrate, which includes from about 0.5% to about 9.0% by weight of a milk protein concentrate; from about 2.0% to about 6.0% by weight of glycerin, from about 2.3% to about 9.0% by weight of a fiber, and fructose and at least about 0.15% by weight of leucrose in a weight ratio of fructose to leucrose of at least 2:1, wherein the aqueous emulsion has a viscosity of less than about 300 centipoise at 20° C. These high fiber emulsions are stable and deliver desirable hedonics, rheologies, blunted glycemic profiles, and gastrointestinal tolerance. These high fiber emulsions provide beneficial features, including one or more of stability, desirable hedonics, rheology, and product performance, including a blunted glycemic response profile and or minimal or no gastrointestinal intolerance. | 10-14-2010 |
20100260917 | High Fiber Nutritional Emulsions for Blood Glucose Control - Disclosed are nutritional aqueous emulsions having high fiber content. These emulsions comprise fat, protein, and carbohydrate, including (a) from 1.75% to about 4.0% by weight of a diacylglycerol oil; (b) from about 0.5% to about 9.0% by weight of a milk protein concentrate; (c) from about 2.0% to about 9.0% by weight of fiber; and (d) fructose and from about 0.15% by weight of leucrose in a weight ratio of fructose to leucrose of at least 2:1, wherein the aqueous emulsion has a viscosity of less than about 300 centipoise at 20° C. These high fiber emulsions provide beneficial features, including one or more of stability, desirable hedonics, rheology, and product performance, including a blunted glycemic response profile and or minimal or no gastrointestinal intolerance. | 10-14-2010 |
20110082097 | AMINO ACID COMPOSITION FOR IMPROVING GLUCOSE TOLERANCE - Disclosed are compositions, including low-calorie beverages or liquids, comprising isoleucine, leucine, valine, cysteine, and methionine, in specified amounts, weight ratios, or both. The compositions are especially useful in treating individuals afflicted with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. | 04-07-2011 |
20130165394 | AMINO ACID COMPOSITION FOR IMPROVING GLUCOSE TOLERANCE - Disclosed are compositions, including low-calorie beverages or liquids, comprising isoleucine, leucine, valine, cysteine, and methionine, in specified amounts, weight ratios, or both. The compositions are especially useful in treating individuals afflicted with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes. | 06-27-2013 |
20130338228 | METHODS FOR FACILITATING MUSCLE RECOVERY AFTER A PERIOD OF DISUSE USING BETA-HYDROXY-BETA-METHYLBUTYRATE - Disclosed are methods utilizing beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) for facilitating the recovery of muscle after a period of muscle disuse. The HMB facilitates the recovery of muscle mass in an individual and can also be used to prevent further muscle atrophy typically associated with muscle reloading after extended periods of muscle disuse in the individual. The methods disclosed may be particularly suitable for older adults. | 12-19-2013 |
20140302223 | NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING A SOLUBLE VISCOUS FIBER AND A POLYPHENOL-CONTAINING PLANT EXTRACT - Disclosed are nutritional compositions comprising a soluble viscous fiber and a polyphenol-containing plant extract. The viscosity of the nutritional compositions may be adjusted and controlled without varying the concentration of the soluble viscous fiber in the composition by including the polyphenol-containing plant extract. | 10-09-2014 |
20140314942 | METHOD OF TRANSFORMING A MEAL - Disclosed are methods of transforming a meal to improve the suitability of the meal for an individual with specific dietary needs that may be due to a medical condition. The methods include assessing the meal relative to the individual's dietary needs and administering a composition to the meal that tailors the meal to the dietary needs of the individual. The composition comprises a nutrient for fortifying the meal and an anti-nutrient for reducing the absorption of undesirable components of the meal. | 10-23-2014 |