| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080285099 | Method and apparatus for forming multi-dimensional colloidal structures using holographic optical tweezers - Holographic optical tweezers are used to position charge stabilized colloidal particles within a flow cell. Once the particles are positioned, fixation is accomplished by pumping an electrolyte solution or pH adjusted solution (or a combination of the two) into the sample cell. In the former, the Debye length is reduced and aggregation caused by the van der Waals attraction takes place. In the latter, the surface charge density of the suspension is reduced and aggregation caused by the van der Waals attraction takes place. This technique can be applied multiple times, and allows for the formation of two and three dimensional structures composed of multi-colloid types to be formed on or away from a substrate. The technique relies upon forces acting on virtually all colloidal dispersions making it applicable to a wide variety of colloid types and compositions, such as formation of photonic crystals, colloidal electronics, and bioengineered materials. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20110026009 | Surface Mapping by Optical Manipulation of Particles in Relation to a Functionalized Surface - Methods and apparatus for analyzing surface properties of particles are provided. A method for analyzing the surface properties of the particle includes a associating a first particle with a first capture zone having a specific binding affinity for a first chemical species, applying an optical force to the first particle, sensing a response of the first particle to the optical force, and using the sensed response to determine the presence, absence or quantity of the first chemical species on the first particle surface. This process may be repeated in parallel to test multiple particles. In addition to directly testing the surface properties of the particles, the method can be used in direct, indirect and competitive assays to determine the presence, absence or quantity of free or immobilized analytes. A fluidic cartridge with capture zones having avidities that are tuned for the use of optical forces is provided. A software routine for performing the method is also provided. | 02-03-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20100300923 | Child-Resistant, Senior-Friendly Unit Dose Container - A child-resistant and senior-friendly package comprising one or more blister cards housed within a hollow molded plastic sleeve is provided. The sleeve is assembled from a pair of identical molded plastic body sections. Each body section has a latch and an unlocking tab and the blister card has a latch-catcher for cooperating with the latch to automatically lock the blister card in a storage position within the sleeve. The sleeve has a pair of opposite spaced-apart tabs in the side edges thereof that must be simultaneously pressed to unlatch the latches from the latch-catchers to permit the blister card to be slid from the storage position to a dispensing position. When pressed, the tabs flex the blister card off adjacent latches. An embodiment including a pair of separate blister cards is provided in which the blister cards are dispensed through opposite dispensing ends of the sleeve. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20110068039 | Child-Resistant, Senior-Friendly Package having a Squeeze-Release Mechanism and Method of Assembly - A package for containing tablets or like separate dispensable items is provided having so-called child-resistant and senior-friendly storage and dispensing properties. An elongate outer sleeve houses a separate blister card carrying tablets or like items. The card slides into the sleeve to a storage position in which the card is housed within the outer sleeve and slides in the reverse direction to a dispensing position in which the card at least partially extends from the open end of the sleeve. The sleeve includes an internal locking restriction secured to a wall thereof, and the card includes a tail end having an integral latch. The locking restriction and latch cooperate to form a locking engagement thereby locking the card within the sleeve when the card is in the storage position. The sleeve includes visually defined squeeze locations on opposite side edges thereof that correspond to a location of the internal locking restriction. The locking engagement of the latch to the internal locking mechanism is released when the outer sleeve is squeezed at the visually defined squeeze locations. The construction of the outer sleeve from a paperboard blank, the construction of a blister card having a latch, and a method of assembling the above referenced package are also disclosed. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110108451 | CHILD-RESISTANT, SENIOR-FRIENDLY PACKAGE HAVING A SQUEEZE-RELEASE MECHANISM AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY - A package is provided that is able to contain tablets or like separate dispensable items in a manner exhibiting child-resistant and senior-friendly dispensing properties. The package includes a card, such as a blister card, and a protective hollow sleeve. The card has a base strip on which a plurality of spaced-apart compartments are provided for holding the tablets or like items, and the sleeve has an opposed pair of side edges extending between opposite ends with at least one of the ends being a dispensing end of the package. The sleeve provides a protective housing for the card when the card is in a storage position within the sleeve, and the card is slidable relative to the sleeve between the storage position and a dispensing position in which the card extends at least partially outside the sleeve to expose at least one of the compartments. The card has a pair of locking tabs extending laterally from opposite sides of the card, and the side edges of the sleeve cooperatively engage the locking tabs to lock the card in the storage position when the card is slid within the sleeve to the storage position. | 05-12-2011 |
