MOLECULAR DEVICES LLC Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140222382 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVING NOISE FROM A BIOELECTRICAL SIGNAL - A method and apparatus for removing noise from a bioelectrical signal are provided. A main analog signal from a bioelectrical test probe and a gating signal are received. A main data stream associated with the main analog signal from the bioelectrical test probe is developed. An adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) unit operates to develop an output data stream by removing noise components from the main data stream in accordance with the reference data stream. If the gating signal indicates that the main analog signal was acquired during a period of bioelectrical activity then the ANC unit operates in a fixed mode, and if the gating signal indicates that the main analog signal was acquired during a period without bioelectrical activity then ANC unit operates in an adaptive mode. | 08-07-2014 |
20140210981 | METHOD FOR PRESENTING AND EVALUATION OF IMAGES OF MICRO-TITER PLATE PROPERTIES - A system and method is provided for determining selected properties of a microplate comprising a plurality of sample wells. An example method includes the steps of performing a focusing function to determine a well surface z-position for a current x-y position based on an intensity indicative of a best focus of the well surface. The focusing function is performed again to determine a plate bottom z-position for the current x-y position based on an intensity indicative of a best focus of the plate bottom. The well surface z-position and the plate bottom z-position corresponding to each of the plurality of x-y positions are determined by repeating the steps of positioning the objective lens, performing the focusing function to determine the well surface z-position, and performing the focusing function for the plate bottom z-position. The well surface z-positions and the plate bottom z-positions at the plurality of x-y positions are then used to generate data to determine the selected properties of the microplate. | 07-31-2014 |
20140192360 | DIFFERENTIAL PHOTODIODE INTEGRATOR CIRCUIT FOR ABSORBANCE MEASUREMENTS - Systems and methods for measuring a light intensity. An example photodetector measurement circuit comprises a photodetector that receives a light and generates a photodetector current indicative of the light intensity. The measurement circuit includes a first integrator coupled along a first signal path to the photodetector to generate a first voltage signal at a first integrator output indicative of an integral of the photodetector current level. A second integrator is configured to generate a second voltage signal at a second integrator output indicative of an integral of the photodetector current level. A differential amplifier receives the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal and generates a third output signal at a differential amplifier output indicative of a difference between the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal. The differential amplifier outputs the third voltage signal to an analog-to-digital conversion function (“ADC function”) input. | 07-10-2014 |
20140191138 | MONOCHROMATOR-BASED AND FILTER-BASED DETECTION SYSTEM - A system is provided for performing filter-based and monochromator-based measurements. The system includes a light source and a plurality of detectors. An excitation monochromator outputs a selected wavelength component of the excitation light. Emitted light from a sample follows a selected emission optical path. An emission monochromator outputs a selected wavelength component of the emitted light when part of the selected path. An interface cartridge includes emission light ports positioned to direct the emitted light from the sample along a corresponding optical path. The interface cartridge aligns a selected optical path with the main measurement optical axis. A movable sliding switch mechanism provides optical channels corresponding to positions on the sliding switch mechanism to complete a selected emission optical path. The position on the sliding switch mechanism is selected by moving the sliding switch mechanism to align the optical channel for the position with the main measurement optical axis. | 07-10-2014 |
20140045670 | CENTRIFUGE APPARATUS, CENTRIFUGE TUBES, AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED CELL PREPARATION - An automated centrifuge apparatus for conducting a cell preparation procedure is provided. A rotor assembly supports centrifuge tubes, which are installable at respective tube positions. The tube positions are indexable to an index location. A sensing module monitors the index location during a set of status checks, which relate to the centrifuge tubes. Logic signals generated by the sensing module are used to automatically determine whether the status checks are satisfied. | 02-13-2014 |
20140045206 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING MATERIALS OF DIFFERENT DENSITIES - A device for separating materials of different densities is provided. A cup body has an internal cavity configured to hold media. An inner wall defines a central body region having an upper and lower end. The upper end is wider than the lower end. An interior shoulder circumscribes the upper end of the central body region. The interior shoulder defines a neck region above the central body region and a shoulder trap below the neck region. The shoulder trap circumscribes the upper end of the central body region and is wider than the neck region. When the device is spun about a central axis, the media travels upward along the inner wall toward the shoulder trap. Relatively more dense material in the media is collected in the shoulder trap, and relatively less dense material is expelled from the device through an opening above the neck region. | 02-13-2014 |
20140042039 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR CONDITIONING AND REORIENTING COMPONENTS OF AN ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - An apparatus for automatically conditioning a patch plate and a plenum of an electrophysiology measurement system is provided. An arm is linearly movable between a non-operative position and an operative position. An end effector mounted to one side of the arm is configured to condition the patch plate. Another end effector mounted to an opposite side of the arm is configured to condition the plenum. A linear actuator is coupled to the arm and is configured to drive movement of the arm between the operative position and the non-operative position. When the arm is positioned in the operative position, the arm is situated between the patch plate and the plenum. | 02-13-2014 |
20140001375 | SAMPLE ANALYSIS SYSTEM WITH SPOTLIGHT ILLUMINATION | 01-02-2014 |
20130329233 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A FOCAL POSITION OF AN OBJECTIVE IN A MICROSCOPY IMAGING SYSTEM - A system and method of determining a focal position for an objective positioned at a measurement location of a sample holder in a microscopy imaging system are provided. The objective is moved to a position relative to the sample holder that corresponds to a distance between the objective and the sample holder. The sample holder has a conditioned upper surface. A focusing light beam is projected onto the sample holder when the objective is located at the position, and the objective focuses the focusing light beam on the sample holder. A reflected light beam resulting from reflection of the focusing light beam off the conditioned upper surface is observed. The focal position for the objective is determined based on the reflected light beam such that the objective produces an in focus image of a microscopy sample when the objective is located at the focal position. | 12-12-2013 |
20130250088 | MULTI-COLOR CONFOCAL MICROSCOPE AND IMAGING METHODS - A confocal microscope, which comprises a light source for producing excitation light including a plurality of different spectral components; an optical device for providing the excitation light as a spectrally dispersed beam and outputting the different spectral components as a number of elongated beams an object holder for holding an object; an objective for focusing the elongated beams of light on the object as parallel, spaced-apart lines of excitation light corresponding to the different spectral components; and a detector for simultaneously detecting emission light produced by parallel lines emitted by the object due to its illumination by spaced apart parallel lines of the excitation light. | 09-26-2013 |
20130195344 | ASSAY IMAGE ACQUISITION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A computer-implemented method of imaging an assay sample having a set of individual samples using a camera is provided. A set of image frames is received. The set of image frames corresponds to an image stream of the assay obtained by the camera. A set of measurement results is identified. Individual measurement results in the set of measurement results are respectively associated with individual image frames in the set of image frames. A subset of measurement results is selected based, at least in part, on an exposure time. Individual measurement results in the subset of measurement results are combined to obtain an integrated measurement result. | 08-01-2013 |
20130143766 | HIGH THROUGHPUT SCREENING OF ION CHANNELS - Multi-well plates having contoured well designs allow multi-stage high throughput parallel assaying of ion channels or ion transporters. A well of a multi-well plate has a bottom region that is sized and shaped to simultaneous accommodate a sensing electrode and a pipette for delivering, e.g., test compounds, wash fluid, and optionally ligands. Such multi-well plates may be coupled with an instrument having a pipette head and an electrode plate. Such arrangement facilitates fluidic contact between cells and fluids provided via a pipette. It also facilitates washing of wells with buffers or other wash solutions to allow serial exposure of test cells to various reagents or other stimuli. Generally, the design allows control and test experiments to be performed on the same cell (or cells) in a single well. | 06-06-2013 |
20130138352 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A BASELINE MEASUREMENT FOR A BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE CURVE - A system for determining a baseline measurement for a biological curve is provided. A derivation module determines a derivative response curve based on the biological response curve. A peak identification module searches the derivate response curve to identify a peak in the biological response curve. A leading baseline identification module searches the derivative response curve to identify a starting position of the peak and identifies a leading baseline in the biological response curve. The leading baseline is identified based at least in part on the starting position of the peak. A baseline determination module determines a baseline measurement for the biological response curve based at least in part on the leading baseline associated with the peak. | 05-30-2013 |
20130119277 | DYNAMIC SIGNAL EXTENSION IN OPTICAL DETECTION SYSTEMS - Systems and methods for measuring a target in a sample, the target being capable of generating an emitted light in response to an excitation light. In an example system, an excitation light source generates the excitation light along an excitation optical path. An attenuation filter arrangement selectively adds an attenuation filter to the excitation optical path. The attenuation filter attenuates the excitation light by a corresponding attenuation factor. The excitation light exits the attenuation filter arrangement along the excitation optical path to illuminate the sample. A light energy detector receives the emitted light generated in response to the excitation light, and outputs a measured signal level corresponding to an emitted light level. If the light energy detector indicates an overflow, signal measurement is repeated with attenuation filters of increasing attenuation factors until the measured signal level does not overflow. | 05-16-2013 |
20130060478 | VOLTAGE OFFSET CORRECTION IN HIGH-THROUGHPUT ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A computer-implemented method for controlling command voltages applied to electrodes during an electrophysiology measurement procedure using a high-throughput measurement system is provided. An initial command voltage is applied to the electrodes to obtain baseline currents respectively associated with the electrodes. A common offset voltage is determined based on the baseline currents, and an adjusted command voltage is determined based on the initial command voltage and the common offset voltage. The adjusted command voltage is applied to at least one of the electrodes to obtain an adjusted current measured by the electrode. A local offset voltage for the electrode is determined based on the adjusted current measured by the electrode. A subsequent command voltage applied to the electrode incorporates the common offset voltage and the local offset voltage. | 03-07-2013 |
20130058524 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM PROVIDING SELECTIVE ARRANGEMENT AND CONFIGURATION FOR AN IMAGE ANALYSIS SEQUENCE - A computer-implemented method of processing a selected image using multiple processing operations is provided. An image analysis sequence having multiple processing steps is constructed. The image analysis sequence is constructed in response to receipt of multiple processing operation selections. Individual processing steps in the image analysis sequence are associated with a processing operation that is indicated in a corresponding processing operation selection. The processing steps are arranged in response to receipt of arrangement information that relates to a selective arrangement of the processing steps. At least one of the processing steps in the image analysis sequence is configured such that the processing operation associated with the processing step processes a specified input image to generate an output image when the processing step is performed. A display signal is generated for display of the output image at a display device. | 03-07-2013 |
20130050692 | PRESENTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOW-VOLUME SOLUTION SAMPLES - A presentation system for a low-volume solution sample for use in an analysis system is provided. An adapter positions aliquots of the low-volume sample solution for measurement by the analysis system. The adapter includes a recess formed in an upper surface of the adapter for removable receipt of a sample holder that holds the aliquots of the low-volume sample solution. The sample holder is seated in the recess when the sample holder is inserted into the recess. The shape of the recess substantially conforms to at least a portion of the shape of the sample holder such that the recess maintains the sample holder in place during measurement of the aliquots. The recess also has a depth sufficient to receive the sample holder and a cover plate when the sample holder and the cover plate are inserted into the recess. | 02-28-2013 |
20130044940 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECTIONING A MICROSCOPY IMAGE FOR PARALLEL PROCESSING - A computer-implemented system and method of processing a microscopy image are provided. A microscopy image is received, and a configuration for an image section that includes a portion of the microscopy image is determined. Multiple image sections are respectively assigned to multiple processing units, and the processing units respectively process the image sections in parallel. One or more objects are determined to be respectively present in the image sections, and the objects present in the image sections are measured to obtain object data associated with the objects. | 02-21-2013 |
20120169320 | PLANAR PATCH CLAMP DEVICES AND METHODS FOR FABRICATION AND USE - A planar patch clamp device includes a substrate comprising a first planar surface, a second planar surface opposing the first planar surface, and an inside surface defining an aperture extending from the first planar surface to the second planar surface; and an adhesion layer conformally disposed on the substrate including on the inside surface, wherein the adhesion layer defines a shape of the aperture, and the aperture is smooth and free of sharp corners. The substrate may be composed of silicon or a silicon-inclusive compound, and the adhesion layer may be composed of a glass material having a low-temperature reflow property. The device may be annealed to reflow the adhesion layer, thereby providing the aperture with smooth surfaces. | 07-05-2012 |
20120077282 | LUMINESENCE MEASUREMENT UTILIZING CARTRIDGE WITH INTEGRATED DETECTOR - A cartridge and cartridge system for use in an apparatus for analyzing a sample are provided. The system has a plurality of cartridges for different applications for a multimode instrument. The cartridges are removably engaged with a cartridge support of the apparatus in a “plug-in” format such that one cartridge may be removed from the apparatus and another cartridge may be easily installed. The cartridge support includes a plurality of cartridge positions that receive cartridges concurrently. One of the cartridges may be a luminescence cartridge that includes an integrated detector that is movable toward and away from a sample carrier of the apparatus, and thus toward and away from a sample located at the sample carrier. | 03-29-2012 |
20110278472 | OPTICAL DETECTION UTILIZING CARTRIDGE WITH TUNABLE FILTER ASSEMBLY - A cartridge and cartridge system for use in an apparatus for analyzing a sample are provided. The system has a plurality of cartridges for different applications for a multimode instrument. The cartridges are removably engaged with a cartridge support in a “plug-in” format such that one cartridge may be removed from the apparatus and another cartridge may be easily installed. The cartridge support includes a plurality of cartridge positions that receive cartridges concurrently. One of the cartridges is a wavelength-tunable cartridge in which different light sources, excitation filters, and/or emission filters may be selected. Tuning is further accomplished by tilting the excitation or emission filters at desired angles relative to a beam of exciting light or emitted light. | 11-17-2011 |