2373 results about "Highly sensitive" patented technology

A system and method to help maintain quality control and reduce cannibalization of accessories and attached probes in a highly sensitive patient monitor, such as a pulse oximetry system. One or more attached components may have information elements designed to designate what quality control mechanisms a patient monitor should look to find on that or another component or designate other components with which the one component may properly work. In a further embodiment, such information elements may also include data indicating the appropriate life of the component.

The present invention relates to systems and methods that employ various mechanisms to selectively disable mobile device functionality. In general, mobile devices can be utilized to store personal and / or highly sensitive information such as bank account numbers, social security numbers, credit card numbers and the like. If the mobile device is lost or stolen, data stored within the device can be accessed by an unauthorized user; and, thus, any personal and / or highly sensitive information can be obtained. In order to mitigate unauthorized access, the subject invention provides a disabling component that communicates with the lost or stolen device to render data stored thereon inaccessible. Further, the data can be stored in local or remote locations to backup stored information, thereby creating a more robust and reliable method of storing information important to the device owner. These features provide enhancements over conventional mobile device security techniques.

Reversible pegylated drugs are provided by derivatization of free functional groups of the drug selected from amino, hydroxyl, mercapto, phosphate and / or carboxyl with groups sensitive to mild basic conditions such as 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) or 2-sulfo-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMS), to which group a PEG moiety is attached. In these pegylated drugs, the PEG moiety and the drug residue are not linked directly to each other, but rather both residues are linked to different positions of the scaffold Fmoc or FMS structure that is highly sensitive to bases and is removable under physiological conditions. The drugs are preferably drugs containing an amino group, most preferably peptides and proteins of low or medium molecular weight. Similar molecules are provided wherein a protein carrier or another polymer carrier replaces the PEG moiety.

Reversible pegylated drugs are provided by derivatization of free functional groups of the drug selected from amino, hydroxyl, mercapto, phosphate and / or carboxyl with groups sensitive to mild basic conditions such as 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) or 2-sulfo-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (FMS), to which group a PEG moiety is attached. In these pegylated drugs, the PEG moiety and the drug residue are not linked directly to each other, but rather both residues are linked to different positions of the scaffold Fmoc or FMS structure that is highly sensitive to bases and is removable under physiological conditions. The drugs are preferably drugs containing an amino group, most preferably peptides and proteins of low or medium molecular weight. Similar molecules are provided wherein a protein carrier or another polymer carrier replaces the PEG moiety.

A communication system (e.g., a speakerphone) includes an array of microphones, a speaker, memory and a processor. The processor may perform a virtual broadside scan on the microphone array and analyze the resulting amplitude envelope to identify acoustic source angles. Each of the source angles may be further investigated with a directed beam (e.g., a hybrid superdirective / delay-and-sum beam) to obtain a corresponding beam signal. Each source may be classified as either intelligence or noise based on an analysis of the corresponding beam signal. The processor may design a virtual beam pointed at an intelligence source and having nulls directed at one or more of the noise sources. Thus, the virtual beam may be highly sensitive to the intelligence source and insensitive to the noise sources.

A highly sensitive assay is disclosed which combines immunomagnetic enrichment with multiparameter flow cytometric and immunocytochemical analysis to detect, enumerate and characterize carcinoma cells in the blood. The assay can detect one epithelial cell or less in 1 ml of blood and has a greater sensitivity than conventional PCR or immunohistochemistry by 1-2 orders of magnitude. In addition, the assay facilitates the biological characterization and staging of carcinoma cells.

A highly sensitive silicon micro-machined sensor package is provided for use in a micro-g environment that can also resist high shock in excess of 5000 g. The sensor is provided to measure acceleration in cooperation with associated electronics which are required to have electrical contact with sensor elements. The sensor is sealed in a high vacuum environment, and is arranged and designed to be free of temperature induced stress to the sensor. The sensor die package assembly comprises a silicon micro-machined sensor die, a ceramic package, two contact springs, a shorting clip, solder preform, a metal lid and a getter foil for ensuring a good vacuum for an extended period. The sensor die comprises a moving mass with eight supporting flexures on both sides of the proof mass. The proof mass's movement is protected on both sides by a top and a bottom cap. Acceleration applied to the package and the die causes the proof mass to move vertically in relation with the adjacent caps. The changes in distance between the proof mass and the caps in turn generate a change in an electrical signal which corresponds to the capacitance changes between the gaps. The sensor die package arrangement provides that the sensor die be secured within an evacuated ceramic case. Electrical connections made between external contacts of the case and contacts of the sensor die within the case are made through conductive springs, thereby minimizing materials in the interior of the case which would outgass in the vacuum environment.

DNA containing somatic mutations is highly tumor specific and thus, in theory, can provide optimum markers. However, the number of circulating mutant gene fragments is small compared to the number of normal circulating DNA fragments, making it difficult to detect and quantify them with the sensitivity required for meaningful clinical use. We apply a highly sensitive approach to quantify circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in body samples of patients. Measurements of ctDNA can be used to reliably monitor tumor dynamics in subjects with cancer, especially those who are undergoing surgery or chemotherapy. This personalized genetic approach can be generally applied.

A capacitance probe for thin dielectric film characterization provides a highly sensitive capacitance measurement method and reduces the contact area needed to obtain such a measurement. Preferably, the capacitance probe is connected to a measurement system by a transmission line and comprises a center conductive tip and RLC components between the center conductor and the ground of the transmission line. When the probe tip is in contact with a sample, an MIS or MIM structure is formed, with the RLC components and the capacitance of the MIS or MIM structure forming a resonant circuit. By sending a driving signal to the probe and measuring the reflected signal from the probe through the transmission line, the resonant characteristic of the resonant circuit can be obtained. The capacitance of the MIS or MIM structure is obtainable from the resonant characteristics and the dielectric film thickness or other dielectric properties are also extractable.

A highly sensitive assay is disclosed which utilizes a method for gene specific primed amplification of mRNA libraries from rare cells and rare transcripts found in blood. The assay allows detection of rare mRNA (10 copies / cell) found in 1 to 10 cells isolated through immunomagnetic enrichment. The assay is an improvement over multiplex PCR and allows efficient detection of rare coding sequences for circulating carcinoma cells in the blood. The methods are useful in profiling of cells isolated from tissues or body fluids and serves as an adjunct to clinical diagnosis of diverse carcinomas including early stage detection and classification of circulating tumor cells. Monitoring of nucleic acid and protein profiles of cells either in conventional or microarray formats, facilitates management of therapeutic intervention including staging, monitoring response to therapy, confirmation of remission and detection of regression.

An instrument is disclosed for fluorescence assays which is capable of reading many independent samples at the same time. This instrument provides enhanced throughput relative to single-sample instruments, and is well-suited to use in general fluorescence, time-resolved fluorescence, multi-band fluorescence, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and fluorescence polarization. This invention is beneficial in applications such as high-throughput drug screening, and automated clinical testing. Also disclosed are means and methods for a fluorescence polarization measurement which is highly sensitive, inherently self-calibrated, and unaffected by lamp flicker or photobleaching. This fluorescence polarization invention can be practiced on a variety of fluorescence instruments, including prior-art equipment such as microscopes and multi-well plate readers.

The present invention provides a highly sensitive biosensor capable of yielding good response even when the amount of a sample is extremely small. The biosensor of the present invention includes: a first insulating base plate which has a working electrode comprising a plurality of branches and a first counter electrode comprising a plurality of branches, the branches of the working electrode and the first counter electrode being arranged alternately; a second insulating base plate which has a second counter electrode and which is disposed at a position opposite to the first insulating base plate; a reagent system comprising an oxidoreductase; and a sample supply pathway formed between the first and second insulating base plates, wherein the branches of the working electrode and the first counter electrode that are arranged alternately, the second counter electrode, and the reagent system are exposed in the sample supply pathway.

The present invention relates to the capabilities of a highly sensitive radioactive-emission camera, a result of a meticulous search for the many different effects that combine synergistically to increase sensitivity and spatial, spectral, and time resolutions. The new camera opens a new realm in SPECT-type imaging, making it viable for dynamic studies, the use of radiopharmaceutical cocktails, molecular imaging, dosimetry and other studies requiring the high sensitivity and resolutions. In particular, the new camera opens the door to SPECT expert system, examples for which are provided. The expert system relates to defining disease signatures for automatic diagnosis, preferably, based on a multi-parameter vector, preferably, based on kinetic radiopharmaceutical values. Additionally or alternatively, based on simultaneous administration of multiple isotopes.

The present invention provides a highly sensitive method of diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in an individual. The method includes the steps of isolating a sample from the individual; determining by non-histological means whether the sample is positive for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA); determining whether the sample is positive for anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae immunoglobulin A (ASCA-IgA); determining whether the sample is positive for anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae immunoglobulin G (ASCA-IgG); and diagnosing the individual as having IBD when the sample is positive for ANCA, ASCA-IgA or ASCA-IgG, and diagnosing the individual as not having IBD when the sample is negative for ANCA, ASCA-IgA and ASCA-IgG, provided that the method does not include histological analysis of neutrophils.

A highly sensitive, high-speed dual tunnel diode detector is described for use in Ultra Wideband (UWB) object detection systems, such as a radar. The extended capability of the detector to both extremely short (sub-foot) and long distance (tens of thousands of feet) ranges is unique and permits the application of low power UWB radar to a wide variety of applications including high resolution radar altimetry at altitudes exceeding 10,000 feet and for autonomous on-deck landing operations (e.g., one-foot altitudes), the detection of extremely low radar cross section (RCS) targets for such applications as suspended wire detection for helicopters and other manned and unmanned craft, etc. High noise and interference immunity of the detector permits co-location of a UWB radar sensor with other active systems. The invention has immediate and significant application to all areas, both military and commercial, of precision distance measurement, intrusion detection, targeting, etc. over a wide range of distances.

A biosensor that is highly responsive and capable of rapid and highly sensitive quantification of a specific component contained in a sample is provided. The biosensor of this invention comprises: an electrically insulating base plate; an electrode system comprising a working electrode and a counter electrode disposed on the base plate; and a reagent system comprising an oxidoreductase which catalyzes the oxidation reaction of glucose, gluconolactonase and a buffer. The buffer is selected from the group consisting of phthalic acid and its salts, maleic acid and its salts, succinic acid and its salts, phospholic acid and its salts, acetic acid and its salts, boric acid and its salts, citric acid and its salts, glycine, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, piperazine-N,N′-bis(2-ethane sulfonic acid) and the like.

MyBOTS.Tv—the personal helper BOT system utilizes a customizable personal assistant in the form of an avatar to engage its owner in a conversational manner with natural language commands to coordinate activity of a team of autonomous helper BOTs. Among a variety of other tasks, BOTs, which are software applications that run automated tasks over the Internet, collaborate to create the owner's schedule, maintain his / her to-do list, obtain personally interesting information, provide personalized services and searches, perform web site transactions, use all types of web apps, complete tasks and / or synthesize useful products for their owners.In some embodiments, the helper BOTs system leverages Digital Library (DL) Architectures to house elements that they intelligently serve. The underlying Digital Library Architecture features an induction process that elicits facts about incoming elements that can be judged by a panel of agents. Agents judge elements according to areas of discretion which are of interest to the consumer population. The judgments are then stored as part of each element's metadata. Helper BOTs then deliver the elements intelligently by probabilistically ranking, sorting, classifying, and / or presenting and serving them to users in accordance with value preferences indicated in their profiles. One such embodiment, (which has been previously published as a Virtual Knowledge Architecture for Interactive Television) ranks and serves TV programs to people based on the value preferences set in their profile(s).In other embodiments, helper BOTs leverage user-directed search paradigms to refine and customize the search function according to the searcher's preferences, style and demographic information. In these embodiments, helper BOTs are directed by way of a search construction wizard to return search results in accordance with searcher profiles and demands such as language, context of content, age of document, and age appropriateness. In this regard, searcher preferences refer not only to the search itself, but to the style, presentation, and appropriateness of the search results which can not only be a list of links but delivered as synthesized living document products incorporating new media elements.Some helper BOT embodiments will help people to perform financial transactions requiring highly sensitive and personal information such as credit card numbers, bank account information and the like. These embodiments require the use of BOT security. BOT security will utilize x.509 digital certificate technology assigned to the avatar by its human owner. The cryptographic key will be utilized to perform all related transactions and protect any information deemed sensitive on behalf of its owner in a secure manner through secure network tunnels.Further embodiments enable an extensible set of commercially available BOTs to be obtained on the MyBOTs.Tv web site in the BOTS Store. This has begun with the 12 “EmBOTiments” presented here. These BOTs perform individual tasks autonomously but may also work in collaboration with each other. Each BOT processes inputs and can be parameterized. Hence, a BOT API enables the creation of stored programs that capture the teamwork interaction and makes their function re-usable. An extensible grammar makes it possible for the evolving baseline of useful stored programs to be called by name so that BOT teams can be dispatched by the user's avatar on demand.

The present invention relates to systems and methods that employ various mechanisms to selectively disable mobile device functionality. In general, mobile devices can be utilized to store personal and / or highly sensitive information such as bank account numbers, social security numbers, credit card numbers and the like. If the mobile device is lost or stolen, data stored within the device can be accessed by an unauthorized user; and, thus, any personal and / or highly sensitive information can be obtained. In order to mitigate unauthorized access, the subject invention provides a disabling component that communicates with the lost or stolen device to render data stored thereon inaccessible. Further, the data can be stored in local or remote locations to backup stored information, thereby creating a more robust and reliable method of storing information important to the device owner. These features provide enhancements over conventional mobile device security techniques.

A device is proposed for high-resolution measurement, in particular for high-resolution absolute measurement of magnetic fields, having a network (1) of transitions (3) between superconductors (5, 6) which exhibit Josephson effects, called junctions below, the network comprising closed meshes (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13), denoted by cells below, which in each case have junctions (3), which junctions are connected in a superconducting fashion, and at least three of these cells being connected in a superconducting and / or nonsuperconducting fashion. The object of the invention consists in further developing this device in such a way that it is possible to make absolute measurements of magnetic fields in a highly sensitive fashion. This object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the junctions (3) of the at least three cells (7, 8, 9) can be energized in such a way that a time-variant voltage drops in each case across at least two junctions of a cell, the time average of which voltage does not vanish, and in that the at least three cells are configured differently geometrically in such a way that the magnetic fluxes enclosed by the cells in the case of an existing magnetic field differ from one another in such a way that the frequency spectrum of the voltage response function has no significant Phi0-periodic component with reference to the magnetic flux.

A device is disclosed which is a highly sensitive and selective sensor. The device is comprised of a sensor material secured into a fixed position on substrate, a deformable arm and a signaling component which creates a detectable signal in response to movement of the arm. The sensitivity of the device is enhanced by using a sensor material which undergoes a dramatic change in volume which may be accompanied by a phase change in response contact with a target such a molecule of interest. The selectivity of the device is enhanced by incorporating highly specific binding receptors (e.g. antibodies) into the sensor material which receptors bind to specific targets (e.g. peptide epitopes). The binding of the target molecule to the receptor causes the sensor material to change dramatically in volume thereby moving the arm causing the signaling component (e.g. a piezoresistor) to create a detectable signal (e.g. change in resistance) thereby indicating the present of the target.

Apparatus and methods are provided for the imaging of structures in deep tissue within biological specimens, using spectral imaging to provide highly sensitive detection. By acquiring data that provides a plurality of images of the sample with different spectral weightings, and subsequent spectral analysis, light emission from a target compound is separated from autofluorescence in the sample. With the autofluorescence reduced or eliminated, an improved measurement of the target compound is obtained.

The present invention provides highly sensitive methods used for diagnosing and monitoring various diseases and disorders by detecting and analyzing “ultra short” (20-50 base pair) nucleic acids obtained from bodily fluids.

A radar detector is used with a radio link, the radio link characterized by high duty factor operation of a radio transmitter. The radar detector is located a sufficient distance from the radio transmitter that the radar detector is not overwhelmed by the radio transmission signal in that channel and can detect sufficiently low level radar signals to ascertain potential radio interference at the radar from said radio transmitter. The results of the radar detection are communicated to the transmitter in a way that impacts the transmitter's use of the sensed channel. This communication can occur reactively when a radar detection is achieved (the absence of which indicates no radar has been detected) and / or can be a periodic or event-driven indication that the channel is available for operation (the information expiring if the result is not refreshed). A highly sensitive radar detector apparatus that can detect wideband radar signals at very low levels and overcome the disparity of detection range versus interference range is described. A signal detector is also described that detects energy from other users that is not in the operating channel or operating band of the transmitter to determine if the out of band emissions or out of channel emissions of the operating transmitter's signal need to be adjusted through such settings as transmit power, operating channel, filtering, or a combination.

Arrays of integrated analytical devices and their methods for production are provided. The arrays are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The integrated devices allow the highly sensitive discrimination of optical signals using features such as spectra, amplitude, and time resolution, or combinations thereof. The arrays and methods of the invention make use of silicon chip fabrication and manufacturing techniques developed for the electronics industry and highly suited for miniaturization and high throughput.

Micron-scale displacement measurement devices having enhanced performance characteristics are disclosed. One embodiment of a micron-scale displacement measurement device includes a phase-sensitive reflective diffraction grating for reflecting a first portion of an incident light and transmitting a second portion of the incident light such that the second portion of the incident light is diffracted. The device can further include a mechanical structure having a first region and a second region, the mechanical structure positioned a distance d above the diffraction grating and forming a wall of a cavity, the second portion of the incident light is reflected off of the first region of the structure such that an interference pattern is formed by the reflected first portion and the reflected second portion of the incident light. The device can further include an orifice formed in the cavity to provide for the passage of air between the inside and outside of the cavity.

Novel methods and imaging agents for functional imaging of lymph structures are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the methods utilize highly sensitive optical imaging and fluorescent spectroscopy techniques to track or monitor packets of organic dye flowing in one or more lymphatic structures. The packets of organic dye may be tracked to provide quantitative information regarding lymph propulsion and function. In particular, lymph flow velocity and pulse frequency may be determined using the disclosed methods.