Affymetrix has received US Patent No. 8,372,576, "Miniaturized microparticles." The patent claims a method for forming encoded microparticles. One embodiment includes an encoded microparticle consisting of segments aligned along an axis, where the segments define a code for the microparticle; and an outer cuboid encapsulating the segments, where the segments are detectable through the outer cuboid.
Affymetrix has also received US Patent No. 8,374,818, "System, method and apparatus for calibrating inspection tools." The patent relates to the calibration of inspection tools for detecting the accuracy of the array peg positions on an assembled high-throughput array plate. A calibration substrate is provided that contains fiducials, and X and Y positions are measured for each fiducial using a moving camera, an imaging system, and a computer. From these measurements, offset values can be calculated and placed in an XY map.
X-Body of Waltham, Mass., has received US Patent No. 8,372,592, "High resolution label free analysis of cellular properties." The patent claims a method of detecting a change in a cell growth pattern by adding β-cells to a colorimetric resonant reflectance optical biosensor, where adhesion proteins are immobilized. The β-cells express receptors that bind to the proteins, after which colorimetric resonant reflectance optical peak wavelength values are detected for each location. Test reagents are then applied to the β-cells, and a second set of PWV is obtained. According to the patent, a difference between the first and second PWVs indicates a change in the cell growth pattern in the one or more β-cells.
Oxford Gene Technology of Oxford, UK, has received US Patent No. 8,372,629, "Devices and processes for analyzing individual cells." The claimed device includes a channel for receiving the contents of a cell of interest, where the channel has an input end and an output end. A cell-trapping site is in proximity to the input end of the channel, and the input end of the channel is adapted such that an intact cell of interest cannot enter the channel. According to the patent, the channel contains analytical components for analyzing the contents of the cell of interest.
Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology, and Research has received US Patent No. 8,372,657, "Microfluidic system for detecting a biological entity in a sample." According to the patent, the described microfluidic system includes a chamber configured to receive the sample volume, where the chamber includes a detection region for detecting the biological entity; a first port in fluid communication with the chamber; and a second port including a filter in fluid communication with the chamber. A fluid provided to the first port or the second port flows between the first port and the second port through the chamber.
Japan Science and Technology Agency of Saitama has received US Patent No. 8,372,785, "Method for immobilizing self-organizing material or fine particle on substrate, and substrate manufactured by using such method." The method includes applying to the substrate an acid solution capable of introducing a hydroxy group on a surface of the substrate; and applying a solution containing the self-organizing material onto the substrate after the acid solution is removed from the substrate; where the self-organizing material is a nucleic acid, a protein, an amino acid, a lipid, or a sugar.