Patent abstracts

Citation

Mytum-Smithson, J. (2008), "Patent abstracts", Sensor Review, Vol. 28 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2008.08728aad.007

Patent abstracts

Title: Thermal sensor

Applicant: Hochiki Co. (JP)

Patent number: GB2437871

Publication date: 7 November 2007

(Problems) To increase the reliability of a thermal sensor by constructing a protective structure capable of protecting a ferroelectric substance from an external environment when the ferroelectric substance is used as the thermal sensing element of the thermal sensor. (Means for solving problems) This thermal sensor comprises a heat sensing part sensing heat in a monitoring area and a casing fixing the heat sensing part. The heat sensing part is fixed to the casing through a laminate part for protecting the heat sensing part.

Title: Conducting polymer nanosensor

Applicant: Nagahara Larry A. (USA);Amlani Islamshah S. (USA);Aguilar Alvaro D. (USA);Forzani Erica S. (USA); Li Xiulan (USA);Tao Nongjian (USA)

Patent number: US2007235348

Publication date: 11 October 2007

A method is provided for forming a thin film conducting polymer for sensor applications. The method comprises forming at least one pair of electrodes on a substrate, the pair of electrodes having an insulating layer positioned therebetween, the insulating layer having a surface opposed to the substrate, increasing OHkZl groups on the surface, binding silane molecules to the surface, and forming the conducting polymer material on the silane molecules between and in electrical contact with the electrodes.

Title: Diagnostic nanosensor and its use in medicine

Applicant: Topass GMBH (DE)

Patent number: EP1811302

Publication date: 25 July 2007

This invention relates generally to biosensor technology, and pertains more particularly to novel multifunctional biosensors based on ordered arrays of metallic, semiconductors and magnetic nano-islands for medical, biological, biochemical, chemical and environmental applications.

Title: Autonomous evanescent optical nanosensor

Applicant: Hewlett Packard Developmemt Co. (USA); Beausoleil Raymond G. (USA);Kuekes Philip J. (USA);Williams R. Stanley (USA)

Patent number: WO2007078317

Publication date: 12 July 2007

A sensor includes traps that are adjacent to a waveguide and capable of holding a contaminant for an interaction with an evanescent field surrounding the waveguide. When held in a trap, a particle of the contaminant, which may be an atom, a molecule, a virus, or a microbe, scatters light from the waveguide, and the scattered light can be measured to detect the presence or concentration of the contaminant. Holding of the particles permits sensing of the contaminant in a gas where movement of the particles might otherwise be too fast to permit measurement of the interaction with the evanescent field. The waveguide, a lighting system, a photosensor, and a communications interface can all be fabricated on a semiconductor die to permit fabrication of an autonomous nanosensor capable of suspension in the air or a gas being sensed.

Title: Carbon dioxide nanosensor, and respiratory CO₂ monitors

Applicant: Chang Daniel M. (USA);Chang Ying-Lan (USA);Gabriel Jean-Christophe P. (USA);Joshi Vikram (USA); Mickelson William (USA);Niemann Joseph (USA);Passmore John L. (USA);Star Alexander (USA); Valcke Christian (USA)

Patent number: US2007048181

Publication date: 1 March 2007

An electronic system and method for detecting analytes, such as carbon dioxide, is provided, using an improved nanostructure sensor (CO₂ sensor). The CO₂ sensor may comprise a substrate and a nanostructure, such as a one or more carbon nanotubes disposed over the substrate (e.g. as a network). One or more conductive elements may electrically communicate with the nanostructure. A counter or gate electrode may be positioned adjacent the nanostructure. A functionalization material reactive with carbon dioxide may be included, either disposed in contact with the nanostructure or isolated by a dielectric. The sensor may be connected to a circuit responsive to changes in CO₂ concentration in the environment. Embodiments are described of medical sensing systems including one or more CO₂ sensors. One embodiment comprises a breath sampling cannula which is connected to a sensor unit. In an alternative, the cannula permits supplemental oxygen to be administered, while recovering and measuring analytes in breath samples. The cannula may connect to a portable processor-display unit for monitoring one or more analytes, such as CO₂. Another embodiment includes a cannula configured for the monitoring of sleep disorders, such as apnea, comprising one or more sensors disposed adjacent a breath sampling channel, optionally including flow rate or other sensors. The sensors may be connected by wired or wireless links for to a processor/input/ display unit. Any of the embodiments may include filters, selectively permeable membranes, absorbents, and the like to precondition the breath sample, may be configured to include complementary chemistry measurements.

Title: Fluid sensing device with integrated bypass and process therefor

Applicant: Integrated Sensing Systems Inc. (USA); Sparks Douglas Ray (USA);Najafi Nader (USA)

Patent number: WO2006083386

Publication date: 10 August 2006

A micromachined fluid sensing device and a method for its fabrication. The sensing device incorporates a bypass passage, preferably an integral bypass passage within the device, that enables a volume of fluid to be delivered to the device, with a limited portion of the fluid passing through a passage within the device in which one or more properties of the fluid are sensed, such as but not limited to density, specific gravity, and chemical concentrations. The device is suitable for monitoring the fuel concentration in a fuel mixture for a fuel cell.

Jessica Mytum-Smithson