Assure Conrols http://www.assurecontrols.com Water Testing Systems Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:11:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 Toxicity in Wells Due to Fracking, Getting the Data http://www.assurecontrols.com/toxicity-in-wells-due-to-fracking-getting-the-data/ http://www.assurecontrols.com/toxicity-in-wells-due-to-fracking-getting-the-data/#comments Tue, 10 May 2011 18:27:16 +0000 christisodano http://www.assurecontrols.com/?p=1013
Vista, California, May 10, 2011 — One of the most disconcerting and major headlines in the U.S. with respect to water quality is hydrologic “fracking” of shale deposits for natural gas extraction. Today, Assure Controls has
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Vista, California, May 10, 2011 — One of the most disconcerting and major headlines in the U.S. with respect to water quality is hydrologic “fracking” of shale deposits for natural gas extraction. Today, Assure Controls has entered into a scientific research collaboration to undertake perhaps the largest drinking water toxicity testing program to study groundwater effects due to neighboring drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Geological shale formations exist throughout the United States and provide a rich source of natural gas.  These formations span thousands of square miles and thousands of new drilling operations are established nationwide each year.  The natural gas deposits have only recently become accessible using modern drilling technologies such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. 
The effects of hydraulic fracturing on the quality of groundwater remain largely unknown and have sparked considerable debate. As Fred Hauchman, EPA Director of Science Policy, recently stated, “Natural gas is important to the country, but at the same time a lot of concerns have been expressed.  And the public deserves to have answer to their questions.”
Assure Controls has agreed to support the largest of its kind sampling and testing program of wells located on private land in areas near hydraulic fracturing operations to assess the effects of hydraulic fracturing on the chemical and toxicological composition of the groundwater in these areas.  The program will utilize the company’s QwikLite Biosensor System; a sensitive, rapid and affordable water quality test that can detect all types of organic, inorganic and heavy metal compounds if they are at biologically harmful levels. One rationale for Assure’s interest in the support of this study is that while the EPA regulates public water systems; it does not regulate private drinking water wells, which account for approximately 15 percent our country’s drinking water supplies. Unlike public drinking water systems, there are not experts checking the water’s source and its quality before it is utilized. In 2009 the USGS did a study of 2,100 private wells and determined that more than 20 percent of the domestic wells contain at least one contaminant at levels of potential health concern.
“This evaluation of water toxicity will use geospatial and statistical analysis to examine correlations between hydraulic fracturing and toxicity and chemical composition of private well water,” stated Laura Hunt, Ph.D., a member of the scientific team. “In the U.S. there are an at least 15 million private wells; few are routinely tested for toxicity, so this has major implications.”  The research team expects over 100 samples from private wells to be tested and analyzed, and will publish the findings in a scientific journal. Other researchers include: Brian Fontenot, Ph.D., Zacariah Hildenbrand Ph.D., all with extensive backgrounds in environmental science, water quality, EPA regulations and toxicity. The QwikLite testing will be performed in collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “We will perform analytical and discriminatory chemical analysis in addition to the biological tests,” stated Kevin Schug, Ph.D., “the actual chemical compounds have not been completely assessed in this manner.”

The toxicity test method was developed by the US Navy, and licensed by Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) to Assure Controls, which developed the QwikLite 200 Biosensor System.
Assure Controls is a product development and marketing company with assessment technologies that reduce the time, cost, and complexity of water quality testing. Assure is headquartered in Vista, California.
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Contact Assure Controls                                Contact Texas Well Study

Christi Sodano                                                  txwellstudy@gmail.com
p: 760.505.3000 x201                                        Visit the Site               
f: 760.306.7872
csodano@assurecontrols.com

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]]> http://www.assurecontrols.com/toxicity-in-wells-due-to-fracking-getting-the-data/feed/ 0 Board of Director Addition-Stephen Lieberman, Ph.D. http://www.assurecontrols.com/board-of-director-addition-stephen-lieberman-ph-d/ http://www.assurecontrols.com/board-of-director-addition-stephen-lieberman-ph-d/#comments Mon, 09 May 2011 19:31:58 +0000 christisodano http://www.assurecontrols.com/?p=1005 Vista, California, May 10, 2011 — To provide additional scientific perspective to the strategy and direction of the company, Stephen H. Lieberman, Ph.D. has been appointed and added to the Board of Directors for Assure Controls, Inc.…]]> margin-left:0in;line-height:11.25pt">Vista, California, May 10, 2011 — To provide additional scientific perspective to the strategy and direction of the company, Stephen H. Lieberman, Ph.D. has been appointed and added to the Board of Directors for Assure Controls, Inc.
Dr. Lieberman’s formal education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of California, San Diego; Master’s degree in Chemistry from San Diego State University; Ph.D in Oceanography from the University of Washington; and Postdoctoral work at the California Institute of Technology, Environmental Engineering.
Recently retired after more than thirty years at the U.S. Navy’s, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific), San Diego, California; his positions there included Director, Optical Chemical Sensor Group, and most recently, Director, Technology Transfer Office where his responsibilities included Technical Program Manager for the Office of Naval Research, Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funded Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technologies (CCAT).
Dr. Lieberman is the author or co-author on more than 50 publications and inventor on over 20 patents.
“We are pleased that Steve Lieberman has joined our board,” stated Bryan Bjorndal, CEO of Assure Controls. “As we add new parameters to our technology platform, his experience in technical, environmental and business matters will be a great asset to us.”
The Scientific Advisory Board will also be chaired by Dr. Lieberman, providing a direct input to the board of directors and the CEO as well.
Assure Controls is a product development and marketing company with assessment technologies that reduce the time, cost, and complexity of water quality testing. Assure is headquartered in Vista, California.
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Contact Assure Controls
Christi Sodano
p: 760.505.3000 x201
f: 760.306.7872
csodano@assurecontrols.com
www.AssureControls.com
]]> http://www.assurecontrols.com/board-of-director-addition-stephen-lieberman-ph-d/feed/ 0 2011 Water Quality Innovation Challenge Announced http://www.assurecontrols.com/2011-water-quality-innovation-challenge-announced/ http://www.assurecontrols.com/2011-water-quality-innovation-challenge-announced/#comments Tue, 03 May 2011 22:45:05 +0000 shanemudd http://www.assurecontrols.com/?p=969 Vista, California, May 3, 2011 — To foster and support innovation in the process of developing a more robust scientific basis for assessing water quality effects of environmental agents; Assure Controls today announced the inaugural “2011 Water Quality Innovation Challenge”. Applicants will…]]> Vista, California, May 3, 2011 — To foster and support innovation in the process of developing a more robust scientific basis for assessing water quality effects of environmental agents; Assure Controls today announced the inaugural “2011 Water Quality Innovation Challenge”. Applicants will submit project proposals that utilize toxicity testing with a QwikLiteTM Test System.  Assure Controls scientific staff will review and determine two award recipients based on environmental relevance, scientific advancement, innovation, and cost effectiveness. Two innovative projects in the 2011 Water Quality Innovation Challenge will be rewarded with 1-year use of a QwikLiteTM Test System and up to 200 Test Cartridges at no charge, a value of approximately $11,000.00

The simplicity and low cost of live species testing with the QwikLiteTM Test System opens up new strategies in academic research and water quality monitoring. The QwikLiteTM Test System conducts water quality tests with bioluminescent phytoplankton (dinoflagellates) to indicate if water samples contain biologically harmful levels of contaminants.  

Applications are accepted May 1st to July 1st, 2011, and award recipients will be announced August 1st, 2011. Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria: environmental relevance, scientific advancement, innovation, and cost effectiveness.

All information and the application is available at: http://www.assurecontrols.com/2011-water-quality-innovation-challenge/

Assure Controls is a product development and marketing company with assessment technologies that reduce the time, cost, and complexity of water quality testing. Assure is headquartered in Vista, California.

For more information contact Shane Mudd at 760-505-3000 ext. 300, or at shane.mudd@assurecontrols.com.

]]> http://www.assurecontrols.com/2011-water-quality-innovation-challenge-announced/feed/ 0 How is the Gulf After the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill? http://www.assurecontrols.com/how-is-the-gulf-after-the-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill/ http://www.assurecontrols.com/how-is-the-gulf-after-the-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill/#comments Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:00:29 +0000 christisodano http://www.assurecontrols.com/?p=400 Vista, California, April 21, 2011 — The total impact on the environment of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill may not be known for years to come. An estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil escaped from the broken…]]> Vista, California, April 21, 2011 — The total impact on the environment of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill may not be known for years to come. An estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil escaped from the broken well, and 1.84 million gallons of chemical dispersants, much of which were applied directly to the well deep below the surface of the ocean – something that had never been done before.

Scientists from the College of Marine Science, University of South Florida; continue their testing of hundreds of water samples aboard the research vessel, Weatherbird II.  Extensive Gulf Oil Spill sampling and testing cruises have continued throughout the year, with onboard toxicity testing using the QwikLite Biosensor System.

"A sensitive live species is valuable in determination of marine toxicity” stated David E. John, Ph.D. “The ability to perform shipboard toxicity testing is a major advantage over laboratory methods, which are more expensive and take several days to get results.” QwikLite uses sensitive marine plankton as a "biosensor" of harmful contaminants in water. In the presence of contaminants the natural bioluminescence is inhibited, and QwikLite measures this effect, essentially quantifying the toxicity to the marine environment. The biological cartridges from Assure Controls provide a standardized, easy to use, and rapid response necessary for biological toxicity testing.

The next sampling cruise will be in early May, adding to the understanding of the Gulf Oil Spill with several tests performed each day. The toxicity data will be used along with other types of tests also performed by the scientists.

The toxicity test method was developed by the US Navy, and licensed by Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) to Assure Controls, which developed the QwikLite 200 Biosensor System.

Assure Controls is a product development and marketing company with assessment technologies that reduce the time, cost, and complexity of water quality testing. Assure is headquartered in Vista, California.

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Contact Assure Controls
Christi Sodano
p: 760.505.3000 x201
f: 760.306.7872
csodano@assurecontrols.com
www.AssureControls.com

 

]]> http://www.assurecontrols.com/how-is-the-gulf-after-the-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill/feed/ 0 Nanosensor Capability Added to Biosensor to Compliment Water Quality Measurements http://www.assurecontrols.com/nanosensor-capability/ http://www.assurecontrols.com/nanosensor-capability/#comments Sun, 20 Mar 2011 20:35:20 +0000 admin http://dev.tdmedia.com/assurecontrols_com/?p=1 Vista, California, March 20, 2011 — An agreement to add miniature electrochemical sensors to the product lines of Assure Controls existing biosensor systems was announced by the company. Patented microsensor chips (nanosensors) developed by U.K. based NanoFlex, Ltd. will be…]]> Vista, California, March 20, 2011 — An agreement to add miniature electrochemical sensors to the product lines of Assure Controls existing biosensor systems was announced by the company. Patented microsensor chips (nanosensors) developed by U.K. based NanoFlex, Ltd. will be integrated into the product lines from Assure Controls under an agreement reached between the two companies.

The NanoFlex, Ltd. sensors feature tiny platinum electrodes (the critical dimensions are 50 nm — about 1000th the thickness of a human hair) with the ability to measure constituents in water samples via electrical signals which are typically three orders of magnitude greater than those observed for conventional large instrument electrodes. This performance plus the great flexibility and precision in terms of electrode design attracted Assure Controls to pursue the arrangement. The nanosensors will add the ability to measure the presence of chemicals in water using products from Assure Controls. Under the arrangement, NanoFlex Ltd.will produce nanosensors for Assure Controls’ test kits, and Assure Controls will produce instrumentation, disposable supplies, and software applications for the use of the nanosensors in the global water industry.

Neville Freeman, President of NanoFlex Ltd. stated, "Our nanosensors are an innovative platform with superior performance capabilities and the potential to meet a wide range of electrochemical water quality measurement applications requiring a robust sensor. The opportunity to combine them with both the biosensor test kits and the instrumentation from Assure Controls is a novel approach that we hope lead to a complete series of discrete test kits."

"Our mission is to assure that water is safe for its intended use via assessment technologies that reduce the time, cost, and complexity of water quality testing," noted Bryan Bjorndal, President and CEO of Assure Controls. "When toxicity is detected by our sensitive cultures in the biosensor test cartridges, the next question we want to help the customer evaluate is the chemicals or bacteria responsible. This is a significant step in that direction. The key is to ascertain those facts quickly and affordably."

Assure Controls is a product development and marketing company with specialized measurement expertise for industrial biotechnology and environmental water applications. The company is headquartered in Vista, California.

The mission of NanoFlex, Ltd. is to provide high performance electrodes for use in a wide range of analytical applications in both the physical and life sciences.

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Contact Assure Controls
Christi Sodano
p: 760.505.3000
f: 760.306.7872
Christi@AssureControls.com
www.AssureControls.com		 NanoFlex Ltd.
Daresbury Innovation Centre
Keckwick Lane
Daresbury, WA4 4FS
United Kingdom
p: 011.44.7802421901
www.nanoflex.us
]]> http://www.assurecontrols.com/nanosensor-capability/feed/ 0 Assure Controls’ Water Quality Test Part of Desalination Technology Symposium http://www.assurecontrols.com/assure-controls-water-quality-test-part-of-desalination-technology-symposium/ http://www.assurecontrols.com/assure-controls-water-quality-test-part-of-desalination-technology-symposium/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:35:36 +0000 admin http://assurecontrols.com/?p=130 Vista, California, January 17, 2011 — On January 28, The Maritime Alliance will host a one-day symposium on the technologies and increasingly attractive economics of the desalination industry. Worldwide, the industry is estimated at $10 billion and expected to triple…]]> Vista, California, January 17, 2011 — On January 28, The Maritime Alliance will host a one-day symposium on the technologies and increasingly attractive economics of the desalination industry. Worldwide, the industry is estimated at $10 billion and expected to triple in the next five years. The San Diego-Baja region has six major desalination projects planned or under way. The symposium will be held at National University, San Diego, and will examine this issue from a technological and business perspective. Desalination technology advances worldwide and the increasing economics of desalination will be discussed. Assure Controls President and CEO, Bryan Bjorndal, will present some of the latest developments in water quality testing and monitoring in an afternoon panel to the attendees.

Assure Controls is a product development and marketing company with specialized measurement expertise for environmental water applications. Assure is headquartered in Vista, California with manufacturing and distribution in the U.S. and Hong Kong.

The mission of The Maritime Alliance (http://www.themaritimealliance.org/index.html) is "Promoting the Maritime Community". The non-profit The Maritime Alliance is the cluster organizer for the San Diego maritime technology community and fosters maritime business and technology innovation through collaboration around the U.S. and the world.

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Contact Assure Controls
Christi Sodano
p: 760.505.3000
f: 760.306.7872
Christi@AssureControls.com
www.AssureControls.com		  
]]> http://www.assurecontrols.com/assure-controls-water-quality-test-part-of-desalination-technology-symposium/feed/ 0 Assure Controls Receives “Apparatus And Method” Patent For Live Cultures Used In Toxicity Tests http://www.assurecontrols.com/assure-controls-receives-apparatus-and-method-patent-for-live-cultures-used-in-toxicity-tests/ http://www.assurecontrols.com/assure-controls-receives-apparatus-and-method-patent-for-live-cultures-used-in-toxicity-tests/#comments Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:36:18 +0000 admin http://assurecontrols.com/?p=132 Vista, California, November 23, 2010 — The Office of Patent Counsel, United States Navy, SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, San Diego; notified Assure Controls that the invention entitled " Apparatus and Method for Providing Live Dinoflagellates for Toxicity Tests" was…]]> Assure Controls Receives

Vista, California, November 23, 2010 — The Office of Patent Counsel, United States Navy, SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, San Diego; notified Assure Controls that the invention entitled " Apparatus and Method for Providing Live Dinoflagellates for Toxicity Tests" was issued as patent number #7838212 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Patent #7,838,212 provides protection on the cartridges used in the QwikLite® 200 Biosensor System (QwikLite). The design incorporates features that allow live cultures (microscope plankton called dinoflagellates) to be mixed with water samples and assessed for environmentally harmful levels of organic, inorganic or heavy metals. The cartridges are also part of the overall product platform for multiple water measurements to be conducted on the QwikLite using optical sensors. The circular cartridges are part of a "test kit" that includes a molded carousel that houses six optical grade acrylic cuvettes, a snap cover that allows air to be used as a non-contact mixing method, and other accessories for preparing a water sample through nearly automated testing on the QwikLite.

The new patent follows on the issuance of USPTO #7,704,731 (April 27, 2010) on the entire measurement system, multiple measurement capability, the process of the measurement, and on many separate components used in the system. The original and foundational technology patent #5,840,572 was exclusively licensed from the US Navy/SPAWAR in San Diego. Assure Controls designed and developed the QwikLite® 200 Biosensor System, in an integrated instrument with touch panel display and microprocessor controlled optical measurements. The proprietary packaged live organisms in an easy to use disposable test kit are the supplies used by the QwikLite System, the subject of the claims and protection of the newly issued patent #7,838,212.

Assure Controls is a product development and marketing company with specialized measurement expertise for environmental water applications. Assure is headquartered in Vista, California with manufacturing and distribution in the U.S. and Hong Kong.

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Contact Assure Controls
Christi Sodano
p: 760.505.3000
f: 760.306.7872
Christi@AssureControls.com
www.AssureControls.com

]]> http://www.assurecontrols.com/assure-controls-receives-apparatus-and-method-patent-for-live-cultures-used-in-toxicity-tests/feed/ 0 QwikLite 200 Biosensor System Used for Shipboard Toxicity Testing for Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Samples http://www.assurecontrols.com/qwiklite-200-biosensor-system-used-for-shipboard-toxicity-testing-for-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-samples/ http://www.assurecontrols.com/qwiklite-200-biosensor-system-used-for-shipboard-toxicity-testing-for-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-samples/#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:36:51 +0000 admin http://assurecontrols.com/?p=134 Vista, California, August 9, 2010 — In collaboration with the College of Marine Science, University of South Florida; Assure Controls announced today that the QwikLite 200 Biosensor System™ (QwikLite®) is a new element of their extensive Gulf Oil Spill sampling…]]> Vista, California, August 9, 2010 — In collaboration with the College of Marine Science, University of South Florida; Assure Controls announced today that the QwikLite 200 Biosensor System™ (QwikLite®) is a new element of their extensive Gulf Oil Spill sampling and testing cruise, which departed August 6th. After successful laboratory testing of affected water samples, the University scaled up for onboard testing to have daily live species toxicity assessments while at sea aboard the research vessel, Weatherbird II.

"This is an excellent opportunity to do a large number of water quality tests and gain information rapidly; essentially within 24 hours, on the status of sampled water," stated John H. Paul, Ph.D. Paul is on the sampling cruise which departed August 6th, and is conducting the tests.

QwikLite uses sensitive marine plankton as a "biosensor" of harmful contaminants in water. In the presence of contaminants the natural bioluminescence is inhibited, and QwikLite measures this effect. The biological cartridges from Assure Controls provide a standardized, easy to use, and rapid response solution to cultures necessary for biological toxicity testing.

The current sampling cruise will be extended for 10 days, with tests performed each day. The onboard methods, procedures and large scale approaches were developed with the assistance of David E. John, Ph.D., in the laboratory at the University of South Florida. "An affordable and sensitive toxicity test has been a gap in our testing regime, this approach fills that gap; and the data will be used along with other types of tests on this cruise," noted Dr. John.

The toxicity test method was developed by the US Navy, and licensed by Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) to Assure Controls, which developed the QwikLite 200 Biosensor System.

Founded in 2005, Assure Controls is a product development and marketing company with specialized measurement and reporting expertise for environmental water applications. Assure is headquartered in Vista, California with manufacturing and distribution in the U.S. and Hong Kong.

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Contact Assure Controls
Mickele Bragg
p: 760.505.3000 x3
f: 760.306.7872
mickele@assurecontrols.com
www.AssureControls.com

]]> http://www.assurecontrols.com/qwiklite-200-biosensor-system-used-for-shipboard-toxicity-testing-for-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-samples/feed/ 0 Assure Controls, Inc. Selected by The Artemis Project™ as a Top 50 Water Company http://www.assurecontrols.com/assure-controls-inc-selected-by-the-artemis-project%e2%84%a2-as-a-top-50-water-company/ http://www.assurecontrols.com/assure-controls-inc-selected-by-the-artemis-project%e2%84%a2-as-a-top-50-water-company/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:37:25 +0000 admin http://assurecontrols.com/?p=136 Vista, California, June 8, 2010 — Assure Controls, Inc. announced today that it has been chosen by The Artemis Project™ as a winner of the 2010 Top 50…]]> Top Innovators in Global Water Technology honored at the BlueTech Innovation Forum

Vista, California, June 8, 2010 — Assure Controls, Inc. announced today that it has been chosen by The Artemis Project™ as a winner of the 2010 Top 50 Water Companies Competition. This award distinguishes Assure Controls as a leading company in one of the greatest high-growth industries of the 21st Century. Assure Controls was selected by a panel of industry experts based on four criteria: technology, intellectual property and know-how, team and market potential.

The Artemis Project

"The Artemis Project's Top 50 Water Companies Competition winners have excelled in key areas of the emerging advanced water technology sector," said Laura Shenkar, Principal of The Artemis Project™. "We are excited to showcase these innovative companies and congratulate them for their achievements in creating solutions that will reinvent the water landscape."

The Artemis Project™ Top 50 winners are being honored today at the BlueTech Innovation Forum being held at The Renaissance Stanford Court Hotel in San Francisco. Please visit www.theartemisproject.com/competitionpage.html for a full list of The Artemis Project™ 2010 Top 50 Water Companies Competition winners.

Established in 2000, The Artemis Project™ is a boutique consulting practice that brings unique capabilities to 21st century water management. It combines an understanding of the most advanced water resource management solutions with an international network of developers, investors and users of advanced water technology.

As the leading authority on applying advanced water solutions to business operations, The Artemis Project™ specializes in developing holistic water management strategies for major corporations. The Artemis Project™ also supports product launches of advanced water technology into business operations worldwide. The Artemis Project™ actively participates in water industry events and supports environmental policy initiatives. More information is available at http://www.theartemisproject.com/.

Assure Controls is a product development and marketing company with specialized measurement and reporting expertise for environmental water quality and toxicity testing applications. Assure is headquartered in Vista, California with manufacturing and distribution in the U.S. and Hong Kong.

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Contact Assure Controls
Mickele Bragg
p: 760.505.3000 x3
f: 760.306.7872
Christi@AssureControls.com
www.AssureControls.com

]]> http://www.assurecontrols.com/assure-controls-inc-selected-by-the-artemis-project%e2%84%a2-as-a-top-50-water-company/feed/ 0 USPTO Issues “System and Method” Patent for QwikLite http://www.assurecontrols.com/uspto-issues-system-and-method-patent-for-qwiklite/ http://www.assurecontrols.com/uspto-issues-system-and-method-patent-for-qwiklite/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:38:00 +0000 admin http://assurecontrols.com/?p=138 Vista, California, April 27, 2010 — The Office of Patent Counsel, United States Navy, SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, San Diego; notified Assure Controls that the invention entitled "System and Method for Quantifying Toxicity in Water, Soil, and Sediments" will issue…]]> Vista, California, April 27, 2010 — The Office of Patent Counsel, United States Navy, SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific, San Diego; notified Assure Controls that the invention entitled "System and Method for Quantifying Toxicity in Water, Soil, and Sediments" will issue as patent number #7704731 on April 27, 2010 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

QwikLite 200 Biosensor System
QwikLite® 200 Biosensor System

Assure Controls, Inc. was founded on the exclusive license to the commercial use of patent #5,840,572. This original patent is on the inventions and developments by the researchers at US Navy/SPAWAR in San Diego. The novelty of that patent is that bioluminescent plankton (dinoflagellates) are a sensitive bio-indicator for toxicity in water samples. Patent #5,840,572 defines how certain plankton can be used to detect harmful levels of inorganics, organics or heavy metals (and all combinations of these) in water samples. Newly issued patent #7704731 is a "system and method" patent with nineteen claims. Under Assure Controls' Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US Navy, the foundational technology was expanded into a measurement platform. The patent is therefore a co-invention, with the US Navy receiving royalties. Three other patent filings remain under review at this time.

Patent #7704731 provides USPTO coverage on the entire measurement system, multiple measurement capability, the process of the measurement, and on many separate components used in the system. In addition, the patent now covers multiple bioluminescent plankton species. The patent covers the testing process in saltwater, freshwater, sediment and soil samples. The market applications for the technology platform are large, growing and global. To receive the new "system and method" patent is tangible evidence of the many scientific and technical contributors in 2006-2007 who recognized and developed this accurate, rapid and easy approach to water quality testing.

The company's first product, the QwikLite® 200 Biosensor System, embodies the new #7704731 patent in an integrated instrument with touch panel display and microprocessor controlled optical measurement system which uses proprietary packaged live organisms in an easy to use disposable test kit. Rapid Toxicity Assessments (RTAs) provide first indications of where resources should be focused, more testing is possible, and actionable data is available sooner. In addition, availability of an affordable, sensitive, and rapid water quality test allows verification of healthy water quality, with biological data, which is the goal of all stewards of the environment.

Founded in 2005, Assure Controls is a product development and marketing company with specialized measurement and reporting expertise for environmental water applications. Assure is headquartered in Vista, California with manufacturing and distribution in the U.S. and Hong Kong.

# # #

Contact Assure Controls
Mickele Bragg
p: 760.505.3000 x3
f: 760.306.7872
Christi@AssureControls.com
www.AssureControls.com

]]> http://www.assurecontrols.com/uspto-issues-system-and-method-patent-for-qwiklite/feed/ 0