Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Mary S. Consalvi
  • Patent number: 6190878
    Abstract: Method and assay devices for the detection of the presence or amount of biological material, analyte(s), or microorganism(s) in a sample. The method includes the steps of liquefying the sample (if necessary) and distributing the liquefied sample over the surface of the assay device. The device may comprise an incubation plate, a dip stick device, or other devices. The devices have at least one reagent provided within the devices. Some devices have a generally flat horizontal surface which is divided into a plurality of recessed wells. Others have one or more surfaces with reagent island(s) immobilized thereon. Each well or reagent island is adapted to hold an aliquot of liquid. The wells or reagent islands are sized and shaped, and formed of a suitable material, to hold the aliquot within the well or reagent island by surface tension. Any excess liquid from the liquefied sample is drained from the surface of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Idexx Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Pierson, David Townsend
  • Patent number: 6180136
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the sustained release of pharmacologically active compounds and methods of their manufacture and use. Sustained release times of 10-12 days have been achieved with the present invention. The present invention provides microcrystal compositions. The microcrystals comprise pharmacologically active compounds and are contained within a phospholipid layer which contains a unique combination of phospholipids. The present invention may be applied to a wide range of pharmaceutical compositions which may be rendered suitable for injection. The microcrystals are of varying sizes. At least 50 percent of the microcrystals are from 0.5 &mgr;m to about 3.0 &mgr;m in diameter, at least ten percent of the microcrystals are from about 3.0 &mgr;m to about 10 &mgr;m in diameter, and the composition contains microcrystals which are greater than 10 &mgr;m in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Idexx Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Larson, William R. Campbell, Douglas I. Hepler
  • Patent number: 5089391
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a ligand-receptor assay for determining the presence or amount of at least one target ligand, capable of competing with a ligand analogue conjugate for binding sites available on a ligand receptor, said ligand analogue conjugate comprising at least one ligand analogue coupled to a signal development element capable of emitting a detectable signal, in a fluid sample suspected of containing said target ligand, comprising the steps of:a. contacting said fluid sample with ligand analogue conjugate and ligand receptor to form a reaction mixture, the relative amounts of ligand analogue conjugate and ligand receptor being such that in the absence of target ligand, and subsequent to substantially equilibrium binding, substantially all of the ligand analogue conjugate is bound to ligand receptor;b. detecting the unbound ligand analogue conjugate;c. relating the detectable signal to the presence or amount of target ligand in the fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Biosite Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Buechler, Gunars E. Valkirs, Richard R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5028535
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a ligand-receptor assay for determining the presence or amount of at least one target ligand, capable of competing with a ligand analogue conjugate for binding sites available on a ligand receptor, said ligand analogue conjugate comprising at least one ligand analogue coupled to a signal development element capable of emitting a detectable signal, in a fluid sample suspected of containing said target ligand, comprising the steps of:a. contacting said fluid sample with ligand analogue conjugate and ligand receptor to form a reaction mixture, the relative amounts of ligand analogue conjugate and ligand receptor being such that in the absence of target ligand, and subsequent to substantially equilibrium binding, substantially all of the ligand analogue conjugate is bound to ligand receptor;b. detecting the unbound ligand analogue conjugate;c. relating the detectable signal to the presence or amount of target ligand in the fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Biosite Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Buechler, Gunars E. Valkirs, Richard R. Anderson