Patents Assigned to Alpha-Tec Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10451528
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a closed apparatus for collection, filtration and concentration of biological samples, such as fecal material. The sample is collected with an integrated sample collection device which introduces the sample into a transport liquid in a sample collection tube which couples to a filter unit coupled to a processing tube containing a processing liquid. The apparatus may be introduced into a centrifuge for centrifugal filtration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Alpha-Tec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Williams, Mark Williams, John Kempke
  • Patent number: 10299767
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a sample collection apparatus for collection of biological samples, such as fecal material. The sample collection apparatus includes at least one coupling mechanism to couple a sample collection device to a cap, and includes at least one release mechanism to release at least a part of the sample collection device from the cap. The sample collection device in a first configuration is coupled to the cap and in a second configuration is displaced from the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Alpha-Tec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Williams, Mark Williams, John Kempke
  • Patent number: 10189020
    Abstract: A specimen collection apparatus is provided. The specimen collection apparatus may include a container, a funnel for removable insertion in an opening of the container, a funnel cover; a removable seal, and a dispensing apparatus sealed within the funnel cover in a reagent-specific atmosphere. The dispensing apparatus may include a cap, a reagent housing attached to the cap, and a reagent designed to liquefy a specimen, stabilize the pH of the liquefied specimen, and be compatible with diagnostic procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Alpha Tec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O Williams, Mark R Williams, Christopher O Williams
  • Patent number: 10139321
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mucolytic tablet for a sample collection device that causes mucolysis of biological samples collected in the sample collection device. The mucolytic tablet includes N-acetyl L-cysteine (NALC), a pharmaceutically active mucolytic agent that reduces the viscosity of mucus containing biological samples. The mucolytic tablet also includes one or more chelating agents, water-soluble anti-adherent/s, and at least one buffering agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Alpha-Tec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Williams, Anne Frontella, Mark Williams
  • Patent number: 9403164
    Abstract: A specimen collection apparatus is provided. The specimen collection apparatus may include a container, a funnel for removable insertion in an opening of the container, a funnel cover; a removable seal, and a dispensing apparatus sealed within the funnel cover in a reagent-specific atmosphere. The dispensing apparatus may include a cap, a reagent housing attached to the cap, and a reagent designed to liquefy a specimen, stabilize the pH of the liquefied specimen, and be compatible with diagnostic procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Alpha Tec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O Williams, Mark R Williams, Christopher O Williams
  • Publication number: 20150343438
    Abstract: A specimen collection apparatus is provided. The specimen collection apparatus may include a container, a funnel for removable insertion in an opening of the container, a funnel cover; a removable seal, and a dispensing apparatus sealed within the funnel cover in a reagent-specific atmosphere. The dispensing apparatus may include a cap, a reagent housing attached to the cap, and a reagent designed to liquefy a specimen, stabilize the pH of the liquefied specimen, and be compatible with diagnostic procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: ALPHA TEC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard O. Williams, Mark R. Williams, Christopher O. Williams
  • Patent number: 9138747
    Abstract: A specimen collection apparatus is provided. The specimen collection apparatus may include a container, a funnel for removable insertion in an opening of the container, a funnel cover; a removable seal, and a dispensing apparatus sealed within the funnel cover in a reagent-specific atmosphere. The dispensing apparatus may include a cap, a reagent housing attached to the cap, and a reagent designed to liquefy a specimen, stabilize the pH of the liquefied specimen, and be compatible with diagnostic procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Alpha Tec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O Williams, Mark R Williams, Christopher O Williams
  • Publication number: 20150182421
    Abstract: A specimen collection apparatus is provided. The specimen collection apparatus may include a container, a funnel for removable insertion in an opening of the container, a funnel cover; a removable seal, and a dispensing apparatus sealed within the funnel cover in a reagent-specific atmosphere. The dispensing apparatus may include a cap, a reagent housing attached to the cap, and a reagent designed to liquefy a specimen, stabilize the pH of the liquefied specimen, and be compatible with diagnostic procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: ALPHA TEC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard O Williams, Mark R Williams, Christopher O Williams
  • Publication number: 20130248045
    Abstract: A specimen collection apparatus is provided. The specimen collection apparatus may include a container, a funnel for removable insertion in an opening of the container, a funnel cover; a removable seal, and a dispensing apparatus sealed within the funnel cover in a reagent-specific atmosphere. The dispensing apparatus may include a cap, a reagent housing attached to the cap, and a reagent designed to liquefy a specimen, stabilize the pH of the liquefied specimen, and be compatible with diagnostic procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: ALPHA TEC SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard O. Williams, Mark R. Williams, Christopher O. Williams
  • Patent number: 7964098
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a biological sample is presented. The apparatus comprises a body member has an upper end and a lower end and defining a workspace therewithin. A first attachment portion is integrally joined to the lower end of the body member for interlockingly receiving a filtered sample container. A second attachment portion is integrally joined to the upper end of the body member for interlockingly receiving a sample transport container. A substantially conically-shaped filter member, located within the workspace, is integrally joined to the lower end of the body member and extends upwardly above the lower end of the body member toward the upper end of the body member. The filter member defines a plurality of openings in its upwardly extending portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Alpha-Tec Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard O. Willliams
  • Publication number: 20080185349
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a biological sample is presented. The apparatus comprises a body member has an upper end and a lower end and defining a workspace therewithin. A first attachment portion is integrally joined to the lower end of the body member for interlockingly receiving a filtered sample container. A second attachment portion is integrally joined to the upper end of the body member for interlockingly receiving a sample transport container. A substantially conically-shaped filter member, located within the workspace, is integrally joined to the lower end of the body member and extends upwardly above the lower end of the body member toward the upper end of the body member. The filter member defines a plurality of openings in its upwardly extending portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: ALPHA-TEC SYSTEMS, INC., A WASHINGTON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard O. Willliams