Patents by Inventor Alan Wirbisky

Alan Wirbisky has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • COMPACT APPARATUS, COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PURIFYING NUCLEIC ACIDS
    Publication number: 20120058011
    Abstract: The invention features an apparatus, materials and methods for isolating RNA or DNA from a sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Alan Wirbisky, Tim Quinn, Nick Van Der Lught, Nate Morken, Rebecca Johnson, Kim Paulsen, Dan Strom, Jim Baldrica
  • Vessel with retention features and method therefor
    Patent number: 7387036
    Abstract: A vessel with retention features for the retention of pellets for use in laboratory processes, manufacturing, and producing packaged foods, chemicals, and medicines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Darin O'Brien, Nate Morken, Alan Wirbisky
  • Compact apparatus, compositions and methods for purifying nucleic acids
    Publication number: 20070092403
    Abstract: The invention features an apparatus, materials and methods for isolating RNA or DNA from a sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Wirbisky, Tim Quinn, Nick Lught, Nate Morken, Rebecca Johnson, Kim Paulsen, Dan Strom, Jim Baldrica
  • Vessel with retention features and method therefor
    Publication number: 20050229724
    Abstract: A vessel with retention features for the retention of pellets for use in laboratory processes, manufacturing, and producing packaged foods, chemicals, and medicines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Darin O'Brien, Nate Morken, Alan Wirbisky
  • Measurement of fluid pressure within a tube
    Patent number: 6250164
    Abstract: A method of sensing fluid pressure in which a deformable tube provides an accessible and substantially flat section. Deflection of the flat section reflects line pressure. In one embodiment, a fluid pressure sensing apparatus comprises a deformable tube for carrying fluid and at least one constraint member comprising an inner surface and a pressure sensing opening. The inner surface comprises a substantially flat portion and a constraint portion. The tube is positioned against the inner surface and constrained by the constraint portion such that a portion of the tube is deformed against the substantially flat portion of the inner surface. This produces a substantially flat section of the tube adjacent to, and accessible through, the pressure sensing opening. Similarly, a method of manufacturing a fluid pressure sensing apparatus comprises the steps of: providing a deformable tube, and constraining the tube to provide an accessible and substantially flat section of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. O'Brien, Richard A. Sorich, Alan Wirbisky
  • Method and device for automatic chemical analysis
    Patent number: 5882596
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vessel shuttle which can be used, for example, for moving reaction vessels to or from an assay resource station in an automated chemical analyzer. The vessel shuttle has a plurality of movable plates including first and second vessel carrying plates adapted to move cooperatively with respect to one another to advance a vessel stepwise along a linear path without net motion of the first and second vessel carrying plates as the vessel is advanced one step. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second vessel carrying plates each comprise a plurality of fingers defining recesses for receiving vessels and the first vessel carrying plate is adapted to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vessels' linear path and the second vessel carrying plate is adapted to move rectilinearly both generally parallel to and generally perpendicular to that linear path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: David Breeser, Alan Wirbisky, Ross Krogh
  • Vessel transport device for automatic chemical analysis
    Patent number: 5601783
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vessel shuttle which can be used, for example, for moving reaction vessels to or from an assay resource station in an automated chemical analyzer. The vessel shuttle has a plurality of movable plates including first and second vessel carrying plates adapted to move cooperatively with respect to one another to advance a vessel stepwise along a linear path without net motion of the first and second vessel carrying plates as the vessel is advanced one step. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second vessel carrying plates each comprise a plurality of fingers defining recesses for receiving vessels and the first vessel carrying plate is adapted to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vessels' linear path and the second vessel carrying plate is adapted to move rectilinearly both generally parallel to and generally perpendicular to that linear path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Pasteur Sanofi Diagnostics
    Inventors: David Breeser, Alan Wirbisky, Ross Krogh