Patents by Inventor Benjamin Pollack
Benjamin Pollack 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).
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Patent number: 9726686Abstract: An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. A central scheduler can communicate wirelessly with the carriers to direct the carriers to carry a fluid sample to testing stations along a track within the automation system. The carriers can utilize landmarks and distance encoding to reach destinations accurately and quickly, including, for example within less than the time for a single operation cycle of an automated clinical analyzer. The distance encoding can include optical marks repeated at regular intervals (pitch), where the intervals are conveyed to the carriers wirelessly or via optical encoding. The pitch of the encoding can differ for different sections of track depending on the position precision desired.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Colin Mellars, Baris Yagci, Benjamin Pollack
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Publication number: 20170124704Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting properties of sample tubes in a laboratory environment include a drawer vision system that can be trained and calibrated. Images of a tube tray captured by at least one camera are analyzed to extract image patches that allow a processor to automatically determine if a tube slot is occupied, if the tube has a cap, and if the tube has a tube top cup. The processor can be trained using a random forest technique and a plurality of training image patches. Cameras can be calibrated using a three-dimensional calibration target that can be inserted into the drawer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Wen Wu, Yao-Jen Chang, David Liu, Benjamin Pollack, Terrence Chen
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Publication number: 20170045545Abstract: An analyzer for use with in vitro diagnostics includes an automation system to move a plurality of sample carriers within the system. At least some carriers include a plurality of slots. Each slot is configured to hold one of a plurality of fluid containers. The system also includes a place and pick device configured to place the plurality of fluid containers into the plurality of slots and remove the plurality of fluid containers from the plurality of slots. The system further includes a controller configured to place mother sample tubes along with empty sample tubes into the same carrier and move the carrier to an existing pipettor within the analyzer to aliquot a sample portion of the mother sample into the empty daughter tubes to create aliquots for certain samples without requiring a standalone aliquoting station or substantially disrupting the normal flow of sample tubes within the automation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Pollack, Colin Mellars
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Publication number: 20160327583Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that allow scanning of barcode information on sample vessels in situ in a tray. A laboratory instrument includes one or more trays, each having a plurality of recesses, which are configured to hold a plurality of sample vessels, and a plurality of openings between the recesses. The instrument further includes one or more rods that are separate from the trays, each having optical elements configured to read barcode information on the sample vessels. The rods are configured to move through the plurality of openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventor: Benjamin Pollack
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Patent number: 9407861Abstract: Methods and systems facilitate troubleshooting or maintenance of in vitro diagnostic equipment. An operator of the equipment utilizes an app on mobile device to receive status information from the equipment and capture images of the equipment. Tutorials and interactive remote technical support can be provided utilizing this data.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Angela Huenerfauth, Benjamin Pollack, Baris Yagci
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Publication number: 20160173816Abstract: Methods and systems facilitate troubleshooting or maintenance of in vitro diagnostic equipment. An operator of the equipment utilizes an app on mobile device to receive status information from the equipment and capture images of the equipment. Tutorials and interactive remote technical support can be provided utilizing this data.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Angela Huenerfauth, Benjamin Pollack, Baris Yagci
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Patent number: 9315334Abstract: An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. A central management controller can communicate wirelessly with the carriers to direct the carriers to carry a fluid sample to testing stations along a track within the automation system. The carriers control local motion and navigate decision points, such as forks in the track, to reach the appropriate testing station independently. The carriers can utilize landmarks and distance encoding to reach destinations accurately and quickly, including, for example, within less than the time for a single operation cycle of an automated clinical analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Colin Mellars, Baris Yagci, Benjamin Pollack
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Publication number: 20160025757Abstract: Images of a tube tray, which fits within a drawer and holds tubes in slots arranged in rows and columns, are captured to determine characteristics related to the tube tray. By analyzing the images, features of the tubes are determined, providing valuable information in an IVD environment in which a sample handler is processing the tubes. Each row of the tube tray is encoded to allow for detection of a new row moving into focus of cameras. The cameras capture an image of the tube tray, and the image is stored in a memory buffer. When the next row moves into focus, a subsequent image is taken and stored. The result is a series of images providing multi-perspective views of the rows of the tube tray. The images are analyzed to determine characteristics of the tubes, which are utilized by the sample handler in processing the tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.Inventors: Benjamin Pollack, Ryan German
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Publication number: 20160025756Abstract: Systems and methods for use in an in vitro diagnostics setting may include an automation track, a plurality of carriers configured to carry a plurality of sample vessels along the automation track, and a characterization station including a plurality of optical devices. A processor, in communication with the characterization station, can be configured to analyze images to automatically characterize physical attributes related to each carrier and/or sample vessel. A method may include receiving a plurality of images from a plurality of optical devices of a characterization station, wherein the plurality of images comprise images from a plurality of perspectives of a sample vessel being transported by a carrier, automatically analyzing the plurality of images, using a processor, to determine certain characteristics of the sample vessel, and automatically associating the characteristics of the sample vessel with the carrier in a database.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Pollack, Ryan German
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Patent number: 8992866Abstract: An automated, refrigerated specimen management system (ARSIMS) to hold sealed and/or opened sample/specimen tubes and/or containers that can be in the pre-analytical, in-process, or post-analytical phase of processing. The ARSIMS ensures that each sample/specimen tube, whether it is sealed, capped, closed or open, can be stored at an ideal storage temperature according to the particular phase of processing and as appropriate for the combination of sample/specimen type and analyte(s) to be tested.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Alexander Gelbman, Mark Edwards, Matthew Rosmarin, Ilya Malyarov, Benjamin Pollack, Elizabeth Bononno
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Publication number: 20150025678Abstract: An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. A central management controller can communicate wirelessly with the carriers to direct the carriers to carry a fluid sample to testing stations along a track within the automation system. The carriers control local motion and navigate decision points, such as forks in the track, to reach the appropriate testing station independently. The carriers can utilize landmarks and distance encoding to reach destinations accurately and quickly, including, for example, within less than the time for a single operation cycle of an automated clinical analyzer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.Inventors: Colin Mellars, Baris Yagci, Benjamin Pollack
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Publication number: 20150010437Abstract: An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. A central scheduler can communicate wirelessly with the carriers to direct the carriers to carry a fluid sample to testing stations along a track within the automation system. The carriers can utilize landmarks and distance encoding to reach destinations accurately and quickly, including, for example within less than the time for a single operation cycle of an automated clinical analyzer. The distance encoding can include optical marks repeated at regular intervals (pitch), where the intervals are conveyed to the carriers wirelessly or via optical encoding. The pitch of the encoding can differ for different sections of track depending on the position precision desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.Inventors: Colin Mellars, Baris Yagci, Benjamin Pollack
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Publication number: 20120283867Abstract: An automated, refrigerated specimen management system (ARSIMS) to hold sealed and/or opened sample/specimen tubes and/or containers that can be in the pre-analytical, in-process, or post-analytical phase of processing. The ARSIMS ensures that each sample/specimen tube, whether it is sealed, capped, closed or open, can be stored at an ideal storage temperature according to the particular phase of processing and as appropriate for the combination of sample/specimen type and analyte(s) to be tested.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.Inventors: Alexander Gelbman, Mark Edwards, Matthew Rosmarin, Ilya Malyarov, Benjamin Pollack, Elizabeth Bononno