Patents by Inventor Carl Churchill

Carl Churchill 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).

  • Publication number: 20090301232
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a removable capillary tip insert which provides for replacement of an individual capillary in the dispensing head of an automated liquid handling apparatus. In some embodiments, the insert has been designed to accept variable capillary lengths while maintaining a constant length protruding from the insert. In a preferred embodiment, the removable capillary insert of the invention comprises a head adapted to accept an insertion tool and tapered to seat in the dispense head; a shaft with external threads which form a threaded collar that permits the insert to be screwed into the dispense head; a lumen running internally from the proximal to the distal ends of the head and shaft which forms a hollow interior in the insert in which a capillary resides; and a capillary tube of user-selected liquid capacity. One embodiment, without limitation, comprises a molded plastic part with an integral capillary tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: JAY CLARK, Carl Churchill
  • Patent number: 7488604
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a removable capillary tip insert which provides for replacement of an individual capillary in the dispensing head of an automated liquid handling apparatus. In some embodiments, the insert has been designed to accept variable capillary lengths while maintaining a constant length protruding from the insert. In a preferred embodiment, the removable capillary insert of the invention comprises a head adapted to accept an insertion tool and tapered to seat in the dispense head; a shaft with external threads which form a threaded collar that permits the insert to be screwed into the dispense head; a lumen running internally from the proximal to the distal ends of the head and shaft which forms a hollow interior in the insert in which a capillary resides; and a capillary tube of user-selected liquid capacity. One embodiment, without limitation, comprises a molded plastic part with an integral capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Genomic Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Clark, Carl Churchill
  • Publication number: 20050112776
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a removable capillary tip insert which provides for replacement of an individual capillary in the dispensing head of an automated liquid handling apparatus. In some embodiments, the insert has been designed to accept variable capillary lengths while maintaining a constant length protruding from the insert. In a preferred embodiment, the removable capillary insert of the invention comprises a head adapted to accept an insertion tool and tapered to seat in the dispense head; a shaft with external threads which form a threaded collar that permits the insert to be screwed into the dispense head; a lumen running internally from the proximal to the distal ends of the head and shaft which forms a hollow interior in the insert in which a capillary resides; and a capillary tube of user-selected liquid capacity. One embodiment, without limitation, comprises a molded plastic part with an integral capillary tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Genomic Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Clark, Carl Churchill
  • Publication number: 20040219688
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for high-speed precision dispensing and/or aspirating of microfluidic quantities of reagents and other liquids. The operation of the systems is controlled by data accessed from a customized user-defined text file. Advantageously, the use of such text file control allows high-speed precision dispensing of one or more reagents with a wide dynamic range of dispense volumes in complex combinatorial patterns, ratios and arrays onto or into multiple predetermined locations of a desired target or substrate. This is particularly advantageous when a large number of permutations of different reagent and permutations of reagent volume ratios are involved. The systems may be operated in a high frequency modulated mode to further improve accuracy and reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Carl Churchill, Thomas C. Tisone, Rico Miledi
  • Publication number: 20020159919
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for high-speed precision dispensing and/or aspirating of microfluidic quantities of reagents and other liquids. The operation of the systems is controlled by data accessed from a customized user-defined text file. Advantageously, the use of such text file control allows high-speed precision dispensing of one or more reagents with a wide dynamic range of dispense volumes in complex combinatorial patterns, ratios and arrays onto or into multiple predetermined locations of a desired target or substrate. This is particularly advantageous when a large number of permutations of different reagent and permutations of reagent volume ratios are involved. The systems may be operated in a high frequency modulated mode to further improve accuracy and reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Carl Churchill, Thomas C. Tisone, Rico Miledi