Patents by Inventor Chad Wilkinson
Chad Wilkinson 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: 10816444Abstract: Disclosed are specimen processing systems capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing systems comprise opposables having at least one fluid control element. The fluid control elements may be positioned between spacers or gapping elements the opposable edges. The fluid control elements may comprise an edge, such as a beveled edge or a stepped edge, as described herein, and the edge may be continuous or segmented.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald Barnett, Chad Wilkinson, Brian Howard Kram, Kevin David Marshall, Christine Tse, Timothy James Keller, Austin Micheil Ashby
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Patent number: 10551395Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Heidi Barnett, Daniel Champion, Edward Durrant, Casey Kernag, Brian Howard Kram, Kristina Orosz, Melinda Polaske, Charles Weidner, Chad Wilkinson, Zofia Wosinska
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Publication number: 20190376988Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2019Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Heidi Barnett, Daniel Champion, Edward Durrant, Casey Kernag, Brian Howard Kram, Kristina Orosz, Melinda Polaske, Charles Weidner, Chad Wilkinson, Zofia Wosinska
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Patent number: 10495654Abstract: Methods and system capable of processing specimens carried by slides within an automated histological staining system. A slide carrier is moved toward and into a temperature-controlled internal environment of a stainer within the system. The slide carrier carries a first slide and a second slide, and the first and second slides can carry a first specimen and a second specimen, respectively. The first and second specimens are stained with at least one of a staining reagent and a counterstaining reagent while the first and second slides are within the internal environment and while an average temperature of the internal environment is greater than ambient temperature. The slide carrier can be moved out of the internal environment after staining one or both specimens.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Tim Keller, Matthew Mette, Christine Tse, Glen Ward, Chad Wilkinson
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Patent number: 10416176Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Heidi Barnett, Daniel Champion, Edward Durrant, Casey Kernag, Brian Howard Kram, Kristina Orosz, Melinda Polaske, Charles Weidner, Chad Wilkinson, Zofia Wosinska
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Publication number: 20180136097Abstract: Disclosed are specimen processing systems capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing systems comprise opposables having at least one fluid control element. The fluid control elements may be positioned between spacers or gapping elements the opposable edges. The fluid control elements may comprise an edge, such as a beveled edge or a stepped edge, as described herein, and the edge may be continuous or segmented.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Donald Barnett, Chad Wilkinson, Brian Howard Kram, Kevin David Marshall, Christine Tse, Timothy James Keller, Austin Micheil Ashby
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Publication number: 20170023450Abstract: An apparatus and method are described that achieve independent and simultaneous processing of a plurality of substrate-supported biological samples. In one embodiment, substrate holders arranged in a minor arc are independently moveable between a processing position and an access position, and reagents are delivered to substrates held in the substrate holders through a nozzle plate that moves along the arc of substrate holders. The disclosed apparatus and method are particularly suited for implementation of lean processing of biological samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Austin Ashby, Andrew Ghusson, Lisa Jensen-Long, Kevin Knapp, Rodney Kugizaki, Alain L. Larson, Charles D. Lemme, Paul Richards, William L. Richards, Wayne Showalter, Glen Ward, Chad Wilkinson
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Publication number: 20160282376Abstract: Methods and system capable of processing specimens carried by slides within an automated histological staining system. A slide carrier is moved toward and into a temperature-controlled internal environment of a stainer within the system. The slide carrier carries a first slide and a second slide, and the first and second slides can carry a first specimen and a second specimen, respectively. The first and second specimens are stained with at least one of a staining reagent and a counterstaining reagent while the first and second slides are within the internal environment and while an average temperature of the internal environment is greater than ambient temperature. The slide carrier can be moved out of the internal environment after staining one or both specimens.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Tim Keller, Matthew Mette, Christine Tse, Glen Ward, Chad Wilkinson
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Publication number: 20160282374Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Heidi Barnett, Daniel Champion, Edward Durrant, Casey Kernag, Brian Howard Kram, Kristina Orosz, Melinda Polaske, Charles Weidner, Chad Wilkinson, Zofia Wosinska
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Publication number: 20150031073Abstract: An apparatus and method are described that achieve independent and simultaneous processing of a plurality of substrate-supported biological samples. In one embodiment, substrate holders arranged in a minor arc are independently moveable between a processing position and an access position, and reagents are delivered to substrates held in the substrate holders through a nozzle plate that moves along the arc of substrate holders. The disclosed apparatus and method are particularly suited for implementation of lean processing of biological samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Charles D. Lemme, William Richards, Glen Ward, Austin Ashby, Andrew Ghussen, Lisa Jensen-Long, Kevin Knapp, Rodney Kugizaki, Alain Larson, Paul Richards, Wayne Showalter, Chad Wilkinson
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Patent number: 8883509Abstract: An apparatus and method are described that achieve independent and simultaneous processing of a plurality of substrate-supported biological samples. In one embodiment, substrate holders arranged in a minor arc are independently moveable between a processing position and an access position, and reagents are delivered to substrates held in the substrate holders through a nozzle plate that moves along the arc of substrate holders. The disclosed apparatus and method are particularly suited for implementation of lean processing of biological samples.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2008Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles D. Lemme, William Richards, Glen Ward, Austin Ashby, Andrew Ghusson, Lisa Jensen-Long, Kevin Knapp, Rodney Kugizaki, Alain Larson, Paul Richards, Wayne Showalter, Chad Wilkinson
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Patent number: 7550298Abstract: Provided herein are reagents for use in an automated environment for cell conditioning of biological samples wherein the cells or tissues are predisposed for access by reagent molecules for histochemical and cytochemical staining procedures. The reagents include, but are not limited to, components optimized to facilitate molecular access to cells and cell constituents within the biological sample. Also provided herein are reagents for use in an automated environment for removing or etching embedding media by exposing a biological sample to be stained in histochemical or cytochemical procedures without the dependence on organic solvents. The reagents include, but are not limited to, components optimized to facilitate removal or etching of the embedding media from the biological sample.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2002Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Penny Towne, Joseph Utermohlen, Chad Wilkinson, Paula Rodgers, Kimberly Christensen, Ethel Macrea, Noemi Sebastiao
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Publication number: 20090017491Abstract: An apparatus and method are described that achieve independent and simultaneous processing of a plurality of substrate-supported biological samples. In one embodiment, substrate holders arranged in a minor arc are independently moveable between a processing position and an access position, and reagents are delivered to substrates held in the substrate holders through a nozzle plate that moves along the arc of substrate holders. The disclosed apparatus and method are particularly suited for implementation of lean processing of biological samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventors: Charles D. Lemme, William Richards, Glen Ward, Austin Ashby, Andrew Ghusson, Lisa Jensen-Long, Kevin Knapp, Rodney Kugizaki, Alain Larson, Paul Richards, Wayne Showalter, Chad Wilkinson
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Publication number: 20050118725Abstract: The present invention provides reagents for use in an automated environment for cell conditioning of biological samples wherein the cells or tissues are predisposed for access by reagent molecules for histochemical and cytochemical staining procedures. The reagents comprise components optimized to faciliate molecular access to cells and cell constituents within the biological sample. The present invention also provides reagents for use in an automated environment for removing or etching embedding media by exposing a biological sample to be stained in histochemical or cytochemical procedures without the dependence on organic solvents. The reagents comprise components optimized to facilitate removal or etching of the embedding media from the biological sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2002Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: Penny Towne, Joseph Utermohlen, Chad Wilkinson, Paula Rodgers, Kimberly Christensen, Ethel Macrea, Noemi Sebastiao
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Patent number: 6855552Abstract: The present invention provides reagents for use in an automated environment for cell conditioning of biological samples wherein the cells or tissues are predisposed for access by reagent molecules for histochemical and cytochemical staining procedures. The components of the reagents are optimized to facilitate molecular access to cells and cell constituents within the biological sample. The present invention also provides reagents for use in an automated environment for removing or etching embedding media by exposing a biological sample to be stained in histochemical or cytochemical procedures without the dependence on organic solvents. The components of the reagents are optimized to facilitate removal or etching of the embedding media from the biological sample.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2001Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Ventana Medical SystemsInventors: Penny Towne, Joseph Utermohlen, Chad Wilkinson, Paula Rodgers, Kimberly Christensen, Ethel Macrea, Noemi Sebastiao