Patents by Inventor Heather R. Sanders

Heather R. Sanders 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).

  • Patent number: 10093985
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Patent number: 9963695
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating RNA from whole urine and urine fractions for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and/or benign prostate hyperplasia. An exemplary method for diagnosing prostate cancer in an individual, said method comprises: (a) determining the amount of RNA encoding one or more diagnostic genes in the soluble urine fraction of a urine sample obtained from said individual; (b) comparing the amount of said RNA to a reference value for said one or more diagnostic genes, wherein said reference value is derived from the amount of RNA encoding said one or more diagnostic genes in one or more individuals that do not have prostate cancer; and (c) diagnosing said individual as having prostate cancer when the amount of said RNA is greater than said reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Heather R. Sanders
  • Patent number: 9957573
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of neoplastic disorders, particularly non-small cell lung cancer. Assays are described in which patient test samples are analyzed for the presence of one or more specific EML4-ALK fusion genes associated with neoplastic disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20180023145
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for detection of a nucleic acid target in a sample. The methods and compositions use primer directed amplification in conjunction with nucleic acid fragmentation. The methods have high sensitivity even in the presence of a large amount of non-target nucleic acid. Also provided are oligonucleotides and kits useful in the method. Exemplary nucleic acid targets are those with mutant gene sequence such as mutant sequence of the EGFR, APC, TMPRSS2, ERG and ETV1 genes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Kevin Z. Qu, Charles M. Strom, Richard A. Bender
  • Publication number: 20170342402
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating RNA from whole urine and urine fractions for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and/or benign prostate hyperplasia. An exemplary method for diagnosing prostate cancer in an individual, said method comprises: (a) determining the amount of RNA encoding one or more diagnostic genes in the soluble urine fraction of a urine sample obtained from said individual; (b) comparing the amount of said RNA to a reference value for said one or more diagnostic genes, wherein said reference value is derived from the amount of RNA encoding said one or more diagnostic genes in one or more individuals that do not have prostate cancer; and (c) diagnosing said individual as having prostate cancer when the amount of said RNA is greater than said reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventor: Heather R. Sanders
  • Patent number: 9783854
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for detection of a nucleic acid target in a sample. The methods and compositions use primer directed amplification in conjunction with nucleic acid fragmentation. The methods have high sensitivity even in the presence of a large amount of non-target nucleic acid. Also provided are oligonucleotides and kits useful in the method. Exemplary nucleic acid targets are those with mutant gene sequence such as mutant sequence of the EGFR, APC, TMPRSS2, ERG and ETV1 genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Kevin Z. Qu, Charles M. Strom, Richard A. Bender
  • Publication number: 20170152572
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investment Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Patent number: 9663781
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating RNA from whole urine and urine fractions for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and/or benign prostate hyperplasia. An exemplary method for diagnosing prostate cancer in an individual, said method comprises: (a) determining the amount of RNA encoding one or more diagnostic genes in the soluble urine fraction of a urine sample obtained from said individual; (b) comparing the amount of said RNA to a reference value for said one or more diagnostic genes, wherein said reference value is derived from the amount of RNA encoding said one or more diagnostic genes in one or more individuals that do not have prostate cancer; and (c) diagnosing said individual as having prostate cancer when the amount of said RNA is greater than said reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Heather R. Sanders
  • Patent number: 9546404
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Patent number: 9404159
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection the 5? portion of TMPRSS2 mRNA for the detection and diagnosis of prostate disease including prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTEMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar
  • Publication number: 20160160289
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of neoplastic disorders, particularly non-small cell lung cancer. Assays are described in which patient test samples are analyzed for the presence of one or more specific EML4-ALK fusion genes associated with neoplastic disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Patent number: 9187788
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20150315658
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Patent number: 9175350
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of neoplastic disorders, particularly non-small cell lung cancer. Assays are described in which patient test samples are analyzed for the presence of one or more specific EML4-ALK fusion genes associated with neoplastic disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20150299811
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for detection of a nucleic acid target in a sample. The methods and compositions use primer directed amplification in conjunction with nucleic acid fragmentation. The methods have high sensitivity even in the presence of a large amount of non-target nucleic acid. Also provided are oligonucleotides and kits useful in the method. Exemplary nucleic acid targets are those with mutant gene sequence such as mutant sequence of the EGFR, APC, TMPRSS2, ERG and ETV1 genes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Kevin Z. Qu, Charles M. Strom, Richard A. Bender
  • Patent number: 8999634
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for detection of a nucleic acid target in a sample. The methods and compositions use primer directed amplification in conjunction with nucleic acid fragmentation. The methods have high sensitivity even in the presence of a large amount of non-target nucleic acid. Also provided are oligonucleotides and kits useful in the method. Exemplary nucleic acid targets are those with mutant gene sequence such as mutant sequence of the EGFR, APC, TMPRSS2, ERG and ETV1 genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Kevin Z. Qu, Charles M. Strom, Richard A. Bender
  • Publication number: 20150038367
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Patent number: 8815516
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20140072972
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection the 5? portion of TMPRSS2 mRNA for the detection and diagnosis of prostate disease including prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar
  • Publication number: 20130344495
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating RNA from whole urine and urine fractions for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and/or benign prostate hyperplasia. An exemplary method for diagnosing prostate cancer in an individual, said method comprises: (a) determining the amount of RNA encoding one or more diagnostic genes in the soluble urine fraction of a urine sample obtained from said individual; (b) comparing the amount of said RNA to a reference value for said one or more diagnostic genes, wherein said reference value is derived from the amount of RNA encoding said one or more diagnostic genes in one or more individuals that do not have prostate cancer; and (c) diagnosing said individual as having prostate cancer when the amount of said RNA is greater than said reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Heather R. Sanders