Patents by Inventor James B. Richards
James B. Richards 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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Publication number: 20090209030Abstract: A thermalcycler is constructing with a first thermalcycler body section of a flexible circuit material or a circuit board material. The first thermalcycler body section has a first face. A first cavity portion is formed in the first face. A second thermalcycler body section is constructed of a flexible circuit material or a circuit board material. The second thermalcycler body section has a second face. A second cavity portion is formed in the second face. When the first cavity portion and the second cavity portion are positioned together they form a cavity. A thermalcycler unit is positioned in the cavity. The first thermalcycler body section and the second thermalcycler body section are connected together with the first face and the face opposed to each other and the thermalcycler unit operatively connected to the first cavity portion and the second cavity portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventors: William J. Benett, James B. Richards, Paul L. Stratton, Elizabeth K. Wheeler, Peter Krulevitch, Steve Visuri, John M. Dzenitis
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Patent number: 6893863Abstract: A sleeve-type silicon polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chamber or thermocycler having improved thermal performance. The silicon sleeve reaction chamber is improved in thermal performance by etched features therein that reduce thermal mass and increase the surface area of the sleeve for cooling. This improved thermal performance of the thermocycler enables an increase in speed and efficiency of the reaction chamber. The improvement is accomplished by providing grooves in the faces of the sleeve and a series of grooves on the interior surfaces that connect with grooves on the faces of the sleeve. The grooves can be anisotropically etched in the silicon sleeve simultaneously with formation of the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William J. Benett, James B. Richards
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Publication number: 20040072334Abstract: A thermalcycler for processing a sample holder includes a first thermalcycler body with a first face and a second thermalcycler body with a second face. A cavity for receiving the sample holder is formed in at least one of the first face or the second face. A thermalcycling unit is operatively connected to the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2002Publication date: April 15, 2004Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William J. Benett, James B. Richards, Paul L. Stratton, Elizabeth K. Wheeler, Peter Krulevitch, Steve Visuri, John M. Dzenitis
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Patent number: 6699713Abstract: A portable polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification and detection system includes one or more chamber modules. Each module supports a duplex assay of a biological sample. Each module has two parallel interrogation ports with a linear optical system. The system is capable of being handheld.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William J. Benett, James B. Richards, Paul L. Stratton, Dean R. Hadley, Fred P. Milanovich, Phil Belgrader, Peter L. Meyer
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Patent number: 6586233Abstract: A polymerase chain reaction system provides an upper temperature zone and a lower temperature zone in a fluid sample. Channels set up convection cells in the fluid sample and move the fluid sample repeatedly through the upper and lower temperature zone creating thermal cycling.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William J. Benett, James B. Richards, Fred P. Milanovich
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Publication number: 20030036189Abstract: A sleeve-type silicon polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chamber or thermocycler having improved thermal performance. The silicon sleeve reaction chamber is improved in thermal performance by etched features therein that reduce thermal mass and increase the surface area of the sleeve for cooling. This improved thermal performance of the thermocycler enables an increase in speed and efficiency of the reaction chamber. The improvement is accomplished by providing grooves in the faces of the sleeve and a series of grooves on the interior surfaces that connect with grooves on the faces of the sleeve. The grooves can be anisotropically etched in the silicon sleeve simultaneously with formation of the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2002Publication date: February 20, 2003Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William J. Benett, James B. Richards
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Patent number: 6503750Abstract: A sleeve-type silicon polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chamber or thermocycler having improved thermal performance. The silicon sleeve reaction chamber is improved in thermal performance by etched features therein that reduce thermal mass and increase the surface area of the sleeve for cooling. This improved thermal performance of the thermocycler enables an increase in speed and efficiency of the reaction chamber. The improvement is accomplished by providing grooves in the faces of the sleeve and a series of grooves on the interior surfaces that connect with grooves on the faces of the sleeve. The grooves can be anisotropically etched in the silicon sleeve simultaneously with formation of the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1998Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William J. Benett, James B. Richards
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Publication number: 20020191826Abstract: A portable polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification and detection system includes one or more chamber modules. Each module supports a duplex assay of a biological sample. Each module has two parallel interrogation ports with a linear optical system. The system is capable of being handheld.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William J. Benett, James B. Richards, Paul L. Stratton, Dean R. Hadley, Fred P. Milanovich, Phil Belgrader, Peter L. Meyer
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Publication number: 20020127152Abstract: A polymerase chain reaction system provides an upper temperature zone and a lower temperature zone in a fluid sample. Channels set up convection cells in the fluid sample and move the fluid sample repeatedly through the upper and lower temperature zone creating thermal cycling.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William J. Benett, James B. Richards, Fred P. Milanovich
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Patent number: 5859887Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly support grid formed from a lattice structure having an egg-crate design with the interior lattice straps joined to a perimeter strap generally at least three locations along its length; with at least two of those locations being affixed by shear joints. The shear joints are formed from weld tabs extending from the ends of the interior lattice straps, at appropriate locations, which fit into corresponding slots in the perimeter strap. The weld tabs are then brazed or welded, as appropriate to the base metals being joined, after being inserted. The weld segments can be designed with twist tabs at their end, that can be deformed after being inserted into the corresponding slots in the peripheral strap, to hold the fixture in place while it is being bonded. In another embodiment, the interior lattice straps are joined to the perimeter strap by two shear joints formed respectively at the very top and bottom of the interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Westinghouse Electric CompanyInventor: James B. Richards