Patents by Inventor Karen A. McElroy

Karen A. McElroy 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).

  • Lab members and liquid handling systems and methods including same
    Patent number: 9283557
    Abstract: A laboratory liquid handling system includes a pipetting module, a lab member, and a drive system. The pipetting module includes a pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft. The lab member includes a body and at least one adapter structure including an interlock feature configured to laterally receive and interlock with the pipettor shaft to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The drive system is operable to: selectively move the pipettor shaft laterally relative to the interlock structure to engage the pipettor shaft with the interlock structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module; move the pipetting module to transport the lab member secured thereto; and selectively move the pipettor shaft laterally relative to the interlock structure to disengage the pipettor shaft from the interlock structure to thereby release the lab member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene S. Maslana, Karen A. McElroy, Dennis F. Malkowski, James W. Sim
  • LAB MEMBERS AND LIQUID HANDLING SYSTEMS AND METHODS INCLUDING SAME
    Publication number: 20150251173
    Abstract: A laboratory liquid handling system includes a pipetting module, a lab member, and a drive system. The pipetting module includes a pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft. The lab member includes a body and at least one adapter structure including an interlock feature configured to laterally receive and interlock with the pipettor shaft to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The drive system is operable to: selectively move the pipettor shaft laterally relative to the interlock structure to engage the pipettor shaft with the interlock structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module; move the pipetting module to transport the lab member secured thereto; and selectively move the pipettor shaft laterally relative to the interlock structure to disengage the pipettor shaft from the interlock structure to thereby release the lab member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Eugene S. Maslana, Karen A. McElroy, Dennis F. Malkowski, James W. Sim
  • Lab members and liquid handling systems and methods including same
    Patent number: 9073052
    Abstract: A laboratory liquid handling system includes a pipetting module, a lab member, and a drive system. The pipetting module includes a pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft. The lab member includes a body and at least one adapter structure including an interlock feature configured to laterally receive and interlock with the pipettor shaft to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The drive system is operable to: selectively move the pipettor shaft laterally relative to the interlock structure to engage the pipettor shaft with the interlock structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module; move the pipetting module to transport the lab member secured thereto; and selectively move the pipettor shaft laterally relative to the interlock structure to disengage the pipettor shaft from the interlock structure to thereby release the lab member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene S. Maslana, Karen A. McElroy, Dennis F. Malkowski, James W. Sim
  • Lab Members and Liquid Handling Systems and Methods Including Same
    Publication number: 20130259635
    Abstract: A laboratory liquid handling system includes a pipetting module, a lab member, and a drive system. The pipetting module includes a pipettor including a pipettor shaft and a pipetting tip extending from an end of the pipettor shaft. The lab member includes a body and at least one adapter structure including an interlock feature configured to laterally receive and interlock with the pipettor shaft to releasably secure the lab member to the pipettor shaft. The drive system is operable to: selectively move the pipettor shaft laterally relative to the interlock structure to engage the pipettor shaft with the interlock structure to secure the lab member to the pipetting module; move the pipetting module to transport the lab member secured thereto; and selectively move the pipettor shaft laterally relative to the interlock structure to disengage the pipettor shaft from the interlock structure to thereby release the lab member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene S. Maslana, Karen A. McElroy, Dennis F. Malkowski, James W. Sim