Patents by Inventor Ralph E. Burns

Ralph E. Burns 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: 20080147073
    Abstract: A keyhole drill guide stabilizer for stabilizing a drill guide when forming a second keyhole after the formation of a first keyhole, wherein the drill guide comprises a first drill bore and a second drill bore, the keyhole drill guide stabilizer comprising a body sized and shaped so as to make a close sliding fit with (i) the first bore of the drill guide, and (ii) the first keyhole, whereby to reduce the possibility of any positional variation between the first and second drilled keyholes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Vincent P. Novak, Robert E. Schneider, Ralph E. Burns, Michael C. Moses, Justin R. Taber
  • Publication number: 20080140213
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising: a wedge-shaped implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia, wherein the wedge-shaped implant comprises a hole extending therethrough; a fixation screw for extending through the hole and securing the wedge-shaped implant to the tibia; and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the fixation screw to the wedge-shaped implant. Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising: a fixation screw for securing an implant to the tibia, the fixation screw comprising: a shaft having a distal threaded portion and a proximal threaded portion, wherein the distal threaded portion and the proximal threaded portion are characterized by different thread pitches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Vincent P. Novak, Robert E. Schneider, Ralph E. Burns, Michael C. Moses, Justin R. Taber
  • Patent number: 7384600
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Ralph E. Burns, Ernest V. Hansberry
  • Patent number: 7118892
    Abstract: An automated process for preparing and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence within a stand-alone unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Ralph E. Burns, Ernest V. Hansberry, Glenn A. Horner, Cheryl A. Jakub, John E. Kling, Donald J. Nieglos, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7033820
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming in analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Ralph E. Burns, Ernest V. Hansberry, Glenn A. Horner, Cheryl A. Jakub, John E. Kling, Donald J. Nieglos, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6890742
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Ralph E. Burns, Ernest V. Hansberry, Glenn A. Horner, Cheryl A. Jakub, John E. Kling, Donald J. Nieglos, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040115796
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Ralph E. Burns
  • Patent number: 6605213
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Ralph E. Burns, Ernest V. Hansberry, Glenn A. Horner, Cheryl A. Jakub, John E. Kling, Donald J. Nieglos, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030054542
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ralph E. Burns, Ernest V. Hansberry
  • Publication number: 20030027206
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Ralph E. Burns, Ernest V. Hansberry, Glenn A. Horner, Cheryl A. Jakub, John E. Kling, Donald J. Nieglos, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020137197
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming in analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Ralph E. Burns, Ernest V. Hansberry, Glenn A. Horner, Cheryl A. Jakub, John E. Kling, Donald J. Nieglos, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020028489
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Ralph E. Burns, Ernest V. Hansberry, Glenn A. Horner, Cheryl A. Jakub, John E. Kling, Donald J. Nieglos, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6335166
    Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Kelly G. Ammann, Ralph E. Burns, Ernest V. Hansberry, Glenn A. Horner, Cheryl A. Jakub, John E. Kling, Donald J. Nieglos, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith