Patents by Inventor Shirley J. Johnson
Shirley J. Johnson 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: 8573072Abstract: A method for removing a fluid substance from a sealed collection device comprising a cap and a fluid-holding vessel, where the method aids in venting air from the collection device when the cap is penetrated by a fluid transfer device used to withdraw a fluid substance from the vessel. Venting is aided by incorporating a pause step between penetrating the cap and contacting the fluid substance held by the vessel with the fluid transfer device or by contacting the cap at a slower speed than the fluid transfer device enters the collection device after the cap has been penetrated.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Bruce W. Anderson, Mordi I. Iheme, Shirley J. Johnson, Gus G. Tseo
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Patent number: 7795036Abstract: A method for obtaining the contents of a fluid-holding vessel having a cap secured to an open end thereof. The method includes penetrating a surface of the cap with a fluid transfer device and forming one or more air passageways between the penetrated surface of the cap and the fluid transfer device to allow air to be vented from the vessel. At least a portion of the contents of the vessel is then drawn into the fluid transfer device before the fluid transfer device is removed from the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Shirley J. Johnson, Bruce W. Anderson, Mordi I. Iheme, Kathleen A. Dickey, Daniel L. Kacian, Nick M. Carter
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Publication number: 20100203547Abstract: Method for obtaining a fluid from a collection device assembled to isolate a specimen retrieval device from the pathway of a fluid transfer device used to penetrate a cap of the collection device and to draw and remove the fluid from the collection device for analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Bruce W. ANDERSON, Nick M. CARTER, Mordi I. IHEME, Shirley J. Johnson, Daniel L. KACIAN, James P. Light, II, Gus G. Tseo
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Patent number: 7708951Abstract: A cap for use in forming a sealed container with a fluid-holding vessel. The cap includes a downwardly tapered inner wall having a plurality of radially extending striations for improving the penetrability of the cap and for facilitating the formation of air passageways.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2008Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Bruce W. Anderson, Nick M. Carter, Mordi I. Iheme, Shirley J. Johnson, Daniel L. Kacian, James P. Light, II, Gus G. Tseo
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Publication number: 20090301230Abstract: A method for removing a fluid substance from a sealed collection device comprising a cap and a fluid-holding vessel, where the method aids in venting air from the collection device when the cap is penetrated by a fluid transfer device used to withdraw a fluid substance from the vessel. Venting is aided by incorporating a pause step between penetrating the cap and contacting the fluid substance held by the vessel with the fluid transfer device or by contacting the cap at a slower speed than the fluid transfer device enters the collection device after the cap has been penetrated.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Bruce W. ANDERSON, Nick M. CARTER, Mordi I. IHEME, Shirley J. JOHNSON, Daniel L. KACIAN, James P. Light, II, Gus G. TSEO
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Publication number: 20080305010Abstract: A cap for use in forming a sealed container with a fluid-holding vessel. The cap includes a downwardly tapered inner wall having a plurality of radially extending striations for improving the penetrability of the cap and for facilitating the formation of air passageways.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Bruce W. ANDERSON, Nick M. CARTER, Mordi I. IHEME, Shirley J. JOHNSON, Daniel L. KACIAN, James P. LIGHT, II, Gus G. TSEO
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Patent number: 7435389Abstract: A cap comprising a generally conical wall positioned beneath an opening in the cap and having a plurality of striations formed therein to facilitate penetration of the cap by a fluid transfer device.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Bruce W. Anderson, Nick M. Carter, Mordi I. Iheme, Shirley J. Johnson, Daniel L. Kacian, James P. Light, II, Gus G. Tseo
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Publication number: 20080152545Abstract: An assembly that includes a specimen-containing vessel and a cap in sealing engagement. The assembly contains a specimen retrieval device having a handle, an end of which is positioned between a depending inner wall of the cap and a closed side wall of the vessel. The inner wall of the cap is adapted to be penetrated by a plastic pipette tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2008Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Bruce W. ANDERSON, Nick M. CARTER, Mordi I. Iheme, Shirley J. Johnson, Daniel L. Kacian, James P. Light, Gus G. Tseo
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Publication number: 20080118988Abstract: A method for obtaining the contents of a fluid-holding vessel having a cap secured to an open end thereof. The method includes penetrating a surface of the cap with a fluid transfer device and forming one or more air passageways between the penetrated surface of the cap and the fluid transfer device to allow air to be vented from the vessel. At least a portion of the contents of the vessel is then drawn into the fluid transfer device before the fluid transfer device is removed from the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Applicant: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Shirley J. JOHNSON, Bruce W. ANDERSON, Mordi I. IHEME, Kathleen A. DICKEY, Daniel L. KACIAN, Nick M. CARTER
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Publication number: 20080110846Abstract: A plastic cap having multiple wedge-shaped sections that are structurally interrelated to a closed side wall and adapted to be moveably engaged by a fluid transfer device penetrating the cap. A seal fixed to the cap covers the wedge-shaped sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: May 15, 2008Applicant: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Bruce W. Anderson, Nick M. Carter, Mordi I. Iheme, Shirley J. Johnson, Daniel L. Kacian, James P. Light, Gus G. Tseo
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Publication number: 20040235005Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for detecting the presence or absence of (or quantitating) target nucleic acid sequences using ligation and amplification.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Ernest Friedlander, Shirley J. Johnson, Sabine Short, H. Michael Wenz
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Patent number: 6806094Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with a vessel capable of receiving fluid specimens for clinical analysis and diagnosis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between the fluid specimen and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device, and may include a plurality of striations which were discovered to further improve penetrability of the cap. In this way, substances can be dispensed into or withdrawn from the vessel without having to physically separate the cap from the vessel. Also featured are fluid transfer devices and caps having surface ribs and/or grooves which aid in creating passageways for venting displaced air from a penetrated collection device.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Bruce W. Anderson, Nick M. Carter, Mordi I. Iheme, Shirley J. Johnson, Daniel L. Kacian, James P. Light, II, Gus G. Tseo
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Publication number: 20040151634Abstract: A cap comprising a generally conical wall positioned beneath an opening in the cap and having a plurality of striations formed therein to facilitate penetration of the cap by a fluid transfer device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2004Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: Bruce W. Anderson, Nick M. Carter, Mordi I. Iheme, Shirley J. Johnson, Daniel L. Kacian, James P. Light, Gus G. Tseo
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Publication number: 20040152205Abstract: A method for removing a fluid substance from a closed collection device comprising a cap and a fluid-holding vessel, where the method aids in venting air from the collection device when a surface of the cap is punctured by a fluid transfer device used to withdraw a fluid substance from the vessel. Venting is aided by incorporating a pause step between puncturing the cap surface and contacting the fluid substance held by the vessel with the fluid transfer device or by contacting the surface of the cap at a slower speed than the fluid transfer device enters the collection device after the cap surface has been punctured.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2004Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: Bruce W. Anderson, Nick M. Carter, Mordi I. Iheme, Shirley J. Johnson, Daniel L. Kacian, James P. Light, Gus G. Tseo
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Patent number: 6716396Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with a vessel capable of receiving fluid specimens for clinical analysis and diagnosis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between the fluid specimen and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device, and may include a plurality of striations which were discovered to further improve penetrability of the cap. In this way, substances can be dispensed into or withdrawn from the vessel without having to physically separate the cap from the vessel. Also featured are fluid transfer devices and caps having surface ribs and/or grooves which aid in creating passageways for venting displaced air from a penetrated collection device.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Bruce W. Anderson, Nick M. Carter, Mordi I. Iheme, Shirley J. Johnson, Daniel L. Kacian, James P. Light, Gus G. Tseo
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Patent number: 6517782Abstract: A reaction receptacle apparatus includes one or more individual receptacles for containing chemical or biological substances. The one or more receptacles are arranged to be engaged by tubular elements of a substance transfer device for transferring substances into or out of the individual receptacles. Multiple receptacles are coupled to one another by a connecting rib structure that defines straight shoulders along opposite sides of the reaction receptacle apparatus, and the shoulders support the apparatus within reaction receptacle apparatus carrying structures. A contact-limiting element holding structure for holding contact-limiting elements, such as protective tips for tubular elements, is associated with each individual receptacle and holds a contact-limiting element in an operative orientation so as to be operatively engageable by the tubular element of the substance transfer device.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Glenn A. Horner, Shirley J. Johnson, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith, Gus Tseo
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Patent number: 6517783Abstract: A reaction receptacle apparatus includes one or more individual receptacles for containing chemical or biological substances. The one or more receptacles are arranged to be engaged by tubular elements of a substance transfer device for transferring substances into or out of the individual receptacles. Multiple receptacles are coupled to one another by a connecting rib structure that defines straight shoulders along opposite sides of the reaction receptacle apparatus, and the shoulders support the apparatus within reaction receptacle apparatus carrying structures. A contact-limiting element holding structure for holding contact-limiting elements, such as protective tips for tubular elements, is associated with each individual receptacle and holds a contact-limiting element in an operative orientation so as to be operatively engageable by the tubular element of the substance transfer device.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Glenn A. Horner, Shirley J. Johnson, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith, Gus Tseo
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Publication number: 20010041336Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with a vessel capable of receiving fluid specimens for clinical analysis and diagnosis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between the fluid specimen and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device, and may include a plurality of striations which were discovered to further improve penetrability of the cap. In this way, substances can be dispensed into or withdrawn from the vessel without having to physically separate the cap from the vessel. Also featured are fluid transfer devices and caps having surface ribs and/or grooves which aid in creating passageways for venting displaced air from a penetrated collection device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: November 15, 2001Inventors: Bruce W. Anderson, Nick M. Carter, Mordi I. Iheme, Shirley J. Johnson, Daniel L. Kacian, James P. Light, Gus G. Tseo
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Publication number: 20010007643Abstract: A reaction receptacle apparatus includes one or more individual receptacles for containing chemical or biological substances. The one or more receptacles are arranged to be engaged by tubular elements of a substance transfer device for transferring substances into or out of the individual receptacles. Multiple receptacles are coupled to one another by a connecting rib structure that defines straight shoulders along opposite sides of the reaction receptacle apparatus, and the shoulders support the apparatus within reaction receptacle apparatus carrying structures. A contact-limiting element holding structure for holding contact-limiting elements, such as protective tips for tubular elements, is associated with each individual receptacle and holds a contact-limiting element in an operative orientation so as to be, operatively engageable by the tubular element of the substance transfer device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2001Publication date: July 12, 2001Inventors: Glenn A. Horner, Shirley J. Johnson, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith, Gus Tseo
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Patent number: 6086827Abstract: A reaction receptacle apparatus includes one or more individual receptacles for containing chemical or biological substances. The one or more receptacles are arranged to be engaged by tubular elements of a substance transfer device for transferring substances into or out of the individual receptacles. Multiple receptacles are coupled to one another by a connecting rib structure that defines straight shoulders along opposite sides of the reaction receptacle apparatus, and the shoulders support the apparatus within reaction receptacle apparatus carrying structures. A contact-limiting element holding structure for holding contact-limiting elements, such as protective tips for tubular elements, is associated with each individual receptacle and holds a contact-limiting element in an operative orientation so as to be operatively engageable by the tubular element of the substance transfer device.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Glenn A. Horner, Shirley J. Johnson, Robert E. Schneider, Robert J. Smith, Gus Tseo