Including Position Control Patents (Class 435/286.2)
  • Patent number: 7577498
    Abstract: A robotic beverage server that includes a robot, a beverage dispenser in fluid communication with a plurality of beverages contained within respective beverage storage receptacles and operable to dispense one or more of the beverages from the respective storage receptacles, and a controller to operate the robot to pick a container and move the container to the beverage dispenser and to operate the beverage dispenser to dispense one or more of the beverages from the storage receptacles into the container and transport the container to a user. A method of preparing a beverage or mixture of beverages that includes picking a container using a robot, moving the container to an automatic beverage dispenser, wherein the beverage dispenser is in fluid communication with and operable to dispense a plurality of beverages contained within a plurality of storage receptacles, dispensing a beverage into the container from the storage receptacles via the automatic beverage dispenser and delivering the container to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Motoman, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Jennings, Mike Katchmar, Zane A. Michael, Ron Potter
  • Patent number: 7572410
    Abstract: A core sampling device includes a core sampling punch, a core excision punch that makes a recess in a receiver body, and an ejector that expels a sample core into the receiver body. The core excision punch is mounted inside the core sampling punch and is substantially coaxial with the core sampling punch. Both punches are able to move in translation and/or rotation with respect to one another, and the ejector is arranged so as to expel cores from each punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Alphelys
    Inventor: Pierre Chaumat
  • Patent number: 7563614
    Abstract: The invention provides microfluidic systems for altering the solution environment around a nanoscopic or microscopic object, such as a sensor, and methods for using the same. The invention can be applied in any sensor technology in which the sensing element needs to be exposed rapidly, sequentially, and controllably, to a large number of different solution environments whose characteristics may be known or unknown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Cellectricon AB
    Inventors: Owe Orwar, Daniel Chiu, Johan Pihl, Jon Sinclair, Jessica Olofsson, Mattias Karlsson, Kent Jardemark
  • Patent number: 7550287
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a cell culturing system that cultures predetermined cells collected from a patient and supplies cultured cells to the original patient, which together with enabling correlations between the cultured cells and the supplier of the cells to be managed accurately and easily at all times, allows cultured cells and patients to be collated rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Hibino, Shin Katayama, Hiroyuki Irie, Hikaru Inoue, Hitoshi Mizuno, Yasuharu Hakamatsuka, Yoshiharu Saito, Hideki Koyanagi
  • Publication number: 20090137025
    Abstract: An apparatus contains photosynthetic marine microorganisms within water, to permit the marine microorganisms to be cultivated and harvested. A self-supporting buoyant frame of the apparatus is to be placed within the water. A mesh lining of the apparatus is situated within the interior of the frame. The mesh lining is adapted to permit the water and nutrients to enter through the mesh lining while at least substantially preventing the marine microorganisms that are being cultivated from escaping through the mesh lining. A funnel of the apparatus is attached to a corresponding hole at a bottom of the mesh lining, and is adapted to permit the marine microorganisms that have been cultivated to be harvested. A buoyancy leveling subsystem of the apparatus is adapted to control an extent to which the frame is submerged within the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: GREEN VISION ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Stephens, Kirk W. Dickinson, Kelly Ogilvie
  • Publication number: 20090104687
    Abstract: The microbiological analysis system comprises a support (6) adapted to retain microorganisms in the neighborhood of a planar surface (24), said support (6) belonging to a predetermined type with which is associated a specific arrangement criterion, and an analysis machine comprising a magnetron, a microwave cavity (100) linked to said magnetron provided to operate in resonant mode, a receptacle (30) for receiving said support (6), an obstacle (137) for tuning the resonant mode of the cavity (100) entering partially into said cavity (100), said obstacle (137) occupying a predetermined position depending on said predetermined type, means for recognizing said specific arrangement criterion, and a control unit connected to said magnetron and to said recognizing means and adapted to verify for said support (6) whether the specific arrangement criterion is met and to refuse to launch an analysis cycle otherwise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Bertrand Engel, Pierre Guedon, Stephane Olivier
  • Publication number: 20090098642
    Abstract: An incubator including a temperature-controlled room adjusted to a predetermined environment condition for culturing a sample of an incubation container at inside of the temperature-controlled room, the incubator including a shifting mechanism for moving a position of the incubation container at inside of the temperature-controlled room by a motor, a temperature adjusting section for adjusting a temperature at inside of the temperature-controlled room, an operating information generating section for generating operating information with regard to a position of operating and a time period of operating the motor prior to operating the motor, an estimated variation outputting section for outputting an estimation variation of a temperature state by operating the motor based on the operating information, and a controlling section for controlling the temperature adjusting section to cancel a temperature change of an amount of the estimated variation in synchronism with operating the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasujiro Kiyota, Takayuki Uozumi, Nobuhiko Maiya, Hirofumi Shiono
  • Patent number: 7504072
    Abstract: Array scanning methods that focus on the far side and devices configured for use in the same are provided. In reading arrays according to the subject methods, an array is placed in a reading position of a scanning device so that the nominal focal plane of the scanning device is present within the array substrate at a predetermined fixed substrate thickness fraction distance from the far-side of the array, and the array is then read by the device. As such, the subject scanner devices of the present invention are configured to hold an array substrate in a reading position of the device in which the device's nominal focal plane is present within the array substrate. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of different applications, including both genomic and proteomic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Andreas N. Dorsel
  • Patent number: 7501232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the non-invasive selection of single living cells under gentle conditions from mixtures of cells or cell cultures with respect to a specific production performance. To this end, the concentration of substances produced by the individual cells which become enriched at the cell membrane, such as reporter gene products (GFP) or specifically secreted products, such as antibodies, is determined by fluorescence-microscopic detection methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Probiogen AG
    Inventors: Uwe Marx, Christian D. Demmler, Christoph Giese
  • Publication number: 20090029450
    Abstract: An accommodating unit capable of accommodating a culture vessel, a transfer unit supporting and transferring the culture vessel, and taking in and out the culture vessel relative to the accommodating unit, and an observation unit observing a sample inside of the culture vessel via an observation optical system under a state in which the culture vessel is supported by the transfer unit, are included. The transfer unit performs a positioning of each part of the sample on an optical axis of the observation optical system by moving the culture vessel at the time of observation of the sample by the observation unit. Consequently, it is possible to provide an incubator having a simple configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyoji Nakamura, Takayuki Uozumi
  • Patent number: 7470518
    Abstract: The invention provides microfluidic systems for altering the solution environment around a nanoscopic or microscopic object, such as a sensor, and methods for using the same. The invention also provides a system and methods for modulating, controlling, preparing, and studying receptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Cellectricon AB
    Inventors: Daniel Chiu, Owe Orwar, Kent Jardemark, Mattias Karlsson, Jessica Olofsson, Johan Pihl, Jon Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20080261294
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a system for guiding chemiluminescence and a system for preventing a variation in dark currents. The apparatus includes a first light shielding BOX having a sample container holder and a shutter unit therein, the shutter unit including a top plate which is partly formed by a movement of a plate member and a second light shielding BOX having a photodetector therein. While a measurement is not implemented, the shutter unit is closed to block entrance of stray light to the photodetector, and while a measurement is implemented, the plate member is moved to open the shutter unit and the tip of the photodetector is inserted into a through hole formed in the top plate, so that the distance between the bottom of the sample container and a sensitive area of the photodetector is reduced to several millimeters or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Hideyuki Noda, Satoshi Ozawa, Masahiro Okanojo, Kenko Uchida
  • Publication number: 20080206846
    Abstract: A thermocycler is provided that includes a temperature-controlled receiving segment for reaction vials, a top which can be assembled to said base and which in the assembled state may be moved from an open position into an operational position above the receiving segment, an optics configured in the top, where the optics and/or said receiving segment are configured with play in the top respectively the base, the play allowing a relative displacement between the optics and the receiving segment sufficient to adjust the optics relative to the receiving segment, and at least 2 positioning elements are present at each base and each top to allow reproducible alignment between the optics and the receiving segment in a mutually adjusted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Henner Tasch, Bernd Kruger
  • Publication number: 20080206845
    Abstract: A bioreactor analysis system for incubating and analysis of a bioreactive material. The system comprises at least one bioreactor, preferably controlled environment bioreactors. The bioreactor may be held in a sleeve, and multiple sleeves may form a series that moving bioreactors into various storage and interventional positions. At least one interventional assembly interacts with the bioreactor while in the sleeve, and alternately, additional interventional assemblies may interact with the bioreactor while out of the sleeve. A jacket with an access port may surround the bioreactor, which may include a temperature management system. Alternately, a plurality of bioreactors may be joined to a storage array by the cooperation of intrinsic structures in the bioreactors and array. A control system allows for multiple individualized commands to be directed to any one or many of the bioreactors, and may utilize programs resident in the system or in remote locations far from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Emilio Barbera-Guillem
  • Publication number: 20080194034
    Abstract: A sample processing system that may be configured to achieve parallel or coincidental sample processing such as histochemical processing may involve a plurality of samples arranged for coincidental movement perhaps by use of angular microscopic slide movements to cause processing activity that may include repeated elimination and reapplication of a fluidic substance perhaps through the action of capillary motion in order to refresh a microenvironment adjacent to a sample such as a biopsy or other such sample. Snap in antibody and other substances may be included to ease operator actions and to permit location specific substance applications perhaps by including single container multiple chamber multiple fluidic substance magazines, linearly disposed multiple substance source, and primary antibody cartridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: CELERUS DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Page A. Erickson, Michael R. Everman, Michael S. Bell, Kevin S. Edberg, Matthew M. Botke, Brian D. Sawatzky
  • Publication number: 20080194011
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser-micro-dissection method and to a device for laser micro-dissection. A dissection from a biological sample, which is applied to a planar carrier, is cut by means of laser pulses along a closed cutting line. The parameters, which determine the laser pulses and the cut lines, are synchronous in relation to the laser pulses and are continually modified along the closed cut line. All elements which are arranged in the optical axis and which determine the parameters of the laser pulse and the cut lines, are closed on a central calculation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Joachim Wesner
  • Patent number: 7405071
    Abstract: A method for individually moving small objects, such as cells, from one location to another as well as a device for implementing the method is disclosed. A small object such as a cell is isolated at some initial location and moved to some destination location by the movement of the small object through a succession of intermediate locations until the small object arrives at the destination location. Also disclosed are methods of manipulating cells made possible by the method and device of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seng Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Mordechai Deutsch
  • Publication number: 20080160599
    Abstract: A unit for processing microbiological samples has a conveyor for transporting samples, for example in microtitre plates. At a processing station, samples for processing are transferred in their sample containers from the transport device to a processing device, which can have several processing areas, of which only one is ever in a processing position. A manipulating device is associated with the processing position. A magazine dispenses sample containers for processing. An incubator accumulates and discharges sample containers using transport and storage arrangements with coupleable conveyors on multiple levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Klaus Weber-Matthiesen, Peter Ivan Sygall, Johannes Jansen
  • Patent number: 7384793
    Abstract: In a biological measurement system (10) for collecting one or more samples of sputum and/or mucus from a patient in the form of an aerosol and for analyzing said one or more samples to detect whether or not pathogens are present therein, the one or more samples are in solution within the system (10) and detection of the pathogens is performed using a fluorescently labeled assay. The system (10) is adapted to detect bacterial pathogens using evanescent-wave spectroscopy preferably by using a single-reflective technique. The one or more samples are advantageously provided to the system (10) in aerosol form. However, the system (10) is capable of being adapted for use in analyzing samples in liquid form. Methods of analyzing said one or more samples in the system (10) are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Rapid Biosensor Systems Limited
    Inventors: Elaine Marie McCash, Gavin Vashon Wheeler, Edward Grellier Colby, Matthew Emmanuel Milton Storkey, James Neil Stewart, Nicol John Murray, Antony Glauser
  • Publication number: 20080126051
    Abstract: A microinjection apparatus of the present invention includes a needle-position polarity detecting unit that detects a position of the needle in the vertical direction at which a value of a differential aggregate distribution becomes the maximum in the situation in which a shape of the leading edge of the needle at a focal position narrows at the right. Moreover, a differential-average determining unit, based on a differential average of an image near the position detected by the needle-position polarity detecting unit, determines the lowest allowable position of the needle, which is a position at which a differential average exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Moritoshi Ando, Sachihiro Youoku
  • Patent number: 7371565
    Abstract: An intracellular-reaction measuring apparatus for measuring intracellular reactions by the use of a specimen in which a plurality of cell colonies are contained in a non-contact state, the apparatus includes a device that specifies the intensity of first light emitted from the specimen in accordance with the presence of a stated protein is detected to specify, of the plurality of cell colonies, a noted colony containing cells where the stated protein is present, and a device in which the intensity of second light emitted from the specimen in accordance with the intracellular reactions is detected to select, of the detected intensity of the second light, the intensity of the second light emitted from the noted colony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Imaizumi, Takayuki Suga, Yoshitaro Nakano
  • Publication number: 20080102469
    Abstract: A conventional large-scale parallel pyrosequencing apparatus has the disadvantage that throughput decreases because much time and a large number of procedures are required for introduction of measurement beads, and analysis accuracy is deteriorated due to a reduction in accuracy of reagent replacement. There is provided an apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a flow cell having a plurality of microfabricated reactors, and a camera opposed thereto, and DNA to be measured is fixed on the surfaces of beads having a specific gravity of 4 or greater, preferably zirconia beads. The flow cell is made horizontal when introducing the beads into the flow cell, and opposed to an optical axis of the camera when measuring an elongation reaction, the optical axis of the camera having a gradient with respect to the horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Tomoharu KAJIYAMA, Masataka SHIRAI, Hideki KAMBARA
  • Patent number: 7351574
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a biological scanner for scanning biological growth plates. A biological growth plate can be loaded into the biological scanner. Upon loading of a biological growth plate, the biological scanner generates an image of the plate and may perform an analysis of the image. Various embodiments are directed to loading features that facilitate automated loading and proper positioning of a plate within the biological scanner, and ejection features that facilitate the automated ejection of the plate from the scanner. Additional embodiments are directed to features that allow a scanner unit of the biological scanner to be attached to a mounting platform of the scanner in different possible configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Albert Vent
  • Patent number: 7319031
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a biological scanner for scanning biological growth plates. A biological growth plate can be loaded into the biological scanner. Upon loading of a biological growth plate, the biological scanner generates an image of the plate and may perform an analysis of the image. Various embodiments are directed to loading features that facilitate automated loading and proper positioning of a plate within the biological scanner, and ejection features that facilitate the automated ejection of the plate from the scanner. Additional embodiments are directed to features that allow a scanner unit of the biological scanner to be attached to a mounting platform of the scanner in different possible configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Albert Vent, Klaus D. Kraetzig
  • Publication number: 20070281351
    Abstract: The present invention enables to keep the culture vessel clean with the clean air without touching the open air in which floating bacteria exist, and to culture cells with taking in and out the culture apparatus under the environment with low damages for the cells in constant temperature. The present invention is the culture vessel box which has one or more culture vessels, has the heater, and has the door outside which the good adhesive resin film is stuck, the culture apparatus which has various apparatuses including a heater and culture cells, and has the door outside which the resin film is stuck similarly to the culture vessel box and has its storing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Toyoshige KOBAYASHI, Kazutoshi Kan
  • Patent number: 7252938
    Abstract: Methods and devices for producing a polymer at a location of a substrate are provided. In the subject methods, a fluid droplet containing a first monomer labeled with a first detectable label is deposited from a fluid deposition device onto a location of a substrate surface having a second monomer labeled with a second detectable label. The first and second detectable labels are then detected to determine any misalignment between the fluid deposition device and the location of the substrate surface during deposition. Also provided are algorithms that perform the subject methods, as well as fluid deposition devices that include the subject algorithms. The subject invention also includes arrays produced according to the subject methods and kits that include the subject arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M. Leproust, Douglas A. Amorese
  • Patent number: 7163821
    Abstract: In an application apparatus of a klinostat, an object is encapsulated in a vessel. A rotating unit rotates the vessel around n axes (n is an integer more than 1) such that gravity is equally applied to the object. A fluid supply unit supplies fluid into the vessel, while the vessel is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Uemura, Shohei Honda, Hiroshi Okazaki
  • Patent number: 7160717
    Abstract: An assembly for promoting the growth of plant tissues that includes a plurality of plates each defining an array of wells wherein each of the wells contains a tissue sample. Support for the plates is provided by a rack having a plurality of vertically stacked shelves that may include one or more register depressions that urge the plates into predetermined positions. Light for the tissue samples is provided by a plurality of light-emitting diode arrays each mounted on a circuit board. Each circuit board is supported by a respective card edge connector of the rack so that the light-emitting diodes are in proximity to the plates supported on one of the shelves therebelow. Preferably, the light-emitting diode array corresponds to the well array supported in the registered position on the shelf therebelow so that each light-emitting diode is centered above a respective one of the wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Biolex, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Everett
  • Patent number: 7157274
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting particles moving through a closed channel system of capillary size comprises a bubble valve for selectively generating a pressure pulse to separate a particle having a predetermined characteristic from a stream of particles. The particle sorting system may further include a buffer for absorbing the pressure pulse. The particle sorting system may include a plurality of closely coupled sorting modules which are combined to further increase the sorting rate. The particle sorting system may comprise a multi-stage sorting device for serially sorting streams of particles, in order to decrease the error rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian Böhm, John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande
  • Patent number: 7141413
    Abstract: The invention provides an incubator 1 wherein stackers 3 having a plurality of microplate accommodating portions are arranged in a chamber 11, and a microplate transport device 5 is arranged for transporting a microplate 31 within the chamber 11 and moving the microplate 31 into or out of a desired microplate accommodating portion. A camera 7 is provided on a position opposed to a microplate accommodating portion of an uppermost stage in the stacker 3. The camera 7 faces said microplate accommodating portion, whereby a sample on the microplate 31 can be photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Yasuhiko Yokoi, Mikio Houjou, Daisuke Etou, Ayako Michida, Akihiko Yamada, Akira Sakaguchi, Masaki Harada, Hiroki Busujima, Yuichi Tamaoki
  • Patent number: 7115384
    Abstract: A diagnostic microbiological testing system and method for microorganism identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility determinations (AST). The system includes multiple-well test panels capable of performing ID and AST testing on the same test panel. Each test panel is inoculated with reagents, broth-suspended organisms, and placed into the instrument system. The instrument system includes a rotating carousel for incubation and indexing, multiple light sources each emitting different wavelength light, precision calorimetric and fluorometric detection, barcode test panel tracking and a control processor for making determinations based on measured test data. One light source includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in a linear array. Each of the LEDs' junction currents are controllable to produce a predetermined illumination profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Alexander W. Clark, Paul Gladnick, Robert E. Armstrong, Nicholas Bachur, Klaus W. Berndt, Dwight Livingston
  • Patent number: 7097981
    Abstract: The present invention relates mainly to reaction vessels, to sets of such vessels for automatic immunological assay apparatuses, to automatic immunological assay apparatuses making use of such sets of vessels, and to a method implementing sets of such vessels. According to the present invention, photometric detection is implemented of the luminescence of a reaction mixture found in a reaction vessel, the apparatus and/or the vessel guaranteeing light-tightness so as to prevent entry of external light falsifying the measurement. Advantageously, sets of vessels in accordance with the present invention are made out of a material that is opaque. The present invention is particularly applicable to detecting the presence of a chemical or a biological substance in a sample. The present invention applies mainly to medical analysis and research.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Biomerieux
    Inventors: Thierry Gicquel, Edouard Lentwojt
  • Patent number: 7033819
    Abstract: The invention relates to devices, devices for arraying biomolecules, including cells, methods for arraying biomolecules, assays for monitoring cellular movement, and systems for monitoring cellular movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Surface Logix, Inc.
    Inventors: Enoch Kim, Gregory L. Kirk, Olivier Schueller, Emanuele Ostuni
  • Patent number: 6998094
    Abstract: Apparatus for handling biological sample containers comprises a conveyor assembly for conveying containers and a lid handling assembly operable to remove lids from and replace lids onto containers while the containers are in motion on the conveyor assembly. The lid handling assembly comprises a pair of ramps onto which a lid is lifted by a lifting mechanism configured to handle overhanging lids or non-overhanging lids as required. The lid handling assembly may be configured to handle lids of containers of various sizes by altering the ramp spacing. A conveyor assembly comprises a pair of converging rails which carry a pair of jaws operable to carry a container. The convergence of the rails makes the jaws clamp the container so that it is held tightly in position for micro-arraying to be carried out. The conveyor assembly may be adapted to handle different sizes of container by the provision of holders to hold various container types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Genetix Limited
    Inventors: James Keith Haslam, Paul Noble, Keith Melvin Ebel
  • Patent number: 6955788
    Abstract: An alignment apparatus and method are described for accurately and reliably depositing biological materials on a microscope slide or other substrate. A preferred implementation includes a first mounting assembly that enables rotation of deposit elements around a first axis perpendicular to the substrate surface using one or more bearing surfaces concentric with the first axis. A second mounting assembly enables rotation of the deposit elements around a second axis parallel to the depositing surface, and a third mounting assembly enables rotation of the deposit elements around a third axis that is parallel to the depositing surface and perpendicular to the second axis. Various types of deposit elements may be used, such as pins, quills, or jetting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Affymetrix, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Richards
  • Patent number: 6919201
    Abstract: When a plurality of types of biopolymers on a biochip is to be measured using a fluorescence or colorimetric means, the image of the above biochip is obtained by measuring a plurality of images while moving the above biochip step-wise by an integer multiple of the field-of-view of a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array detector on the sample, then by combining the above-described plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Tanaami, Yumiko Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6875602
    Abstract: This invention relates to a portable thermocycler having a unique geometric configuration, which allows the device to be made durable, compact and adapted for field-use. In general, the device includes a case, a rotary plate having a plurality of constant temperature heating blocks and a plurality of sample wheels, wherein the wheels are rotatable and pivotable to allow a plurality of reaction vessels, organized in cassettes, to be moved into contact with the heating blocks for heat transfer applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Anthony G. Gutierrez
  • Publication number: 20040259232
    Abstract: An organism cell auto-handling apparatus includes a platform, an organelle observation microscope unit, a piping device and a system controller. An organism cell auto-handling method using the aforesaid apparatus includes the steps of putting an organism cell sample on the platform, then using the organelle observation microscope unit to position a specific organelle of said organism cell sample and produce a corresponding coordinate data to the system controller, and then processing an organelle draw/injection action to the specific organelle by a micro needle of the piping device that is controlled by the system controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yeou-Pin Guu, Jinn-Fa Wu
  • Patent number: 6815197
    Abstract: Apparatus for conducting electrophysiological measurements on cells wherein a measuring head is provided with at least one electrode in a common support for impaling the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Multi Channel System MCS GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Boven, Andreas Möller
  • Patent number: 6815198
    Abstract: An apparatus for automated preparation of DNA samples which comprises a reactor for preparing DNA samples and adjacent thereto an enzyme supply section, a plate holding section, a nozzle sealing section and a cleaning tank section, and wherein plates are loaded onto or unloaded from said plate holding section by means of a transport robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Nemoto, Hidemi Yoshida, Hisashi Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20040197897
    Abstract: Arrays of biological tissue can be created by removing cores from regions of interest in a series of donor blocks (16) of embedded tissues. The cores removed are placed in a regular array in a recipient block (15). This is typically done with two different punches, one for obtaining the cores of interest and the other for creating the receiving holes in the recipient block (15). The present invention comprises such a system including two separate z axes, one for each punch. Each punch has its own stylet and the axis of each punch is parallel to the axis of its drive. Alternatively, the invention is made by providing a single z axis, with a mechanism for automatically changing two or more punches in and out of a holder on the z axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen B. Leighton
  • Patent number: 6773903
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for cell purification and ablation is disclosed. The present invention comprises a laser system which directs radiant energy at computer or manually selected individual cells thereby disrupting DNA, RNA and protein structure in those cells. The present invention produces a purified tissue section containing relatively intact DNA, RNA or protein from only the untreated cells. This purified sample is suitable for amplification of material by PCR or other techniques for the analysis of molecular genetic features in the selected cells of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: G. Steven Bova
  • Publication number: 20040115799
    Abstract: This invention relates to a portable thermocycler having a unique geometric configuration, which allows the device to be made durable, compact and adapted for field-use. In general, the device includes a case, a rotary plate having a plurality of constant temperature heating blocks and a plurality of sample wheels, wherein the wheels are rotatable and pivotable to allow a plurality of reaction vessels, organized in cassettes, to be moved into contact with the heating blocks for heat transfer applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Anthony G. Gutierrez
  • Publication number: 20040110279
    Abstract: An assembly for promoting the growth of plant tissues that includes a plurality of plates each defining an array of wells wherein each of the wells contains a tissue sample. Support for the plates is provided by a rack having a plurality of vertically stacked shelves that may include one or more register depressions that urge the plates into predetermined positions. Light for the tissue samples is provided by a plurality of light-emitting diode arrays each mounted on a circuit board. Each circuit board is supported by a respective card edge connector of the rack so that the light-emitting diodes are in proximity to the plates supported on one of the shelves therebelow. Preferably, the light-emitting diode array corresponds to the well array supported in the registered position on the shelf therebelow so that each light-emitting diode is centered above a respective one of the wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Keith Everett
  • Publication number: 20040101951
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a biological scanner for scanning biological growth plates. A biological growth plate can be loaded into the biological scanner. Upon loading of a biological growth plate, the biological scanner generates an image of the plate and may perform an analysis of the image. Various embodiments are directed to loading features that facilitate automated loading and proper positioning of a plate within the biological scanner, and ejection features that facilitate the automated ejection of the plate from the scanner. Additional embodiments are directed to features that allow a scanner unit of the biological scanner to be attached to a mounting platform of the scanner in different possible configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Albert Vent, Klaus D. Kraetzig
  • Publication number: 20040101952
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a biological scanner for scanning biological growth plates. A biological growth plate can be loaded into the biological scanner. Upon loading of a biological growth plate, the biological scanner generates an image of the plate and may perform an analysis of the image. Various embodiments are directed to loading features that facilitate automated loading and proper positioning of a plate within the biological scanner, and ejection features that facilitate the automated ejection of the plate from the scanner. Additional embodiments are directed to features that allow a scanner unit of the biological scanner to be attached to a mounting platform of the scanner in different possible configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Albert Vent
  • Publication number: 20040092001
    Abstract: Thin film culture devices are described that have positioning structures, as well as methods for harvesting cells from colonies on the culture device based on location of colonies on the device relative to the positioning structures. In addition, a computer readable medium encoded with a computer program is described that identifies position of colonies relative to the positioning structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Bedingham, Raj Rajagopal, Michael G. Williams
  • Patent number: 6703235
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide both apparatus and method for the patterning of cells onto non-adhesive substrates and the controlled regulation of cells through the use of photoactivated cellular morphogenic factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Kevin J. Luebke, Kathlynn C. Brown
  • Patent number: 6699710
    Abstract: An array-based technology facilitates rapid correlated gene copy number and expression profiling of very large numbers of human tumors. Hundreds of cylindrical tissue biopsies (diameter 0.6 mm) from morphologically representative regions of individual tumors can be arrayed in a single paraffin block. Consecutive sections from such arrays provide targets for parallel in situ visualization and quantitation of DNA, RNA or protein targets. For example, amplifications of six loci (mybL2, erbB2, Cyclin-D1, myc, 17q23 and 20q13) were rapidly determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization from 372 ethanol-fixed breast cancers. Stratification of tumors by estrogen receptor and p53 expression data revealed distinct patterns of gene amplification in the various subgroups of breast cancer that may have prognostic utility. The tissue array technology is useful in the rapid molecular profiling of hundreds of normal and pathological tissue specimens or cultured cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Juha Kononen, Stephen B. Leighton, Olli-P. Kallioniemi
  • Patent number: 6673595
    Abstract: An automated cell management system which can be programmed to perform and control various operations of the essential phases of cell culturing, of cell culture manipulation, and of cell culture evaluation. The automated cell management system comprises a housing, a storage array for accommodating a plurality of cell culture devices, a loading station, a means for harvesting one or more components from a cell culture device, and one or more processing stations. The automated cell management system may further comprise mechanism for tracking each cell culture device, a plurality of reservoirs, a centrifuge, a microprocessor, one or more evaluation stations, one or more means for sterilization, and a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Biocrystal, LTD
    Inventor: Emilio Barbera-Guillem