Abstract: An automated nucleic acid compaction device for analyzing and compacting a nucleic acid complex into unimolecular nucleic acid particles. Broadly, the device includes a container support and agitation system; a measuring and testing system; and a dispensing system; all controlled by a control system. The control system controls the support and agitation system and the dispensing system based either on a predetermined formulation or by analysis of feedback data provided by the measuring and testing system. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a real-time measuring and mixing instrument operating in a closed loop system. The preferred embodiment also comprises a monitoring system including a submersible probe which is positioned in the batch solution to provide data to a controller. Once a desired level of nucleic acid compaction is reached, as detected by the monitoring system, the controller stops the dispensing and mixing agitating systems.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 14, 1999
Date of Patent:
August 28, 2001
Assignee:
Copernicus Therapeutics, Inc.
Inventors:
Hector L. Casal, Mark J. Cooper, Tomasz H. Kowalczyk, Murali Krishna Pasumarthy, Jose C. Perales, Steven J. Torontali