Patents Represented by Attorney Dana M. Schmidt

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  • Sterilizing dressing device and method for skin puncture
    Patent number: 5015228
    Abstract: A dressing device and method are described, for use with a needle that is injected into the skin. The dressing device comprises a cover sheet and a gel medium attached to the cover sheet, the gel medium being transparent and effective to reseal after being punctured by the needle. Most importantly, the gel medium includes a sterilizing agent.Injection of the needle into the skin occurs only after the needle penetrates the gel medium, so that the needle is disinfected or sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Columbus, Thomas R. Kissel
  • Pipette and liquid transfer apparatus for dispensing liquid for analysis
    Patent number: 5010930
    Abstract: A combination of a pipette and a liquid transfer apparatus is disclosed. The liquid transfer apparatus comprises a frame defining a liquid inlet aperture connected by a first passageway to a dispensing aperture, an air vent aperture connected by a second passageway that extends toward the first passageway, and a valve interposed between the two passageways to alternate between allowing continuous liquid flow along the first passageway, or continuous air flow along the second passageway and part of the first passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Columbus
  • Analyzers using linear sample trays with random access
    Patent number: 5008082
    Abstract: An analyzer and sample trays are disclosed which permit more random sampling of patient samples than is conventional. The trays are open at the sides, and preferably include flags for sensing, and structure on the bottom wall for releasibly engaging a conveyor. The analyzer provides a separate linear track for each of the trays, in which the trays are mounted, and another conveyor for reciprocating each of the trays within its respective track and to a position that intersects a path taken by a moving aspirating and dispensing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: James D. Shaw
  • Phase separation container with fixed means preventing remixing
    Patent number: 5007892
    Abstract: There is described a container for phase separation of at least two phases via centrifugation. Means are provided to prevent remixing, such means comprising porous mechanical means such as surfaces fixed in place and inclined at an angle to resist flow of the heavier phase upon removal of the lighter phase, such that remixing of the phases is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Columbus
  • Envelope constructed for ink jet printing
    Patent number: 5005758
    Abstract: There is disclosed an envelope that is constructed to allow it to be printed using a minimum of modifications to a printer. To achieve this, a leader extension is attached to the envelope by a novel perforation that is more readily severed, and features are included to allow flexure of the envelope around the curved surface of a support drum of the printer. One of such features that permits this is slits formed within a portion of the overlapping edges of the side and bottom panels. Another of such features is the scoring of the central and/or bottom panels to cause the pocket formed by these panels to flex towards the axis of curvature of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Judith M. Richards, James H. Beckman
  • Amine polymers as coagulator accelerators in blood phase separation
    Patent number: 4994192
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method are described, wherein a coagulator accelerator is added to a container to achieve agglutination of blood cells when centrifuging whole blood, allowing the serum to be more easily poured off. The accelerator is selected from polymeric amines that are either polymerized amino acids or vinyl addition polymer amines, with a specified molecular weight range, the vinyl addition amines being selected to avoid lysing the blood cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Alan F. Corin, Richard L. Columbus, Deborah P. Freyler
  • Sterilizing dressing device and method for skin puncture
    Patent number: 4988341
    Abstract: A dressing device and method are described, for use with a needle that is injected into the skin. The dressing device comprises a cover sheet and a gel medium attached to the cover sheet, the gel medium being transparent and effective to reseal after being punctured by the needle. Most importantly, the gel medium includes a sterilizing agent.Injection of the needle into the skin occurs only after the needle penetrates the gel medium, so that the needle is disinfected or sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Columbus, Thomas R. Kissel
  • Test device with dried reagent drops on inclined wall
    Patent number: 4988627
    Abstract: An immunoassay test device is disclosed with dried reagent drops applied to a sloping side wall of a reaction wall. A method of applying them as liquid drops is also described, wherein the slope of the side wall, and the composition and volume of the liquid drop are selected to insure that the liquid drops do not flow down to the bottom of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Margaret J. Smith-Lewis
  • Kit of collection vessels of uniform outside dimensions, different volumes
    Patent number: 4980129
    Abstract: A kit of collection vessels is disclosed. Each vessel in the kit has the same overall length and outside diameter to allow interface with a single other device. However, a partition used to close off one part of the tube is positioned in some of the tubes to create volumes less than the total possible volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Columbus
  • Back support for an electrophoresis gel plate assembly
    Patent number: 4975170
    Abstract: An improved gel plate assembly for electrophoresis, is described. It comprises glass-like sheet supports between which is placed the gel, at least the back support being a composite comprising a thermally conductive plate in contact with the glass-like sheet; and in contact with the conductive plate, a glass-like sheet that serves as a replacement support, when the composite is reversed, if the first sheet is scratched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert R. Hellman, Jr.
  • Liquid-controlling nozzle geometry for dispensers of liquids
    Patent number: 4971763
    Abstract: Dispensing nozzles suffer from the problem of perfusion and can be relatively inaccurate in the amount of fluid dispensed each time. Described herein is a dispensing device which is provided with an improved nozzle construction. An exterior surface, having an aperture through which fluid is dispensed, has a second surface positioned adjacent to it. Further surfaces are arranged further up the nozzle. The arrangement of the surfaces is such that self-wiping of the device is maximized (if the device is also used for aspiration wherein the device is withdrawn from a supply of the liquid) and that perfusion is minimized during dispensing of the fluid contained therein. This is achieved by having the second surface angled to the first surface, defining an angle .alpha., relative to the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Columbus
  • Device for absorbing shock to a container
    Patent number: 4968486
    Abstract: There is described a container having a closed end and a reagent deposited in the closed end. The container is provided with means for preventing shock from being transmitted to the closed end when that end strikes a hard object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Dennis R. Zander
  • Universal evaporation cover
    Patent number: 4963333
    Abstract: There is disclosed an evaporation cover that is useful to cover two types of test elements having different sample wetting locations, namely potentiometric types and colorimetric types. Both are accommodated by constructing enough of the flat sealing portion of the undersurface so as to sealingly cover the wetted area of the colorimetric type, and by providing on the cover, means for camming the cover away from a test element that is being loaded under the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James D. Shaw, Martin F. Muszak
  • Field inversion electroblotting & electroelution
    Patent number: 4959133
    Abstract: There are disclosed means and a method for electroblotting or electroelution, wherein a field is inverted repeatedly over time, until an electrophoretically separated DNA, RNA or protein is forced out of the gel and to an appropriate receiver by the net field so produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Mark W. Adcock
  • Capillary transport zone coated with adhesive
    Patent number: 4957582
    Abstract: A device for liquid transport, and a method of making it, are described. The device features a capillary transport zone comprising opposing sufaces formed from supporting material having unsatisfactory wettability. The wettability is improved by applying a coating of an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Columbus
  • Multiple level filter device and kit containing same
    Patent number: 4948561
    Abstract: A filter providing at least two different filtering pore sizes for coarse and fine filtering, and a kit containing such filter along with an immunoassay test device containing a membrane. The membrane is used to separate bound immunoassay labels from free labels. The coarse and fine filtering are provided preferably by two different, serially arranged filters, the filter with the fine pore size being selected with a pore size similar to that of the membrane of the assay device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles C. Hinckley, Thomas J. Cummins, Sheryl S. Sullivan
  • Cartridge for properly receiving test elements
    Patent number: 4948737
    Abstract: There is described a cartridge for receiving test elements sensitive to improper orientation. A key and keyway are provided on the inside surface of a wall of the cartridge and on the test element in an asymmetric disposition, so that test elements can be inserted only with a proper orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John A. Quenin, Mark J. Spath
  • Grooved cover for test elements
    Patent number: 4943415
    Abstract: There is described a cover for test elements for use in stations of an analyzer that are downstream from the sample-spotting station. The cover is improved in that its undersurface is grooved lengthwise to accommodate a drop of sample protruding from the test element. However, the clearance groove does not extend the full length of the cover, to prevent significant evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Catherine S. Przybylowicz, Merrit N. Jacobs, Joseph S. Douglas
  • Polyethylene evaporation covers
    Patent number: 4935374
    Abstract: There are disclosed polyethylene evaporation covers and a method of analysis that uniquely solve the problem of contamination of CKMB test elements when phosphorous test elements are incubated in the same incubator. The solution is to have the surface of the evaporation cover the contacts the test element, be non-porous polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Merrit N. Jacobs, Catherine S. Przybylowicz
  • Immunoassay unit for analysis of biological liquids or the like
    Patent number: D315791
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Herbert M. Meyers, David O. Pressler, Richard C. Edstrom, Richard N. Hirst