Patents Represented by Attorney Shelley G. Precivale
  • Patent number: 5637467
    Abstract: As method of determining an analyte is described, where a medium suspected of containing an analyte is drawn into a capillary tube by capillary action, such that if the analyte is present, it becomes immobilized in the tube. This medium is expelled from the tube and, optionally, one or more additional reagents are similarly drawn up and expelled. When the last fluid is expelled from the tube, a pendulous drop is caused to form at the opening of the capillary tube and is examined for the presence or intensity of the signal, which is related to the presence or amount of analyte in the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Behringwerke AG
    Inventor: Robert J. Meltzer
  • Patent number: 5629157
    Abstract: A method for the detection of a polynucleotide target sequence is described. The method involves the formation of a covalent or non-covalent bonded pair of nucleotide sequences formed in response to a target polynucleotide sequence, adding nucleotide sequence specific binding proteins each capable of binding one member of the pair of nucleotide sequences, and detecting the specific binding proteins complexed to the pair of nucleotide sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Behringwerke AG
    Inventors: Thomas C. Goodman, Edwin F. Ullman
  • Patent number: 5561049
    Abstract: This invention pertains to methods to detect antibodies in a sample. The methods use an amount of antigen that is up to 1000, preferably 10-100 times the minimum amount antigen that can be reliably detected and that is less than the maximum expected amount of antibodies in the sample. An antigen:antibody complex is formed and becomes bound to a binding agent that does not bind free antigen. The free antigen is then detected as a measure of antibodies present in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Behringwerke AG
    Inventors: Barbara S. Vold, Harshvardhan B. Mehta, Edwin F. Ullman
  • Patent number: 5545834
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining an analyte in a medium suspected of containing the analyte. One method comprises providing (1) combining a medium suspected of containing the analyte and a novel chemiluminescent compound, (2) combining a means for chemically activating the chemiluminescent compound; and (3) detecting the amount of luminescence generated by the chemiluminescent compound. The amount of luminescence generated is related to the amount of analyte in the medium. The chemiluminescent compound can be chemically activated by hydrogen peroxide. Compositions and kits are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Behringwerke AG
    Inventors: Sharat Singh, Rajendra Singh, Frank Meneghini, Edwin F. Ullman
  • Patent number: 5525717
    Abstract: A nucleotide sequence characteristic of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is disclosed. The sequence can be the basis for hybridization type, nucleic acid-based, rapid, in vitro diagnostic assays. The unique nature of the sequence makes it possible to clearly discriminate N. gonorrhoeae from other Neisseria species thus eliminating or substantially reducing the number of false positive readings. A 350 base pair N. gonorrhoeae DNA restriction fragment was cloned after subtractive hybridization to Neisseria meningitidis DNA. In further cloning experiments the sequences adjacent to the original 350 base pair fragment were determined. A portion of this sequence was shown to detect 105 of 106 N. gonorrhoeae strains and no other Neisseria species. In addition to use as detection probes, all or portions of the nucleotide sequence can be used as a ligand for the sandwich capture of N. gonorrhoeae sequences and as primers for in vitro amplification of N. gonorrhoeae sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Behringwerke AG
    Inventors: Charles G. Miyada, Teresa L. Born
  • Patent number: 5512659
    Abstract: A method for carrying out an immunoassay for an analyte in which a sample suspected of containing an analyte and reagents useful for detecting the analyte of interest are combined in an aqueous medium, wherein one of the reagents includes a support and one includes a label, the improvement comprising employing as the reagents a first and second conjugate, each comprised of a specific binding pair (sbp) member bound to a small molecule wherein the small molecules of each conjugate are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin F. Ullman, Hriar Kirakossian, Mary C. Ericson, Richard P. Watts
  • Patent number: 5478729
    Abstract: This invention pertains to methods to detect a compound in the presence of a homolog that is immunologically related to the analyte. The invention is particularly suited for the detection of homocysteine in the presence of cysteine. The methods of this invention involve chemically modifying both the analyte and the homolog to increase their immunogenicity and facilitate antibody recognition. More importantly, this modification is done to make these compounds immunologically distinct. Antibodies to the immunologically distinct compounds are then prepared. An assay protocol comprises chemically modifying the analyte and homolog and then immunochemically detecting the modified analyte by means of the aforementioned antibodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: Reuel B. Van Atta, Thomas C. Goodman, Edwin F. Ullman
  • Patent number: 5446137
    Abstract: This invention relates to oligonucleotides having at least one nucleotide that is substituted at the 4' position of the sugar moiety with a substituent other than hydrogen. These oligonucleotides are useful in hybridization assays and as therapeutic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Maag, Samuel J. Rose, Beat Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5445944
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for determining a peroxidatively active substance (PAS). The methods comprise the step of detecting a fluorescent signal produced upon cleavage of a compound of the formula F-L-Q, wherein F is a fluorescer capable of producing the signal, Q is a quencher capable of quenching the signal when linked to F, and L is a bond, or a linking group having a bond, wherein the bond is capable of being cleaved by a reaction of the PAS with a substrate of the PAS and a hydrogen donor wherein the cleavage of the bond substantially reduces the quenching. The methods have application in a wide variety of systems including assays and improved assays for analytes. Also disclosed are kits for conducting the methods and improvements in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin F. Ullman
  • Patent number: 5437983
    Abstract: A method for carrying out a binding assay is described wherein a member of a specific binding pair (sbp) and a sample are combined with a matrix of non-porous beads in a liquid medium under conditions such that the beads bind to the sbp member. The liquid medium is removed from the beads by aspiration using an aspiration tube having one or more orifices each of a diameter smaller than the minimum diameter of the smallest bead thereby allowing removal of the liquid medium while prohibiting aspiration of the beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Watts, Mary C. Ericson, Hrair Kirakossian, Chiu C. Chang
  • Patent number: 5405743
    Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed for reversibly aggregating particles suspended in a liquid medium. The method comprises combining the liquid medium containing the particles with a polyionic polymer capable of aggregating the particles under conditions suitable for such aggregation. Thereafter, the particles are contacted with a chemical reagent capable of cleaving the polyionic polymer under conditions sufficient to reverse the aggregation. Optionally, magnetic particles are added to the liquid medium in the present method under conditions for non-specific binding and the medium including the aggregates is subjected to a magnetic field gradient to separate the aggregates from the medium. The compounds of the present invention are polyions. The aggregation of the particles is reversible upon contact with chemical agents which cleave at least some of the bonds within the polyionic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Tarnowski, Cheng-I Lin, Edwin F. Ullman
  • Patent number: 5370993
    Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed for reversibly aggregating particles suspended in a liquid medium. The method comprises combining the liquid medium containing the particles with a polyionic polymer capable of aggregating the particles under conditions suitable for such aggregation. Thereafter, the particles are contacted with a chemical reagent capable of cleaving the polyionic polymer under conditions sufficient to reverse the aggregation. Optionally, magnetic particles are added to the liquid medium in the present method under conditions for non-specific binding and the medium including the aggregates is subjected to a magnetic field gradient to separate the aggregates from the medium. The compounds of the present invention are polyions. The aggregation of the particles is reversible upon contact with chemical agents which cleave at least some of the bonds within the polyionic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Tarnowski, Cheng-I Lin, Edwin F. Ullman
  • Patent number: 5344782
    Abstract: Assay methods are provided for determining the presence of lithium in high sodium content liquids such as serum, plasma, urine or other sample without deproteinization. The novel compounds are water soluble derivatives of TMC-crownformazans and provide signal enhancement by increased absorbance of the dye-lithium complex over the dye anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng-I Lin, Marcel Pirio
  • Patent number: 5332662
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for determining a peroxidatively active substance (PAS). The methods comprise the step of detecting a fluorescent signal produced upon cleavage of a compound of the formula F-L-Q, wherein F is a fluorester capable of producing the signal, Q is a quencher capable of quenching the signal when linked to F, and L is a bond, or a linking group having a bond, wherein the bond is capable of being cleaved by a reaction of the PAS with a substrate of the PAS and a hydrogen donor wherein the cleavage of the bond substantially reduces the quenching. The methods have application in a wide variety of systems including assays and improved assays for analytes. Also disclosed are kits for conducting the methods and improvements in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin F. Ullman
  • Patent number: 5256536
    Abstract: A nucleotide sequence characteristic of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is disclosed. The sequence can be the basis for hybridization type, nucleic acid-based, rapid, in vitro diagnostic assays. The unique nature of the sequence makes it possible to clearly discriminate N. gonorrhoeae from other Neisseria species thus eliminating or substantially reducing the number of false positive readings. A 350 base pair N. gonorrhoeae DNA restriction fragment was cloned after subtractive hybridization to Neisseria meningitidis DNA. In further cloning experiments the sequences adjacent to the original 350 base pair fragment were determined. A portion of this sequence was shown to detect 105 of 106 N. gonorrhoeae strains and no other Neisseria species. In addition to use as detection probes, all or portions of the nucleotide sequence can be used as a ligand for the sandwich capture of N. gonorrhoeae sequences and as primers for in vitro amplification of N. gonorrhoeae sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Miyada, Teresa L. Born
  • Patent number: 5215963
    Abstract: A procedure for the preparation of the solubilized and purified gastrin releasing peptide receptor, in an active form, from a gastrin releasing peptide receptor source such as Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Berlex Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Feldman, James M. Wu, Elaina Mann, Anne Larocca, James C. Jenson
  • Patent number: 5187066
    Abstract: This invention is to a method for detecting an amphiphilic antigen in a biological sample suspected of containing the amphiphilic antigen, which method comprises providing in combination a hydrophilic solid support modified to have a hydrophobic surface and an assay medium suspected of containing an amphiphilic antigen, incubating the combination under conditions sufficient for the amphiphilic antigen to bind to the hydrophobic surface, and determining the presence or amount of the amphiphilic antigen bound to the hydrophobic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Becker, Nurith Kurn, Yen P. Liu, Rajesh D. Patel, Thomas M. Houts, John D. Olson
  • Patent number: 5102870
    Abstract: Methods are provided of preventing and treating chemotherapy or radiotherapy induced oral mucositis in a mammal by administering an effective dose of a growth factor, such as TGF-.alpha.. The growth factor may be used alone or in combination with other growth factors. Typically the effective dose is within the range of about 0.01-100 .mu.g/dose, administered 2-4 times daily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignees: Schering AG, Virginia Commonwealth University
    Inventors: Dagne L. Florine, Thomas J. Smith
  • Patent number: 5089383
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for assays involving members of a specific binding pair ("sbp members") and members of a signal producing system ("sps members"). The signal producing system is capable of producing a detectible signal in relation to the presence or amount of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. Exemplary of sps members are enzymes and enzyme substrates, which react with each other to produce a signal. The improvement of the present invention comprises temporarily delaying the production of the signal without subsequent reagent addition. The delay can be achieved by employing an inhibitor which can be an alternate substrate for the enzyme or a compound which reacts with the product of the enzyme and its substrate in an effective amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: Sydney Leeder, Robert F. Zuk
  • Patent number: 5071774
    Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a specific binding member bound to first particles in a liquid medium is disclosed. The method comprises providing in combination (1) a liquid medium suspected of containing a specific binding member bound to first particles, (2) means for agglutinating the first particles in relation to the presence of the specific binding member, and (3) second particles having the same or a different specific binding member for said means for agglutinating bound thereto, thereby providing for said means to agglutinate the second particles. Agglutination of the first and second particles are separately detectible and distinguishable by spectroscopic measurement. The medium is incubated and agglutination of each of the particles is determined spectroscopically without separating the first and second particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventors: John Vorpahl, Vartan Ghazarossian, Edwin F. Ullman