Patents Represented by Attorney Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
-
Patent number: 8329401Abstract: The invention is directed to enhanced methods for detecting an analyte of interest in situ, by immunoassay, or by hybridization comprising binding an enzyme-labeled conjugate molecule to an analyte of interest in the presence of a redox-inactive reductive species and a soluble metal ion. The enzyme catalyzes the conversion of the inactive reductive species to an active reducing agent, which in turn reduces the metal ion to a metal atom thereby providing an enhanced means of detecting the analyte via metal deposition.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Bieniarz, Michael Farrell
-
Patent number: 8303915Abstract: A platen for contacting a liquid to a surface of a substantially flat substrate is disclosed. The platen includes a liquid application station and a stripping element at an end of the liquid application station, wherein the stripping element includes an intersecting gap and an air barrier. Also disclosed are an apparatus including the platen and a method of using the platen to contact a substrate with a liquid.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Brian H. Kram, Vincent R. Rizzo, Ryan Reeser, David Chafin
-
Patent number: 8288121Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for deparaffinizing paraffin-embedded biological samples for subsequent tissue staining. The compositions are microemulsions that may include water/oil/surfactant microemulsions, and optionally a cosurfactant. The microemulsions enable deparaffinization without the use of xylene or toluene, and also enable solvent exchange without the use of intermediary alcohol dehydration or alcohol rehydration compositions.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Brian H. Kram, Christopher Bieniarz, Paul D. Drumheller
-
Patent number: 8263361Abstract: A stabilized hematoxylin composition is disclosed that includes one or both of a host compound and an antioxidant. The disclosed composition exhibits sufficient stability to be utilized in an automated staining process without undue degradation prior to use of the composition to stain a biological sample. Methods of using and making the stabilized composition also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jerome W. Kosmeder, Christopher Bieniarz, Penny Towne, Linda Willoughby Kivi
-
Patent number: 7935534Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically staining or treating multiple tissue samples mounted on slides are provided, in which the slides and reagent bottles are held in fixed position, and the reagent, wash and coverslipping solutions brought to the slides. Alternatively, the slides are held in fixed position, while the reagent, wash and coverslipping solutions brought to the slides.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2010Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles Lemme, Devon Campbell, Andrew Ghusson, David Bryant, Kurt Reinhardt, William Richards, Vincent Rizzo, Wayne Showalter
-
Patent number: 7727774Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting and dispensing coverglasses over specimens on slides for the purpose of viewing specimens through a microscope. The selecting device contains a suctioning mechanism for picking up a coverglass from a stack of coverglasses. It also contains the ability to bend the coverglass to assist in separating the coverglasses. The apparatus further contains a matched barrier to eliminate any coverglasses that may stick to the selected coverglass. The selecting device also contains spring members which aid in the dispensing of the coverglass. After the suctioning mechanism releases the coverglass, the spring members exert a force onto the coverglass to insure that it is released from the selecting device and placed onto the slide. After placement of the coverglass onto the slide, capillary action pushes air bubbles out from underneath the coverglass.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Reinhardt, Anthony Ford, Mirek Holubec
-
Patent number: 7618807Abstract: The present invention introduces a radically different way of accelerating biomolecule conjugates into tissue, and hence towards their targets for purposes of tissue staining. The invention provides for an order of magnitude improvement over the prior art diffusion process used to stain tissue. The invention comprises a method of tissue staining by applying an electric field to a tissue sample in the presence of an electrolyte and biomolecular conjugates of interest suspended in the electrolyte. Typical staining times are reduced to seconds as opposed to 30-120 minutes common in the prior art. The invention is also directed to devices for performing the method.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles Lemme, William Richards, David Bryant, Catherine Wolf, Andrew Ghusson, Austin Ashby, Wayne Showalter, Anthony Hartman, Brian Kram
-
Patent number: 7541455Abstract: A method for preparing a nucleic acid probe is provided. The method comprises forming an activated cytosine or cytidine by a bisulfite catalyzed reaction; and covalently linking a reporter molecule to the activated cytosine or cytidine, wherein said activating step, said covalently linking step, or both are conducted in the presence of microwave energy. Also provided by the invention are nucleic acid probes.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Bieniarz, Michael Farrell, Jerome W. Kosmeder, Mark Lefever
-
Patent number: 7468161Abstract: An automated system is provided for performing slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. In one embodiment, the disclosed system includes a slide tray holding a plurality of slides in a substantially horizontal position and a workstation that receives the slide tray. In a particular embodiment, a workstation delivers a reagent to slide surfaces without substantial transfer of reagent (and reagent borne contaminants such as dislodged cells) from one slide to another. A method for automated processing of slides also is provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Reinhardt, Charles D. Lemme, Glen Ward, William L. Richards, Wayne Showalter, Brandon Ambler, Austin Ashby, Chris Borchert, Devon C. Campbell, Kimberly Christensen, Matthew Freeman, Andrew Ghusson, Rick Griebel, Kendall B. Hendrick, Miroslav Holubec, Parula Mehta, Vince Rizzo