Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm William H. May
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Patent number: 5533644Abstract: A hybrid composite sample holders utilized to further improve overall strength-to-weight of a centrifuge rotor. The holders comprise a metal portion and a fiber composite portion integrally molded.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1994Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Stefan J. Glen, Bradley D. Carstens
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Patent number: 5534707Abstract: An apparatus and method of aligning a capillary with respect to a radiation source. More particularly, the capillary is aligned with a laser beam for laser induced fluorescence detection. The scatter or transmitted light pattern of the laser beam with respect to the capillary tube is utilized to determine optimum alignment. photosensors may be implemented to detect the light pattern which represents optimum alignment. For dynamic alignment during electrophoresis, the photosensors provide feedback to a controller which controls a positioning mechanism for alignment of the capillary.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1994Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Stephen L. Pentoney
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Patent number: 5518493Abstract: A centrifuge system and method includes generating a radio frequency excitation field within a housing containing a rotor of interest. The excitation field may be generated by an exciter coil fixed to the cover of the housing. The rotor includes a locking knob that encloses a receiver coil inductively coupled to the exciter coil. The excitation field causes current flow through the receiver coil. The current is rectified and used to power encoding circuitry. The encoding circuitry produces a modulated signal unique to the rotor or to a model in which the rotor is classified. The encoded signal is transmitted from within the locking knob to a reader coil connected to the housing of the centrifuge. The reader coil receives the encoded signal, whereafter the signal is decoded and used to identify the rotor or rotor model.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1994Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Krupa S. Srinivasan
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Patent number: 5518651Abstract: Disclosed are reagents of methods for cleaving and deprotecting insolubilized and protected synthetic oligonucleotides. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reagent comprises methylamine and t-butylamine.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1994Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Parameswara M. Reddy, Naeem B. Hanna
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Patent number: 5509881Abstract: A method and system of identifying a rotor of a centrifuge employ an approach that uses two tiers of model selection. Firstly, the moment of inertia of a rotor is calculated for a first measured acceleration. The indication of moment of inertia is utilized to disqualify a number of rotor models and to select a subset of models. In a second tier, windage power of the rotor is calculated in a manner that isolates windage from inertial drag. In one embodiment, drive torque is measured with the rotor operated at a high constant speed. Alternatively, windage is calculated using data obtained during a second measured acceleration. The accuracy of the computation is enhanced by taking into account the moment of inertia as one form of resistance to the second acceleration. Based upon the indication of windage power, at least one rotor model within the subset is disqualified. Upon identification of the rotor, the centrifugal process can be maintained at a maximum safe speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Thomas D. Sharples
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Patent number: 5503722Abstract: Compositions useful as a separation medium in capillary electrophoresis procedure and methods for their use in capillary electrophoresis are described. The compositions include dry linear polyacrylamide which is capable of hydrating to form an aqueous polymeric system capable of filling an electrophoresis capillary column. Also disclosed are methods for using dry polyacrylamide in capillary electrophoresis. The methods include providing a dry polyacrylamide composition, reconstituting the dry polymer to provide a solution of reconstituted polymer, and causing the reconstituted polymer to fill a capillary electrophoresis column.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1994Date of Patent: April 2, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Andras Guttman
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Patent number: 5498875Abstract: A method and apparatus determines the analyte content of a sample by generating first and second input signals and directing the input signals to the sample. The input signals differ in wavelength by at least 3 nanometers. Due to the interaction between the input signals and the sample, first and second output signals are generated. Each output signal comprises a resonant signal whose peak wavelength is substantially independent of the wavelength of the respective input signal, and a non-resonant output signal whose peak wavelength is dependent upon the wavelength of respective input signal. A detector is used to detect the two output signals, and by distinguishing the resonant output signals from the non-resonant output signals, data about the analyte content of the sample is determined. Principal components regression analysis or multivariate quantitative analysis can be applied to the output signals, for the purpose of distinguishing between the resonant and non-resonant signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1994Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Obremski, John W. Silzel
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Patent number: 5496255Abstract: A swinging bucket centrifuge rotor having a conforming bucket seat which includes a plurality of cavities evenly spaced about its vertical axis. Each has a seat portion that with an inward profile generally following the profile of a swinging bucket, subjected to centrifugal forces. A passageway extends entirely through the rotor head and includes a slot extending radially outward from the passageway, positioned so as to bifurcate the seat portion. Located between the vertical axis and the passageway is an improved hanging mechanism that reduces the likelihood of improperly mounting a swinging bucket onto the rotor. Three embodiments of the hanging mechanism are disclosed, each of which is integrally formed with the inner wall of each cavity. The hanging mechanism is positioned so that during centrifugation, the seat portion of the rotor will bear the full centrifugal force of the bucket.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1994Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Kuo-Yen Chang
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Patent number: 5496517Abstract: A heated cover for a receptacle containing a vaporizable substance. The cover is heated to a temperature above the temperature of the substance so as to prevent condensation of vapor evaporated from the substance. A device for placing and removing the cover with respect to the receptacle is designed in connection with a temperature-controlled heating/cooling plate which controls the temperature of the contents of the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1991Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Pfost, Nebojsa Avdalovic
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Patent number: 5492834Abstract: Processes are provided for pretreating body fluid compositions and subsequently analyzing the pretreated body fluid compositions for analytes of interest. Processes for pretreating the compositions include providing size exclusion gel having a molecular weight fractionation range or a molecular weight exclusion such that the size exclusion gel is capable of excluding or fractionating the analytes of interest, and then causing the composition to contact the size exclusion gel in order to separate the analytes from low molecular weight composition components which interfere with the separation and analysis of the analytes of interest. Processes for analyzing pretreated compositions include electrophoretic methods such as capillary zone electrophoresis which involve the separation and detection of analytes of interest.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1993Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Cheng-Ming Liu, Hann-Ping Wang
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Patent number: 5490909Abstract: A method of quantitating proteins in complex samples using capillary electrophoresis can be used both to determine the concentration of a protein in a sample and to determine total protein concentration in the sample.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1995Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Hann-Ping Wang, Cheng-Ming Liu
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Patent number: 5489081Abstract: A bracket for shock mounting of a vibrating or rotating device, such as a centrifuge, to a support surface. The bracket is formed from a plate of stiff material, such as steel, having an expandible deformable section along a lengthwise axis of the plate and a rotationally deformable leg section formed by undulations in the plate from one end to the other. At narrower plate regions, formed by the undulations, plate rotation is possible until the plate exceeds its elastic limit in the rotational direction and permanent deformation occurs. Such permanent deformation absorbs energy from accidents within the device in which energy would otherwise be transferred to a support surface and the surrounding environment.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1993Date of Patent: February 6, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Robert G. Coffey
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Patent number: 5484571Abstract: A simple device for collecting a greater amount of fluorescent emission from a minute sample in a capillary column. An axially symmetrical paraboloid reflector is implemented to collect fluorescent emission from the capillary column. The reflector also serves as a simple bracket for positioning and aligning the capillary column. Fluorescent emission is collimated by the paraboloid reflector which allows more effective use of band pass filters in blocking scattered radiation from detection. The scattered and transmitted radiation can be used to facilitate alignment of the capillary with respect to the detection optics. The paraboloid reflector also facilitates the implementation of simultaneous multiple-channel detection.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1994Date of Patent: January 16, 1996Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Pentoney, Jr., Wilbur Kaye
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Patent number: 5477704Abstract: An improved configuration of refrigerant tubing and means for attaching the tubing to the centrifuge chamber. The tubing is preformed to provide a flat contact surface against the outside surface of the centrifuge chamber. The centrifuge tubing is tightly wound around the centrifuge chamber in a continuous fashion including a flat spiral at the base of the centrifuge chamber. For the section of the tubing in contact with the vertical cylindrical wall of the centrifuge chamber, the pressure for maintaining contact pressure between the flat surface of the tubing and the chamber wall is provided by the tension in the wrapping of the tubing. For the section of the tubing at the base of the centrifuge chamber, contact pressure may be provided by a clamping mechanism. To further enhance heat transfer between the refrigerant coils and the centrifuge chamber, a high heat conductive epoxy may be applied between the tubing and the centrifuge chamber surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1994Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Herschel E. Wright
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Patent number: 5466351Abstract: A sample having both positively and negatively charged components may be separated during the same run by injecting a plug of sample at both ends of the capillary and applying an electric field in the capillary, where there is insufficient electroosmotic flow in the capillary to reverse sample migration direction, such as in the case of a gel-filled column.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1995Date of Patent: November 14, 1995Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Sushma Rampal, Jang B. Rampal, James C. Osborne
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Patent number: 5462854Abstract: Inverse Linkage Oligonucleotides ("ILO") useful in enzymatic process are disclosed. Particularly preferred ILOs are amenable to enzymatic elongation from either, or most preferably, both termini. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each terminus of an ILO has an enzymatically functional 3' group. Accordingly, under appropriate conditions and in the presence of, e.g., dNTPs, enzyme, sample DNA, and ILO comprising a first region complementary to a first region of the sample DNA and a second region complementary to a second, different region of the sample DNA, exponential amplification of the sample DNA can be effectuated.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1993Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Peter J. Coassin, Kenneth D. Konrad, Jang B. Rampal, Ronald M. Cook
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Patent number: 5462646Abstract: Coated capillary electrophoresis columns and methods for their use in electrophoretic separations are disclosed. The coated capillary columns include a length of tubing having an interior surface coated with at least one crosslinked organic multi-valent ionic compound capable of ionic interaction with charged chemical functionalities on the tubing interior surface. Exemplary columns are prepared by crosslinking a multi-functional amine compound with a diexpoxide, alkylating the crosslinked multi-functional amine compound to form a crosslinked quaternary ammonium compound, and then contacting the interior surface of capillary tubing with the crosslinked quaternary ammonium compound.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1993Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Chia-Hui Shieh
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Patent number: 5456653Abstract: A centrifuge includes a drive shaft-to-hub coupling assembly for providing vibration damping that is selective to torsional damping over lateral damping. An impeller is fixed to a drive shaft and a receiver is fixed to a rotor-bearing hub. Relative rotation between the impeller and the receiver is restricted to compression and decompression of elastomers trapped between teeth extending from the impeller and from the receiver. The elastomers function to damp torsional vibrations and torsionally induced lateral vibrations. The receiver is prevented from becoming axially misaligned with the impeller by including one or more rigid annular bushings that maintain the distance between the hub and the drive shaft, thereby preventing the elastomers from being deformed in a manner which would damp lateral vibrations. The annular bushing is mounted to allow relative rotation between the impeller and the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1994Date of Patent: October 10, 1995Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Herschel E. Wright
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Patent number: 5447692Abstract: The present invention makes use of a single detector to monitor several process functions, e.g. reaction efficiency, reagent flow rates, the presence of empty reagent reservoirs, the absence of a chemical reactor column in the system, blockage of flow system, etc., at a single location in the flow system. In accordance with the detection scheme of the present invention, only one detector is required to accomplish the same, if not more, functions as many detectors in the prior art instruments. In the described embodiment, an optical detector is positioned downstream of a chemical reaction chamber. This detector monitors the effluent from the reaction chamber to monitor the reaction efficiency. It also monitors the system functions upstream of the reaction chamber. System flow rate is monitored by detecting the presence of a gas bubble which has been introduced into the system at a known instance.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1994Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Charles A. Keenan, Peter J. Coassin, David B. Helphrey, Roger Winer, Jiunn-Jye Dih
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Patent number: RE35071Abstract: A centrifuge rotor and method for gradient density separation which supports a generally cylindrical volume of sample solution with its axis inclined to the spin axis at an angle which is optimized for maximum separation efficiency while reducing contamination by undesirable centrifugates upon reorientation of the desirable centrifugates. .Iadd.The sample solution is contained in a centrifuge tube which is closed at its top end by a top portion which is supported by a support cap. The undesirable centrifugates are pelleted to the end corners of the inclined centrifuge tube. The rotor and method are particularly adapted, for example, for separation of nucleic acid into plasmid DNA and chromosomal DNA by density gradient centrifugation. .Iaddend.The optimum angle is determined based on the relationship .theta.=Tan.sup.-1 (D/15L).sup.0.5 where D and L are respectively the diameter and length of the cylindrical volume of the sample solution and .theta. is the angle of inclination.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1993Date of Patent: October 24, 1995Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Mark L. Lewis, Thomas D. Sharples, Stephen E. Little