Patents Represented by Attorney Yonggang Ji
  • Patent number: 6955462
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mixing and maintaining particulates in liquid suspension, the apparatus comprising a reservoir for holding a fluid containing dispersed particles, a substantially horizontally-disposed mixing plate mounted inside the reservoir, the mixing plate having a plurality of vertical holes extending through the plate, and means for raising and lowering the mixing plate inside the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Amersham PLC
    Inventors: Raymond Davies, Kim Dyer, Richard Gunn
  • Patent number: 6943242
    Abstract: Method of producing controls for use in gene expression analysis systems such as macroarrays, real-time PCR, northern blots, SAGE and microarrays. The controls are generated either from near-random sequence of DNA, or from inter- or intragenic regions of a genome. Ten specific control sequences are also disclosed. Also presented are methods of using these controls, including as negative controls, positive controls, and as calibrators of a gene expression analysis system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences Corp.
    Inventors: Hrissi Samartzidou, Leah Turner, Steven Daniel, Thomas Houts
  • Patent number: 6927045
    Abstract: Methods for preparing nanoscale reactions using nucleic acids are presented. Nucleic acids are captured saturably, yet reversibly, on the internal surface of the reaction chamber, typically a capillary. Excess nucleic acid is removed and the reaction is performed directly within the capillary. Alternatively, the saturably bound nucleic acid is eluted, dispensing a metered amount of nucleic acid for subsequent reaction in a separate chamber. Devices for effecting the methods of the invention and a system designed advantageously to utilize the methods for high throughput nucleic acid sequencing reactions are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences (SV) Corp
    Inventors: Andy Hadd, Stevan Jovanovich
  • Patent number: 6919186
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel engineered derivatives of green fluorescent protein (GFP) which have an amino acid sequence which is modified by amino acid substitution compared with the amino acid sequence of wild type Green Fluorescent Protein. The modified GFPs exhibit enhanced fluorescence relative to wtGFP when expressed in non-homologous cells at temperatures above 30° C., and when excited at about 490 nm compared to the parent proteins, i.e. wtGFP. An example of a preferred protein is F64L-S175G-E222G-GFP. The modified GFPs provide a means for detecting GFP reporters in mammalian cells at lower levels of expression and/or increased sensitivity relative to wtGFP. This greatly improves the usefulness of fluorescent proteins in studying cellular functions in living cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Amersham plc
    Inventors: Simon Lawrence John Stubbs, Anne Elizabeth Jones, Nigel Paul Michael, Nicholas Thomas
  • Patent number: 6870185
    Abstract: Structures and methods that facilitate integration and/or isolation of various functions in a microchip system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the integration of the functions is by a multi-chip, sliding linear valve approach. The chips are in continued physical contact. In a second embodiment, the chips are separated and rejoined when they are moved to the preferred position. Surface coating of the joining edges helps prevent leakage and keeps liquid in the capillary channels for both embodiments. Another embodiment relates to miniature valves. Several designs were disclosed, including the linear, edge-contact sliding valve approach. Method to fabricate very small, high aspect ratio holes in glass was also disclosed, which facilitates the above embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences (SV) Corp
    Inventors: David John Roach, Jing Ni, Iuliu-Ioan Blaga, Owe Salvén, Stevan Bogdan Jovanovich
  • Patent number: 6835379
    Abstract: A method for producing IgG from plasma for medical applications, comprising at least: (i′) removal of albumin resulting in an IgG fraction, (ii′) purifying IgG from an IgG fraction, which is derived from the IgG fraction obtained in step (i′), by adsorbing IgG to a cation exchanger and collecting the adsorbed IgG fraction, and (iii′) virus inactivation in an IgG fraction derived from the IgG fraction collected in step (ii′). The method is characterized in; (I) concentrating the IgG fraction obtained in step (i′), (II) adjusting pH to 4±0.1 in the IgG fraction released from the cation exchanger in step (ii′), and preferably maintaining the pH below 6.0 during the remaining steps of the method; and (III) carrying out the virus inactivation (step iii′) by using chemicals at a temperature of 30° C.±2° C. for at least 4 hours. Anticomplementary activity is typically below 1 CH50/mg immunoglobulin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences AB
    Inventors: Inger Andersson, Lars-Olof Lindquist
  • Patent number: 6833545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to analysis devices having means (3, 5, 7) for producing a plurality of ion beams of samples substantially simultaneously; mass separating means for individually mass separating each ion beam in parallel and detecting means (131-13n) for detecting said mass separated ion beams substantially simultaneously, and to methods for using such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences AB
    Inventor: Jan Axelsson
  • Patent number: 6809816
    Abstract: Laser pulses from laser head 12 pass through objective lens 16 to a focal spot in sample spot 17. If a pulse hits a fluorophore molecule in the focal spot a fluorescence photon is emitted which is collected by lens 16, reflected by dichroic mirror 15 through filter 20, which blocks photons of other wavelengths, to single photon counting photomultiplier unit 21. On detecting a photon, photomultiplier unit 21 generates an output pulse which is coupled, with a short delay, by pulse controller 30 to driver circuit 24 which causes laser head 12 to generate another laser pulse. Thus the interval between the laser pulses is substantially equal to the time between excitation of, and fluorescence emission by, the fluorophore molecule. Computer 23 coupled to photomultiplier unit 21 and driver circuit 24 determines the decay time by measurement of a number of fluorescence events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences UK Limited
    Inventor: Shiv Sharma
  • Patent number: 6805793
    Abstract: A novel method for separating a target substance, for example, metal ion, drug or biological component is provided. According to the method, the surface of a packing undergoes a chemical or physical environmental change under a physical stimulus so that the interaction of a substance interacting with the target substance is reversibly changed in an aqueous solution, thus effecting separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignees: Japan Chemical Innovation Institute, The Agency of Industrial Science and Technology of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry
    Inventors: Kimihiro Yoshizako, Yoshikatsu Akiyama, Katsuhiko Ueno, Teruo Okano
  • Patent number: 6805730
    Abstract: Porous hollow polymer fiber membranes having convoluted inside and/or outside surfaces, as well as filter devices comprising a plurality of the hollow fiber membranes, the devices preferably being arranged to direct fluid flow from the inside surface of the membranes to the outside surface, methods of making the membranes, and methods of using the filter devices, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences Membrane Separations Corp.
    Inventor: Attila Herczeg
  • Patent number: 6800847
    Abstract: A micro-channel plate (MCP) detector system (30) comprising a MCP detector, a data acquisition unit (20), wherein the detector comprises a first and a second MCP electron multiplier (12, 14), one or more anodes (16) connected to the data acquisition unit (20) and a gate electrode (32) disposed between the first and the second MCP electron multiplier (12, 14), wherein the detector system further comprises a data storage unit (36) and a gain control unit (34) which is connected to the gate electrode (32) and to the data storage unit (36), wherein a pilot spectrum is stored in the data storage unit (36), and wherein the gain control unit (34) is arranged to read the pilot spectrum from the data storage unit (36), and to control the potential on the gate electrode (32) as a function of m/z or time in response to said pilot spectrum, such that the transmission of electrons to the second MCP electron multiplier (14) is lowered when abundant protein ions appear, whereby a high sensitivity is maintained during the re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences AB
    Inventor: Jan Axelsson
  • Patent number: 6790613
    Abstract: This invention relates to the improvement of arrays of porous polymer pads on solid supports used in biological assays. The invention involves freeze drying the porous polymer pads to increase pore size. The increased pore size results in an enhanced ability of the porous polymer pads to bind specific binding substances such as DNA, RNA and polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences AB
    Inventors: Song Shi, George Maracas, Vi-En Choong
  • Patent number: 6766071
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use in the measurement of the heat generated in a chemical or biochemical reaction, by detecting and measuring a change in the conformation of a polymer transducer responsive to a heat change, the transducer being bound to the surface of the waveguides of an interferometer. The conformational change is detected by optical means and is compared with a control. The polymer transducer may be selected from an organic polymer or a biological macromolecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences UK Ltd.
    Inventor: John Gerard Whateley
  • Patent number: 6764215
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a measuring cell and a system for measuring very small heat changes in a sample. The system comprises a measuring cell 16 for containing the sample during the measurement process, at least one electromagnetic radiation unit 14 for radiating one or several samples with modulated monochromatic or polychromatic radiation 46 inside said measuring cell 16. Said measuring cell 16 comprises at least one acoustic transducer 22 for generating a first output signal V(t) and at least one heat measuring device 24 for generating a second output signal T(t). Both signals are connectable to a combining unit 18 that generates an information signal by means of a reference signal f(t). Said information signal is connectable to a signal processing unit 20 for determining at least one relevant reaction parameter as a function of the measured heat change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences UK Ltd.
    Inventors: Phil Meyler, Rudi Labarbe
  • Patent number: 6748985
    Abstract: An inlet device for a reactor vessel (5) intended for a separation method comprising retaining a substance on a separation medium from a liquid passing through the reactor vessel (5) which contains the separation medium. The device comprises (a) a distributor block (7) enabling a liquid flow to pass through the block into the reactor vessel (5), (b) an inlet block (3), (c) a distribution chamber (1) defined by a space between the distributor block (7) and the outlet side (11) of the inlet block (3), (d) at least one conduit (I; 13a,13b . . . ) passing through the inlet block (3) from the inlet side (10) to the outlet side (11) of said inlet block (3) and ending in the distribution chamber (1), said at least one conduit being able to distribute liquid into the distribution chamber (1), (e) a gross liquid flow direction going perpendicular to the plane of the interface between the distribution block (7) and the distribution chamber (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences AB
    Inventors: Joachim Walter, Uwe Striffler, Jan Feuser
  • Patent number: 6745133
    Abstract: The monoisotopic mass peak of an experimentally obtained mass spectrum (262) for a sample molecule is determined using a cross correlation method. A model spectrum (261), having a known monoisotopic peak position, is created based on knowledge of the sample molecule. A set of correlation values are calculated from intensity values IMODEL, IEXP for a selected mutual alignment between the spectra. A cross correlation analysis is used to find the best agreement between the model and the experimental mass spectrum, represented by a best value of a quality factor. The position of the monoisotopic peak of the model spectrum showing the best agreement with the experimental mass spectrum is selected as the best approximation of the monoisotopic peak of the experimental spectrum. Knowing the charge state of the analysed section of the mass spectrum it is possible to determine the monoisotopic mass of the sample molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences AB
    Inventor: Jan Axelsson
  • Patent number: 6720902
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single analog-to-digital converter system which is capable of converting an input signal having a high dynamic range into a digital signal which is within the range of the analog-to-digital converter. Additionally, the present invention provides an analog-to-digital converter which is capable of converting an input signal having a high dynamic range into a digital signal by controlling the amplification of the signal to achieve the optimal gain that falls within the range of the analog-to-digital converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences (SU) Corp
    Inventor: Eric Stimmann
  • Patent number: 6706486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the quantitative release of natural or recombinant proteins, polypeptides (thermostable immunoligands) able to bind to the Fc-part of immunoglobulins (antibodies, in particular of the IgG class and primarily becoming bound outside the paratope) from complexes in various sample matrixes in order to make these released natural or recombinant proteins, polypeptides or peptides quantitatively available in immunochemical assays and to keep them quantitatively available. The method is characterized by mixing the sample with reagent compound that is able to bind non-specifically to immunoglobulins, and thereafter subjecting the sample to a heat treatment step followed by a cooling step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences AB
    Inventor: Franz Steindl
  • Patent number: 6706191
    Abstract: A liquid chromatographic process performed at least partly in a fluidised bed contained in a vessel and comprising particle fluidised by an upwardly directed liquid flow, said process comprising (a) a capture step in which one or more compounds of a sample are captured by the particles and (b) a wash and/or releasing step in which the particles is in form of a fluidised bed through which a liquid flow is passing. The characteristic feature is that the liquid (liquid 1) used in the wash or the releasing step (step 1) is immediately followed by a liquid (liquid 2, step 2) having a higher density than liquid 1 while maintaining the bed in a fluidised state. A liquid chromatographic process having an actual sequence of steps comprising (c) at least a capture step in which a sample deriving from an animal is bound to the particles and (d) two consecutive steps (step 1 and step 2) in which the bed is fluidised by a liquid flow passing through said vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences AB
    Inventor: Patrik Leijon
  • Patent number: D495060
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences AB
    Inventor: Karl-Gunnar Hellström