Patents Assigned to Abaxis, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7177767
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting the accidental use of short and long samples in the clinical analysis of a sample, specimen, or assay. The systems can include a clinical analyzer for determining one or more values for one or more measurable characteristics of a sample. These values are used in combination with reference data stored in a data module to generate a probability that the sample tested is a short sample, a long sample, or an acceptable sample. This probability and/or the status of the sample as a short sample, a long sample, or an acceptable sample are output to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir E. Ostoich, Kenneth Aron, Dennis M. Bleile
  • Patent number: 6818415
    Abstract: Chloride ion and sodium ion determination methods, compositions, and assays are provided which are based on the use of sodium ion as an activator for &agr;-amylase. Chloride ion and sodium ion determination are performed by colorimetry, using measurements of &agr;-amylase activity to indirectly measure the desired ion concentrations. One preferred composition for chloride ion determination comprises &agr;-amylase that is substantially calcium free, sodium ion in higher concentration than the &agr;-amylase, and an &agr;-amylase activity detecting substrate. In the methods, &agr;-amylase is deactivated by a calcium-binding compound, thereby preventing calcium from bonding with the &agr;-amylase. Next, chloride ion and sodium ion stoichiometrically bond with deactivated &agr;-amylase, thereby activating the &agr;-amylase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent Chiang
  • Patent number: 6752961
    Abstract: The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid to a chamber in the rotor. In particular the rotors comprise siphons for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid between a first and a second chamber in the rotor. The siphons of the invention are designed such that the inlet of the siphon on the first chamber is radially outward of the siphon outlet on the second chamber. The first chamber is emptied to a level equivalent to the radial position of the siphon outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Carol T. Schembri
  • Patent number: 6251684
    Abstract: The present invention provides dried chemical compositions comprising dried beads. Typically, the beads comprise reagents suitable for analysis of biological samples, in particular analysis of blood samples in centrifugal analyzers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Buhl, Bhaskar Bhayani, Chi-Sou Yu, Thuy N. Tang
  • Patent number: 6235531
    Abstract: The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid to a chamber in the rotor. In particular the rotors include siphons for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid between a first and a second chamber in the rotor. The siphons of the invention are designed such that the inlet of the siphon on the first chamber is radially outward of the siphon outlet on the second chamber. The first chamber is emptied to a level equivalent to the radial position of the siphon outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Carol T. Schembri
  • Patent number: 5998031
    Abstract: The present invention provides dried chemical compositions comprising dried beads. Typically, the beads comprise reagents suitable for analysis of biological samples, in particular analysis of blood samples in centrifugal analyzers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Buhl, Bhaskar Bhayani, Chi-Sou Yu, Thuy N. Tang
  • Patent number: 5776563
    Abstract: The present invention provides dried chemical compositions comprising dried beads. Typically, the beads comprise reagents suitable for analysis of biological samples, in particular analysis of blood samples in centrifugal analyzers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Buhl, Bhaskar Bhayani, Chi-Sou Yu, Thuy N. Tang
  • Patent number: 5624597
    Abstract: The present invention provides lyophilized reagent spheres comprising reagents suitable for analysis of biological samples, in particular analysis of blood samples in centrifugal analyzers. Also provided are diluents which are conveniently used in such analyzers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Buhl, Terri Bogart, Tammy Burd, Bhaskar Bhayani, Christian Skieller, Chi-Sou Yu, Thuy N. Tang, Vladimir E. Ostoich, Branko Huc, Carol T. Schembri
  • Patent number: 5599411
    Abstract: A method and a device for modifying the energy-applying surface of an ultrasonic welding horn to join two complex thermoplastic parts by applying a thin film to the surface of the horn is disclosed. The thin film is applied to insure that a proper weld occurs along a complex and intricate pattern of energy directors located between the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol Schembri
  • Patent number: 5591643
    Abstract: The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a liquid, typically a biological sample such as diluted plasma, to an unvented chamber in the rotor through an unmodified inlet channel. The unvented chamber is typically a cuvette comprising reagents necessary for analysis of a biological sample. The unmodified inlet channels are sized such that, as the rotor spins, gas escapes from the chamber through the inlet channel as the liquid enters the chamber through the inlet channel. The primary feature which allows the air to escape from the unvented chamber is that the cross sectional area of the inlet channel is greater than the cross sectional area of the liquid flowing through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol T. Schembri
  • Patent number: 5590052
    Abstract: The present invention provides various methods for detecting errors in a blood analysis system. The system includes a blood analyzer and a molded plastic rotor with a series of chambers and capillary channels through which blood is processed and distributed to cuvettes which contain lyophilized reagents. The rotor is placed in the analyzer which spins the rotor, and an optical system reads the cuvettes as light is flashed through the cuvettes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Anne R. Kopf-Sill, Steven N. Buhl, Glenda L. Choate, Lloyd A. Schick, Robert E. Nagle, Jenq C. Chang, Daniel Bernstein, Wayne A. Britt
  • Patent number: 5518930
    Abstract: The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a liquid, typically a biological sample such as diluted plasma, to a plurality of cuvettes in the rotor. The cuvettes are positioned radially inward of an annulate manifold and are connected to the manifold through a plurality of inlet channels. The liquid is introduced in one end of the manifold and, as the rotor spins, the liquid fills the manifold from the radially outward edge inward. After, the manifold fills, the liquid flows radially inward through the inlet channels into the chambers. The design allows the simultaneous filling of the cuvettes. The inlet channels may also be sized such that as liquid enters the cuvettes, gas escapes through the inlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventor: Tammy L. Burd
  • Patent number: 5478750
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compact, highly automated photometric analyzer for measuring the concentration of substances found in a fluid, typically a blood sample or other body fluid sample taken from a patient. The operator places a small quantity of the sample into a special rotor and then loads the rotor into the analyzer. The analyzer accepts the rotor, centrifuges and dilutes the sample, and distributes the sample into a plurality of cuvettes near the outer edge of the rotor. Some of these cuvettes hold reagents which react with the sample. The analyzer then measures light absorption within the sample at a number of preselected frequencies. According to the present invention, a pair of specially designed apertures direct light from the sample through a plurality of beam splitters, interference filters, and associated photodetectors. The system also includes means for performing automatic calibration and error checking functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Bernstein, Paul J. Lingane, Robert Nagle, Vladimir E. Ostoich
  • Patent number: 5472603
    Abstract: The present invention provides an analytical rotor which holds a fluid in a chamber, typically to allow mixing with a reagent, and transfers the fluid to a receiving chamber in the rotor. The rotor comprises a holding chamber having an single exit duct and a receiving chamber connected to the holding chamber through the exit duct. The exit duct prevents flow at a first rotational speed and allows flow at a second, higher rotational speed. The exit duct may include a capillary passage in which capillary forces prevent flow until the rotational speed is increased. Alternatively, the exit duct may include a siphon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol T. Schembri
  • Patent number: 5457053
    Abstract: An analytical rotor which comprises a receptacle for receiving a post on a centrifuge and means in the rotor body proximate to the receptacle for releasing a liquid in response to mounting the rotor in the centrifuge is disclosed. The means for releasing the liquid is preferably a sealed container shiftably positioned in a chamber proximate the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammy L. Burd, Carol T. Schembri
  • Patent number: 5413732
    Abstract: The present invention provides lyophilized reagent spheres comprising reagents suitable for analysis of biological samples, in particular analysis of blood samples in centrifugal analyzers. Also provided are diluents which are conveniently used in such analyzers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Buhl, Bhaskar Bhayani, Chi-Sou Yu, Thuy N. Tang
  • Patent number: 5409665
    Abstract: The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a liquid, typically a biological sample such as diluted plasma, to a plurality of cuvettes in the rotor. The cuvettes are positioned radially inward of an annulate manifold and are connected to the manifold through a plurality of inlet channels. The liquid is introduced in one end of the manifold and, as the rotor spins, the liquid fills the manifold from the radially outward edge inward. After, the manifold fills, the liquid flows radially inward through the inlet channels into the chambers. The design allows the simultaneous filling of the cuvettes. The inlet channels may also be sized such that as liquid enters the cuvettes, gas escapes through the inlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventor: Tammy L. Burd
  • Patent number: 5403415
    Abstract: A method and a device for modifying the energy-applying surface of an ultrasonic welding horn to join two complex thermoplastic parts by applying a thin film to the surface of the horn is disclosed. The thin film is applied to insure that a proper weld occurs along a complex and intricate pattern of energy directors located between the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol Schembri
  • Patent number: 5304348
    Abstract: An analytical rotor which comprises a receptacle for receiving a post on a centrifuge and a sealed rigid container in the rotor body proximate to the receptacle is provided. The seal on the container is opened when the post is inserted in the receptacle, thereby releasing a liquid in the container. The seal is preferably opened through the displacement of the container caused by positioning of the rotor on the centrifuge post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammy L. Burd, Carol T. Schembri
  • Patent number: 5275016
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for freezing drops of liquid reagent solution in a cryogenic liquid. In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises means for dispensing uniform, precisely measured drops of a liquid reagent and a rotatable carousel positioned below the dispensing means. The upper surface of the carousel has a plurality of trays each containing a cryogenic liquid, typically liquid nitrogen, for receiving the drops of liquid reagent. An alternative embodiment of the present invention comprises a tank comprising a cryogenic liquid for receiving the drops of liquid reagent. The tank has a heat source for slightly heating a portion of the cryogenic liquid such that a convection current in the cryogenic liquid is created. The convection currents in the cryogenic liquid provide mild agitation of the liquid and prevent aggregation of the frozen drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Abaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Bikash K. Chatterjee, Steven N. Buhl, Chi-Sou Yu, Thuy N. Tang, Gary L. Smith, Bhaskar Bhayani, Anthony Alvarado, Swee Wong