Patents Assigned to Cepheid
  • Reagent reservoir system for analytical instruments
    Patent number: 9057674
    Abstract: The invention provides a reagent reservoir system and disposable reaction cassettes using the same. In one aspect, such system comprises a chamber in which dried reagent, particularly lyophilized reagent, is constrained to remain in a defined region of the chamber by a retaining member that obstructs passage of such reagents to other regions of the chamber where they may escape hydration or activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Reuel Van Atta, Francisco Javier Dias Lourenco
  • APPARATUS WITH HETEROGENEOUS PROCESSING MODULES
    Publication number: 20150119268
    Abstract: A biological sample processing apparatus having an enclosure. A plurality of sample processing modules are held by the enclosure. Each sample processing module is configured to hold a removable sample cartridge and to only perform sample processing on a sample within the corresponding removable sample cartridge. Each sample processing module is configured to perform at least one of a plurality of testing processes on the sample within the removable sample cartridge. At least one module in the apparatus is configured to perform nucleic acid amplification and detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: CEPHEID
    Inventor: John L. Bishop
  • REAGENT RESERVOIR SYSTEM FOR ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS
    Publication number: 20140377759
    Abstract: The invention provides a reagent reservoir system and disposable reaction cassettes using the same. In one aspect, such system comprises a chamber in which dried reagent, particularly lyophilized reagent, is constrained to remain in a defined region of the chamber by a retaining member that obstructs passage of such reagents to other regions of the chamber where they may escape hydration or activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: CEPHEID
    Inventors: REUEL VAN ATTA, FRANCISCO JAVIER DIAS LOURENCO
  • Methods and apparatus for sequential amplification reactions
    Patent number: 8900828
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for carrying out multiple amplification reactions in a single reaction chamber by successive cycles of loading reaction mixture, amplifying, and removing spent reaction mixture in a fluidly closed reaction system. In particular, the present invention allows amplification of a plurality of target polynucleotides from a single sample by carrying out under closed-loop control successive amplifications of different target polynucleotides from different portions of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Joseph H. Smith, David H. Persing, Alan Wortman, Ronald Chang, David Swenson
  • METHODS OF DETECTING LUNG CANCER
    Publication number: 20140349869
    Abstract: Methods of detecting lung cancer, such as non-small cell lung cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, are provided. Methods of detecting changes in the levels of one or more small RNAs associated with lung cancer are also provided. Compositions and kits are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: CEPHEID
    Inventors: Bernard Michot, Olivier Delfour
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING REAGENT BEADS
    Publication number: 20140335627
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient and effective technique for storing and dispensing reagent beads. In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for dispensing reagent beads contained in a bead storage device which includes a bead carrier having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reagent beads disposed in the wells; and a cover tape releasably attached to the bead carrier to cover the wells and retain the reagent beads in the wells. The apparatus comprises a channel in which to place the bead storage device with the bead carrier facing a support wall of the channel and the cover tape facing a stripping wall of the channel. The stripping wall includes a stripping gap disposed between a stripping edge and an opposite edge, and a dispense opening provided adjacent the opposite edge on a side of the stripping wall opposite from the stripping edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Cepheid
    Inventors: RONALD CHANG, Douglas B. Dority, Steven Montgomery
  • METHODS OF DETECTING BLADDER CANCER
    Publication number: 20140309127
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting bladder cancer are provided. In some embodiments, methods of detecting low grade bladder cancer are provided. In some embodiments, methods of monitoring recurrence of bladder cancer are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise detecting androgen receptor (AR) and/or uroplakin 1B (UPK1B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Cepheid
    Inventors: Leena McCann, Stacey Ellen Wallace, Edwin Wei-Lung Lai, Russell Higuchi
  • FLUID PROCESSING AND CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140295479
    Abstract: A fluid control and processing system for controlling fluid flow among a plurality of chambers comprises a body including a fluid processing region continuously coupled fluidicly with a fluid displacement region. The fluid displacement region is depressurizable to draw fluid into the fluid displacement region and pressurizable to expel fluid from the fluid displacement region. The body includes at least one external port. The fluid processing region is fluidicly coupled with the at least one external port. The fluid displacement region is fluidicly coupled with at least one external port of the body. The body is adjustable with respect to the plurality of chambers to place the at least one external port selectively in fluidic communication with the plurality of chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Cepheid
    Inventors: Douglas DORITY, Ronald CHANG
  • MULTI-CHAMBERED LID APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20140284338
    Abstract: A lid apparatus for a multi-chambered container. The lid apparatus has a top-lid that is hingedly attached to a bottom-cap. The top-lid includes one or more openings for fluid filling multiple passages that extend from the bottom-cap. A lower bottom-cap includes welding features for welding to the multi-chambered container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Cepheid
    Inventor: Paul Jordan
  • Apparatus and method for cell disruption
    Patent number: 8815521
    Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the transducer and the flexible wall. The apparatus may also include beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Michael T. Taylor, Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Ronald Chang
  • METHODS OF DETECTING LUNG CANCER
    Publication number: 20140200153
    Abstract: Methods of lung cancer in a sample from a patient are provided. Methods of detecting changes in expression of one or more target RNAs associated with lung cancer are also provided. Compositions and kits are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Cepheid
    Inventors: Bernard Michot, Olivier Delfour, David H. Persing
  • Reagent reservoir system for analytical instruments
    Patent number: 8758701
    Abstract: The invention provides a reagent reservoir system and disposable reaction cassettes using the same. In one aspect, such system comprises a chamber in which dried reagent, particularly lyophilized reagent, is constrained to remain in a defined region of the chamber by a retaining member that obstructs passage of such reagents to other regions of the chamber where they may escape hydration or activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Reuel Van Atta, Dias Lourenco Francisco
  • Apparatus for storing and dispensing reagent beads
    Patent number: 8747782
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient and effective technique for storing and dispensing reagent beads. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for dispensing reagent beads contained in a bead storage device which includes a bead carrier having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reagent beads disposed in the wells; and a cover tape releasably attached to the bead carrier to cover the wells and retain the reagent beads in the wells. The apparatus comprises a channel in which to place the bead storage device with the bead carrier facing a support wall of the channel and the cover tape facing a stripping wall of the channel. The stripping wall includes a stripping gap disposed between a stripping edge and an opposite edge, and a dispense opening provided adjacent the opposite edge on a side of the stripping wall opposite from the stripping edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority, Steven Montgomery
  • Closed-system multi-stage nucleic acid amplification reactions
    Patent number: 8728765
    Abstract: The invention is directed to systems, methods, and apparatus for carrying out multi-stage amplification reactions, especially under fluidly closed conditions. In one aspect, methods of the invention are carried out in a fluidly closed reaction system that permits the isolation of a portion of a first (or prior) reaction mixture and its use as a sample or specimen in a second (or subsequent) reaction mixture, thereby substantially avoiding interfering effects that first reaction components may have in the second reaction if both reaction mixtures were simply combined together. In this aspect, systems, methods, and apparatus of the invention may be used with any amplification reaction that permits multiple stages of amplification based on the use of nested primers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Jesus Ching, Ronald Chang, Douglas Dority, Jian Ping Zhang, James Jian Quan Wang, Wendy Wong, Kendra Lara Paul, Reuel Van Atta
  • Cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction
    Patent number: 8709363
    Abstract: A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction includes a body having at least one flow path formed therein. The cartridge also includes a reaction vessel extending from the body for holding a reaction mixture for chemical reaction and optical detection. The vessel comprises a rigid frame defining the side walls of a reaction chamber. The frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber. The vessel also includes flexible films or sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber. In addition, at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each to permit real-time optical detection of analyte in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Kurt Petersen, William McMillan, Farzad Pourahmadi, Ronald Chang, Douglas Dority
  • Universal Docking Bay and Data Door in a Fluidic Analysis System
    Publication number: 20140098252
    Abstract: An analytic system for carrying out a chemical assay, the system having a bay with an opening on one side, the bay of a size and shape to enclose a cartridge carrying sample material to be analyzed, one or more mechanisms within the bay through which the cartridge and or material within the cartridge is influenced, a door of a size to cover the opening, a securing mechanism associated with the bay and the door, by which the door is secured when closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Cepheid
    Inventors: Ron Chang, Steven M. Montgomery, Gregory E. Mote
  • Analysis system
    Patent number: D705441
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Ron Chang, Steven M. Montgomery, Gregory E. Mote
  • Analysis system
    Patent number: D705943
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: CEPHEID
    Inventors: Ron Chang, Steven M. Montgomery, Gregory E. Mote
  • Analysis system
    Patent number: D705944
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Ron Chang, Steven M. Montgomery, Gregory E. Mote
  • Data door for an analysis system
    Patent number: D709621
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Cepheid
    Inventors: Ron Chang, Steven M. Montgomery, Gregory E. Mote