Patents Assigned to Luminex Corporation
  • Probes for improved melt discrimination and multiplexing in nucleic acid assays
    Patent number: 9982291
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of nucleic acids are provided. In certain embodiments, methods involve the use of cleavable probes that comprise a ribonucleotide position that is susceptible to endoribonuclease (e.g., RNase H) cleavage in the presence of target nucleic acid molecules. Probes of the embodiments may also comprise non-natural nucleotide linked to a reporter and/or quenching moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. Johnson, Nicolas Arab, Doug Whitman
  • Apparatus, system, and method for image normalization using a gaussian residual of fit selection criteria
    Patent number: 9984279
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for image normalization using a Gaussian residual of fit selection criteria. The method may include acquiring a two-dimensional image of a plurality of particles, where the plurality of particles comprises a plurality of calibration particles, and identifying a calibration particle by correlating a portion of the image corresponding to the calibration particle to a mathematical model (e.g. Gaussian fit). The measured intensity of the calibration particle may then be used to normalize the intensity of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew S. Fisher, Nicolas Arab
  • Hydrolysis probes
    Patent number: 9970050
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of nucleic acids are provided. In one embodiment, a sample is contacted with a primer complementary to a first region of a target nucleic acid and a probe complementary to a second region of the target nucleic acid downstream of the first region under conditions suitable for hybridization of the target nucleic acid with the primer and the probe. The probe in this embodiment comprises a fluorophore and is attached to a solid support. The hybridized probe is cleaved with a nucleic acid polymerase having exonuclease activity to release the reporter from the solid support. The presence of the target nucleic acid is then detected and optionally quantified by detecting a decrease in signal from the reporter on the solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Schrader, Douglas F. Whitman
  • Real-time tracking and correlation of microspheres
    Patent number: 9965866
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for tracking and correlating particles include an optical detector that captures a first and a second image of the particles. A video detector is used to capture a plurality of video frames of the particles. The video detector captures the video frames of the particles at a rate faster than the rate at which images are captured by the optical detector to track the movement of particles. A first image position of a particle in the first image of the particles is identified, and then the first image position of the particle is correlated to a second image position of the particle in the second image using the plurality of video frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam Schilffarth, Matthew Fisher
  • INSTRUMENT FOR CASSETTE FOR SAMPLE PREPARATION
    Publication number: 20180100186
    Abstract: A parallel processing system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and detection system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steve Jia Chang YU, Jesus CHING, Phillip You Fai LEE, David Hsiang HU
  • CHIP-BASED FLOW CYTOMETER TYPE SYSTEMS FOR ANALYZING FLUORESCENTLY TAGGED PARTICLES
    Publication number: 20180100872
    Abstract: Portable systems for processing and analyzing biological or environmental samples as well as different configurations of chip-based flow cytometers are provided. The portable systems include an automated assay preparation module configured to process a sample into a fluid assay with fluorescently tagged particles and a microfluidic analysis module coupled to the fluid assay module, wherein the microfluidic analysis module includes a chip-based flow cytometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam Richard SCHILFFARTH, William R. DEICHER, John C. CARRANO, Jesse C. PHILLIPS
  • Apparatus and method for integrated sample preparation, reaction and detection
    Patent number: 9931636
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a reaction vial and a transfer mechanism. The housing defines a first flow path and a second flow path. The housing has transfer port defining an opening in fluid communication with the second flow path and a volume outside of the housing. The transfer port includes a flow control member to limit flow through the opening. The reaction vial is coupled to the housing and defines a reaction volume, which is in fluid communication with the transfer port via the second flow path. The transfer mechanism is configured to transfer a sample from an isolation chamber of an isolation module to the reaction chamber via at least the first flow path when the transfer mechanism is actuated. The transfer mechanism configured to produce a vacuum in the reaction vial to produce a flow of a sample from the isolation chamber to the reaction volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jesus Ching, Phillip You Fai Lee, Bruce Richardson
  • CASSETTE FOR SAMPLE PREPARATION
    Publication number: 20180044661
    Abstract: Apparatuses for preparing a sample are disclosed herein. The apparatuses include a chamber, a first valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, a second valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, and a pump comprising an actuator and nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jesus CHING, David Hsiang HU, Steve Jia Chang YU, Phillip You Fai LEE
  • Instrument for cassette for sample preparation
    Patent number: 9856517
    Abstract: A parallel processing system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and detection system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steve Jia Chang Yu, Jesus Ching, Phillip You Fai Lee, David Hsiang Hu
  • Cassette for sample preparation
    Patent number: 9828598
    Abstract: Apparatuses for preparing a sample are disclosed herein. The apparatuses include a chamber, a first valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, a second valve at least partially disposed in the first chamber, and a pump comprising an actuator and nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jesus Ching, David Hsiang Hu, Steve Jia Chang Yu, Phillip You Fai Lee
  • INSTRUMENT FOR CASSETTE FOR SAMPLE PREPARATION
    Publication number: 20170321255
    Abstract: A parallel processing system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and detection system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steve Jia Chang YU, Jesus CHING, Phillip You Fai LEE, David Hsiang HU
  • METHODS FOR GENERATING STABILIZED LYOPHILIZED MATERIALS
    Publication number: 20170321254
    Abstract: Lyophilized biological reagents, such as enzymes (e.g., PCR reagents) and antibodies, are provided that include a wax component. Thus, in some aspects, a method is provided for storing a biological reagent comprising formulating the reagent into a lyophilized composition including a wax component. Methods for using such lyophilized reagents are likewise provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott JOHNSON, Jen DILLMAN
  • PROBES FOR IMPROVED MELT DISCRIMINATION AND MULTIPLEXING IN NUCLEIC ACID ASSAYS
    Publication number: 20170321259
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of nucleic acids are provided. In certain embodiments, methods involve the use of cleavable probes that comprise a ribonucleotide position that is susceptible to endoribonuclease (e.g., RNase H) cleavage in the presence of target nucleic acid molecules. Probes of the embodiments may also comprise non-natural nucleotide linked to a reporter and/or quenching moiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. JOHNSON, Nicolas ARAB, Doug WHITMAN
  • Chip-based flow cytometer type systems for analyzing fluorescently tagged particles
    Patent number: 9810707
    Abstract: Portable systems for processing and analyzing biological or environmental samples as well as different configurations of chip-based flow cytometers are provided. The portable systems include an automated assay preparation module configured to process a sample into a fluid assay with fluorescently tagged particles and a microfluidic analysis module coupled to the fluid assay module, wherein the microfluidic analysis module includes a chip-based flow cytometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam Richard Schilffarth, William R. Deicher, John C. Carrano, Jesse C. Phillips
  • PROBES FOR IMPROVED MELT DISCRIMINATION AND MULTIPLEXING IN NUCLEIC ACID ASSAYS
    Publication number: 20170298423
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the detection and quantification of nucleic acids are provided. In certain embodiments, methods involve the use of primers or probes that comprise a non-natural nucleotide linked to a reporter. Target nucleic acids are detected by the polymerization of a complementary probe or primer that incorporated a cognate non-natural nucleotide linked to a quencher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Doug WHITMAN, Nicolas ARAB, Chuck COLLINS
  • Methods and systems for image data processing
    Patent number: 9767344
    Abstract: Methods, storage mediums, and systems for image data processing are provided. Embodiments for the methods, storage mediums, and systems include configurations to perform one or more of the following steps: background signal measurement, particle identification using classification dye emission and cluster rejection, inter-image alignment, inter-image particle correlation, fluorescence integration of reporter emission, and image plane normalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Luminex Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne D. Roth
  • Rotating shielded magnetic actuator
    Patent number: 9752968
    Abstract: Systems configured to isolate particles in a fluid assay are disclosed. Methods for collecting a sample of magnetic particles from a liquid are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods include a magnetic actuator coupled to a chassis, where the magnetic actuator comprises at least one shielded rotatable magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Smith, Adam Schilffarth
  • Instrument for cassette for sample preparation
    Patent number: 9745615
    Abstract: A parallel preceding system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and detection system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steve Jia Chang Yu, Jesus Ching, Phillip You Fai Lee, David Hsiang Hu
  • Method and system for manufacture and use of macroporous beads in a multiplex assay
    Patent number: 9745438
    Abstract: Macroporous beads and a method of manufacturing and using such macroporous beads. wherein the beads are distinguishable for use in a multiplex assay. Preferably, the beads are distinguishable by two or more unique fluorochromes, and at least some of the beads are magnetically responsive. In a preferred form, some of the macroporous beads have interior pores with a different moiety from the exterior surface, allowing beads with different attached functional groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Bedre, Don Chandler, Ben Mize
  • Systems and methods for multiplex analysis of PCR in real time
    Patent number: 9745620
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for real-time measurements of PCR with multiplexing capability. Certain embodiments relate to methods and systems that use fluorescently encoded superparamagnetic microspheres for the immobilization of amplification products during the PCR process, and an imaging chamber of a measurement device that is also capable of controllable thermal cycling for assisting the PCR process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas F. Whitman, Charles J. Collins