Patents Assigned to Quest Diagnostics
  • Multiplex detection assay for influenza and RSV viruses
    Patent number: 8354230
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a molecular test of Influenza A, Influenza B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus A, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus B in order to identify patients with a viral infection. Accordingly methods and compositions are disclosed to determine the presence or absence of a viral pathogen in a sample containing one or more target nucleic acids from the M gene of Influenza A, Influenza B, Respiratory Syncytial Virus A, and/or Respiratory Syncytial Virus B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Inc.
    Inventors: Jules Chen, Lilly I. Kong, Ming-Chou Lee, Fan Chen, Michelle M. Tabb, Michael Aye
  • Methods and apparatuses for estimating initial target nucleic acid concentration in a sample by modeling background signal and cycle-dependent amplification efficiency of a polymerase chain reaction
    Patent number: 8346485
    Abstract: Provided are methods for estimating the amount of initial target nucleic acid in a sample prior to nucleic acid amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The methods generally involve modeling signal intensity data generated across a range of PCR cycles with a phenomenological model in concert with a chemical model, to yield an estimate of the amount of initial target nucleic acid in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventor: Benedict G. Archer
  • Methods for detecting vitamin C by mass spectrometry
    Patent number: 8338778
    Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of vitamin C in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing vitamin C in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of vitamin C in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Qibo Jiang, Richard Reitz, Sum Chan
  • Cystic fibrosis gene mutations
    Patent number: 8338578
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel mutations of the CFTR gene related to cystic fibrosis or to conditions associated with cystic fibrosis. Also provided are probes for detecting the mutant sequences. Methods of identifying if an individual has a genotype containing one or more mutations in the CFTR gene are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew J. McGinniss, Arlene M. Buller, Franklin Quan, Mei Peng, Weimin Sun
  • Determination of testosterone by mass spectrometry
    Patent number: 8329392
    Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the presence or amount of testosterone in a test sample, comprising ionizing all or a portion of the testosterone present in the sample to produce one or more testosterone ions that are detectable in a mass spectrometer. All or a portion of the testosterone present in the sample is ionized to produce one or more testosterone ions, which may be isolated and fragmented to produce precursor ions. A separately detectable internal testosterone standard can be provided in the sample. In a preferred embodiment, the reference is 2,2,4,6,6-d5 testosterone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Caulfield, Darren A Carns, Richard E Reitz
  • Determination of testosterone by mass spectrometry
    Patent number: 8318418
    Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the presence or amount of testosterone in a test sample, comprising ionizing all or a portion of the testosterone present in the sample to produce one or more testosterone ions that are detectable in a mass spectrometer. All or a portion of the testosterone present in the sample is ionized to produce one or more testosterone ions, which may be isolated and fragmented to produce precursor ions. A separately detectable internal testosterone standard can be provided in the sample. In a preferred embodiment, the reference is 2,2,4,6,6-d5 testosterone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Caulfield, Darren A Carns, Richard E Reitz
  • Methods for detecting dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites by mass spectrometry
    Patent number: 8293540
    Abstract: Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally comprise ionizing a dihydrorxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. In certain preferred embodiments the methods include immunopurifying the dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites prior to mass spectrometry. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites in a single assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brett Holmquist, Nigel Clarke
  • Methods for detecting dehydroepiandrosterone by mass spectrometry
    Patent number: 8283627
    Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of underivatized dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing DHEA in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of DHEA in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Amit Ghoshal, Nigel J. Clarke, Richard E. Reitz
  • Detection of complex nucleic acids
    Patent number: 8263330
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex nucleic acids in a test sample. In particular, regions of the IS6110 preferential locus (ipl) 3?-flanking region of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex genome are amplified and detected. In addition, oligonucleotides that can be used as primers to amplify the ipl 3?-flanking region and probe oligonucleotides are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventor: Maurice Exner
  • Lipoprotein analysis by differential charged-particle mobility
    Patent number: 8247235
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of preparation of lipoproteins from a biological sample, including HDL, LDL, Lp(a), IDL, and VLDL, for diagnostic purposes utilizing differential charged particle mobility analysis methods. Further provided are methods for analyzing the size distribution of lipoproteins by differential charged particle mobility, which lipoproteins are prepared by methods of the invention. Further provided are methods for assessing lipid-related health risk, cardiovascular condition, risk of cardiovascular disease, and responsiveness to a therapeutic intervention, which methods utilize lipoprotein size distributions determined by methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Caulfield, Richard E. Reitz, Shuguang Li, Gloria Kwangja Lee, Ronald Krauss, Patricia J. Blanche, W. Henry Benner, Earl Cornell
  • Methods and kits for detecting ITA in a biological sample
    Patent number: 8227197
    Abstract: Methods for detecting invasive trophoblast antigen (ITA) in biological samples comprise screening the samples for ITA using antibodies that bind to the ITA. The methods are useful to detect pregnancy, trophoblastic diseases, and Down's syndrome in fetuses of pregnant women. Some methods include screening the samples with a plurality of capture antibodies that specifically bind ITA. Chemiluminescent immunoassays are disclosed. The methods may be practiced with the diagnostic kits of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Murugan R. Pandian, Julie Y. Yu
  • Method for detecting the presence of hemoglobin in a biological sample
    Patent number: 8198036
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of hemoglobin in a biological sample, more particularly, the presence of blood in a fecal sample as an indicator of upper or lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventor: Howard Chandler
  • Methods for detecting dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites by mass spectrometry
    Patent number: 8173442
    Abstract: Provided are methods of detecting the presence or amount of a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally comprise ionizing a dihydroxyvitamin D metabolite in a sample and detecting the amount of the ion to determine the presence or amount of the vitamin D metabolite in the sample. In certain preferred embodiments the methods include immunopurifying the dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites prior to mass spectrometry. Also provided are methods to detect the presence or amount of two or more dihydroxyvitamin D metabolites in a single assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brett Holmquist, Nigel J. Clarke, Anne Caston-Balderrama, Richard E. Reitz
  • Nucleic acid size detection method
    Patent number: 8163480
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of determining the size of a particular nucleic acid segment of interest in a sample of nucleic acids through fragmentation of DNA, size fractionation, an optional second fragmentation, and identification using a marker sequence. In particular aspects, an expansion or reduction of tandem repeat sequences can be detected. In further aspects, carriers and individuals afflicted with fragile X syndrome or other diseases associated with tandem repeats can be distinguished from normal individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignees: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated, US Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Donghui Huang, Charles M. Strom, Steven J. Potts, Jenny Ellen Rooke
  • Methods for detecting dihydrotestosterone by mass spectrometry
    Patent number: 8158931
    Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing DHT in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of DHT in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Amit Ghoshal, Nigel J. Clarke, Richard Reitz
  • Mass spectrometry assay for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
    Patent number: 8153962
    Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting the amount of one or more CAH panel analytes (i.e., pregnenolone, 17-OH pregnenolone, progesterone, 17-OH progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, testosterone, deoxycorticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, and cortisol) in a sample by mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing one or more CAH panel analytes in a sample and quantifying the generated ions to determine the amount of one or more CAH panel analytes in the sample. In methods where amounts of multiple CAH panel analytes are detected, the amounts of multiple analytes are detected in the same sample injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Amit Ghoshal, Nigel J. Clarke, Mildred M. Goldman
  • Quantification of fusion proteins and their activity from chromosomal translocation
    Patent number: 8124351
    Abstract: The present invention concerns the detection of gene products resulting from chromosomal translocations, including fusion proteins comprising a first and second region. In particular, the fusion proteins are identified following subjecting a sample comprising the proteins to a bead comprising an antibody to a first region, followed by subjecting the bead-antibody-fusion complex to a second antibody directed against the second region, thereby detecting the fusion protein. In particular aspects, the invention is employed to provide prognosis for an individual with cancer, to identify suitability for a particular cancer therapy, and/or to monitor response of a patient to a therapy, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
    Inventors: Maher Albitar, Hagop Kantarjian, Francis Giles, Iman Jilani
  • Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene mutations
    Patent number: 8124345
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel mutations of the CFTR gene related to cystic fibrosis or to conditions associated with cystic fibrosis. Also provided are probes for detecting the mutant sequences. Methods of identifying if an individual has a genotype containing one or more mutations in the CFTR gene are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Weimin Sun, Matthew J. McGinniss, Donghui Huang, Arlene Buller, Raymond Fenwick, Mei Peng, Franklin Quan
  • Oxidized APOA1 determination by mass spectrometry
    Patent number: 8114613
    Abstract: Methods are provided for the detection and quantitation of proteins generally and apolipoprotein A-I and oxidized derivatives thereof in particular. Further provided are methods for the assessment of the risk cardiovascular disease in a subject, wherein the assessment is based on the amount of oxidized and unoxidized apolipoprotein A-I in a biological sample obtained from a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael P. Caulfield
  • Mass spectrometry assay for plasma-renin
    Patent number: 8106351
    Abstract: Provided are methods for measuring renin activity in a plasma sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing purified angiotensin 1 from the sample and detecting the amount of angiotensin 1 ions generated. The amount of detected angiotensin 1 ions are then related to the amount of angiotensin 1 generated in the sample, which in turn is related to renin activity in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Cory E. Bystrom, Richard E. Reitz, Nigel J. Clarke