Patents Assigned to Quest Diagnostics
  • Patent number: 7297555
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that introduction of hydrophilic sulfoalkyl substituents and/or hydrophilic linkers derived from homocysteic acid, cysteic acid, glycine peptides, tetraethylene oxide, and the like, offset the hydrophobicity of the acridinium ring system to produce a more soluble label which can be attached to an antibody at higher loading before precipitation and aggregation problems are encountered. Additional compounds described herein contain linkers derived from short peptides and tetraethylene oxide which increase aqueous solubility due to hydrogen bonding with water molecules. The present invention also embraces reagents for multiple acridinium labeling for signal amplification composed of a peptide bearing several acridinium esters with sulfonate groups at regularly spaced intervals for increased solubility. The invention also embraces assays employing the above-described compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ramon Evangelista, Martha Garrity
  • Patent number: 7288378
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for use in the rapid and simultaneous screening of one or more samples for one or more polymorphisms in the TIGR gene. The methods and compositions of the present invention can be used to rapidly determine if polymorphisms in a gene encoding the TIGR protein are present in the genome of a subject. Identifying which polymorphisms are present in an individual can permit the diagnosis or prediction of the risk of glaucoma in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventor: Doug Hui Huang
  • Patent number: 7262292
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for determining the presence and/or amount of HBV nucleic acids in a test sample. In particular, substantially purified oligonucleotide primers and probes are described that can be used for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting HBV nucleic acid in a test sample by amplification methods. The present invention also provides primers and probes for generating and detecting control nucleic acid sequences that provide a convenient method for assessing internal quality control of the HBV assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Vijaya Pasupuleti, Hasnah Hamdan, Michael Lewinski
  • Patent number: 7250506
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for determining the presence and/or amount of HCV nucleic acids in a test sample. In particular, substantially purified oligonucleotide primers and probes are described that can be used for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting HCV nucleic acid in a test sample by amplification methods. The present invention also provides primers and probes for generating and detecting control nucleic acid sequences that provide a convenient method for assessing internal quality control of the HCV assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Russell Baumann, Hasnah Hamdan, Michael Lewinski
  • Patent number: 7196181
    Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel human thyroid peroxidase proteins and polypeptides capable of being secreted from cells, vectors comprising the sequences, and cells transformed with the vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments, Inc.
    Inventor: Basil Rapoport
  • Patent number: 7108662
    Abstract: A collection device for a testing system includes a central volume and a trough, adjacent the central volume. The trough is configured with a pour spout such that, as fluid is poured from the collection device, a controlled volume remains in the trough. The trough is configured to receive a portion of a test kit and to apply the controlled volume of the sample to test strips within the test kit. The trough can also include apertures in the wall between the trough and the central volume which allow excess sample to flow back into the cup when the cup is placed upright after pouring and when the test kit is inserted into the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
    Inventors: Rod Miller, Michael Hutchinson, Peter J. Sagona, Michael Bucholtz
  • Patent number: 7087395
    Abstract: The present invention features a kit and a method of using the kit for determining a concentration of a vitamin D component. The kit comprises a releasing composition and a detecting composition. The releasing composition comprises an aqueous base component. In one embodiment, the releasing composition is substantially free from an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Martha Garrity, Jacqueline Tran
  • Patent number: 6994980
    Abstract: A novel chemiluminescent compound is provided. In one embodiment, the novel compound is employed in an assay to detect analytes. The assay to detect analytes includes the steps of binding the novel compound to the analyte and detecting the novel compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip P. Miller, Martha Garrity
  • Patent number: 6993175
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of determining the microvascular density of tumors. The methods generally comprise creating a digital image of a defined cross section of the tumor, determining the cross-sectional surface area of vascular tissue in the section of the tumor, determining the total cross sectional area of the section of the tumor, calculating the ratio of the cross sectional surface area of the tumor to the total cross sectional area of the section of the tumor, and thereby determining the microvascular density of the tumor. The digital image of the tumor may preferably be created using image processing software and the image may be displayed on a computer screen. The image may be digitally dissected by removing from the image all non-vascular tissue. This approach produces reproducible results that match the results generated by functional MRI assessments of blood perfusion of the tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Samoszuk, Froilan Espinoza, Leonard Leonor
  • Patent number: 6977143
    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: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Caulfield, Darren A. Carns, Richard E. Reitz
  • Patent number: 6946245
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for determining the presence and/or amount of HCV nucleic acids in a test sample. In particular, substantially purified oligonucleotide primers and probes are described that can be used for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting HCV nucleic acid in a test sample by amplification methods. The present invention also provides primers and probes for generating and detecting control nucleic acid sequences that provide a convenient method for assessing internal quality control of the HCV assay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Russell Baumann, Hasnah Hamdan, Michael Lewinski
  • Patent number: 6924154
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that introduction of hydrophilic sulfoalkyl substituents and/or hydrophilic linkers derived from homocysteic acid, cysteic acid, glycine peptides, tetraethylene oxide, and the like, offset the hydrophobicity of the acridinium ring system to produce a more soluble label which can be attached to an antibody at higher loading before precipitation and aggregation problems are encountered. Additional compounds described herein contain linkers derived from short peptides and tetraethylene oxide which increase aqueous solubility due to hydrogen bonding with water molecules. The present invention also embraces reagents for multiple acridinium labeling for signal amplification composed of a peptide bearing several acridinium esters with sulfonate groups at regularly spaced intervals for increased solubility. The invention also embraces assays employing the above-described compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ramon Evangelista, Martha Garrity
  • Patent number: 6905886
    Abstract: This invention relates to preservative solutions for peptides, for example, parathyroid hormone, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the peptides preserved by the solutions are non-reconstituted. In one embodiment, the preservative solutions comprise a polyvinyl alcohol, EDTA component and molybdic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Lata Sundaram, Ann Hoang, Stan Shimizu, Elizabeth R. Umelo-Njaka, Darcy A. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20050048663
    Abstract: It is discovered that a composition comprising at least one amine and at least one stabilizer may be useful in detecting the presence of an adulterant in a urine sample. Such adulterant includes an oxidizing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: John Novinski, Barry Sample, Richard Hilderbrand, Susan Mills, Victoria Johnson
  • Patent number: 6861262
    Abstract: It is discovered that a composition comprising at least one amine and at least one stabilizer may be useful in detecting the presence of an adulterant in a urine sample. Such adulterant includes an oxidizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: John Novinski, Barry Sample, Richard L. Hilderbrand, Susan Mills, Victoria Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040248172
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting and analyzing clonal T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement using temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE), which employs a gradual and uniform increase in the temperature of a constant denaturing gel to resolve different DNA molecules based on base pair composition. The present invention also provides methods and compositions for providing appropriate DNA migration markers for TTGE analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Samoszuk, Dan Zhu
  • Publication number: 20040214217
    Abstract: A novel chemiluminescent compound is provided. In one embodiment, the novel compound is employed in an assay to detect analytes. The assay to detect analytes includes the steps of binding the novel compound to the analyte and detecting the novel compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Phillip Miller, Martha Garrity
  • Publication number: 20040209259
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of determining the genotype at a duplicated region of a genome. The methods involve (a) amplifying the DNA, preferably using four amplification primers The exemplary methods produce a first amplicon corresponding to a first distinct region or gene by utilizing a first primer and a second primer which are selected to produce the first amplicon in the presence of the first distinct region or gene, but not in absence of the first distinct region or gene. A second amplicon corresponding to a second distinct region or gene is also produced by utilizing a third primer and a fourth primer which are selected to produce the second amplicon in the presence of the second distinct region or gene, but not in the absence of the second distinct region or gene. A third and/or fourth amplicon corresponding to a hybrid gene or genes is/are also produced if a hybrid gene is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jennifer Dianne Keen-Kim, Raymond George Fenwick
  • Publication number: 20040142360
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining the genotype of a selected gene present in at least two alleles in a sample. The methods involve amplifying DNA from the sample with a first pair of flanking primers that hybridize to nucleic acid sequences flanking a variant-specific gene sequence, the presence of which indicates the presence of a first gene variant, and the absence of which indicates the presence of a second gene variant. The DNA is also amplified with a third primer that specifically binds to the variant-specific sequence and together with one of the flanking primers forms a second pair of primers. Detection of one or more nucleic acid products of the amplification reaction is indicative of the genotype present in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Z. Qu, Anthony Sferruzza
  • Patent number: 6747139
    Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding human thyrotropin receptor and related methods are disclosed. The nucleic acids may have nucleotides deleted and/or replaced to modify the amino acid sequence of human thyrotropin receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Basil Rapoport, Sandra McLachlan