Patents Assigned to Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
  • SYSTEMS & METHODS FOR DETECTING CELLS USING ENGINEERED TRANSDUCTION PARTICLES
    Publication number: 20180179600
    Abstract: Accurate measurements of the presence or absence of a target cell in a sample are provided. For example, the sample can be mixed with a plurality of transduction particles capable of binding to the target cells, the transduction particles being engineered to include a nucleic acid molecule formulated to cause the target cells to produce a plurality of detectable reporter molecules once the particles bind to and deliver the nucleic acid molecules into the one or more target cells. A set of signal data points are received that are associated with a quantity of reporter molecules and the signal data points are analyzed to accurately detect target cells in the sample. Systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Hoeppner, Ronald T. Kurnik, Xianxian Liu, Soni Shukla
  • Mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase domain
    Patent number: 9994914
    Abstract: A new in-frame deletion was found in exon 19 of the EGFR gene, the exon that is often mutated in tumors. The invention comprises methods of detecting the mutation, methods of prognosis and methods of predicting response to treatment based on the presence of absence of the mutation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Hoglund, Janet Jin, Yan Li, Wei-Min Liu
  • DNA polymerases with increased 3?-mismatch discrimination
    Patent number: 9988613
    Abstract: Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having increased 3?-mismatch discrimination relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Reichert, Keith Bauer, Thomas W. Myers, Nancy J. Schoenbrunner, Joseph San Filippo
  • Analytical System With Accurate Positioning of Multiwell Plates
    Publication number: 20180147574
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an analytical system with at least three components: a multiwell plate on which the wells are included in an optically transparent area; a frame holding the multiwell plate close to its edge while permitting the plate a certain extent of freedom of movement; a baseplate to which the multiwell plate, but not the frame is firmly fixed via a docking mechanism, such that different expansion of plate and frame can be compensated. A second aspect described herein relates to a method of docking a corresponding multiwell plate held by a frame to a baseplate and subjecting the multiwell plate to a step of a biological or chemical assay within this arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Roche Molecular System, Inc.
    Inventors: Lukas Dysli, Christian Thalmann
  • Instrument and Method for Automatically Heat-Sealing a Microplate
    Publication number: 20180149668
    Abstract: A heating device for heating a thermally fixable sealing cover disposed over the microplate adjacent the wells, a cooling device for actively cooling the microplate and a controller set up to control activity of the heating and cooling devices in a manner to heat the sealing cover so as to thermally fix it to the microplate and to actively cool the microplate so as to keep a temperature of the samples below a predefined temperature when heating the sealing cover. It further relates to a method for automatically sealing a microplate in which the thermally fusible sealing cover is disposed over the microplate, the sealing cover is heated to thermally fix it to the microplate and the microplate is actively cooled in a manner that a temperature of the liquid reaction mixtures is kept below a predefined temperature when heating the sealing cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bommer, Thomas Schlaubitz, Pius Studer
  • Compositions and methods for detection of herpes simplex virus 1 and 2
    Patent number: 9982313
    Abstract: Methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) in a biological or non-biological sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, primers, probes targeting the genes for HSV-1 viral DNA polymerase B (HSV-1 Pol) and HSV-1 thymidine kinase C (HSV-1 TK), and also target the genes for HSV-2 thymidine kinase C (HSV-2 TK) and HSV-2 glycoprotein B (HSV-2 gB), along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of HSV-1 and/or HSV-2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoning Wu, Karen Young
  • Methods for determining the amount of a nucleic acid of interest in an unprocessed sample
    Publication number: 20180135103
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for determining the amount or concentration of a nucleic acid of interest in an unprocessed sample by analyzing a processed sample and a reference sample with digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Roche Molecular System, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Furlan, Michael Zeder
  • Compositions and methods for detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis
    Patent number: 9970062
    Abstract: Method for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and other members of the MTB-complex in a biological or non-biological sample are described. The methods can include performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, primers, probes targeting the esxJ gene, along with kits are provided that are designed for the detection of MTB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jenny A. Johnson
  • DETECTION OF SEQUENCE VARIANTS
    Publication number: 20180129781
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for detecting nucleic acid sequence variants. Other embodiments are directed to systems and computer readable media associated with methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Christina Bormann Chung
  • Dual probe assay for the detection of heterogeneous amplicon populations
    Patent number: 9963737
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for amplifying and detecting a target nucleic acid in a sample, said target nucleic comprising subgroups with sequence variations and/or individual mutations, wherein an amplification of the nucleic acids in said sample is carried out. This amplification involves a polymerase, primers for generating an amplicon and at least two detectable probes specific for different sequence portions of said amplicon. Detection of the obtained amplicon is brought about by detecting hybridization of the probes mentioned above to said different sequence portions of the amplicon. The invention further provides reaction mixtures and kits for amplifying and detecting a target nucleic acid comprising subgroups with sequence variations and/or individual mutations involving the use of at least two detectable probes specific for different sequence portions of an amplicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Bergmann, Dorothea Sizmann, Heike Zitzer
  • Methods and compositions for classifying DLBCL
    Patent number: 9963748
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions to classify DLBCL subtypes using quantitative RT-PCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Dua, Marcel Fontecha, Yan Li, Wei-min Liu, Christopher Santini, Lori Steiner, Yu Chuan Tai
  • Form-locking gripping system
    Patent number: 9958469
    Abstract: An automated method of isolating and analyzing an analyte using a form-locking gripping mechanism. An analytical system comprising consumables and a handler, wherein the handler and consumable interact with a form-locking gripping mechanism are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Renato Belz, Urs Knecht, Christian Thalmann, Veronika Trottmann
  • Instrument and method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples
    Patent number: 9956559
    Abstract: An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the in-ter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudio Cherubini, Roger Iten, Emad Sarofim, Kurt Schildknecht
  • DNA polymerases with improved activity
    Patent number: 9951320
    Abstract: Disclosed are DNA polymerases having increased reverse transcriptase efficiency relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the DNA polymerases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Bauer, Thomas W. Myers, Shawn Suko
  • In Vitro capture and analysis of circulating tumor cells
    Patent number: 9952212
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for capturing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as well as various divergent CTC phenotypes using seprase-specific affinity reagents. Methods of analyzing CTCs and assessing their metastatic potential in vivo and in vitro are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
    Inventors: George Martin, Steven Soper, Makgorzata Witek, Jen Jen Yeh
  • Device and method for biological sample collection and inspection
    Patent number: 9939429
    Abstract: A device is described including a lid, a collection portion support, and a collection portion with a surface for receiving a biological sample, the lid includes a window and a window holder, the surface defines a first plane, the collection portion includes a first, a second, and a third position markers, each position marker indicates a center point marker, the center points define a second plane that has a line of intersection with the first plane, the device has an interior volume defined partially by the collection portion support, the collection portion, the window, and the window holder, the window allows visual inspection of the position markers, the collection portion support has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a fluid path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet via the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Drechsler, Edwin Oosterbroek, Emad Sarofim, Heiko Schwertner
  • Microfluidic device and method for manufacturing the same
    Publication number: 20180093268
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microfluidic device (1) comprising at least one flow channel (21) connecting an inlet opening (22) with an outlet opening (23), and an array of wells (24) in fluid communication with the flow channel (21), wherein the flow channel (21) comprises an inlet portion (211) at the inlet opening (22), an outlet portion (212) at the outlet opening (23), and a middle portion (213) between the inlet portion (211) and the outlet portion (212), wherein at least the middle portion (213) comprises the array of wells (24) and is provided with a hydrophilic surface, and the flow channel (21) further comprises a transition area (214) provided at least between the middle portion (213) and the outlet portion (212), which transition area (214) is constituted by providing a hydrophobic surface. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such a microfluidic device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Roche Molecular System, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Meier, Chris Steinert, Michael Zeder
  • Sensor for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate, system for controlling a preparation of a sample including a fluid and method for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate
    Publication number: 20180095046
    Abstract: A sensor (100) for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate (120) is disclosed. The sensor (100) comprises at least a first planar electrode (102) and a second planar electrode (104) arranged parallel to one another so as to form an electric capacitor (106). The first planar electrode (102) and the second planar electrode (104) are configured to generate an electric field (114) within the fluid, wherein the sensor (100) is configured to detect the state of the fluid by means of a capacitance of the electric capacitor (106). Further, a system (116) for controlling a preparation of a sample including a fluid is disclosed. Furthermore, a method for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate (120) is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Roche Molecular System, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudio Cherubini, Michal Dobrzynski, Paul Federer, Thomas Kern, Lukas Schneider
  • Methods for assessing RNA quality
    Patent number: 9932633
    Abstract: The present description refers to methods and kits for the assessment of RNA quality in a sample. Stable RNA is used as a reference for the assessment of RNA quality, wherein the stable RNA has low susceptibility to nuclease degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jens Bjoerkman, Michael Kubista
  • Suspension container for binding particles for the isolation of biological material
    Patent number: 9932574
    Abstract: A device, method and system is provided for binding particles for the separation and/or isolation of biological materials. In particular, a container is provided including a suspension of binding particles for the isolation of biological material, inner walls forming an elongate groove at the bottom of said container, and a cover having openings and/or being penetrable for a linear arrangement of multiple pipets or pipet tips, said openings being located above and parallel to said elongate groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Geza Burghardt, Willem Mulder, Rolf Schneebeli