Patents Assigned to Siemens Healthcare Diagnostic Inc
  • Reagent card alignment method for sample dispensing
    Patent number: 10900910
    Abstract: A reagent analyzer and method is described. In the method, a reagent card having a reagent pad is passed through an optical signal path between an optical signal source and an optical signal detector. A transition between a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal is detected to determine a substantially exact position of a leading end or a trailing end of the reagent pad. The first electrical signal is indicative of the substrate interfering with the optical signal. The second electrical signal is indicative of the substrate and reagent pad of the reagent card interfering with the optical signal. The reagent pad is moved to a known second location upon determining the substantially exact position of at least one of the leading end and the trailing end of the reagent pad. At the second location a sample is dispensed onto the reagent pad by a sample dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Milesky, George N. Zantos
  • LOW SAMPLE VOLUME SENSING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20210008549
    Abstract: In one aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a sensor assembly which contains a first planar substrate and a second planar substrate which respectively support opposing sensor arrays and contains an integrated flow path extending between the first and second substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Jennifer A. Samproni
  • CHEMILUMINESCENT ANDROSTENEDIONE CONJUGATES
    Publication number: 20210003596
    Abstract: Chemiluminescent androstenedione conjugates are disclosed. These chemiluminescent androstenedione conjugates may be used as chemiluminescent tracers in immunoassays for the quantification and identification of certain analytes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Feng Zheng, Lauren Parker, John Driscoll, Zhijian Zhao, Patrick Donovan
  • Windowing system and method for companion software products
    Patent number: 10884572
    Abstract: Windows corresponding to independent applications in a windowed computing environment can be linked to have unified behavior. A host application can monitor window activity to determine if windows are intended to be grouped. Commands applied to one or more windows in a group are applied to at least some other windows in the group. Windows can be grouped or ungrouped according to various criteria including a priori configuration or user action. The window grouping permits a unified user interface behavior to be established for two or more independent applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Heydlauf
  • Vision system for laboratory workflows
    Patent number: 10887555
    Abstract: A depth-sensitive system for monitoring for and detecting a predefined condition at a specific location within a visually monitored portion of an area. Plural depth-sensitive cameras are oriented with respect to the area whereby each camera has a field of view within the area that at least partially overlaps with the field of view of another of the plural cameras. The combined field of view encompasses all portions of interest of the area. A system for providing a notification of the visual detection of a predefined condition at a particular location or set of locations within an area of interest is provided, as is a system for generating a visual representation of human activity at one or more specific locations within an area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Heydlauf
  • Magnesium sensing membrane for potentiometric ion selective electrode for measuring ionized magnesium and methods of production and use thereof
    Patent number: 10883957
    Abstract: A magnesium sensing membrane is disclosed for use in a potentiometric ion selective electrode that exhibits improved stability upon exposure to surfactant-containing reagents. Kits containing same are disclosed, along with methods of production and use of the magnesium sensing membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Kevin Horan
  • Biological liquid collection vessels, systems, and methods
    Patent number: 10871427
    Abstract: A biological liquid collection vessel is adapted to contain a biological liquid to be centrifuged. The collection vessel has a vessel body having an open upper end and a closed lower end, a continuous wall, a target area at the upper end, and a solids area at the lower end that is connected to the target area. The target area is extended in length. In some embodiments, a volume capacity of both of the target area and the solids area are configured so that a red blood cell portion of the centrifuged biological liquid (e.g., blood) is substantially contained in the solids area, and the serum or plasma portion of the centrifuged biological liquid is substantially contained in the target area. Methods of and systems using the liquid collection vessels are provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Hsu, Scott Salmon, Radu Saftoiu
  • METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR INTEGRATION OF DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY DEVICES
    Publication number: 20200395121
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for obtaining sensor-generated data in a diagnostic laboratory apparatus including one or more producers of data that include a sensor, a local communications network communicatively coupling the producers to a data router configured to translate data received from producers of data into a common format record, the common format including key-value pairs, and at least one subscriber that registers one or more channel-based subscriptions with the data router. Records remain in storage by the data router until to the subscriber acknowledges successful receipt, after which the data router manages its storage resources to provide storage for newer sensor-generated data. The data router is configured to install plug-ins as needed to translate data formats of newly-integrated producers with new formats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Heilig, Jeffrey Hoffman
  • CLINICAL ANALYZERS AND METHODS FOR TRANSPORTING CUVETTES
    Publication number: 20200393479
    Abstract: Clinical analyzers including cuvette loading assemblies are described. A clinical analyzer includes a first location and a second location. A chute extends between the first location and the second location, wherein the chute is configured to enable cuvettes to slide from the first location to the second location. The clinical analyzer includes a loading assembly including two gates, each moveable between a first position where cuvettes are enabled to slide along the chute and a second position where cuvettes are blocked from sliding along the chute. Methods of transporting cuvettes in a clinical analyzer are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Beri Cohen
  • DATA ROUTER-MEDIATED PUBLISHER/SUBSCRIBER TRANSMISSION ARCHITECTURE APPARATUS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20200396291
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for publisher-independent auxiliary communications in data router-mediated publisher/subscriber transmission architectures provide faster processing of actionable information by subscribers and increased flexibility to add publishers to a system. Publisher-originated information in a publisher-specific format is used by either the publisher, or a data router coupled to the publisher, to generate information, based on the publisher-originated information, in a publisher-independent format recognized by subscribers, and provided by the data router to subscribers. Publishers may include analyzers such as blood, immuno-assay, and clinical chemistry analyzers, IoT devices, and automation systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Michael HEYDLAUF
  • PREDICTIVE INVENTORY CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20200394586
    Abstract: Methods of and apparatus controlling change-out inventory of an automated analyzer apparatus. The inventory control methods include receiving change-out inventory status from automated analyzer apparatus at a server, receiving an estimate of the planned workload over a specific time period at the server, analyzing with a decisioning module of the server first data of the change-out inventory status and second data of the planned workload over the specified time period, and producing a work plan itinerary as an output from the decisioning module. The work plan itinerary provides sequence instructions or commands for an operator (person and/or robotic mechanism) to follow for changing out of change-out inventory items. Inventory control apparatus configured to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Heydlauf, Jeffrey Hoffman
  • PROBE TIP WASTE CHUTES AND METHODS THEREOF FOR AUTOMATED DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20200386777
    Abstract: Automated diagnostic analysis apparatus for analyzing patient specimens may include a probe to aspirate and dispense a bio-liquid. A probe tip on the probe may require replacement after contact with each bio-liquid. The automated diagnostic analysis apparatus may include a probe tip eject device and a waste chute for controlled removal and disposal of the probe tip to mitigate splattering or splashing of any residual bio-liquid in the probe tip as it is removed from the probe. A sloped ramp in the probe tip eject device may engage and remove the probe tip as it rotates through the probe tip eject device. The waste chute may include guides to transfer a removed probe tip directly into a waste bin without any surface contact by the probe tip. Methods of removing and disposing of a probe tip in an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus are described, as are other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Ballen, Frank Bakonyi, Steffen Pharai, Domenick Ansalone
  • MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC ENGINE ENVIRONMENT
    Publication number: 20200388389
    Abstract: A point of care system may comprise a plurality of diagnostic engines and an IDM in electronic communication with each of the plurality of diagnostic engines. Each of the plurality of diagnostic engines may perform testing on a sample inserted into the diagnostic engine. The IDM may be configured to communicate with each of the plurality of diagnostic engines to enable a plurality of tests to be performed on multiple different samples substantially simultaneously by a plurality of users using the plurality of diagnostic engines and to present a single user interface for managing testing by the plurality of diagnostic engines and for receiving the results of tests performed by each of the plurality of diagnostic engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Manish Deshpande, William Thorpe
  • Degradable cationic surfactants and use thereof in enhancing chemiluminescence
    Patent number: 10859504
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of enhancing chemiluminescence from a chemiluminescent label comprising contacting a chemiluminescent label with an acid in the presence of a degradable cationic surfactant and hydrogen peroxide followed by the addition of a base. Related kits containing such degradable cationic surfactant are also provided. The degradable cationic surfactant can compress light emission time of the chemiluminescent label to an extent that is comparable to or shorter than conventional surfactants. The degradable cationic surfactant can also increase chemiluminescence of the chemiluminescent label, providing increased light emission output that is comparable to conventional surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Anand Natrajan, David Wen
  • Heterogeneous membrane electrodes
    Patent number: 10852266
    Abstract: The present invention relates to planar electrochemical sensors with membrane coatings used to perform chemical analyses. The object of this invention is to provide unit-use disposable sensors of very simple and inexpensive construction, preferably with only a single membrane coating on an electrode. The invented devices are potentiometric salt-bridge reference electrodes and dissolved gas sensors constructed with a heterogeneous membrane coating of a conductor. The heterogeneous membrane, which is an intimate admixture of a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic compartment, concurrently supports constrained transport of non-volatile species through its hydrophilic compartment and rapid gas and water vapor transport through its hydrophobic compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Imants Lauks, Anca Varlan, Alexandra Oussova, Michael Bales
  • Method for internally coating a liquid test sample collection device with at least one anticoagulant compound, and devices and kits related thereto
    Patent number: 10850280
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and kits, related to embodiments for uniformly coating at least one inner surface of a capillary with at least one anticoagulant compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Kauffmann
  • Reagents and methods for analysis of HIV
    Patent number: 10851428
    Abstract: The present invention is based in part on the present inventors' appreciation that certain sequences within an HIV genome are more likely to successfully detect HIV across a breadth of HIV variants. The ability to detect and/or quantify the presence and/or load of HIV in a subject is important to, among other things, the diagnosis and treatment of infected individuals. The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery of oligonucleotide reagents that detectably amplify sequences from a greater breadth of HIV samples than certain prior reagents and/or that generate amplicons from HIV genomes from which certain prior reagents would not have generated amplicons. Oligonucleotide reagents as described herein provide unexpected benefits in the detection and/or quantification of the presence and/or load of HIV in a subject, and thereby in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Sunil Pandit, Arejas Uzgiris, Lance Palmer
  • DIAGNOSTIC ASSAY CARTRIDGE FOR CONDUCTING MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC ASSAYS ON A PATIENT'S SINGLE LIQUID TEST SAMPLE AND METHODS OF USE RELATED THERETO
    Publication number: 20200368746
    Abstract: Devices, kits, and methods for conducting a plurality of diagnostic assays on a patient's single liquid test sample within a single reaction cassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Kauffmann
  • QUALITY CONTROL SUBSTANCES FOR USE WITH MICROSCOPY-BASED URINE SEDIMENT ANALYZERS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20200371086
    Abstract: Provided herein are quality control substances for use with a microscopy-based urine sediment analyzer. The quality control substances comprise a urine matrix and a cancer cell, an algae cell, a yeast cell, egg white, or any combination thereof. Methods of detecting the presence of an analyte in a urine sample from a subject, quality control substances for use in identifying the presence of one or more analytes in a urine sample from a subject, and the use of a cancer cell, an algae cell, a yeast cell, egg white, or any combination thereof in the manufacture of a quality control substance for use with a microscopy-based urine analyzer are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Kausik Das
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING BLOCK RETRIEVAL ON BLOCK TO BE PROCESSED OF URINE SEDIMENT IMAGE
    Publication number: 20200364591
    Abstract: The inventive concepts herein relate to performing block retrieval on a block to be processed of a urine sediment image. The method comprises: using a plurality of decision trees to perform block retrieval on the block to be processed, wherein each of the plurality of decision trees comprises a judgment node and a leaf node, and the judgment node judges the block to be processed to make it reach the leaf node by using a block retrieval feature in a block retrieval feature set to form a block retrieval result at the leaf node, and at least two decision trees in the plurality of decision trees are different in structures thereof and/or judgments performed by the judgment nodes thereof by using the block retrieval feature; and integrating the block retrieval results of the plurality of decision trees so as to form a final block retrieval result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Tian Shen, Juan Xu, Xiao Fan Zhang