Patents Assigned to Ventana Medical System, Inc.
  • Transporter systems, assemblies and associated methods for transporting tissue samples
    Patent number: 11071978
    Abstract: A tissue sample that has been removed from a subject can be properly fixed for evaluation using the disclosed transporter assembly for carrying a tissue sample and method for fixing an unfixed tissue sample. In one embodiment, the disclosed assembly includes a transport container, a fixative in the transport container, and a cooling device that reduces and/or maintains the temperature of the fixative to perform a pre-soaking process at a temperature of less than about 7° C. The pre-soaking process can, for example, be performed during sample transport or during extended periods of storage, such as over a weekend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Crum, Timothy Keller, Alastair Laing, Michael Otter, Vinnie Petre, Elizabeth Pigman, Taylor Shingler, Stacey Stanislaw, Benjamin Stevens
  • System and method for dispense characterization
    Patent number: 11073529
    Abstract: A system and method for dispense characterization is disclosed. According to particular embodiments of the dispense characterization system and method, volumes of dispensed liquids can be determined. In more particular embodiments, additional characteristics and combinations of characteristics of a liquid dispensing event can be determined. Examples of additional characteristics that can be determined include the shape of the dispensing event, the velocity of the dispensing event, and the trajectory of the dispensing event. The dispense characterization system and method can be employed in automated biological sample analysis systems, and are particularly suited for monitoring liquid reagent dispensing events that deliver liquid reagents to a surface of a microscope slide holding a biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Ewoniuk, Dylan Miller, Kevin Talucci
  • Digitally enhanced microscopy for multiplexed histology
    Patent number: 11070750
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of imaging biological specimens. An imaging system can include a microscope for directly viewing the biological specimen and a multi-spectral imaging apparatus for outputting digitally enhanced images, near-video rate imaging, and/or videos of the specimen. An imaging system can include a digital scanner that digitally processes images to produce a composite image with enhanced color contrast of features of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Morrison, Lou Dietz
  • Systems and methods of unmixing images with varying acquisition properties
    Patent number: 11062168
    Abstract: Systems and methods for unmixing of multichannel image data in the presence of locally varying image characteristics. Feature images created from a multi-channel input image form a feature vector for each pixel in the input image. Feature vectors are classified based on the local image characteristics, and areas are formed in the input image that share local image characteristics. Each area is unmixed separately using reference vectors that were obtained from regions in example images that have the same image characteristics. The unmixing results are combined to form a final unmixing result image created from the individually unmixed image areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joerg Bredno, Jim F. Martin
  • Protein proximity assay in formalin fixed paffafin embedded tissue using caged haptens
    Patent number: 11053266
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are caged haptens and caged hapten-antibody conjugates useful for enabling the detection of targets located proximally to each other in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Belosludtsev, Traci D. DeGeer, Wendy J. French, Junshan Hao, Brian Daniel Kelly, Adrian Murillo, Nathan Walter Polaske
  • COMPUTER SCORING BASED ON PRIMARY STAIN AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY IMAGES RELATED APPLICATION DATA
    Publication number: 20210201485
    Abstract: Described herein are computer-implemented methods for analysis of a tissue sample. An example method includes: annotating the whole tumor regions or set of tumorous sub-regions either on a biomarker image or an H&E image (e.g. from an adjacent serial section of the biomarker image); registering at least a portion of the biomarker image to the H&E image; detecting different cellular and regional tissue structures within the registered H&E image; computing a probability map based on the different detected structures within the registered H&E image; deriving nuclear metrics from each of the biomarker and H&E images; deriving probability metrics from the probability map; and classifying tumor nuclei in the biomarker image based on the computed nuclear and probability metrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas CHUKKA, Kien NGUYEN, Ting Chen
  • Automated specimen processing systems and methods
    Patent number: 11047774
    Abstract: The disclosure presents systems and methods for processing a specimen slide using a specimen processing system. Specimen slides may sequentially be ejected from a slide carrier towards a label reader to determine an appropriate processing protocol for the slides. A cracking element may be engaged with the slide carrier prior to ejecting the slide, in order to break or “crack” any residual adhesive bond between edges of a slide and walls of the carrier. The specimen slides may be horizontally aligned and resting on a corresponding plurality of flat shelves, enabling even spacing via gravitational forces. The slides are therefore evenly spaced, enabling damage-free ejection of slides, and proper positioning for additional operations including scanning, viewing, heating, washing, and other processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James Durrant, Matthew Ketterer, John Douglas Willems, Jr., Jorge Nicholas Quijada, Michael Schurig
  • Methods, systems, and apparatuses for quantitative analysis of heterogeneous biomarker distribution
    Patent number: 11049247
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for detecting and describing heterogeneity in a cell sample are disclosed herein. A plurality of fields of view (FOV) are generated for one or more areas of interest (AOI) within an image of the cell sample are generated. Hyperspectral or multispectral data from each FOV is organized into an image stack containing one or more z-layers, with each z-layer containing intensity data for a single marker at each pixel in the FOV. A cluster analysis is applied to the image stacks, wherein the clustering algorithm groups pixels having a similar ratio of detectable marker intensity across layers of the z-axis, thereby generating a plurality of clusters having similar expression patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Michael Barnes, David Chafin, Karl Garsha, Thomas M. Grogan, Esteban Roberts, Benjamin Stevens, Franklin Ventura, Christophe Chefd'hotel, Kandavel Shanmugam, Joe Gray, Damien Ramunno-Johnson, Tothu Tania Vu, Brian J. Druker, Thomas Jacob
  • Automated specimen processing systems and methods of detecting specimen-bearing microscope slides
    Patent number: 11035868
    Abstract: Systems and methods that enable automated processing of specimens carried on microscope slides are described herein. In some embodiments, the system can include, for example, a slide ejector assembly having a slide staging device configured to receive a slide and an over-travel inhibitor that includes a first vacuum port positioned to draw a first vacuum between the slide and a standby platform as the slide is moved across at least a portion of the standby platform. The over-travel inhibitor includes a first sensor for detecting a presence of the slide on the standby platform. The system can also include a transfer assembly to transport slides away from the slide ejector assembly. The transfer assembly can include a floating transfer head having a vacuum port for drawing a partial vacuum for holding the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James Durrant, Joshua David Kenneth Harrison, Benjamin Arthur James, Matthew Ketterer, John Douglas Willems
  • System and method for real-time volume control
    Patent number: 11016006
    Abstract: A real-time imaging method and system for monitoring an assay process performed on a biological sample is described. In some embodiments, the method and system can be used to measure and control a reagent volume confined to a space between a cover and a substrate, which is particularly useful for controlling for evaporation in a thin-film staining environment. In particular embodiments, the disclosed reagent volume sensing and replenishment method and system are resistant to system noises generated during operation, for example, system noise due to vibration, field of view blockage by dispenser systems, differences in reagent colors, and changing tissue colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Heng Cheng, Lisa A. Jones, Jessica A. Wifall
  • Digital pathology system and associated workflow for providing visualized whole-slide image analysis
    Patent number: 11010892
    Abstract: A digital pathology system and associated method and computer program product provide a quantitative analysis of entire tissue slides as well as intuitive, effective, fast, and precise quantification of biomarker expressions across relevant areas of the entire tissue slides. The digital pathology system enables a novel workflow that allows the user to efficiently outline clinically relevant morphology in its entirety, including solid tumor areas. Quantitative analysis results are then efficiently and intuitively provided to the user for all tissue content (i.e., millions of cells) within seconds. This efficiency is made possible by a pre-computation step that computes and stores image analysis results for later retrieval. Visualizing vast amount of data effectively is another component of the system that provides information and confidence to the user about the biomarker expression levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Barnes, Joerg Bredno, Srinivas Chukka, Christoph Guetter, Auranuch Lorsakul, Anindya Sarkar, Ellen Suzue
  • Accurately calculating acoustic time-of-flight
    Patent number: 11009486
    Abstract: The subject disclosure presents systems and computer-implemented methods for determining an acoustic time-of-flight (TOF) of sound waves through a sample material with greater accuracy and in a more repeatable fashion, by invoking one or more of an envelope generation for an error function, fitting a non-linear curve to an ultrasound frequency sweep, or performing a clustered piece-wise linear regression on individual linear parts of the ultrasonic frequency sweep. The systems and methods are useful for, among other things, monitoring diffusion of fluids through porous materials, such as tissue samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bauer, Michael Otter, Benjamin Stevens
  • Obtaining true diffusivity constant
    Patent number: 11002593
    Abstract: The subject disclosure presents systems and computer-implemented methods for calculating the diffusivity constant of a sample using acoustic time-of-flight (TOF) based information correlated with a diffusion model to reconstruct a sample's diffusivity coefficient. Operations disclosed herein such as acoustically determining the phase differential accumulated through passive fluid exchange (i.e. diffusion) based on the geometry of the tissue sample, modeling the impact of the diffusion on the TOF, and using a post-processing algorithm to correlate the results to determine the diffusivity constant, are enabled by monitoring the changes in the speed of sound caused by penetration of fixative such as formalin into several tissue samples. A tissue preparation system may be adapted to monitor said diffusion of a tissue sample and determine an optimal processing workflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bauer, Michael Otter, Benjamin Stevens
  • Anti-GPNMB antibodies and diagnostic uses thereof
    Patent number: 11002738
    Abstract: The present application discloses anti-GPNMB antibodies and methods of using the same. The antibodies are selected to bind to an epitope located in a C-terminal fragment of the protein and are selected for specificity in immunohistochemical assays. The antibodies are useful in, for example, immunohistochemical methods of detecting GPNMB-positive cells in tumors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yifei Zhu, Zhiming Liao, Fernando Jose Rebelo do Couto
  • Automated RNA detection using labeled 2?-O-methyl RNA oligonucleotide probes and signal amplification systems
    Patent number: 10982269
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for detecting differential expression of certain miRNAs in cancer cells or their surrounding normal tissues in the tumor microenvironment. The disclosure describes an automated, highly sensitive and specific method for detection of any cellular RNA molecule, including microRNA, messenger RNA and non-coding RNA. The technology includes probe design as well as probe use in an automated fashion for detection of RNA molecules in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPET) samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Farrell, William Day, Zeyu Jiang, Anne Pedata
  • Assembly for storing and transporting tissue samples immersed in a fluid
    Patent number: 10983034
    Abstract: A method and system for processing a sample in a fluid is provided. An assembly comprising a cap prefilled with a fixative solution, a valve, and a container for storing a tissue sample are provided. The valve is adapted to be situated between the cap and the container such that fluid can flow from the cap into the container when the assembly is upright, but the fluid cannot backflow from the container to the cap when the assembly is horizontal or inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Crum, Michael Otter
  • Computer scoring based on primary stain and immunohistochemistry images
    Patent number: 10977791
    Abstract: Described herein are computer-implemented methods for analysis of a tissue sample. An example method includes: annotating the whole tumor regions or set of tumorous sub-regions either on a biomarker image or an H&E image (e.g. from an adjacent serial section of the biomarker image); registering at least a portion of the biomarker image to the H&E image; detecting different cellular and regional tissue structures within the registered H&E image; computing a probability map based on the different detected structures within the registered H&E image; deriving nuclear metrics from each of the biomarker and H&E images; deriving probability metrics from the probability map; and classifying tumor nuclei in the biomarker image based on the computed nuclear and probability metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Srinivas Chukka, Kien Nguyen, Ting Chen
  • Anti-OX40 antibodies and diagnostic uses thereof
    Patent number: 10975157
    Abstract: The invention provides antibodies immunoreactive with human OX40 and methods of using the same. The antibodies are reactive with a portion of the C-terminus of the human OX40 protein that includes amino acids 266-277. The antibodies are useful for detecting OX40 protein expression in human tissue samples, including by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, or immunoblot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yifei Zhu, Zhiming Liao, Robert Pytela
  • Line-based image registration and cross-image annotation devices, systems and methods
    Patent number: 10977766
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to devices, systems and methods for image registration and annotation. The devices include computer software products for aligning whole slide digital images on a common grid and transferring annotations from one aligned image to another aligned image on the basis of matching tissue structure. The systems include computer-implemented systems such as work stations and networked computers for accomplishing the tissue-structure based image registration and cross-image annotation. The methods include processes for aligning digital images corresponding to adjacent tissue sections on a common grid based on tissue structure, and transferring annotations from one of the adjacent tissue images to another of the adjacent tissue images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Srinivas Chukka, Anindya Sarkar, Quan Yuan
  • Methods and compositions for removing or reducing formation of precipitates generated in hematoxylin solutions
    Patent number: 10976223
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing precipitates or reducing the formation of precipitates generated in hematoxylin solutions. The methods and compositions feature cleaning solutions that feature chemical compounds that initiate processes including but not limited to acidification of the waste solution, chelation of metal ions in the waste solution, reduction reactions, oxidation reactions, and metal salt addition reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward E. Durrant, Henning Groll, Casey A. Kernag, Charles H. Weidner, Kenneth S. Weir