Patents Examined by Jill Warden
  • Patent number: 11738347
    Abstract: A liquid handling system and method, e.g., for testing blood samples. The system comprises a cartridge, and a transfer device couplable to a liquid reservoir. The cartridge comprises compartments with an inlet, closed by a seal, and an outlet, closed by a gas-permeable liquid-tight filter. Keying portions define a relative position and orientation of the cartridge and the transfer device. Penetrating elements of the transfer device penetrate the seal of each compartment, the penetrating elements having lumina for fluidly connecting the reservoir and each compartment cavity of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: INNATOSS LABORATORIES B.V.
    Inventors: Wolfram Julius Paul Peters, Michiel De Haan, Cornelia Maria De Jong, Freerk Van Oudheusden, Ingmar Christiaan Maurice, Marlies Van Dullemen, Antonius Franciscus Cornelia Maria Smetsers, Anja Garritsen
  • Patent number: 11731135
    Abstract: A specimen cap. The specimen cap allows material to be transferred out of a specimen cup without exposing the user (clinician, lab tech, phlebotomist) to the sample. The cap employs a double cap system with a secondary cap providing access to a needle holder that holds a needle assembly. The needle assembly has an upward extending needle, with an optional needle cover, and a downward extending draw or sample tube extending downward to reach the sample contained in the specimen cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Marc Kopoian
  • Patent number: 11724261
    Abstract: A synthesizer system includes a vacuum block, a sealing plate coupled to the vacuum block, a synthesis plate having a plurality of wells, and an inflatable seal coupled to both the sealing plate and the synthesis plate and forming a seal between the sealing plate and the synthesis plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: INTEGRATED DNA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert West, Gregory Hodges, Justin Kline, Scott Steburg
  • Patent number: 11719714
    Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes: a liquid dispensing mechanism that performs suction of a liquid; a pressure sensor that measures a change of an internal pressure of a probe provided at the liquid dispensing mechanism; a determination section that determines whether the suction of the liquid by the probe is normal suction or air suction abnormality; an analysis section; a storage section that stores a cumulative number of times of air suction abnormality per liquid and an allowable cumulative number for the cumulative number of times of air suction abnormality; and a controller that exercises operation control over the liquid dispensing mechanism, the determination section, and the analysis section. The controller exercises control such that the cumulative number of times of air suction abnormality is updated and the updated cumulative number is stored in the storage section even if the air suction abnormality occurs non-consecutively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION, ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Sayaka Sarwar, Masaharu Nishida, Yoko Inoue, Masafumi Shimada, Kenichi Yagi, Naohiko Fukaya, Andrew McCaughey
  • Patent number: 11717273
    Abstract: A kit for testing for a virus and interacting with a sensor are disclosed. For example, the kit can include a first container having a first media for conditioning, catalyst formation and rinsing of the sensor. The first media can comprise V mL of 1 M KOH. The kit can have a second container with a second media for negative control (baseline solution) for the sensor. The second media can comprise W ML of 0.01 M KOH. The kit can further include a third container having a third media for sample testing with the sensor. The third media can comprise X mL of 0.01 M KOH. The third container can receive Y mL of saliva to complete a Z mL total volume in the third container prior to sample testing. In some versions, a ratio V: W: X: Y: Z=1.0: 1.0: 0.9: 0.1: 1.0 can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventor: Gerardine G. Botte
  • Patent number: 11714096
    Abstract: An automated carousel and system configured for translationally moving a plurality of biological production units in unison along a vertical frame while maintaining a precise alignment of each of the biological production units relative to gravity, and simultaneously providing independent dynamic adjustment of the axial orientation of each of the plurality of biological production units relative to gravity. The automated carousel may be adapted for use with a variety of biological production units supporting cell culture and/or tissue engineering systems in various clinical and laboratory settings and provides for ergonomic use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: OCTANE BIOTECH INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Smith, Ian Grant, Guy Oram, Chase McRobie, Raelyn Daniels, Taylor Plant
  • Patent number: 11712697
    Abstract: A multi-well microtiter plate is provided designed for high-throughput screening of piercing-sucking arthropods,such as insects exposed to various compounds. The microtiter plates comprise a base comprising a plurality of sample wells, a covering made from pierceable material, a housing unit comprising a plurality of housing wells providing a predetermined fit in the plurality of sample wells, and an air-penetrable seal. Methods for containing, screening, and/or imaging piercing-sucking pests andarthropods utilizing the multi-chambered microtiter plates are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: BASF Agricultural Solutions Seed US LLC
    Inventors: Marion Ellis Driver, Justin Jeong Dailey
  • Patent number: 11709173
    Abstract: Disclosed are high-throughput vessel supply systems and methods of supplying sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for supplying a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
    Inventors: David Wilson, Jay Krajewski, Kevin Meyer
  • Patent number: 11709171
    Abstract: A laboratory system for a laboratory automation system is presented. The laboratory system comprises a sample container carrier. The sample container carrier is configured to carry a laboratory sample container and comprises a removal detector. The removal detector is configured to interact with the laboratory sample container to detect a removal of the carried laboratory sample container from the sample container carrier. Furthermore, the laboratory system is configured to determine based on the detected removal that a before valid logic assignment of the sample container carrier to the carried laboratory sample container is invalid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Martin Kopp, Oliver Gutmann, Norbert Schmitt
  • Patent number: 11709174
    Abstract: Disclosed are high-throughput vessel sorting systems and methods of sorting sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for sorting a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
    Inventors: David Wilson, Jay Krajewski, Kevin Meyer
  • Patent number: 11703518
    Abstract: A sample analysis system is available that can include a remote sampling system, at least one analyzer, and a controller. The remote sampling system can include a plurality of sample sources for providing a corresponding sample therefrom; and a plurality of sample collection devices selectively coupled to any of the plurality of sample sources for receiving at least one of the samples therefrom. The at least one analyzer can be coupled to the plurality of the sample collection devices for receiving at least one of the samples therefrom. The controller can be coupled with the remote sampling system and the at least one analyzer, the controller configured to control which of the sample sources is actively coupled to a given sample collection device at a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Elemental Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Yost, Jonathan Hein, Jae Seok Lee, Dong Cherl Park
  • Patent number: 11686741
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to realize an automatic analyzer capable of suppressing an increase in cost without greatly changing the configuration even when the configuration of an inspection system is changed, and reducing burden of an operator. A pin to be fitted into a hole formed in a specimen container conveying unit is formed on a specimen container conveying unit mounting surface at a position below a specimen suction position, and it is possible to make relative positions between components of a specimen dispensing unit and the specimen container conveying unit at the time of a specimen dispensing operation, as well as driving conditions when moving each axis of the specimen dispensing unit identical even when the types of the specimen container conveying unit are different, and it is possible to ensure stability of the same specimen dispensing operation before and after changing the specimen container conveying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Takenori Okusa, Susumu Sakairi
  • Patent number: 11680906
    Abstract: An example sensor includes a flow cell, a detection device, and a controller. The flow cell includes a passivation layer having opposed surfaces and a reaction site at a first of the opposed surfaces. The flow cell also includes a lid operatively connected to the passivation layer to partially define a flow channel between the lid and the reaction site. The detection device is in contact with a second of the opposed surfaces of the passivation layer, and includes an embedded metal layer that is electrically isolated from other detection circuitry of the detection device. The controller is to ground the embedded metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ILLUMINA, INC.
    Inventors: Tracy Helen Fung, Xiuyu Cai, Lisa Kwok, Hai Tran, Kevan Samiee, Liangliang Qiang, Boyan Boyanov
  • Patent number: 11680950
    Abstract: A scanning apparatus that can include (a) a scan actuator including a linear actuator and a mount for a removeable vessel, wherein the mount has a mechanical fastener that is configured to engage a complementary mechanical fastener on the removeable vessel, and wherein the linear actuator is configured to translate the mount while the mechanical fastener engages the complementary mechanical fastener on the removeable vessel; (b) a reference surface; and (c) a preload configured to urge the vessel to contact the reference surface, wherein the linear actuator is configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface while the preload urges the vessel to contact the reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.
    Inventors: Matias Negatu, Alex Nemiroski, Drew Ival Frerichs, Dale Buermann, Michael John Erickstad, Rebecca McGinley, Harry Scott Rapoport, Arnold Oliphant, Eugene Pogrebinsky
  • Patent number: 11668707
    Abstract: Analyzers and methods for making and using analyzers are described such as a method in which multiple absorption readings of a liquid assay are obtained by a photodetector using multiple light sources having at least three separate and independent wavelength ranges and with each of the absorption readings taken at a separate instant of time. Using at least one processor and calibration information of the liquid assay, an amount of at least two analytes within the liquid assay using the multiple absorption readings is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Jacques Brunelle
  • Patent number: 11662356
    Abstract: A sample installation part in which a sample container accommodating a sample to be subjected to biochemical analysis is installed, and consumables installation parts in which consumables to be used for the biochemical analysis are installed are accommodated in an apparatus body of a biochemical analysis apparatus. The apparatus body is provided with an opening part that leads to a sample tray. An instruction receiving unit receives a movement instruction for moving the sample tray from a normal position where the sample installation part is disposed on the opening part side to a consumables replenishment position where the consumables installation parts are disposed on the opening part side. A driving control unit moves the sample tray from the normal position to the consumables replenishment position in a case where the movement instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Jumpei Shiraishi, Shigetoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11654434
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are microinjection chips, devices, and systems for injection of unicellular or multicellular organisms. The microinjection chip and device disclosed herein include the microfluidic features, inlet port, pre-injection reservoir, injection channel and post injection channel in fluid communication with each other. The inlet port is adapted to sequentially move individual organisms into the injection channel, which is adapted to immobilize the individual organism in fluid. The injection channel features a side wall adapted to receive a microinjection pipette without a microinjection port and to reseal when the microinjection pipette is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: NemaMetrix Inc., University of Oregon
    Inventor: Shawn Lockery
  • Patent number: 11656238
    Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes a storage unit storing the reaction containers of cleaning target by day unit in such a manner that all the reaction containers mounted on a reaction disk are to be cleaning target within a plurality of days, and a control unit exerts a control in such a manner that during an operation state after the sample of analysis object is dispensed to the reaction containers, a sample of analysis object in each of the reaction containers is analyzed, and not the sample but a detergent is dispensed to the reaction containers of cleaning target of an appointed day, the reaction containers of cleaning target of the appointed day being stored in the storage unit, to soak and wash the reaction containers for a certain time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Nakasawa, Tetsuji Kawahara, Masaharu Nishida, Yoko Inoue, Kenichi Yagi, Osamu Matsumoto, Sayaka Asada
  • Patent number: 11648565
    Abstract: The equipment item for automatically managing a plurality of biological samples placed in a respective sample jar includes a storage container for sample jars having a plurality of housings, an apparatus with a reader of encoded identification data affixed on the sample jars placed in the container, a device for determining data representative of the position of each sample jar within the container, and a device for rotating the container, and a computer processor connected to the apparatus. The container includes, in the immediate vicinity of each housing, a shape appearing recessed or raised, while the device for determining data representative of the position of each sample jar is defined by a detector for the shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: DREAMPATH DIAGNOSTICS
    Inventors: Pablo Jordan Navas, Valerie Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 11647993
    Abstract: An oral fluid collection device is provided that includes a borosilicate glass collection tube that can be capped post-collection for containing a human donor's expectorated oral fluid. The collection tube has a lyophilized reagent disposed therein that is essentially free of surfactants and solvents and includes a bacteriostatic, a peptidoglycan cleaving enzyme, an esterase inhibitor, an antioxidant, and a buffer at a pH range of about 5.7 to about 6.5 for stabilizing drugs and drug metabolites that may be present in the donor oral fluid. Interaction between the collected oral fluid and the buffer-preservative is provided by gravity drawing the collected oral fluid downward into contact with the lyophilized buffer-preservative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Research Triangle Institute
    Inventors: Robert Merrifield White, Sr., John Malcolm Mitchell, Edwin Dale Hart