Patents Examined by Kimberly A. Trautman
  • Patent number: 4970053
    Abstract: A reagent cartridge for use in an automated clinical analyzer, the reagent cartridge including a plurality of storage compartments each including wall members. The reagent cartridge includes connecting members formed integrally with the storage compartments for holding the storage compartments in a fixed relationship with respect to each other and separating the wall members from each other to thus prevent reagent migration between adjacent reagent compartments. Each of the storage compartments includes an access opening and a neck formed about the opening, the neck including a collar that is spaced a predetermined distance from a bottom wall of the associated storage compartment, the predetermined distance adapted to accommodate an automatically controlled reagent transfer probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold F. Fechtner
  • Patent number: 4965049
    Abstract: A system of modular analyzers each adapted for independent operation and each possessing different operational characteristics adapted for particular applications. Such modular analyzers may be joined together with precise indexing means such that a single sample carousel may be accessed by fluid transfer probes from both of the analyzers to thus form a system which operates as a single analyzer of increased capacity and versatility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Lillig, Michael J. Whelan, Thomas V. Cheon, Patricia A. Sisson, Orlando Flores
  • Patent number: 4961906
    Abstract: A reagent container for use in a sample and reagent transfer system is of sector shaped configuration and has a generally vertical curved outer wall, generally vertical side walls that are disposed and angled to one another, a generally horizontal top wall with two ports through which two probes may concurrently be inserted, a generally horizontal bottom wall that has a well portion below and aligned with one port in the top wall, and a dry well channel that is open at its bottom and aligned with the other port in the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Fisher Scientific Company
    Inventors: Marlo R. Andersen, Thomas O. Tiffany, Mario J. Gangitano
  • Patent number: 4959196
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sampling and analyzing blood. It comprises an auto-pricker (1), a magazine (2) for strips, these strips comprising a reactive zone, and a reflectometer (6). Moreover, the magazine (2) is integral with the auto-pricker (1) and the device comprises means (7, 8) enabling the reflectometer (6) and the auto-pricker (1) to be made integral at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Biovallees
    Inventor: Claude Moisson
  • Patent number: 4952371
    Abstract: A system for delivering liquid catalyst to a core-making machine includes a single fireproof cabinet in which is located a catalyst storage tank. The storage tank receives catalyst from catalyst supply drums that are positioned one at a time in a pumping station located in the cabinet beside the tank and emptied into the tank by a barrel pump. A flash-off station is located in the cabinet beside the pumping station for receiving emptied drums and an exhaust hose, that is coupled to a scrubber system exhaust duct, is positionable within the drum to carry away vapors produced in the drum as residual catalyst flashes off. A catalyst supply pump is coupled for pumping liquid catalyst from the storage tank to a gassing unit of a core-making machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Craig M. Wehr
  • Patent number: 4943415
    Abstract: There is described a cover for test elements for use in stations of an analyzer that are downstream from the sample-spotting station. The cover is improved in that its undersurface is grooved lengthwise to accommodate a drop of sample protruding from the test element. However, the clearance groove does not extend the full length of the cover, to prevent significant evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Catherine S. Przybylowicz, Merrit N. Jacobs, Joseph S. Douglas
  • Patent number: 4939153
    Abstract: A process for determining the degree of saturation of a solution comprising a solvent and a compound of limited solubility which involves the steps of (1) diluting a feed solution of the compound of limited solubility, (2) passing a sample of the diluted feed solution through a bed of a solid solution of the compound and a tracer in which the tracer is intrinsically incorporated into the crystal structure of the compound, so that the diluted feed solution being tested becomes saturated with the compound by dissolution of a portion of the solid solution in the bed, (3) measuring the concentration of the tracer in the sample after passage through the bed of solid solution, thus measuring the amount of the compound dissolved from the solid solution to saturate the diluted feed solution, and (4) determining the degree of saturation of the compound in the feed solution from the measured values
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Radian Corporation
    Inventor: Frank B. Meserole
  • Patent number: 4906580
    Abstract: A process for determining the degree of saturation of a solution comprising a solvent and a compound of limited solubility which involves the steps of (1) diluting a feed solution of the compound of limited solubility, (2) passing a sample of the diluted feed solution through a bed of a solid solution of the compound and a tracer in which the tracer is intrinsically incorporated into the crystal structure of the compound, so that the diluted feed solution being tested becomes saturated with the compound by dissolution of a portion of the solid solution in the bed, (3) measuring the concentration of the tracer in the sample after passage through the bed of solid solution, thus measuring the amount of the compound dissolved from the solid solution to saturate the diluted feed solution, and (4) determining the degree of saturation of the compound in the feed solution from the measured values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Radian Corporation
    Inventor: Frank B. Meserole