Patents by Inventor Beri Cohen
Beri Cohen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10974213Abstract: An apparatus for and method of enabling enhanced, selective agitation of liquid containing a solid-phase reagent. The apparatus includes at least one liquid-bearing container, a circular tray, and a motor. The liquid-bearing container(s) includes at least one internal baffle that imparts turbulent agitation to the liquid when flowing from one end of the container to an opposite end. The circular tray is adapted for selective rotation about a vertical axis of rotation. The rotary circular tray assembly includes container-receiving stations that selectively retain a respective liquid-bearing container in an inclined or pitched orientation with respect to a horizontal plane. The motor creates centrifugal force, which causes liquid in the container(s) to travel from the first end of the container to the second end of the container via the internal baffle(s), agitating the liquid and the solid-phase portions of the reagent.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Bruce Behringer, Adrian Campbell, Nicolae Dumitrescu, Beri Cohen
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Publication number: 20200393479Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2019Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventor: Beri Cohen
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Patent number: 10613106Abstract: Disclosed is a reaction vessel handling apparatus adapted for use in a biological fluid testing apparatus. The reaction vessel handling apparatus includes an incubation member and wash member that are overlapping. A transfer device transfers reaction vessels between the incubation member and wash member at the overlapping portions. Incubation and wash members may be rings. Testing apparatus (e.g., immunoassay apparatus or clinical analyzer apparatus) including the reaction vessel handling apparatus and methods of operating the apparatus are provided, as are other aspects.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Beri Cohen, Nicolae Dumitrescu
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Publication number: 20190283030Abstract: An environmental control system for use in a clinical analyzer module includes an upper deck environmental subsystem comprising a far field sensor, one or more heaters, one or more spine cooling fans, and one or more in-line fluid heat exchangers. The far field sensor is configured to acquire measurements of ambient temperature in the upper deck environmental subsystem. The heaters are configured to generate hot airflow based on the measurements of ambient temperature from the far field sensor. The spine cooling fans are configured to operate in a manner that mixes the hot airflow from the heaters with cool airflow based on the measurements of ambient temperature from the far field sensor. The in-line fluid heat exchangers are configured to heat fluids used in reactions performed on the clinical analyzer module to a constant temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2017Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Michael Starr, Dimitri Shishkin, Shriram Patel, Beri Cohen, William Carpenter
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Patent number: 9618455Abstract: A clam-shell luminometer that, when closed, completely encloses an assay reaction mixture-containing reaction vessel and some portion of a reaction carousel or ring. The luminometer includes first and second portions that are coupled to each other, a photomultiplier tube, and plural fiber optic bundles that are optically coupled to the photomultiplier tube. First ends of the fiber optic bundles are disposed adjacent to the reaction vessel in the second portion so that the fiber optic bundles completely surround the perimeter or periphery of the reaction vessel.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventor: Beri Cohen
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Publication number: 20170045541Abstract: Disclosed is a reaction vessel handling apparatus adapted for use in a biological fluid testing apparatus. The reaction vessel handling apparatus includes an incubation member and wash member that are overlapping. A transfer device transfers reaction vessels between the incubation member and wash member at the overlapping portions. Incubation and wash members may be rings. Testing apparatus (e.g., immunoassay apparatus or clinical analyzer apparatus) including the reaction vessel handling apparatus and methods of operating the apparatus are provided, as are other aspects.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventors: Beri Cohen, Nicolae Dumitrescu
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Publication number: 20150247806Abstract: A clam-shell luminometer that, when closed, completely encloses an assay reaction mixture-containing reaction vessel and some portion of a reaction carousel or ring. The luminometer includes first and second portions that are coupled to each other, a photomultiplier tube, and plural fiber optic bundles that are optically coupled to the photomultiplier tube. First ends of the fiber optic bundles are disposed adjacent to the reaction vessel in the second portion so that the fiber optic bundles completely surround the perimeter or periphery of the reaction vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2013Publication date: September 3, 2015Applicant: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.Inventor: Beri Cohen
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Publication number: 20120218854Abstract: An apparatus for and method of enabling enhanced, selective agitation of liquid containing a solid-phase reagent. The apparatus includes at least one liquid-bearing container, a circular tray, and a motor. The liquid-bearing container(s) includes at least one internal baffle that imparts turbulent agitation to the liquid when flowing from one end of the container to an opposite end. The circular tray is adapted for selective rotation about a vertical axis of rotation. The rotary circular tray assembly includes container-receiving stations that selectively retain a respective liquid-bearing container in an inclined or pitched orientation with respect to a horizontal plane. The motor creates centrifugal force, which causes liquid in the container(s) to travel from the first end of the container to the second end of the container via the internal baffle(s), agitating the liquid and the solid-phase portions of the reagent.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2009Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventors: Bruce Behringer, Adrian Campbell, Nicolae Dumitrescu, Beri Cohen
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Patent number: 6489169Abstract: A method for feeding containers into an analytical instrument whereby a sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, into, within and out of the analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Beri Cohen, Thomas W. DeYoung, Krunoslav Esteban Draganovic, Paul E. Purpura
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Patent number: 6451259Abstract: Racks having sample containers mounted therein are transported within an analytical system so that a robotic arm can remove the sample containers and deliver them to a desired location within the system. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. Sample tube racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed comprises a movable track having a platform mounted thereto. The cross-feed moves the sample tube racks from a position behind the in-feed to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Beri Cohen, Thomas W. DeYoung, Krunoslav Esteban Draganovic, Paul E. Purpura
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Patent number: 6444472Abstract: A method whereby a sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The racks and tubes contained thereon are moved past detection devices that identify the samples and measure various properties thereof. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Beri Cohen, Thomas W. DeYoung, Krunoslav Esteban Draganovic, Paul E. Purpura
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Patent number: 6440368Abstract: A sample handler moves and positions sample tube racks in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. Sample tube racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed comprises a movable track having a platform mounted thereto. The platform includes spring loaded gripper fingers that engages and secures the sample tube rack to the platform. The cross-feed moves the sample tube racks to a point where they are accessed by the analytical instrument. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the sample tube racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Beri Cohen, Thomas W. DeYoung, Krunoslav Esteban Draganovic, Paul E. Purpura
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Patent number: 6426043Abstract: A sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The racks and tubes contained thereon are moved past detection devices that identify the samples and measure various properties thereof. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Beri Cohen, Thomas W. DeYoung, Krunoslav Esteban Draganovic, Paul E. Purpura
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Patent number: 6426044Abstract: Racks having sample containers mounted therein are transported within an analytical system so that a robotic arm can remove the sample containers and deliver them to a desired location within the system. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. Sample tube racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed comprises a movable track having a platform mounted thereto. The cross-feed moves the sample tube racks from a position behind the in-feed to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Beri Cohen, Thomas W. DeYoung, Krunoslav Esteban Draganovic, Paul E. Purpura
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Patent number: 6426228Abstract: A method whereby a sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The racks and tubes contained thereon are moved past detection devices that identify the samples and measure various properties thereof. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Beri Cohen, Thomas W. DeYoung, Krunoslav Esteban Draganovic, Paul E. Purpura
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Patent number: 6374982Abstract: A robotic arm has a pair of gripper fingers designed to grip a variety of containers, including capped and uncapped test tubes as well as containers having unique gripping means. The fingers each have upper and lower projections separated by a groove, the respective projections facing each other when mounted to grippers on the robotic arm. The projections and groove serve to firmly hold the containers as well as self-align the unique gripping means on initially unaligned containers within the fingers as the fingers close around the containers. The fingers have clearance to avoid contact with caps on capped test tubes. Stops are provided at the top of each finger to engage one another and prevent fully closed fingers from deforming. The robotic arm may be transported along a rail mounted above the instrument and a gripper assembly, having a gripper arm, mounted to the robotic arm may be rotated above the instrument to move the container to various locations within the instrument.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Beri Cohen, Thomas W. DeYoung, Krunoslav Esteban Draganovic, Lev Vant, Richard S. Antoszewski, Joseph J. Zelezniak, Edward R. Sieger, Jr.
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Patent number: 6347552Abstract: A profile of a rack, that may have zero, one, or a plurality of containers may be obtained using an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor emits a plurality of ultrasonic bursts and the rack is transported under the sensor at a slew speed that allows the sensor to detect at least first and second echoes from each of the bursts. Data points, corresponding to each of the first and second echoes, are generated and the data points are captured in a memory device. The data points, generally reflecting the levels of the rack and any containers, are processed to dynamically and non-invasively (i.e., without physically contacting the liquid with a probe) determine information about the container types, whether any container is capped, and, if one or more containers are uncapped, the liquid level in the uncapped containers.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Paul E. Purpura, Ralph Waters, Olivier Landier, Beri Cohen
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Patent number: 6332636Abstract: A robotic arm has a pair of gripper fingers designed to grip a variety of containers, including capped and uncapped test tubes as well as containers having unique gripping means. The fingers each have upper and lower projections separated by a groove, the respective projections facing each other when mounted to grippers on the robotic arm. The projections and groove serve to firmly hold the containers as well as self-align the unique gripping means on initially unaligned containers within the fingers as the fingers close around the containers. The fingers have clearance to avoid contact with caps on capped test tubes. Stops are provided at the top of each finger to engage one another and prevent fully closed fingers from deforming. The robotic arm may be transported along a rail mounted above the instrument and a gripper assembly, having a gripper arm, mounted to the robotic arm may be rotated above the instrument to move the container to various locations within the instrument.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2000Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Beri Cohen, Thomas W. DeYoung, Krunoslav Esteban Draganovic, Lev Vant, Richard S. Antoszewski, Joseph J. Zelezniak, Edward R. Sieger, Jr.
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Patent number: 6331437Abstract: An analytical instrument has a sample handler for inputting racks of containers, including various types and sizes of test tubes, both capped and uncapped, and inserts, into the instrument. The sample handler has an infeed, an outfeed and a cross-feed between the infeed and outfeed. The infeed and outfeed advance the racks of containers using walking beam mechanisms which lift the racks by tabs on the right and left sides of the rack, which are positioned at a substantially identical height. Racks input into the infeed are transferred by the walking beam mechanism to a track on the cross-feed. They are then pushed, by a transport subassembly having a platform with pivotable pusher fingers to cam the rack and to push it in only one direction, from behind the infeed to a fixed position behind the outfeed.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1998Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Beri Cohen, Thomas W. DeYoung, Krunoslav Esteban Draganovic, Paul E. Purpura
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Patent number: 6293750Abstract: A robotic arm has a pair of gripper fingers designed to grip a variety of containers, including capped and uncapped test tubes as well as containers having unique gripping means. The fingers each have upper and lower projections separated by a groove, the respective projections facing each other when mounted to grippers on the robotic arm. The projections and groove serve to firmly hold the containers as well as self-align the unique gripping means on initially unaligned containers within the fingers as the fingers close around the containers. The fingers have clearance to avoid contact with caps on capped test tubes. Stops are provided at the top of each finger to engage one another and prevent fully closed fingers from deforming. The robotic arm may be transported along a rail mounted above the instrument and a gripper assembly, having a gripper arm, mounted to the robotic arm may be rotated above the instrument to move the container to various locations within the instrument.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2000Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Bayer CorporationInventors: Beri Cohen, Thomas W. DeYoung, Krunoslav Esteban Draganovic, Lev Vant, Richard S. Antoszewski, Joseph J. Zelezniak, Edward R. Sieger, Jr.