Patents by Inventor Brian Howard Kram

Brian Howard Kram 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).

  • Publication number: 20230194397
    Abstract: Automated system configured to perform and methods for performing one or more slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. The system and methods enable high sample throughput while also minimizing or limiting the potential for cross-contamination of slides. The automated systems can include features that facilitate consistency, controllability of processing time, and/or processing temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Kayla Capps, Henning Groll, Brian Howard Kram, Matthew Mette, Ali Mousavi, Christine Tse, Glen Ward, Daniel O'Connor, Troy Paluszcyk, Benjamin David Randall, Ken Stumpe
  • Patent number: 11614387
    Abstract: Automated system configured to perform and methods for performing one or more slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. The system and methods enable high sample throughput while also minimizing or limiting the potential for cross-contamination of slides. The automated systems can include features that facilitate consistency, controllability of processing time, and/or processing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kayla Capps, Henning Groll, Brian Howard Kram, Matthew Mette, Ali Mousavi, Christine Tse, Glen Ward, Daniel O'Connor, Troy Paluszcyk, Benjamin David Randall, Ken Stumpe
  • Publication number: 20210080360
    Abstract: Automated system configured to perform and methods for performing one or more slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. The system and methods enable high sample throughput while also minimizing or limiting the potential for cross-contamination of slides. The automated systems can include features that facilitate consistency, controllability of processing time, and/or processing temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Kayla Capps, Henning Groll, Brian Howard Kram, Matthew Mette, Ali Mousavi, Christine Tse, Glen Ward, Daniel O'Connor, Troy Paluszcyk, Benjamin David Randall, Ken Stumpe
  • Patent number: 10816444
    Abstract: Disclosed are specimen processing systems capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing systems comprise opposables having at least one fluid control element. The fluid control elements may be positioned between spacers or gapping elements the opposable edges. The fluid control elements may comprise an edge, such as a beveled edge or a stepped edge, as described herein, and the edge may be continuous or segmented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Barnett, Chad Wilkinson, Brian Howard Kram, Kevin David Marshall, Christine Tse, Timothy James Keller, Austin Micheil Ashby
  • Patent number: 10794805
    Abstract: Automated system configured to perform and methods for performing one or more slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. The system and methods enable high sample throughput while also minimizing or limiting the potential for cross-contamination of slides. The automated systems can include features that facilitate consistency, controllability of processing time, and/or processing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kayla Capps, Henning Groll, Brian Howard Kram, Matthew Mette, Ali Mousavi, Christine Tse, Glen Ward, Daniel O'Connor, Troy Paluszcyk, Benjamin David Randall, Ken Stumpe
  • Patent number: 10746752
    Abstract: A specimen processing system is capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing system can sequentially deliver slides and opposables to specimen processing stations. The specimen processing stations can use the opposables to apply a series of liquids to the specimens. The applied liquid can be moved along the slide using capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the processing temperatures. The applied liquid can be in a fluid-carrying gap. The opposable can contact the slide to vary a cross section of the fluid-carrying gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Otter, Brian Howard Kram, Carl David Martin, Jessica Wifall, Kevin David Marshall, Christine Tse, Josh Harrison
  • Patent number: 10551395
    Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Heidi Barnett, Daniel Champion, Edward Durrant, Casey Kernag, Brian Howard Kram, Kristina Orosz, Melinda Polaske, Charles Weidner, Chad Wilkinson, Zofia Wosinska
  • Publication number: 20190376988
    Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Heidi Barnett, Daniel Champion, Edward Durrant, Casey Kernag, Brian Howard Kram, Kristina Orosz, Melinda Polaske, Charles Weidner, Chad Wilkinson, Zofia Wosinska
  • Patent number: 10416176
    Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Heidi Barnett, Daniel Champion, Edward Durrant, Casey Kernag, Brian Howard Kram, Kristina Orosz, Melinda Polaske, Charles Weidner, Chad Wilkinson, Zofia Wosinska
  • Publication number: 20190234843
    Abstract: Automated system configured to perform and methods for performing one or more slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. The system and methods enable high sample throughput while also minimizing or limiting the potential for cross-contamination of slides. The automated systems can include features that facilitate consistency, controllability of processing time, and/or processing temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Kayla Capps, Henning Groll, Brian Howard Kram, Matthew Mette, Ali Mousavi, Christine Tse, Glen Ward, Daniel O'Connor, Troy Paluszcyk, Benjamin David Randall, Ken Stumpe
  • Patent number: 10254202
    Abstract: Automated system configured to perform and methods for performing one or more slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. The system and methods enable high sample throughput while also minimizing or limiting the potential for cross-contamination of slides. The automated systems can include features that facilitate consistency, controllability of processing time, and/or processing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kayla Capps, Henning Groll, Brian Howard Kram, Matthew Mette, Ali Mousavi, Christine Tse, Glen Ward, Daniel O'Connor, Troy Paluszcyk, Benjamin David Randall, Ken Stumpe
  • Publication number: 20180136097
    Abstract: Disclosed are specimen processing systems capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing systems comprise opposables having at least one fluid control element. The fluid control elements may be positioned between spacers or gapping elements the opposable edges. The fluid control elements may comprise an edge, such as a beveled edge or a stepped edge, as described herein, and the edge may be continuous or segmented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Donald Barnett, Chad Wilkinson, Brian Howard Kram, Kevin David Marshall, Christine Tse, Timothy James Keller, Austin Micheil Ashby
  • Publication number: 20170122971
    Abstract: A specimen processing system is capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing system can sequentially deliver slides and opposables to specimen processing stations. The specimen processing stations can use the opposables to apply a series of liquids to the specimens. The applied liquid can be moved along the slide using capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the processing temperatures. The applied liquid can be in a fluid-carrying gap. The opposable can contact the slide to vary a cross section of the fluid-carrying gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Otter, Brian Howard Kram, Carl David Martin, Jessica Jones, Kevin David Marshall, Christine Tse, Josh Harrison
  • Patent number: 9618430
    Abstract: An apparatus can be used to apply and remove fluid substances for processing biological samples. The fluid substances can be delivered between a first substrate and a second substrate. One substrate carries a specimen. A layer of the fluid substance is retained in a gap defined by the first and second substrates. One substrate is moved with respect to the second substrate to disperse the fluid substance in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Howard Kram, Kevin David Marshall, Christine Tse, Timothy James Keller, Austin Micheil Ashby
  • Patent number: 9498791
    Abstract: A specimen processing system is capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing system can sequentially deliver slides and opposables to specimen processing stations. The specimen processing stations can use the opposables to apply a series of liquids to the specimens. The applied liquid can be moved along the slide using capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the processing temperatures. The applied liquid can be in a fluid-carrying gap. The opposable can contact the slide to vary a cross section of the fluid-carrying gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Otter, Brian Howard Kram, Carl David Martin, Jessica Jones, Kevin David Marshall, Christine Tse, Josh Harrison
  • Publication number: 20160282374
    Abstract: Processing specimens in an automated histological staining system comprising robotically moving a slide carrier into a stainer of the system, the slide carrier carrying slides which respectively carry the specimens, and the specimens being at least partially embedded in paraffin. Liquids are automatically dispensed onto the slides according to a predetermined recipe for at least deparaffinizing, staining, and counterstaining the specimens. The slide carrier can be robotically moved out of the stainer after automatically dispensing the liquids. In some embodiments, a total of all liquid dispensed onto the slides after moving the slide carrier into the stainer and before moving the slide carrier out of the stainer has a greater volumetric concentration of polyol than of monohydric alcohol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Heidi Barnett, Daniel Champion, Edward Durrant, Casey Kernag, Brian Howard Kram, Kristina Orosz, Melinda Polaske, Charles Weidner, Chad Wilkinson, Zofia Wosinska
  • Publication number: 20160282239
    Abstract: Automated system configured to perform and methods for performing one or more slide processing operations on slides bearing biological samples. The system and methods enable high sample throughput while also minimizing or limiting the potential for cross-contamination of slides. The automated systems can include features that facilitate consistency, controllability of processing time, and/or processing temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Kayla Capps, Henning Groll, Brian Howard Kram, Matthew Mette, Ali Mousavi, Christine Tse, Glen Ward, Daniel O'Connor, Troy Paluszcyk, Benjamin David Randall, Ken Stumpe
  • Publication number: 20150071833
    Abstract: An apparatus can be used to apply and remove fluid substances for processing biological samples. The fluid substances can be delivered between a first substrate and a second substrate. One substrate carries a specimen. A layer of the fluid substance is retained in a gap defined by the first and second substrates. One substrate is moved with respect to the second substrate to disperse the fluid substance in the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Howard Kram, Kevin David Marshall, Christine Tse, Timothy James Keller, Austin Micheil Ashby
  • Patent number: D728120
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Howard Kram, Kevin David Marshall, Michael Otter, Carl David Martin, Jessica Jones
  • Patent number: D772424
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Howard Kram, Kevin David Marshall, Michael Otter, Carl David Martin, Jessica Jones