Patents by Inventor Brian Kram
Brian 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).
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Publication number: 20220268673Abstract: At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the scaling member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the scaling member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Luke Dyson-Holland, Daniel C. Malberg, Timothy B. McDonald, Donald M. Barnett, Kevin D. Marshall, John Douglas Willems, JR., Timothy Durrant, Simon Spence, Benjamin James, Joshua David Kenneth Harrison, Matthew Ketterer, Brian Kram
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Patent number: 11274998Abstract: At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the sealing member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the sealing member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Luke Dyson-Holland, Daniel C. Malberg, Timothy B. McDonald, Donald M. Barnett, Kevin D. Marshall, John Douglas Willems, Jr., Timothy Durrant, Simon Spence, Benjamin James, Joshua David Kenneth Harrison, Matthew Ketterer, Brian Kram
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Patent number: 10509216Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Brian Kram, Sacha Dopheide, Jessica Wifall, Kevin Marshall, Simon Spence, Andrew Watkins, Austin Ashby, Bryan Barnes, Henning Groll, Lizhen Pang, Patrick Brown, Mirek Holubec, Matthew Ketterer, Kevin Talucci, Benjamin James
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Publication number: 20180252623Abstract: At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the sealing member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the sealing member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2018Publication date: September 6, 2018Inventors: Luke Dyson-Holland, Daniel C. Malberg, Timothy B. McDonald, Donald M. Barnett, Kevin D. Marshall, John Willems, Timothy Durrant, Simon Spence, Benjamin James, Joshua David Kenneth Harrison, Matthew Ketterer, Brian Kram
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Patent number: 9989448Abstract: At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the sealing member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the sealing member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Luke Dyson-Holland, Daniel C. Malberg, Timothy B. McDonald, Donald M. Barnett, Kevin D. Marshall, John Willems, Timothy Durrant, Simon Spence, Benjamin James, Joshua David Kenneth Harrison, Matthew Ketterer, Brian Kram
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Publication number: 20150323776Abstract: At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the sealing member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the sealing member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Luke Dyson-Holland, Daniel C. Malberg, Timothy B. McDonald, Donald M. Barnett, Kevin D. Marshall, John Willems, Timothy Durrant, Simon Spence, Benjamin James, Joshua David Kenneth Harrison, Matthew Ketterer, Brian Kram
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Publication number: 20150293341Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Brian Kram, Sacha Dopheide, Jessica Wifall, Kevin Marshall, Simon Spence, Andrew Watkins, Austin Ashby, Bryan Barnes, Henning Groll, Lizhen Pang, Patrick Brown, Mirek Holubec, Matthew Ketterer, Kevin Talucci, Benjamin James
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Patent number: 7618807Abstract: The present invention introduces a radically different way of accelerating biomolecule conjugates into tissue, and hence towards their targets for purposes of tissue staining. The invention provides for an order of magnitude improvement over the prior art diffusion process used to stain tissue. The invention comprises a method of tissue staining by applying an electric field to a tissue sample in the presence of an electrolyte and biomolecular conjugates of interest suspended in the electrolyte. Typical staining times are reduced to seconds as opposed to 30-120 minutes common in the prior art. The invention is also directed to devices for performing the method.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles Lemme, William Richards, David Bryant, Catherine Wolf, Andrew Ghusson, Austin Ashby, Wayne Showalter, Anthony Hartman, Brian Kram
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Publication number: 20080020450Abstract: The present invention introduces a radically different way of accelerating biomolecule conjugates into tissue, and hence towards their targets for purposes of tissue staining. The invention provides for an order of magnitude improvement over the prior art diffusion process used to stain tissue. The invention comprises a method of tissue staining by applying an electric field to a tissue sample in the presence of an electrolyte and biomolecular conjugates of interest suspended in the electrolyte. Typical staining times are reduced to seconds as opposed to 30-120 minutes common in the prior art. The invention is also directed to devices for performing the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Charles Lemme, William Richards, David Bryant, Catherine Wolf, Andrew Ghusson, Austin Ashby, Wayne Showalter, Anthony Hartman, Brian Kram
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Publication number: 20070141711Abstract: An embodiment of the method of the invention is a method of automating information flow in a laboratory performing tissue staining comprising positioning a networked label printer adjacent to a cutting station, the printer configured to access patient data directly or indirectly from the hospital LIS, the printer being configured with a data element scanner in electronic communication with said printer; inputting data from a tissue cassette-associated data element at said printer, whereby inputting data comprises reading the data from the cassette-associated data element and uploading the cassette data to the LIS; identifying the corresponding test protocol identifier and then downloading the test protocol data to the printer; printing information on labels corresponding to each test specified in the LIS for the patient; attaching a single label to each slide; and cutting a tissue section for each labeled slide and mounting the section on the slide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: June 21, 2007Inventors: Randy Stephens, Brian Kram
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Publication number: 20070026515Abstract: A biologically implantable containment device having a wet seal, the device being adaptable for drug formulations or cell suspensions. A porous membrane, in a tubular configuration, is formed and can be configured as part of a closed cell-tight system for loading. During loading, the containment device membrane is wet, while the loading system remains cell-tight. The containment device is wet-sealed through a combination of heat and pressure, while the system remains cell-tight. Sealing the containment device substantially or completely eliminates metabolic functioning of any organisms in the vicinity of the closure. The wet-seal is formed by melting a thermoplastic material that is in contact with the membrane. The containment device is separated from the cell-tight loading system, which remains closed after separation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: February 1, 2007Inventors: Steven Newman, Brian Kram, Terry Hubbard
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Publication number: 20060134732Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and compositions for deparaffinizing paraffin-embedded biological samples for subsequent tissue staining. The compositions are microemulsions that may include water/oil/surfactant microemulsions, and optionally a cosurfactant. The microemulsions enable deparaffinization without the use of xylene or toluene, and also enable solvent exchange without the use of intermediary alcohol dehydration or alcohol rehydration compositions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2005Publication date: June 22, 2006Inventors: Brian Kram, Christopher Bieniarz, Paul Drumheller
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Publication number: 20050164374Abstract: A method and apparatus for thin film fluid processing of biological samples without rinsing between treatments is provided. An apparatus having a treatment zone for treating a biological sample with a liquid reagent, comprising first and second substrates having facing surfaces defining a space therebetween in which the biological sample may be treated with the liquid reagent, wherein the first substrate comprises a relatively fluid impermeable element while the second substrate comprises a relatively flexible gas permeable element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Inventor: Brian Kram
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Publication number: 20050074890Abstract: The present invention introduces a radically different way of accelerating biomolecule conjugates into tissue, and hence towards their targets for purposes of tissue staining. The invention provides for an order of magnitude improvement over the prior art diffusion process used to stain tissue. The invention comprises a method of tissue staining by applying an electric field to a tissue sample in the presence of an electrolyte and biomolecular conjugates of interest suspended in the electrolyte. Typical staining times are reduced to seconds as opposed to 30-120 minutes common in the prior art. The invention is also directed to devices for performing the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2004Publication date: April 7, 2005Inventors: Charles Lemme, William Richards, David Bryant, Catherine Wolf, Andrew Ghusson, Austin Ashby, Wayne Showalter, Anthony Hartman, Brian Kram