Patents by Inventor Brian McKeen

Brian McKeen 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).

  • Automated systems and methods for preparing biological specimens for examination
    Patent number: 10775282
    Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein permit automated preparation of biological specimens for examination. The disclosed systems and methods provide fast, efficient, and highly uniform specimen processing using minimal quantities of fluids. The methods include at least a fixing phase for fixing a biological specimen to a substrate such as a microscope slide, a staining phase for staining the specimen, and a rinsing phase for rinsing the specimen. One or more of the fixing, staining, and rinsing phases include one or more agitation cycles for distributing reagents evenly and uniformly across the specimen. The systems can be implemented as a standalone device or as a component in a larger system for preparing and examining biological specimens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc
    Inventors: Daniel Lapen, David Zahniser, Mark Licari, Brian McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, Dennis Poole
  • AUTOMATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREPARING BIOLOGICAL SPECIMENS FOR EXAMINATION
    Publication number: 20190120736
    Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed herein permit automated preparation of biological specimens for examination. The disclosed systems and methods provide fast, efficient, and highly uniform specimen processing using minimal quantities of fluids. The methods include at least a fixing phase for fixing a biological specimen to a substrate such as a microscope slide, a staining phase for staining the specimen, and a rinsing phase for rinsing the specimen. One or more of the fixing, staining, and rinsing phases include one or more agitation cycles for distributing reagents evenly and uniformly across the specimen. The systems can be implemented as a standalone device or as a component in a larger system for preparing and examining biological specimens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel Lapen, David Zahniser, Mark Licari, Brian McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, Dennis Poole
  • Sample preparation system and method for processing clinical specimens
    Patent number: 7985375
    Abstract: A system and method for automated handling of vials containing liquid medical specimens is disclosed. The robotic system processes the specimens for further downstream molecular analysis. The processing comprises automated vial cap removal, pipetting of the vial contents, transfer of the vial contents to a destination tray such as a multiwell plate, and recapping of the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Qiagen Gaithersburg, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Carl Edens, Richard Obiso, Gerard J. Sevigny, Michael Touma, Mark Messina, Brian McKeen, Robert C. Aviles
  • Sample Preparation System And Method for Processing Clinical Specimens
    Publication number: 20080247914
    Abstract: A system and method for automated handling of vials containing liquid medical specimens is disclosed. The robotic system processes the specimens for further downstream molecular analysis. The processing comprises automated vial cap removal, pipetting of the vial contents, transfer of the vial contents to a destination tray such as a multiwell plate, and recapping of the vial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Ted Carl Edens, Richard Obiso, Gerard J. Sevigny, Michael Touma, Mark Messina, Brian McKeen, Robert C. Aviles