Patents by Inventor Christopher B. Davis
Christopher B. Davis 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: 20230095546Abstract: A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Christopher B. DAVIS, Norbert D. HAGEN, James T. TUGGLE
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Patent number: 11524300Abstract: A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Christopher B. Davis, Norbert D. Hagen, James T. Tuggle
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Publication number: 20200338559Abstract: A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Christopher B. DAVIS, Norbert D. HAGEN, James T. TUGGLE
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Publication number: 20200030805Abstract: A system for separating an analyte from other components of a sample includes a receptacle holding station and a magnetic separation station. The receptacle holding station includes one or more stationary, permanent magnets positioned to apply a magnetic field to the contents of a receptacle held stationary within the receptacle holding station. The magnetic separation station includes one or more permanent magnets and is configured to perform a magnetic separation procedure on the contents of a receptacle transported from the receptacle holding station to the magnetic separation station. The magnetic separation procedure includes isolating an analyte immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support within the receptacle and removing other components of the sample from the receptacle. The magnetic separation station is configured to provide relative movement between the receptacle and the one or more permanent magnets after the receptacle is transported to the magnetic separation station.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Christopher B. DAVIS, Norbert D. HAGEN, James T. TUGGLE
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Patent number: 10279351Abstract: A system for separating an analyte from other components of a sample includes a receptacle holding station and a magnetic separation station. The receptacle holding station includes one or more stationary, permanent magnets positioned to apply a magnetic field to the contents of a receptacle held stationary within the receptacle holding station. The magnetic separation station includes one or more permanent magnets and is configured to perform a magnetic separation procedure on the contents of a receptacle transported from the receptacle holding station to the magnetic separation station. The magnetic separation procedure includes isolating an analyte immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support within the receptacle and removing other components of the sample from the receptacle. The magnetic separation station is configured to provide relative movement between the receptacle and the one or more permanent magnets after the receptacle is transported to the magnetic separation station.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Christopher B. Davis, Norbert D. Hagen, James T. Tuggle
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Publication number: 20190049378Abstract: A method of determining the presence or amount of a target nucleic acid in each of a plurality of reaction mixtures. In the method, a first plurality of reaction mixtures are provided to a heater and subjected to conditions for performing a first amplification reaction. The presence or amount of a first target nucleic acid in each of the first plurality of reaction mixtures is determined during the first amplification reaction. During the first amplification reaction, a second plurality of reaction mixtures are provided to the heater and subjected to conditions for performing a second amplification reaction. The presence or amount of a second target nucleic acid in each of the second plurality of reaction mixtures is determined during the second amplification reaction. At least a portion of the second plurality of reaction mixtures are removed from the heater during the second amplification reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Gary D. LAIR, Thanh N. NGUYEN, Haitao LI, Florence LI, Byron J. KNIGHT, Robert E. HEINZ, Jerzy A. MACIOSZEK, Christopher B. DAVIS, Robert F. SCALESE
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Patent number: 10006862Abstract: A continuous process for performing multiple nucleic acid amplification assays, where at least a portion of a second subset of reaction mixtures are transferred to a heater while a first subset of reaction mixtures are being subjected to conditions for performing a nucleic acid amplification assay. During the process, a plurality of reaction mixtures from the first and second subsets of reaction mixtures are simultaneously subjected to conditions sufficient to perform multiple nucleic acid amplification assays in the reaction mixtures. The presence or absence of a target nucleic acid in the first subset of reaction mixtures is determined while the reaction mixtures are in the heater.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Gary D. Lair, Thanh N. Nguyen, Haitao Li, Florence Li, Byron J. Knight, Robert E. Heinz, Jerzy A. Macioszek, Christopher B. Davis, Robert F. Scalese
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Publication number: 20170261431Abstract: A continuous process for performing multiple nucleic acid amplification assays, where at least a portion of a second subset of reaction mixtures are transferred to a heater while a first subset of reaction mixtures are being subjected to conditions for performing a nucleic acid amplification assay. During the process, a plurality of reaction mixtures from the first and second subsets of reaction mixtures are simultaneously subjected to conditions sufficient to perform multiple nucleic acid amplification assays in the reaction mixtures. The presence or absence of a target nucleic acid in the first subset of reaction mixtures is determined while the reaction mixtures are in the heater.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Gary D. LAIR, Thanh N. NGUYEN, Haitao LI, Florence LI, Byron J. KNIGHT, Robert E. HEINZ, Jerzy A. MACIOSZEK, Christopher B. DAVIS, Robert F. SCALESE
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Publication number: 20160124005Abstract: A system for separating an analyte from other components of a sample includes a receptacle holding station and a magnetic separation station. The receptacle holding station includes one or more stationary, permanent magnets positioned to apply a magnetic field to the contents of a receptacle held stationary within the receptacle holding station. The magnetic separation station includes one or more permanent magnets and is configured to perform a magnetic separation procedure on the contents of a receptacle transported from the receptacle holding station to the magnetic separation station. The magnetic separation procedure includes isolating an analyte immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support within the receptacle and removing other components of the sample from the receptacle. The magnetic separation station is configured to provide relative movement between the receptacle and the one or more permanent magnets after the receptacle is transported to the magnetic separation station.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2016Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: CHRISTOPHER B. DAVIS, NORBERT D. HAGEN, JAMES T. TUGGLE
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Patent number: 9259732Abstract: A system for separating an analyte from other components of a sample contained in a receptacle, where the system includes a receptacle holding station and a magnetic separation station. The receptacle holding station is configured to receive and hold a receptacle and includes one or more magnets positioned to apply a magnetic field to the contents of the receptacle. When present in the receptacle holding station, a receptacle remains stationary relative to the one or more magnets. The magnetic separation station includes one or more magnets and is constructed and arranged to perform a magnetic separation procedure on the contents of a receptacle transported from the receptacle holding station to the magnetic separation station by an automated receptacle transport. The magnetic separation procedure includes isolating an analyte immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support within the receptacle and removing other components of the sample from the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Christopher B. Davis, Norbert D. Hagen, James T. Tuggle
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Publication number: 20150027933Abstract: A system for separating an analyte from other components of a sample contained in a receptacle, where the system includes a receptacle holding station and a magnetic separation station. The receptacle holding station is configured to receive and hold a receptacle and includes one or more magnets positioned to apply a magnetic field to the contents of the receptacle. When present in the receptacle holding station, a receptacle remains stationary relative to the one or more magnets. The magnetic separation station includes one or more magnets and is constructed and arranged to perform a magnetic separation procedure on the contents of a receptacle transported from the receptacle holding station to the magnetic separation station by an automated receptacle transport. The magnetic separation procedure includes isolating an analyte immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support within the receptacle and removing other components of the sample from the receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Christopher B. DAVIS, Norbert D. HAGEN, James T. TUGGLE
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Patent number: 8844731Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a proton of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Christopher B. Davis, Norbert D. Hagen, James T. Tuggle
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Publication number: 20130026079Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a proton of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Christopher B. DAVIS, Norbert D. HAGEN, James T. TUGGLE
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Patent number: 8349564Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Jerzy A. Macioszek, Christopher B. Davis, Gary D. Lair, Thanh N. Nguyen, Haitao Li, Florence F. Li, Byron J. Knight, Robert F. Scalese, Robert E. Heinz
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Patent number: 8276762Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a proton of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Christopher B. Davis, Norbert D. Hagen, James T. Tuggle
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Patent number: 8190551Abstract: A method for classifying textile samples and unknown fabrics into known categories using spectroscopy, chemometric modeling, and soft independent modeling of class analogies (“SIMCA”). The method involves collecting spectral data, preferably diffuse near infrared reflectance data, for a library of known fabric samples, creating a database of principal component analyses for each type of fabric, and using SIMCA to classify an unknown fabric sample according to the database.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2006Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Baylor UniversityInventors: Kenneth W. Busch, Christopher B. Davis, Marianna Busch
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Patent number: 8008066Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Gary D. Lair, Thanh N. Nguyen, Haitao Li, Florence F. Li, Byron J. Knight, Robert E. Heinz, Jerzy A. Macioszek, Christopher B. Davis, Robert F. Scalese
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Publication number: 20110147610Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2011Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATEDInventors: Jerzy A. MACIOSZEK, Christopher B. DAVIS, Gary D. LAIR, Thanh N. NGUYEN, Haitao LI, Florence F. LI, Byron J. KNIGHT, Robert F. SCALESE, Robert E. HEINZ
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Patent number: 7964413Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2006Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Jerzy A. Macioszek, Christopher B. Davis, Gary D. Lair, Thanh N. Nguyen, Haitao Li, Florence F. Li, Byron J. Knight, Robert F. Scalese, Robert E. Heinz
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Patent number: 7932081Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2006Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Gen-Probe IncorporatedInventors: Gary D. Lair, Thanh N. Nguyen, Haitao Li, Florence F. Li, Byron J. Knight, Robert E. Heinz, Jerzy A. Macioszek, Christopher B. Davis, Robert F. Scalese