Patents by Inventor David James Squirrell
David James Squirrell 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: 20100297707Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction wherein at least one wall of said vessel comprises a metallic layer and an inner non-metallic layer. Reaction systems comprising combinations of vessels of the invention and apparatus for heating them, as well as particular reactions vessels are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITEDInventors: Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell, Ross Peter Jones, Roger James Williamson, George Richard Gregory, Graham Gutsell
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Patent number: 7838236Abstract: Analytical methods using RNA-containing probes for the detection or analysis of nucleic acid sequences is described. These probes are contacted with a sample suspected of containing the nucleic acid sequence and if they form duplexes, they are hydrolysed. This may be done, for example during an amplification reaction. AMP generated as a result of the hydrolysis is converted to ATP. The ATP may then be detected using bioluminescent reagents. Inclusion of modified adenosine in at least one probe means that the signal arising from one probe will give rise to a different and distinguishable bioluminescent signal thus enabling the use of for example an internal control in bioluminescently-reported nucleic acid tests.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Enigma Diagnostics LimitedInventor: David James Squirrell
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Publication number: 20100210010Abstract: An integral magnet and heater device comprising a heating element with integral permanent magnet for use in a sample preparation or analysis apparatus. Also disclosed is a sheath adapted to cover a reusable processing component, such as a heater or sonicator, of an apparatus during use. Other associated aspects of the system are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: Enigma Diagnostics LimitedInventors: Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell, Michael John Withers, Trevor John Beckett, Christopher John Silk
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Publication number: 20100190152Abstract: An apparatus for analysing a sample and assessing its global position, the apparatus comprising a portable sample analysing device and a global positioning device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2007Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITEDInventor: David James Squirrell
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Publication number: 20100180980Abstract: A sample delivery system comprising (i) a cartridge comprising a body section adapted to hold a sealed sample vessel so as to fix the position of a seal of the sample vessel in relation to the cartridge; and (ii) apparatus adapted to receive said cartridge, said apparatus being provided with an opening system for opening said sealed sample vessel contained within the cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITEDInventors: Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell, Michael John Withers, Trevor John Beckett, Christopher John Silk
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Publication number: 20100129898Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2010Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCEInventor: DAVID JAMES SQUIRRELL
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Publication number: 20100120131Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2010Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCEInventor: DAVID JAMES SQUIRRELL
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Publication number: 20100093069Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventor: David James Squirrell
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Patent number: 7659096Abstract: A method of carrying out an amplification reaction, said method comprising supplying to a well in a disposable unit (a) a sample which contains or is suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence (b) primers, nucleotides and enzymes required to effect said amplification reaction and (c) a buffer system, and subjecting the unit to thermal cycling conditions such that any target nucleic acid present within the sample is amplified; wherein the disposable unit comprises a thermally conducting layer and a facing layer having one or more reagent wells of up to 1000 microns in depth defined therebetween; and the reaction mixture comprises at least one of the following: A) a buffer system wherein the pH is above 8.3; B) a detergent; and/or C) a blocking agent. Apparatus for effecting the method as well as disposable units for use in the method are described. The method is particularly suitable for rapid PCR reactions.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandInventors: Martin Alan Lee, Hilary Bird, Dario Lyall Leslie, David James Squirrell, John Shaw, David Wenn, Julie Deacon
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Patent number: 7652266Abstract: In apparatus for detecting the emission of fluorescent radiation from a sample in response to excitation by two or more different radiation sources (145, 160) over the same time period, each radiation source (145, 160) is imprinted with a modulation regime which can then be separately detected in the emitted fluorescent radiation. For instance in techniques based on fluorescent resonant energy transfer (“FRET”), the drive current to two or more different LED sources (145, 160) may be frequency modulated, or pulse width modulated, according to different modulation regimes. Responses of the sample, for instance of different donor/acceptor probes contained in the sample, to each of the sources (145, 160) can then be separately detected by means of the different modulation regimes, even where the wavelengths or wavelength ranges of the responses are the same or overlapping.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Engima Diagnostics LimitedInventors: David James Squirrell, Martin Alan Lee
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Patent number: 7648830Abstract: A method is provided for determining the presence of a target bacteria based on its resistance to a cell lysing antibiotic. Said antibiotic is used to lyse cells of non-target bacteria in a sample and hence facilitate isolation of the target prior to detection by known means.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2002Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandInventors: David James Squirrell, Rachel Louise Leslie, Kevin J Bown
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Publication number: 20090325278Abstract: A method of carrying out an amplification reaction, said method comprising supplying to a well in a disposable unit (a) a sample which contains or is suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence (b) primers, nucleotides and enzymes required to effect said amplification reaction and (c) a buffer system, and subjecting the unit to thermal cycling conditions such that any target nucleic acid present within the sample is amplified; wherein the disposable unit comprises a thermally conducting layer and a facing layer having one or more reagent wells of up to 1000 microns in depth defined therebetween; and the reaction mixture comprises at least one of the following: A) a buffer system wherein the pH is above 8.3; B) a detergent; and/or C) a blocking agent. Apparatus for effecting the method as well as disposable units for use in the method are described. The method is particularly suitable for rapid PCR reactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: The Secretary of State for DefenceInventors: Martin Alan Lee, Hilary Bird, Dario Lyall Leslie, David James Squirrell, John Shaw, David Wenn, Julie Deacon
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Patent number: 7638097Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: The Secretary of State for DefenceInventor: David James Squirrell
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Patent number: 7537927Abstract: Method and apparatus for carrying out a thermal cycling reaction, wherein a succession of samples is conveyed through a series of sequentially arranged temperature control sites, each of the sites comprising means for supplying an electric current to, or inducing an electric current in, sample-containing vessels passing through it so as to induce temperature changes in the samples. Also provided is a sample support and its production, the support comprising a succession of sample vessels arranged sequentially one behind the next, preferably in the form of a linked chain, the support comprising an electrically conducting, preferably plastics, material which heats when an electric current passes through it.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandInventors: David James Squirrell, Martin Alan Lee
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Patent number: 7520924Abstract: Improved apparatus for collecting particles from air comprises a cyclone having air inlet and outlet means, means maintaining an airflow there through and means delivering a collecting fluid from a reservoir to particles separated from the air flow in the cyclone, in which the air inlet means is associated with means for heating the incoming air. The apparatus, which is optionally provided with enclosure means for trapping heat, prevents freezing of the collecting fluid at temperatures near to and even below 0° C.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: The Secretary of State for DefenceInventors: William Hunter Symonds, David James Squirrell, Nigel Patrick Pomeroy, Martin John Berry
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Publication number: 20090053728Abstract: Analytical methods using RNA probes for the detection or analysis of nucleic acid sequences is described. These probes are contacted with a sample suspected of containing the nucleic acid sequence and if they form duplexes, they are hydrolysed. This may be done, for example during an amplification reaction. AMP generated as a result of the hydrolysis is converted to ATP. The ATP may then be detected using bioluminescent reagents.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCEInventors: David James Squirrell, Martin Alan Lee
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Publication number: 20080314855Abstract: A liquid dispensing device comprising a hollow body having an opening in a lower end thereof for receiving liquid, and an integrated cap member arranged to sealingly close the body, said cap member comprising a resilient diaphragm which is deformable in a downwards direction. The device is suitable for use in automated apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2006Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITEDInventors: Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell, Georgina Martin
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Publication number: 20080290292Abstract: In apparatus for detecting the emission of fluorescent radiation from a sample in response to excitation by two or more different radiation sources (145, 160) over the same time period, each radiation source (145, 160) is imprinted with a modulation regime which can then be separately detected in the emitted fluorescent radiation. For instance in techniques based on fluorescent resonant energy transfer (“FRET”), the drive current to two or more different LED sources (145, 160) may be frequency modulated, or pulse width modulated, according to different modulation regimes. Responses of the sample, for instance of different donor/acceptor probes contained in the sample, to each of the sources (145, 160) can then be separately detected by means of the different modulation regimes, even where the wavelengths or wavelength ranges of the responses are the same or overlapping.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2006Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: Enigma Diagnostics LimitedInventors: David James Squirrell, Martin Alan Lee
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Publication number: 20080274512Abstract: A device for transferring reagents in solid or liquid form from one place to another on an apparatus, said device comprising an upper portion, adapted to be held, and a lower portion adapted to hold reagents in solid or liquid form, in an available manner. For example, the reagents may be held within a cage structure or retained on an outer surface of the lower portion. Methods for using the device, as well as apparatus for use in conjunction with the device are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2006Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventors: David James Squirrell, Georgina Martin
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Publication number: 20080233588Abstract: Analytical methods using RNA-containing probes for the detection or analysis of nucleic acid sequences is described. These probes are contacted with a sample suspected of containing the nucleic acid sequence and if they form duplexes, they are hydrolysed. This may be done, for example during an amplification reaction. AMP generated as a result of the hydrolysis is converted to ATP. The ATP may then be detected using bioluminescent reagents. Inclusion of modified adenosine in at least one probe means that the signal arising from one probe will give rise to a different and distinguishable bioluminescent signal thus enabling the use of for example an internal control in bioluminescently-reported nucleic acid tests.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2006Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITEDInventor: David James Squirrell