Patents by Inventor Douglas B. Dority
Douglas B. Dority 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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Patent number: 8303895Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a reaction mixture contained in a chamber of a reaction vessel comprises a thermal surface for contacting a flexible wall of the chamber and an automated machine for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the flexible wall to conform to the thermal surface for good thermal conductance. The apparatus also includes at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the surface to induce a temperature change within the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: CapheidInventors: Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority, Lee A. Christel, Robert Yuan, Kurt E. Petersen
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Patent number: 8293064Abstract: A reaction vessel having a reaction chamber for holding a sample is fabricated by producing a housing having a rigid frame defining the minor walls of the chamber. The housing also defines a port for introducing fluid into the chamber. At least one sheet or film is attached to the rigid frame to form at least one major wall of the chamber. In preferred embodiments, two sheets or films are attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form two opposing major walls of the chamber, the major walls being connected to each other by the minor walls.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2003Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: CepheidInventors: Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority
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Publication number: 20120171758Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample. The cartridge provides for the efficient separation of cells or viruses in the sample from the remaining sample fluid, lysis of the cells or viruses to release the analyte (e.g., nucleic acid) therefrom, and optionally chemical reaction and/or detection of the analyte. The cartridge is useful in a variety of diagnostic, life science research, environmental, or forensic applications for determining the presence or absence of one or more analytes in a sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2007Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: CepheidInventors: Kurt E. Petersen, Michael T. Taylor, Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Ronald Chang, Stanley H. Sakai, Jesus Ching, Douglas B. Dority, Phillip Belgrader, M. Allen Northrup
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Patent number: 8168442Abstract: A cartridge for conducting a chemical reaction includes a body having at least one flow path formed therein. The cartridge also includes a reaction vessel extending from the body for holding a reaction mixture for chemical reaction and optical detection. The vessel comprises a rigid frame defining the side walls of a reaction chamber. The frame includes at least one channel connecting the flow path to the chamber. The vessel also includes flexible films or sheets attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber. In addition, at least two of the side walls are optically transmissive and angularly offset from each to permit real-time optical detection of analyte in the reaction chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: CepheidInventors: Kurt E. Petersen, William A. McMillan, Farzad Pourahmadi, Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority
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Publication number: 20120034705Abstract: A fluid control and processing system for controlling fluid flow among a plurality of chambers comprises a body including a fluid processing region continuously coupled fluidicly with a fluid displacement region. The fluid displacement region is depressurizable to draw fluid into the fluid displacement region and pressurizable to expel fluid from the fluid displacement region. The body includes at least one external port. The fluid processing region is fluidicly coupled with the at least one external port. The fluid displacement region is fluidicly coupled with at least one external port of the body. The body is adjustable with respect to the plurality of chambers to place the at least one external port selectively in fluidic communication with the plurality of chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: CepheidInventors: Douglas B. Dority, Ronald Chang
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Publication number: 20120009667Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample. The cartridge provides for the efficient separation of cells or viruses in the sample from the remaining sample fluid, lysis of the cells or viruses to release the analyte (e.g., nucleic acid) therefrom, and optionally chemical reaction and/or detection of the analyte. The cartridge is useful in a variety of diagnostic, life science research, environmental, or forensic applications for determining the presence or absence of one or more analytes in a sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: KURT E. PETERSON, Michael T. Taylor, Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Ronald Chang, Stanley H. Sakai, Jesus Ching, Douglas B. Dority, Phillip Belgrader, M. Allen Northrup
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Patent number: 8048386Abstract: A fluid control and processing system for controlling fluid flow among a plurality of chambers comprises a body including a fluid processing region continuously coupled fluidicly with a fluid displacement region. The fluid displacement region is depressurizable to draw fluid into the fluid displacement region and pressurizable to expel fluid from the fluid displacement region. The body includes at least one external port. The fluid processing region is fluidicly coupled with the at least one external port. The fluid displacement region is fluidicly coupled with at least one external port of the body. The body is adjustable with respect to the plurality of chambers to place the at least one external port selectively in fluidic communication with the plurality of chambers.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: CepheidInventors: Douglas B. Dority, Ronald Chang
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Patent number: 8029733Abstract: A reaction vessel having a reaction chamber for holding a sample is fabricated by producing a housing having a rigid frame defining the minor walls of the chamber. The housing also defines a port for introducing fluid into the chamber. At least one sheet or film is attached to the rigid frame to form at least one major wall of the chamber. In preferred embodiments, two sheets or films are attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form two opposing major walls of the chamber, the major walls being connected to each other by the minor walls.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: CepheidInventors: Ronald Chang, Lee A. Christel, Gregory T. A. Kovacs, William A. McMillan, M. Allen Northrup, Kurt E. Petersen, Farzad Pourahmadi, Steven J. Young, Robert Yuan, Douglas B. Dority
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Publication number: 20110176971Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a reaction mixture contained in a chamber of a reaction vessel comprises a thermal surface for contacting a flexible wall of the chamber and an automated machine for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the flexible wall to conform to the thermal surface for good thermal conductance. The apparatus also includes at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the surface to induce a temperature change within the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2008Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: CepheidInventors: Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority, Lee A. Christel, Robert Yuan, Kurt E. Petersen
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Publication number: 20090308886Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient and effective technique for storing and dispensing reagent beads. In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for dispensing reagent beads contained in a bead storage device which includes a bead carrier having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reagent beads disposed in the wells; and a cover tape releasably attached to the bead carrier to cover the wells and retain the reagent beads in the wells. The apparatus comprises a channel in which to place the bead storage device with the bead carrier facing a support wall of the channel and the cover tape facing a stripping wall of the channel. The stripping wall includes a stripping gap disposed between a stripping edge and an opposite edge, and a dispense opening provided adjacent the opposite edge on a side of the stripping wall opposite from the stripping edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: CepheidInventors: Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority, Steven M. Montgomery
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Publication number: 20090305337Abstract: Provided is a system and method for staining of one or more samples, including providing one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to be inserted into an auto-staining instrument; and enabling one of one or more staining procedures appropriate for the one or more samples as a function of a choice of self-contained sample processing receptacle, each of the one or more self-contained sample processing receptacles configured to process each inserted sample of the one or more samples within the self-contained sample processing receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2008Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: Shazi Iqbal, Steven M. Montgomery, Ronald Chang, Gregory Mote, Douglas B. Dority, Jeffrey S. Ross
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Publication number: 20090289076Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient and effective technique for storing and dispensing reagent beads. In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for dispensing reagent beads contained in a bead storage device which includes a bead carrier having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reagent beads disposed in the wells; and a cover tape releasably attached to the bead carrier to cover the wells and retain the reagent beads in the wells. The apparatus comprises a channel in which to place the bead storage device with the bead carrier facing a support wall of the channel and the cover tape facing a stripping wall of the channel. The stripping wall includes a stripping gap disposed between a stripping edge and an opposite edge, and a dispense opening provided adjacent the opposite edge on a side of the stripping wall opposite from the stripping edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Inventors: RONALD CHANG, DOUGLAS B. DORITY, STEVEN MONTGOMERY
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Patent number: 7575721Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient and effective technique for storing and dispensing reagent beads. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for dispensing reagent beads contained in a bead storage device which includes a bead carrier having a plurality of wells; a plurality of reagent beads disposed in the wells; and a cover tape releasably attached to the bead carrier to cover the wells and retain the reagent beads in the wells. The apparatus comprises a channel in which to place the bead storage device with the bead carrier facing a support wall of the channel and the cover tape facing a stripping wall of the channel. The stripping wall includes a stripping gap disposed between a stripping edge and an opposite edge, and a dispense opening provided adjacent the opposite edge on a side of the stripping wall opposite from the stripping edge.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2005Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: CepheidInventors: Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority, Steven Michael Montgomery
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Patent number: 7462323Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a reaction mixture contained in a chamber of a reaction vessel comprises a thermal surface for contacting a flexible wall of the chamber and an automated machine for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the flexible wall to conform to the thermal surface for good thermal conductance. The apparatus also includes at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the surface to induce a temperature change within the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: CepheidInventors: Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority, Lee A. Christel, Robert Yuan, Kurt E. Petersen
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Publication number: 20080286151Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a reaction mixture contained in a chamber of a reaction vessel comprises a thermal surface for contacting a flexible wall of the chamber and an automated machine for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the flexible wall to conform to the thermal surface for good thermal conductance. The apparatus also includes at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the surface to induce a temperature change within the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: CepheidInventors: Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority, Lee A. Christel, Robert Yuan, Kurt E. Petersen
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Publication number: 20080254532Abstract: A reaction vessel having a reaction chamber for holding a sample is fabricated by producing a housing having a rigid frame defining the minor walls of the chamber. The housing also defines a port for introducing fluid into the chamber. At least one sheet or film is attached to the rigid frame to form at least one major wall of the chamber. In preferred embodiments, two sheets or films are attached to opposite sides of the rigid frame to form two opposing major walls of the chamber, the major walls being connected to each other by the minor walls.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: CepheidInventors: Ronald Chang, Lee A. Christel, Gregory T.A. Kovacs, William A. McMillan, M. Allen Northrup, Kurt E. Petersen, Farzad Pourahmadi, Steven J. Young, Robert Yuan, Douglas B. Dority
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Patent number: 7255833Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for rapidly heating and/or cooling a sample in a reaction vessel. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes optics for the efficient detection of a reaction product in the vessel. The invention also provides a reaction vessel having a reaction chamber designed for optimal thermal conductance and for efficient optical viewing of reaction products in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: CepheidInventors: Ronald Chang, Lee A. Christel, Gregory T. A. Kovacs, William A. McMillan, M. Allen Northrup, Kurt E. Petersen, Farzad Pourahmadi, Steven J. Young, Robert Yuan, Douglas B. Dority
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Patent number: 7101509Abstract: A reaction vessel has a reaction chamber, a loading reservoir connected to the reaction chamber via a first channel, and an aspiration port connected to the chamber via a second channel. To load the sample into the reaction chamber, the sample is dispensed into the loading reservoir and then drawn into the chamber by application of a vacuum to the aspiration port. A system for controlling the temperature of the sample in the reaction vessel includes one or more thermal elements for heating or cooling the sample and optionally optics for detecting one or more analytes in the sample.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: CepheidInventors: Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority, Lee A. Christel, Kurt E. Petersen
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Patent number: 7032605Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for manipulating fluids, for instance, to determine the presence or absence of an analyte in a sample. In one embodiment, a fluid control and processing system comprises a plurality of chambers; a body including a fluid sample processing region; and a plurality of valves. Each valve includes a valve body having a fluid displacement region which is depressurizable to draw fluid into the fluid displacement region and pressurizable to expel fluid from the fluid displacement region, the valve body including an external port. The fluid displacement region is fluidicly coupled with the external port of the valve body. The valve body is adjustable with respect to the fluid sample processing region to place the external port selectively in fluidic communication with the fluid sample processing region. The valve body is adjustable with respect to the plurality of chambers to allow the external port to be placed selectively in fluidic communication with the plurality of chambers.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Inventor: Douglas B. Dority
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Patent number: 6987018Abstract: A container for holding cells or viruses for disruption comprises a chamber defined by two spaced apart, opposing major walls and side walls connecting the major walls to each other. At least one of the major walls has an external surface to which the transducer may be coupled and is sufficiently flexible to flex in response to vibratory motion of the transducer. The container also has at least one port for introducing the cells or viruses into the chamber. In some embodiments, the chamber contains beads for aiding the disruption of the cells or viruses.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: CepheidInventors: Michael T. Taylor, Phillip Belgrader, Farzad Pourahmadi, William A. McMillan, Ronald Chang, Douglas B. Dority