Patents by Inventor Eric D. Yeaton

Eric D. Yeaton 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).

  • Patent number: 9116087
    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: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lapen, David Zahniser, Mark Licari, Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, Dennis Poole
  • Patent number: 9057672
    Abstract: Sample application systems can include an extraction mechanism to remove a sample from sample containers, a sample vessel disposed on a deployment mechanism, where the deployment mechanism is arranged to move the sample vessel to receive a sample, an extraction mechanism washing station to wash the extraction mechanism, a sample applicator to remove a portion of the sample in the sample vessel and apply it onto a sample carrier, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to a sample application position, a sample vessel washing station to wash the sample vessel, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to the sample vessel washing station, a sample applicator washing station to wash the sample applicator after the sample has been dispensed onto the sample carrier, and a fluid control system to control flow of a fluid provided to the extraction mechanism and the sample applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, James L. Dowling
  • Patent number: 8454908
    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: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Constitution Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lapen, David Zahniser, Mark Licari, Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, Dennis Poole
  • Publication number: 20130020175
    Abstract: Sample transport systems are described that move a sample carrier from one station to a next station in a sample processing systems. The systems include: a translating member; two or more sample carrier retaining devices attached to the translating member, wherein each of the two or more sample carrier retaining devices can include a retainer portion to temporarily retain one or more sample carriers; and a movement mechanism to move the translating member and the attached sample carrier retaining devices between a first position and a second position; wherein the sample carrier retaining devices are controlled and moved simultaneously to retain a sample carrier when the translating member reaches the first position and to release a sample carrier when the translating member reaches the second position to successively advance sample carriers in the sample processing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: CONSTITUTION MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, James L. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20130019697
    Abstract: Sample application systems can include an extraction mechanism to remove a sample from sample containers, a sample vessel disposed on a deployment mechanism, where the deployment mechanism is arranged to move the sample vessel to receive a sample, an extraction mechanism washing station to wash the extraction mechanism, a sample applicator to remove a portion of the sample in the sample vessel and apply it onto a sample carrier, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to a sample application position, a sample vessel washing station to wash the sample vessel, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to the sample vessel washing station, a sample applicator washing station to wash the sample applicator after the sample has been dispensed onto the sample carrier, and a fluid control system to control flow of a fluid provided to the extraction mechanism and the sample applicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: CONSTITUTION MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, James L. Dowling
  • Publication number: 20120149050
    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: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: CONSTITUTION MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Lapen, David Zahniser, Mark Licari, Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, Dennis Poole