Patents by Inventor Gregory Blackwell
Gregory Blackwell 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: 8486346Abstract: A device and method for extending the useful life of a bulk liquid used in an automated clinical analyzer. Air from the atmosphere surrounding the automated clinical analyzer that displaces the bulk liquid consumed from a container is routed through a gas scrubber in order to remove or at least reduce the quantity of at least one contaminant present in that air. The gas scrubber is positioned between the bulk liquid in the container and the atmosphere surrounding the container. The gas scrubber contains a reagent that is capable of reacting with a contaminant in the atmosphere, whereby a required characteristic(s) of the bulk liquid does (do) not change excessively prior to the date that the bulk liquid is consumed. For example, if the contaminant is carbon dioxide, and the required characteristic of the bulk liquid is the level of pH of the bulk liquid, the reagent in the gas scrubber prevents the level of pH of the bulk liquid from changing excessively prior to the date that the bulk liquid is consumed.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Gregory A. Blackwell, Patrick P. Fritchie, Ganesh Rajagopal, James W. Whitt
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Patent number: 8449839Abstract: A system for removing liquid waste from an automated diagnostic instrument. The system comprises (a) an accumulator having at least one inlet for waste liquids and at least one outlet for waste liquids; (b) a vacuum sub-system connected to the accumulator, the vacuum sub-system comprising a vacuum pump; and (c) a drain portion for removing waste liquids comprising a peristaltic pump having spring-loaded rollers. The liquid waste from the automated diagnostic instrument is moved by a pressure differential created by the vacuum pump and the peristaltic pump having spring-loaded rollers.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Ganesh Rajagopal, James W. Whitt, GeDon G. Berryman, Daniel H. Lains, Brian L. Ochranek, Gregory A. Blackwell, Robert P. Luoma, II, Jack F. Ramsey
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Patent number: 8171946Abstract: The invention provides probe washing cups and methods. A probe washing cup has a washing well and a waste cup. A drying section is disposed between an open end of the probe washing cup and an inlet plane of the washing well. The drying section has a channel that is aligned with the washing well. The channel has an opening for receiving the probe therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Gregory A. Blackwell, Ganesh Rajagopal
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Publication number: 20100037921Abstract: The invention provides probe washing cups and methods. A probe washing cup has a washing well and a waste cup. A drying section is disposed between an open end of the probe washing cup and an inlet plane of the washing well. The drying section has a channel that is aligned with the washing well. The channel has an opening for receiving the probe therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIESInventors: Gregory A. Blackwell, Ganesh Rajagopal
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Patent number: 7621282Abstract: The invention provides probe washing cups and methods. A probe washing cup has a washing well and a waste cup. A drying section is disposed between an open end of the probe washing cup and an inlet plane of the washing well. The drying section has a channel that is aligned with the washing well. The channel has an opening for receiving the probe therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Abbott Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Blackwell, Ganesh Rajagopal
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Publication number: 20090282932Abstract: A device and method for extending the useful life of a bulk liquid used in an automated clinical analyzer. Air from the atmosphere surrounding the automated clinical analyzer that displaces the bulk liquid consumed from a container is routed through a gas scrubber in order to remove or at least reduce the quantity of at least one contaminant present in that air. The gas scrubber is positioned between the bulk liquid in the container and the atmosphere surrounding the container. The gas scrubber contains a reagent that is capable of reacting with a contaminant in the atmosphere, whereby a required characteristic(s) of the bulk liquid does (do) not change excessively prior to the date that the bulk liquid is consumed. For example, if the contaminant is carbon dioxide, and the required characteristic of the bulk liquid is the level of pH of the bulk liquid, the reagent in the gas scrubber prevents the level of pH of the bulk liquid from changing excessively prior to the date that the bulk liquid is consumed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2008Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIESInventors: Gregory A. Blackwell, Patrick P. Fritchie, Ganesh Rajagopal, James W. Whitt
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Publication number: 20080154543Abstract: A system for removing liquid waste from an automated diagnostic instrument. The system comprises (a) an accumulator having at least one inlet for waste liquids and at least one outlet for waste liquids; (b) a vacuum sub-system connected to the accumulator, said vacuum sub-system comprising a vacuum pump; and (c) a drain portion for removing waste liquids comprising a peristaltic pump having spring-loaded rollers. The liquid waste from the automated diagnostic instrument is moved by means of a pressure differential created by the vacuum pump and the peristaltic pump having spring-loaded rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Ganesh Rajagopal, James W. Whitt, GeDon G. Berryman, Daniel H. Lains, Brian L. Ochranek, Gregory A. Blackwell, Robert P. Luoma, Jack F. Ramsey
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Patent number: 7353559Abstract: A cleaning tool (12) includes cleaning utensil (18), a handle (14) and a deflector vane (30). The deflector vane (30) is pivotally attached to the cleaning utensil (18), and defines a deflector surface (40) having a peripheral edge (46) which is shaped to define two side lobes (48) and a notch (52) in a central portion thereof. The deflector surface (40) has an edge profile (44) which is of an arcuate shape. Two ribs (54) extend in parallel from a side (42) of the deflector vane (30) which is opposite the deflector surface (40). A brace (34) is removably secured in different positions relative to the two ribs (54) for determining an angle between the handle (14) and the deflector vane (30) during downstrokes, to control a level of force which presses the utensil (18) against a surface being cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Inventor: Gregory A. Blackwell
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Publication number: 20050279387Abstract: The invention provides probe washing cups and methods. A probe washing cup has a washing well and a waste cup. A drying section is disposed between an open end of the probe washing cup and an inlet plane of the washing well. The drying section has a channel that is aligned with the washing well. The channel has an opening for receiving the probe therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2004Publication date: December 22, 2005Inventors: Gregory Blackwell, Ganesh Rajagopal