Patents by Inventor Heather R. Sanders

Heather R. Sanders 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: 11965212
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for detection of a nucleic acid target in a sample. The methods and compositions use primer directed amplification in conjunction with nucleic acid fragmentation. The methods have high sensitivity even in the presence of a large amount of non-target nucleic acid. Also provided are oligonucleotides and kits useful in the method. Exemplary nucleic acid targets are those with mutant gene sequence such as mutant sequence of the EGFR, APC, TMPRSS2, ERG and ETV1 genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Kevin Z. Qu, Charles M. Strom, Richard A. Bender
  • Publication number: 20230416835
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of neoplastic disorders, particularly non-small cell lung cancer. Assays are described in which patient test samples are analyzed for the presence of one or more specific EML4-ALK fusion genes associated with neoplastic disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20230407289
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating RNA from whole urine and urine fractions for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and/or benign prostate hyperplasia. An exemplary method for diagnosing prostate cancer in an individual, said method comprises: (a) determining the amount of RNA encoding one or more diagnostic genes in the soluble urine fraction of a urine sample obtained from said individual; (b) comparing the amount of said RNA to a reference value for said one or more diagnostic genes, wherein said reference value is derived from the amount of RNA encoding said one or more diagnostic genes in one or more individuals that do not have prostate cancer; and (c) diagnosing said individual as having prostate cancer when the amount of said RNA is greater than said reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventor: Heather R. SANDERS
  • Patent number: 11667909
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating RNA from whole urine and urine fractions for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and/or benign prostate hyperplasia. An exemplary method for diagnosing prostate cancer in an individual, said method comprises: (a) determining the amount of RNA encoding one or more diagnostic genes in the soluble urine fraction of a urine sample obtained from said individual; (b) comparing the amount of said RNA to a reference value for said one or more diagnostic genes, wherein said reference value is derived from the amount of RNA encoding said one or more diagnostic genes in one or more individuals that do not have prostate cancer; and (c) diagnosing said individual as having prostate cancer when the amount of said RNA is greater than said reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventor: Heather R. Sanders
  • Patent number: 11639529
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of neoplastic disorders, particularly non-small cell lung cancer. Assays are described in which patient test samples are analyzed for the presence of one or more specific EML4-ALK fusion genes associated with neoplastic disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20220098679
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for detection of a nucleic acid target in a sample. The methods and compositions use primer directed amplification in conjunction with nucleic acid fragmentation. The methods have high sensitivity even in the presence of a large amount of non-target nucleic acid. Also provided are oligonucleotides and kits useful in the method. Exemplary nucleic acid targets are those with mutant gene sequence such as mutant sequence of the EGFR, APC, TMPRSS2, ERG and ETV1 genes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Heather R. SANDERS, Kevin Z. Qu, Charles M. Strom, Richard A. Bender
  • Patent number: 11155877
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for detection of a nucleic acid target in a sample. The methods and compositions use primer directed amplification in conjunction with nucleic acid fragmentation. The methods have high sensitivity even in the presence of a large amount of non-target nucleic acid. Also provided are oligonucleotides and kits useful in the method. Exemplary nucleic acid targets are those with mutant gene sequence such as mutant sequence of the EGFR, APC, TMPRSS2, ERG and ETV1 genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Kevin Z. Qu, Charles M. Strom, Richard A. Bender
  • Patent number: 11021758
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20200354712
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating RNA from whole urine and urine fractions for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and/or benign prostate hyperplasia. An exemplary method for diagnosing prostate cancer in an individual, said method comprises: (a) determining the amount of RNA encoding one or more diagnostic genes in the soluble urine fraction of a urine sample obtained from said individual; (b) comparing the amount of said RNA to a reference value for said one or more diagnostic genes, wherein said reference value is derived from the amount of RNA encoding said one or more diagnostic genes in one or more individuals that do not have prostate cancer; and (c) diagnosing said individual as having prostate cancer when the amount of said RNA is greater than said reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventor: Heather R. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20200181718
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Patent number: 10669536
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating RNA from whole urine and urine fractions for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and/or benign prostate hyperplasia. An exemplary method for diagnosing prostate cancer in an individual, said method comprises: (a) determining the amount of RNA encoding one or more diagnostic genes in the soluble urine fraction of a urine sample obtained from said individual; (b) comparing the amount of said RNA to a reference value for said one or more diagnostic genes, wherein said reference value is derived from the amount of RNA encoding said one or more diagnostic genes in one or more individuals that do not have prostate cancer; and (c) diagnosing said individual as having prostate cancer when the amount of said RNA is greater than said reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventor: Heather R. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20200123617
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of neoplastic disorders, particularly non-small cell lung cancer. Assays are described in which patient test samples are analyzed for the presence of one or more specific EML4-ALK fusion genes associated with neoplastic disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Patent number: 10501809
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20190365779
    Abstract: The present technology is related to methods for detecting genetic alterations underlying intracranial neoplasms such as pituitary adenomas, meningiomas, and craniopharyngiomas. The methods disclosed herein are useful in determining whether a patient harboring an intracranial tumor will benefit from or is predicted to be responsive to treatment with an individual therapeutic agent or a specific combination of therapeutic agents. Kits for use in practicing the methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. McPhaul, Heather R. Sanders
  • Patent number: 10435758
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of neoplastic disorders, particularly non-small cell lung cancer. Assays are described in which patient test samples are analyzed for the presence of one or more specific EML4-ALK fusion genes associated with neoplastic disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20190100808
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for detection of a nucleic acid target in a sample. The methods and compositions use primer directed amplification in conjunction with nucleic acid fragmentation. The methods have high sensitivity even in the presence of a large amount of non-target nucleic acid. Also provided are oligonucleotides and kits useful in the method. Exemplary nucleic acid targets are those with mutant gene sequence such as mutant sequence of the EGFR, APC, TMPRSS2, ERG and ETV1 genes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Kevin Z. Qu, Charles M. Strom, Richard A. Bender
  • Publication number: 20190093176
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20180305770
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of neoplastic disorders, particularly non-small cell lung cancer. Assays are described in which patient test samples are analyzed for the presence of one or more specific EML4-ALK fusion genes associated with neoplastic disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Patent number: 10106857
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for detection of a nucleic acid target in a sample. The methods and compositions use primer directed amplification in conjunction with nucleic acid fragmentation. The methods have high sensitivity even in the presence of a large amount of non-target nucleic acid. Also provided are oligonucleotides and kits useful in the method. Exemplary nucleic acid targets are those with mutant gene sequence such as mutant sequence of the EGFR, APC, TMPRSS2, ERG and ETV1 genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Kevin Z. Qu, Charles M. Strom, Richard A. Bender
  • Publication number: 20180298373
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating RNA from whole urine and urine fractions for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and/or benign prostate hyperplasia. An exemplary method for diagnosing prostate cancer in an individual, said method comprises: (a) determining the amount of RNA encoding one or more diagnostic genes in the soluble urine fraction of a urine sample obtained from said individual; (b) comparing the amount of said RNA to a reference value for said one or more diagnostic genes, wherein said reference value is derived from the amount of RNA encoding said one or more diagnostic genes in one or more individuals that do not have prostate cancer; and (c) diagnosing said individual as having prostate cancer when the amount of said RNA is greater than said reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventor: Heather R. SANDERS