Patents by Inventor Henry A. Garsee
Henry A. Garsee 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: 6544395Abstract: Novel apparatuses and methods for depositing or placing substances on substrates or plates are described. The invention relates to automated and semiautomated apparatuses and methods for controlled volume and precise placement of substances on substrates. Combinations of applicator tips, applicator tip assemblies, applicator reservoirs, applicator holders and movable racks precisely and accurately place samples and testing chemicals on substrates. Applicator tips particularly useful for dunk transfer and deposit processes and for carrying substances are disclosed. Apparatuses for precisely moving applicator holders, applicator reservoirs and tips are disclosed. The methods and apparatuses also have features for pre-loading substances on applicators and applicator reservoirs and precisely delivering the preloaded substances to substrates.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1999Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Mark E. Merchant, Philip A. Guadagno, Robert J. Sarrine, Suzan Robinson, James Robert Markus Sanford, Henry Garsee, Eric H. Petersen, Tipton L. Golias
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Patent number: 6068753Abstract: An apparatus for electrophoresing a sample and for thereafter either scanning in the visible mode or the fluorescent mode, under control of a central processor, to provide scanning densitometry of the electrophoresed sample, and with the fluorescent mode scanning being performed in situ. The apparatus includes a gantry which moves from left to right in the XY plane. The gantry draws, delivers and deposits the samples and reagents, and includes safety devices to prevent the gantry from movement and damage when there are obstructions in the path of the gantry. A fluorescent scanning unit is moved by X- and Y-direction motors to position a photomultiplier over an electrophoresed sample. In this way, the electrophoretic sample can remain fixed in place during sample delivery, ultraviolet exposure and measurement operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1997Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Charles D. Kelley, Henry A. Garsee, Tipton L. Golias
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Patent number: 5846395Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 1997Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee, Charles D. Kelley, Michael T. Everitt, Earl W. Boone, Philip A. Guadagno, Eric H. Petersen, Tipton L. Golias
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Patent number: 5583279Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee, Charles D. Kelley, Michael T. Everitt, Earl W. Boone, Philip A. Guadagno, Eric H. Petersen, Tipton L. Golias
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Patent number: 5516402Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: May 14, 1996Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee, Charles D. Kelley, Michael T. Everitt, Earl W. Boone, Philip A. Guadagno, Eric H. Petersen, Tipton L. Golias
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Patent number: 5460709Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus for automatically performing medical assays includes an electrophoresis platform which cooperates with a gantry assembly. The electrophoresis platform and the gantry assembly are movable along paths that are perpendicular to each other. An applicator assembly includes pipettes which transfer fluid samples from a specimen tray to an electrophoresis plate mounted on the electrophoresis platform. The electrophoresis platform then moves to a position into the gantry assembly, where electrophoresis is conducted to separate the samples into different fractions. The electrophoresis platform then moves beneath a reagent pouring station where a reagent is applied to make the separated fractions fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The electrophoresis platform is then moved beneath the gantry assembly again, and an air knife in the gantry assembly spreads the reagent.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1993Date of Patent: October 24, 1995Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee, Charles D. Kelley, Michael T. Everitt, Earl W. Boone, Philip A. Guadagno, Eric H. Petersen, Tipton L. Golias
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Patent number: 4986891Abstract: An electrophoresis machine is disclosed in which after a microporous support strip and a sample plate are placed in the machine, all electrophoresis processing, scanning and densitometer functions are automatically performed under computer control. The machine includes apparatus for automatic pipetting of liquid samples from the sample plate to the surface of the support strip, apparatus for applying electrophoresis current to the strip while simultaneously cooling it, apparatus for applying and spreading fluorescent staining reagent to the strip, and apparatus for incubating the strip and subsequently drying it. Mechanical aligning apparatus is provided for precisely aligning pipettes with application wells on the sample strip. Electrode bars and reagent spreader bars are provided to apply electrophoresing current to the strip and to spread reagent dumped onto the strip after electrophoresis. Circular indentations as well as rectangular indentations are provided as application wells on the sample strip.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1988Date of Patent: January 22, 1991Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee, Charles D. Kelley, Philip A. Guadagno
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Patent number: 4954237Abstract: An automatic electrophoresis machine is provided with a path for refrigerated air to pass over the agarose gel of a support medium during the time that electrophoresis current is applied to the support medium. Such apparatus is also provided with means for applying longitudinal electrophoresis current through the gel of the support medium during one time and applying lateral electrophoresis current through the gel of the support medium during another time.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1989Date of Patent: September 4, 1990Assignee: Helena LaboratoriesInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee, Charles D. Kelley, Philip A. Guadagno
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Patent number: 4938080Abstract: An automatic pipetting apparatus is disclosed having a base on which is mounted a vertical frame supporting a row of positive displacement pipettes which are driven in the up or down direction by an electromechanical mechanism under microprocessor controls. The apparatus includes a base, a track and a carriage longitudinally movable beneath the row of pipettes. The carriage includes an independent translating and position signal generation mechanism. The carriage carries a tray which includes sample chambers, a space to receive a microporous electrophoresis support medium, such as a cellulose acetate strip, a wash well, rinse well and a space to receive blotting paper. The pipettes include a barrel and a plunger capable of aspirating and dispensing from 0.5 to 5 .mu.l of liquid. The barrels move up and down with respect to the base by means of another independent translating and signal generating mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1989Date of Patent: July 3, 1990Assignee: Helena Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee
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Patent number: 4909920Abstract: An electrophoresis machine is disclosed in which after a microporous support strip and a sample plate are placed in the machine, all electrophoresis processing, scanning and densitometer functions are automatically performed under computer control. The machine includes apparatus for automatic pipetting of liquid samples from the sample plate to the surface of the support strip, apparatus for applying electrophoresis current to the strip while simultaneously cooling it, apparatus for applying and spreading flourescent staining reagent to the strip, and apparatus for incubating the strip and subsequently drying it. A T.V. camera, mounted to a flourescent scanning box enclosing the application plate, in cooperation with digital processing equipment, electronically scans electrophoresically longitudinally displaced components of the samples for determining relative component densities. An alternative scanning apparatus including a collimator and photomultiplier is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1988Date of Patent: March 20, 1990Assignee: Helena LaboratoriesInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee, Charles D. Kelley, Philip A. Guadagno
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Patent number: 4892639Abstract: An improved electrophoresis plate and method of making same includes a plate having an inert substrate and an electrophoretic medium formed on the substrate. The electrophoretic medium includes, as a part thereof, buffer blocks or buffer reservoirs, more specifically, relatively thick deposits of the electrophoretic medium. The electrophoretic medium buffer is positioned in a predetermined location relative to alignment apertures in the substrate.The method of making the electrophoresis plate of the present invention includes priming the substrate with electrophoretic medium and thereafter forming, such as by casting or molding, the electrophoretic medium with the buffer blocks on the primed substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1987Date of Patent: January 9, 1990Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Philip A. Guadagno, Henry A. Garsee
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Patent number: 4890247Abstract: An electrophoresis machine is disclosed in which after a microporous support strip and a sample plate are placed in the machine, all electrophoresis processing, scanning and densitometer functions are automatically performed under computer control. The machine includes apparatus for automatic pipetting of liquid samples from the sample plate to the surface of the support strip, apparatus for applying electrophoresis current to the strip while simultaneously cooling it, apparatus for applying and spreading flourescent staining reagent to the strip, and apparatus for incubating the strip and subsequently drying it. A T.V. camera, mounted to a flourescent scanning box enlosing the application plate, in cooperation with digital processing equipment, electronically scans electrophoresically longitudinally displaced components of the samples for determining relative component densities. An alternative scanning apparatus including a collimator and photomultiplier is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1988Date of Patent: December 26, 1989Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee, Charles D. Kelley, Philip A. Guadagno
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Patent number: 4827780Abstract: An automatic pipetting apparatus is disclosed having a base on which is mounted a vertical frame supporting a row of positive displacement pipettes which are driven in the up or down direction by an electromechanical mechanism under microprocessor controls. The apparatus includes a base, a track and a carriage longitudinally movable beneath the row of pipettes. The carriage includes an independent translating and position signal generation mechanism. The carriage carries a tray which includes sample chambers, a space to receive a microporous electrophoresis support medium, such as a cellulose acetate strip, a wash well, rinse well and a space to receive blotting paper. The pipettes include a barrel and a plunger capable of aspirating and dispensing from 0.5 to 5 .mu.l of liquid. The barrels move up and down with respect to the base by means of another independent translating and signal generating mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1987Date of Patent: May 9, 1989Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee
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Patent number: 4810348Abstract: An electrophoresis machine is disclosed in which after a microporous support strip and a sample plate are placed in the machine, all electrophoresis processing, scanning and densitometer functions are automatically performed under computer control. The machine includes apparatus for automatic pipetting of liquid samples from the sample plate to the surface of the support strip, apparatus for applying electrophoresis current ot the strip while simultaneously cooling it, apparatus for applying and spreading flourescent staining reagent to the strip, and apparatus for incubating the strip and subsequently drying it. A T.V. camera, mounted to a flourescent scanning box enclosing the application plate, in cooperation with digital processing equipment, electronically scans electrophoresically longitudinally displaced components of the samples for determining relative component densities. An alternative scanning apparatus including a collimator and photomultiplier is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1987Date of Patent: March 7, 1989Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Robert J. Sarrine, Henry A. Garsee, Charles D. Kelley, Philip A. Guadagno
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Patent number: 4697236Abstract: A computer controlled diagnostic densitometer for analyzing optical density patterns of blood samples or the like scans a sample and generates an analog waveform signal representative of the scanned optical density pattern. The analog signal is amplified, digitized, stored in a memory and is later read from memory to reconstruct a visual display of the waveform for analysis. Several types of optical density pattens may be scanned which result in analog signals of different amplitudes and signal-to-background noise ratios. An improved amplification system automatically preadjusts the gain and reference value of the analog signal prior to digitization in order to substantially eliminate background noise in the signal and produce substantially full scale analog signal values. The gain and reference value preadjustments are performed by a pair of corresponding multipliers which multiply the analog signal by memory-stored digital data which is unique to the type of optical density pattern being scanned.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1985Date of Patent: September 29, 1987Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Gene A. Butts, Charles D. Kelley, Henry A. Garsee, Bruce R. Petty, James L. Pauley
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Patent number: 4684244Abstract: A method of optically scanning a plurality of optical density patterns, such as blood samples or the like is provided wherein the samples are arranged in rows and each include a plurality of optical density segments extending along a first axis, and wherein the segments generally form columns of like segments along a second axis. The optical densities of a row of segments are first scanned along the first axis, following which the centerlines of each segment in the scanned row is determined along the first axis. Then, the segments of each column are scanned along the corresponding, previously determined centerline. The centerline of each segment is determined by displacing a scanning head relative to the sample along the first axis, measuring the optical density of each segment and correlating the magnitude of the measured optical density with the relative displacement between the head and the samples.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1985Date of Patent: August 4, 1987Assignee: Helena Laboratories CorporationInventors: Gene A. Butts, Henry A. Garsee, Charles D. Kelley, Bruce R. Petty, James L. Pauley