Patents by Inventor John G. Linner
John G. Linner 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: 5154007Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for distillation drying of one or more biological samples. The drying apparatus includes a retaining assembly, a vacuum assembly, cooling means, monitoring means and control means for actively regulating the temperature and pressure conditions of biological tissue so that such tissue may be dried without substantial ultrastructural damage.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1990Date of Patent: October 13, 1992Assignee: Board of Regents University of Texas SystemInventors: Carmen Piunno, Stephen Livesey, John G. Linner, Anthony A. del Campo, Mark J. Zaltzberg
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Patent number: 5044165Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrarapid cooling of tissue samples against a chilled cryogenic surface. The cryogenic surface is enclosed in a high vacuum chamber during cooling of the cryogenic surface. Dry non-condensable room temperature gas is introduced from an external source to raise the chamber pressure just prior to slamming or plunging a sample against the cryogenic surface. The cryogenic surface is heated for regeneration or cleaning purposes between each successive sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1988Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of TexasInventors: John G. Linner, Stephen A. Livesey, Carmen Piunno, Mark Zaltsberg, Frank Gibson
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Patent number: 5024830Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for the cryopreparation of biological tissue samples for ultrastructural analysis. The use of the apparatus comprises vitrifying a biological tissue sample under cryogenic temperature conditions and ultra low vacuum conditions. The depressurized, vitrified tissue sample is brought to equilibrium in a sample holder at a temperature of less than -140.degree. C. The tissue sample is then dehydrated while maintained in a state of thermal equilibrium. After reaching equilibrium the tissue sample is optionally infiltrated with a degassed resin followed by a polymerization of the resin to form an embedded tissue sample.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1988Date of Patent: June 18, 1991Assignee: The Board of Regents, The University of TexasInventor: John G. Linner
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Patent number: 4964280Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for distillation drying of one or more biological samples. The drying apparatus includes a retaining assembly, a vacuum assembly, cooling means, monitoring means and control means for actively regulating the temperature and pressure conditions of biological tissue so that such tissue may be dried without substantial ultrastructural damage.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1989Date of Patent: October 23, 1990Assignee: Board of RegentsInventors: Carmen Piunno, Stephen Livesey, John G. Linner, Anthony A. del Campo, Mark J. Zaltzberg
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Patent number: 4865871Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for the cryopreparation of biological tissue samples. The method comprises treating a biological tissue sample with a cryoprotectant which raises the glass transition temperature range of the sample followed by vitrification under cryogenic temperature conditions and ultra low vacuum conditions. The depressurized, vitrified tissue sample is brought to equilibrium in a sample holder. The tissue sample is then dehydrated while maintained in a state of thermal nonequilibrium.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1988Date of Patent: September 12, 1989Assignee: Board of Regents The University of Texas SystemInventors: Stephen A. Livesey, John G. Linner
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Patent number: 4807442Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrarapid cooling of tissue samples against a chilled cryogenic surface. The cryogenic surface is enclosed in a high vacuum chamber during cooling of the cryogenic surface. Dry non-condensable room temperature gas is introduced from an external source to raise the chamber pressure just prior to slamming or plunging a sample against the cryogenic surface. The cryogenic surface is heated for regeneration or cleaning purposes between each successive sample.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1987Date of Patent: February 28, 1989Assignee: Board of Regents The University of Texas SystemInventors: John G. Linner, Stephen A. Livesey
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Patent number: 4799361Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for the cryopreparation of biological tissue samples for ultrastructural analysis. The use of apparatus comprises vitrifying a biological tissue sample under cryogenic temperature conditions and ultra low vacuum conditions. The depressurized, vitrified tissue sample is brought to equilibrium in a sample holder at a temperature of less than -140.degree. C. The tissue sample is then dehydrated while maintained in a state of thermal equilibrium. After reaching equilibrium the tissue sample is optionally infiltrated with a degassed resin followed by a polymerization of the resin to form an embedded tissue sample.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1986Date of Patent: January 24, 1989Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventor: John G. Linner
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Patent number: 4745771Abstract: This invention relates to sample holder for the cryopreparation of biological tissue samples for ultrastructural analysis. The use of the apparatus comprises vitrifying a biological tissue sample under cryogenic temperature conditions and ultra low vacuum conditions. The depressurized, vitrified tissue sample is brought to equilibrium in a thermally conductive sample holder at a temperature of less than - 140.degree. C. The tissue sample is then dehydrated while maintained in a state of thermal equilibrium. After reaching equilibrium the tissue sample is optionally infiltrated with a degassed resin followed by a polymerization of the resin to form an embedded tissue sample.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1987Date of Patent: May 24, 1988Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: John G. Linner, Stephen A. Livesey
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Patent number: 4742690Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for the cryopreparation of biological tissue samples for ultrastructural analysis. The use of the apparatus comprises vitrifying a biological tissue sample under cryogenic temperature conditions and ultra low vacuum conditions. The depressurized, vitrified tissue sample is brought to equilibrium in a thermally conductive sample holder at a temperature of less than -140.degree. C. The tissue sample is then dehydrated while maintained in a state of thermal equilibrium. After reaching equilibrium the tissue sample is optionally infiltrated with a degassed resin followed by a polymerization of the resin to form an embedded tissue sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1986Date of Patent: May 10, 1988Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventor: John G. Linner
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Patent number: 4707998Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrarapid cooling of tissue samples against a chilled cryogenic surface. The cryogenic surface is enclosed in an ultra-high hydrocarbon free vacuum chamber during cooling of the cryogenic surface by a helium cryopump or multiple-stage refrigerator. Dry helium gas is introduced from an external source to raise the chamber pressure just prior to slamming or plunging a sample against the cryogenic surface. The cryogenic surface is heated for regeneration or cleaning purposes between each successive sample. During heating and cleaning of the cryogenic surface, an evacuated thermal break functionally separates the surface from the helium cryopump or multiple-stage refrigerator used to cool the surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1986Date of Patent: November 24, 1987Assignee: The Board of Regents, The University of TexasInventors: John G. Linner, Stephen Livesey
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Patent number: 4676070Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for the cryopreparation of biological tissue samples for ultrastructural analysis. The use of the apparatus comprises vitrifying a biological tissue sample under cryogenic temperature conditions and ultra low vacuum conditions. The depressurized, vitrified tissue sample is brought to equilibrium in a sample holder at a temperature of less than -140.degree. C. The tissue sample is then dehydrated while maintained in a state of thermal equilibrium. After reaching equilibrium the tissue sample is optionally infiltrated with a degassed resin followed by a polymerization of the resin to form an embedded tissue sample.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1985Date of Patent: June 30, 1987Assignee: The Board of Regents, The University of TexasInventor: John G. Linner
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Patent number: 4619257Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and the method for preparing corneal tissue for surgical graft, implantation or transplantation referred to herein as "surgical techniques" or "surgical procedures." Use of the apparatus and method for preparing the corneal tissue avoids significant modification of the ultrastructure of corneal tissue during preparation of the tissue samples themselves.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1984Date of Patent: October 28, 1986Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: John G. Linner, John D. Goosey
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Patent number: 4567847Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for the cryopreparation of biological tissue samples for ultrastructural analysis. The use of the apparatus comprises vitrifying a biological tissue sample under cryogenic temperature conditions and ultra low vacuum conditions. The depressurized, vitrified tissue sample is brought to equilibrium in a sample holder at a temperature of less than -140.degree. C. The tissue sample is then dehydrated while maintained in a state of thermal equilibrium. After reaching equilibrium the tissue sample is optionally infiltrated with a degassed resin followed by a polymerization of the resin to form an embedded tissue sample.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1984Date of Patent: February 4, 1986Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventor: John G. Linner
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Patent number: 4510169Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the cryopreparation of biological tissue samples for ultrastructural analysis. The process comprises vitrifying a biological tissue sample under severely rapid conditions and then depressurized. The depressurized, vitrified tissue sample is brought to equilibrium at a temperature of less than -140.degree. C. The tissue sample is then dehydrated while maintained in a state of thermal equilibrium. After reaching equilibrium the tissue sample is infiltrated with a degassed resin and followed by a polymerization of the resin to form an embedded tissue sample. This invention additionally relates to a sample holder apparatus which has unique use characteristics in the process of this invention.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1983Date of Patent: April 9, 1985Assignee: The Board of Regents, The University of TexasInventor: John G. Linner