Patents by Inventor John Girdner Atwood
John Girdner Atwood 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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Publication number: 20090155765Abstract: A thermal cycler for automatic performance of the polymerase chain reaction is provided. The thermal cycler comprises a heater control that provides close temperature control of the reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Applied Biosystems Inc.Inventors: John Girdner Atwood, Albert Carmelo Mossa, Lisa May Goven, Fenton Williams, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Marcel Margulies, Robert P. Rahusa, Richard Leath, Clive Miles
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Patent number: 7504241Abstract: A thermal cycler for automatic performance of the polymerase chain reaction is provided. The thermal cycler comprises a heater control that provides close temperature control of the reaction.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLCInventors: John Girdner Atwood, Albert Carmelo Mossa, Lisa May Goven, Fenton Williams, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Marcel Margulies, Robert P. Ragusa, Richard Leath, Clive Miles
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Publication number: 20080299651Abstract: A thermal cycler for automatic performance of the polymerase chain reaction is provided. The thermal cycler comprises a heater control that provides close temperature control of the reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: Applera CorporationInventors: John Girdner Atwood, Albert Carmelo Mossa, Lisa May Goven, Fenton Williams, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Marcel Margulies, Robert P. Ragusa, Richard Leath, Clive Miles
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Patent number: 7238517Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Applera CorporationInventors: John Girdner Atwood, Albert Carmelo Mossa, Lisa May Goven, Fenton Williams, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Marcel Margulies, Robert P. Ragusa, Richard Leath, Clive Miles
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Publication number: 20040248146Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: Applera CorporationInventors: John Girdner Atwood, Albert Carmelo Mossa, Lisa May Goven, Fenton Williams Brookfield, Marcel Margulies, Robert P. Ragusa, Richard Leath, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Clive Miles
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Publication number: 20040086927Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Applicant: Applera Corporation, a DE corporationInventors: John Girdner Atwood, Albert Carmelo Mossa, Lisa May Goven, Fenton Williams, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Marcel Margulies, Robert P. Ragusa, Richard Leath, Clive Miles
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Patent number: 6703236Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2000Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Applera CorporationInventor: John Girdner Atwood
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Publication number: 20020072112Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2000Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: JOHN GIRDNER ATWOOD, ALBERT CARMELO MOSSA, LISA MAY GOVEN, FENTON WILLIAMS, TIMOTHY M. WOUDENBERG, MARCEL MARGOULIES, ROBERT P. RAGUSA, RICHARD LEATH, CLIVE MILES
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Patent number: 6015534Abstract: A one-piece sample tube for use in a PCR thermal cycler having a first substantially cylindrically shaped upper wall section having an external conically beveled shoulder moulded around the entire circumference of the section, the thickness of the wall section above the shoulder being about 0.022 inches and the thickness of the wall section below the shoulder being about 0.015 inches. The sample tube further includes a second lower wall section having a frustrum of a cone shape with an included angle of about 17 degrees, the lower wall section having a thickness of 0.009 inches the second section holding about 100 microliters of liquid. The tube is compliant and made from polypropylene and is autoclavable.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1995Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer CorporationInventor: John Girdner Atwood
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Patent number: 5956284Abstract: Additional operating modes are provided to enhance the functionality and performance of a memory system. In one embodiment, a unique bit mask is supplied with the write data used in each column access. In an alternate embodiment, a bit mask register and byte mask register are provided to support bit level and byte level masking. The bit mask and write data registers are realized as a single register to provide the functionality while minimizing component space and cost. In another embodiment, a separate bit mask and byte mask are provided. The byte mask is loaded with mask data in one cycle and is used during the next "q" column write accesses. This structure provides for operating modes with no bit masking, with bit masks supplied for every row access, and with bit masks supplied with every column access.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1998Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John B. Dillon, Richard M. Barth, Billy Wayne Garrett, Jr., John Girdner Atwood, Jr., Michael P. Farmwald, Richard DeWitt Crisp
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Patent number: 5940340Abstract: Additional operating modes are provided to enhance the functionality and performance of a memory system. In one embodiment, a unique bit mask is supplied with the write data used in each column access. In an alternate embodiment, a bit mask register and byte mask register are provided to support bit level and byte level masking. The bit mask and write data registers are realized as a single register to provide the functionality while minimizing component space and cost. In another embodiment, a separate bit mask and byte mask are provided. The byte mask is loaded with mask data in one cycle and is used during the next "q" column write accesses. This structure provides for operating modes with no bit masking, with bit masks supplied for every row access, and with bit masks supplied with every column access.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Rambus, Inc.Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John B. Dillon, Richard M. Barth, Billy Wayne Garrett, Jr., John Girdner Atwood, Jr., Michael P. Farmwald, Richard DeWitt Crisp
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Patent number: 5844855Abstract: Additional operating modes are provided to enhance the functionality and performance of a memory system. In one embodiment, a unique bit mask is supplied with the write data used in each column access. In an alternate embodiment, a bit mask register and byte mask register are provided to support bit level and byte level masking. The bit mask and write data registers are realized as a single register to provide the functionality while minimizing component space and cost. In another embodiment, a separate bit mask and byte mask are provided. The byte mask is loaded with mask data in one cycle and is used during the next "q" column write accesses. This structure provides for operating modes with no bit masking, with bit masks supplied for every row access, and with bit masks supplied with every column access.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Rambus, Inc.Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John B. Dillon, Richard M. Barth, Billy Wayne Garrett, Jr., John Girdner Atwood, Jr., Michael P. Farmwald, Richard DeWitt Crisp
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Patent number: 5710381Abstract: A two-piece plastic holder for loosely holding microliter sample tubes of a preselected design, each tube having a cylindrically shaped upper section open at its top end, a closed, tapered lower section extending downwardly therefrom, and a circumferential shoulder extending outwardly from the upper section at a position on the upper section spaced from the open end thereof. The holder includes a one-piece tray member and a one-piece retainer. The one-piece tray member including a flat, horizontal plate section containing holes in a rectangular array, a first vertical tray sidewall section around the plate extending upwardly to a height greater than the height of a tube resting in one of the holes, and a second vertical tray sidewall section around the plate extending downwardly approximately to the bottom of the upper section of a tube resting in one of the holes. The one-piece retainer is releasably engageable inside the tray over any sample tubes resting in the tray.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1994Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer CorporationInventors: John Girdner Atwood, Albert Carmelo Mossa, Lisa May Goven, Fenton Williams, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Marcel Margulies, Robert P. Ragusa, Richard Leath, Clive Miles
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Patent number: 5680361Abstract: Additional modes are provided to enhance the functionality and performance of a memory system. In one embodiment, a unique bit mask is supplied with the write data used in each column access. In an alternate embodiment, a bit mask register and byte mask register are provided to support bit level and byte level masking. The bit mask and write data registers are realized as a single register to provide the functionality while minimizing component space and cost. In another embodiment, a separate bit mask and byte mask are provided. The byte mask is loaded with mask data in one cycle and is used during the next "q" column write accesses. This structure provides for operating modes with no bit masking, with bit masks supplied for every row access, and with bit masks supplied with every column access.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1995Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: Rambus, Inc.Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, John B. Dillon, Richard M. Barth, Billy Wayne Garrett, Jr., John Girdner Atwood, Jr., Michael P. Farmwald, Richard DeWitt Crisp