Patents by Inventor Mark Richard Weselak
Mark Richard Weselak 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: 20080253927Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for high throughput processing using sample holders. The system has a plurality of work perimeters, with a rotational robot preferably associated with each work perimeter. At least one transfer station area is provided between adjacent work perimeters to facilitate robotic transfer of sample holders from one work perimeter to another area. Each work perimeter typically includes a plurality of defined station locations, with each station location positioned to be accessible by the robot associated with that area. In addition, each station location is typically configured to receive a device, such as an automated instrument or a holding nest. Device components are arranged at selected station locations according to specific application requirements to provide a flexible, robust, reliable, and accurate high throughput processing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: IRM LLCInventors: Kristina Marie Burow, Jeremy S. Caldwell, Robert Charles Downs, Scott Allan Lesley, James Kevin Mainquist, Andrew J. Meyer, Daniel G. Sipes, Mark Richard Weselak
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Patent number: 7422411Abstract: The present invention provides grasping mechanisms, gripper apparatus/systems, and related methods. Grasping mechanisms that include stops, support surfaces, and height adjusting surfaces to determine three translational axis positions of a grasped object are provided. In addition, grasping mechanisms that are resiliently coupled to other gripper apparatus components are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: IRM LLCInventors: Robert Charles Downs, Mark Richard Weselak, James Kevin Mainquist
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Patent number: 7390458Abstract: Briefly, the present invention provides a system and method for high throughput processing using sample holders. The system has a plurality of work perimeters, with a rotational robot preferably associated with each work perimeter. At least one transfer station area is provided between adjacent work perimeters to facilitate robotic transfer of sample holders from one work perimeter to another area. Each work perimeter typically includes a plurality of defined station locations, with each station location positioned to be accessible by the robot associated with that area. In addition, each station location is typically configured to receive a device, such as an automated instrument or a holding nest. Device components are arranged at selected station locations according to specific application requirements to provide a flexible, robust, reliable, and accurate high throughput processing system.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: IRM LLCInventors: Kristina Marie Burow, Jeremy S. Caldwell, Robert Charles Downs, Scott Allan Lesley, James Kevin Mainquist, Andrew J. Meyer, Daniel G. Sipes, Mark Richard Weselak
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Patent number: 6932557Abstract: The present invention provides grasping mechanisms, gripper apparatus/systems, and related methods. Grasping mechanisms that include stops, support surfaces, and height adjusting surfaces to determine three translational axis positions of a grasped object are provided. In addition, grasping mechanisms that are resiliently coupled to other gripper apparatus components are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: IRM, LLCInventors: Robert Charles Downs, Mark Richard Weselak, James Kevin Mainquist
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Publication number: 20040086368Abstract: The present invention provides grasping mechanisms, gripper apparatus/systems, and related methods. Grasping mechanisms that include stops, support surfaces, and height adjusting surfaces to determine three translational axis positions of a grasped object are provided. In addition, grasping mechanisms that are resiliently coupled to other gripper apparatus components are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Applicant: IRM, LLCInventors: Robert Charles Downs, Mark Richard Weselak, James Kevin Mainquist
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Patent number: 6659142Abstract: A system and method for preparing and dispensing fluid mixtures is provided. Fluid wells are positioned below a plurality of fluid dispensing devices, such as syringes configured to dispense fluid into the individual fluid wells. The fluid dispensing devices are configured to be positionable relative the fluid wells to enable different fluid dispensers to be sequentially positionable over a particular fluid well. A controller controls the relative movement between fluid wells and the fluid dispensing devices. In a preferred embodiment, the controller selectively moves multi-well vessels in one direction and moves the fluid dispensing devices in a second direction so that when directed by the controller, a selected fluid dispensing device is enabled to deposit a determined quantity of a fluid into a selected individual well of the multi-well vessels.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: IRM, LLCInventors: Robert Charles Downs, Mark Richard Weselak
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Patent number: 6592324Abstract: A gripper apparatus for grasping an object such as a specimen holder. The gripper apparatus comprises two arms. In one embodiment the arms are pivotable, and in a second embodiment, each arm includes a pivotable member. The arms are moveably coupled to each other and are structured to grasp the object therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: IRM, LLCInventors: Robert Charles Downs, Mark Richard Weselak
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Publication number: 20030108450Abstract: The specimen plate lid is generally a block, with a cover portion and a side portion. An alignment protrusion extends from the side portion and cooperates with an alignment member of the specimen plate to assist in manually or roboticly guiding the lid onto the specimen plate. An underside surface of the cover has a sealing perimeter for receiving a seal constructed from a compliant material, and shaped to cooperate with a complimentary sealing surface on the specimen plate. The lid is weighted so that when the lid is aligned and positioned on the specimen plate, the weight of the lid provides a gravitational force to sufficiently compress the seal against the sealing surface on the specimen plate. Accordingly, the lid is sufficiently sealed to the specimen plate to avoid contamination and impermissible drying.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2003Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: IRM LLCInventors: James Kevin Mainquist, Robert Charles Downs, Mark Richard Weselak, Andrew J. Meyer, Kristina Marie Burow, Daniel G. Sipes, Jeremy Caldwell
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Publication number: 20030091473Abstract: An automated centrifuge comprising a rotor having a plurality of cavities located in the rotor. A tube is structured to be insertable into any one of the cavities and a controller is configured to insert the tube into the cavity. The cavities located in the rotor are grouped in clusters, and the cavities of each cluster are substantially parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Robert Charles Downs, Scott Allan Lesley, James Kevin Mainquist, Andrew J. Meyer, Christopher M. Shaw, Mark Richard Weselak, Marc Nasoff
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Patent number: 6534014Abstract: The specimen plate lid is generally a block, with a cover portion and a side portion. An alignment protrusion extends from the side portion and cooperates with an alignment member of the specimen plate to assist in manually or roboticly guiding the lid onto the specimen plate. An underside surface of the cover has a sealing perimeter for receiving a seal constructed from a compliant material, and shaped to cooperate with a complimentary sealing surface on the specimen plate. The lid is weighted so that when the lid is aligned and positioned on the specimen plate, the weight of the lid provides a gravitational force to sufficiently compress the seal against the sealing surface on the specimen plate. Accordingly, the lid is sufficiently sealed to the specimen plate to avoid contamination and impermissible drying.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: IRM LLCInventors: James Kevin Mainquist, Robert Charles Downs, Mark Richard Weselak, Andrew J. Meyer, Kristina Marie Burow, Daniel G. Sipes, Jeremy Caldwell
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Publication number: 20020139439Abstract: A system and method for preparing and dispensing fluid mixtures is provided. Fluid wells are positioned below a plurality of fluid dispensing devices, such as syringes configured to dispense fluid into the individual fluid wells. The fluid dispensing devices are configured to be positionable relative the fluid wells to enable different fluid dispensers to be sequentially positionable over a particular fluid well. A controller controls the relative movement between fluid wells and the fluid dispensing devices. In a preferred embodiment, the controller selectively moves multi-well vessels in one direction and moves the fluid dispensing devices in a second direction so that when directed by the controller, a selected fluid dispensing device is enabled to deposit a determined quantity of a fluid into a selected individual well of the multi-well vessels.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Robert Charles Downs, Mark Richard Weselak
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Publication number: 20020117380Abstract: A gripper apparatus for grasping an object such as a specimen holder. The gripper apparatus comprises two arms. In one embodiment the arms are pivotable, and in a second embodiment, each arm includes a pivotable member. The arms are moveably coupled to each other and are structured to grasp the object therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Robert Charles Downs, Mark Richard Weselak
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Publication number: 20020090320Abstract: Briefly, the present invention provides a system and method for high throughput processing using sample holders. The system has a plurality of work perimeters, with a rotational robot preferably associated with each work perimeter. At least one transfer station area is provided between adjacent work perimeters to facilitate robotic transfer of sample holders from one work perimeter to another area. Each work perimeter typically includes a plurality of defined station locations, with each station location positioned to be accessible by the robot associated with that area. In addition, each station location is typically configured to receive a device, such as an automated instrument or a holding nest. Device components are arranged at selected station locations according to specific application requirements to provide a flexible, robust, reliable, and accurate high throughput processing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: IRM LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability CompanyInventors: Kristina Marie Burow, Jeremy S. Caldwell, Robert Charles Downs, Scott Allan Lesley, James Kevin Mainquist, Andrew J. Meyer, Daniel G. Sipes, Mark Richard Weselak