Patents by Inventor Martin Alan Lee

Martin Alan Lee 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).

  • Publication number: 20240026434
    Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing a lyophilized sample, comprising: (i) adding a sample comprising one or more molecules of interest in solution to a porous polymer matrix and allowing the sample to penetrate into the pores of the porous polymer matrix; and (ii) lyophilizing the sample within the pores of the porous polymer matrix thereby preparing a porous polymer matrix containing the lyophilized sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: New England Biolabs Lyophilization Sciences Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, James Slatter
  • Publication number: 20190217292
    Abstract: A microfluidic system is presented that includes a cartridge, a container, and a lid for the container. The cartridge includes a plurality of microfluidic channels coupled to one or more chambers. The container holds dry chemicals and includes a housing with a first opening and a second opening smaller than the first opening. The container is designed to be inserted into an opening of the cartridge, such that the container is independently secured within the opening. The insertion of the container allows for the container to be fluidically coupled with a microfluidic channel of the plurality of microfluidic channels via the second opening. The lid includes a column that extends from the lid into the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Holger Engel, Jordi Carrera Fabra, Anna Comenges Casas, Ricard Martin Blanco, Martin Alan Lee, Diane Rachel Lee
  • Patent number: 9138748
    Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction wherein at least one wall of said vessel comprises a metallic layer and an inner non-metallic layer. Reaction systems comprising combinations of vessels of the invention and apparatus for heating them, as well as particular reactions vessels are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell, Ross Peter Jones, Roger James Williamson, George Richard Gregory, Graham Gutsell
  • Patent number: 8986927
    Abstract: A method of carrying out an amplification reaction, said method comprising supplying to a well in a disposable unit (a) a sample which contains or is suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence (b) primers, nucleotides and enzymes required to effect said amplification reaction and (c) a buffer system, and subjecting the unit to thermal cycling conditions such that any target nucleic acid present within the sample is amplified; wherein the disposable unit comprises a thermally conducting layer and a facing layer having one or more reagent wells of up to 1000 microns in depth defined therebetween; and the reaction mixture comprises at least one of the following: A) a buffer system wherein the pH is above 8.3; B) a detergent; and/or C) a blocking agent. Apparatus for effecting the method as well as disposable units for use in the method are described. The method is particularly suitable for rapid PCR reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, Hilary Bird, Dario Lyall Leslie, David James Squirrell, John Shaw, David Wenn, Julie Deacon
  • Patent number: 8802031
    Abstract: A liquid dispensing device comprising a hollow body having an opening in a lower end thereof for receiving liquid, and an integrated cap member arranged to sealingly close the body, said cap member comprising a resilient diaphragm which is deformable in a downwards direction. The device is suitable for use in automated apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Enigma Diagnostics Limited
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell, Georgina Martin
  • Patent number: 8609375
    Abstract: A method for detecting viable cells such as bacterial cells, within a sample, said method comprising (i) incubating said sample with a virus which is able to infect said cells under conditions which allow said virus to infect and replicate within any such cells which are viable; and (ii) detecting any nucleic acid obtained by replication of the virus in said cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Enigma Diagnostics LLC
    Inventors: David James Squirrell, Martin Alan Lee
  • Patent number: 8372353
    Abstract: A sample delivery system comprising (i) a cartridge comprising a body section adapted to hold a sealed sample vessel so as to fix the position of a seal of the sample vessel in relation to the cartridge; and (ii) apparatus adapted to receive said cartridge, said apparatus being provided with an opening system for opening said sealed sample vessel contained within the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Enigma Diagnostics Limited
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell, Michael John Withers, Trevor John Beckett, Christopher John Silk
  • Publication number: 20120141976
    Abstract: A method for detecting viable cells such as bacterial cells, within a sample, said method comprising (i) incubating said sample with a virus which is able to infect said cells under conditions which allow said virus to infect and replicate within any such cells which are viable; and (ii) detecting any nucleic acid obtained by replication of the virus in said cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LTD
    Inventors: David James Squirrell, Martin Alan Lee
  • Patent number: 8071337
    Abstract: A method for detecting viable cells such as bacterial cells, within a sample, said method comprising (i) incubating said sample with a virus which is able to infect said cells under conditions which allow said virus to infect and replicate within any such cells which are viable; (ii) detecting any nucleic acid obtained by replication of the virus in said cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Enigma Diagnostics Ltd
    Inventors: David James Squirrell, Martin Alan Lee
  • Publication number: 20110212491
    Abstract: A reaction vessel for carrying out a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction, said vessel having a coating of parylene or a derivative thereof, on at least the surface which contacts reactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell, Ross Peter Jones, Andrea Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20110159497
    Abstract: A composition for carrying out a chemical or biochemical reaction, said composition being in a freeze-dried form and comprising (i) a set of reagents comprising at least some of the chemical or biochemical reagents necessary for conducting said chemical or biochemical reaction, (ii) a glass forming agent, (iii) a stabilising agent therefore and (iv) fish gelatine. In particular compositions for carrying out PCR are foreseen. Kits comprising these compositions and methods for using them form a further aspect of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, Jennifer Mitchell, Emma Henderson
  • Patent number: 7947476
    Abstract: An analytical kit using RNA probes for the detection or analysis of nucleic acid sequences is described. These probes are contacted with a sample suspected of containing the nucleic acid sequence and if they form duplexes, they are hydrolysed. This may be done, for example, during an amplification reaction. AMP generated as a result of the hydrolysis is converted to ATP. The ATP may then be detected using bioluminescent reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence
    Inventors: David James Squirrell, Martin Alan Lee
  • Publication number: 20110065150
    Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction wherein electrically conducting polymer is arranged to act as a heating element. The profile of the electrically conductive polymer differs in different regions of the vessel so as to control thermal gradients. The profile of the electrically conductive polymer may be arranged to either increase or reduce the thermal gradient. Reaction systems comprising combinations of vessels of the invention and apparatus for heating them, as well as particular reactions vessels are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Ross Peter Jones, Roger James Williamson, Richard George Gregory, Graham Gutsell, Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell
  • Publication number: 20100297707
    Abstract: A reaction vessel for conducting a chemical or biochemical reaction, such as a polymerase chain reaction wherein at least one wall of said vessel comprises a metallic layer and an inner non-metallic layer. Reaction systems comprising combinations of vessels of the invention and apparatus for heating them, as well as particular reactions vessels are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell, Ross Peter Jones, Roger James Williamson, George Richard Gregory, Graham Gutsell
  • Publication number: 20100227326
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, said method comprising: performing nucleic acid amplification on the sample in the presence of (a) a DNA duplex binding agent, (b) a nucleic acid polymerase and (c) a reagent comprising an amplification primer which can hybridise to said target sequence when in single stranded form and which is connected at its 5? end to a probe which carries a label by way of a chemical linking group, said labelled probe being of a sequence which is similar to that of the said target nucleic acid sequence, such that it can hybridise to a complementary region in an amplification product, and wherein the label is able to absorb fluorescence from or donate fluorescent energy to the DNA duplex binding agent; and monitoring fluorescence of said sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: The Secretary of State for Defence
    Inventor: Martin Alan Lee
  • Publication number: 20100210010
    Abstract: An integral magnet and heater device comprising a heating element with integral permanent magnet for use in a sample preparation or analysis apparatus. Also disclosed is a sheath adapted to cover a reusable processing component, such as a heater or sonicator, of an apparatus during use. Other associated aspects of the system are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Enigma Diagnostics Limited
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell, Michael John Withers, Trevor John Beckett, Christopher John Silk
  • Publication number: 20100184059
    Abstract: A composition for carrying out a chemical or biochemical reaction, said composition being in a freeze-dried form and comprising (i) a set of reagents comprising at least some of the chemical or biochemical reagents necessary for conducting said chemical or biochemical reaction, including at least one reagent which is fluorescent (ii) a glass forming agent, and (iii) threonine. Kits comprising these compositions and methods of using them form a further aspect of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, Jennifer Mitchell, Gerald Adams, Valerie Adams
  • Publication number: 20100180980
    Abstract: A sample delivery system comprising (i) a cartridge comprising a body section adapted to hold a sealed sample vessel so as to fix the position of a seal of the sample vessel in relation to the cartridge; and (ii) apparatus adapted to receive said cartridge, said apparatus being provided with an opening system for opening said sealed sample vessel contained within the cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: ENIGMA DIAGNOSTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, David James Squirrell, Michael John Withers, Trevor John Beckett, Christopher John Silk
  • Patent number: 7700275
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, said method comprising: performing nucleic acid amplification on the sample in the presence of (a) a DNA duplex binding agent, (b) a nucleic acid polymerase and (c) a reagent comprising an amplification primer which can hybridize to said target sequence when in single stranded form and which is connected at its 5? end to a probe which carries a label by way of a chemical linking group, said labeled probe being of a sequence which is similar to that of the said target nucleic acid sequence, such that it can hybridize to a complementary region in an amplification product, and wherein the label is able to absorb fluorescence from or donate fluorescent energy to the DNA duplex binding agent; and monitoring fluorescence of said sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Secretary of State of Defense
    Inventor: Martin Alan Lee
  • Patent number: 7659096
    Abstract: A method of carrying out an amplification reaction, said method comprising supplying to a well in a disposable unit (a) a sample which contains or is suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence (b) primers, nucleotides and enzymes required to effect said amplification reaction and (c) a buffer system, and subjecting the unit to thermal cycling conditions such that any target nucleic acid present within the sample is amplified; wherein the disposable unit comprises a thermally conducting layer and a facing layer having one or more reagent wells of up to 1000 microns in depth defined therebetween; and the reaction mixture comprises at least one of the following: A) a buffer system wherein the pH is above 8.3; B) a detergent; and/or C) a blocking agent. Apparatus for effecting the method as well as disposable units for use in the method are described. The method is particularly suitable for rapid PCR reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventors: Martin Alan Lee, Hilary Bird, Dario Lyall Leslie, David James Squirrell, John Shaw, David Wenn, Julie Deacon