Patents by Inventor Neil Picha

Neil Picha 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).

  • Patent number: 9133833
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for moving aliquot samples of fluid using a shuttle valve are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Alltech Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Picha, Bruce Black, Kristine Olsen, James Anderson, Jr., Washington Mendoza, Raaidah Saari-Nordhaus, Josef Bystron
  • Publication number: 20150121996
    Abstract: Automated sample injection apparatus, multiport valves, and chromatography systems containing an automated sample injection apparatus and/or a multiport valve are disclosed. Methods of making and using automated sample injection apparatus and multiport valves within chromatography systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Alltech Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Raaidah Saari-Nordhaus, Washington Mendoza, Josef Bystron, Neil Picha, Bruce Black
  • Publication number: 20120096932
    Abstract: Automated sample injection apparatus, multiport valves, and chromatography systems containing an automated sample injection apparatus and/or a multiport valve are disclosed. Methods of making and using automated sample injection apparatus and multiport valves within chromatography systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: James Anderson, JR., Neil Picha, Bruce Black, Mendoza Washington, Raaidah Saari-Nordhaus, Josef Bystron
  • Publication number: 20120073665
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for moving aliquot samples of fluid using a shuttle valve are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Neil Picha, Bruce Black, Kristine Olsen, James Anderson, JR., Washington Mendoza, Raaidah Saari-Nordhaus, Josef Bystron, Carl Poppe
  • Publication number: 20070155019
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering repetitive, precision, low volume liquid dispensing from a dispensing orifice of a non-contact liquid dispensing apparatus. An elongated communication passageway of the dispensing apparatus is defined by interior walls having one end in fluid communication with a system fluid reservoir and an opposite end terminating at the dispensing orifice. A system fluid is placed in the communication passageway extending substantially continuously from the system fluid reservoir to the dispensing orifice. The system fluid reservoir is pressurized at a substantially constant back pressure, with a pressurizing gas, preferably helium, that suppresses in-gassing, and that is substantially insoluble to the system liquid. A dispensing liquid is aspirated through the dispensing orifice and into the communication passageway substantially to an interface region with the system fluid contained in the communication passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: INNOVADYNE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James Johnson, Neil Picha, Craig Storms, David Martin
  • Publication number: 20070053798
    Abstract: A removable secondary liquid dispensing module for use with an existing, automated liquid handling system that defines a work area having a plurality of discrete work stations. Each of the work stations of the automated liquid handling system includes a lab ware site and alignment structure enabling the removable securing standardized microtiter-plates at respective lab ware site. A plate positioning mechanism is configured to move and position the microtiter plates to and from the lab ware sites of the respective work stations thereof and into engagement with the respective carrier alignment structure thereof. Further, a primary liquid dispensing device is configured for selective contact-type dispensing of discrete quantities of fluid, in the range of about one (1) microliter to about ten (10) milliliters, into the test sites of the microtiter plates secured in the respective alignment structure of the respective work station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Innovadyne Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Johnson, Neil Picha, David Martin, Joel McComb
  • Publication number: 20050129584
    Abstract: A hybrid valve apparatus for use with an aspiration actuator and a dispensing actuator to transfer fluid from a reservoir to a test site on a substrate surface. The hybrid valve includes a valve assembly movable between an aspiration condition and a dispensing condition, and a manifold device coupled to the valve assembly. The manifold device includes a fluid aspiration conduit having a first aspiration port in fluid communication with the aspiration actuator. On an opposite end of the aspiration conduit is a second aspiration port in selective fluid communication with the valve assembly to selectively aspirate a liquid sample slug from the reservoir into a discrete sample path when the valve assembly is in the aspiration condition. The manifold device further includes a fluid dispensing conduit having a first dispensing port in fluid communication with the dispensing actuator, and a second dispensing port in selective fluid communication with the valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Applicant: INNOVADYNE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James Johnson, Neil Picha, Mitchel Doktycz
  • Patent number: 6453929
    Abstract: A wash system for a fluid handling system that permits simultaneous washing of a plurality of parallel fluid channels is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a specialized rotary wash valve is described. In another aspect of the invention a system which incorporates wash and selector valves is described which permits a plurality of separate fluid lines emerging from the selector valve to be washed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Innovadyne Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Johnson, Neil Picha, Jon Nichols
  • Publication number: 20020112767
    Abstract: A wash system for a fluid handling system that permits simultaneous washing of a plurality of parallel fluid channels is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, a specialized rotary wash valve is described. In another aspect of the invention a system which incorporates wash and selector valves is described which permits a plurality of separate fluid lines emerging from the selector valve to be washed simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Innovadyne Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Johnson, Neil Picha, Jon Nichols