Patents by Inventor Robert F. Bonner
Robert F. Bonner 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: 8597715Abstract: A method of removing a target from a biological sample which involves placing a transfer surface in contact with the biological sample, and then focally altering the transfer surface to allow selective separation of the target from the biological sample. In disclosed embodiments, the target is a cell or cellular component of a tissue section and the transfer surface is a film that can be focally altered to adhere the target to the transfer surface. Subsequent separation of the film from the tissue section selectively removes the adhered target from the tissue section. The transfer surface is activated from within the target to adhere the target to the transfer surface, for example by heating the target to adhere it to a thermoplastic transfer surface. Such in situ activation can be achieved by exposing the biological sample to an immunoreagent that specifically binds to the target (or a component of the target).Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Michael R. Emmert-Buck, Michael Anthony Tangrea, Robert F. Bonner, Rodrigo Chuaqui, Thomas J. Pohida
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Patent number: 8460744Abstract: A device for performing target activated transfer that includes a mounting surface for mounting a tissue sample; and a light source positioned to substantially uniformly irradiate both stained and unstained regions of the tissue sample with light energy that activates the reagent to selectively adhere the stained regions to a transfer surface. Also described is an automated system for transferring tissue from a tissue sample to a transfer substrate. The system includes means for holding a tissue section that includes targets specifically stained with an absorptive stain thereby resulting in a stained tissue surface, and a flexible transfer film that includes a lower thermoplastic layer in sufficient thermal contact with the stained tissue surface; an irradiating assembly configured to provide a predetermined uniform light dose to the entire tissue section; and means for applying a constant pressure to the transfer film during irradiation.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Robert F. Bonner, Thomas J. Pohida, Michael R. Emmert-Buck, Michael Anthony Tangrea, Rodrigo F. Chuaqui
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Publication number: 20100216166Abstract: A device for performing target activated transfer that includes a mounting surface for mounting a tissue sample; and a light source positioned to substantially uniformly irradiate both stained and unstained regions of the tissue sample with light energy that activates the reagent to selectively adhere the stained regions to a transfer surface. Also described is an automated system for transferring tissue from a tissue sample to a transfer substrate. The system includes means for holding a tissue section that includes targets specifically stained with an absorptive stain thereby resulting in a stained tissue surface, and a flexible transfer film that includes a lower thermoplastic layer in sufficient thermal contact with the stained tissue surface; an irradiating assembly configured to provide a predetermined uniform light dose to the entire tissue section; and means for applying a constant pressure to the transfer film during irradiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Inventors: Robert F. Bonner, Thomas J. Pohida, Michael R. Emmert-Buck, Michael Anthony Tangrea, Rodrigo F. Chuaqui
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Publication number: 20100190177Abstract: A method of removing a target from a biological sample which involves placing a transfer surface in contact with the biological sample, and then focally altering the transfer surface to allow selective separation of the target from the biological sample. In disclosed embodiments, the target is a cell or cellular component of a tissue section and the transfer surface is a film that can be focally altered to adhere the target to the transfer surface. Subsequent separation of the film from the tissue section selectively removes the adhered target from the tissue section. The transfer surface is activated from within the target to adhere the target to the transfer surface, for example by heating the target to adhere it to a thermoplastic transfer surface. Such in situ activation can be achieved by exposing the biological sample to an immunoreagent that specifically binds to the target (or a component of the target).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Inventors: Michael R. Emmert-Buck, Michael Anthony Tangrea, Robert F. Bonner, Rodrigo Chuaqui, Thomas J. Pohida
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Patent number: 7709047Abstract: A method of removing a target from a biological sample which involves placing a transfer surface in contact with the biological sample, and then focally altering the transfer surface to allow selective separation of the target from the biological sample. In disclosed embodiments, the target is a cell or cellular component of a tissue section and the transfer surface is a film that can be focally altered to adhere the target to the transfer surface. Subsequent separation of the film from the tissue section selectively removes the adhered target from the tissue section. The transfer surface is activated from within the target to adhere the target to the transfer surface, for example by heating the target to adhere it to a thermoplastic transfer surface. Such in situ activation can be achieved by exposing the biological sample to an immunoreagent that specifically binds to the target (or a component of the target).Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Michael R. Emmert-Buck, Michael Anthony Tangrea, Robert F. Bonner, Rodrigo Chuaqui, Thomas J. Pohida
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Patent number: 7695752Abstract: A device for performing target activated transfer that includes a mounting surface for mounting a tissue sample; and a light source positioned to substantially uniformly irradiate both stained and unstained regions of the tissue sample with light energy that activates the reagent to selectively adhere the stained regions to a transfer surface. Also described is an automated system for transferring tissue from a tissue sample to a transfer substrate. The system includes means for holding a tissue section that includes targets specifically stained with an absorptive stain thereby resulting in a stained tissue surface, and a flexible transfer film that includes a lower thermoplastic layer in sufficient thermal contact with the stained tissue surface; an irradiating assembly configured to provide a predetermined uniform light dose to the entire tissue section; and means for applying a constant pressure to the transfer film during irradiation.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: The Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Robert F. Bonner, Thomas J. Pohida, Michael R. Emmert-Buck, Michael Anthony Tangrea, Rodrigo F. Chuaqui
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Patent number: 6897038Abstract: Laser capture microdissection occurs where the transfer polymer film is placed on a substrate overlying visualized and selected cellular material from a sample for extraction. The transfer polymer film is focally activated (melted) with a pulse brief enough to allow the melted volume to be confined to that polymer directly irradiated. This invention uses brief pulses to reduce the thermal diffusion into surrounding non-irradiated polymer, preventing it from being heated hot enough to melt while providing sufficient heat by direct absorption in the small focal volume directly irradiated by the focused laser beam. This method can be used both in previously disclosed contact LCM, non contact LCM, using either condenser-side (or beam passes through polymer before tissue) or epi-irradiation (or laser passes through tissue before polymer). It can be used in configuration in which laser passes through tissue before polymer with and without an additional rigid substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Robert F. Bonner, Seth R. Goldstein, Paul D. Smith, Thomas J. Pohida
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Patent number: 6867038Abstract: A method of microdissection which involves forming an image field of cells of the tissue sample utilizing a microscope, identifying at least one zone of cells of interest from the image field of cells which at least one zone of cells of interest includes different types of cells than adjacent zones of cells, and extracting the at least one zone of cells of interest from the tissue sample. The extraction is achieved by contacting the tissue sample with a transfer surface that can be selectively activated so that regions thereof adhere to the zone of cells of interest to be extracted. The transfer surface includes a selectively activatable adhesive layer which provides, for example, chemical or electrostatic adherence to the selected regions of the tissue sample. After the transfer surface is activated, the transfer surface and tissue sample are separated.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Lance A. Liotta, Michael Emmert-Buck, David B. Krizman, Rodrigo Chuaqui, W. Marston Linehan, Jeffry M. Trent, Robert F. Bonner, Seth R. Goldstein, Paul D. Smith, John I. Peterson
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Patent number: 6783734Abstract: A tissue sample is conventionally visualized in a microscope. A selectively activated convex surface is provided, preferably at the distal end of a rod. This selectively activated convex surface when activated, typically with a laser through an optic light path in the microscope, provides the activated region with adhesive properties. At least one portion of the tissue sample which is to be extracted is identified. This identified portion is contacted with a portion of the selectively activated convex surface on the end of the rod. When the convex surface is activated, typically by exposure to laser light in the footprint of the desired sample, an adhesive transfer surface on the selectively activated convex surface is provided which adheres to the desired cells in the footprint of the desired sample. Thereafter, the adhesive transfer surface is separated from the remainder of the tissue sample while maintaining adhesion with the desired cells. Thus the desired portion of the tissue sample is extracted.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1999Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Seth R. Goldstein, Robert F. Bonner, Paul D. Smith, John Peterson, Thomas Pohida
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Patent number: 6743601Abstract: An apparatus and process for the micro juxtaposition is set forth where a selectively activatable surface is maintained spaced apart from the tissue sample and juxtaposed to the tissue sample by activation. In the typical case, activation occurs by laser radiation with the material of the activatable surface thermally expanding and bringing about the desired micro juxtaposition. The disclosed micro juxtapositioning can cause locally and microscopically pressure on tissue sample, insertion to the tissue sample, or contact of an activated or prepared surface to the tissue sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1999Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Robert F. Bonner, Seth R Goldstein, Paul D. Smith, Thomas Pohida
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Patent number: 6720191Abstract: A method and apparatus of gathering by LCM identified cellular material from randorn locations on a tissue sample to designated locations on a transporting substrate enables convenient further processing. A transporting substrate has an identified mapped location for receiving identified cellular material. At least a segment of a selectively activatable coating is placed on the side of the transporting substrate in apposition to the tissue sample at the mapped location. The transporting substrate and sample are relatively moved to place the selectively activated coating at the mapped location in apposition to identified cellular material of the tissue sample which is to be extracted. Thereafter, the selectively activatable coating is activated and impressed or impressed and activated to form an adhesive region on the transporting substrate for adhering to the identified cellular material.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Seth R. Goldstein, Robert F. Bonner, Paul D. Smith, John Peterson, Thomas Pohida
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Publication number: 20040053326Abstract: The present disclosure concerns methods, systems, and devices for analyzing a biological material, such as a cellular or other specimen. In one disclosed example, the method selectively transfers biomolecules from a target region of interest in a biological sample (such as a tissue section). The transfer may occur, for example, by selectively focally altering a characteristic of a transfer layer adjacent the target region, such that the biomolecules can move through the altered area of the transfer layer. In particular examples, the transfer layer is altered by focally increasing a permeability of the transfer layer, for example by removing a focal portion of the transfer layer, and transporting the biomolecules through the altered region of the transfer layer, to microdissect the biomolecules of interest from the biological sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Inventors: Michael R. Emmert-Buck, Chad R. Haldeman-Englert, Robert F. Bonner, Lance A. Liotta
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Patent number: 6569639Abstract: A method of microdissection which involves: forming an image field of cells of the tissue sample utilizing a microscope, identifying at least one zone of cells of interest from the image field of cells which at least one zone of cells of interest includes different types of cells than adjacent zones of cells, and extracting the at least one zone of cells of interest from the tissue sample. The extraction is achieved by contacting the tissue sample with a transfer surface that can be selectively activated so that regions thereof adhere to the zone of cells of interest to be extracted. The transfer surface includes an activatable adhesive layer which provides chemical or electrostatic adherence to the selected regions of the tissue sample. After the transfer surface is activated the transfer surface and tissue sample are separated. During separation the zone of cells of interest remains adhered to the transfer surface and is thus separated from the tissue sample.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Lance A. Liotta, Michael E. Buck, Rhonda Ann Weiss, Zhengping Zhuang, Robert F. Bonner
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Publication number: 20030008322Abstract: Laser capture microdissection occurs where the transfer polymer film is placed on a substrate overlying visualized and selected cellular material from a sample for extraction. The transfer polymer film is focally activated (melted) with a pulse brief enough to allow the melted volume to be confined to that polymer directly irradiated. This invention uses brief pulses to reduce the thermal diffusion into surrounding non-irradiated polymer, preventing it from being heated hot enough to melt while providing sufficient heat by direct absorption in the small focal volume directly irradiated by the focused laser beam. This method can be used both in previously disclosed contact LCM, non contact LCM, using either condenser-side (or beam passes through polymer before tissue) or epi-irradiation (or laser passes through tissue before polymer). It can be used in configuration in which laser passes through tissue before polymer with and without an additional rigid substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: Dept. of Health & Human Services, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Ofc. OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERInventors: Robert F. Bonner, Seth R. Goldstein, Paul D. Smith, Thomas J. Pohida
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Patent number: 6420132Abstract: Laser capture microdissection occurs where the transfer polymer film is placed on a substrate overlying visualized and selected cellular material from a sample for extraction. The transfer polymer film is focally activated (melted) with a pulse brief enough to allow the melted volume to be confined to that polymer directly irradiated. This invention uses brief pulses to reduce the thermal diffusion into surrounding non-irradiated polymer, preventing it from being heated hot enough to melt while providing sufficient heat by direct absorption in the small focal volume directly irradiated by the focused laser beam. This method can be used both in previously disclosed contact LCM, non contact LCM, using either condenser-side (or beam passes through polymer before tissue) or epi-irradiation (or laser passes through tissue before polymer). It can be used in configuration in which laser passes through tissue before polymer with and without an additional rigid substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Robert F. Bonner, Seth R. Goldstein, Paul D. Smith, Thomas J. Pohida
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Publication number: 20020037269Abstract: A method of microdissection which involves forming an image field of cells of the tissue sample utilizing a microscope, identifying at least one zone of cells of interest from the image field of cells which at least one zone of cells of interest includes different types of cells than adjacent zones of cells, and extracting the at least one zone of cells of interest from the tissue sample. The extraction is achieved by contacting the tissue sample with a transfer surface that can be selectively activated so that regions thereof adhere to the zone of cells of interest to be extracted. The transfer surface includes a selectively activatable adhesive layer which provides, for example, chemical or electrostatic adherence to the selected regions of the tissue sample. After the transfer surface is activated, the transfer surface and tissue sample are separated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventors: Lance A. Liotta, Michael Emmert-Buck, David B. Krizman, Rodrigo Chuaqui, W. Marston Linehan, Jeffry M. Trent, Robert F. Bonner, Seth R. Goldstein, Paul D. Smith, John I. Peterson
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Publication number: 20010031481Abstract: A method of microdissection which involves: forming an image field of cells of the tissue sample utilizing a microscope, identifying at least one zone of cells of interest from the image field of cells which at least one zone of cells of interest includes different types of cells than adjacent zones of cells, and extracting the at least one zone of cells of interest from the tissue sample. The extraction is achieved by contacting the tissue sample with a transfer surface that can be selectively activated so that regions thereof adhere to the zone of cells of interest to be extracted. The transfer surface includes an activatable adhesive layer which provides chemical or electrostatic adherence to the selected regions of the tissue sample. After the transfer surface is activated the transfer surface and tissue sample are separated. During separation the zone of cells of interest remains adhered to the transfer surface and is thus separated from the tissue sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Inventors: Lance A. Liotta, Michael E. Buck, Rhonda Ann Weiss, Zhengping Zhuang, Robert F. Bonner
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Patent number: 6251516Abstract: A method of microdissection which involves forming an image field of cells of the tissue sample utilizing a microscope, identifying at least one zone of cells of interest from the image field of cells which at least one zone of cells of interest includes different types of cells than adjacent zones of cells, and extracting the at least one zone of cells of interest from the tissue sample. The extraction is achieved by contacting the tissue sample with a transfer surface that can be selectively activated so that regions thereof adhere to the zone of cells of interest to be extracted. The transfer surface includes a selectively activatable adhesive layer which provides, for example, chemical or electrostatic adherence to the selected regions of the tissue sample. After the transfer surface is activated, the transfer surface and tissue sample are separated.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1998Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Robert F. Bonner, Lance A. Liotta, Michael Emmert-Buck, David B. Krizman, Rodrigo Chuaqui, W. Marston Linehan, Jeffry M. Trent, Seth R. Goldstein, Paul D. Smith, John I. Peterson
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Patent number: 6251467Abstract: A method of microdissection which involves forming an image field of cells of the tissue sample utilizing a microscope, identifying at least one zone of cells of interest from the image field of cells which at least one zone of cells of interest includes different types of cells than adjacent zones of cells, and extracting the at least one zone of cells of interest from the tissue sample. The extraction is achieved by contacting the tissue sample with a transfer surface that can be selectively activated so that regions thereof adhere to the zone of cells of interest to be extracted. The transfer surface includes a selectively activatable adhesive layer which provides, for example, chemical or electrostatic adherence to the selected regions of the tissue sample. After the transfer surface is activated, the transfer surface and tissue sample are separated.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Lance A. Liotta, Michael Emmert-Buck, David B. Krizman, Rodrigo Chuaqui, W. Marston Linehan, Jeffry M. Trent, Robert F. Bonner, Seth R. Goldstein, Paul D. Smith, John I. Peterson
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Patent number: 6204030Abstract: A method of microdissection which involves: forming an image field of cells of the tissue sample utilizing a microscope, identifying at least one zone of cells of interest from the image field of cells which at least one zone of cells of interest includes different types of cells than adjacent zones of cells, and extracting the at least one zone of cells of interest from the tissue sample. The extraction is achieved by contacting the tissue sample with a transfer surface that can be selectively activated so that regions thereof adhere to the zone of cells of interest to be extracted. The transfer surface includes an activatable adhesive layer which provides chemical or electrostatic adherence to the selected regions of the tissue sample. After the transfer surface is activated the transfer surface and tissue sample are separated. During separation the zone of cells of interest remains adhered to the transfer surface and is thus separated from the tissue sample.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Lance A. Liotta, Michael E. Buck, Rhonda Ann Weiss, Zhengping Zhuang, Robert F. Bonner