Patents by Inventor Robert K. Zwerner

Robert K. Zwerner 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).

  • Method of selection of a population or subpopulation of a sample utilizing particles and gravity sedimentation
    Patent number: 6900029
    Abstract: A separation procedure for separating a selected desired or undesired population from a biological sample utilizing relatively heavy, dense particles and gravity sedimentation. The particles have one or more reactants bound thereto which are specific to and will bind with the selected population. The particles preferably are mixed with the sample by repeatedly causing the particles to settle through a substantial portion of the sample to bind to the selected population. The particles with the bound selected population then are allowed to preferentially settle in the sample and the supernatant including an enriched population is separated from the particles with the selected population bound thereto. The enriched populations in the biological sample supernatant can be further enriched by multiple removal steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Miltenyi Biotec GmbH
    Inventors: Wallace H. Coulter, Robert K. Zwerner, Robert J. Schmittling, Thomas R. Russell
  • Method and apparatus for bulk enrichment of a population or subpopulation of cells
    Patent number: 6004743
    Abstract: A cell population or subpopulation enrichment procedure for separating undesired populations or subpopulations from a biological sample utilizing relatively heavy, dense particles and gravity sedimentation. The particles have one or more reactants bound thereto which are specific to and will bind with the selected population or subpopulation to be eliminated from the sample. The particles preferably are mixed with the sample by repeatedly causing the particles to settle through a substantial portion of the sample to bind to the selected population. The particles with the bound selected population to be eliminated then are allowed to preferentially settle in the sample and the supernatant including the enriched population or subpopulation is separated from the particles with the population to be eliminated bound thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventors: Norma S. Kenyon, Thomas R. Russell, Camillo Ricordi, Robert K. Zwerner
  • Method of positive or negative selection of a population or subpopulation of a sample utilizing particles and gravity sedimentation
    Patent number: 5576185
    Abstract: A separation procedure for separating a selected desired or undesired population from a biological sample utilizing relatively heavy, dense particles and gravity sedimentation. The particles have one or more reactants bound thereto which are specific to and will bind with the selected population. The particles preferably are mixed with the sample by repeatedly causing the particles to settle through a substantial portion of the sample to bind to the selected population. The particles with the bound selected population then are allowed to preferentially settle in the sample and the supernatant including the non-selected population is separated from the particles with the selected population bound thereto. The particles can be heated for sterilization and endotoxin removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Coulter Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace H. Coulter, Robert K. Zwerner, Robert J. Schmittling, Thomas R. Russell