Patents by Inventor Robert P. Ragusa
Robert P. Ragusa 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: 20040248146Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Applicant: Applera CorporationInventors: John Girdner Atwood, Albert Carmelo Mossa, Lisa May Goven, Fenton Williams Brookfield, Marcel Margulies, Robert P. Ragusa, Richard Leath, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Clive Miles
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Patent number: 6825047Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, absence, and/or amounts of one or more a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, a device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. The device includes a substrate which defines a sample-distribution network having (i) a sample inlet, (ii) one or more detection chambers, and (iii) channel means providing a dead-end fluid connection between each of the chambers and the inlet. Each chamber may include an analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample, and detection means for detecting the signal. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Applera CorporationInventors: Timothy W. Woudenberg, Michael Albin, Reid B. Kowallis, Yefim Raysberg, Robert P. Ragusa, Emily S. Winn-Deen
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Publication number: 20040086927Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Applicant: Applera Corporation, a DE corporationInventors: John Girdner Atwood, Albert Carmelo Mossa, Lisa May Goven, Fenton Williams, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Marcel Margulies, Robert P. Ragusa, Richard Leath, Clive Miles
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Publication number: 20030152994Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, absence, and/or amounts of one or more a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, a device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. The device includes a substrate which defines a sample-distribution network having (i) a sample inlet, (ii) one or more detection chambers, and (iii) channel means providing a dead-end fluid connection between each of the chambers and the inlet. Each chamber may include an analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample, and detection means for detecting the signal. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: August 14, 2003Applicant: Applera CorporationInventors: Timothy W. Woudenberg, Michael Albin, Reid B. Kowallis, Yefim Raysberg, Robert P. Ragusa, Emily S. Winn-Deen
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Publication number: 20020072112Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2000Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: JOHN GIRDNER ATWOOD, ALBERT CARMELO MOSSA, LISA MAY GOVEN, FENTON WILLIAMS, TIMOTHY M. WOUDENBERG, MARCEL MARGOULIES, ROBERT P. RAGUSA, RICHARD LEATH, CLIVE MILES
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Patent number: 6126899Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, absence, and/or amounts of one or more a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, a device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. The device includes a substrate which defines a sample-distribution network having (i) a sample inlet, (ii) one or more detection chambers, and (iii) channel means providing a dead-end fluid connection between each of the chambers and the inlet. Each chamber may include an analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample, and detection means for detecting the signal. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1997Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: The Perkins-Elmer CorporationInventors: Timothy W. Woudenberg, Michael Albin, Reid B. Kowallis, Yefim Raysberg, Robert P. Ragusa, Emily S. Winn-Deen
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Patent number: 6124138Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and device for simultaneously testing a sample for the presence, absence, and/or amounts of one or more a plurality of selected analytes. The invention includes, in one aspect, a device for detecting or quantitating a plurality of different analytes in a liquid sample. The device includes a substrate which defines a sample-distribution network having (i) a sample inlet, (ii) one or more detection chambers, and (iii) channel means providing a dead-end fluid connection between each of the chambers and the inlet. Each chamber may include an analyte-specific reagent effective to react with a selected analyte that may be present in the sample, and detection means for detecting the signal. Also disclosed are methods utilizing the device.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer CorporationInventors: Timothy W. Woudenberg, Michael Albin, Reid B. Kowallis, Yefim Raysberg, Robert P. Ragusa, Emily S. Winn-Deen
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Patent number: 5972716Abstract: An improved fluorescence monitoring apparatus for measuring fluorescent emission from a sample in response to sample irradiation by an emission beam is disclosed. The apparatus employs a sample tube having surface roughness characteristics which substantially reduce background fluorescence emission due to contamination of the tube holder in the apparatus. Also disclosed is a method of reducing such background, by texturing of a sample tube to produce desired roughness characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1995Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer CorporationInventors: Robert P. Ragusa, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Jeffrey M. Marmaro
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Patent number: 5710381Abstract: A two-piece plastic holder for loosely holding microliter sample tubes of a preselected design, each tube having a cylindrically shaped upper section open at its top end, a closed, tapered lower section extending downwardly therefrom, and a circumferential shoulder extending outwardly from the upper section at a position on the upper section spaced from the open end thereof. The holder includes a one-piece tray member and a one-piece retainer. The one-piece tray member including a flat, horizontal plate section containing holes in a rectangular array, a first vertical tray sidewall section around the plate extending upwardly to a height greater than the height of a tube resting in one of the holes, and a second vertical tray sidewall section around the plate extending downwardly approximately to the bottom of the upper section of a tube resting in one of the holes. The one-piece retainer is releasably engageable inside the tray over any sample tubes resting in the tray.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1994Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer CorporationInventors: John Girdner Atwood, Albert Carmelo Mossa, Lisa May Goven, Fenton Williams, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Marcel Margulies, Robert P. Ragusa, Richard Leath, Clive Miles
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Patent number: 5602756Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1995Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer CorporationInventors: John G. Atwood, Albert C. Mossa, Lisa M. Goven, Fenton Williams, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Marcel Margulies, Robert P. Ragusa, Richard Leath, Clive Miles
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Patent number: 5475610Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1992Date of Patent: December 12, 1995Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer CorporationInventors: John G. Atwood, Albert C. Mossa, Lisa M. Goven, Fenton Williams, Timothy M. Woudenberg, Marcel Margoulies, Robert P. Ragusa, Richard Leath, Clive Miles
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Patent number: 4682022Abstract: A preamplifier network or circuit for converting non-linear signal information, such as is produced by a mercury cadmium tellurium (MCT) detector, to a substantially linear voltage signal output corresponding to the incident light levels on the MCT detector. Conceptually speaking, the subject preamplifier functions as a constant-voltage variable-current source to the MCT detector, and incorporates positive feedback for being effective as a negative resistance to nullify the MCT detector resisance introduced signal component of the signal information being monitored.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1985Date of Patent: July 21, 1987Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer CorporationInventors: Robert A. Hoult, Robert P. Ragusa