Patents by Inventor Ronald E. Kukla
Ronald E. Kukla 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: 8409528Abstract: A reaction vessel with a bottom drain opening supporting a selected unpressured head of fluid by the surface tension of the fluid. A device processing zone includes a support for spaced rows of reaction vessels, passages communicating with their drain openings of supported vessels, and a pressure source for selectively draining fluid through the drain openings. Generally horizontal bar magnets are supported for selected vertical movement between the vessel rows. A dispensing head has X discharge openings selectively positionable over X selected reaction vessels. A metering pump mechanism selectively meters X a selected quantity of fluid a bulk supply (where X is at least four), and selectively pumps the metered selected quantities through the drain openings to the selected reaction vessels. Methods of drawing fluid from the vessels using the pressure source, and moving the magnets to form a pellet of analyte are also included.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Scott Safar, Stephen Herchenbach, Chadwick M. Dunn, Charles Michael Galitz, Julius J. Toth, Ronald E. Kukla, Michael G. Lowery, Eric B. Shain
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Patent number: 8357543Abstract: A reaction vessel with a bottom drain opening supporting a selected unpressured head of fluid by the surface tension of the fluid. A device processing zone includes a support for spaced rows of reaction vessels, passages communicating with their drain openings of supported vessels, and a pressure source for selectively draining fluid through the drain openings. Generally horizontal bar magnets are supported for selected vertical movement between the vessel rows. A dispensing head has X discharge openings selectively positionable over X selected reaction vessels. A metering pump mechanism selectively meters X a selected quantity of fluid a bulk supply (where X is at least four), and selectively pumps the metered selected quantities through the drain openings to the selected reaction vessels. Methods of drawing fluid from the vessels using the pressure source, and moving the magnets to form a pellet of analyte are also included.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Scott G. Safar, Stephen L. Herchenbach, Chadwick M. Dunn, Charles M. Galitz, Julius J. Toth, Ronald E. Kukla, Michael G. Lowery, Eric B. Shain
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Patent number: 8213001Abstract: A method and apparatus of the present invention determines whether zero, one, or a plurality of microscope slide coverslips are about to be applied to a microscope slide. Light, such as ultraviolet light, may be directed toward a coverslip testing region, in which a number of coverslips reside. The amount of light passing through the coverslip testing region is collected and measured. Based on the measured amount, the method and apparatus determine the number of coverslips present in the coverslip testing region.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: John D. Tomisek, Robert W. Jaekel, Ronald E. Kukla, Russell L. Sage, Shahin Iqbal
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Patent number: 7814788Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the level of liquid in a container in an analytical instrument, typically an automated analytical instrument in a laboratory. The apparatus comprises: (a) an electrically conductive support; (b) an electrically conductive platform rising up from said electrically conductive support, said platform capable of supporting at least one container that is capable of containing a liquid, said platform having an area less than that of the electrically conductive support; (c) an electrically conductive element, such as, for example, the electrically conductive tip of a probe, the distance between the electrically conductive platform and the electrically conductive element capable of being reduced or increased by relative movement between the electrically conductive element and the electrically conductive platform; and (d) a capacitance sensor coupled to the electrically conductive element (c) and arranged to provide an electrical signal representing the capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Abbott Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Folim G. Halaka, Ronald E. Kukla, Scott G. Safar
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Patent number: 7815866Abstract: A reaction vessel with a bottom drain opening supporting a selected unpressured head of fluid by the surface tension of the fluid. A device processing zone includes a support for spaced rows of reaction vessels, passages communicating with their drain openings of supported vessels, and a pressure source for selectively draining fluid through the drain openings. Generally horizontal bar magnets are supported for selected vertical movement between the vessel rows. A dispensing head has X discharge openings selectively positionable over X selected reaction vessels. A metering pump mechanism selectively meters X a selected quantity of fluid a bulk supply (where X is at least four), and selectively pumps the metered selected quantities through the drain openings to the selected reaction vessels. Methods of drawing fluid from the vessels using the pressure source, and moving the magnets to form a pellet of analyte are also included.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Abbott Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Scott G. Safar, Stephen L. Herchenbach, Chadwick M. Dunn, Charles M. Galitz, Julius J. Toth, Ronald E. Kukla, Michael G. Lowery, Eric B. Shain
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Publication number: 20100165326Abstract: A method and apparatus of the present invention determines whether zero, one, or a plurality of microscope slide coverslips are about to be applied to a microscope slide. Light, such as ultraviolet light, may be directed toward a coverslip testing region, in which a number of coverslips reside. The amount of light passing through the coverslip testing region is collected and measured. Based on the measured amount, the method and apparatus determine the number of coverslips present in the coverslip testing region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: John D. Tomisek, Robert W. Jaekel, Ronald E. Kukla, Russell L. Sage, Shahin Iqbal
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Publication number: 20090314802Abstract: A reaction vessel with a bottom drain opening supporting a selected unpressured head of fluid by the surface tension of the fluid. A device processing zone includes a support for spaced rows of reaction vessels, passages communicating with their drain openings of supported vessels, and a pressure source for selectively draining fluid through the drain openings. Generally horizontal bar magnets are supported for selected vertical movement between the vessel rows. A dispensing head has X discharge openings selectively positionable over X selected reaction vessels. A metering pump mechanism selectively meters X a selected quantity of fluid a bulk supply (where X is at least four), and selectively pumps the metered selected quantities through the drain openings to the selected reaction vessels. Methods of drawing fluid from the vessels using the pressure source, and moving the magnets to form a pellet of analyte are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIESInventors: Scott Safar, Stephen L. Herchenbach, Chadwick M. Dunn, Charles Michael Galitz, Julius J. Toth, Ronald E. Kukla, Michael G. Lowery, Eric B. Shain
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Publication number: 20090252652Abstract: A reaction vessel with a bottom drain opening supporting a selected unpressured head of fluid by the surface tension of the fluid. A device processing zone includes a support for spaced rows of reaction vessels, passages communicating with their drain openings of supported vessels, and a pressure source for selectively draining fluid through the drain openings. Generally horizontal bar magnets are supported for selected vertical movement between the vessel rows. A dispensing head has X discharge openings selectively positionable over X selected reaction vessels. A metering pump mechanism selectively meters X a selected quantity of fluid a bulk supply (where X is at least four), and selectively pumps the metered selected quantities through the drain openings to the selected reaction vessels. Methods of drawing fluid from the vessels using the pressure source, and moving the magnets to form a pellet of analyte are also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIESInventors: Scott Safar, Stephen Herchenbach, Chadwick M. Dunn, Charles Michael Galitz, Julius J. Toth, Ronald E. Kukla, Michael G. Lowery, Eric B. Shain
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Publication number: 20080092646Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the level of liquid in a container in an analytical instrument, typically an automated analytical instrument in a laboratory. The apparatus comprises: (a) an electrically conductive support; (b) an electrically conductive platform rising up from said electrically conductive support, said platform capable of supporting at least one container that is capable of containing a liquid, said platform having an area less than that of the electrically conductive support; (c) an electrically conductive element, such as, for example, the electrically conductive tip of a probe, the distance between the electrically conductive platform and the electrically conductive element capable of being reduced or increased by relative movement between the electrically conductive element and the electrically conductive platform; and (d) a capacitance sensor coupled to the electrically conductive element (c) and arranged to provide an electrical signal representing the capacitance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventors: Folim G. Halaka, Ronald E. Kukla, Scott G. Safar
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Publication number: 20020127727Abstract: A method of performing a determination of an item of interest in a sample using a single structure is disclosed. A sample is provided accessible to the single structure. A first container for processing the sample is placed in a first process path on the single structure. The sample is transferred to the first container in the first process path. A reagent is added to the first container in the first process path. Contents of the first container is mixed in the first process path. The item of interest in the sample is separated from the contents of the first container in the first process path. The separated item of interest in the sample is transferred from the first container in the first process path to a second container in a second process path on the single structure. Contents of the second container is brought to a first temperature different from a temperature of the first process path in the second process path. The item of interest in the second container is detected in the second process path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Mark C. Bach, Daniel Bay, Michael K. Carter, John M. Clemens, Daniel G. Dahlke, Charles M. Galitz, Robert C. Gray, Folim Halaka, Steve Herchenbach, Ronald E. Kukla, Curtis J. Pepe, Mark Pierce, Scott G. Safar, Julius Toth, Gary Zuck
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Patent number: 6413780Abstract: A method of performing a determination of an item of interest in a sample using a single structure is disclosed. A sample is provided accessible to the single structure. A first container for processing the sample is placed in a first process path on the single structure. The sample is transferred to the first container in the first process path. A reagent is added to the first container in the first process path. Contents of the first container is mixed in the first process path. The item of interest in the sample is separated from the contents of the first container in the first process path. The separated item of interest in the sample is transferred from the first container in the first process path to a second container in a second process path on the single structure. Contents of the second container is brought to a first temperature different from a temperature of the first process path in the second process path. The item of interest in the second container is detected in the second process path.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1999Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Mark C. Bach, Daniel Bay, Michael K. Carter, John M. Clemens, Daniel G. Dahlke, Charles M. Galitz, Robert C. Gray, Folim Halaka, Steve Herchenbach, Ronald E. Kukla, Curtis J. Pepe, Mark Pierce, Scott G. Safar, Julius Toth, Gary Zuck
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Publication number: 20020012916Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods of processing a sample containing at least one biological element. In one method, a first conductor and a second conductor are introduced into or located adjacent the sample. A voltage is applied between the first conductor and the second conductor. The voltage is adjusted to reduce an ability of the at least one biological element to be amplified or detected in a PCR reaction process, such that the biological element is removed from a binding member, and/or to unzip the at least one biological element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2000Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventors: Gerard J Gundling, Ronald E Kukla, Scott G Safar