Patents by Inventor Ruth Shuman

Ruth Shuman 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: 7340324
    Abstract: A mixing and pouring apparatus for computer controlled processing of mixing and pouring operations includes a rotatable arm capable of holding vessels therein, the arm rotatable at programmable speeds and time lengths to perform automated moving and pouring processes. The present invention further provides a cap and vessel positioning system that securely locks a vessel in place and realigns the cap in essentially the identical position in relation to the vessel every time the vessel is capped. In one embodiment, both the cap and vessel have flanges that are aligned when the cap is properly secured to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Qiagen North American Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman, Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7018587
    Abstract: A mixing and pouring apparatus for computer controlled processing of mixing and pouring operations includes a rotatable arm capable of holding vessels therein, the arm rotatable at programmable speeds and time lengths to perform automated moving and pouring processes. The present invention further provides a cap and vessel positioning system that securely locks a vessel in place and realigns the cap in essentially the identical position in relation to the vessel every time the vessel is capped. In one embodiment, both the cap and vessel have flanges that are aligned when the cap is properly secured to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman, Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20050191760
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for purifying and isolating nucleic acid. The system uses one or more automated stations to perform steps of the method, including loading a sample onto a solid support in a processing container, purifying the sample, and isolating nucleic acid from the sample. A pump or vacuum may be used in the apparatus of the present invention for supplying fluids to the sample. A pump, vacuum or centrifuge may be used to separate impurities from the sample or to separate nucleic acid from the solid support. Exemplary solid supports and sample processing containers are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Ellen Heath, Ruth Shuman
  • Patent number: 6878340
    Abstract: A mixing and pouring apparatus for computer controlled processing of mixing and pouring operations includes a rotatable arm capable of holding vessels therein, the arm rotatable at programmable speeds and time lengths to perform automated moving and pouring processes. The present invention further provides a cap and vessel positioning system that securely locks a vessel in place and realigns the cap in essentially the identical position in relation to the vessel every time the vessel is capped. In one embodiment, both the cap and vessel have flanges that are aligned when the cap is properly secured to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman, Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20040092731
    Abstract: A mixing and pouring apparatus for computer controlled processing of mixing and pouring operations includes a rotatable arm capable of holding vessels therein, the arm rotatable at programmable speeds and time lengths to perform automated moving and pouring processes. The present invention further provides a cap and vessel positioning system that securely locks a vessel in place and realigns the cap in essentially the identical position in relation to the vessel every time the vessel is capped. In one embodiment, both the cap and vessel have flanges that are aligned when the cap is properly secured to the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman, Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6695759
    Abstract: A centrifuge bucket is provided. The centrifuge bucket has a bucket body and a holder plate mounted within the body. The holder plate has a plurality of holder openings therein to receive samples. The centrifuge bucket has a bottom support member having a plurality of support openings. Each of the support openings is precisely aligned with a respective holder opening. An alignment post mechanism is affixed to the bucket. The alignment post mechanism has a mechanism base disposed on the bottom support member and an alignment post attached to the mechanism base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Campbell, Jr., Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell, Sr., Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman
  • Patent number: 6663553
    Abstract: A rotor locator and centrifuge body locator includes a pair of locator arms that close about the rotor shaft and an alignment pin to center the rotor shaft. A registration mechanism rotates the rotor shaft and the centrifuge body until it reaches a known home position. A method of consistently registering the centrifuge body includes centering a rotor shaft of the body along a known center line and aligning the body to a home position both before and after centrifugation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Campbell, Jr., Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell, Sr., Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman
  • Patent number: 6659932
    Abstract: A rotor locator and centrifuge body locator includes a pair of locator arms that close about the rotor shaft and an alignment pin to center the rotor shaft. A registration mechanism rotates the rotor shaft and the centrifuge body until it reaches a known home position. A method of consistently registering the centrifuge body includes centering a rotor shaft of the body along a known center line and aligning the body to a home position both before and after centrifugation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Campbell, Jr., Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell, Sr., Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman
  • Publication number: 20030050170
    Abstract: A rotor locator and centrifuge body locator includes a pair of locator arms that close about the rotor shaft and an alignment pin to center the rotor shaft. A registration mechanism rotates the rotor shaft and the centrifuge body until it reaches a known home position. A method of consistently registering the centrifuge body includes centering a rotor shaft of the body along a known center line and aligning the body to a home position both before and after centrifugation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Campbell, Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell, Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman
  • Publication number: 20030040419
    Abstract: A rotor locator and centrifuge body locator includes a pair of locator arms that close about the rotor shaft and an alignment pin to center the rotor shaft. A registration mechanism rotates the rotor shaft and the centrifuge body until it reaches a known home position. A method of consistently registering the centrifuge body includes centering a rotor shaft of the body along a known center line and aligning the body to a home position both before and after centrifugation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Campbell, Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell, Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman
  • Publication number: 20030040418
    Abstract: A rotor locator and centrifuge body locator includes a pair of locator arms that close about the rotor shaft and an alignment pin to center the rotor shaft. A registration mechanism rotates the rotor shaft and the centrifuge body until it reaches a known home position. A method of consistently registering the centrifuge body includes centering a rotor shaft of the body along a known center line and aligning the body to a home position both before and after centrifugation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Campbell, Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell, Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman
  • Publication number: 20030036470
    Abstract: A rotor locator and centrifuge body locator includes a pair of locator arms that close about the rotor shaft and an aligmuent pin to center the rotor shaft. A registration mechanism rotates the rotor shaft and the centrifuge body until it reaches a known home position. A method of consistently registering the centrifuge body includes centering a rotor shaft of the body along a known center line and aligning the body to a home position both before and after centrifugation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Campbell, Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell, Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman
  • Patent number: 6491615
    Abstract: A rotor locator and centrifuge body locator includes a pair of locator arms that close about the rotor shaft and an alignment pin to center the rotor shaft. A registration mechanism rotates the rotor shaft and the centrifuge body until it reaches a known home position. A method of consistently registering the centrifuge body includes centering a rotor shaft of the body along a known center line and aligning the body to a home position both before and after centrifugation. A centrifuge employs the rotor locator and operates using the method. The centrifuge may also include a bucket stop for maintaining proper orientation of centrifuge buckets during registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Campbell, Jr., Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell, Sr., Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman
  • Publication number: 20020133002
    Abstract: A computer program module and computer system for issuing controls to an automated DNA isolation apparatus includes a series of sub-program modules for controlling the operation of generic processes of DNA isolation. The sub-modules may be used to construct an automated DNA isolation protocol specific to the user's purpose. In other embodiments, a computer program module and computer system issue controls to an automated nucleic acids isolation apparatus including subprogram modules for controlling nucleic acid isolation functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: ELLEN M. HEATH, RUTH SHUMAN
  • Publication number: 20020073647
    Abstract: A mixing and pouring apparatus for computer controlled processing of mixing and pouring operations includes a rotatable arm capable of holding vessels therein, the arm rotatable at programmable speeds and time lengths to perform automated moving and pouring processes. The present invention further provides a cap and vessel positioning system that securely locks a vessel in place and realigns the cap in essentially the identical position in relation to the vessel every time the vessel is capped. In one embodiment, both the cap and vessel have flanges that are aligned when the cap is properly secured to the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman, Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20020048810
    Abstract: A mixing and pouring apparatus for computer controlled processing of mixing and pouring operations includes a rotatable arm capable of holding vessels therein, the arm rotatable at programmable speeds and time lengths to perform automated moving and pouring processes. The present invention further provides a cap and vessel positioning system that securely locks a vessel in place and realigns the cap in essentially the identical position in relation to the vessel every time the vessel is capped. In one embodiment, both the cap and vessel have flanges that are aligned when the cap is properly secured to the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Gentra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen M. Heath, Ruth Shuman, Douglas J. Kluge, Glenn M. Campbell