Patents by Inventor Stephen Conroy
Stephen Conroy 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: 12117381Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein features a substrate arm and gripper, a platform having a top surface located opposite the substrate when the substrate arm is in a specimen processing position and featuring at least one fluid port located on a surface of the platform facing the substrate and at least one vacuum port located on the surface of the platform facing the substrate, and during operation, the apparatus is configured to (a) dispense a first quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port to fill a separation between the substrate and the platform, (b) dispense an additional quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port into the separation to displace a portion of the first quantity of fluid, and (c) remove the portion of the first quantity of fluid from the separation through the at least one vacuum port.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Lapen, David Zahniser, Mark Licari, Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, Dennis Poole, Stephen Conroy
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Patent number: 12065475Abstract: The present disclosure provides T cell receptor (TCR) fusion proteins comprising a TCR that binds to a GVYDGREHTV (SEQ ID NO:34) HLA-A*02 complex that is covalently linked to a T cell engaging domain that binds a protein expressed on a cell surface of a T cell and an antibody Fc domain, as well as polynucleotides, vectors, kits, host cells, pharmaceutical compositions, methods, and uses related thereto.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2023Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: Immunocore LtdInventors: Paul Conroy, Stephen Hearty, Lok Hang Mak
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Publication number: 20220203350Abstract: The disclosure features methods, fluid delivery platforms, and apparatus for preparing a sample on a substrate that includes a substrate handler configured to move a substrate between a first position and a second position, and a platform positioned so that when the substrate is in the second position, the platform faces the substrate, where the platform includes a fluid delivery area having a second surface formed from a hydrophilic material for which a water contact angle is 40 degrees or less, and a first surface facing the substrate when the substrate is in the second position, formed from a hydrophobic material for which a water contact angle is 100 degrees or more.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2022Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Ertan Ergezen, Stephen Conroy, Rijk Oosterbroek, Claudio Cherubini
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Patent number: 11278883Abstract: The disclosure features methods, fluid delivery platforms, and apparatus for preparing a sample on a substrate that includes a substrate handler configured to move a substrate between a first position and a second position, and a platform positioned so that when the substrate is in the second position, the platform faces the substrate, where the platform includes a fluid delivery area having a second surface formed from a hydrophilic material for which a water contact angle is 40 degrees or less, and a first surface facing the substrate when the substrate is in the second position, formed from a hydrophobic material for which a water contact angle is 100 degrees or more.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc., Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Ertan Ergezen, Stephen Conroy, Rijk Edwin Oosterbroek, Claudio Cherubini
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Publication number: 20210291167Abstract: A fluid-holding vessel (28) with a surface tension reducing geometry which comprises an inner surface having striations (24) and a fluid transfer method are disclosed and described. The fluid-holding vessel (28) may be a test tube that is used in combination with a cap (20), which is penetrable by a fluid transfer device (11) of an automated analyzer (10) used to transfer fluids to or from the striated test tube, where the tube and cap may remain physically and sealably associated during a fluid transfer. The automated analyzer (10) may be used in combination with the fluid-holding vessel (28) as disclosed and described herein, in which the surface tension reducing geometry (24, 26) of the vessel (28) addresses an aspiration problem of a liquid (18) dispensed therefrom automatically by the automated analyzer (10), e.g., into a sample cup.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Christopher Donat, Daniel Lapen, Bernard Lane, Stephen Conroy
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Publication number: 20200064238Abstract: Methods for dispensing a fluid sample on a substrate include obtaining an image of a sample applicator in proximity to the substrate, where the image includes a first image of the sample applicator and a second image of the sample applicator, determining a height of the sample applicator relative to a surface plane of the substrate based on a distance between common portions of the first and second images, and dispensing the fluid sample onto the substrate using the sample applicator, where the dispensing includes: translating the sample applicator, translating the substrate, or translating both the sample applicator and the substrate to effect a relative translation between the sample applicator and the substrate; and maintaining the sample applicator within 2 microns of a target height relative to the surface plane of the substrate during the translating.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Russell Zahniser, David Zahniser, Stephen Conroy, Michael Zahniser
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Publication number: 20190344260Abstract: The disclosure features methods, fluid delivery platforms, and apparatus for preparing a sample on a substrate that includes a substrate handler configured to move a substrate between a first position and a second position, and a platform positioned so that when the substrate is in the second position, the platform faces the substrate, where the platform includes a fluid delivery area having a second surface formed from a hydrophilic material for which a water contact angle is 40 degrees or less, and a first surface facing the substrate when the substrate is in the second position, formed from a hydrophobic material for which a water contact angle is 100 degrees or more.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Ertan Ergezen, Stephen Conroy, Rijk Edwin Oosterbroek, Claudio Cherubini
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Patent number: 10466146Abstract: Methods for dispensing a fluid sample on a substrate include obtaining an image of a sample applicator in proximity to the substrate, where the image includes a first image of the sample applicator and a second image of the sample applicator, determining a height of the sample applicator relative to a surface plane of the substrate based on a distance between common portions of the first and second images, and dispensing the fluid sample onto the substrate using the sample applicator, where the dispensing includes: translating the sample applicator, translating the substrate, or translating both the sample applicator and the substrate to effect a relative translation between the sample applicator and the substrate; and maintaining the sample applicator within 2 microns of a target height relative to the surface plane of the substrate during the translating.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc.Inventors: Russell Zahniser, David Zahniser, Stephen Conroy, Michael Zahniser
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Patent number: 10345205Abstract: Sample application systems can include an extraction mechanism to remove a sample from sample containers, a sample vessel disposed on a deployment mechanism, where the deployment mechanism is arranged to move the sample vessel to receive a sample, an extraction mechanism washing station to wash the extraction mechanism, a sample applicator to remove a portion of the sample in the sample vessel and apply it onto a sample carrier, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to a sample application position, a sample vessel washing station to wash the sample vessel, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to the sample vessel washing station, a sample applicator washing station to wash the sample applicator after the sample has been dispensed onto the sample carrier, and a fluid control system to control flow of a fluid provided to the extraction mechanism and the sample applicator.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, James L. Dowling, David Zahniser, Stephen Conroy
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Publication number: 20180238781Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein features a substrate arm and gripper, a platform having a top surface located opposite the substrate when the substrate arm is in a specimen processing position and featuring at least one fluid port located on a surface of the platform facing the substrate and at least one vacuum port located on the surface of the platform facing the substrate, and during operation, the apparatus is configured to (a) dispense a first quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port to fill a separation between the substrate and the platform, (b) dispense an additional quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port into the separation to displace a portion of the first quantity of fluid, and (c) remove the portion of the first quantity of fluid from the separation through the at least one vacuum port.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Daniel Lapen, David Zahniser, Mark Licari, Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, Dennis Poole, Stephen Conroy
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Patent number: 9970577Abstract: The present disclosure provides for the description of rotary unions. The described rotary unions are provided with a non-rotating union part and a rotating union part affixable to a rotating device. An exemplary rotary union can be positioned relative to a bearing supporting the rotating device and the rotating device or can be incorporated into a bearing supporting the rotating device.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Mark Stephen Conroy, Thomas Timothy Byrne, Haibin Chen
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Patent number: 9937694Abstract: Embossed multi-ply fibrous structures and methods for making such embossed multi-ply fibrous structures are provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Kevin Benson McNeil, Patrick John Buschur, Andre Mellin, Thomas Timothy Byrne, Mark Stephen Conroy
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Patent number: 9891147Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein features a substrate arm and gripper, a platform having a top surface located opposite the substrate when the substrate arm is in a specimen processing position and featuring at least one fluid port located on a surface of the platform facing the substrate and at least one vacuum port located on the surface of the platform facing the substrate, and during operation, the apparatus is configured to (a) dispense a first quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port to fill a separation between the substrate and the platform, (b) dispense an additional quantity of fluid from the at least one fluid port into the separation to displace a portion of the first quantity of fluid, and (c) remove the portion of the first quantity of fluid from the separation through the at least one vacuum port.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Lapen, David Zahniser, Mark Licari, Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, Dennis Poole, Stephen Conroy
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Publication number: 20180031451Abstract: Methods for dispensing a fluid sample on a substrate include obtaining an image of a sample applicator in proximity to the substrate, where the image includes a first image of the sample applicator and a second image of the sample applicator, determining a height of the sample applicator relative to a surface plane of the substrate based on a distance between common portions of the first and second images, and dispensing the fluid sample onto the substrate using the sample applicator, where the dispensing includes: translating the sample applicator, translating the substrate, or translating both the sample applicator and the substrate to effect a relative translation between the sample applicator and the substrate; and maintaining the sample applicator within 2 microns of a target height relative to the surface plane of the substrate during the translating.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Russell Zahniser, David Zahniser, Stephen Conroy, Michael Zahniser
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Patent number: 9784652Abstract: Methods for dispensing a fluid sample on a substrate include obtaining an image of a sample applicator in proximity to the substrate, where the image includes a first image of the sample applicator and a second image of the sample applicator, determining a height of the sample applicator relative to a surface plane of the substrate based on a distance between common portions of the first and second images, and dispensing the fluid sample onto the substrate using the sample applicator, where the dispensing includes: translating the sample applicator, translating the substrate, or translating both the sample applicator and the substrate to effect a relative translation between the sample applicator and the substrate; and maintaining the sample applicator within 2 microns of a target height relative to the surface plane of the substrate during the translating.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc.Inventors: Russell Zahniser, David Zahniser, Stephen Conroy, Michael Zahniser
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Publication number: 20170241875Abstract: Sample application systems can include an extraction mechanism to remove a sample from sample containers, a sample vessel disposed on a deployment mechanism, where the deployment mechanism is arranged to move the sample vessel to receive a sample, an extraction mechanism washing station to wash the extraction mechanism, a sample applicator to remove a portion of the sample in the sample vessel and apply it onto a sample carrier, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to a sample application position, a sample vessel washing station to wash the sample vessel, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to the sample vessel washing station, a sample applicator washing station to wash the sample applicator after the sample has been dispensed onto the sample carrier, and a fluid control system to control flow of a fluid provided to the extraction mechanism and the sample applicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, James L. Dowling, David Zahniser, Stephen Conroy
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Patent number: 9701101Abstract: Embossed multi-ply fibrous structures and methods for making such embossed multi-ply fibrous structures are provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Kevin Benson McNeil, Patrick John Buschur, Andre Mellin, Thomas Timothy Byrne, Mark Stephen Conroy
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Patent number: 9588026Abstract: Sample application systems can include an extraction mechanism to remove a sample from sample containers, a sample vessel disposed on a deployment mechanism, where the deployment mechanism is arranged to move the sample vessel to receive a sample, an extraction mechanism washing station to wash the extraction mechanism, a sample applicator to remove a portion of the sample in the sample vessel and apply it onto a sample carrier, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to a sample application position, a sample vessel washing station to wash the sample vessel, where the deployment mechanism can move the sample vessel to the sample vessel washing station, a sample applicator washing station to wash the sample applicator after the sample has been dispensed onto the sample carrier, and a fluid control system to control flow of a fluid provided to the extraction mechanism and the sample applicator.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. McKeen, Eric D. Yeaton, James L. Dowling, David Zahniser, Stephen Conroy
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Publication number: 20160245731Abstract: Methods for dispensing a fluid sample on a substrate include obtaining an image of a sample applicator in proximity to the substrate, where the image includes a first image of the sample applicator and a second image of the sample applicator, determining a height of the sample applicator relative to a surface plane of the substrate based on a distance between common portions of the first and second images, and dispensing the fluid sample onto the substrate using the sample applicator, where the dispensing includes: translating the sample applicator, translating the substrate, or translating both the sample applicator and the substrate to effect a relative translation between the sample applicator and the substrate; and maintaining the sample applicator within 2 microns of a target height relative to the surface plane of the substrate during the translating.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Russell Zahniser, David Zahniser, Stephen Conroy, Michael Zahniser
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Patent number: 9269138Abstract: Methods for dispensing a fluid sample on a substrate include obtaining an image of a sample applicator in proximity to the substrate, where the image includes a first image of the sample applicator and a second image of the sample applicator, determining a height of the sample applicator relative to a surface plane of the substrate based on a distance between common portions of the first and second images, and dispensing the fluid sample onto the substrate using the sample applicator, where the dispensing includes: translating the sample applicator, translating the substrate, or translating both the sample applicator and the substrate to effect a relative translation between the sample applicator and the substrate; and maintaining the sample applicator within 2 microns of a target height relative to the surface plane of the substrate during the translating.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Hematology, Inc.Inventors: Russell Zahniser, David Zahniser, Stephen Conroy, Michael Zahniser