Patents by Inventor Stephen LaChance
Stephen LaChance 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: 20240159790Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: May 16, 2024Inventors: Stephen LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky, Alexander Clark, Redeat Girma Alemu, Craig Bark, Steven Charles Rotundo, Michael T. Vansickler
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Patent number: 11828767Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANYInventors: Stephen LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky, Alexander Clark, Redeat Girma Alemu, Craig Bark, Steven Charles Rotundo, Michael T. Vansickler
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Publication number: 20220074962Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Stephen LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky, Alexander Clark, Redeat Girma Alemu, Craig Bark, Steven Charles Rotundo, Michael T. Vansickler
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Publication number: 20210299672Abstract: An apparatus for holding sample tubes for sample preparation is provided. The apparatus includes a sample tube holder with an opening to accept a sample tube. The apparatus includes a hinge assembly with a hinge plate and a hinge support, wherein the hinge plate is movable relative to the hinge support. In one example, the hinge plate pivots in two rotation directions and slides in two translational directions relative to the hinge support. The hinge plate limits vertical movement of the sample tube within the sample tube holder. In one aspect, a method includes inserting a sample tube into an opening of a sample tube holder and pivoting and sliding a hinge plate relative to a hinge support, wherein the hinge plate limits vertical movement of the sample tube within the sample tube holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Daniel Justin Lohan, Alexandre Daviet, Rohini Rao, Sharon Leitch, Ammon David Lentz, Stephen LaChance
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Patent number: 11099203Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANYInventors: Stephen LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky, Alexander Clark, Redeat Girma Alemu, Craig Bark, Steven Charles Rotundo, Michael T. Vansickler
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Patent number: 10816566Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANYInventors: Stephen LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky, Alexander Clark, Redeat Girma Alemu, Craig Bark, Steven Charles Rotundo, Michael T. Vansickler
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Publication number: 20200049727Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Stephen LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky, Alexander Clark, Redeat Girma Alemu, Craig Bark, Steven Charles Rotundo, Michael T. Vansickler
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Patent number: 10451644Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANYInventors: Stephen LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky, Alexander Clark, Redeat Girma Alemu, Craig Bark, Steven Charles Rotundo, Michael T. Vansickler
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Publication number: 20190154719Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Stephen LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky, Alexander Clark, Redeat Girma Alemu, Craig Bark, Steven Charles Rotundo, Michael T. Vansickler
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Publication number: 20190086436Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Stephen LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky, Alexander Clark, Redeat Girma Alemu, Craig Bark, Steven Charles Rotundo, Michael T. Vansickler
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Patent number: 10168347Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and CompanyInventors: Stephen LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky, Alexander Clark, Redeat Girma Alemu, Craig Bark, Steven Charles Rotundo, Michael T. Vansickler
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Publication number: 20180246134Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Stephen LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky, Alexander Clark, Redeat Girma Alemu, Craig Bark, Steven Charles Rotundo, Michael T. Vansickler