Patents by Inventor Stephen Robert LaChance
Stephen Robert 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: 20240085446Abstract: An automated analyzer that receives samples prepared for analysis in an automated pre-analytical module and a method of operation of such automated analyzer. The automated analyzer includes a shuttle transfer station that receives a shuttle carrier from the automated pre-analytical system. The shuttle transfer station has a clamping assembly for the shuttle. The clamping assembly has jaws that advance engagement members into contact with a bottom portion of sample containers disposed in the shuttle. The clamping assembly secures the sample containers in the shuttle when sample is aspirated from the sample containers. The automated analyzer also has a multichannel puncture tool that is adapted to be carried by a robotic gripper mechanism. The multichannel puncture tool has multiple puncture members that each defines a channel Each channel is in communication with a different trough in the consumable. A pipette can pass through the channel in the puncture tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANYInventors: Michael T. VanSickler, Neil G. Terry, Brian Bell, Steven C. Rotundo, Stephen Robert LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky
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Patent number: 11754582Abstract: An automated analyzer that receives samples prepared for analysis in an automated pre-analytical module and a method of operation of such automated analyzer. The automated analyzer includes a shuttle transfer station that receives a shuttle carrier from the automated pre-analytical system. The shuttle transfer station has a clamping assembly for the shuttle. The clamping assembly has jaws that advance engagement members into contact with a bottom portion of sample containers disposed in the shuttle. The clamping assembly secures the sample containers in the shuttle when sample is aspirated from the sample containers. The automated analyzer also has a multichannel puncture tool that is adapted to be carried by a robotic gripper mechanism. The multichannel puncture tool has multiple puncture members that each defines a channel Each channel is in communication with a different trough in the consumable. A pipette can pass through the channel in the puncture tool.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANYInventors: Michael T. VanSickler, Neil G. Terry, Brian Bell, Steven C. Rotundo, Stephen Robert LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky
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Publication number: 20220146545Abstract: An automated analyzer that receives samples prepared for analysis in an automated pre-analytical module and a method of operation of such automated analyzer. The automated analyzer includes a shuttle transfer station that receives a shuttle carrier from the automated pre-analytical system. The shuttle transfer station has a clamping assembly for the shuttle. The clamping assembly has jaws that advance engagement members into contact with a bottom portion of sample containers disposed in the shuttle. The clamping assembly secures the sample containers in the shuttle when sample is aspirated from the sample containers. The automated analyzer also has a multichannel puncture tool that is adapted to be carried by a robotic gripper mechanism. The multichannel puncture tool has multiple puncture members that each defines a channel Each channel is in communication with a different trough in the consumable. A pipette can pass through the channel in the puncture tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2021Publication date: May 12, 2022Applicant: BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANYInventors: Michael T. VanSickler, Neil G. Terry, Brian Bell, Steven C. Rotundo, Stephen Robert LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky
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Publication number: 20220137080Abstract: An automated pre-analytical processing method and an apparatus for pre-analytical processing of samples to be forwarded to an adjacent analyzer for analysis. Rack label information is read and communicated to a processor. From the rack label information, the processor determines where to route the rack. The pre-analytical system has a rack robot that conveys racks to discrete locations depending upon the routing information assigned to the rack by the processor. The pre-analytical system has an automated station that reads the labels of individual sample containers in the rack that are brought to the automated station on instructions from the processor. Depending on the type of sample container and the type of sample disposed therein, the samples are either prepared for analysis by the automated station or the sample containers are directly passed through the automated station. Prepared samples and passed through samples are passed individually to a batching rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2021Publication date: May 5, 2022Applicant: BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANYInventors: Michael T. VanSickler, Kevin Bailey, Christopher John Tesluk, Dwight Livingston, Steven C. Rotundo, Stephen Robert LaChance, Michael J. Touma, Brian James McKeen, Gerard Sevigny
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Patent number: 11199560Abstract: An automated analyzer that receives samples prepared for analysis in an automated pre-analytical module and a method of operation of such automated analyzer. The automated analyzer includes a shuttle transfer station that receives a shuttle carrier from the automated pre-analytical system. The shuttle transfer station has a clamping assembly for the shuttle. The clamping assembly has jaws that advance engagement members into contact with a bottom portion of sample containers disposed in the shuttle. The clamping assembly secures the sample containers in the shuttle when sample is aspirated from the sample containers. The automated analyzer also has a multichannel puncture tool that is adapted to be carried by a robotic gripper mechanism. The multichannel puncture tool has multiple puncture members that each defines a channel. Each channel is in communication with a different trough in the consumable. A pipette can pass through the channel in the puncture tool.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Inventors: Michael T. VanSickler, Neil G. Terry, Brian Bell, Steven C. Rotundo, Stephen Robert LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky
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Patent number: 11181541Abstract: An automated pre-analytical processing method and an apparatus for pre-analytical processing of samples to be forwarded to an adjacent analyzer for analysis. Rack label information is read and communicated to a processor. From the rack label information, the processor determines where to route the rack. The pre-analytical system has a rack robot that conveys racks to discrete locations depending upon the routing information assigned to the rack by the processor. The pre-analytical system has an automated station that reads the labels of individual sample containers in the rack that are brought to the automated station on instructions from the processor. Depending on the type of sample container and the type of sample disposed therein, the samples are either prepared for analysis by the automated station or the sample containers are directly passed through the automated station. Prepared samples and passed through samples are passed individually to a batching rack.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON AND COMPANYInventors: Michael T. VanSickler, Kevin Bailey, Christopher John Tesluk, Dwight Livingston, Steven C. Rotundo, Stephen Robert LaChance, Michael J. Touma, Brian James McKeen, Gerard Sevigny
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Publication number: 20200319219Abstract: An automated pre-analytical processing method and an apparatus for pre-analytical processing of samples to be forwarded to an adjacent analyzer for analysis. Rack label information is read and communicated to a processor. From the rack label information, the processor determines where to route the rack. The pre-analytical system has a rack robot that conveys racks to discrete locations depending upon the routing information assigned to the rack by the processor. The pre-analytical system has an automated station that reads the labels of individual sample containers in the rack that are brought to the automated station on instructions from the processor. Depending on the type of sample container and the type of sample disposed therein, the samples are either prepared for analysis by the automated station or the sample containers are directly passed through the automated station. Prepared samples and passed through samples are passed individually to a batching rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Becton Dickinson and CompanyInventors: MICHAEL T. VANSICKLER, Kevin Bailey, Christopher John Tesluk, Dwight Livingston, Steven C. Rotundo, Stephen Robert LaChance, Michael J. Touma, Brian James McKeen, Gerard Sevigny
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Publication number: 20200319222Abstract: An automated analyzer that receives samples prepared for analysis in an automated pre-analytical module and a method of operation of such automated analyzer. The automated analyzer includes a shuttle transfer station that receives a shuttle carrier from the automated pre-analytical system. The shuttle transfer station has a clamping assembly for the shuttle. The clamping assembly has jaws that advance engagement members into contact with a bottom portion of sample containers disposed in the shuttle. The clamping assembly secures the sample containers in the shuttle when sample is aspirated from the sample containers. The automated analyzer also has a multichannel puncture tool that is adapted to be carried by a robotic gripper mechanism. The multichannel puncture tool has multiple puncture members that each defines a channel. Each channel is in communication with a different trough in the consumable. A pipette can pass through the channel in the puncture tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Becton Dickinson and CompanyInventors: Michael T. VanSickler, Neil G. Terry, Brian Bell, Steven C. Rotundo, Stephen Robert LaChance, Alyssa Shedlosky