Patents by Inventor Stephen Whitlatch

Stephen Whitlatch 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).

  • Publication number: 20070166834
    Abstract: A sectionable cassette for use in a process for harvesting and handling tissue samples for biopsy analysis is disclosed. In the procedure, a tissue biopsy sample is placed on a tissue trapping and supporting material that can withstand tissue preparation procedures and which can be cut with a microtome. The tissue is immobilized on the material and the material and the tissue are held in the cassette and are subjected to a process for replacing tissue fluids with wax, and then the tissue and the supporting material are sliced for mounting on slides using a microtome. Harvesting devices and containers using the filter material are disclosed. An automated process is also disclosed. One embodiment has the tissue trapping and supporting material porous and another embodiment includes a tissue supporting material that is not easily microtomed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: BIOPATH AUTOMATION, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Warren Williamson, Stephen Whitlatch, Dominic DiNovo, Douglas Allen, Thomas Ward
  • Publication number: 20070104618
    Abstract: A cassette for holding a tissue sample includes a body having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly with respect to the bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample. A lid is configured to be received in the interior space, and the cassette is sectionable in a microtome. Sensing elements are associated with the body or lid and configured to allow an automated sensing system to determine at least one characteristic of the cassette. A flange extends along upper portions of at least two of the side walls and includes a plurality of holes. Other features are included to more effectively and efficiently manufacture and use the cassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: BIOPATH AUTOMATION, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Warren Williamson, Thomas Ward, Stephen Whitlatch
  • Publication number: 20050147538
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cassette, frame and mold for holding a tissue sample during an embedding and mircotoming process, and related methods. The cassette is sectionable in a microtome and includes a body with a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. First and second side walls are generally V-shaped to present an apex of the ā€œVā€ to the microtome blade. A lid of the cassette is stiffer than the bottom wall of the cassette to assist with positioning the tissue sample. The side walls of the cassette are perforated so as to significantly reduce the amount of cassette material that must be cut by the microtome blade. In one embodiment, to additionally reduce blade wear the ribs on one side wall are offset lengthwise relative to the ribs on an opposite side wall. An upper flange of the cassette includes depressions configured to register with detents in the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Warren Williamson, Craig Berky, Stephen Whitlatch, Thomas Ward
  • Publication number: 20050084425
    Abstract: A cassette for holding a tissue sample includes a body having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly with respect to the bottom wall to define an interior space for receiving the tissue sample. A lid is configured to be received in the interior space, and the cassette is sectionable in a microtome. Sensing elements are associated with the body or lid and configured to allow an automated sensing system to determine at least one characteristic of the cassette. A flange extends along upper portions of at least two of the side walls and includes a plurality of holes. Other features are included to more effectively and efficiently manufacture and use the cassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Warren Williamson, Thomas Ward, Stephen Whitlatch