Patents by Inventor Steven Hecht

Steven Hecht 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: 11719607
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of treating a sample comprising cells with a process of partial lysing. Cells are exposed to a process such as bead beating that lyses some cells in the mixture. The process generates a resultant sample mixture that is suitable for both cell morphology screening and genetic screening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Shuber, Steven Hecht, Erin Coffman, Paul MacLean, Howard B. Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20210072125
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of treating a sample comprising cells with a process of partial lysing. Cells are exposed to a process such as bead beating that lyses some cells in the mixture. The process generates a resultant sample mixture that is suitable for both cell morphology screening and genetic screening. A first portion of the partially lysed sample can be mounted on a slide and observed for atypical cells and cytologic abnormalities. A second portion of the partially lysed sample can be screened for genetic markers known to correlate with a risk of cervical cancer. Surprisingly the presence of beads in the mixture from the partial lysing process does not interfere with slide processing or cellular analysis. The method is particularly useful for cervical screening, where a combination of cytology and genetic screening present a more complete picture of cervical health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Anthony P. Shuber, Steven Hecht, Erin Coffman, Paul MacLean, Howard B. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 10859475
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of treating a sample comprising cells with a process of partial lysing. Cells are exposed to a process such as bead beating that lyses some cells in the mixture. The process generates a resultant sample mixture that is suitable for both cell morphology screening and genetic screening. A first portion of the partially lysed sample can be mounted on a slide and observed for atypical cells and cytologic abnormalities. A second portion of the partially lysed sample can be screened for genetic markers known to correlate with a risk of cervical cancer. The method is particularly useful for cervical screening, where a combination of cytology and genetic screening present a more complete picture of cervical health. The disclosed method streamlines the diagnostic process for protocols that require both types of assays, without compromising screening accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Shuber, Steven Hecht, Erin Coffman, Paul MacLean, Howard B. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 10508977
    Abstract: A wash solution for remediating lubricant contamination in cytological specimens includes a Tris-based alkaline buffer solution. The buffer solution may be prepared in methanol, and may include a proton-rich protein, or a basic amino acid, such as arginine, lysine, or guanidine. A method for remediating a specimen contaminated with lubricant includes using the wash solution and/or adding a salt to the final vial prior to preparing the microscope slide. The method may include adding the wash solution to the specimen, centrifuging the specimen and wash solution to form a supernatant and cell pellet, decanting the supernatant, and adding a preservative solution to the cell pellet. The method may further include adding salt to a vial containing the preservative solution and cell pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: HOLOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Erin Coffman, Steven Hecht, Paul MacLean
  • Publication number: 20180143114
    Abstract: A wash solution for remediating lubricant contamination in cytological specimens includes a Tris-based alkaline buffer solution. The buffer solution may be prepared in methanol, and may include a proton-rich protein, or a basic amino acid, such as arginine, lysine, or guanidine. A method for remediating a specimen contaminated with lubricant includes using the wash solution and/or adding a salt to the final vial prior to preparing the microscope slide. The method may include adding the wash solution to the specimen, centrifuging the specimen and wash solution to form a supernatant and cell pellet, decanting the supernatant, and adding a preservative solution to the cell pellet. The method may further include adding salt to a vial containing the preservative solution and cell pellet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Erin Coffman, Steven Hecht, Paul MacLean
  • Publication number: 20180031453
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of treating a sample comprising cells with a process of partial lysing. Cells are exposed to a process such as bead beating that lyses some cells in the mixture. The process generates a resultant sample mixture that is suitable for both cell morphology screening and genetic screening. A first portion of the partially lysed sample can be mounted on a slide and observed for atypical cells and cytologic abnormalities. A second portion of the partially lysed sample can be screened for genetic markers known to correlate with a risk of cervical cancer. The method is particularly useful for cervical screening, where a combination of cytology and genetic screening present a more complete picture of cervical health. The disclosed method streamlines the diagnostic process for protocols that require both types of assays, without compromising screening accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Anthony P. Shuber, Steven Hecht, Erin Coffman, Paul MacLean, Howard B. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 9810610
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of treating a sample comprising cells with a process of partial lysing. Cells are exposed to a process such as bead beating that lyses some cells in the mixture. The process generates a resultant sample mixture that is suitable for both cell morphology screening and genetic screening. A first portion of the partially lysed sample can be mounted on a slide and observed for atypical cells and cytologic abnormalities. A second portion of the partially lysed sample can be screened for genetic markers known to correlate with a risk of cervical cancer. The method is particularly useful for cervical screening, where a combination of cytology and genetic screening present a more complete picture of cervical health. The disclosed method streamlines the diagnostic process for protocols that require both types of assays, without compromising screening accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Shuber, Steven Hecht, Erin Coffman, Paul MacLean, Howard B. Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20160076980
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of treating a sample comprising cells with a process of partial lysing. Cells are exposed to a process such as bead beating that lyses some cells in the mixture. The process generates a resultant sample mixture that is suitable for both cell morphology screening and genetic screening. A first portion of the partially lysed sample can be mounted on a slide and observed for atypical cells and cytologic abnormalities. A second portion of the partially lysed sample can be screened for genetic markers known to correlate with a risk of cervical cancer. Surprisingly the presence of beads in the mixture from the partial lysing process does not interfere with slide processing or cellular analysis. The method is particularly useful for cervical screening, where a combination of cytology and genetic screening present a more complete picture of cervical health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony P. Shuber, Steven Hecht, Erin Coffman, Paul MacLean, Howard B. Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20160074022
    Abstract: The invention provides a device, system and method for sample collection wherein a sample can be separated into multiple portions of sample at the site of collection. The separation of portions of sample occurs by separating parts of the specimen collection device. Each of the separable parts contacting a portion of sample can be deposited into separate vessels. The device reduces the risk of sample contamination, because the separable parts can be separated by the action of a release mechanism that allows a user to separate the parts without touching or otherwise contacting the sample collecting region. The release mechanism may be trigger-activated to expel a separable part of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Ryan Oliva, Steven Hecht, Howard B. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 7422858
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample to detect cells infected by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is provided. The method includes passing a medium containing the sample across a filter. The filter has a pore size that is greater than a dimension of a HPV particle, but smaller than a dimension of a HPV infected cell, such that most of the HPV particles pass through the filter, while leaving the cells on the filter. The material collected on the filter is then examined to determine if HPV infected cells are present in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Brian B. Lentrichia, Steven A. Hecht
  • Publication number: 20070148736
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample to detect cells infected by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is provided. The method includes passing a medium containing the sample across a filter. The filter has a pore size that is greater than a dimension of a HPV particle, but smaller than a dimension of a HPV infected cell, such that most of the HPV particles pass through the filter, while leaving the cells on the filter. The material collected on the filter is then examined to determine if HPV infected cells are present in the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Brian Lentrichia, Steven Hecht
  • Patent number: 7198902
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample to detect cells infected by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is provided. The method includes passing a medium containing the sample across a filter. The filter has a pore size that is greater than a dimension of a HPV particle, but smaller than a dimension of a HPV infected cell, such that most of the HPV particles pass through the filter, while leaving the cells on the filter. The material collected on the filter is then examined to determine if HPV infected cells are present in the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Brian B. Lentrichia, Steven A. Hecht
  • Publication number: 20060088814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous alcohol buffer solution for substantially ambient, in vitro preservation of mammalian cells for a selected duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Hecht, Wendy Swinehart
  • Publication number: 20050069867
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample to detect cells infected by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is provided. The method includes passing a medium containing the sample across a filter. The filter has a pore size that is greater than a dimension of a HPV particle, but smaller than a dimension of a HPV infected cell, such that most of the HPV particles pass through the filter, while leaving the cells on the filter. The material collected on the filter is then examined to determine if HPV infected cells are present in the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Applicant: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Lentrichia, Steven Hecht
  • Patent number: D580266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Hecht
  • Patent number: D584620
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies
    Inventor: Steven Hecht
  • Patent number: D592059
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Hecht
  • Patent number: D594745
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Hecht