Patents by Inventor Steven T. Nielsen
Steven T. Nielsen 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: 7684964Abstract: Embodiments of model and system state synchronization are presented herein. An exemplary model of a distributed system includes a plurality of instances where an instance includes an instantiation of a type that includes property values and relationships in the model of the distributed system and includes an associated version history to link each version of an instance to a change request for the distributed system. Other exemplary methods, systems, devices, etc. are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Geoffrey Outhred, Eric K Han, Kevin D. J. Grealish, Mathilde C. Brown, Reid B Gustin, Rob Mensching, Steven T Nielsen
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Patent number: 7565275Abstract: Embodiments of model and system state synchronization are presented herein. An exemplary model of a distributed system includes a plurality of instances where an instance includes an instantiation of a type that includes property values and relationships in the model of the distributed system and includes an associated version history to link each version of an instance to a change request for the distributed a system. Other exemplary methods, systems, devices, etc. are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Geoffrey Outhred, Eric K Han, Kevin D. J. Grealish, Mathilde C. Brown, Reid B Gustin, Rob Mensching, Steven T Nielsen
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Patent number: 6967004Abstract: A pipette tip and mounting shaft combination in an air displacement pipette, the combination comprising a pipette tip mounting shaft having a radially stepped exterior comprising adjacent substantially cylindrical portions of different diameter and an annular sealing zone including an annular edge seal at an outermost edge of a radially extending shaft transition, a pipette tip including an annular sealing region having an inner sealing surface on a sidewall of the tip which in the sealing region is sufficiently thin as to expand slightly and form an interference fit and air tight seal between the sealing surface and the sealing zone when the sealing zone penetrates the sealing region, and axial penetration limiting means for limiting penetration of the shaft into the tip to limit axial contact between the sealing region and the sealing zone to a narrow annular band comprising the annular edge seal.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Rainin Instrument, LLCInventors: Kenneth Rainin, James S. Petrek, Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: 6737023Abstract: An air displacement pipette having axially spaced annular sealing and substantially cylindrical lateral support zones on the outer surface of the pipette's mounting shaft for mating with axially spaced annular sealing and substantially cylindrical lateral support regions on the inner surface of a pipette tip, whereby the pipette tip is easily and firmly mountable on and easily ejectable from the pipette tip mounting shaft by the application of minimal axial mounting and ejection forces.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2000Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Rainin Instrument, LLCInventors: Christopher Kelly, James S. Petrek, Kenneth Rainin, Steven T. Nielsen
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Publication number: 20030082078Abstract: A pipette tip and mounting shaft combination in an air displacement pipette, the combination comprising a pipette tip mounting shaft having a radially stepped exterior comprising adjacent substantially cylindrical portions of different diameter and an annular sealing zone including an annular edge seal at an outermost edge of a radially extending shaft transition, a pipette tip including an annular sealing region having an inner sealing surface on a sidewall of the tip which in the sealing region is sufficiently thin as to expand slightly and form an interference fit and air tight seal between the sealing surface and the sealing zone when the sealing zone penetrates the sealing region, and axial penetration limiting means for limiting penetration of the shaft into the tip to limit axial contact between the sealing region and the sealing zone to a narrow annular band comprising the annular edge seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Applicant: Rainin Instrument, LLCInventors: Kenneth Rainin, James S. Petrek, Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: 6168761Abstract: An air displacement pipette having axially spaced annular sealing and substantially cylindrical lateral support zones and regions on the pipette's mounting shaft and tip, respectively, in combination with structure for insuring uniform depth of mounting shaft penetration into the pipette tip to maintain uniform tip interference with the mounting shaft as successive tips are mounted on and ejected from the mounting shaft whereby the pipette tip is easily and firmly mountable on and easily ejectable from the pipette tip mounting shaft by the application of axial mounting and ejection forces of about two pounds and one pound, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1998Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Rainin Instrument Co., Inc.Inventors: Christopher Kelly, James S. Petrek, Kenneth Rainin, Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: 4990129Abstract: An adapter preferably of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene is provided for use with a conical centrifuge tube in an ultracentrifuge swinging bucket rotor hole and is designed to allow the easy removal of the adapter and tube after centrifugation. At the top of the adapter is an integral annular rim with an outside diameter equal to that of a cylindrical upper portion of the centrifuge tube and with a minimal clearance to the diameter of the rotor hole. Immediately below the annular rim and adapter diameter reduces to a lesser diameter and continues until intersection with a hemispherical bottom region. The internal configuration of the adapter has a tapered conical section ending in a reduced diameter hemisphere, the internal taper and hemisphere of the adapter exactly matching the exterior of supported conical portion and hemispherical termination end of the sample tube.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1988Date of Patent: February 5, 1991Inventor: Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: 4690670Abstract: A screw plug self-taps itself into an open filler stem of a thin plastic cylindrical centrifuge tube to press an underside of the plug against the annular top surface of the stem after the solutions to be centrifuged have been placed in the tube to seal the tube. A support crown may support the stem during the screw plug insertion into the stem and supports an upper portion of the tube adjacent the stem when the tube is inserted in a centrifuge rotor. Auxiliary seals may also be provided to ensure sealing of the tube stem. An annular fractionating plug is screwable into the tapped aperture in the stem after centrifuging, to remove the centrifuged tube contents.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1986Date of Patent: September 1, 1987Inventor: Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: 4537320Abstract: A centrifuge tube for use in an ultracentrifuge has a closed bottom end shaped to mate with the bottom of a rotor cavity, a body portion and an upper end that terminates in a filler stem. The filler stem may be externally threaded. A removable support crown screws on the threaded filler stem or otherwise fits over the filler stem to center and support the stem within the rotor cavity of the ultracentrifuge. A swage plug fits within the support crown to seal off the inner volume of the centrifuge tube during centrifugation. The tube is filled and access is obtained to the liquid sample by removing the swage plug; sealing is accomplished by reversing the process. In one embodiment a universal crown, of a diameter smaller than the expected diameter of the rotor, is used in conjunction with a support bushing of suitable annular thickness to firmly support the filler stem in the rotor cavity.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1983Date of Patent: August 27, 1985Inventor: Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: 4511349Abstract: A thin-wall centrifuge tube having multiple chambers for use in fluid sample investigation with an ultracentrifuge. More particularly, the multiple chamber ultracentrifuge tube can be used, for example, in lipoprotein separation. The ultracentrifuge tube may have two or more separate chambers which, subsequent to centrifugation, can be sealed from each other to retain the separated constituents of the sample under investigation. The chambers in the tube are joined by a constricted area which permits fluid communication between the chambers. The tube is designed to be used in conjunction with a support spacer adjacent the constriction in the tube so that the tube is properly supported during high speed centrifugation.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1984Date of Patent: April 16, 1985Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Steven T. Nielsen, Carleton C. Lee
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Patent number: 4427406Abstract: A one piece integrally formed sectional shaped liner for use in combination with similarly shaped sectional liners in a generally cylindrical chamber of a centrifuge rotor. The utilization of a plurality of similarly shaped plastic liners within a single rotor chamber allows for the placement of different fluid samples in a single rotor during one centrifuge run. The liners are designed in such a manner that they do not require a separate capping means and are preferably made through a blow molding process. The liners are designed to provide adjacent support to each other during the centrifugation run.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1982Date of Patent: January 24, 1984Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: 4360150Abstract: A centrifuge rotor and sample containers for reorienting gradients and separating the components of a sample. The rotor contains a plurality of cylindrical recesses equally spaced about its rotational axis. The recesses are open at the top and have a concave hemispherical bottom. A cylindrical plug member is positioned in each of the recesses, and the lowermost end of the cylindrical plug member is formed in the shape of a concave hemisphere. A sample container in the shape of a hollow sphere is positioned between the hemisphere of the cylindrical plug member and the hemisphere of the recess bottom, and means are provided to retain the cylindrical plug member in the recess. The symmetry of the hemispherically shaped sample container is advantageous for minimizing any disturbance to a gradient during reorientation. In another embodiment, a centrifuge rotor is provided which is adapted for fixed angle centrifugation with hemispherical sample containers.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1981Date of Patent: November 23, 1982Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Kenzo Ishimaru, Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: 4358420Abstract: A method for making a thin wall centrifuge tube using an injection blow molded process to achieve not only uniform thickness of the tube, but also uniform or homogeneous material properties throughout the tube structure. The unique application of this process includes the making of a preform mold which retains its molten stage on a transferrable core pin that is received at a second stage, where the final configuration mold is placed around the core pin. The blow molding stage operates in conjunction with the molten preform to create the high strength centrifuge tube with uniform material properties.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1981Date of Patent: November 9, 1982Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Steven T. Nielsen, Robert S. Carey
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Patent number: 4304356Abstract: A fluid-containing means for each bore of a centrifuge rotor is disclosed which combines a self-capped tube and a floating cap resting on the top of the tube and arranged to resist deformation of the tube by the centrifugal forces developed therein. The floating cap has an annular skirt which engages the top of the tube and which is sufficiently thick in cross-section to prevent deformation of the floating cap. The floating cap is formed from a relatively light plastic, having a density less than that of the centrifuged fluid, thereby preventing bottoming of the floating cap in the bore in the event of rupture of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1980Date of Patent: December 8, 1981Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Chulay, Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: 4301963Abstract: A substantially enclosed centrifuge tube having a small fill or access port at one end. In its preferred form there is integrally formed adjacent the fill port a neck or stem which is fused to hermetically seal the centrifuge tube to provide a permanent and complete seal of the centrifuge tube. A plug is securely mounted within the centrifuge rotor above the centrifuge tube when placed in the rotor to provide solid support adjacent the complete exterior surface of the tube. The interior of the plug is shaped to conform and mate with the upper end of the centrifuge tube. The use of a removable capping means placed on the centrifuge tube is eliminated. Access to the tube subsequent to the centrifugation run requires puncturing or cutting of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1980Date of Patent: November 24, 1981Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: 4177921Abstract: An improved multicompartment rotor liner which essentially eliminates the possibility of contamination of centrifugated clarified serum upon retrieval of the serum from the liner. The liner has an annular chamber surrounding a central chamber in which the chyle material is collected during centrifugation from a chylous serum. The present liner invention incorporates a unique flat cover to prevent the accumulation of chyle in the central chamber above the seal junction between the annular chamber and the central chamber. This unique configuration also allows for greater ease of pipette insertion.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1977Date of Patent: December 11, 1979Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: D437940Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Rainin Instrument Co., Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Rainin, Christopher Kelly, James S. Petrek, Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: D438981Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2000Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Rainin Instrument Co., Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Rainin, Christopher Kelly, James S. Petrek, Steven T. Nielsen
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Patent number: D448853Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Rainin Instrument Co., Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Rainin, Christopher Kelly, James S. Petrek, Steven T. Nielsen