Patents by Inventor Thomas Joseph Cummins

Thomas Joseph Cummins 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).

  • Method for nucleic acid amplification and detection using adhered probes
    Patent number: 5888723
    Abstract: Nucleic acids can be amplified and detected using an element which has a sealable support on which is disposed a nucleic acid reagent composition. The composition is a mixture of a nucleic acid reagent composed of polymeric particles to which an oligonucleotide is covalently attached. The particles are prepared from a first polymer having a glass transition temperature of at least about 70.degree. C. and have an average diameter of from about 0.1 to about 3 micrometers. The reagent is adhered to the support using a water insoluble adhesive comprising a second polymer which has a glass transition temperature which is at least about 30.degree. C. less than the glass transition temperature of the first polymer. The adhesive is present in the composition at from about 1 to about 20 dry weight percent. The method provides high sensitivity and low background in the assay of nucleic acids, preferably using polymerase chain reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Calvin Sutton, Ignazio Salvatore Ponticello, Thomas Joseph Cummins, Dennis Roland Zander, William Harold Donish, Paul Hong-Dze Chen, John Bruce Findlay