Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Fort

Thomas L. Fort 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).

  • Automated system for isolating, amplifying and detecting a target nucleic acid sequence
    Patent number: 9696328
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing and testing of targeted nucleic acids is presented. The system integrates a pipetter, extractor, assay reader, and other components, including a selectively compliant articulated robot arm (SCARA). This synergistic integration of previously separate diagnostic tools creates a system and method whereby a minimum of human intervention is required. The resulting system provides a substantially more accurate and precise method of isolating, amplifying and detecting targeted nucleic acids for diagnosing diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Timothy R. Hansen, Matthew P. Collis, Bradley S. Thomas, Thomas L. Fort
  • OLIGONUCLEOTIDE PRIMERS, PROBES, KITS AND METHODS FOR DETECTION OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS
    Publication number: 20150152512
    Abstract: Amplification primers and methods for specific amplification and detection of a CMV target are disclosed. The primer-target binding sequences are useful for amplification and detection of the CMV target in a variety of amplification and detection reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas L. Fort
  • OLIGONUCLEOTIDE PRIMERS, PROBES, KITS AND METHODS FOR DETECTION OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS
    Publication number: 20140066611
    Abstract: Amplification primers and methods for specific amplification and detection of a CMV target are disclosed. The primer-target binding sequences are useful for amplification and detection of the CMV target in a variety of amplification and detection reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas L. Fort
  • AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR ISOLATING, AMPLIFYING AND DETECTING A TARGET NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCE
    Publication number: 20120282603
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing and testing of targeted nucleic acids is presented. The system integrates a pipetter, extractor, assay reader, and other components, including a selectively compliant articulated robot arm (SCARA). This synergistic integration of previously separate diagnostic tools creates a system and method whereby a minimum of human intervention is required. The resulting system provides a substantially more accurate and precise method of isolating, amplifying and detecting targeted nucleic acids for diagnosing diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy R. Hansen, Matthew P. Collis, Bradley S. Thomas, Thomas L. Fort
  • AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR ISOLATING, AMPLIFYING AND DETECTING A TARGET NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCE
    Publication number: 20110200991
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing and testing of targeted nucleic acids is presented. The system integrates a pipetter, extractor, assay reader, and other components, including a selectively compliant articulated robot arm (SCARA). This synergistic integration of previously separate diagnostic tools creates a system and method whereby a minimum of human intervention is required. The resulting system provides a substantially more accurate and precise method of isolating, amplifying and detecting targeted nucleic acids for diagnosing diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy R. Hansen, Matthew P. Collis, Bradley S. Thomas, Thomas L. Fort
  • Pretreatment method for extraction of nucleic acid from biological samples and kits therefor
    Patent number: 7727727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for pretreating biological samples for extraction of nucleic acid therefrom. The present invention employs a combination of at least one protein denaturant with one or more of the following elements to form a reaction mixture for extraction of nucleic acid: (1) at least one aprotic solvent, (2) stepwise heating, and (3) sample dilution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Matthew P. Collis, Donald W. Copertino, Karen Eckert, Thomas L. Fort
  • Pretreatment method for extraction of nucleic acid from biological samples and kits therefor
    Patent number: 7601491
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for pretreating biological samples for extraction of nucleic acid therefrom The present invention employs a combination of at least one protein denaturant with one or more of the following elements to form a reaction mixture for extraction of nucleic acid: (1) at least one aprotic solvent, (2) stepwise heating, and (3) sample dilution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Matthew P. Collis, Donald W. Copertino, Karen Eckert, Thomas L. Fort
  • Automated system for isolating, amplifying and detecting a target nucleic acid sequence
    Publication number: 20090155808
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing and testing of targeted nucleic acids is presented. The system integrates a pipetter, extractor, assay reader, and other components, including a selectively compliant articulated robot arm (SCARA). This synergistic integration of previously separate diagnostic tools creates a system and method whereby a minimum of human intervention is required. The resulting system provides a substantially more accurate and precise method of isolating, amplifying and detecting targeted nucleic acids for diagnosing diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy R. Hansen, Matthew P. Collis, Bradley S. Thomas, Thomas L. Fort
  • Use of an Extraction Control in a Method of Extracting Nucleic Acids
    Publication number: 20090149337
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of ensuring the effectiveness of the extraction workup from a biological sample of nucleic acid. The inventive method is able to distinguish between possible defects in the extraction of nucleic acid from a sample and possible defects in a subsequent amplification step. The present invention also relates to a packaged array for extracting nucleic acid from a biological sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Tobin Hellyer, Thomas Fort, Ray A. McMillian, Matthew P. Collis, Thomas L. Fort
  • PRETREATMENT METHOD FOR EXTRACTION OF NUCLEIC ACID FROM BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES AND KITS THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20090130736
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for pretreating biological samples for extraction of nucleic acid therefrom. The present invention employs a combination of at least one protein denaturant with one or more of the following elements to form a reaction mixture for extraction of nucleic acid: (1) at least one aprotic solvent, (2) stepwise heating, and (3) sample dilution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Matthew P. COLLIS, Donald W. COPERTINO, Karen ECKERT, Thomas L. FORT
  • Sequences and Methods for Detection of Cytomegalovirus
    Publication number: 20080311564
    Abstract: Amplification primers and methods for specific amplification and detection of a CMV target are disclosed. The primer-target binding sequences are useful for amplification and detection of the CMV target in a variety of amplification and detection reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas L. Fort
  • Chemical treatment of biological samples for nucleic acid extraction and kits therefor
    Publication number: 20040157223
    Abstract: A composition and method for the purification of nucleic acid are disclosed. The composition includes at least one alkaline agent and at least one detergent. The composition preferably also includes a suspension of paramagnetic particles and an acidic solution. The method involves the use of the composition with paramagnetic particles to extract nucleic acid from a biological sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jianrong Lou, Matthew P. Collis, Thomas L. Fort
  • Chemical treatment of biological samples for nucleic acid extraction and kits therefor
    Publication number: 20040157219
    Abstract: A composition and method for the purification of nucleic acid are disclosed. The composition includes at least one alkaline agent and at least one detergent. The composition preferably also includes a suspension of paramagnetic particles and an acidic solution. The method involves the use of the composition with paramagnetic particles to extract nucleic acid from a biological sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jianrong Lou, Matthew P. Collis, Thomas L. Fort
  • Pretreatment method for extraction of nucleic acid from biological samples and kits therefor
    Publication number: 20040157218
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for pretreating biological samples for extraction of nucleic acid therefrom The present invention employs a combination of at least one protein denaturant with one or more of the following elements to form a reaction mixture for extraction of nucleic acid: (1) at least one aprotic solvent, (2) stepwise heating, and (3) sample dilution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Matthew P. Collis, Donald W. Copertino, Karen Eckert, Thomas L. Fort
  • Automated system for isolating, amplifying and detecting a target nucleic acid sequence
    Publication number: 20040029260
    Abstract: A system and method for preparing and testing of targeted nucleic acids is presented. The system integrates a pipetter, extractor, assay reader, and other components, including a selectively compliant articulated robot arm (SCARA). This synergistic integration of previously separate diagnostic tools creates a system and method whereby a minimum of human intervention is required. The resulting system provides a substantially more accurate and precise method of isolating, amplifying and detecting targeted nucleic acids for diagnosing diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy R. Hansen, Matthew P. Collis, Bradley S. Thomas, Thomas L. Fort
  • Sequences and methods for detection of hepatitis B virus
    Patent number: 6583279
    Abstract: Primers and probes derived from the HBV DNA polymerase gene which facilitate detection and/or quantification of all presently known genotypes of HBV. Disclosed sequences may be used in a variety of primer and probe constructs for detection of HBV nucleic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Dolores M. Berger, William A. Nussbaumer, Thomas L. Fort, Tobin J. Hellyer
  • Sample processing method using ion exchange resin
    Patent number: 6265224
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods in which ion exchange resins are used to reduce the amount of substances which interfere with nucleic acid hybridization in samples. The methods also stabilize the samples. Kits containing the ion exchange resins render the methods convenient to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Matthew P. Collis, Anne B. Brown, Oscar J. Llorin, Thomas L. Fort
  • Sample processing method using ion exchange resin
    Patent number: 6241980
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods in which ion exchange resins are used to reduce the amount of substances which interfere with nucleic acid hybridization in samples. The methods also stabilize the samples. Kits containing the ion exchange resins render the methods convenient to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Matthew P. Collis, Anne B. Brown, Oscar J. Llorin, Thomas L. Fort
  • Amplification and detection of Yersinia enterocolitica
    Patent number: 6197514
    Abstract: Amplification primers and methods for specific amplification and detection of a Yersinia enterocolitica target are disclosed. The primer-target binding sequences are useful for amplification and detection of Y. enterocolitica target in a variety of amplification and detection reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Qimin You, Thomas L. Fort
  • Amplification and detection of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli
    Patent number: 6166196
    Abstract: Amplification primers and methods for specific amplification and detection of a Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli target are disclosed. The primer-target binding sequences are useful for amplification and detection of C jejuni and C. coli target in a variety of amplification and detection reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Ray A. McMillian, Thomas L. Fort, Qimin You