Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Grogan

Thomas M. Grogan 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 slide processing apparatus with fluid injector
    Patent number: 5654200
    Abstract: An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support supporting a plurality of slide supports thereon, and drive device engaging the carousel slide support for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support having a plurality of reagent container supports thereon, and drive device engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator device positioned for engaging a reagent container positioned on a container support in the reagent delivery zone and initating reagent delivery from the reagent container to a slide supported on a slide support in the reagent receiving zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Copeland, Thomas M. Grogan, Charles Hassen, William Ross Humphreys, Charles D. Lemme, Phillip C. Miller, William L. Richards, Wayne A. Showalter
  • Method for rinsing a tissue sample mounted on a slide
    Patent number: 5654199
    Abstract: An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support (24) supporting a plurality of slide supports (26) thereon, and drive means (48) engaging the carousel slide support (24) for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports (26) in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support (10) having a plurality of reagent container supports (11) thereon, and drive means (14) engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support (11) in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator means (18) positioned for engaging a reagent container (12) positioned on a container support (11) in the reagent delivery zone and initiating reagent delivery from the reagent container (12) to a slide supported on a slide support (26) in the reagent receiving zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Copeland, Thomas M. Grogan, Phillip C. Miller, William L. Richards, Wayne A. Showalter
  • Method for mixing reagent and sample mounted on a slide
    Patent number: 5650327
    Abstract: An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support (24) supporting a plurality of slide supports (26) thereon, and drive means (48) engaging the carousel slide support (24) for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports (26) in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support (10) having a plurality of reagent container supports (11) thereon, and drive means (14) engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support (11) in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator means (18) positioned for engaging a reagent container (12) positioned on a container support (11) in the reagent delivery zone and initiating reagent delivery from the reagent container (12) to a slide supported on a slide support (26) in the reagent receiving zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Copeland, Thomas M. Grogan, Phillip C. Miller, William L. Richards, Wayne A. Showalter
  • Automated biological reaction apparatus
    Patent number: 5595707
    Abstract: An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support supporting a plurality of slide supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel slide support for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support having a plurality of reagent container supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator means positioned for engaging a reagent container positioned on a container support in the reagent delivery zone and initiating reagent delivery from the reagent container to a slide supported on a slide support in the reagent receiving zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Copeland, Thomas M. Grogan, Charles Hassen, William R. Humphreys, Charles D. Lemme, Phillip C. Miller, William L. Richards, Wayne A. Showalter