Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Shimei

Thomas M. Shimei 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: 6910720
    Abstract: A connector useful for combining the contents of a pair of containers which includes a hollow body for passing fluids between the containers. The body includes top and bottom end portions dimensioned to receive open-ended containers in an interference fit. The top end portion includes one or more recesses sized and arranged to facilitate drainage of a fluid from the first container into the second container when the first container is positioned above the second container. A middle portion is positioned between and adjoins the end portions of the body. A system for combining the contents of a pair of containers is formed when containers having substances to be combined are fitted onto the end portions of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas M. Shimei, Gus G. Tseo
  • Patent number: 6852283
    Abstract: A work station for simultaneously performing multiple assays includes a base structure, a receptacle rack assembly received within a receptacle rack well formed in the base structure, a pipette tip rack assembly received within a pipette tip rack well formed in the base structure, a multiple conduit substance transfer device, and substance transfer device positioning structure. The receptacle rack assembly holds a plurality of receptacles in which a plurality of individual assays are performed, and the pipette tip rack assembly holds a plurality of contamination limiting pipette tips. The substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles or simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles. Alternatively, the substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles, and, at about the same time, simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Galo F. Acosta, Jeffrey D. Bransky, Robert Case, Gregory J. Foster, Kristi K. Myers, Thomas M. Shimei, Andrew J. Woodhead
  • Patent number: 6846456
    Abstract: A work station for simultaneously performing multiple assays includes a base structure, a receptacle rack assembly received within a receptacle rack well formed in the base structure, a pipette tip rack assembly received within a pipette tip rack well formed in the base structure, a multiple conduit substance transfer device, and substance transfer device positioning structure. The receptacle rack assembly holds a plurality of receptacles in which a plurality of individual assays are performed, and the pipette tip rack assembly holds a plurality of contamination limiting pipette tips. The substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles or simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles. Alternatively, the substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles, and, at about the same time, simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Galo F. Acosta, Jeffrey D. Bransky, Robert Case, Gregory J. Foster, Kristi K. Myers, Thomas M. Shimei, Andrew J. Woodhead
  • Publication number: 20030030278
    Abstract: A connector useful for combining the contents of a pair of containers which includes a hollow body for passing fluids between the containers. The body includes top and bottom end portions dimensioned to receive open-ended containers in an interference fit. The top end portion includes one or more recesses sized and arranged to facilitate drainage of a fluid from the first container into the second container when the first container is positioned above the second container. A middle portion is positioned between and adjoins the end portions of the body. A system for combining the contents of a pair of containers is formed when containers having substances to be combined are fitted onto the end portions of the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas M. Shimei, Gus G. Tseo
  • Publication number: 20010016178
    Abstract: A work station for simultaneously performing multiple assays includes a base structure, a receptacle rack assembly received within a receptacle rack well formed in the base structure, a pipette tip rack assembly received within a pipette tip rack well formed in the base structure, a multiple conduit substance transfer device, and substance transfer device positioning structure. The receptacle rack assembly holds a plurality of receptacles in which a plurality of individual assays are performed, and the pipette tip rack assembly holds a plurality of contamination limiting pipette tips. The substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles or simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles. Alternatively, the substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles, and, at about the same time, simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Galo F. Acosta, Jeffrey D. Bransky, Robert Case, Gregory J. Foster, Kristi K. Myers, Thomas M. Shimei, Andrew J. Woodhead
  • Publication number: 20010012492
    Abstract: A work station for simultaneously performing multiple assays includes a base structure, a receptacle rack assembly received within a receptacle rack well formed in the base structure, a pipette tip rack assembly received within a pipette tip rack well formed in the base structure, a multiple conduit substance transfer device, and substance transfer device positioning structure. The receptacle rack assembly holds a plurality of receptacles in which a plurality of individual assays are performed, and the pipette tip rack assembly holds a plurality of contamination limiting pipette tips. The substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles or simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles. Alternatively, the substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles, and, at about the same time, simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Applicant: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Galo F. Acosta, Jeffrey D. Bransky, Robert Case, Gregory J. Foster, Kristi K. Myers, Thomas M. Shimei, Andrew J. Woodhead
  • Patent number: 6254826
    Abstract: A work station for simultaneously performing multiple assays includes a base structure, a receptacle rack assembly received within a receptacle rack well formed in the base structure, a pipette tip rack assembly received within a pipette tip rack well formed in the base structure, a multiple conduit substance transfer device, and substance transfer device positioning structure. The receptacle rack assembly holds a plurality of receptacles in which a plurality of individual assays are performed, and the pipette tip rack assembly holds a plurality of contamination limiting pipette tips. The substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles or simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles. Alternatively, the substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles, and, at about the same time, simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Galo F. Acosta, Jeffrey D. Bransky, Robert Case, Gregory J. Foster, Kristi K. Myers, Thomas M. Shimei, Andrew J. Woodhead
  • Patent number: 5374395
    Abstract: A dependable cost-effective clinical analyzer machine provides an efficient and easy-to-use diagnostics instrument and process to accurately, rapidly and automatically test and analyze samples in test packs for an analyte. In the clinical analyzer machine, remote-controlled trams transport test packs containing loading/unloading station to a processing/testing station via a carousel and vice versa. In the processing station, a special processor with mechanically-operated rollers mixing shoes, wastegate assembly, magnets, clamp plate and a thermal sealer, process samples in test packs with various reagents to detect an analyte. The carousel holds the test packs during incubation periods and rotates the tested disposable packs past an optical reader which optically senses the presence of an analyte in the sample. Bar code readers are provided to assist in identification of the test pack, patient and sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: David Robinson, Ernest Bate, Simon Kellard, Mark Watson, Donald E. Mahan, Thomas M. Shimei, Kevin R. Kearney
  • Patent number: D354141
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest Bate, Philip Missing, David Robinson, Donald E. Mahan, Kevin R. Kearney, Thomas M. Shimei
  • Patent number: D354220
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Mahan, Kevin R. Kearney, Thomas M. Shimei, Ernest Bate, Philip Missing, David Robinson