Patents by Inventor Wings S. Pang
Wings S. Pang 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: 8038942Abstract: A system for a clinical lab that is capable of automatically processing, including sorting, of multiple specimen containers. The system comprises a central controller, a workstation, one or more analyzers, and an automated centrifuge. The workstation has automatic detectors for detecting the presence of a holder holding specimen containers. The workstation has a bar code reader for reading bar codes on the containers. The system has a transport subsystem, preferably a workstation robotic arm and an analyzer robotic arm for transporting the specimen containers, moving them to and from the workstation, to and from the analyzers, and to and from the centrifuge. The centrifuge is loaded with buckets containing specimen containers. The workstation can be provided with a balance system for balancing the weight of the buckets used. The workstation can also have a decapper for automatically removing caps from the specimen containers.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.Inventors: Wing S. Pang, Mark Gross, Hendra Tanumihardja, Ruediger F. Rauskolb, G. Andrea Pedrazzini, Santiago F. Allen
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Patent number: 7794666Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of one or more reaction vessels in a bio-chemical analyzer comprises a heat-exchange block, preferably made of cast aluminum or the like, and a thermoelectric device for heating or cooling the block to within a desired temperature range. The heat-transfer block cradles one or more reaction vessels in a thermal energy-transferring relationship, and further supports, in a thermal energy-transferring relationship, one or more fluid conduits serving to transmit a liquid or gas to the interior of the reaction vessels. Preferably, the heat-transfer block is cast from aluminum, and the fluid conduits are disposed inside the casting.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2006Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.Inventors: William W. Li, Rongchang Xin, Wing S. Pang, Dobson M. Okawa
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Patent number: 7141213Abstract: A system for a clinical lab that is capable of automatically processing, including sorting, of multiple specimen containers. The system comprises a central controller, a workstation, one or more analyzers, and an automated centrifuge. The workstation has automatic detectors for detecting the presence of a holder holding specimen containers. The workstation has a bar code reader for reading bar codes on the containers. The system has a transport subsystem, preferably a workstation robotic arm and an analyzer robotic arm for transporting the specimen containers, moving them to and from the workstation, to and from the analyzers, and to and from the centrifuge. The centrifuge is loaded with buckets containing specimen containers. The workstation can be provided with a balance system for balancing the weight of the buckets used. The workstation can also have a decapper for automatically removing caps from the specimen containers.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2000Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.Inventors: Wing S. Pang, Mark Gross, Hendra Tanumihardja, Ruediger F. Rauskolb, G. Andrea Pedrazzini, Santiago F. Allen
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Patent number: 6060022Abstract: A system for a clinical lab that is capable of automatically processing, including sorting, of multiple specimen containers. The system comprises a central controller, a workstation, one or more analyzers, and an automated centrifuge. The workstation has automatic detectors for detecting the presence of a holder holding specimen containers. The workstation has a bar code reader for reading bar codes on the containers. The system has a transport subsystem, preferably a workstation robotic arm and an analyzer robotic arm for transporting the specimen containers, moving them to and from the workstation, to and from the analyzers, and to and from the centrifuge. The centrifuge is loaded with buckets containing specimen containers. The workstation can be provided with a balance system for balancing the weight of the buckets used. The workstation can also have a decapper for automatically removing caps from the specimen containers.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1997Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.Inventors: Wing S. Pang, Mark Gross, Hendra Tanumihardja, Ruediger F. Rauskolb, G. Andrea Pedrazzini, Santiago F. Allen
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Patent number: 5296195Abstract: A system for analyzing a chemical reaction provides control of the temperature and volume of the reagents to improve the accuracy and precision in quantitative measurements of specific proteins and other immunochemistries in body fluids. The reaction occurs in a cuvette within a nephelometric optics module. A sensor senses the temperatures of reaction buffer liquids as they flow into the cuvette, and a heat exchanging device increases or decreases the temperatures of the buffer liquids. A control circuit responsive to the temperature sensor controls the heat exchanging device to maintain the temperature of the buffer liquids and the cuvette within a selected temperature range. The system may also include a sample pickup station, a sample probe for withdrawing a selected sample from the sample pickup station, a sample preparation station, and transport device for carrying said sample from the sample preparation station to the reaction cuvette.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1992Date of Patent: March 22, 1994Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Wings S. Pang, Peter Kan, George K. Shibata
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Patent number: 5169602Abstract: A resealable conduit is used to remove or add fluid to a closed system without coring or contamination of the fluid. The conduit can include funnel-shaped guide means, duck bill valve means and beveled tip puncturing means. A conduit resting angle of less than about five degrees can be achieved. A tip bevel angle between about ten and twenty degrees is preferred. The beveled tip can have a rotated or twisted blade surface extension. A blade surface extension formed with a ninety degree rotation of the blade surface is preferred. Alternately, the puncturing means can include a needle point or a flat cutting surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1990Date of Patent: December 8, 1992Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Wing S. Pang, Thomas L. Kraft, James W. Meador
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Patent number: 5162236Abstract: A system for analyzing a chemical reaction provides control of the temperature and volume of the reagents to improve the accuracy and precision in quantitative measurements of specific proteins and other immunochemistries in body fluids. The reaction occurs in a cuvette within a nephelometric optics module. A sensor senses the temperatures of reaction buffer liquids as they flow into the cuvette, and a heat exchanging device increases or decreases the temperatures of the buffer liquids. A control circuit responsive to the temperature sensor controls the heat exchanging device to maintain the temperature of the buffer liquids and the cuvette within a selected temperature range. The system may also include a sample pickup station, a sample probe for withdrawing a selected sample from the sample pickup station, a sample preparation station, and a sample transport for carrying said sample from the sample preparation station to the reaction cuvette.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1990Date of Patent: November 10, 1992Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Wing S. Pang, Dobson M. Okawa, Peter Kan, George K. Shibata
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Patent number: 4858155Abstract: Apparatus for controlling reaction temperatures in a chemical analyzer comprises a thermoelectric element operating in response to a temperature sensor, and control means capable of predicting a setpoint deviation for a future time period, and, when an overshoot is predicted, reducing a control signal for the element by an amount proportional to a current setpoint deviation. The apparatus includes at least one reaction cell and a buffer unit for thermally stabilizing a fluid that is fed, on demand, into the reaction cell, the cell and the buffer unit having separate thermoelectric elements and sensors. A microcomputer control system generates independent control signals for the elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1985Date of Patent: August 15, 1989Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Dobson Okawa, Wing S. Pang, Dang Ngo, George Shibata
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Patent number: 4736638Abstract: Apparatus for sensing liquid levels in fluid transfer mechanisms and the like comprises a conductive member supporting containers for sample liquids, the conductive member being rotatably mounted for positioning selected containers under a conductive pipette probe. A low-frequency oscillator is capacitively coupled to the conductive member for generating an alternating electric field and producing an electrical signal at the probe. As the probe is lowered toward the liquid, an amplifier circuit monitors an electrical signal received by the probe. When the probe contacts the liquid, the amplifier detects a signal level in excess of a threshold level and produces an output signal for inhibiting the downward movement of the probe at the moment of contact with the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1987Date of Patent: April 12, 1988Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Dobson Okawa, Wing S. Pang, Peter Kan
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Patent number: 4589298Abstract: A zero backlash device. The device includes a spring loaded bracket for providing a lateral force to the driving nut on a threaded rod. This lateral force is directed perpendicularly to the axis of the threaded shaft thus insuring continued intimate contact between the threads on the driving nut and the threads on the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1983Date of Patent: May 20, 1986Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Richard C. Meyer, Wing S. Pang