Vertical Or Inclined Patents (Class 204/618)
  • Patent number: 10401322
    Abstract: A separation unit is a configuration that is arranged vertically, and thus bubbles generating from the electrode will not negatively influence the contact location between the transfer membrane and separation unit. An anode (32) is arranged at a position separated by a certain distance in the conveying direction (X) of the transfer membrane (1) from the dispensing part (50a) of an electrophoresis gel chip (50). An insulating electrode cover (35) for setting free bubbles generating from the anode (32) is arranged at an upper part of the anode (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Merck LTD.
    Inventors: Taiga Tominaga, Hideki Kinoshita, Shinichi Goto, Mieko Hirabayashi, Kouhei Kageyama, Takateru Matsunaga, Kimihiko Yabe
  • Patent number: 10352897
    Abstract: An expanding cam lock for use with an electrophoresis system is disclosed herein. The cam lock allows the simultaneous use of multiple slab gel cassettes in first and second buffer core assemblies in an electrophoresis system while maintaining the necessary compressive force to create a liquid-tight seal between the anode and cathode buffer solutions. In one example embodiment, the expanding cam lock includes a base plate with a first surface adapted to engage the first buffer core assembly and a follower plate having second surface adapted to engage the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam. The base plate and the follower plate are slidably coupled together and are designed for insertion between the first buffer core assembly and the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam in the electrophoresis container. A cam is positioned between and moveably coupled with the base plate and the follower plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas Jackson
  • Patent number: 10145817
    Abstract: Vertically cut a “quasi-upper buffer chamber” (such as the part 11 of US 8808520) into 2 pieces of U-shaped doorframes, and then fix them onto the 2 opposite side walls of a transparent ark, so as to divide the ark into 3 compartments. Position a tubular telescopic urging mechanism into the middle compartment, and then use it to push 2 vertical slice gel cassettes to resting against the 2 door-frames respectively, so as to convert the 3 compartments into 3 watertight compartments. Wherein, the middle one is the lower buffer chamber, while the other 2 are the 2 upper buffer chambers of the present anti-traditional vertical slice gel electrophoresis cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: Deming Zhou
  • Patent number: 10137663
    Abstract: A composite comprising adhered components and method of refurbishing such composites are described herein. The composite includes a first component, a second component, and the first component being adhered to the second component using an adhesive stack. The adhesive stack comprises a first adhesive-impregnated scrim layer disposed between the first component and the second component and a bulk adhesive layer disposed between the first component and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Carlos A. Fracchia, Terry A. Sewell, Charles A. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8961762
    Abstract: A method for separating a nanocarbon material includes a step in which a dispersion solution of the nanocarbon material which is dispersed into nanocarbon micelle groups having a plurality of different electric charges, and a retaining solution having a different specific gravity from the nanocarbon material, are introduced into an electrophoresis tank to form a layered state disposed in layers in a predetermined direction; and a step separating the nanocarbon micelle groups into at least two nanocarbon micelle groups by means of applying direct current voltage in series across the dispersion solution and the retaining solution which had both been introduced and disposed in layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Ihara, Fumiyuki Nihey
  • Patent number: 8808520
    Abstract: In the present innovated vertical slice gel electrophoresis cell, at least one piece of large diameter screw urging ring is held to face to one U-shaped side opening of an upper buffer chamber, but an interval is left therebetween. After inserting a gel cassette into the interval, turning tight the screw urging ring can force at least one piece of gel cassette to join the upper buffer chamber tightly, no matter how thick the cassette is. In addition, some other materials are found also suitable for absorbing the Joule-heat after sealing them into dielectric shells respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Deming Zhou
  • Patent number: 8702951
    Abstract: A electrophoresis device having glass gel cell fast assemble structure is provided, including a main body, a pair of electrode connection terminals attached to the main body, and side clamping parts pivotally connected to the main body on respective side of the main body for maintaining at least one glass gel cell to a surface of the main body. At least one sealing and positioning structure is provided on a surface of the main body including a U-shaped sealing strip partially inlayed on at least one surface of the main body, and at least a pair of positioning poles perpendicularly attached to the main body, wherein the U-shaped sealing strip having a U-shaped body to form a seal between the main body and the gel cell, and positioning protrusions formed on the respective free end of the U-shaped body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Beijing Liuyi Instrument Factory
    Inventors: Xiaoping Wang, Xiudong Gao
  • Patent number: 8480875
    Abstract: Embodiments herein concern systems, methods, compositions and apparatus for detection and/or determination of the presence and/or concentration of target molecules in a sample. In certain embodiments, target molecules can be separated and analyzed using non-gel electrophoresis technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Eveia Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Patrick Tyrrell, Barry Vant-Hull
  • Patent number: 8313626
    Abstract: The conventional micropump and the conventional micromixer have the following problems. In a mechanical or hydrodynamic method, the structure of the inside of a flow path is complex so as to easily cause clogging, and manufacturing cost is high, and dead volume is large. Additionally, in an electrical method, the conventional micropump or the conventional micromixer was incapable of operating with a liquid having the concentration of a physiological saline that is important in the medical or biological field although the structure of the flow path is simple. These problems are solved by applying an AC voltage to a pair of electrodes in which an electrode-to-electrode gap between the pair of electrodes is vertically arranged and by generating the flow of a fluid in the direction opposite to gravity along the electrode-to-electrode gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fluid Incorporated
    Inventors: Shuzo Hirahara, Tomoyuki Tsuruta, Haruyuki Minamitani
  • Patent number: 8092665
    Abstract: An expanding cam lock for use with an electrophoresis system is disclosed herein. The cam lock allows the simultaneous use of multiple slab gel cassettes in first and second buffer core assemblies in an electrophoresis system while maintaining the necessary compressive force to create a liquid-tight seal between the anode and cathode buffer solutions. In one example embodiment, the expanding cam lock includes a base plate with a first surface adapted to engage the first buffer core assembly and a follower plate having second surface adapted to engage the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam. The base plate and the follower plate are slidably coupled together and are designed for insertion between the first buffer core assembly and the second buffer core assembly, buffer dam or buffer displacement dam in the electrophoresis container. A cam is positioned between and moveably coupled with the base plate and the follower plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Tom R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7971848
    Abstract: An In-Situ gel casting machine comprising a gel casting stand (1), a rubber cushion (2), and a locking base (3). Overlapping a notched glass (121) with a glass plate (122) tightly together will form a gel room (123), it is called as the slab gel casting mold (12). Put the same two slab gel casting molds (12) into each side of the portable casting stand (11) along its insides, and then insert the wedge frames (13) against each slab gel casting mold (12), which will form the gel-casting stand (1). Because each sidewall locking structure (32) of the locking base (3) compresses the slab gel casting molds from two directions, it ensures that the slab gel casting molds are sealed well. Without moving the slab gel casting molds, an electrophoresis experiment can be started right after the gel has been solidified, which can avoid the leakage of the gel solution and the production of air bubbles into the slab gel casting molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventors: Xiaoqiang Qi, Xiudong Gao, Shidong Wang, Cunlu Dong
  • Publication number: 20110062024
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoresis cassette, methods for making the electrophoresis cassette, and method of fractionating analytes from a sample based upon electrophoretic mobility in a single application of the sample to an electrophoretic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas Grosvenor Sabin, Todd J. Barbera, Paul Chandler Sabin, T. Christian Boles
  • Publication number: 20110031121
    Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a support (1, 10) for an electrophoretic gel film comprising a first film (2) having a plurality of lips formed by stamping, the lips forming a plurality of retention points for an electrophoretic gel film to be received on the support. The invention also relates to an electrophoretic element for use in electrophoretic separations, comprising the support according to the first aspect, coated with an electrophoretic gel film, as well as to the use of such an electrophoretic element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Hafid Mezdour
  • Patent number: 7867372
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing vertical electrophoresis comprises a main body, a pair of gel plates, a pair of clamping devices, and a lower buffer tank. The clamping devices are slidably attachable to the sides of the main body between a loading position for allowing the gel plates to be inserted into the main body, and a locking position for allowing secure attachment of the gel plates to the main body by a single horizontal sliding movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Baygene Biotech Company Limited
    Inventors: To Cheung, Long Yin Zhu, Yan Li
  • Patent number: 7854827
    Abstract: A device providing an arrangement for the separation of a sample mixture for analytical reasons based on multidimensional gel electrophoresis and method thereof are disclosed. The separation involves a first separation in a first dimension of the device on the basis of isoelectric points and a second separation in a second dimension of the device on the basis of molecular size. At least two gel strips for the first dimension separation step and a corresponding gel for the second dimension separation step are provided. The two gel strips are arranged on a single carrier either on the same side or on opposite sides. By having at least two gel strips arranged in such a manner at least two analytical processes can be executed in parallel on the single carrier without the use of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Curcio
  • Patent number: 7763156
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gel-casting module, a main electrophoresis assembly, a casting stand for the main electrophoresis assembly and an electrophoresis tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventors: Tzu-Chao Jean, Wu-Yang Ma
  • Patent number: 7754060
    Abstract: A slab gel electrophoresis cassette with an integrated upper buffer chamber is constructed such that the integrated chamber is collapsible to allow the cassette to assume a reduced thickness for purposes of stacking during storage and shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Gueffroy
  • Patent number: 7749367
    Abstract: In the present vertical slab-gel electrophoresis instrument, all the vertical slab gel cassettes comprise un-notched rectangular sidewalls and flanged spacer strips, but still can form a U-notched upper opening with an even rim for each cassette; one type of cassette can undergo gel casting with an electrophoresis cell, while another two types of cassettes can be used to form a multiple-cassette electrophoresis cell. The present invention can also incorporate a swing-frame chosen for urging a cassette to join an upper buffer chamber, provides an improved cooling device such that there is no need for the use of exogenous coolant, and also provides simple methods to enable cassettes to be tightly enclosed within membrane pouches for gel casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Deming Zhou
  • Patent number: 7588673
    Abstract: Slab gel electrophoresis cassettes constructed from two flat rectangular plates, with features that allow the plates to be joined parallel to and facing each other with a gap between them that is sealed at the sides and open at the top and bottom for access to upper and lower electrodes, respectively, are improved by two independent features. The first is the integration of an elastomeric gasket to the surface of one of the two plates to ensure a liquid-tight seal, while the second is the inclusion of edge engaging members that are mounted to one plate and engage an opposing edge of the other plate. The engaging members are manually engaged and released at will. In preferred constructions, the gasket is a strip that extends along the two sides and bottom of one of the plates, and each engaging member is pivotally and resiliently mounted to achieve a snap-type engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Latham
  • Patent number: 7572358
    Abstract: A first dimension electrophoresis apparatus of vertical type with a gel container 2 having a plurality of rectangular rod-shaped gel chambers is provided. The rod-type gels surrounded with non-conductive material plates are arranged in parallel, an upper open end of the gel container 2 is placed tightly into an upper buffer reservoir 4 and the lower open end thereof is placed tightly into a lower buffer reservoir 1. The gel container 2 and the main parts of the first buffer reservoir 4 and the lower buffer reservoir 1 are sunk in a cooling reservoir 5 filled with cooling liquid. The lower buffer reservoir has a panel portion 1b which is bent upward to penetrate the cooling reservoir. Outlet conductors thereof extend from each of the reservoirs and are insulated physically and electrically from the cooling liquid. As a result, the outer surface of the gel container can directly contact with the cooling liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Akira Wada
  • Patent number: 7517442
    Abstract: An ensemble of components and methods are disclosed for utilizing two-dimensional electrophoresis in polyacrylamide or related polymer gels using common, existing and familiar electrophoresis formats and equipment. The disclosed invention makes two-dimensional electrophoresis convenient and easy to use for individuals already using vertical “mini-gel” type systems. The invention discloses the combination of pre-cast disposable gels for both first and second separation dimensions using novel support devices and cassettes that simplify the difficult multiple sample handling and processing steps inherent in ordinary two-dimensional electrophoresis methods. Devices and methods are disclosed in said invention that provide exceptional gel to gel reproducibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James T. Champagne
  • Publication number: 20080202935
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing vertical electrophoresis comprises a main body, a pair of gel plates, a pair of clamping devices, and a lower buffer tank. The clamping devices are slidably attachable to the sides of the main body between a loading position for allowing the gel plates to be inserted into the main body, and a locking position for allowing secure attachment of the gel plates to the main body by a single horizontal sliding movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: To Cheung, Long Yin Zhu, Yan Li
  • Patent number: 7384528
    Abstract: In pre-cast slab gel cassettes, the formation of pathways in which proteins can migrate between the gel and the walls of the cassette to form shadow bands is avoided by the application of a coating of a nonionic amphiphilic polymer to the cassette walls. The coating also prevents the gel from sticking to the walls when the gel is to be removed from the cassette after electrophoresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Cory M. Panattoni, Lee Olech
  • Patent number: 7276143
    Abstract: The electrophoresis module has an upright cassette of which at least one of the front and rear sides has a recess opened upwardly, the recess has on the peripheral edge thereof a buffering member; the cassette has on the two ends thereof a clamping assembly each, each clamping assembly is composed of a front and a rear clip and a rotating knob in order that a set of carrier can be placed in the recess of the cassette and between the clips, and the rotating knob is rotated to make the clips press the carrier toward the buffering member on the peripheral edge of the recess; then gel pouring and sealing operation is performed after sealing the periphery of the carrier set, and lastly, the cassette clamping the carrier set is placed in the electrophoresis bath for directly proceeding with electrophoresis separation engineering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Hui-Wan Chen
  • Patent number: 7189316
    Abstract: Methods of use, accessories and chambers, optimal for performing Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) of DNA molecules in ‘Contour Clamped Homogeneous Electric Field’ (CHEF) and ‘Transversal Alternating Field Electrophoresis’ (TAFE) systems, are provided herein. DNA molecules are rapidly separated in the minigels of these chambers. The sizes of chambers and accessories are determined by the separation between the opposite polarity electrodes; which is comprised between 6.2 and 15 cm. Reproducibility of molecule separation is achieved because the accessories warrant homogeneous electric resistance in the buffer and minigels. Chambers allow a high-throughput sample format using the reagents efficiently. It is attained excluding the non-useful electrophoresis zones For a better optimization, TAFE chambers have several useful electrophoresis zones (UEZ), each carrying a minigel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas
    Inventors: Ana Maria Riverón Rojas, Lilia López Cánova, Oscar Arencibia Díaz, Jose Alfredo Herrera Isidrón, Gabriel Pérez Pérez, Esther Orozco Orozco, Carlos Alberto Cánino Ramos, Luis Mariano Batista Santiler, Regnar Gigato Pérez, Leonardo Ruíz Esquivel, Maria Dolores Noa Blanco, Elisa Javert Higginson
  • Patent number: 7135101
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a cassette for electrophoresis gels comprising: first and second planar wall members having inner and outer surfaces, top and bottom edges, and lateral edges wherein the wall members are oriented generally parallel to each other and such that the inner wall of each wall member is proximate to the inner wall of the other wall member; spacing means disposed between the inner walls of the wall members and adapted to provide a space for an electrophoresis gel between the inner walls of the wall members, wherein the cassette has an interior which is defined by the space between the wall members; and locking means adapted to prevent locking engagement of the members unless the inner surfaces of the wall members and are substantially parallel to each other and are separated by a predetermined distance, and when the wall members are in locked engagement, to substantially prevent any movement of the wall members away from such locked engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Life Therapeutics
    Inventors: Shaun Atchison, Jens Sommer-Knudsen, Nicola Boyd, Des Berry
  • Patent number: 7128819
    Abstract: Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Evelio Perez, George Fernwood
  • Patent number: 6969455
    Abstract: A frame used in clamping gel slab holders having different thicknesses used in electrophoresis. The frame has a cam that, when rotated, presses against a plate of a gel slab holder. The cam has a high lobe and a low lobe for selectively clamping gel slab holders having different thicknesses. A thin gel slab holder is securely held in position by rotating the cam in a direction such that the high lobe contacts the thin gel slab holder. A thicker gel slab holder is clamped in position by rotating the cam such that the low lobe contacts the thicker gel slab holder. Gel slab holders having different thicknesses are accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventors: Joel Helfer, James McGuffick
  • Patent number: 6942775
    Abstract: A plugging medium is used to block the bottom opening of cassettes for vertical electrophoresis in order to facilitate filling the cassettes with separation media. Cassettes can be filled within a vertical electrophoresis system in which electrophoresis is conducted without further manipulation of the cassettes. The system includes a frame assembly mounted on a base containing a basin for plugging solution. The cassette is mounted to the frame assembly in a substantially vertical position such that a bottom opening of the empty cassette resides below the rim of the basin. The plugging solution (e.g. agarose gel) forms a plug within the bottom of the cassette to contain the separation medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Owl Separation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory S. Fox
  • Patent number: 6936150
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented that facilitate electrophoresis of prior-cast, hydratable separation media, usefully immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips. The method exploits the swelling of prior-cast, hydratable separation media upon rehydration to help lodge the media in an enclosing member that permits spaced electrical communication with the enclosed separation media. The electrical communication permits a voltage gradient to be established in the enclosed separation medium sufficient to effect separation of analytes therein. Cassettes, buffer cores, electrophoresis systems and kits are presented for effecting the methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Invitrogen Corporation
    Inventors: Regina D. Rooney, Bradley S. Scott, Joseph W. Amshey, Thomas R. Jackson, Sheldon Engelhorn
  • Patent number: 6921471
    Abstract: A gel process plate is formed of a base member with a plurality of concave portions, and a lid member with a plurality of convex portions. Each concave portion has a bottom surface provided with holes for allowing a liquid to pass therethrough. Each convex portion has a height less than a depth of the concave portion of the base member, and a top surface with holes for allowing the liquid to pass therethrough. The convex portions are disposed at portions corresponding to the concave portions of the base member to fit the concave portions. When the base member and the lid member are assembled, a space is defined between the bottom surface of the concave portion and the top surface of the convex portion to hold a piece, i.e. gel piece, therein for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Ryo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6878257
    Abstract: An improved cassette for use in the formation of an electrophoretic gel comprises two plates with substantially planar walls having two sides and two ends so arranged in a side by side spaced apart array to form a gel receiving space between them. A plurality of dividing ribs on one or each of the walls extend from a first end of the wall or walls substantially parallel to at least one of the sides thereof to a rib base end. The ribs extend into the space so as to subdivide at least one end of the space into a plurality of substantially parallel wells. A plurality of holes extend through at least one of the walls of the cassette located at or adjacent the base of the dividing rib and aligned with the rib. The arrangement of holes allow sufficient current flow to replace that lost due to the dividing ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Gradipore Limited
    Inventors: Howard Pericles Manusu, Shaun Atchison
  • Patent number: 6869514
    Abstract: Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Evelio Perez, George Fernwood
  • Patent number: 6837977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a capillary electrophoresis-based method of screening complex materials for any unidentified affinity ligand that binds to a target of interest. The method subjects a plug of a mixture of the target and a complex material sample, and a separate plug of a known, tight-binding competitive ligand, to capillary electrophoresis under conditions optimized to allow mingling of the two plugs during the capillary electrophoresis run. Preferably, migration of the competitive ligand is tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Cetek Corporation
    Inventors: Yuriy M. Dunayevskiy, Dallas E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20040195103
    Abstract: In the present innovations on vertical slab gel electrophoresis cell and method, 6 embodiments embodied 3 different mechanisms for urging the cassettes to abut the upper buffer chamber, every of them has its merit; a dual-gel cell allows not to block up the other side opening when one gel runs in it; all cassettes are formed by rectangular sidewalls and fringed spacer strips, but still can form a U-notched upper opening with even rim for every cassette, 2 kind cassettes can undergo the gel casting within the electrophoresis cell, other 2 kind cassettes can form an unlimited cassette/UBC complex; a cooling device needs not exogenous coolant; disclosed 4 convenient methods can snugly encase almost all kind cassettes into membrane pouches for perform homogeneous or gradient gel casting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Deming Zhou
  • Patent number: 6783648
    Abstract: An apparatus for expressing and unloading an isoelectric focusing gel from an electrophoresis gel tube includes a first support for supporting the gel tube, a plunger rod and a second support for supporting the plunger rod. The first support is mounted on a movable carriage and is moved toward the second support so that the gel tube slides onto the plunger rod to unload the gel from the gel tube. A plurality of gel tubes can be mounted in a rack and the rack coupled to the first support. The first support preferably includes a plurality of openings oriented with the gel tubes for guiding a respective plunger rod through the axial passage of the gel tubes. In preferred embodiments, the second support supporting the plunger rods is substantially stationary while the first support moves toward the second support so that the gel tubes slide onto the plunger rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Large Scale Proteomics Corporation
    Inventors: N. Leigh Anderson, Jack Goodman
  • Publication number: 20040140215
    Abstract: In pre-cast slab gel cassettes, the formation of pathways in which proteins can migrate between the gel and the walls of the cassette to form shadow bands is avoided by including a nonionic amphiphilic polymer in the monomer solution from which the gel is formed and casting the gel with the polymer included. The nonionic amphiphilic polymer also prevents the resulting gel from sticking to the walls when the gel is to be removed from the cassette after electrophoresis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: BIO-RAD LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventor: Cory M. Panattoni
  • Publication number: 20040035704
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the on-site generation of gas of relatively small quantities of a halogen gas, preferably chlorine gas. The apparatus has at least one electrolytic cell having an anolyte section and a catholyte section. At least one of these sections is connected, by fluid conduits, to a fluid heater which heats an electrolyte solution prior to its ingress into the section. Heating also facilitates circulation of the electrolyte solution through the apparatus by means of a thermosyphon effect. The heating element is, in turn, connected to an electrolyte replenishment means. The apparatus includes at least one gas separator which separates gas produced in the electrolytic cell from electrolyte solution. The apparatus lacks a reservoir for the storage of electrolyte solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: John Kohler
  • Patent number: 6682641
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoresis cassette to cast electrophoresis gels and to separate and analyze molecular components by electrophoresis. The electrophoresis cassette comprises a top plate assembly, a spacer and a bottom plate. The top plate assembly is seated to the bottom plate with the spacer there between to define a thickness of the electrophoresis cassette and to seal an outer perimeter of the assembly. The top plate assembly includes a cathode reservoir connected to a first terminal end of a central plate, and an anode reservoir connected to a second terminal end of the central plate. When the electrophoresis cassette is assembled, the cathode and anode reservoirs are in alignment with the first and second terminal ends of the central plate to facilitate formation of leak-proof seals between the reservoirs and the assembly components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: MJ Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Finney, Daniel E. Sullivan, Bruce R. Turner, Alexis Vira, Peter B. Vander Horn, Charles P. Andre, Sean Rubin, Corey Nislow, John R. Linton, William D. Bowers
  • Patent number: 6652724
    Abstract: An automated high-throughput system for excising spots or samples from an electrophoresis slab gel includes a computer controlled robotic arm assembly and a sample plate handling assembly for supplying a sample plate to a loading station. The computer is connected to a scanner and imaging device to identify selected sample locations on the slab gel and to direct the robotic arm to the selected locations for excising the gel spots. The cutting assembly includes a removable tray for supporting the slab gel during the cutting process and is coupled to the automated sample plate handling assembly. The sample plate handling assembly delivers a multiwell plate to the cutting assembly for receiving the gel spots. The removable tray cooperates with a scanner for identifying protein spots and includes a positioning device to position the tray in the scanner and the cutting assembly in selected locations to coordinate the scanned image with the cutting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Large Scale Proteomics Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Michael, Jack Goodman, N. Leigh Anderson
  • Patent number: 6592735
    Abstract: A machine for sequencing DNA using optical techniques. A sample is loaded in the sample loading area, and place through DNA sequencing gel. The voltage across the reservoir may be increased by improving the cooling and thermal characteristics of the gel device. Preferably materials are used which have at least half and preferably a fifth the thermal transfer characteristics of glass. The materials can also be thin e.g. 50-100 microns. A heat sink can be used to dissipate more of the heat, and a fan can be directed at the heat sink. Moreover, the material can be flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Joseph T. Meier, Steven M. Clark, Charles F. Spence
  • Patent number: 6582577
    Abstract: An electrophoresis cassette is made from two substrates separated by spacers, and a one-piece molded plastic edge adapter. The edge adapter provides the contoured edge to facilitate sample loading, and because it is made from molded plastic is easier to make. Furthermore, the edge adapter has vertically extending arms which define the sides of the loading region and which, when glued to the back substrate, prevent leakage of buffer solution from the region surrounding the electrophoresis origin. In one variation, a groove in the bottom edge of the edge adapter receives the top edge of the front substrate to further define the position of the edge adapter in relation to the substrate. Vertical divider fins may optionally be formed on the contoured surface of the edge adapter. These divider fins define loading wells for the introduction of sample into the lanes of the electrophoresis gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Visible Genetics Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Izmailov
  • Patent number: 6576106
    Abstract: A method for separating and assaying lipoprotain to determine a degree of modification of a predetermined component in a specimen of lipoprotein, comprising the step of: determining a distance “a” from an application point of the standard sample to a fraction corresponding to the predetermined lipoprotein using an electrophoretic pattern obtained by electrophoresis of a standard sample; determining a distance “b” from the application point of the specimen to a fraction corresponding to the predetermined lipoprotein using electrophoretic pattern obtained by electrophoresis of a specimen; comparing the distance “a” and the distance “b” to determine a relative mobility “z(=b/a)” of the specimen to the standard sample, wherein the degree of modification of the predetermined component in the specimen being judged on the basis of the relative mobility “z”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Helena Laboratories Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tokiya Nakazato
  • Publication number: 20030089607
    Abstract: Methods of use, accessories and chambers, optimal for performing Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) of DNA molecules in ‘Contour Clamped Homogeneous Electric Field’ (CHEF) and ‘Transversal Alternating Field Electrophoresis’ (TAFE) systems, are provided herein. DNA molecules are rapidly separated in the minigels of these chambers. The sizes of chambers and accessories are determined by the separation between the opposite polarity electrodes; which is comprised between 6, 2 and 15 cm. Reproducibility of molecule separation is achieved because the accessories warrant homogeneous electric resistance in the buffer and minigels. Chambers allow a high-throughput sample format using the reagents efficiently. It is attained excluding the non-useful electrophoresis zones For a better optimization, TAFE chambers have several useful electrophoresis zones (UEZ), each carrying a minigel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Ana Maria Rivern Rojas, Lilia Lpez Cnova, Oscar Arencibia Daz, Jose Alfredo Herrera Isidrn, Gabriel Prez Prez, Esther Orozco Orozco, Carlos Alberto Cnino Ramos, Luis Mariano Batista Santiler, Regnar Gigato Prez, Leonardo Ruiz Esquivel, Maria Dolores Noa Blanco, Elisa Javert Higginson
  • Patent number: 6558521
    Abstract: A packaging arrangement is disclosed for protecting an electrophoresis gel from damage during shipment and storage. The package arrangement includes first and second sheets that are sealed about their respective edges to form an enclosed cavity. The cavity is at least partially evacuated of air. An electrophoresis gel is located within the cavity. A support sheet may be disposed between the electrophoresis gel and the package to facilitate removal of the gel and to further stiffen the package. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of electrophoresis gels are disposed within the cavity. Each gel is preferably separated from adjacent gels by a spacer. In another embodiment of the invention, the gel is disposed within a tray which, in turn, is located within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: CBM Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary S. Riley, Richard Provonchee
  • Patent number: 6544395
    Abstract: Novel apparatuses and methods for depositing or placing substances on substrates or plates are described. The invention relates to automated and semiautomated apparatuses and methods for controlled volume and precise placement of substances on substrates. Combinations of applicator tips, applicator tip assemblies, applicator reservoirs, applicator holders and movable racks precisely and accurately place samples and testing chemicals on substrates. Applicator tips particularly useful for dunk transfer and deposit processes and for carrying substances are disclosed. Apparatuses for precisely moving applicator holders, applicator reservoirs and tips are disclosed. The methods and apparatuses also have features for pre-loading substances on applicators and applicator reservoirs and precisely delivering the preloaded substances to substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Helena Laboratories Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Merchant, Philip A. Guadagno, Robert J. Sarrine, Suzan Robinson, James Robert Markus Sanford, Henry Garsee, Eric H. Petersen, Tipton L. Golias
  • Publication number: 20030057095
    Abstract: An electrophoresis separator of which a receiving tank used for placing therein carriers has slots on the two sides thereof, one side of each carrier has a notch matching with a corresponding slot; so that when the carrier is inserted in the receiving tank, a blocking piece provided at the bottom of the receiving tank covers the bottom of the carrier and the crevice between the notch and the receiving tank; and a blocking sheet is inserted into the slot and notch. The blocking sheet can be removed from the slot and notch after the gel in the carrier is fixed and shaped, then the gel can contact the electric conducting liquid in the electrophoresis tank through the slot and notch; the other end of the gel body will contact the electric conducting liquid through an upper opening of the carrier directly. When electrodes are activated, electric current floating is resulted to cause an effect of molecule separation and analysis for the sample in the gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Wealtec Enterprise Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hui-Wan Chen
  • Publication number: 20030038030
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, apparatus and kits for integrally labeling polymeric gels, such as polyacrylamide and agarose gels, with indicia that can serve, inter alia, unambiguously to identify the individual gel, using polymeric film labeled with detectable indicia and coated with materials that bond to the gel matrix as the gel polymerizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Invitrogen
    Inventors: Joseph W. Amshey, Allen Bautista
  • Patent number: 6524866
    Abstract: The invention relates to capillary electrophoretic methods for detecting ligands or hit compounds that can bind to a selected target at or above a selected binding strength. The method allows one to rank various ligands based on their relative affinity, i.e., the relative stability of the target/ligand complex during capillary electrophoresis under selected conditions. The method also enables selective detection of strong-to-moderate binding hit compounds, even in the presence of high concentrations of weaker, competitive hit compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Cetek Corporation
    Inventors: Dallas E. Hughes, James L. Waters, Yuriy M. Dunayevskiy
  • Publication number: 20030015426
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented that facilitate electrophoresis of prior-cast, hydratable separation media, usefully immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips. The method exploits the swelling of prior-cast, hydratable separation media upon rehydration to help lodge the media in an enclosing member that permits spaced electrical communication with the enclosed separation media. The electrical communication permits a voltage gradient to be established in the enclosed separation medium sufficient to effect separation of analytes therein. Cassettes, buffer cores, electrophoresis systems and kits are presented for effecting the methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Regina D. Rooney, Bradley S. Scott, Joseph W. Amshey, Thomas R. Jackson, Sheldon Engelhorn