With Treatment Or Replacement Of Aspirator Element (e.g., Cleaning, Etc.) Patents (Class 436/49)
  • Patent number: 7153689
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for cleaning and priming a droplet dispensing device having a plurality of nozzles aligned in at least one row. A dispensing surface of the dispensing device comprising the nozzles is sealingly engaged to form a chamber adjacent the dispensing surface. A wash fluid is introduced into the chamber and removed from the chamber. A priming vacuum is applied individually, and preferably, simultaneously, to at least a portion of the plurality of the nozzles. Optionally, a wash fluid is subsequently introduced into the chamber and removed from the chamber to rinse the dispensing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent T. Tolosko, Allen C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7115386
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for carrying out in an optimized and automated manner immunological marking techniques for thin-sectioned tissue (2b). A support plate (1) which can be automatically moved by means of a computer-controlled conveying device (20) and on which several thin sections of tissue (2b) are placed on small metal screens (2) is immersed like a die into a liquid that is composed of a washing or marking solution (6) and is placed in several recesses (5) within an object support (4). The object support can also be automatically moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbH
    Inventor: George Posthuma
  • Patent number: 7097981
    Abstract: The present invention relates mainly to reaction vessels, to sets of such vessels for automatic immunological assay apparatuses, to automatic immunological assay apparatuses making use of such sets of vessels, and to a method implementing sets of such vessels. According to the present invention, photometric detection is implemented of the luminescence of a reaction mixture found in a reaction vessel, the apparatus and/or the vessel guaranteeing light-tightness so as to prevent entry of external light falsifying the measurement. Advantageously, sets of vessels in accordance with the present invention are made out of a material that is opaque. The present invention is particularly applicable to detecting the presence of a chemical or a biological substance in a sample. The present invention applies mainly to medical analysis and research.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Biomerieux
    Inventors: Thierry Gicquel, Edouard Lentwojt
  • Patent number: 7011792
    Abstract: A plurality of analyzer units for serum, a plurality of analyzer units for blood plasma and a plurality of analyzer units for urine are arranged along a main transfer line for transferring a sample rack from a rack providing portion to a rack storage portion. A reagent bottle for inspecting liver function is contained in each reagent delivery mechanism of two analyzer units among the plurality of analyzer units for serum. When the reagent for inspecting liver function in one of the two analyzer units is to be short, analysis for the liver function analysis item to samples can be continued by transferring a sample rack from the rack providing portion to the other analyzer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Mimura, Hiroshi Mitsumaki, Tadashi Ohishi, Taku Sakazume
  • Patent number: 7010448
    Abstract: A system for mitigating instrumentation differences in laboratory instruments includes one or more groups of laboratory instruments in communication with a normalization server over a network. Each group of instruments communicates output data to the normalization server which then presents normalized data to the groups of laboratory instruments. Various exemplary embodiments of the system and associated methods are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Yundt-Pacheco
  • Patent number: 7010446
    Abstract: A system for mitigating instrumentation differences in laboratory instruments includes one or more groups of laboratory instruments in communication with a normalization server over a network. Each group of instruments communicates output data to the normalization server which then presents normalized data to the groups of laboratory instruments. Various exemplary embodiments of the system and associated methods are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Yundt-Pacheco
  • Patent number: 6984527
    Abstract: A method for automatically operating a sample handling system and associated analyzers to conduct assays on a number of patient samples by comparing the assays to be conducted with a set of assay defined rules, subdividing the analyzers into analyzers which are in compliance with the assay defined rules and analyzers not in compliance with the set of assay defined rules; thereafter, operating the system to supply patient samples to analyzers in compliance or operating the system so as to bring at least one analyzer into compliance with the assay defined rules and supplying patient samples to such an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Dade Behring Inc.
    Inventor: Kerry Lynn Miller
  • Patent number: 6979425
    Abstract: A high capacity microarrayer for spotting solution onto slides in an automated microarray dispensing device. A microplate indexing device automatically moves, in sequence, a plurality of microplates to a solution removal area. A dispense head accesses each microplate at the solution removal area to remove solution from the microplate. The dispense head then moves to a slide positioning station to spot slides at the slide positioning station. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microplate indexing station has at least one input stacking chamber for stacking microplates, and at least one output stacking chamber for stacking microplates. A walking beam indexer is disposed between the at least one input stacking chamber and the at least one output stacking chamber. The walking beam indexer is for moving microplates from said at least one input stacking chamber to said at least one output stacking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: RoboDesign International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Ganz, Mandel W. Mickley, John Andrew Moulds, Chritopher T. Brovold
  • Patent number: 6924152
    Abstract: Sample sampling to an analysis apparatus 200 or 820 for analyzing a biochemical analysis item is performed by a pipetting device 202 or 840 which uses a repetitively used pipette nozzle, and sample sampling to an analysis apparatus 100 or 810 for analyzing an immune analysis item is performed by a pipetting device 102 or 830 which uses a disposable nozzle tip. A sample bottle containing a sample to be analyzed on both of a biochemical analysis item and an immune analysis item is sample-pipetted by the nozzle tip first, and then transported so as to be sample-pipetted by the pipette nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Matsubara, Kyoko Imai, Ryuji Tao
  • Patent number: 6890485
    Abstract: A high throughput chemical handling system includes a chemical storage module, a transport module, and one or more liquid handling modules. The transport module may implement parallel chemical transport, and the system may include a plurality of asynchronously operable liquid handling modules coupled to the parallel transport module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Aurora Discovery, Inc.
    Inventors: Chari Stylli, Samuel S. Beckey, Christopher Bentley Shumate, Peter J. Coassin
  • Patent number: 6881579
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for processing samples on the surface of supports that are contained in support housings. Biopolymer features are attached to the surfaces of the supports. An apparatus comprises an input element, a holding device for holding a plurality of support housings, one or more fluid dispensing stations, and an output element. Each of the support housings contains a support having attached thereto a plurality of biopolymer features. The holding device is movably mounted with respect to other components of the apparatus. The holding device is adapted to receive a support housing from the input element. The output element is adapted to receive a support housing from the holding device. The apparatus is adapted to index each support housing for a predetermined operation. In use, each of the support housings is moved to one or more processing stations by means of the movable holding device. The location and identity of each of the support housings is indexed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard O. Hilson, Edward P. Donlon, Donald J. Schremp, Laurence R. Shea, Carol T. Schembri, Joseph P. Fredrick
  • Patent number: 6878554
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically sensing the presence (or absence) of spot dispensers such as pins in various possible mounting locations in the printhead of a microarray spotting instrument. Pin-location data obtained by the method and apparatus is provided to the computer controller of the instrument, which uses the data to control the motion of the printhead during operation of the instrument. A pin detection apparatus includes one or more sensor elements that automatically sense possible pin locations in the printhead for the presence of pins. The sensor elements are preferably arranged in an array corresponding to the array of pin locations in the printhead so that pin detection at each pin location can be performed simultaneously. Various types of sensor elements can be used to locate pins in a printhead. For example, sensors can be used that are remote from or attached to a printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: PerkinElmer LAS, Inc.
    Inventors: Mack J. Schermer, C. Brian Candiloro
  • Patent number: 6869571
    Abstract: A device (1) for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples having a pump (2), which comprises a cylindrical chamber (3), a piston (4) movable in this cylindrical chamber, and a piston drive (5) engaging on the piston. The device additionally comprises a pulse generator (6), which effects dispensing of samples from a liquid by generating pressure waves in this liquid and a tip (8) connected via a line (7) with the cylindrical chamber (3), with the piston drive (5) comprising a first drive (9) and a second drive (10), implemented as a pulse generator (6). Such a device comprises a channel (27) for rinsing or flushing the cylindrical chamber (3), with the channel (27) discharging into the cylindrical chamber (3). Furthermore, the invention also concerns systems with, for example, 384 or more such devices that are arranged in an array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Tecan Trading AG
    Inventors: Nikolaus Ingenhoven, Noa Schmid, Stefano Fornito
  • Patent number: 6852288
    Abstract: This device is directed at filling multiple receptacles without losing integrity of the system. It is also directed at receiving a (sealed) container of receptacles (opened or stopper/closed), opening an access into the sealed container, retrieving receptacles, filling those receptacles, stoppering the receptacles after filling and ejecting the receptacles, either directly into the outside environment or into a closable sack or container, in the latter case while maintaining the integrity of the environment within the device and, if desirable, the sack or closed container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: NL Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Newberg
  • 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: 20040265185
    Abstract: In order to prevent the opening of the dispensing head from being blocked, the liquid pipetting apparatus having the strengthened washing capability is provided. A liquid pipetting apparatus for sucking and discharging a minute amount of liquid, comprising, has first opening 54 for sucking and discharging liquid at one end and second opening 45a for draining the liquid at an another end. The apparatus comprises a dispensing head 2 for holding the liquid inside thereof, washing tanks 7, 8 for holding cleaning solution to wash the inside of the dispensing head 2, and a head inside washing means for washing inside of the dispensing head, by sucking the cleaning solution from the opening 46a, under the state of soaking the one end of the dispensing head 2 in washing tanks 7 and 8 and for dispensing sucked cleaning solution from the opening 46a (for example, the decompressing tank 22 and the vacuum pump 25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideya Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20040241865
    Abstract: The invention is directed to cleaning of micro- and mini-reactors for controlled process management and for avoiding blockages on carrying out chemical reactions and physical processes. The invention is characterized in that the micro- or mini-reactor is cleaned by means of a controlled pressure increase with a subsequent sudden release or with a gas pressure surge in a cyclical manner or using a controller. Wall deposits formed from solid material(s) involved in the chemical synthesis or the physical process are thus almost completely removed such that, after the cleaning procedure, the initial operating pressure can be set in the micro- or mini-reactor. A blockage of the micro- or mini-reactor can thus be avoided and the transferring of said production method to the production scale with micro- or mini-reactors is possible for the first time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Gabski, Ruediger Winter, Christian Wille
  • Patent number: 6797518
    Abstract: A system for detecting and analyzing patient sample quality and/or analytes, while the sample is in the metering tip used to aspirate the sample liquid from an original patient sample container, and also to dispense the liquid onto a slide test element. Spectrophotometric analysis may be done on the sample liquid while it is still in the tip which has been converted into a cuvette. One technique for such analysis is by scanning the cuvette for transmittance in a light-tight enclosure. Near-infrared and adjacent visible radiation may be used, and the absorption spectra of the liquid detected and analyzed. A possible aspect of the present invention relates to enhancing throughput of an analyzer by conducting a sample quality measurement in a process that is parallel to the main analyzer timing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrit N. Jacobs, James D. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6794193
    Abstract: A method of assaying a specimen, comprising: preparing (i) a specimen, (ii) a liquid cell in which a liquid used for assaying a component in the specimen, such as a liquid reagent or a liquid diluent, is to be contained, and (iii) a mixing cell wherein the specimen and the liquid are mixed; supplying a liquid reagent into the liquid cell in an amount exceeding the amount required in the assay; pipetting a portion of the specimen and a portion of the liquid into the mixing cell using a pipetting tip; and washing the pipetting tip with the liquid remaining in the liquid cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventor: Koji Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20040175833
    Abstract: An automatic sampler comprises a first rinsing bath for rinsing the needle by soaking the needle in a rinsing liquid, in which the rinsing liquid is reserved, and a second rinsing bath for rinsing the needle by soaking the needle in a rinsing liquid, in which the rinsing liquid is exchanged during the rinsing operation. The first rinsing bath and the second rinsing bath are selectively employed for the purpose of use. That is, when a high rinsing power is required, such as when cross contamination is prevented, the second rinsing bath having higher rinsing power is employed. On the other hand, when the throughput is emphasized, the first rinsing bath is employed to rinse the needle in a shorter time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 6764650
    Abstract: A rack transportation assembly having a projecting member projecting forward is fixed onto a floor by a plurality of adjusters so that its rack transportation surface is brought to a desired level. The projecting member has a first reference surface facing upward. A treatment unit structure having a rack transferring area has a second reference surface in its lower surface. The treatment unit structure is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly under a condition that the second reference surface is lifted upward using height-adjustable casters so as to not become higher than the first reference surface. Then, the treatment unit structure is lowered so that the second reference surface is mounted onto the first reference surface, and a height in the front side of the treatment unit structure is adjusted using the plurality of adjusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsushi Takahashi, Hitoshi Tokieda, Toshiyuki Ikeda, Susumu Kai
  • Patent number: 6746648
    Abstract: A new method and system for transporting and sorting multiple reagent packs used in conjunction with an immunodiagnostic instrument is provided. The new system includes a multiplicity of reagent packs; a gantry movably mounted on a rack structure for carrying a gripper mechanism, wherein the gripper mechanism has gripping jaws for engagement with the reagent pack; a power assembly for actuating the respective movement of the gantry, the gripper mechanism and the gripping jaws; a storage nest having a multiplicity of compartments, each adapted for storing a one of the respective reagent packs; and a pipetting nest having a multiplicity of compartment, each adapted for retaining a respective one of the reagent packs for simultaneous pipetting. Methods of using the system and a novel reagent pack used in connection with the new system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mattila, Mark J. Kittock
  • Publication number: 20040106203
    Abstract: A sensor device and method for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid solution are disclosed. The sensor device system can comprise a substrate and an array of free-standing nanowires attached to the substrate. The array can include individual free-standing nanowires wherein each of the individual free-standing nanowires have a first end and a second end. The first end can, in some embodiments, be attached to the substrate and the second end unattached to the substrate. Such individual free-standing nanowires are configured for electrical communication with other individual free-standing nanowires through the first end. A signal measurement apparatus can be electrically coupled to the array of free-standing nanowires for receiving electrical information from the array of free-standing nanowires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: James Stasiak, Paul H. McClelland, David E. Hackleman, Grant Pease, R. Stanley Williams, Kevin Peters
  • Patent number: 6709870
    Abstract: A sample tube of a sampling valve is moved up and down by a cylinder. When the sample tube is moved downward, a sample inlet opposes a stored sample, and the sample can be extracted. When the sample tube is moved upward, the sample inlet opposes a cleaning liquid path. Thus, cleaning liquid is fed into the cleaning liquid path from a cleaning liquid supply port of a cleaning pipe. The cleaning liquid flows within the sample tube from the sample inlet, and flows out from a sample discharge port. Thus, an entire interior of the sample tube can be cleaned. In a sample extracting device using the sampling valve, a state in which no air or impurities are mixed in the sample can always be maintained, such that stable extraction can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoo Suzuki, Takashi Ishikawa, Hirokazu Saito
  • Patent number: 6673317
    Abstract: In order to provide an automatic testing apparatus with improved reliability of test results, capable of conducting automatically such operations as sterile testing, microorganism limit testing, insoluble particulate measurement testing, divided portion testing for chemical analysis and chemical reaction testing, etc., and capable of accommodating changes in the specimen or the test container with each sample as well as changes in operating procedures with each sample so as to eliminate the possibility of human error and prevent contamination of the operating environment by human hands, the automatic testing apparatus of the present invention prepares a sample by mounting a set of various pieces of equipment including the specimen or test containers required to be changed with every sample atop a same work base and providing that work base as a unit to within the operating range of a robot, with the robot then handling the various pieces of equipment atop the work base to prepare the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignees: Kasen Nozzle Mfg. Co., Ltd., Kasen Engineering Corp., Sankyo Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kiyoji Hashimoto, Masanori Matsumoto, Masaru Fujimoto, Mamoru Shiratori, Masato Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20030203494
    Abstract: A method for dynamically determining the volume of a liquid dispensed by a metering system, the metering system including a metering pump, a pump motor, a sensor, and a conduit interconnecting the pump and a metering probe. The method includes the steps of aspirating a quantity of fluid into the metering probe using the metering pump, moving the probe relative to a reaction vessel, and dispensing the fluid. The dispensing step includes the steps of identifying an onset point associated with a parameter which can be measured by the metering system, identifying an end point associated with the measurable parameter, and timing the pump motor during the period between the onset point and the end point in order to determine fluid volume. The sensor, such as a pressure transducer or capacitance change sensor, disposed in relation to the conduit can detect changes in the parameter and identify the onset and end points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: David D. Hyde, Joseph S. Douglas
  • Patent number: 6635488
    Abstract: An automated analyzer which analyzes a sample which might have been affected by carryover, judges the effect of carryover from the analytical value, and indicates the result. The automated analyzer also performs analysis on a specific inspection item necessary for a sample which might have been affected by carryover from its preceding sample and modifies the result of analysis of said sample according to the analytical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michihiro Saito, Koshin Tagami
  • Patent number: 6623697
    Abstract: Analysis device for analyzing samples, in particular of body liquids, with respect to components contained therein. It comprises a plurality of liquid handling (LH) stations. At at least a part of the LH stations there is a production of liquid waste whereby said LH-station form liquid waste sources. The liquid waste is evacuated, with at least one pump, from the liquid waste sources, with different proportions of air, via a liquid waste conducting system, into a liquid waste container. A substantial reduction of foam production is obtained by connecting at least two liquid waste sources to the liquid waste container via at least two liquid waste lines leading separately into the liquid waste container, whereas liquid waste sources with a higher average air proportion are connected to a first liquid waste line and liquid waste sources with a lower average air proportion are connected to a second liquid waste line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventors: Otto Fuerst, Paul Jansen, Thomas Jaeck
  • Publication number: 20030147778
    Abstract: Disclosed is to improve the reliability of and lower the cost for an automatic analyzing apparatus for analyzing a biological sample such as urine or blood, by integrating the mechanisms of a dispenser and an agitator to reduce the number of parts. In an automatic analyzing apparatus of the type for analyzing a sample by dispensing the sample and a reagent into a reaction container and by agitating and mixing the sample and the reagent, an agitating motor head is mounted on a sampling arm so that the sampling mechanism is also used as an agitating arm turning mechanism and a vertical moving mechanism. Water for cleaning the reaction container is injected by a reagent dispensing probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Katsuaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6599477
    Abstract: A chemically analyzing apparatus includes a plurality of reaction containers, a reaction container holder for holding the plurality of reaction containers and for supplying a sample and reagent at predetermined positions, a plurality of reagent containers for holding reagent adapted to be supplied into the reaction containers, a reagent container holder provided above the reaction container holder, for holding the plurality of reagent containers, a measuring part for measuring physical properties of the sample, a liquid feed mechanism provided in a lower part of each of the plurality of reagent containers, for supplying a predetermined quantity of reagent from each of the reagent container into the associated reaction containers by means of the liquid feed mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Miyake, Akira Koide, Takeo Takagi, Takao Terayama, Yasushi Nomura, Hiroshi Mitsumaki
  • Patent number: 6592825
    Abstract: A microvolume liquid handling system includes a microdispenser employing a piezoelectric transducer attached to a glass capillary, a positive displacement pump for priming and aspirating transfer liquid into the microdispenser, controlling the pressure of the liquid system, and washing the microdispenser between liquid transfers, and a pressure sensor to measure the liquid system pressure and produce a corresponding electrical signal. Dispensing of a single sub-nanoliter drop can be detected in real time. As the result of dispensing the liquid in sub-nanoliter droplets, the dispensed volume can be precisely controlled. The dispenser automatically detects the liquid surface of the transfer liquid, automatically aspirate, analyze desired volume of the transfer liquid, dispense the transfer liquid without contacting the destination vessel or its contents, and automatically wash off the transfer liquid from dispensing system after each transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Packard Instrument Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Pelc, Nicholas S. Chibucos, Roeland F. Papen, Wilhelm Meyer
  • Publication number: 20030104632
    Abstract: A method for preparing a cold water infusing leaf tea. Green tea leaves are macerated, treated with tannase, fermented in the presence of hydrogen peroxide in an amount that is sufficient to activate endogenous peroxidases to oxidize gallic acid and other compounds that are liberated by the tannase treatment, and then dried. The final product is a black leaf tea that infuses in hot or cold water to give good flavor and color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Lipton, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher William Goodsall, Timothy Graham Jones, Joseph Kipsiele Mitei, Andrew David Parry, Richard Safford, Ambalavanar Thiru
  • Patent number: 6572824
    Abstract: An automated system for preparing a plurality of cytological specimens from a plurality of fluid samples in vials includes an apparatus for collecting a monolayer of cells from each sample and transferring the cells to a microscope slide for fixing, staining, and inspection. The system includes a first loading station for receiving the sample vials, a second loading station for receiving consumables such as filter membranes, a slide dispenser, and an unloading area for removing completed specimen slides. To maintain one-to-one correlation between the samples and specimens produced therefrom, the system includes a subsystem for identifying each sample and permanently marking each slide with corresponding indicia prior to transferring the specimen thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Roy A. Ostgaard, Lewis A. Capriccio, Theodore S. Geiselman, Robert E. Jennings, Bruce Levkoff, Edward O'Connell, Douglas A. Tenney, Hugh Vartanian
  • Patent number: 6562298
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed relate to determination of an item of interest in a sample. One embodiment relates to a structure which comprises a process path. The process path comprises a process lane including a process step performance lane where a process step is performed, and a process step avoidance lane where the process step is avoided. A first prime mover is operatively connected with the process path for moving a container holding the sample along the process path. A first pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing the sample to the container. A second pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing a reagent to the container. A device is operatively connected with the process path and is selectively engagable with the container for mixing the sample and the reagent in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: David C. Arnquist, Grady Barnes, III, Richard D. Button, Chadwick M. Dunn, Richard C. East, Jr., Patrick P. Fritchie, Charles M. Galitz, Gregory E. Gardner, Cass J. Grandone, Robert C. Gray, James T. Holen, Robert P. Luoma, II, Jimmy D. McCoy, James E. Mitchell, Adrian John Murray, David W. Murray, Jack F. Ramsey, Neal T. Sleszynski, Julius J. Toth
  • Patent number: 6562299
    Abstract: An automated system for preparing a plurality of cytological specimens from a plurality of fluid samples in vials includes an apparatus for collecting a monolayer of cells from each sample and transferring the cells to a microscope slide for fixing, staining, and inspection. The system includes a first loading station for receiving the sample vials, a second loading station for receiving consumables such as filter membranes, a slide dispenser, and an unloading area for removing completed specimen slides. To maintain one-to-one correlation between the samples and specimens produced therefrom, the system includes a subsystem for identifying each sample and permanently marking each slide with corresponding indicia prior to transferring the specimen thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Cytyc Corporation
    Inventors: Roy A. Ostgaard, Theodore S. Geiselman
  • Patent number: 6551833
    Abstract: A sample handling method, in which the information on the sample to be examined is transferred throughout the entire measuring process by transferring the sample cup. The sample cups are handled in two independently operating drums, in which case at least two different handling phases can be carried out simultaneously in the measuring device. The diagnostic measuring device comprises a cassette drum, on the circumference of which the sample cup cassettes containing sample cups have been placed. The sample cup is fed to the first handling drum, which is simultaneously an incubation drum. After that the sample cup is transferred to a second handling drum, where washing, drying, measuring and discharge of the sample cup are carried out. The drums have been placed near each other, overlapping so that the transfers of the sample cup can be performed directly from one drum to another by means of transfer plungers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Innotrac Diagnostics Oy
    Inventors: Kauko Lehtinen, Tom Javen, Vesa Sonne, Aarne Heinonen, Mika Routamaa
  • Patent number: 6544476
    Abstract: When the operation function of an automatic analyzer is allowed to use, all selection buttons respectively provided in corresponding to a plurality of operation functions being grouped are displayed on a predetermined area of a CRT display. In this case, the button corresponding to the operation function allowed to be used for a particular operator is indicated by the color representing accessible, while the button corresponding to the operation function not allowed to be used for the particular operator is indicated by the color representing not-accessible. When the button corresponding to the accessible operation function is selected, the subclass operation function screens relating to the selected operation function are displayed in a hierarchy fashion or a multi-layer fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Mimura, Taku Sakazume, Atsushi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6537817
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the interior of capillary tubes used to dispense 1 to 100 micron diameter liquid droplets by a piezoelectric transducer surrounding each capillary tube. Magnetic particles are aspirated into the capillary tubes and moved by an exterior magnet to cause deposits on the interior walls to be dislodged and subsequently discharged from the capillary tube. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic particles are coated with a material capable of binding such deposits, e.g., DNA, RNA, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Packard Instrument Company
    Inventor: Roeland F. Papen
  • Patent number: 6534019
    Abstract: An automated chemical synthesizer includes a reaction vessel and a collection vessel. A passage block in which the passage is formed and which is provided between the reaction vessel and the collection vessel when the collection vessel is connected to the reaction vessel in a collection position. The passage includes a discharging hole and a connecting hole which is provided to correspond to the collection vessel. The collection vessel contacts the passage block around the connecting hole. The passage block includes upper and lower plates. A lower portion of the connecting hole formed in the lower plate has a size such that a top portion of the collection vessel fits into the lower portion. An upper portion of the connecting hole formed in the upper plate has a size such that a top portion of the collection vessel contacts the upper plate around the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Inoue
  • Patent number: 6531096
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for opening a vial lid with respect to its respective container includes the lid having a tamper evident tape applied over a top surface of the lid with the ends of the tape being adhered against the outer side walls of the vial container below a juncture of the lid and the container outer wall. The tape has a score on each side in the area adjacent to the juncture. The apparatus includes a device for opening the lid by lifting the lid with respect to the container by a sufficient elevation to ensure that the tape score is substantially completely separated. A second device places a downwardly depending flange of the lid in an overlapped position with respect to an upper end wall of the container after the lid has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Capitol Vial, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Deveney, Ralph J. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20030027345
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid handling system capable of automated dispensing and reformatting operations by virtue of a quick-release cannula array mounting system that permits cannula arrays to be changed automatically by the system or manually by a user. Automated changing of the cannula array is carried out by relative movement of the dispensing head and the sample support surface to deliver the attached cannula array to a storage location, releasing the array from the dispensing head, and attaching a new cannula array. Relative movement between the dispensing head and sample support surface in at least two dimensions increases flexibility of the system and makes self-loading of the cannula array practical. The system provides advantages in time and accuracy of cannula array changeover procedures. The automated cannula array changeover capability permits automated wellplate reformatting procedures, which can be performed quickly and accurately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: David R. Friswell, Raymond Dunlap, George Grubner, Enrique Bernal
  • Publication number: 20030026732
    Abstract: An automated workstation capable of continuous, non-stop processing of specimens includes an environmentally controlled storage area that holds multiple cassettes containing specimen plates. A robotic arm for processing the specimens, e.g., by grasping the plates, moving them from the cassettes to other apparatus contained within the workstation, and placing the plates back in the cassettes. An interlock mechanism prevents the operator and robotic arm from simultaneously accessing a cassette. Novel robotic arms, robotic arm positioning mechanisms, plate handling mechanisms, effector tip/plate washing mechanisms, thin-walled pipetters, back-flushing mechanisms and fluid level detection mechanisms, as well as methods for operating the same, facilitate continuous operation of the workstation along with compactness, high throughput and high accuracy of operation. Narrow, thin-walled capillary-like pipetters serve as both means for acquiring and processing small quantity specimens with high precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Steven J. Gordon, Anthony J. Christopher, Alex G. Liberman, Richard J. Keane, Kenneth M. Caron, Hani M. Sallum, Jayanth Prabhakar
  • Publication number: 20030022380
    Abstract: A clinical analyzer for determining the presence or amount of an analyte in a sample includes at least one reagent supply and at least one reaction containment device for containing a volume of sample and a volume of said at least one reagent from said at least one reagent supply. A wash-free delivery system introduces reagent into at least one reaction containment device without requiring washing of delivery components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Ortho-Clinical
    Inventors: Raymond Francis Jakubowicz, Michael W. LaCourt, David Angelo Tomasso, James David Shaw
  • Publication number: 20030017604
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for loading tips onto a pipettor. A means for applying removal force on the pipette tip box is provided so as to ensure that the box is dislodged from the pipette tips after the pipette tips have been forced onto the dispense head mandrels. In the preferred embodiment, the shuck arms are modified to incorporate springs such that when the engagement force is removed from the pipette tip box, the shuck arms are forced by the springs against the pipette tip box thereby displacing the pipette tip box from the pipette tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonn Hitch, Rick A. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6509193
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling magnetic particles by a sample distributor and is intended to process a sample liquid with high precision, sensitivity and reliability by arresting magnetic particles to separate them from the liquid and by suspending the magnetic particles in a liquid to mix the magnetic particles with the liquid again. The pipette portion of this invention has a front end portion, a reservoir portion, a liquid passage connecting the front end portion and the reservoir portion, and a separation region in the liquid passage that is subjected to a magnetic field. The pipette portion of this construction draws in or discharges a liquid for processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Precision System Science Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideji Tajima
  • Patent number: 6500388
    Abstract: An automatically analyzing apparatus includes a plurality of reaction containers for reacting a sample with a reagent, and a reaction container washing unit for washing the reaction containers through a plurality of washing steps. The reaction container washing unit includes a plurality of storage parts in each of which washing liquid containing therein reacted substance is reserved. The plurality of storage parts are sorted with different reacted substance concentrations. A supply part of the reaction container washing unit selects washing liquid of a desired reacted substance concentration among the plurality of storage parts in accordance with respective washing conditions of the reaction containers and supplies the selected washing liquid into the reaction containers for washing the respective reaction containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Ryo Miyake, Masaharu Nishida, Takeshi Shibuya, Takao Terayama, Hiroshi Mitsumaki
  • Patent number: 6498037
    Abstract: An analyzer for performing automated assay testing. The analyzer includes a storage and conveyor system for conveying cuvettes to an incubation or processing conveyor, a storage and selection system for test sample containers, a storage and selection system for reagent containers, sample and reagent aspirating and dispensing probes, a separation system for separating bound from unbound tracer or labeled reagent, a detection system and date collection/processing system. All of the subunits of the machine are controlled by a central processing unit to coordinate the activity of all of the subunits of the analyzer. The analyzer is specifically suited for performing heterogeneous binding assay protocols, particularly immunoassays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Glen Carey, Scott C. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6497155
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a particle-retrieval device in accordance with the present teachings includes a receiver tube, vacuum-flow providing means and particle-disengaging means. The receiver tube is in fluid communication with the vacuum-flow providing means such that when flow is introduced into the vacuum-flow providing means, a suction or vacuum flow is developed at an end of the receiver tube. The suction causes a particle to adhere to the end of the receiver. A particle is disengaged by discontinuing the suction and, advantageously, by wetting the engaged particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Pharmacopeia, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya Feygin, Rhett L. Affleck, Aleksandr Grinberg, Thuc H. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20020185161
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for cleaning pipette needles or stirrers, the device comprising a trough which holds cleaning fluid and whose lower region has a fluid duct for filling and/or emptying purposes and whose upper region has at least one feed pipe which leads into at least one nozzle directed into the trough interior. Advantageously, the device has a cylindrical trough and in insert with nozzles which is screwed into the trough. The invention further concerns a method of cleaning pipette needles or stirrers, the material to be washed being introduced into the trough interior and sprayed with a washing fluid. The device can also be sued to flush the interior of a pipette needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventors: Otto Furst, Thomas Jack, Peter Weber, Paul Jansen
  • Publication number: 20020164807
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a diagnostic instrument for analyzing liquid samples. The diagnostic instrument in accordance with this invention includes a sample carousel and a diagnostic carousel. The sample carousel includes at least one sample tube and in the exemplary embodiment a plurality of sample tubes, each having unique identifying indicia readable by a machine reader. The sample tube capable of storing the liquid sample to be analyzed. The diagnostic carousel including at least one pipette capable of storing liquid sample to be analyzed. There are matching number of pipettes to sample tubes and each having matching unique identifying indicia which is matched with the appropriate sample tube. The diagnostic carousel being offset from the sample carousel and lying in a different plane from the sample carousel. Each pipette including a transfer mechanism for transferring sample from the sample tube directly to the pipette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Hideki Itaya, Jason Dominik Hool, Javier Urena, Fredrick Spears, Osamu Ohno, Kantaro Maruoka