Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.

Neogen Corporation

Brian J McGraw

William L Richards

Wayne A Showalter

Stephen Earl Mead

Anthony Ford

Darin McDaniel

Bronwen Heilman

Bobbi Druyor-Sanchez

Charles Daniel Lemme

Vincent R Rizzo

Richard M Kris

Stephen Felder

Michael J DeGroff

David W Nunnery

Thomas P Krawzak

A method and apparatus for an automated biological reaction system is provided. In the processing of a biological reaction system, there is a need for consistently placing an amount of liquid on a slide. In order to accomplish this, several methods are used including a consistency pulse and a volume adjust means. Moreover, in order to reliably operate an automated biological reaction system, the dispenser must be reliable, easy to assemble and accurate. Among other things, in order to accomplish this, the dispense chamber is substantially in line with the reservoir chamber, the reservoir chamber piston is removed, and the flow of liquid through the dispenser is simplified. Further, in order to operate the automated biological reaction system more reliably, the system is designed in modular pieces with higher functions performed by a host device and the execution of the staining operations performed by remote devices. Also, to reliably catalog data which is used by the automated biological reaction system, data is loaded to a memory device, which in turn is used by the operator to update the operator's databases. The generation of the sequence of steps for the automated biological reaction device based on data loaded by the operator, including checks to determine the ability to complete the run, is provided.

Memory management method and apparatus for automated biological reaction system

A fluid dispenser useful in automated biological reaction systems comprising a barrel having a reservoir chamber, the barrel having an upper portion and a lower portion, a cap located on top of the upper portion of the barrel and connected to the reservoir chamber, the cap having an external surface with at least one hole therethrough, a valve comprising a biasing member and a hole sealer, the valve being located in the hole in the cap at the point where a downward force is applied against the cap, a coupler having a dispense chamber, the coupler being coaxial with the barrel and wherein the barrel lower portion moves into the dispense chamber during dispensing of fluid, and a vent located between the cap and the reservoir chamber, the vent including a vent opening and a vent material composed of oliophobic material.

Method and apparatus for modifying pressure within a fluid dispenser

Methods of and apparatus for washing an array of sites in high-density microplates or similar assay plates wherein the microplates or assay plates are washed in an inverted or nearly inverted position, rather than in an upright position. Preferably, the wash liquid is dispensed upwardly in the form of a sheet from a nozzle mounted on a spray bar as the spray bar moves relative to the microplate or assay plate. After washing, the microplate or assay plate is dried with a stream of gas such as air, also preferably blown upwardly in the form of a sheet.

Methods of and apparatus for washing high-density microplates

A method and apparatus for an automated biological reaction system is provided. In the processing of a biological reaction system, there is a need for consistently placing an amount of fluid on a slide. In order to accomplish this, several methods are used including a consistency pulse and a volume adjust means. Moreover, in order to reliably operate an automated biological reaction system, the dispenser must be reliable, easy to assemble and accurate. Among other things, in order to accomplish this, the dispense chamber is substantially in line with the reservoir chamber, the reservoir chamber piston is removed, and the flow of fluid through the dispenser is simplified. Further, in order to operate the automated biological reaction system more reliably, the system is designed in modular pieces with higher functions performed by a host device and the execution of the staining operations performed by remote devices. Also, to reliably catalog data which is used by the automated biological reaction system, data is loaded to a memory device, which in turn is used by the operator to update the operator's databases. The generation of the sequence of steps for the automated biological reaction device based on data loaded by the operator, including checks to determine the ability to complete the run, is provided.

Fluid dispenser

A method of assembly of a fluid dispenser of an apparatus for an automated biological reaction system is provided. In the processing of a biological reaction system, there is a need for consistently placing an amount of fluid on a slide. In order to accomplish this, several methods are used including a consistency pulse and a volume adjust means. Moreover, in order to reliably operate an automated biological reaction system, the dispenser must be reliable, easy to assemble and accurate. Among other things, in order to accomplish this, the dispense chamber is substantially in line with the reservoir chamber, the reservoir chamber piston is removed, and the flow of fluid through the dispenser is simplified. Further, in order to operate the automated biological reaction system more reliably, the system is designed in modular pieces with higher functions performed by a host device and the execution of the staining operations performed by remote devices. Also, to reliably catalog data which is used by the automated biological reaction system, data is loaded to a memory device, which in turn is used by the operator to update the operator's databases. The generation of the sequence of steps for the automated biological reaction device based on data loaded by the operator, including checks to determine the ability to complete the run, is provided.

Method and apparatus for rinsing a microscope slide

A dispenser which can deliver precise small amounts of a liquid is disclosed. The dispenser is particularly suited to applying reagents in a biological test such as an immunoassay. It includes a reservoir chamber linked to a dispense chamber via a check valve, the two chambers preferably being in the form of syringes. An outlet line leading from the dispense chamber to a nozzle includes a delay check valve (preferably a ball inside a cylindrical chamber) which allows continuous outward flow, but shuts off flow in the reverse direction after allowing a predetermined volume to pass. The process of refilling the dispense chamber from the reservoir chamber creates reverse flow in the nozzle and causes a hanging drop of liquid at the tip of the nozzle to be withdrawn.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Brian J McGraw