3m Innovative Properties Company

3m Innovation Properties Company

Diasorin S.p.a.

Christopher R Kokaisel

William Bedingham

Michael R Harms

Kenneth Brian Wood

Peter J Newbould

Byron E Trotter

Pasquale Cirulli

Gabriel F Zangari

Sandro Pizzi

Chad J Carter

Barry W Robole

Gerald E Mueller

Joel R Dufresne

Scott M Lecy

Karim Rashid

Casey L Carlson

Mauro Porcini

James E Aysta

Diane North

Shaelyn D Crutchley

Jeffrey C Pederson

Peter D Ludowise

Robert A Harkins

David J Franta

Gustavo H Castro

Ian MacMurray

Various embodiments of a breathing tube retainer and a respirator that utilizes the breathing tube retainer are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the breathing tube retainer can include a mask attachment portion configured to connect the retainer to a face mask of a respirator, and a tube attachment portion including an arm that connects the tube attachment portion to the mask attachment portion. The tube attachment portion can further include a tube receiver configured to receive a breathing tube of the respirator.

Breathing tube retainer and method of using same

Static mixers and fluid systems incorporating one or more of the static mixers. The static mixers include a mixing structure formed within a body, wherein fluid flowing through the mixing structure defines a downstream direction through the mixing structure. The mixing structure includes a series of Y-shaped channels that cross to provide flowpaths that result in efficient mixing.

Y-cross mixers and fluid systems including the same

Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The sample processing devices provide process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group of process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas.

Sample processing devices

Tape dispenser

Processing devices that include one or more process arrays with thermal transfer structures that can be used alone or in conjunction with gravity/rotation to transport fluids within a microfluidic system. The thermal transport function can be accomplished by changing the temperature of one or more chambers to create a vacuum to draw fluids in selected directions within the process array. The methods and apparatus of the present invention may provide the ability to move fluids in a direction that is against the direction of gravity or any centrifugal forces generated by rotating a processing device using the thermal transfer structures. In other words, fluids may be moved against the direction of gravity or towards the axis of rotation using the thermally-activated vacuum.

Thermal transfer methods and structures for microfluidic systems

Apparatus and methods for positioning the process chambers of microfluidic sample processing devices in the proper focal plane of a microplate reader are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may be adaptable to position the sample processing devices at different heights as may be necessary for processing in different microplate readers. A positioning device is used in connection with the sample processing device to locate the process chambers within the focal plane of the microplate reader.

Sample processing device positioning apparatus and methods

Tape strip dispenser

Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The assemblies include carriers and sample processing devices with process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group pf process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas. The carriers may be used to apply selective compression to the sample processing devices.

Sample processing devices and carriers

Sample processing devices may include compression structures that provide for the transfer of force from a platen to a platform such as a thermal block on which the sample processing device is located during processing. The sample processing devices may include a fill reservoir structure with various features such as arcuate edges, radially aligned exit channels, support structures, and selectively variable heights with a corresponding variable volume distribution.

Integrated sample processing devices

Sample processing device

Extended port sample processing device

Growing community of inventors

Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Christopher R Kokaisel