Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Debra A Sillman

Andreas N Dorsel

Jayati Ghosh

Kyle J Schleifer

John Frederick Corson

Thomas R Nixon

Bo U Curry

Gregory K Toth

Elecia White

Charles Ladd

Kenneth Lawrence Staton

Herbert F Cattell

Xiangyang Zhou

Robert P Sunstrom

Chetan D Jadhaw

Robert P Sundstrom

A medical robotic system comprises a number of components that may be monitored to determine their preventive maintenance needs by recording usage-related information for the monitored components into associated non-volatile memories. When usage of the component exceeds a specified usage threshold, the system displays a warning message on its display screen to have preventive maintenance performed for the component. If the usage continues without such maintenance and exceeds a higher usage threshold, the system displays an error message on its display screen and the system transitions into an error state during which medical procedures are not allowed to be performed. The usage-related information may also be communicated to a remote computer which gathers and processes usage-related information from a number of medical robotic systems to estimate resource requirements for timely performing preventive maintenance on the medical robotic systems, and anticipated service revenues from such maintenance.

Method for tracking and reporting usage events to determine when preventive maintenance is due for a medical robotic system

A method, apparatus for executing the method, and computer program products for use in such an apparatus. The method includes scanning an interrogating light across multiple sites on an array package including an addressable array of multiple features of different moieties, which scanned sites include multiple array features. Signals from respective scanned sites emitted in response to the interrogating light are detected. The interrogating light power is altered for a first site on the array package during the array scan, based on location of the first site or on a determination that the emitted signal from the first site will be outside a predetermined value absent the altering (which allows for protecting a detector against expected overly bright sites), or is altered during the array scan based on the detected interrogating light power (which allows for compensating for light source drift during an array scan).

Interrogating multi-featured arrays

A method and system for determining a biopolymer array substrate thickness dependent optimal focus distance for scanning a molecular array by a molecular array scanner are provided. A reference substrate is automatically scanned at successively greater distances of the stage from a light gathering medium, such as an optical fiber, or z-positions, to produce data providing a functional relationship between z-position and measured signal intensities. The data is then processed by an array substrate thickness dependent focus-finding routine that selects an optimal focus-distance for data scans which is optimized for the thickness of the reference substrate. Also provided are methods of determining the thickness of a biopolymer array substrate using a position sensitive device (PSD) component of a biopolymer array scanner. Further methods include determining the thickness of said biopolymeric array and automatically selecting an optimal focus distance using the determined thickness and a calibration function on thickness versus optimal focus distance. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including both genomic and proteomic applications.

Biopolymer array substrate thickness dependent automated focus-distance determination method for biopolymer array scanners

A holder for an array unit having a planar substrate and an array of chemical moieties on a surface of the substrate. The holder may include a body with a retaining mechanism which releasably retains an array unit in a seated position. A holder identifier may include data on a characteristic of the holder or seated array or be linkable to a file containing such information. An apparatus, method, and computer program product which may be used with such a holder are also provided.

Holders for arrays

A maximum sensitivity optical scanning system is disclosed. It finds use in a variety of applications, including the reading of biopolymeric arrays. It operates by scanning sample at a setting selected to result in signal saturation for some, but not all available data. Subsequent scans of the same area are taken at lower sensitivity settings (in terms of detector gain and/or excitation light source gain or attenuation) and data from at least the previously saturated regions is obtained. If system sensitivity is set too low to produce useful results, optional features may adjust sensitivity upward and follow with an increased sensitivity scan as a remedial measure. Full signal sensitivity is better preserved as most needed in taking data for the weakest signals first with the high-level scan. Data for sample producing stronger signals that can better tolerate photobleaching is then taken in one way or another.

Maximum sensitivity optical scanning system

Methods for programming an array scanner to scan a plurality of biopolymer arrays are provided. In the subject methods, individual scanning parameters for at least two different arrays of the plurality of arrays to be scanned are selected and input into the array scanner prior to scanning the plurality arrays. The programmed scanner then scans the plurality of arrays according to the pre-selected scanning parametersAlso provided are scanners programmed according to the subject methods, as well as computer programming that provides for programming of scanners according to the subject methods. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of different applications, including both genomics and proteomics applications.

Scanning parameterization for biopolymeric array scanner

A method and system for preventing signal clipping in a molecular array scanner by adding an offset signal to the signal generated by the photodetectors and initial stages of signal processing within a molecular array scanner in order to promote the signal above the level where signal information is lost during analog-to-digital signal conversion and/or digital signal integration. A portion of the offset is then subtracted from the digital signal or integrated digital signals, leaving a smaller, constant offset that is reported to the user, stored in a data file, or otherwise made available for further correction during later molecular array data processing.

Signal offset for prevention of data clipping in a molecular array scanner

A method and system for determining a biopolymer array substrate thickness dependent optimal focus distance for scanning a molecular array by a molecular array scanner are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of determining the thickness of a biopolymer array substrate using a position sensitive device (PSD) component of a biopolymer array scanner. Further methods include determining the thickness of said biopolymeric array and automatically selecting an optimal focus distance using the determined thickness and a calibration function on thickness versus optimal focus distance. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, including both genomic and proteomic applications.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Debra A Sillman