Kasper Instruments, Inc.

Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Cytek Development Inc

Other

Cytek Corporation

Harvey L Schulte

Eric S Chase

Howard L North, Jr

Sal Noto

Peter R Szasz

Lucien Hofmeister

An apparatus and method are disclosed to wash blood cells in a discrete manner that is compatible with automated sample preparation systems. The test tube containing the cells to be washed is mounted on a rotatable spindle. The spindle includes central passageways for the introduction of wash fluid and air into the test tube, and radial exit passageways at the bottom of the spindle. The test tube is first spun about its vertical axis to centrifuge cells against the inner wall of the test tube. A vacuum is then applied to the exit passageways so cell supernatant is aspirated out through the exit passageways. Wash fluid is then introduced into the test tube, and aspirated out through the exit passageways, thereby washing the cells. Rotational acceleration and deceleration of the test tube then resuspends the cells in wash fluid.

Methods for washing cells

Cell wash apparatus

An apparatus and method is disclosed for transferring biological fluids such as blood and serum from closed containers to multiple receiving containers. The disclosed methods and apparatus perform the transfer of an accurate and precise amount of biological liquid without dilution of the biological liquid, and without splattering of the biological liquid on the walls of the receiving container. Furthermore, the method discloses how to obtain equal concentrations of white blood cells in multiple receiving containers characteristic of their concentration in the sealed container.

Apparatus for transfer of biological fluids

A cylinder pump having a controllable piston/drive detachment is disclosed that can engage or disengage a piston rod using a solenoid. Most any type of drive can be used. The cylinder pump could have one or more cylinders. Each cylinder and piston rod has quick connect and disconnect mountings. The cylinder pump could be a syringe pump or drive.

Cylinder pump having controllable piston/drive detachment

A test tube handling assembly has an elongate member with an end for engaging a test tube and an end opposite thereto driven about an axis of the member for orbital movement with its axis. The member is a slender rod with a spherical bearing about a center part thereon between the ends thereof and along its axis. An arm extends from a support to carry the spherical bearing and permit limited motion of the rod relative to the support. A gripping means on the end for engaging the test tube holds the test tube and its contents during movement of the rod relative to the axis. A drive located on the support near the end opposite causes the test tube to swing about the center part. Contacting means with a seal for closing the open end of the test tube is part of an inflatable bladder which holds the open end of the test tube by fitting in the open end of the test tube. The drive has a motor for providing orbital motion. The motor axis and the member axis are in spaced parallel relation relative to each other with a linkage means therebetween to cause the axis of the member to move about the axis of the motor imparting an orbital motion to the end opposite of the member thereby orbiting the end for engaging the test tube. A three axis positioning means carries the support by connection with a releasable latching means. A method has steps of holding a test tube by the gripping means, moving the test tube repetitively with the drive and generating orbital movement of the test tube and sample therein for producing a vortex in the test tube sample.

Method for causing vortices in a test tube

Apparatus for method for causing vortices in a test tube

A carrier having a plurality of transport channels arranged in stacked parallel relationship for receiving semiconductive wafers is provided with a pair of oppositely facing recessed regions extending partially into the transport channels. In each of these recessed regions a stop member is pivotally mounted and spring-loaded for automatic movement between an inoperative position out of the transport channels to permit passage of the semiconductive wafers therethrough, when the carrier is set down, and an operative position protruding into the transport channels and blocking passage of the semiconductive wafers therethrough to impede spillage of any semiconductive wafers contained in the carrier, when the carrier is picked up.

Carrier for semiconductive wafers

An apparatus is provided for transferring semiconductor wafers from one conveying or transport mechanism to another in a manner that substantially reduces wafer damage. The apparatus comprises first and second sensors; first, second and third rollers; a motor with a drive shaft coupled to the first and second rollers for applying a rotational force thereto; and a pneumatic unit coupled to a movable platform on which the rollers are mounted and operable for applying a lifting force to or removing a lifting force from the movable platform. The rollers are mounted parallel to and coplanar with each other and are positionable above or below the belts of a two-belt conveyor mechanism, the first roller being disposed for vertical movement between the belts of the conveyor mechanism, and the second and third rollers being coupled by two belts forming a transport mechanism for transporting wafers to or from the conveyor mechanism. In response to detection of a passing wafer on the conveyor mechanism by the first sensor, the pneumatic unit applies a lifting force to the movable platform, thereby causing the first and second rollers to lift the passing wafer from the conveyor mechanism, and the motor rotates the first, second and third rollers counterclockwise, thereby causing the lifted wafer to be transported from the conveyor mechanism onto the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism also operates in the lifted position to transport wafers to the conveyor mechanism when the motor rotates the first, second and third rollers clockwise. In response to detection by the second sensor of a wafer passing on the transport mechanism towards the conveyor mechanism, the pneumatic unit removes the lifting force from the movable platform, thereby lowering it and causing the first and second rollers to deposit the wafer onto the conveyor mechanism. These transfers of wafers to and from the conveyor mechanism are performed without interference with the operation of the conveyor mechanism and without damage to the wafers.

Wafer transfer apparatus

A carrier having a plurality of transport channels arranged in stacked parallel relationship for receiving semiconductive wafers is provided with a pair of oppositely facing recessed regions extending partially into the transport channels. In each of these recessed regions a separate spring-loaded stop member is pivotally mounted for automatic movement to a raised inoperative position, where itis pivoted out of the transport channels to permit passage of the semiconductive wafers therethrough, when the carrier is set down, and for automatic movement to a lowered operative position, where it is pivoted into the transport channels to block passage of the semiconductive wafers therethrough and thereby impede spillage of any semiconductive wafers contained in the carrier, when the carrier is picked up. Each stop member coacts with a separate cam housing to provide a self-locking mechanism that is automatically operable for preventing the semiconductive wafers from moving the stop members to the raised inoperative position when the carrier is picked up and that is automatically released when the carrier is set down.

Growing community of inventors

Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Harvey L Schulte