Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Gen-probe, Inc.

John J Kotlarik

Mieczyslaw Wroblewski

Michael J Keating

Bernard Roy Katz

James H Lipscomb

Stone Klengler

Larry Jurik

Julian D Gordon

Michael G Lowery

Thomas G Schapira

David Dean Cunningham

Mark R Pope

Stanley R Bouma

Tung-Ming Huang

Neil W Loomis

Robert G Hiltibran

Sie Ting Wong

John P Grace

Brian Joseph Tarkowski

Peter Zaun

Daniel P Schmidt

Anna Jurik

Kristin M Noonan

Pete M Bojan

Richard A Domanik

Natalie A Solomon

Gordon Sohl

Jimmy D McCoy

Noman A Abunimeh

Herbert S Chow

Thomas J Wilson

A sensor for detecting contact of a fluid delivery probe with a fluid surface and for detecting fluid flow through the probe includes a first electrode disposed along a fluid flow path of the probe upstream from a distal tip of the probe and a second electrode longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated from the first electrode and disposed at the distal tip of the probe. An oscillating signal is transmitted through the first electrode, and at least a portion of the signal is received through the second electrode. Through changes in the received signal due to the distal tip of the probe coming into contact with a fluid surface or due to fluid flow through the conduit between the first and second electrodes, fluid surface contact and fluid flow can be detected. A pressure sensor can be employed to monitor internal fluid pressure within the fluid conduit of the fluid delivery probe as a secondary, redundant mechanism for detecting fluid flow through the conduit.

Method of detecting a fluid surface

Fluid dispense verification system

The present invention involves apparatus and methods for use in collecting bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, from the epidermal layer of an animal. A preferred apparatus includes a pressure head and, optionally, a holder therefor for supplying a positive pressure to the head. The methods include the application of a positive pressure to the area surrounding an epidermal site from which stratum corneum has been breached, such as by laser ablation, to cause bodily fluids, such as interstitial fluids, to exude from the site and collecting the fluids exuding therefrom.

Apparatus and method for the collection of interstitial fluids

Fluid transfer system

A sensor for detecting contact of a fluid delivery probe with a fluid surface and for detecting fluid flow through the probe includes a first electrode disposed along a fluid flow path of the probe upstream from a distal tip of the probe and a second electrode longitudinally spaced and electrically isolated from the first electrode and disposed at the distal tip of the probe. An oscillating signal is transmitted through the first electrode, and at least a portion of the signal is received through the second electrode. Through changes in the received signal due to the distal tip of the probe coming into contact with a fluid surface or due to fluid flow through the conduit between the first and second electrodes, fluid surface contact and fluid flow can be detected. A pressure sensor can be employed to monitor internal fluid pressure within the fluid conduit of the fluid delivery probe as a secondary, redundant device for detecting fluid flow through the conduit.

Method of detecting fluid flow through a conduit

Methods, devices, apparatus and kits for amplifying and detecting nucleic acid are provided. The apparatus is a one or two-tier thermal cycling device that operates in conjunction with a reaction/detection unit. A sample is loaded into a reaction chamber of the device which is then mated with a detection chamber to form the reaction/detection unit. A first heating element of the thermal cycling apparatus applies a desired temperature to the reaction/detection device to amplify target nucleic acid in the sample. The reaction mixture is then transferred to the detection chamber by the second heating element and amplified target nucleic acid is immobilized on a support in the detection chamber. Microprocessor control controls the heat applied by the second element independently of the heat applied by the first element. A detection system associated with the apparatus detects and analyzes the immobilized amplified nucleic acid target. Images are captured and digitized and subjected to statistical analysis to improve the accuracy of the method.

Apparatus and method for transfer of a fluid sample

Embodiments disclosed herein provide apparatuses and methods for verifying dispense of a fluid from a dispense nozzle. According to one method, a path of electromagnetic radiation from a source to a receiver is obstructed with the fluid dispensed from the dispense nozzle. The intensity of the electromagnetic radiation received by the receiver is measured. The measured intensity is compared with a predetermined intensity to verify the dispense of fluid from the dispense nozzle. One apparatus for verifying dispense of a fluid comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation, and a receiver of the electromagnetic radiation from the source of the electromagnetic radiation operatively associated with the source of the electromagnetic radiation such that the electromagnetic radiation from the source is received by the receiver. A path followed by the electromagnetic radiation from the source to the receiver is offset from the fluid exiting end of the dispense nozzle by a predetermined distance such that dispense of fluid and a major drop of fluid depending from the fluid exiting end of the dispense nozzle obstruct the path and such that a minor drop of fluid does not obstruct the path.

Method and apparatus for verifying dispense of a fluid from a dispense

Methods, devices, apparatus and kits for amplifying and detecting nucleic acid are provided. The apparatus is a two-tier thermal cycling device that operates in conjunction with a reaction/detection unit. A sample is loaded into a reaction chamber of the device which is then mated with a detection chamber to form the reaction detection unit. A first heating element of the thermal cycling apparatus applies a desired temperature to the reaction/detection device to amplify target nucleic acid in the sample. The reaction mixture is then transferred to the detection chamber by the second heating element and amplified target nucleic acid is immobilized on a support in the detection chamber. A detection system associated with the apparatus detects and analyzes the immobilized amplified nucleic acid target.

Apparatus and method for amplifying and detecting target nucleic acids

An apparatus is provided which includes a reaction cartridge having a plurality of reaction wells having different reagents disposed thereon, at least one well adapted to receive a sample, a well containing particles adapted to bind to the sample and which have the capability of being separated from cells which are not bound to the separation particles and at least one fluorophore adapted to bind to a specific type of cell in the sample, and a wash area adapted for washing a probe. An image forming device is provided to detect images which indicate whether specific reactions have occurred in each of the reaction wells. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for dispensing and aspirating liquids including a mechanism for detecting liquid levels. The device further includes logic for analyzing the information received from the image detection apparatus and processing the information to generate a visual indication of the results of the assays being performed. A microprocessor is provided to assist in the operation of the device as well as in the image processing.

Liquid level sensing method and device

Growing community of inventors

Lake Geneva, WI, United States of America

John J Kotlarik