Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Ltv Aerospace & Defense Company

Richard D Button

Robert Paul Luoma, Ii

Patrick P Fritchie

David Charles Arnquist

Charles Michael Galitz

Gregory E Gardner

Cass J Grandone

Chadwick M Dunn

James T Holen

Robert C Gray

Julius J Toth

Jack F Ramsey

Richard C East

Jimmy D McCoy

Neal T Sleszynski

Grady Barnes, Iii

David W Murray

Adrian John Murray

James E Mitchell

James F Mitchell

George A Earle, Iii

Michael J Wheetley

The embodiments disclosed relate to determination of an item of interest in a sample. One embodiment relates to a structure which comprises a process path. The process path comprises a process lane including a process step performance lane where a process step is performed, and a process step avoidance lane where the process step is avoided. A first prime mover is operatively connected with the process path for moving a container holding the sample along the process path. A first pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing the sample to the container. A second pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing a reagent to the container. A device is operatively connected with the process path and is selectively engagable with the container for mixing the sample and the reagent in the container. A second prime mover is operatively connected with the process path for selectively positioning the container in a selected one of the process step performance lane and the process step avoidance lane. A reader is operatively connected with the process path for determining the item of interest in the sample based upon a reaction between the sample and the reagent.

Structure for determination of item of interest in a sample

The embodiments disclosed relate to determination of an item of interest in a sample. In one method, a process path comprising a process lane including a process step performance lane where a process step is performed, and a process step avoidance lane where the process step is avoided is provided. A container holding the sample is moved along the process path. The sample is introduced to the container. A reagent is introduced to the container. The sample and the reagent are mixed in the container. The container is selectively positioned in a selected one of the process step performance lane and the process step avoidance lane. The item of interest in the sample is determined based upon a reaction between the sample and the reagent.

Method for determination of item of interest in a sample

A tactile sensing tool positioning system for positioning a tool normal to the surface of a curved workpiece is disclosed. The tool positioning system of the present invention includes a steel frame for rigidly supporting a cutting tool having a longitudinal cutting implement, such as a drill bit or countersink bit. The steel frame includes a steel collar which is normal to the axis of the cutting implement and which supports a deformable ring of polyurethane or other resilient material. A plurality of aluminum cylinder positioning sensors are imbedded into the steel collar and surrounded by the deformable ring with one end of each aluminum cylinder positioning sensor contiguous with the exposed surface of the deformable ring. The axial loading experienced by each aluminum cylinder positioning sensor is measured by an associated strain gauge, and a quadrature circuit is then utilized to balance the forces on the aluminum cylinder positioning sensors and normalize the longitudinal cutting implement. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention two groups of aluminum cylinder positioning sensors are disposed in two separate planes both of which are normal to the axis of the cutting implement. By balancing the forces to determine arcs of equal loading, the longitudinal cutting implement with the surface of a highly curved workpiece may be calculated.

Tactile sensing tool positioning system

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Richardson, TX, United States of America

Richard D Button