Beckman Coulter, Inc.

3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Robert J Mattila

Brian D Wilson

Joseph G Reischel

Mark J Kittock

Michael J Bartholomew

Gary A Baribeau

Kenneth W Jensen

Thomas A Turgeon

Charles G Thiel

Ralph Duane Whaley

Gerald V Elstran

Brian Mark Pattock

DonGene Kriegl

Mark Steven Shinnick

Jerome D Phillips

Thomas Ward Reeder

Joseph Andrew Hoffman

John E Potts

James E Steffen

Eric Julius Donaldson

Kenneth J Krepel

Owen L Nelson

Dang Minh Ngo

Jay Arthur Esch

Timothy S Vraa

Frank J Fabin

Jathan D Edwards

An assembly suitable for use in a laboratory instrument is set forth. The assembly comprises a plurality of guide rods that are disposed generally parallel with one another and a plurality of carriage assemblies connected for movement along the plurality of guide rods. A sub-carriage assembly is disposed on at least one of the carriage assemblies and is connected to the carriage assembly for movement in a direction transverse to the plurality of guide rods. A plurality of carriage drive mechanisms are employed to move the plurality of carriage assemblies independently along said plurality of guide rods and a sub-carriage drive mechanism is provided to move the sub-carriage assembly in a direction transverse to said plurality of guide rods.

Apparatus having improved gantry assembly suitable for use in a laboratory environment

A new method and system for transporting and sorting multiple reagent packs used in conjunction with an immunodiagnostic instrument is provided. The new system includes a multiplicity of reagent packs; a gantry movably mounted on a rack structure for carrying a gripper mechanism, wherein the gripper mechanism has gripping jaws for engagement with the reagent pack; a power assembly for actuating the respective movement of the gantry, the gripper mechanism and the gripping jaws; a storage nest having a multiplicity of compartments, each adapted for storing a one of the respective reagent packs; and a pipetting nest having a multiplicity of compartment, each adapted for retaining a respective one of the reagent packs for simultaneous pipetting. Methods of using the system and a novel reagent pack used in connection with the new system are also provided.

Method and system for transporting and storing multiple reagent packs and reagent packs used therein

A sample presentation unit (SPU) for an automated analyzer is provided. The SPU has a sample rack onload section having an elongated rail, and an onload moving mechanism movable along the rail for moving the sample racks placed on the rail towards a sample rack presentation section. The sample rack presentation section of the SPU has a transfer area connected to the proximal end of the rail of the sample rack onload section for receiving the sample racks from the sample rack onload section, a sample presentation area adjacent to the automated analyzer for presenting sample racks for aspiration, and a presentation moving mechanism movable between the transfer area and the presentation area for moving sample racks from the transfer area to the presentation area for a sample aspiration and subsequently moving the sample racks from the presentation area back to the transfer area after sample aspiration. The SPU also has a sample rack offload section having an offload area connected to the transfer area of the sample rack presentation section for receiving the sample racks from the sample rack presentation section after sample aspiration, and an offload moving mechanism for moving the sample racks received from the sample rack presentation section to a sample rack offload tray. The SPU further has a plurality of strategically located sensors for detection of motion errors or motor jams.

Sample presentation unit

A novel powdered medicament dispenser is disclosed. The powder medicament dispenser includes a novel agglomerator for loading the powder from a reservoir to a dispensing mechanism. In another aspect of the invention, a disposable cartridge is disclosed for use with a medicament dispenser having pressurization and actuator assemblies. A novel method of dispensing a powdered medicament, as well as inhalation activated and transmission assemblies are also disclosed.

Powder dispenser

A positive/negative air pressure adaptor for a respirator system. The positive/negative air pressure adaptor has a port region for fluidically coupling a filter cartridge to a respirator. The adaptor has an inlet port for connecting to a positive pressure air source and a first check valve to restrict the flow of air from the port region to the filter cartridge. A second check valve may be provided to restrict the flow of air from the respirator to the port region. When the positive pressure air source is disconnected, the respirator system operates as a negative pressure respirator.

Attenuator for use with respirators

A self-registering piston for an pressure regulator that minimizes variability of the target regulated pressure. The pressure regulator valve includes a valve body having a valve seat interposed between an inlet port supplying unregulated pressure and an outlet port. A piston having a piston seat at a first end and a counter-force surface on the second end is positioned to translate axially from an engaged position when a piston seat is engaged with a valve seat and a disengaged position. A biasing mechanism is provided to bias the piston toward the disengaged position. The pressure regulator includes a passageway extending generally from proximate the piston seat to the counter-force surface to couple the counter-force surface with the regulated pressure. The regulated pressure acts on the counter-force surface in opposition to the combination of the unregulated pressure acting on the piston seat, the deformation force necessary to deform the piston seat and achieve an air-tight seal, and the biasing mechanism acting on the piston. A retaining mechanism is provided for releasably retaining the piston seat to the valve seat. A guide mechanism is provided for maintaining a fixed rotational orientation of the piston seat with respect to the valve seat so that a substantially identical rotational orientation is achieved when the piston is removed and reinserted into the valve body.

First stage pressure regulator for emergency breathing apparatus

Positive/negative air pressure adaptor for use with respirators

A radiographic image reader acquires electronic signals corresponding to a latent image of an object produced by radiation exposure of a photoreceptive medium within a cassette. The radiographic image reader comprises a light-tight enclosure with at least one access port for inserting and removing the cassette. A scanner subsystem is mounted within the light-tight enclosure for scanning the photoreceptive medium within the cassette to initiate the acquisition of the electronic signals representative of the latent image. A cassette registration and interface subsystem within the light-tight enclosure comprises an electronic interface structure for electronically connecting the photoreceptive medium within the cassette to an electronic component external of the cassette to obtain the electronic signals corresponding to the latent image.

Radiographic image reader

Growing community of inventors

Jordan, MN, United States of America

Robert J Mattila