Accumed International, Inc.

Acumed, Inc.

Monogen, Inc.

Hologic, Inc.

Other

S. C. Johnson Son, Inc.

Xerox Corporation

William J. Mayer

Lucien J. Wroblewski

Norman J. Pressman

William J Mayer

Richard A Domanik

Dennis William Gruber

Norman J Pressman

Peter P Gombrich

Scott W Demarest

Donald E McCumber

Joseph E Reimer

Karl A Kohler

Peter G Gombrich

James D Morrow

Egon S Babler

Alf J Olsen

Richard W Corrigan, Jr

Johannes F Gottwald

James F Kearney

Egan Babler

A cocktail shaker includes a top shaker cup and a bottom shaker cup. The top shaker cup is shaped and sized such that an upper end of the top shaker cup can be inserted into an upper end of the bottom shaker cup. The bottom shaker cup is pliable to establish a seal between the top shaker cup and the bottom shaker cup when the top shaker cup is inserted into the bottom shaker cup. Additionally, the bottom shaker cup may include a built-in strainer. The top shaker cup includes a plurality of collapsible sections, each of which may be collapsed to adjust the internal volume of the top shaker cup. In some embodiments, each collapsible section may define an equal internal volume.

Cocktail shaker

A vial-based system and method for handling and processing specimens of particulate matter-containing liquid directly in the vial. A processing assembly, which includes a stirrer and a particulate matter separation chamber, is releasably coupled to the inside of the vial cover. The processing assembly remains with the cover when the vial is opened to insert a specimen therein. Application of a particular external force to the closed vial detaches the processing assembly from the cover so that it remains in the vial, for access by automated or manual laboratory equipment, when the cover is subsequently removed.

Vial system and method for processing liquid-based specimens

An automated system and method for individually processing multiple specimens of particulate matter-containing liquid in respective containers. The containers are transported seriatim along a processing path to present them to, at least, a preprocessing apparatus (e.g., a mixing head), and then to a specimen acquisition apparatus, which removes preprocessed specimen fluid from the container for subsequent analytical testing or evaluation. Each apparatus is actuated in response to presentation of a container thereto so as to carry out its respective operation independently. An exemplary system can include, in sequential order, stations for container loading and unloading, container uncapping and cap disposal, specimen mixing, filter loading, specimen acquisition (e.g., by aspiration, and then slide printing), filter disposal, and container resealing. The system is capable of unattended operation for many hours at a time, and can interface with an integrated data management system to provide fully integrated specimen and information management in a complete diagnostic laboratory system.

Automated system and method for processing multiple liquid-based specimens

Apparatus and method for handling a container having a removable cover, e.g., a vial for holding a biological fluid specimen. The container may have therein an internal element that is releasably coupled to the cover, such as an assembly for processing the specimen in the container. The method involves applying an external force to the covered container sufficient to release the internal element from the cover, and then dislodging the cover from the container. The external force may be an acceleration force applied to the container, such as an impact force to the bottom of the container, or direct contact with the cover with sufficient force to deflect the cover inwardly. A vertically mounted pressing member and a movably mounted gripper can be used. The pressing member may act to eject the cover from the gripper after the container is clear of the gripper. The apparatus may be part of an automated system for processing multiple liquid-based specimens.

Container uncapping mechanism

A filter assembly for separating and collecting a layer of particulate matter (e.g., cells) from a liquid containing the particulate matter (e.g., a biological fluid specimen). The filter assembly has a holder and contiguous inner and outer fluid pervious media. The outer fluid pervious medium is attached to the sidewall of the holder. The inner fluid pervious medium is of low fluidic impedance relative to the outer fluid pervious medium. The filter assembly is designed for use in a separation housing that defines two flow paths between inlet and outlet, one directly through the filter and the other around the periphery of the filter. The inlet portion of the housing has a central inlet in a radially sloped surface that faces the filter collection site. A movable suction head is adapted to cooperate with the housing and the filter assembly.

Filtration system and method for obtaining a cytology layer

Method and apparatus for mixing a specimen (e.g., a biological fluid specimen) in an upstanding container having an internal mixer with a cavity defined by an upstanding annular wall. The annular wall of the mixer is engaged by a movable holder, which is elevated along with the engaged mixer sufficiently to prevent contact of the mixer with the container during mixing. The mixer is then moved to mix the specimen. The holder, which may include an expanding collet that fits within the cavity of the mixer, preferably rotates the mixer to stir the specimen. When mixing is complete, the holder is disengaged from the mixer. A controller coordinates all actions of the holder.

Apparatus and method for mixing specimens in vials

Specimen processing instrument

A microscope frame structure having a front brace for added stability and having a dual plate structure. The front brace is rigidly coupled to the front ends of an upper portion and a base portion. The upper portion then carries optical elements such as a camera for instance. In effect, the optical elements thus reside on a bridge structure, with substantially the same structural support at both ends of the bridge. The arrangement is particularly useful in automated specimen imaging and analysis systems. The dual frame is composed of an upper plate, which supports a sample, a lower plate which contacts an elevating screw, and a spacer post in between the upper plate and lower plate. This configuration allows for more stable movement of samples.

High-precision computer-aided microscope system

A system for facilitating microscope-based specimen analysis is disclosed. The system includes an improved optical microscope, which may be used, in one application, to analyze cell and tissue samples from specimens obtained from patients, to facilitate inspection of suspicious materials and identification of atypical or abnormal cells and further expert review. The system includes a motorized plate, an automatic focusing sub-system, an improved light source, an improved simple plug connector for direct hookup of the microscope to an external computer, and an electronic image capturing and analyzing sub-system for automatic scanning of the sample and for electronic capture and storage of images indicative of the specimen.

A machine, method and medium for implementing functions using an input device in a manner that enhances efficient operation of a mechanism capable of operating in at least two states. The functions are implemented via a convenient input device, such as a mouse. One or more specified actuators of the input device implement a given function when the mechanism is in a first state, while at least one of those actuators implements a different function when the mechanism is in a second state. In embodiments of the present invention contemplating that the mechanism is a microscope system, two states in which the microscope system is envisioned to operate are a scan state and a pause state. The scan state allows the microscope system to execute a pre-defined scan sequence, while the pause state allows the microscope system to pause from that sequence.

Multifunctional control unit for a microscope

A system for managing specimens in a clinical laboratory comprises specimens and a computer controlled instrument. Each specimen includes a biological sample and an identifier which is unique to the specimen to which it is applied. The computer controlled instrument includes a reader for automatically logging and verifying the specimen to be analyzed, and a print head for modifying the identifier to indicate whether the specimen has been analyzed and whether the sample includes any abnormalities. The print head is also used to indicate whether the specimen has been reanalyzed. Further, the print head works to print symbols adjacent the locations of the abnormalities in the sample.

Growing community of inventors

South Barrington, IL, United States of America

William J Mayer