Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080314895 | ENHANCED SAMPLE PROCESSING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Devices, systems, and methods for processing sample materials. The sample materials may be located in a plurality of process chambers in the device, which is rotated during heating of the sample materials. | 12-25-2008 |
20090189089 | VALVE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A ROTATING MULTIPLEX FLUORESCENCE DETECTION DEVICE - Techniques are described for the detection of multiple target species in real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction). For example, a system comprises a data acquisition device and a detection device coupled to the data acquisition device. The detection device includes a rotating disk having a plurality of process chambers having a plurality of species that emit fluorescent light at different wavelengths. The device further includes a plurality of removable optical modules that are optically configured to excite the species and capture fluorescent light emitted by the species at different wavelengths. A fiber optic bundle coupled to the plurality of removable optical modules conveys the fluorescent light from the optical modules to a single detector. In addition, the device may control the flow of fluid in the disk by locating and selectively opening valves separating chambers by heating the valves with a laser. | 07-30-2009 |
20090218517 | MULTIPLEX FLUORESCENCE DETECTION DEVICE HAVING REMOVABLE OPTICAL MODULES - Techniques are described for the detection of multiple target species in real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction). For example, a system comprises a data acquisition device and a detection device coupled to the data acquisition device. The detection device includes a rotating disk having a plurality of process chambers having a plurality of species that emit fluorescent light at different wavelengths. The device further includes a plurality of removable optical modules. Each of the removable optical modules is optically configured to excite the species and capture fluorescent light emitted by the species at different wavelengths. A fiber optic bundle coupled to the plurality of removable optical modules conveys the fluorescent light from the optical modules to a single detector. | 09-03-2009 |
20090263280 | SYSTEMS FOR USING SAMPLE PROCESSING DEVICES - Sample processing systems for processing sample materials located in sample processing devices that are separate from the system are disclosed. The sample processing systems include a rotating base plate with raised and/or non-planar thermal structures on which the sample processing devices are located during operation of the systems. The systems may also include structure to urge the sample processing devices against the base plate and thermal structures. | 10-22-2009 |
20100129878 | METHODS FOR NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFICATION - The present invention provides methods for amplifying nucleic acid after isolating nucleic acid from a sample using functionalized support material. | 05-27-2010 |
20100136554 | SUPPORTED REAGENTS, METHODS, AND DEVICES - Methods of providing at least one reagent for use in a device for processing sample material, delivering at least one reagent to a device for processing sample material, and adding at least one reagent to at least one of the steps in a process for detecting or assaying a nucleic acid; a support film coated with a dry reagent layer; and a device for processing sample material having a support film coated with a dry reagent layer contained within at least one chamber of the device are disclosed. | 06-03-2010 |
20100167304 | VARIABLE VALVE APPARATUS AND METHODS - Sample processing devices with variable valve structures and methods of using the same are disclosed. The valve structures allow for removal of selected portions of the sample material located within the process chamber. Removal of the selected portions is achieved by forming an opening in a valve septum at a desired location. The valve septums may be large enough to allow for adjustment of the location of the opening based on the characteristics of the sample material in the process chamber. If the sample processing device is rotated after the opening is formed, the selected portion of the material located closer to the axis of rotation exits the process chamber through the opening. The remainder of the sample material cannot exit through the opening because it is located farther from the axis of rotation than the opening. | 07-01-2010 |
20100240124 | SAMPLE PROCESSING DEVICE COMPRESSION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Sample processing systems and methods of using those systems for processing sample materials located in sample processing devices are disclosed. The sample processing systems include a rotating base plate on which the sample processing devices are located during operation of the systems. The systems also include a cover and compression structure designed to force a sample processing device towards the base plate. The preferred result is that the sample processing device is forced into contact with a thermal structure on the base plate. The systems and methods of the present invention may include one or more of the following features to enhance thermal coupling between the thermal structure and the sample processing device: a shaped transfer surface, magnetic compression structure, and floating or resiliently mounted thermal structure. The methods may preferably involve deformation of a portion of a sample processing device to conform to a shaped transfer surface. | 09-23-2010 |
20100266456 | COMPLIANT MICROFLUIDIC SAMPLE PROCESSING DEVICE - Microfluidic sample processing disks with a plurality of fluid structures formed therein are disclosed. Each of the fluid structures preferably includes an input well and one or more process chambers connected to the input well by one or more delivery channels. The process chambers may be arranged in a compliant annular processing ring that is adapted to conform to the shape of an underlying thermal transfer surface under pressure. That compliance may be delivered in the disks of the present invention by locating the process chambers in an annular processing ring in which a majority of the volume is occupied by the process chambers. Compliance within the annular processing ring may alternatively be provided by a composite structure within the annular processing ring that includes covers attached to a body using pressure sensitive adhesive. | 10-21-2010 |
20110020947 | CHEMICAL COMPONENT AND PROCESSING DEVICE ASSEMBLY - A substantially dimensionally-stable chemical component is assembled with a sample processing device via a computer-controlled apparatus. In one embodiment, surface mount technology is used to assemble the chemical component with the processing device. The chemical component may include, for example, chemicals used for sample preparation or detection, such as a reagent. In different embodiments, the chemical component may be a tablet, microtablet, lyophilized pellet, bead, film, and so forth. In some embodiments, the chemical components are stored within a carrier that packages a plurality of chemical components. The carrier may define a plurality of pockets, where each pocket defines a discrete space for holding at least one chemical component. In some embodiments, a robotic arm aligns with a pocket in order to locate and remove a chemical component from the carrier and transfer the chemical component to a chamber of a processing device. | 01-27-2011 |
20110027904 | SAMPLE MIXING ON A MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE - Mixing structures for use on sample processing devices are disclosed. The mixing structures include one or more mixing chambers in fluid communication with a process chamber, such that changing the rotational speed of the sample processing device forces sample material into and out of the mixing chamber to achieve mixing of the sample material. The mixing chambers are in fluid communication with the process chambers through mixing ports that are located on the distal sides of the process chambers with respect to the axis about which the sample processing device is rotated. | 02-03-2011 |
20110053785 | SAMPLE PROCESSING DEVICES - Methods and devices for thermal processing of multiple samples at the same time are disclosed. The sample processing devices provide process arrays that include conduits useful in distributing sample materials to a group of process chambers located in fluid communication with the main conduits. The sample processing devices may include one or more of the following features in various combinations: deformable seals, process chambers connected to the main conduit by feeder conduits exiting the main conduit at offset locations, U-shaped loading chambers, and a combination of melt bonded and adhesively bonded areas. | 03-03-2011 |
20110065319 | STRETCHABLE CONDUCTIVE CONNECTOR - A stretchable conductive connector. The conductive connector can include a viscoelastic support member having a variable length, and a conductor coupled to the support member. The conductor can include at least one bend to accommodate the variable length of the viscoelastic support member. | 03-17-2011 |
20110077497 | BIOMEDICAL SENSOR SYSTEM - A biomedical sensor system. The system can include a sensor adapted to create a signal based on a physiological characteristic from a subject, and a hub adapted to receive the signal from the sensor. The signal can include at least one of an electromagnetic signal, an electrical signal, an acoustic signal, a mechanical signal, a thermal signal, and a chemical signal. The system can further include a connector adapted to couple the sensor and the hub, the connector having a variable length, such that the sensor and the hub can be positioned a variable distance apart by changing the length of the connector. The connector can be adapted to provide a pathway between the sensor and the hub for the signal. A method of applying a biomedical sensor system to a subject can include changing the length of the variable-length connector to provide an appropriate distance between the sensor and the hub, and coupling the sensor to the subject. | 03-31-2011 |
20110117607 | ANNULAR COMPRESSION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SAMPLE PROCESSING DEVICES - Systems and methods for processing sample processing devices. The system can include a base plate adapted to rotate about a rotation axis. The base plate can include at least one first magnetic element. The system can further include an annular cover, and a sample processing device comprising at least one thermal process chamber. The annular cover can include an inner edge, an outer edge, and at least one second magnetic element. The method can include positioning the sample processing device between the base plate and the annular cover, such that the inner edge of the annular cover is positioned inwardly of the at least one thermal process chamber, and such that the at least one first magnetic element attracts the at least one second magnetic element to force the annular cover in a first direction along the z-axis, urging the sample processing device into contact with the base plate. | 05-19-2011 |
20110117656 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING SAMPLE PROCESSING DEVICES - A system and method for processing sample processing devices. The system can include a base plate adapted to rotate about a rotation axis. The system can further include a cover including a first projection, and a housing. A portion of the housing can be movable with respect to the base plate between an open position and a closed position, and can include a second projection. The first projection and the second projection can be adapted to be coupled together when the portion is in the open position and decoupled when the portion is in the closed position. The method can include coupling the cover to the portion of the housing, moving the portion of the housing from the open position to the closed position, and rotating the base plate about the rotation axis. | 05-19-2011 |
20110190665 | ELECTRONIC STETHOSCOPE SYSTEM FOR TELEMEDICINE APPLICATIONS - An electronic stethoscope includes a housing configured for hand-held manipulation, a transducer supported by the housing and configured to sense auscultation signals at a first location, and a headset coupled to the housing and configured to deliver audio corresponding to the auscultation signals through earpieces on the headset. The electronic stethoscope further includes a processor disposed in the housing and configured to convert the auscultation signals to first digital signals representative of the auscultation signals and to wirelessly transmit the first digital signals from the electronic stethoscope via a secure digital network to a second location such that the audio corresponding to the auscultation signals is provided to headsets of one or more additional electronic stethoscopes at the second location in substantial real time with the sensing of the auscultation sounds at the first location. | 08-04-2011 |
20110303657 | ENHANCED SAMPLE PROCESSING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Devices, systems, and methods for processing sample materials. The sample materials may be located in a plurality of process chambers in the device, which is rotated during heating of the sample materials. | 12-15-2011 |
20120310115 | ELECTRONIC STETHOSCOPE SYSTEM FOR TELEMEDICINE APPLICATIONS - An electronic stethoscope includes a housing configured for hand-held manipulation, a transducer supported by the housing and configured to sense auscultation signals at a first location, and a headset coupled to the housing and configured to deliver audio corresponding to the auscultation signals through earpieces on the headset. The electronic stethoscope further includes a processor disposed in the housing and configured to convert the auscultation signals to first digital signals representative of the auscultation signals and to wirelessly transmit the first digital signals from the electronic stethoscope via a secure digital network to a second location such that the audio corresponding to the auscultation signals is provided to headsets of one or more additional electronic stethoscopes at the second location in substantial real time with the sensing of the auscultation sounds at the first location. | 12-06-2012 |
20130109080 | INTEGRATED SYSTEMS AND ASSEMBLIES FOR SAMPLE PROCESSING | 05-02-2013 |
20130122508 | METHODS AND ARTICLES FOR SAMPLE PROCESSING - Methods and devices for the thermal processing of samples are disclosed, including sample processing devices featuring an overflow region for retaining excess fluid, as well as portable sealing apparatuses for occluding channels in a sample processing device. | 05-16-2013 |
20130211265 | MULTIFUNCTIONAL MEDICAL DEVICE FOR TELEMEDICINE APPLICATIONS - A multifunction medical device includes a housing configured for hand-held manipulation, a processing unit within the housing, and a connector on the outer surface of the housing. The connector is coupled to the processing unit and operable to connect to a plurality of different types of medical sensors. The processing unit is configured to determine a type of a medical sensor coupled to the connector. | 08-15-2013 |