Andrew Raymond Meyer

US Patent:

6534014, Mar 18, 2003

Filed:

May 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/569325

Inventors:

James Kevin Mainquist - San Diego CA
Robert Charles Downs - La Jolla CA
Mark Richard Weselak - San Diego CA
Andrew J. Meyer - San Diego CA
Kristina Marie Burow - San Diego CA
Daniel G. Sipes - Bethel Island CA
Jeremy Caldwell - Del Mar CA

Assignee:

IRM LLC - Hamilton

International Classification:

C12M 122

US Classification:

422 99, 422102, 4352884, 4353053

Abstract:

The specimen plate lid is generally a block, with a cover portion and a side portion. An alignment protrusion extends from the side portion and cooperates with an alignment member of the specimen plate to assist in manually or roboticly guiding the lid onto the specimen plate. An underside surface of the cover has a sealing perimeter for receiving a seal constructed from a compliant material, and shaped to cooperate with a complimentary sealing surface on the specimen plate. The lid is weighted so that when the lid is aligned and positioned on the specimen plate, the weight of the lid provides a gravitational force to sufficiently compress the seal against the sealing surface on the specimen plate. Accordingly, the lid is sufficiently sealed to the specimen plate to avoid contamination and impermissible drying.

US Patent:

6635441, Oct 21, 2003

Filed:

Feb 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/780591

Inventors:

Robert Charles Downs - La Jolla CA
Scott Allan Lesley - San Diego CA
James Kevin Mainquist - San Diego CA
Daniel T. McMullan - San Diego CA
Andrew J. Meyer - San Diego CA
Marc Nasoff - San Diego CA

Assignee:

IRM, LLC - Hamilton

International Classification:

C12N 300

US Classification:

435 41, 435 27, 435 29, 4352831, 4352871, 4352882, 4352891, 435294, 4352991, 4352992, 4353001, 4353041, 4353051, 4353053, 435325, 435808, 435802, 435813

Abstract:

A fermentation apparatus is constructed to produce a known and repeatable amount of unpoisoned fermentation product using multiple fermentation vessels. To facilitate further processing compatible with other product processing steps, the fermentation apparatus has an array of sample vessels arranged in a container frame. The container frame is configured to hold the sample vessels during fermentation and to transport the vessel array to or from another processing station. Corresponding to the number of sample vessels in the sample vessel array, a cannula array is configured such that each cannula may be placed inside a sample vessel. The cannula array is attached to a gas distributor that delivers oxygen and/or one or more other gases from a gas source through the cannula into the sample vessel. Because the fermentation volume for each individual sample vessel is smaller than a bulk fermentation apparatus, the fermentation product yields are more predictable and cell growth rates may be more effectively optimized.

US Patent:

6723555, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Feb 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/071842

Inventors:

Robert Charles Downs - La Jolla CA
Scott Allan Lesley - San Diego CA
James Kevin Mainquist - San Diego CA
Daniel Terence McMullan - San Diego CA
Andrew J. Meyer - San Diego CA
Marc Nasoff - San Diego CA

Assignee:

IRM, LLC - Hamilton

International Classification:

C12M 100

US Classification:

4352891, 4352961, 435813, 435818, 99276, 993231

Abstract:

A fermentation apparatus is constructed to produce a known and repeatable amount of untainted fermentation product using multiple fermentation vessels. To facilitate further processing compatible with other product processing steps, the fermentation apparatus has an array of sample vessels arranged in a container frame. The container frame is configured to hold the sample vessels during fermentation and to transport the vessel array to or from another processing station. Corresponding to the number of sample vessels in the sample vessel array, a cannula array is configured such that each cannula may be placed inside a sample vessel. The cannula array is attached to a gas distributor that delivers oxygen and/or one or more other gases from a gas source through the cannula into the sample vessel. Because the fermentation volume for each individual sample vessel is smaller than a bulk fermentation apparatus, the fermentation product yields are predictable and cell growth rates can be effectively optimized.

US Patent:

7390458, Jun 24, 2008

Filed:

Oct 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/981313

Inventors:

Kristina Marie Burow - Cardiff CA, US
Jeremy S. Caldwell - Del Mar CA, US
Robert Charles Downs - La Jolla CA, US
Scott Allan Lesley - San Diego CA, US
James Kevin Mainquist - San Diego CA, US
Andrew J. Meyer - San Diego CA, US
Daniel G. Sipes - Bethel Island CA, US
Mark Richard Weselak - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

IRM LLC - Hamilton

International Classification:

G01N 35/10
G01N 21/01
G01N 33/50
B25J 15/00
B01L 3/02

US Classification:

422 63, 7386332, 7386401, 7386491, 41422213, 41422605, 414741, 422 65, 422 67, 422100

Abstract:

Briefly, the present invention provides a system and method for high throughput processing using sample holders. The system has a plurality of work perimeters, with a rotational robot preferably associated with each work perimeter. At least one transfer station area is provided between adjacent work perimeters to facilitate robotic transfer of sample holders from one work perimeter to another area. Each work perimeter typically includes a plurality of defined station locations, with each station location positioned to be accessible by the robot associated with that area. In addition, each station location is typically configured to receive a device, such as an automated instrument or a holding nest. Device components are arranged at selected station locations according to specific application requirements to provide a flexible, robust, reliable, and accurate high throughput processing system.

US Patent:

20020037237, Mar 28, 2002

Filed:

Aug 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/929985

Inventors:

James Mainquist - San Diego CA, US
Robert Downs - San Diego CA, US
Mark Weselak - San Diego CA, US
Andrew Meyer - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

G01N035/00

US Classification:

422/063000, 422/104000

Abstract:

This invention provides an object holder for precisely positioning an object such as a microtiter plate on a support fixture. The object holders can also include a retaining device on a support fixture for receiving an object. In use, the object is generally positioned on the fixture relative to alignment surfaces of the object. Pushers then precisely position the object in a desired location. The invention also provides integrated systems that coordinate the actions of different components of the object holders. For example, once an object is in a desired position, a controller can activate a retaining device to retain the object in the object holder in the desired orientation.

US Patent:

20020132354, Sep 19, 2002

Filed:

Feb 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/071877

Inventors:

Robert Downs - La Jolla CA, US
Scott Lesley - San Diego CA, US
James Mainquist - San Diego CA, US
Andrew Meyer - San Diego CA, US
Christopher Shaw - San Diego CA, US
Mark Weselak - San Diego CA, US
Marc Nasoff - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

IRM, LLC C/O Sophia House - Hamilton

International Classification:

G01N035/00
G01N009/30

US Classification:

436/045000, 422/072000, 422/101000, 436/177000

Abstract:

An automated centrifuge comprising a rotor having a plurality of sample receiving elements located in the rotor is provided. Sample processing components are structured to be insertable into any one of the receiving elements and a controller is configured to insert the sample processing components into the sample receiving elements. The sample receiving elements located in the rotor are grouped in clusters, and the cavities of each cluster are substantially parallel. Also, an automated centrifuge system comprising a rotor including a plurality of clusters of receiving elements, each element including a longitudinal axis, with the longitudinal axes of each element in a cluster being substantially parallel is provided. A plurality of sample processing components are arranged in groups, with each group configured to be received into adjacent clusters. A rotor position member is structured to determine the position of each cluster. A controller directs the sample receiving elements into adjacent clusters, and directs the rotor position member to rotate the rotor to position clusters relative to sample processing component groups.

US Patent:

20030062067, Apr 3, 2003

Filed:

Sep 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/251647

Inventors:

Andrew Meyer - Cardiff by the Sea CA, US
Robert Downs - La Jolla CA, US
Mark Weselak - San Diego CA, US
Helin Dong - Palo Alto CA, US
James Mainquist - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

IRM, LLC

International Classification:

B08B009/20

US Classification:

134/025400, 134/042000, 134/05600R, 134/104200, 134/105000, 134/184000

Abstract:

This invention provides an apparatus and method for washing a biological chip cartridge. A washing station comprises a cartridge holder that includes at least two cartridge mounting tubes that are structured to retain the biological chip cartridge on the washing station without doors. At least one fluid source communicates with one of the mounting tubes and a waste dump communicates with another mounting tube. A fluid controller controls delivery of a fluid from the fluid source to the mounting tube.

US Patent:

20030091473, May 15, 2003

Filed:

Feb 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/780589

Inventors:

Robert Downs - La Jolla CA, US
Scott Lesley - San Diego CA, US
James Mainquist - San Diego CA, US
Andrew Meyer - San Diego CA, US
Christopher Shaw - San Diego CA, US
Mark Weselak - San Diego CA, US
Marc Nasoff - San Diego CA, US

International Classification:

B01L003/00

US Classification:

422/072000, 422/104000, 422/099000, 436/045000

Abstract:

An automated centrifuge comprising a rotor having a plurality of cavities located in the rotor. A tube is structured to be insertable into any one of the cavities and a controller is configured to insert the tube into the cavity. The cavities located in the rotor are grouped in clusters, and the cavities of each cluster are substantially parallel. Also, an automated centrifuge system comprising a rotor including a plurality of clusters of holes, each hole including a longitudinal axis, with the longitudinal axes of each cluster of holes being substantially parallel. A plurality of moveable tubes are arranged in at least two groups, with each group of tubes configured to be received into adjacent clusters of holes. A rotor position member is structured to determine the position of each cluster of holes. A controller directs the tubes into the adjacent clusters of holes, and directs the rotor position member to rotate the rotor to another cluster of holes.