Anthony Marcus Ford

US Patent:

6405609, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Feb 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/259238

Inventors:

William Richards - Tucson AZ
Anthony Ford - Tucson AZ
Vince Rizzo - Tucson AZ
Darin McDaniel - Tucson AZ
Kurt Reinhardt - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

B01L 302

US Classification:

7386414, 422 99, 422100, 73863, 73864, 7386401, 7386412, 436179, 436180

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for aspirating and dispensing reagents are provided. Aspirating of reagents is accomplished by a probe, a vial insert and reagent vial according to the present invention wherein a seal is formed between the probe and the vial insert when the probe engages the vial insert. Dispensing of reagents is accomplished by a probe and a probe dispense and wash station according to the present invention wherein a seal is formed between the probe and the vial insert when the probe engages the probe dispense and wash station.

US Patent:

6416713, Jul 9, 2002

Filed:

Jan 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/483218

Inventors:

Anthony Ford - Tucson AZ
Darin McDaniel - Tucson AZ
Stephen Mead - Tucson AZ
William Richards - Tucson AZ
Wayne Showalter - Tucson AZ
Bronwen Heilman - Tucson AZ
Brian McGraw - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

C01H 3510

US Classification:

422 63, 422103, 422 64, 422100, 436 46, 2223217, 1375195

Abstract:

A method of assembly of a fluid dispenser of an apparatus for an automated biological reaction system is provided. In the processing of a biological reaction system, there is a need for consistently placing an amount of fluid on a slide. In order to accomplish this, several methods are used including a consistency pulse and a volume adjust means. Moreover, in order to reliably operate an automated biological reaction system, the dispenser must be reliable, easy to assemble and accurate. Among other things, in order to accomplish this, the dispense chamber is substantially in line with the reservoir chamber, the reservoir chamber piston is removed, and the flow of fluid through the dispenser is simplified. Further, in order to operate the automated biological reaction system more reliably, the system is designed in modular pieces with higher functions performed by a host device and the execution of the staining operations performed by remote devices. Also, to reliably catalog data which is used by the automated biological reaction system, data is loaded to a memory device, which in turn is used by the operator to update the operators databases.

US Patent:

6537818, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Apr 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/825596

Inventors:

William Richards - Tucson AZ
Anthony Ford - Tucson AZ
Vince Rizzo - Tucson AZ
Darin McDaniel - Tucson AZ
Kurt Reinhardt - Tucson AZ
Wayne Showalter - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

G01N 3508

US Classification:

436 54, 436180, 422100, 422 81, 422102, 7386332, 73864, 7386401, 7386411, 7386431

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for aspirating and dispensing reagents are provided. Aspirating of reagents is accomplished by a probe, a vial insert and reagent vial according to the present invention wherein a seal is formed between the probe and the vial insert when the probe engages the vial insert. Dispensing of reagents is accomplished by a probe and a probe dispense and wash station according to the present invention wherein a seal is formed between the probe and the vial insert when the probe engages the probe dispense and wash station.

US Patent:

6704142, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Jan 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/761086

Inventors:

Charles Howard Caplan - Middleton WI
Richard Alfred Buchroeder - Tucson AZ
Frederick Nicholas Bushroe - Tucson AZ
Anthony Ralph Ford - Tucson AZ

Assignee:

Kerr Corporation - Orange CA

International Classification:

G02B 2300

US Classification:

359418, 359362, 359407, 359480, 351158

Abstract:

A housing for a magnification loupe is provided having a body portion for an eyepiece lens and a nose portion for an objective lens. The body portion for the eyepiece lens includes outer circumferential threads over which the objective nose portion fits. The objective nose portion includes a pin slot defining an arc across the body of the nose. The arc is configured such that a pin may be secured through the holes in the nose piece to co-act with the threads of the eyepiece body such that radial movement is prohibited.

US Patent:

6945128, Sep 20, 2005

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/896649

Inventors:

Anthony Ford - Tucson AZ, US
Darin McDaniel - Tucson AZ, US
Stephen Mead - Tucson AZ, US
William Richards - Tucson AZ, US
Wayne Showalter - Tucson AZ, US
Bronwen Heilman - Tucson AZ, US
Brian McGraw - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

B01L003/02

US Classification:

7386416, 7386332, 7386401, 7386413

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for an automated biological reaction system is provided. In the processing of a biological reaction system, there is a need for consistently placing an amount of fluid on a slide. In order to accomplish this, several methods are used including a consistency pulse and a volume adjust means. Moreover, in order to reliably operate an automated biological reaction system, the dispenser must be reliable, easy to assemble and accurate. Among other things, in order to accomplish this, the dispense chamber is substantially in line with the reservoir chamber, the reservoir chamber piston is removed, and the flow of fluid through the dispenser is simplified. Further, in order to operate the automated biological reaction system more reliably, the system is designed in modular pieces with higher functions performed by a host device and the execution of the staining operations performed by remote devices. Also, to reliably catalog data which is used by the automated biological reaction system, data is loaded to a memory device, which in turn is used by the operator to update the operator's databases. The generation of the sequence of steps for the automated biological reaction device based on data loaded by the operator, including checks to determine the ability to complete the run, is provided.

US Patent:

7271006, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

Apr 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/424335

Inventors:

Kurt Reinhardt - Tucson AZ, US
Anthony Ford - Tucson AZ, US
Mirek Holubec - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

G01N 35/00

US Classification:

436 46, 156344, 422 63, 422 64, 422 65, 422 99, 422100, 436180

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for selecting and dispensing coverglasses over specimens on slides for the purpose of viewing specimens through a microscope. The selecting device contains a suctioning mechanism for picking up a coverglass from a stack of coverglasses. It also contains the ability to bend the coverglass to assist in separating the coverglasses. The apparatus further contains a matched barrier to eliminate any coverglasses that may stick to the selected coverglass. The selecting device also contains spring members which aid in the dispensing of the coverglass. After the suctioning mechanism releases the coverglass, the spring members exert a force onto the coverglass to insure that it is released from the selecting device and placed onto the slide. After placement of the coverglass onto the slide, capillary action pushes air bubbles out from underneath the coverglass.

US Patent:

7727774, Jun 1, 2010

Filed:

Aug 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/838104

Inventors:

Kurt Reinhardt - Tucson AZ, US
Anthony Ford - Tucson AZ, US
Mirek Holubec - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

G01N 1/10

US Classification:

436180, 422 63, 422 64, 422 65, 422 67, 156344, 436 46

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for selecting and dispensing coverglasses over specimens on slides for the purpose of viewing specimens through a microscope. The selecting device contains a suctioning mechanism for picking up a coverglass from a stack of coverglasses. It also contains the ability to bend the coverglass to assist in separating the coverglasses. The apparatus further contains a matched barrier to eliminate any coverglasses that may stick to the selected coverglass. The selecting device also contains spring members which aid in the dispensing of the coverglass. After the suctioning mechanism releases the coverglass, the spring members exert a force onto the coverglass to insure that it is released from the selecting device and placed onto the slide. After placement of the coverglass onto the slide, capillary action pushes air bubbles out from underneath the coverglass.

US Patent:

8147773, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Mar 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/050707

Inventors:

Charles D. Lemme - Tucson AZ, US
Anthony Ford - Tucson AZ, US
Bronwen Heilman - Tucson AZ, US
Darin McDaniel - Tucson AZ, US
Brian McGraw - Tucson AZ, US
Stephen Mead - Bradenton FL, US
William Richards - Tucson AZ, US
Wayne Showalter - Tucson AZ, US

Assignee:

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. - Tucson AZ

International Classification:

B01L 3/02

US Classification:

422501, 422521, 422527, 422537, 422538, 7386332, 73864, 7386401, 7386403, 7386411, 7386413, 7386415, 7386416

Abstract:

A fluid dispenser useful in automated biological reaction systems comprising a barrel having a reservoir chamber, the barrel having an upper portion and a lower portion, a cap located on top of the upper portion of the barrel and connected to the reservoir chamber, the cap having an external surface with at least one hole therethrough, a valve comprising a biasing member and a hole sealer, the valve being located in the hole in the cap at the point where a downward force is applied against the cap, a coupler having a dispense chamber, the coupler being coaxial with the barrel and wherein the barrel lower portion moves into the dispense chamber during dispensing of fluid, and a vent located between the cap and the reservoir chamber, the vent including a vent opening and a vent material composed of oliophobic material.