Daniel M Mack

US Patent:

49312561, Jun 5, 1990

Filed:

Oct 11, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/217829

Inventors:

Daniel R. Mack - Half Moon Bay CA
Alfred H. Sturtevant - Palo Alto CA
Henry L. Schwartz - Los Gatos CA

Assignee:

Sequoia-Turner Corporation - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01N 3504
G01N 3506

US Classification:

422 65

Abstract:

Apparatus are provided which automatically add diluent/quench reagent in such a manner as to enable adequate mixing as well as a short period for further mixing in automated immunoassay techniques. The probes for adding the diluent/quench reagents are offset from the optics module probe so that reagents are being added to a second row while the optics probe aspirates solutions from a first row.

US Patent:

48030503, Feb 7, 1989

Filed:

Jul 22, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/888848

Inventors:

Daniel R. Mack - Half Moon Bay CA

Assignee:

Sequoia-Turner Corporation - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01N 3506

US Classification:

422 65

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for adding liquid to, aspirating liquid from, a rack of reaction tubes wherein a rack and carriage-dependent probes are made to move relative each other in the horizontal and vertical planes. The method calls for performing the first half of a wash sequence on tube located at x row, y column, then completing the sequence on tube at (x-1) row, y column, and returning to the tube at x row, (y+1) column to initiate the first half of the sequence. This "backtracking" of probes permits an incubation-soak period without cumulatively extending the total rack processing time.

US Patent:

48164186, Mar 28, 1989

Filed:

Jul 22, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/757676

Inventors:

Daniel R. Mack - Half Moon Bay CA
Michael G. Konicek - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Sequoia-Turner Corporation - Mountain View CA

International Classification:

G01N 3500
G01N 3502
G01N 3506

US Classification:

436518

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus useful in automated performance of immunoassays, in some preferred embodiments, relying upon the sandwich immunoassay technique, are described. Each rack of reaction tubes is uniquely identified by an optical identifier disc which is read by the automatic controller. The assays are performed at two stations which configuration thereby permits arrays to be run on a second rack of reaction tubes while the first rack is in process. The cooperation of the identifier disc and the automatic controller minimizes operator error and helps improve the reliability of the data obtained.