William C Mayer

US Patent:

7316779, Jan 8, 2008

Filed:

Oct 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/274380

Inventors:

Norman J. Pressman - Glencoe IL, US
William J. Mayer - South Barrington IL, US

Assignee:

Monogen, Inc. - Vernon Hills IL

International Classification:

B01D 25/02
B01D 35/26
B01D 25/00

US Classification:

2104161, 21032175, 210435, 210456, 210649, 210767, 422101, 422102, 422104

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7572638, Aug 11, 2009

Filed:

Oct 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/274366

Inventors:

Norman J. Pressman - Glencoe IL, US
William J. Mayer - South Barrington IL, US

Assignee:

Hologic, Inc. - Marlborough MA

International Classification:

G01N 35/02

US Classification:

436 47, 436 43, 436 55, 436177, 436178

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7771662, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Apr 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/122151

Inventors:

Norman J. Pressman - Glencoe IL, US
William J. Mayer - South Barrington IL, US

Assignee:

Hologic, Inc - Marlborough MA

International Classification:

B01L 3/02

US Classification:

422102, 422 99, 422100, 422101, 436177, 436178

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7807476, Oct 5, 2010

Filed:

Mar 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/732078

Inventors:

Norman J. Pressman - Glencoe IL, US
William J. Mayer - South Barrington IL, US

Assignee:

Hologic, Inc. - Marlborough MA

International Classification:

G01N 1/18

US Classification:

436177, 436174, 436178, 422100, 422101, 422102

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20030087443, May 8, 2003

Filed:

Oct 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/274381

Inventors:

Norman Pressman - Glencoe IL, US
William Mayer - South Barrington IL, US

Assignee:

MONOGEN INC.

International Classification:

G01N035/00
C12M001/34
G01N021/00
B01L003/00

US Classification:

436/046000, 435/287200, 422/102000, 422/063000

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for processing specimens, e.g., biological specimens, to extract samples for both liquid (i.e., extracellular) and slide-based (i.e., intracellular) testing. Both types of samples can be obtained from a single fluid specimen. A fluid sampling station removes fluid from a specimen container and places it in a sample receptacle. A specimen acquisition station removes fluid from the container, separates particulate matter (e.g., cells) from the removed fluid, and forms a sample layer of particulate matter, which is transferred to a slide. The two sampling operations can be carried out in any order. The fluid sample receptacle may have a special one-way valve arrangement. The apparatus can be automated so as to process multiple fluid specimens in their respective containers. The machine according to this invention is a “platform instrument” that can produce all required liquid samples and slide-based samples for essentially all cytopathology tests.

US Patent:

20030099580, May 29, 2003

Filed:

Oct 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/274365

Inventors:

Norman Pressman - Glencoe IL, US
William Mayer - South Barrington IL, US
Lucien Wroblewski - Downers Grove IL, US

Assignee:

MONOGEN, INC.

International Classification:

G01N035/02

US Classification:

422/104000, 422/063000

Abstract:

A microscope slide cassette for use with specimen handling apparatus. A plurality of opposed pairs of shelves carried by the side walls of the cassette are adapted to support specimen slides by their ends in the cassette. The shelves have a top surface on which a specimen slide can rest, and a resilient bottom surface configured to pinch the slide below against the shelf below to frictionally retain the pinched slide in the cassette. The bottom surface may comprise a spring. An inclined shelf lead-in ramp guides slides during insertion. Drainage ports in the side walls above and/or below the shelves make the cassette well suited for use in staining baths. Two laterally spaced racks on the rear wall, vertically spaced indexing marks corresponding to each slide position, and a sensor window at each slide position make the cassette well-suited for use in automated slide cassette handling mechanisms. The cassette is stackable with others for compact storage.

US Patent:

20030100125, May 29, 2003

Filed:

Oct 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/274383

Inventors:

Norman Pressman - Glencoe IL, US
William Mayer - South Barrington IL, US
Lucien Wroblewski - Downers Grove IL, US

Assignee:

MONOGEN, INC.

International Classification:

G01N001/28

US Classification:

436/177000, 422/067000, 422/101000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for collecting a cell sample of desired concentration on a filter collection site from a biological liquid specimen in a container. Specimen liquid is moved through a filter while the volume rate of liquid flow through the filter is monitored. The monitored liquid flow rate is compared to a reference value, and liquid flow through the filter is terminated when the ratio of monitored liquid flow rate to the reference value reaches or exceeds a predetermined ratio value. The predetermined ratio value preferably is a function of the protocol for processing the specimen. An alternative method and apparatus relies on the rate of change of the measured weight of the container. This rate is compared to a reference value, and liquid flow through the filter is terminated when the rate of change diminishes to or below a predetermined value.

US Patent:

20070287193, Dec 13, 2007

Filed:

Nov 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/667296

Inventors:

Norman Pressman - Glencoe IL, US
William Mayer - South Barrington IL, US

Assignee:

MONOGEN, INC. - Vernon Hills IL

International Classification:

G01N 1/18
B01L 11/00
B01L 3/00
G01N 1/00

US Classification:

436178000, 422101000, 422102000, 422058000, 436174000, 436177000

Abstract:

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 a vial cover (). The processing assembly () remains with the cover () when the vial is opened to insert a specimen therein. Application of an external force to the cover () 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 discarded. Sealing and drainage features help prevent cross-contamination during specimen processing.