Benjamin Riepe

US Patent:

6544161, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

Nov 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/989760

Inventors:

Scott P. Hunicke-Smith - Redwood City CA
Carl Buice - Mountain View CA
Benjamin Riepe - San Mateo CA
Theodore Rogers - Berkeley CA
David Huber - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Genomic Instrumentation Services, Inc. - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

B04B 500

US Classification:

494 31, 494 84, 494 45, 422102

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a microcentrifuge apparatus adapted to simultaneously spin a plurality of samples contained within a plurality of rotors. The microcentrifuge comprises an upper plate that has a plurality of upper plate holes; and a lower plate that has a plurality of lower plate holes or recesses. The lower plate is adjacent and substantially parallel to the upper plate, and the plurality of lower plate holes or recesses are in axial alignment with the plurality of upper plate holes. The plurality of rotors are adapted for retaining and spinning the plurality of samples, and are positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate. Each of the plurality of rotors has at opposing ends an upper shaft and a lower shaft, wherein the upper shaft engages one of the upper plate holes and the lower shaft engages one of the lower plate holes or recesses such that the axes of rotation of each of the plurality rotors are substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower plates. In addition, each of the rotors has a central outer surface portion positioned between the upper and lower plates, wherein the central outer surface portion is outwardly bulged. The microcentrifuge further comprises a pulley and a drive belt that is operatively engaged with the pulley and the bulged central outer surface portion of each of the plurality of rotors.

US Patent:

6387031, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Jan 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/494132

Inventors:

Scott P. Hunicke-Smith - Menlo Park CA
Carl Buice - Mountain View CA
Benjamin Riepe - San Mateo CA
Theodore Rogers - Berkeley CA

Assignee:

Genomic Instrumentation Services, Inc. - San Carlos CA

International Classification:

B04B 510

US Classification:

494 31, 494 84

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a microcentrifuge apparatus adapted to simultaneously spin a plurality of samples contained within a plurality of rotors. The microcentrifuge comprises an upper plate that has a plurality of upper plate holes; and a lower plate that has a plurality of lower plate holes or recesses. The lower plate is adjacent and substantially parallel to the upper plate, and the plurality of lower plate holes or recesses are in axial alignment with the plurality of upper plate holes. The plurality of rotors are adapted for retaining and spinning the plurality of samples, and are positioned between the upper plate and the lower plate. Each of the plurality of rotors has at opposing ends an upper shaft and a lower shaft, wherein the upper shaft engages one of the upper plate holes and the lower shaft engages one of the lower plate holes or recesses such that the axes of rotation of each of the plurality rotors are substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower plates. In addition, each of the rotors has a central outer surface portion positioned between the upper and lower plates, wherein the central outer surface portion is outwardly bulged. The microcentrifuge further comprises a pulley and a drive belt that is operatively engaged with the pulley and the bulged central outer surface portion of each of the plurality of rotors.