Douglas B Dority

US Patent:

6369893, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

May 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/314605

Inventors:

Lee A. Christel - Palo Alto CA
M. Allen Northrup - Berkeley CA
Kurt E. Petersen - San Jose CA
William A. McMillan - Cupertino CA
Gregory T. A. Kovacs - Stanford CA
Steven J. Young - Los Gatos CA
Ronald Chang - Redwood City CA
Douglas B. Dority - Mill Valley CA
Raymond T. Hebert - Los Gatos CA
Gregory J. Kintz - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Cepheid - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G01N 2164

US Classification:

356417, 2504581, 422 8208, 436172

Abstract:

An apparatus for thermally controlling and optically interrogating a reaction mixture includes a vessel [ ] having a chamber [ ] for holding the mixture. The apparatus also includes a heat-exchanging module [ ] having a pair of opposing thermal plates [ A, B] for receiving the vessel [ ] between them and for heating/and or cooling the mixture contained in the vessel. The module [ ] also includes optical excitation and detection assemblies [ ] positioned to optically interrogate the mixture. The excitation assembly [ ] includes multiple light sources [ ] and a set of filters for sequentially illuminating labeled analytes in the mixture with excitation beams in multiple excitation wavelength ranges. The detection assembly [ ] includes multiple detectors [ ] and a second set of filters for detecting light emitted from the chamber [ ] in multiple emission wavelength ranges. The optics assemblies [ ] thus provide a multi-channel system for detecting a plurality of different target analytes in the mixture.

US Patent:

6391541, May 21, 2002

Filed:

May 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/583807

Inventors:

Kurt E. Petersen - Santa Jose CA 95054
Michael T. Taylor - Newark CA 94560
Farzad Pourahmadi - Fremont CA 94539
William A. McMillan - Cupertino CA 95014
Ronald Chang - Redwood City CA 94063
Stanley H. Sakai - Cupertino CA 95014
Jesus Ching - Santa Clara CA 95054
Douglas B. Dority - Mill Valley CA 94941
Phillip Belgrader - Manteca CA 94336
M. Allen Northrup - Berkeley CA 94708

International Classification:

G01N 3353

US Classification:

435 5, 435 72, 435 721, 435259, 4352871, 4352872, 4352882, 435810, 436164, 436165, 436514, 436518, 436526, 436527, 436805, 436806, 436807, 436809, 436829, 422 58, 422 56, 241 2

Abstract:

A cartridge for separating a desired analyte from a fluid sample has a sample flow path and a lysing chamber in the sample flow path. The lysing chamber contains at least one filter for capturing cells or viruses from the sample as the sample flows through the lysing chamber. Beads are also disposed in the lysing chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses to release the analyte therefrom. An analyte flow path extends from the lysing chamber and diverges from the sample flow path. The analyte flow path preferably leads to a reaction chamber for chemically reacting and optically detecting the analyte. The cartridge also includes at least one flow controller (e. g. , valves) for directing the sample into the waste chamber after the sample flows through the lysing chamber and for directing the analyte separated from the sample into the analyte flow path.

US Patent:

6403037, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Feb 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/497848

Inventors:

Ronald Chang - Redwood City CA
Douglas B. Dority - Mill Valley CA
Lee A. Christel - Palo Alto CA
Kurt E. Petersen - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Cepheid - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G01N 1506

US Classification:

422 681, 422 58, 422100, 422 63, 422102, 422 8205, 422 8212, 436180, 436172, 4352887, 4352885, 356340, 250238

Abstract:

The invention provides a reaction vessel and temperature control system for performing heat-exchanging chemical reactions, such as nucleic acid amplification. The vessel has a body defining a reaction chamber, and a loading structure extending from the body for loading a sample into the chamber. The loading structure has a loading reservoir, an aspiration port, and respective fluid channels connecting the loading reservoir and aspiration port to the chamber. To load the sample into the vessel, the sample is first dispensed into the loading reservoir and then drawn into the chamber by application of a vacuum to the aspiration port. The vessel also includes a seal aperture extending over the outer ends of the loading reservoir and aspiration port. A plug is inserted into the aperture after loading the sample into the chamber to simultaneously seal the chamber, loading reservoir, and aspiration port from the external environment. The temperature of the sample is controlled by opposing plates positioned to contact opposite sides of the vessel.

US Patent:

6431476, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Dec 21, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/469724

Inventors:

Michael T. Taylor - Newark CA
Phillip Belgrader - Manteca CA
Farzad Pourahmadi - Fremont CA
William A. McMillan - Cupertino CA
Ronald Chang - Redwood City CA
Douglas B. Dority - Mill Valley CA

Assignee:

Cepheid - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B02C 1900

US Classification:

241 1, 241 2, 241301

Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for disrupting cells or viruses to release the nucleic acid therefrom. The apparatus includes a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The apparatus also includes an ultrasonic transducer for contacting a wall of the chamber and for transmitting ultrasonic energy into the chamber through the wall. A support structure holds the container and the transducer against each other such that the transducer contacts the wall of the chamber. The support structure includes an elastic body, such as a spring, for applying to the container or to the transducer a substantially constant force to press together the transducer and the wall. The chamber also preferably contains beads for enhancing the disruption of the cells or viruses. The apparatus performs rapid and consistent lysis of cells or viruses, often in as little time as 5 to 10 seconds.

US Patent:

6565815, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Jul 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/194374

Inventors:

Ronald Chang - Redwood City CA
Lee A. Christel - Palo Alto CA
Gregory T. A. Kovacs - Stanford CA
William A. McMillan - Cupertino CA
M. Allen Northrup - Berkeley CA
Kurt E. Petersen - Santa Clara CA
Farzad Pourahmadi - Fremont CA
Steven J. Young - Los Gatos CA
Robert Yuan - Belmont CA
Douglas B. Dority - Mill Valley CA

Assignee:

Cepheid - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

F28D 700

US Classification:

422198, 422100, 422 58, 422 681, 422 8205, 422102, 4352887, 4353031, 356246, 356340, 356442, 250238

Abstract:

The present invention provides a reaction vessel and apparatus for performing heat-exchanging reactions. The vessel has a chamber for holding a sample, the chamber being defined by a plurality of walls, at least two of the walls being light transmissive to provide optical windows to the chamber. The apparatus comprises at least one heating surface for contacting at least one of the plurality of walls, a heat source for heating the surface, and optics positioned to optically interrogate the chamber while the heating surface is in contact with at least one of the plurality of walls. The optics include at least one light source for transmitting light to the chamber through a first one of the light transmissive walls and at least one detector for detecting light exiting the chamber through a second one of the light transmissive walls.

US Patent:

6660228, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Dec 21, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/468690

Inventors:

Ronald Chang - Redwood City CA
Douglas B. Dority - Mill Valley CA
Lee A. Christel - Palo Alto CA
Robert Yuan - Belmont CA
Kurt E. Petersen - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Cepheid - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B01L 300

US Classification:

422 681, 422 8205, 422102, 356246

Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus for performing heat-exchanging chemical reactions, such as nucleic acid amplification. The apparatus includes a reaction vessel having a chamber for holding a sample for chemical reaction and optical detection. The vessel has a rigid frame defining the side walls of the chamber, and flexible sheets attached to opposite sides of the frame to form opposing major walls of the chamber. The frame further includes a port and a channel connecting the port to the chamber. The temperature of the sample is controlled by opposing plates positioned to receive the chamber of the vessel between them. The apparatus also includes a plunger which is inserted into the channel of the vessel to seal the port and increase pressure in the chamber. The increased pressure forces the flexible major walls of the chamber to contact and conform to the surfaces of the plates, thus ensuring optimal thermal conductance between the plates and the chamber. The apparatus also includes thermal elements for heating or cooling the plates, as well as optics for detecting analytes in the sample.

US Patent:

6783736, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Mar 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/801077

Inventors:

Michael T. Taylor - Newark CA
Farzad Pourahmadi - Fremont CA
Ronald Chang - Redwood City CA
Douglas B. Dority - Mill Valley CA

Assignee:

Cepheid - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B01L 1100

US Classification:

422103, 4352631, 4352885, 251331, 13761419, 137863

Abstract:

A cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample has a body defining at least first and second channels and a cavity separating the channels. An end of the first channel is positioned on a first side of the cavity, and an end of the second channel is positioned on a second side of the cavity. The cavity is defined by a first curved surface positioned adjacent the end of the first channel, a second curved surface positioned adjacent the end of the second channel, and at least a third surface between the first and second curved surfaces. The cartridge also comprises an elastic membrane for establishing a seal with the first and second curved surfaces to prevent the flow of fluid between the channels. The third surface is recessed from the first and second surfaces to provide a gap between the membrane and the third surface when the membrane is pressed against the first and second surfaces. A cartridge having a conical valve seat is also disclosed.

US Patent:

6818185, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

May 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/584328

Inventors:

Kurt E. Petersen - Santa Clara CA
William A. McMillan - Cupertino CA
Farzad Pourahmadi - Fremont CA
Ronald Chang - Redwood City CA
Douglas B. Dority - Mill Valley CA

Assignee:

Cepheid - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B01L 302

US Classification:

422102, 422 58, 422 99, 422100, 422130, 4352877

Abstract:

A device for conducting a chemical reaction comprises a body having at least first and second channels formed therein. A reaction vessel extends from the body. The reaction vessel has a reaction chamber, an inlet port connected to the reaction chamber via an inlet channel, and an outlet port connected to the reaction chamber via an outlet channel. The inlet port of the vessel is connected to the first channel in the body, and the outlet port of the vessel is connected to the second channel in the body.