Ernest Long

US Patent:

51679221, Dec 1, 1992

Filed:

Apr 27, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/515242

Inventors:

Ernest W. Long - Concord MA

Assignee:

PB Diagnostic Systems Inc. - Westwood MA

International Classification:

G01N 3122

US Classification:

422 58

Abstract:

An assay cartridge suitable for use with automated analytical instruments which include a conveyor such as a carousel. The cartridge is configured with ledges extending cutwardly from sides thereof, preferably at the bottom of the cartridge. The conveyor incudes berths for receiving the cartridges, each berth being formed as a depressed region within a top surface of the conveyor and bounded by a floor at the bottom of the berth and opposed sidewalls and an end wall extending upwardly from the floor. The sidewalls are preferably parallel to each other. An open end of the berth, opposite the end wall serves as a port through which the cartridge is inserted and extracted from the berth. Each of the sidewalls of the berth is provided with a shoulder which extends inwardly towards a center line of the berth, and upon insertion of the cartridge, extends over the ledges of the cartridge to serve as a guide. The guide includes grooves formed between the shoulders and the floor.

US Patent:

52001512, Apr 6, 1993

Filed:

May 21, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/526310

Inventors:

Ernest W. Long - Concord MA

Assignee:

P B Diagnostic Systems, Inc. - Westwood MA

International Classification:

G01N 2100
B01L 302

US Classification:

422100

Abstract:

There is described a fluid dispensing system which includes a pipette assembly adapted for use with disposable pipette tips. To ensure a precise location of a disposable pipette tip on the distal end of the stem of the pipette assembly which holds the pipette tip, a proximal chamber of the pipette tip envelops the distal end of the stem and includes a ledge which encircles an annular region of the stem to form an abutment for the stem and establish a precise distance between the distal end of the stem and the pipette tip orifice. In a preferred embodiment the fluid dispensing system is incorporated in an automated analytical instrument.

US Patent:

51388685, Aug 18, 1992

Filed:

Feb 13, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/654877

Inventors:

Ernest W. Long - Concord MA

Assignee:

PB Diagnostic Systems, Inc. - Westwood MA

International Classification:

G01C 2500

US Classification:

73 1R

Abstract:

A method of calibrating pipette position in an automated assay instrument employing a conveyor for holding assay cartridges and a transport for transporting a pipette between various locations is accomplished by alignment of a pipette stem with targets located at various locations within the system. Two targets are located on a tray having a plurality of reservoirs for holding liquid, and one target is located on a dummy cartridge carried by the conveyor. An indicator having a spring-loaded tab is used in conjunction with a pipette stem modified by inclusion of a circumferential slot for receiving the spring loaded tab. The stem is inserted into the indicator and locked therein, with limited sliding being provided by movement of the tab within confines of the slot. Alignment marks are provided on both the stem and the indicator to permit visual alignment of the stem relative to a target upon abutment of the indicator with the target. The height of the indicator along with the displacement of the stem from a reference position is inserted into a microprocessor of the assay instrument.

US Patent:

D3345360, Apr 6, 1993

Filed:

Jul 22, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/733234

Inventors:

Ernest W. Long - Concord MA
Shailendra Singh - Sharon MA

Assignee:

P B Diagnostic Systems, Inc. - Westwood MA

US Classification:

D 9425

US Patent:

52195260, Jun 15, 1993

Filed:

May 27, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/891977

Inventors:

Ernest W. Long - Concord MA

Assignee:

PB Diagnostic Systems Inc. - Westwood MA

International Classification:

G01N 3502

US Classification:

422 64

Abstract:

An assay cartridge suitable for use with automated analytical instruments which include a conveyor such as a carousel. The cartridge is configured with ledges extending outwardly from sides thereof, preferably at the bottom of the cartridge. The conveyor includes berths for receiving the cartridges, each berth being formed as a depressed region within a top surface of the conveyor and bounded by a floor at the bottom of the berth and opposed sidewalls and an end wall extending upwardly from the floor. The sidewalls are preferably parallel to each other. An open end of the berth, opposite the end wall serves as a port through which the cartridge is inserted and extracted from the berth. Each of the sidewalls of the berth is provided with a shoulder which extends inwardly towards a center line of the berth, and upon insertion of the cartridge, extends over the ledges of the cartridge to serve as a guide. The guide includes grooves formed between the shoulders and the floor.

US Patent:

50512374, Sep 24, 1991

Filed:

Jun 23, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/210732

Inventors:

Gerd Grenner - Lincoln MA
Shai Inbar - Boston MA
Ernest W. Long - Concord MA

Assignee:

P B Diagnostic Systems, Inc. - Westwood MA

International Classification:

G01N 3122

US Classification:

422 56

Abstract:

A liquid transport system provides controlled flow of liquid in a liquid flow zone between two surfaces wherein one surface includes a plurality of projections, or raised areas, arranged substantially throughout the surface in the liquid flow zone and an aperture for allowing the introduction of liquid between the two surfaces. In a preferred embodiment the projections on the first surface are arranged in parallel spaced rows and parallel spaced columns. The second surface may be one surface of a layer of a diagnostic assay element.

US Patent:

D3456110, Mar 29, 1994

Filed:

Jul 22, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/733254

Inventors:

Ernest W. Long - Concord MA

Assignee:

PB Diagnostic Systems, Inc. - Westwood MA

US Classification:

D24226

US Patent:

51418711, Aug 25, 1992

Filed:

May 10, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/521364

Inventors:

Fareed Kureshy - Westwood MA
Ernest W. Long - Concord MA
Shailendra Singh - Sharon MA

Assignee:

PB Diagnostic Systems, Inc. - Westwood MA

International Classification:

G01N 3502
G01N 3506

US Classification:

436 47

Abstract:

There is described an analytical isntrument for the analysis of fluids such as biological fluids. The instrument includes a fluid dispensing system having a pipette for dispensing fluid test samples and test reagents to assay cartridges. An optical detection system provides a light beam which intercepts a downward travel path of the pipette prior to its reaching the dispense position. Measurement of the intensity of the light beam in conjunction with the position of the pipette enables a controller to indicate the presence or absence of a pipette tip. In addition, interception of the light beam by the pipette initiates a final approach sequence for the pipette to the dispense position above an assay cartridge by a predetermined increment of travel.