Harold F Fechtner

US Patent:

20060159587, Jul 20, 2006

Filed:

Jan 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/038853

Inventors:

Harold Fechtner - Yorba Linda CA, US
Jack McNeal - Long Beach CA, US

International Classification:

G01N 35/00

US Classification:

422064000

Abstract:

An automated clinical analyzer comprises an upper carousel operable to rotate about a central axis and a lower carousel operable to rotate about the same central axis. The upper carousel includes a first plurality of seats operable to receive a first plurality of reagent cartridges. The lower carousel includes a second plurality of seats operable to receive a second plurality of reagent cartridges. The analyzer further comprises a reagent probe assembly including a probe tip. The reagent probe assembly is operable to move the probe tip between the upper carousel and the lower carousel and extract liquid reagents from the first plurality of reagent cartridges and the second plurality of reagent cartridges. The upper carousel includes an opening that allows the probe to extend through the opening and reach cartridges located on the lower carousel.

US Patent:

50750828, Dec 24, 1991

Filed:

Aug 10, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/565796

Inventors:

Harold F. Fechtner - Claremont CA

Assignee:

Beckman Instruments, Inc. - Fullerton CA

International Classification:

B01L 300
G01N 3500
G01N 3502

US Classification:

422102

Abstract:

A reagent cartridge for use in an automated clinical analyzer, the reagent cartridge including a plurality of storage compartments each including wall members. The reagent cartridge includes connecting members formed integrally with the storage compartments for holding the storage compartments in a fixed relationship with respect to each other and separating the wall members from each other to thus prevent reagent migration between adjacent reagent compartments. Each of the storage compartments includes an access opening and a neck formed about the opening, the neck including a collar that is spaced a predetermined distance from a bottom wall of the associated storage compartment, the predetermined distance adapted to accommodate an automatically controlled reagent transfer probe. The reagent cartridge is adapted to be inserted into slots formed in a reagent cartridge storage apparatus on the automated analyzer, the reagent cartridge and slots together forming a positioning and detent mechanism which removably secures the cartridge in the slot for sure and definite positioning of the cartridge during automatic operation of the analyzer.

US Patent:

D353601, Jan 2, 1990

Filed:

Jul 11, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/884575

Inventors:

Harold F. Fechtner - Claremont CA

Assignee:

Beckman Instruments, Inc. - Fullerton CA

US Classification:

D24 8

US Patent:

49700537, Nov 13, 1990

Filed:

Aug 18, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/396769

Inventors:

Harold F. Fechtner - Claremont CA

Assignee:

Beckman Instruments, Inc. - Fullerton CA

International Classification:

B01L 300
G01N 3500
G01N 3502

US Classification:

422102

Abstract:

A reagent cartridge for use in an automated clinical analyzer, the reagent cartridge including a plurality of storage compartments each including wall members. The reagent cartridge includes connecting members formed integrally with the storage compartments for holding the storage compartments in a fixed relationship with respect to each other and separating the wall members from each other to thus prevent reagent migration between adjacent reagent compartments. Each of the storage compartments includes an access opening and a neck formed about the opening, the neck including a collar that is spaced a predetermined distance from a bottom wall of the associated storage compartment, the predetermined distance adapted to accommodate an automatically controlled reagent transfer probe. The reagent cartridge is adapted to be inserted into slots formed in a reagent cartridge storage apparatus on the automated analyzer, the reagent cartridge and slots together forming a positioning and detent mechanism which removably secures the cartridge in the slot for sure and definite positioning of the cartridge during automatic operation of the analyzer.

US Patent:

D2770245, Jan 1, 1985

Filed:

Jan 28, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/343462

Inventors:

Harold F. Fechtner - Claremont CA
Robert S. Szemeredi - Tujunga CA

Assignee:

Anthony Manufacturing Corp. - Azusa CA

US Classification:

D23 19

US Patent:

D2771276, Jan 8, 1985

Filed:

Jan 28, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/343463

Inventors:

Spencer L. Mackay - North Hollywood CA
Cleophus Price - Monrovia CA
Harold F. Fechtner - Claremont CA

Assignee:

Rain Bird Consumer Products Mfg. Corp. - Duarte CA

US Classification:

D23 7

US Patent:

49005138, Feb 13, 1990

Filed:

Jul 3, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/373690

Inventors:

Stephen F. Barker - Pomona CA
Harold F. Fechtner - Claremont CA

Assignee:

Beckman Instruments, Inc. - Fullerton CA

International Classification:

G01N 3504

US Classification:

422 64

Abstract:

A sample loading and unloading apparatus for an automated clinical instrument including a loading tray adapted to receive a plurality of sample carrying sectors. The apparatus further includes a sample carousel having a plurality of locations each adapted to receive sample sectors. The portion of the sample carousel nearest the loading tray defines a transfer position. The loading tray includes a transfer assembly for transferring a sector positioned at the transfer position from the sample carousel to the loading tray and simultaneously transferring a sector from the loading tray to the sample carousel. The transfer assembly includes a transfer spider which may be pneumatically raised to temporarily lift the sample sectors from the loading tray and the sample sector from the transfer position. The transfer assembly is rotated to a next index position and is lowered to thereby transfer the sample sector from the transfer position to the loading tray, increment sample sectors around the loading tray, and transfer a sector from a loading position on the loading tray to the transfer position.

US Patent:

D390159, Jul 3, 1990

Filed:

Jul 10, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/073119

Inventors:

Harold F. Fechtner - Claremont CA
Bobby L. Hobbs - Ontario CA

Assignee:

Beckman Instruments, Inc. - Fullerton CA

US Classification:

D24 29