Larry G Nelson

US Patent:

44461062, May 1, 1984

Filed:

Jan 15, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/339331

Inventors:

Larry A. Nelson - Spokane WA
Leon W. Schmidt - Spokane WA

Assignee:

Instrumentation Laboratory Inc. - Lexington MA

International Classification:

G01N 930
G01N 3500

US Classification:

422 72

Abstract:

A chemical analysis system for analyzing a plurality of independent specimens that have time varying characteristics includes a circumferential array of analysis regions that hold the specimens. The analytical regions are sequentially and repetitively sensed and resulting analysis signals corresponding to monitored specimen characteristics are stored in corresponding memory locations. A signal transmission channel connected between the sensor and the memory includes a signal storage capacitor and variable slew rate circuitry. The stored data signal value from the location in memory corresponding to the next analysis region to be sensed is applied to the signal transmission channel while the slew rate circuitry is set in a fast slew rate condition to preset the storage capacitor, and then the data signal generated by said sensor is applied to the signal transmission channel while the slew rate circuitry is set in a slow slew rate condition to adjust the data signal value in the storage capacitor to the current analysis signal value provided by the sensor.

US Patent:

47088869, Nov 24, 1987

Filed:

Feb 27, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/706072

Inventors:

Larry A. Nelson - Spokane WA

Assignee:

Fisher Scientific Company - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G01N 3504
G01N 2107

US Classification:

422 72

Abstract:

An analysis system has a first storage area in which sample and reagent materials are stored at an appropriate storage temperature and a second (analysis) area which is maintained at a controlled and stabilized higher temperature at which the analysis is to be performed. A plurality of analysis cuvettes of long thermal time constant material are stored adjacent the second storage area for time intervals sufficient for those analysis cuvettes to be equilibrated to the analysis temperature. A transport mechanism in the second storage area is adapted to transport the equilibrated analytical cuvettes sequentially from the supply station to a load station, then to an analysis station and then to a used cuvette station, and a transfer mechanism is arranged for movement between the first and second storage areas for transferring quantities of sample and reagent from the first storage for loading into the equilibrated analytical cuvette at the loading station in the second storage area.

US Patent:

47881500, Nov 29, 1988

Filed:

Mar 18, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/027558

Inventors:

Larry A. Nelson - Spokane WA
William A. Mace - Spokane WA

Assignee:

Fisher Scientific Company - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G01N 3504
G01N 3700

US Classification:

436 45

Abstract:

An analysis system has a first region in which sample materials are stored at an appropriate storage temperature and an analysis region which is maintained at a controlled and stabilized temperature higher than the temperature of the first region. Transfer mechanism for transferring a quantity of sample material from the first region for loading into an analysis cuvette in the analysis region includes a liquid handling probe that is mounted on a probe transport carriage, and a drive for moving the transport carriage between the first and second regions. The transport carriage includes a storage chamber connected to the liquid handling probe, thermal energy supplying means in heat exchange relation with the storage chamber, and thermal sensor means carried by the transport carriage. Means responsive to the thermal sensor supplies thermal energy to the transport carriage to maintain the storage chamber at substantially the same temperature as the analysis region.

US Patent:

45500843, Oct 29, 1985

Filed:

Nov 18, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/553096

Inventors:

Larry A. Nelson - Spokane WA
Leon W. Schmidt - Spokane WA

Assignee:

Allied Corporation - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01N 930
G01N 3500

US Classification:

436 45

Abstract:

A chemical analysis system for analyzing a plurality of independent specimens that have time varying characteristics includes a circumferential array of analysis regions that hold the specimens. The analytical regions are sequentially and repetitively sensed and resulting analysis signals corresponding to monitored specimen characteristics are stored in corresponding memory locations. A signal transmission channel connected between the sensor and the memory includes a signal storage capacitor and variable slew rate circuitry. The stored data signal value from the location in memory corresponding to the next analysis region to be sensed is applied to the signal transmission channel while the slew rate circuitry is set in a fast slew rate condition to preset the storage capacitor, and then the data signal generated by said sensor is applied to the signal transmission channel while the slew rate circuitry is set in a slow slew rate condition to adjust the data signal value in the storage capacitor to the current analysis signal value provided by the sensor.

US Patent:

47388250, Apr 19, 1988

Filed:

Feb 27, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/706073

Inventors:

Norman G. Kelln - Spokane WA
Larry A. Nelson - Spokane WA
Thomas O. Tiffany - Spokane WA

Assignee:

Fisher Scientific Company - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G01N 3504
G01N 2107

US Classification:

422 72

Abstract:

An analysis system of the concurrent type has a multicuvette unit supply station, a loading station, an analysis station, and transport mechanism for transporting cuvette units in correlated orientation between the several stations. Each cuvette unit includes mechanical interlock structure that cooperates with orientation structure at each of the several stations and with orientation structure carried by the transport mechanism so that continuity of cuvette orientation information is maintained throughout loading and concurrent analysis of the several samples in the cuvette unit.

US Patent:

46702199, Jun 2, 1987

Filed:

Feb 27, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/706070

Inventors:

Larry A. Nelson - Spokane WA
William A. Mace - Spokane WA

Assignee:

Fisher Scientific Company - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G01N 3506
G01N 930
G01N 3504

US Classification:

422 63

Abstract:

An analysis system has a first region in which sample materials are stored at an appropriate storage temperature and an analysis region which is maintained at a controlled and stabilized temperature higher than the temperature of the first region. Transfer mechanism for transferring a quantity of sample material from the first region for loading into an analysis cuvette in the analysis region includes a liquid handling probe that is mounted on a probe transport carriage, and a drive for moving the transport carriage between the first and second regions. The transport carriage includes a storage chamber connected to the liquid handling probe, thermal energy supplying means in heat exchange relation with the storage chamber, and thermal sensor means carried by the transport carriage. Means responsive to the thermal sensor supplies thermal energy to the transport carriage to maintain the storage chamber at substantially the same temperature as the analysis region.

US Patent:

50716255, Dec 10, 1991

Filed:

Jan 20, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/145976

Inventors:

Norman G. Kelln - Spokane WA
Larry A. Nelson - Spokane WA
Thomas O. Tiffany - Spokane WA

Assignee:

Fisher Scientific Company - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G01N 110
G01N 2107
G01N 3500

US Classification:

422 72

Abstract:

An analysis system of the concurrent type has a multicuvette unit supply station, a loading station, an analysis station, and transport mechanism for transporting cuvette units in correlated orientation between the several stations. Each cuvette unit includes mechanical interlock structure that cooperates with orientation structure at each of the several stations and with orientation structure carried by the transport mechanism so that continuity of cuvette orientation information is maintained throughout loading and concurrent analysis of the several samples in the cuvette unit.

US Patent:

45808970, Apr 8, 1986

Filed:

May 31, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/615644

Inventors:

Larry A. Nelson - Spokane WA
Gregory C. Healey - Spokane WA

Assignee:

Allied Corporation - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01N 2107

US Classification:

356246

Abstract:

A multicuvette rotor for use in a centrifugal analyzer defines a circumferential array of elongated radially extending cuvettes. Each elongated cuvette defines a first chamber for receiving a first reactant and a loading port through which the first reactant is introduced into the first chamber region, a second chamber region for receiving a second reactant and a loading port through which the second reactant is introduced into the second chamber region, and divider structure between the first and second chamber regions that has a ramp surface and a ramp crest spaced from the ceiling surface of the cuvette so that a transfer passage between the first and second chamber regions is defined through which the first reactant may be flowed into the second chamber region for forming a reaction product with the second reactant. Deflector structure extends downwardly from the cuvette ceiling surface adjacent each second loading port, each deflector structure being located radially outwardly from a line extension of the ramp surface and having a lower end substantially in alignment with the ramp crest. An analysis region is defined adjacent the radially outer wall of the cuvette where the resulting reaction product is subjected to analysis.