Robert J Levine

US Patent:

6365104, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Jun 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/344990

Inventors:

Wayne L. Brinster - Kinnelon NJ
Stephen C. Wardlaw - Lyme CT
Robert A. Levine - Guilford CT

Assignee:

Becton Dickinson and Company - Franklin Lakes NJ

International Classification:

G01N 2100

US Classification:

422 58, 422 73, 422 99, 422102, 436 69, 436 70, 436174, 436177

Abstract:

An improved system can be used to examine a centrifuged sample of anticoagulated whole blood for evidence of blood borne rare events such as: circulating cancer cells; malarial parasites; other hemato-parasites; bacteria; and the like; and can also be used in the measurement of hematocrit and hemoglobin, as well as white cell and platelet count values in the centrifuged blood sample. The system includes a transparent blood sample tube and an insert that is placed in the tube. The insert floats on the packed erythrocyte layer in the centrifuged blood sample, and expands all of the layers above the packed erythrocyte layer. The insert also forces any blood borne rare events to the periphery of the blood sample in the tube where such events can be detected through the tube wall. The bottom end of the tube is closed by a closure which includes an outer sheath and an inner plug that projects up into the tube bore to a degree necessary to elevate at least the upper portion of the packed erythrocyte layer into which the insert has settled sufficiently so as to be detectable above the cap, and preferably examinable microscopically after the blood sample has been centrifuged. The outer sheath of the tube closure includes an outer annular surface which is provided with sensible indicia.

US Patent:

8472693, Jun 25, 2013

Filed:

Mar 18, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/051705

Inventors:

Graham Davis - Princeton NJ, US
Stephen C. Wardlaw - Lyme CT, US
Robert A. Levine - Guilford CT, US
Darryn W. Unfricht - North Haven CT, US
Niten Lalpuria - Mumbai, IN
Paul G. Mitsis - Trenton NJ, US

Assignee:

Abbott Point of Care, Inc. - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382134

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for determining at least one hemoglobin related parameter of a whole blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by an interior surface of a first panel, and an interior surface of a second panel, and the chamber has a height extending between the interior surfaces of the panels, wherein the chamber is configured to increase the oxygenation state of the sample to a substantially oxygenated state within a predetermined amount of time after entry into the chamber; b) imaging the at least one red blood cell contacting the interior surfaces, and producing image signals; c) determining an optical density of at least a portion of the imaged red blood cell contacting both interior surfaces; and d) determining the at least one hemoglobin related parameter of the red blood cell contacting the interior surfaces, using the determined optical density and a molar extinction coefficient for oxygenated hemoglobin.

US Patent:

20120219457, Aug 30, 2012

Filed:

Dec 30, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/341618

Inventors:

John A. Verrant - Solebury PA, US
Niten V. Lalpuria - Mumbai, IN
Igor Nikonorov - Whitestone NY, US
Darryn W. Unfricht - North Haven CT, US
Benjamin Ports - Hamden CT, US
Stephen C. Wardlaw - Lyme CT, US
Robert A. Levine - Guilford CT, US
Robert Holt - East Stroudsburg PA, US
Kyle Hukari - Ewing NJ, US

Assignee:

Abbott Point of Care, Inc. - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

B01L 3/00
G01N 33/48

US Classification:

422 681

Abstract:

A biological fluid analysis cartridge is provided. In certain embodiments, the cartridge includes a base plate extending between a sample handling portion and an analysis chamber portion. A handling upper panel is attached to the base plate within the sample handling portion. A collection port is at least partially formed with the handling upper panel. An initial channel and a secondary channel are formed between the handling upper panel and the base plate. The collection port and initial and secondary channels are in fluid communication with one another. A chamber upper panel is attached to the base plate within the analysis chamber portion. At least one analysis chamber is formed between the chamber upper panel and the base plate. The secondary channel and the analysis chamber are in fluid communication with one another.

US Patent:

20130170729, Jul 4, 2013

Filed:

Nov 9, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/673644

Inventors:

Abbott Point of Care, Inc. - Princeton NJ, US
Robert A. Levine - Guilford CT, US
Darryn W. Unfricht - North Haven CT, US
Niten V. Lalpuria - Mumbai, IN
Jeremy R. Hill - Guilford CT, US

Assignee:

ABBOTT POINT OF CARE, INC. - Princeton NJ

International Classification:

G06T 7/00

US Classification:

382134

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for identifying reticulocytes within a blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, and the chamber has a known or determinable height extending between the interior surfaces of panels, which height is such that at least one red blood cell, or an aggregate of red blood cells, within the sample contacts both of the interior surfaces; b) admixing a supravital dye with the sample, which dye is operable to cause reticulin to fluoresce when excited by light of one or more predetermined wavelengths; c) imaging the sample using light that includes the one or more predetermined wavelengths that cause reticulin to fluoresce; d) imaging the sample using light that is absorbed by hemoglobin to produce values of optical density on a per image unit basis; and e) identifying reticulocytes within the sample using the image of the sample created with light that causes the dyed reticulin to fluoresce, and using the per image unit optical density values.

US Patent:

47749652, Oct 4, 1988

Filed:

Jul 1, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/068572

Inventors:

Rodolfo R. Rodriguez - Randolph NJ
Charles F. Galanaugh - West Milford NJ
Robert A. Levine - Guilford CT
Stephen C. Wardlaw - Old Saybrook CT
Theodore Juraschek - Wyckoff NJ

Assignee:

Becton Dickinson and Co., Inc. - Parsippany NJ

International Classification:

A61B 514

US Classification:

128771

Abstract:

A centrifuge tube is used to hold a mixture of several constituents, and also contains a generally cylindrical float. The float settles, after centrifugation, into the zone occupied by the constituent whose volume is to be measured. The constituent layer will settle, after centrifugation, into the annular space between the tube bore and the outside of the float, and will be expanded axially due to the restricted volume of the annular space. The degree of expansion is dependent upon the respective sizes of the float O. D. and the tube bore ID, both of which must be closely controlled for accurate results. A known volume of a control material is placed in the tube to settle into the annular space during centrifugation in an area thereof outside of the constituent layer zone. The length of the band of the control material is measured after centrifugation and is compared to a known length which will result if the annular space is of the proper target volume. A correction factor is thus obtained and applied to all of the other constituent layers which were measured.

US Patent:

48236241, Apr 25, 1989

Filed:

Sep 26, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/248632

Inventors:

Rodolfo R. Rodriguez - Randolph NJ
Matthew W. Lesniesky - Stanhope NJ
Charles F. Galanaugh - West Milford NJ
Robert A. Levine - Guilford CT
Stephen C. Wardlaw - Old Saybrook CT
Theodore Juraschek - Wyckoff NJ

Assignee:

Becton Dickinson & Company - Parsippany NJ

International Classification:

A61B 514

US Classification:

738659

Abstract:

A centrifuge tube is used to hold a mixture of several constituents, and also contains a generally cylindrical float. The float settles, after centrifugation, into the zone occupied by the constituent whose volume is to be measured. The constituent layer will settle, after centrifugation, into the annular space between the tube bore and the outside of the float, and will be expanded axially due to the restricted volume of the annular space. The degree of expansion is dependent upon the respective sizes of the float O. D. and the tube bore ID, both of which must be closely controlled for accurate results. A known volume of a control material is placed in the tube to settle into the annular space during centrifugation in an area thereof outside of the constituent layer zone. The length of the band of the control material is measured after centrifugation and is compared to a known length which will result if the annular space is of the proper target volume. A correction factor is thus obtained and applied to all of the other constituent layers which were measured.