Ron Ricco Robinson

US Patent:

5998201, Dec 7, 1999

Filed:

Aug 4, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/905374

Inventors:

Gregory R. Maes - Fenton MO
Dennis M. Connor - St. Charles MO
Brent D. Freiner - St. Charles MO
Clifford W. Karl - St. Charles MO
Ron Robinson - Bridgeton MO
Raymond M. Shelton - St. Charles MO
Garry R. Tegeler - Hazelwood MO
Michael James Justin - St. Louis MO

Assignee:

bioMerieux, Inc. - Hazelwood MO

International Classification:

C12M 300

US Classification:

4352873

Abstract:

An incubation station has a carousel for receiving a plurality of test sample cards. An even temperature and air flow distribution inside the carousel and incubation of the cards over time at the proper temperature was found to be critically dependent upon air flow characteristics within the incubation station. To optimize air flow, the carousel was given an open rear side that is exposed to an air distribution table having a cover plate placed adjacent to the rear surface of the carousel. The cover plate has a plurality of elongate slots positioned in a symmetrical ring-shaped pattern in registry with the carousel. The elongate slots are positioned at an angle relative to the slots in the carousel such that each carousel slot receives air from more than one slot. An extra fan was also added to the system to increase the flow of air into the air table. Scallop features on the carousel walls also promote even distribution of air flow over the cards.

US Patent:

60868244, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Jun 7, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/327110

Inventors:

Mark Joseph Fanning - Florissant MO
Jean-Pierre Bernard Gayral - Amberieu en Bugey, FR
Roger James Morris - St. Louis MO
Ron Robinson - Bridgeton MO
William Ernest Seaton - Chesterfield MO
David B. Shine - University City MO
Paul Springer - Florissant MO

Assignee:

bioMerieux, Inc. - Hazlewood MO

International Classification:

G01N 3510

US Classification:

422 65

Abstract:

An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles. The test sample positioning system moves the tray to a cutting and sealing station and then to an incubation station and loads the cards one at a time into a carousel within the incubation station.

US Patent:

D3935922, Apr 21, 1998

Filed:

Oct 31, 1996

Appl. No.:

D/061824

Inventors:

Ron Robinson - Bridgeton MO
Terrance J. McMichael - Kirkwood MO
Brian Flynn - Glendale Hts. IL
John Hoffman - Chicago IL
Richard B. Partlow - Naperville IL
David Rosten - Cambridge MN

Assignee:

bioMerieux Vitek, Inc. - Hazelwood MO

International Classification:

0907

US Classification:

D 9435

US Patent:

58913963, Apr 6, 1999

Filed:

Jan 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

/006617

Inventors:

Clifford W. Karl - St. Louis MO
Ron Robinson - Bridgeton MO

Assignee:

bioMerieux, Inc. - Hazelwood MO

International Classification:

G01N 3502

US Classification:

422 65

Abstract:

An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles. The test sample positioning system moves the tray to a cutting and sealing station and then to an incubation station and loads the cards one at a time into a carousel within the incubation station.

US Patent:

61362700, Oct 24, 2000

Filed:

Apr 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/300751

Inventors:

Gregory R. Maes - Fenton MO
Dennis M. Connor - St. Charles MO
Brent D. Freiner - St. Charles MO
Clifford W. Karl - St. Charles MO
Ron Robinson - Bridgeton MO
Raymond M. Shelton - St. Charles MO
Garry R. Tegeler - Hazelwood MO
Michael James Justin - St. Louis MO

Assignee:

bioMerieux, Inc. - Hazelwood MO

International Classification:

G01N 3500

US Classification:

422 64

Abstract:

An incubation station has a carousel for receiving a plurality of test sample cards. An even temperature and air flow distribution inside the carousel and incubation of the cards over time at the proper temperature was found to be critically dependent upon air flow characteristics within the incubation station. To optimize air flow, the carousel was given an open rear side that is exposed to an air distribution table having a cover plate placed adjacent to the rear surface of the carousel. The cover plate has a plurality of elongate slots positioned in a symmetrical ring-shaped pattern in registry with the carousel. The elongate slots are positioned at an angle relative to the slots in the carousel such that each carousel slot receives air from more than one slot. An extra fan was also added to the system to increase the flow of air into the air table. Scallop features on the carousel walls also promote even distribution of air flow over the cards.

US Patent:

61565652, Dec 5, 2000

Filed:

Aug 4, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/905374

Inventors:

Gregory R. Maes - Fenton MO
Dennis M. Connor - St. Charles MO
Brent D. Freiner - St. Charles MO
Clifford W. Karl - St. Charles MO
Ron Robinson - Bridgeton MO
Raymond M. Shelton - St. Charles MO
Garry R. Tegeler - Hazelwood MO
Michael James Justin - St. Louis MO

Assignee:

bioMerieux, Inc. - Hazelwood MO

International Classification:

C12M 300

US Classification:

4352873

Abstract:

An incubation station has a carousel for receiving a plurality of test sample cards. An even temperature and air flow distribution inside the carousel and incubation of the cards over time at the proper temperature was found to be critically dependent upon air flow characteristics within the incubation station. To optimize air flow, the carousel was given an open rear side that is exposed to an air distribution table having a cover plate placed adjacent to the rear surface of the carousel. The cover plate has a plurality of elongate slots positioned in a symmetrical ring-shaped pattern in registry with the carousel. The elongate slots are positioned at an angle relative to the slots in the carousel such that each carousel slot receives air from more than one slot. An extra fan was also added to the system to increase the flow of air into the air table. Scallop features on the carousel walls also promote even distribution of air flow over the cards.

US Patent:

58561935, Jan 5, 1999

Filed:

Apr 23, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/838983

Inventors:

Mark Joseph Fanning - Florissant MO
Jean-Pierre Bernard Gayral - Amberieu en Bugey, FR
Clifford W. Karl - St. Louis MO
Bernard Jean Marie Limon - Rignat, FR
Donald Meyer - St. Peters MO
Roger James Morris - St. Louis MO
Ron Robinson - Bridgeton MO
William Ernest Seaton - Chesterfield MO
David B. Shine - University City MO
Paul Springer - Florissant MO
James Clement Bishop - Columbia MO
Craig Drager - Ballwin MO
Thomas Burchard - Winchester MA
David Chastain - Acton MA
Stephen Guerrera - Milford MA
Andrew Moore - Austin TX
David Porat - Newton MA
Arthur Rousmaniere - Andover MA
Andrew Zeigler - Arlington MA

Assignee:

bioMerieux Vitek, Inc. - Hazelwood MO

International Classification:

G01N 3502
G01N 3510

US Classification:

436 48

Abstract:

An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles. The test sample positioning system moves the tray to a cutting and sealing station and then to an incubation station and loads the cards one at a time into a carousel within the incubation station.

US Patent:

D3976114, Sep 1, 1998

Filed:

Jun 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

D/072106

Inventors:

Ron Robinson - Bridgeton MO
Terrance J. McMichael - Kirkwood MO
Brian Flynn - Glendale Hts. IL
John Hoffman - Chicago IL
Richard B. Partlow - Naperville IL
David Rosten - Cambridge MN

Assignee:

bioMerieux Vitek, Inc. - Hazelwood MO

International Classification:

0907

US Classification:

D 9435