Ruth M Shuman

US Patent:

6659932, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/271174

Inventors:

Douglas J. Kluge - Clearwater MN
Ellen M. Heath - Minnetonka MN
Ruth Shuman - Minnetonka MN

Assignee:

Gentra Systems, Inc. - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

B04B 502

US Classification:

494 37

Abstract:

A rotor locator and centrifuge body locator includes a pair of locator arms that close about the rotor shaft and an alignment pin to center the rotor shaft. A registration mechanism rotates the rotor shaft and the centrifuge body until it reaches a known home position. A method of consistently registering the centrifuge body includes centering a rotor shaft of the body along a known center line and aligning the body to a home position both before and after centrifugation.

US Patent:

6663553, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/271137

Inventors:

Douglas J. Kluge - Clearwater MN
Ellen M. Heath - Minnetonka MN
Ruth Shuman - Minnetonka MN

Assignee:

Gentra Systems, Inc. - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

B04B 900

US Classification:

494 10, 494 20, 494 84

Abstract:

A rotor locator and centrifuge body locator includes a pair of locator arms that close about the rotor shaft and an alignment pin to center the rotor shaft. A registration mechanism rotates the rotor shaft and the centrifuge body until it reaches a known home position. A method of consistently registering the centrifuge body includes centering a rotor shaft of the body along a known center line and aligning the body to a home position both before and after centrifugation.

US Patent:

6695759, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/271138

Inventors:

Douglas J. Kluge - Clearwater MN
Ellen M. Heath - Minnetonka MN
Ruth Shuman - Minnetonka MN

Assignee:

Gentra Systems, Inc. - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

B04B 502

US Classification:

494 20

Abstract:

A centrifuge bucket is provided. The centrifuge bucket has a bucket body and a holder plate mounted within the body. The holder plate has a plurality of holder openings therein to receive samples. The centrifuge bucket has a bottom support member having a plurality of support openings. Each of the support openings is precisely aligned with a respective holder opening. An alignment post mechanism is affixed to the bucket. The alignment post mechanism has a mechanism base disposed on the bottom support member and an alignment post attached to the mechanism base.

US Patent:

6878340, Apr 12, 2005

Filed:

Oct 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/004013

Inventors:

Ellen M. Heath - Minnetonka MN, US
Ruth Shuman - Minnetonka MN, US
Douglas J. Kluge - Clearwater MN, US
Glenn M. Campbell - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Gentra Systems, Inc. - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

B32B005/02
B01L003/02
B01L009/00
A47F003/08
E05D073/00

US Classification:

422 63, 99104, 211 153, 211 155, 211 156, 211 4, 211 7101, 211 74, 211 77, 211 79, 211 80

Abstract:

A mixing and pouring apparatus for computer controlled processing of mixing and pouring operations includes a rotatable arm capable of holding vessels therein, the arm rotatable at programmable speeds and time lengths to perform automated moving and pouring processes. The present invention further provides a cap and vessel positioning system that securely locks a vessel in place and realigns the cap in essentially the identical position in relation to the vessel every time the vessel is capped. In one embodiment, both the cap and vessel have flanges that are aligned when the cap is properly secured to the vessel.

US Patent:

7018587, Mar 28, 2006

Filed:

Dec 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/024839

Inventors:

Ellen M. Heath - Minnetonka MN, US
Ruth Shuman - Minnetonka MN, US
Douglas J. Kluge - Clearwater MN, US
Glenn M. Campbell - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Gentra Systems, Inc. - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

B32B 27/04
B01L 3/00
B01D 11/04
B01F 11/00
A47F 1/04

US Classification:

422 63, 422 99, 422102, 422104, 422225, 422258, 366213, 366214, 366209, 366210, 211 601

Abstract:

A mixing and pouring apparatus for computer controlled processing of mixing and pouring operations includes a rotatable arm capable of holding vessels therein, the arm rotatable at programmable speeds and time lengths to perform automated moving and pouring processes. The present invention further provides a cap and vessel positioning system that securely locks a vessel in place and realigns the cap in essentially the identical position in relation to the vessel every time the vessel is capped. In one embodiment, both the cap and vessel have flanges that are aligned when the cap is properly secured to the vessel.

US Patent:

7340324, Mar 4, 2008

Filed:

Oct 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/687449

Inventors:

Ellen M. Heath - Minnetonka MN, US
Ruth Shuman - Minnetonka MN, US
Douglas J. Kluge - Clearwater MN, US
Glenn M. Campbell - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Qiagen North American Holdings, Inc. - Germantown MD

International Classification:

G05B 21/00
G01N 21/00

US Classification:

700266, 700273, 702 19, 422 62, 422 63

Abstract:

A mixing and pouring apparatus for computer controlled processing of mixing and pouring operations includes a rotatable arm capable of holding vessels therein, the arm rotatable at programmable speeds and time lengths to perform automated moving and pouring processes. The present invention further provides a cap and vessel positioning system that securely locks a vessel in place and realigns the cap in essentially the identical position in relation to the vessel every time the vessel is capped. In one embodiment, both the cap and vessel have flanges that are aligned when the cap is properly secured to the vessel.

US Patent:

7670768, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Feb 2, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/241636

Inventors:

Ellen M. Heath - Minnetonka MN, US
Ruth M. Shuman - Minnetonka MN, US

Assignee:

Qiagen North American Holdings, Inc. - Germantown MD

International Classification:

C07H 21/04
C12Q 1/68

US Classification:

435 6, 435 911, 435 912, 435174, 4352872, 536 231, 536 243

Abstract:

Processes for isolating, amplifying, and characterizing DNA from biological materials are provided. DNA is isolated by contacting a biological material on a solid support which is preferably pre-treated with a lysing reagent. The isolation process is simple and efficient and provides a source of purified DNA without the use of harmful organic solvents such as urea and guanidine-based solvents. The purified DNA and remaining fractions of biological material may be characterized or amplified as necessary.

US Patent:

7776616, Aug 17, 2010

Filed:

Sep 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/937746

Inventors:

Ellen M. Heath - Livermore CO, US
Ruth M. Shuman - Minnetonka MN, US

Assignee:

Qiagen North American Holdings, Inc. - Germantown MD

International Classification:

G01N 1/14
G01N 1/40
G01N 35/02
G01N 33/50
C12Q 1/68

US Classification:

436178, 422 681, 422 81, 422100, 422101, 435 6, 435270, 436 49, 436 54, 436 63, 436 94, 436180

Abstract:

The present invention is an apparatus and method for purifying and isolating nucleic acid. The system uses one or more automated stations to perform steps of the method, including loading a sample onto a solid support in a processing container, purifying the sample, and isolating nucleic acid from the sample. A pump or vacuum may be used in the apparatus of the present invention for supplying fluids to the sample. A pump, vacuum or centrifuge may be used to separate impurities from the sample or to separate nucleic acid from the solid support. Exemplary solid supports and sample processing containers are disclosed.