Timothy J Hansen

US Patent:

6672458, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

May 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/858889

Inventors:

Timothy Roy Hansen - Spring Grove PA
Bradley Scott Thomas - Timonium MD
John Joseph Bianco - Baltimore MD
Matthew P. Collis - Seven Valley PA

Assignee:

Becton, Dickinson and Company - Franklin Lakes NJ

International Classification:

G01N 33487

US Classification:

209224, 210222, 210695, 73 6142, 422101, 436526

Abstract:

A system and method for manipulating magnetically responsive particles in a solution to separate nucleic acid molecules from cell components in a cell solution. The system and method employ a device capable of receiving a plurality of tubes, each of which contain respective sample and magnetically responsive particles. The device includes heating and cooling devices to facilitate a lysing step to release the nucleic acid molecules from the cells in the cell solution. The device further includes moveable magnets which can be moved proximate to and away from the tube to hold the magnetically responsive particles to which the nucleic acid molecules become bound, so that the molecule-bound particles can be separated from the remainder of the solution, and washed as appropriate. The system also employs an electromagnet which is capable of demagnetizing the particles to allow the particles to freely mix with solution, such as elution solutions which are used to unbind the molecules from the particles.

US Patent:

7901624, Mar 8, 2011

Filed:

Mar 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/691662

Inventors:

Timothy Roy Hansen - Spring Grove PA, US
Mark Anthony Messina - Manchester NH, US
John Thulin Page - White Hall MD, US
Thomas Paul Borgoyn - Eldersburg MD, US
Ammon David Lentz - York PA, US
Robert Michael Novak - Abingdon MD, US

Assignee:

Becton, Dickinson and Company - Franklin Lakes NJ

International Classification:

G01N 21/00
G01N 31/00
G01N 33/00

US Classification:

422 63, 422 681, 422 8205, 422 50, 422 62, 422100, 422102, 436 43, 436174, 436179, 436180

Abstract:

Various embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a system and method for automatically adjusting the inoculum level of a sample. Certain embodiments of the present invention may measure a concentration of particles present in a preliminary sample using a sensor device and determine an amount of diluent to be added to or removed from a sample container to prepare a sample having a selected concentration of particles, corresponding to a selected inoculum level. Embodiments of the present invention may also automatically add or remove the diluent using an automated fluidics system so as to prepare a sample having the selected particle concentration. Once the selected particle concentration is achieved and verified, some embodiments may also remove at least a portion of the sample from the sample container such that the container contains a selected volume of the sample.

US Patent:

8058078, Nov 15, 2011

Filed:

Jan 28, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/016040

Inventors:

Timothy Hansen - Spring Grove PA, US
Mark Anthony Messina - Manchester NH, US
John Thuin Page - White Hall MD, US
Thomas Paul Borgoyn - Eldersburg MD, US
Ammon David Lentz - York PA, US
Robert Michael Novak - Abingdon MD, US

Assignee:

Becton, Dickinson and Company - Franklin Lakes NJ

International Classification:

G01N 15/06
G01N 33/00
G01N 33/48

US Classification:

436174, 422 681, 422 63, 422 8205, 436 43, 436179, 436180

Abstract:

Various embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a system and method for automatically adjusting the inoculum level of a sample. Certain embodiments of the present invention may measure a concentration of particles present in a preliminary sample using a sensor device and determine an amount of diluent to be added to or removed from a sample container to prepare a sample having a selected concentration of particles, corresponding to a selected inoculum level. Embodiments of the present invention may also automatically add or remove the diluent using an automated fluidics system so as to prepare a sample having the selected particle concentration. Once the selected particle concentration is achieved and verified, some embodiments may also remove at least a portion of the sample from the sample container such that the container contains a selected volume of the sample.

US Patent:

8478445, Jul 2, 2013

Filed:

Oct 17, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/274788

Inventors:

Timothy Roy Hansen - Spring Grove PA, US
Mark Anthony Messina - Manchester NH, US
John Thulin Page - White Hall MD, US
Thomas Paul Borgoyn - Eldersburg MD, US
Ammon David Lentz - York PA, US
Robert Michael Novak - Abingdon MD, US

Assignee:

Becton, Dickinson and Company - Franklin Lakes NJ

International Classification:

G01N 15/06
G01N 33/00
G01N 33/48

US Classification:

700266, 422 50, 422 681, 422 62, 422 63, 422 67, 422 81, 422 82, 436 43, 436180, 700 1

Abstract:

Various embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a system and method for automatically adjusting the inoculum level of a sample. Certain embodiments of the present invention may measure a concentration of particles present in a preliminary sample using a sensor device and determine an amount of diluent to be added to or removed from a sample container to prepare a sample having a selected concentration of particles, corresponding to a selected inoculum level. Embodiments of the present invention may also automatically add or remove the diluent using an automated fluidics system so as to prepare a sample having the selected particle concentration. Once the selected particle concentration is achieved and verified, some embodiments may also remove at least a portion of the sample from the sample container such that the container contains a selected volume of the sample.

US Patent:

20020008053, Jan 24, 2002

Filed:

Sep 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/960431

Inventors:

Timothy Hansen - Spring Grove PA, US
Matthew Collis - Seven Valleys PA, US
Bradley Thomas - Timonium MD, US

International Classification:

B03C001/30
G01N033/553

US Classification:

209/008000, 209/011000, 209/039000, 209/214000, 209/232000, 436/177000, 436/526000, 422/101000

Abstract:

A system and method for manipulating magnetic particles in a solution to separate nucleic acid molecules from cell components in a cell solution. The system and method employ a device capable of receiving a plurality of tubes, each of which contain respective sample and paramagnetic particles. The device includes heating and cooling devices to facilitate a lysing step to release the nucleic acid molecules from the cells in the cell solution. The device further includes moveable magnets which can be moved proximate to and away from the tube to hold the paramagnetic particles to which the nucleic acid molecules become bound, so that the molecule-bound particles can be separated from the remainder of the solution, and washed as appropriate. The system also employs an electromagnet which is capable of demagnetizing the particles to allow the particles to freely mix with solution, such as elution solutions which are used to unbind the molecules from the particles.

US Patent:

20030038071, Feb 27, 2003

Filed:

Oct 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/269903

Inventors:

Timothy Hansen - Spring Grove PA, US
Bradley Thomas - Timonium MD, US
John Bianco - Baltimore MD, US
Matthew Collis - Seven Valley PA, US

International Classification:

B01L003/00

US Classification:

210/222000, 422/099000, 436/526000

Abstract:

A system and method for manipulating magnetically responsive particles in a solution to separate nucleic acid molecules from cell components in a cell solution. The system and method employ a device capable of receiving a plurality of tubes, each of which contain respective sample and magnetically responsive particles. The device includes heating and cooling devices to facilitate a lysing step to release the nucleic acid molecules from the cells in the cell solution. The device further includes moveable magnets which can be moved proximate to and away from the tube to hold the magnetically responsive particles to which the nucleic acid molecules become bound, so that the molecule-bound particles can be separated from the remainder of the solution, and washed as appropriate. The system also employs an electromagnet which is capable of demagnetizing the particles to allow the particles to freely mix with solution, such as elution solutions which are used to unbind the molecules from the particles.

US Patent:

20040029260, Feb 12, 2004

Filed:

May 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/440422

Inventors:

Timothy Hansen - Spring Grove PA, US
Matthew Collis - Seven Valleys PA, US
Bradley Thomas - Timonium MD, US
Thomas Fort - Finksburg MD, US

International Classification:

C12Q001/68
C12P019/34
C12M001/34
B25J001/00

US Classification:

435/287200, 435/006000, 435/091200, 414/757000

Abstract:

A system and method for preparing and testing of targeted nucleic acids is presented. The system integrates a pipetter, extractor, assay reader, and other components, including a selectively compliant articulated robot arm (SCARA). This synergistic integration of previously separate diagnostic tools creates a system and method whereby a minimum of human intervention is required. The resulting system provides a substantially more accurate and precise method of isolating, amplifying and detecting targeted nucleic acids for diagnosing diseases.

US Patent:

20040149015, Aug 5, 2004

Filed:

Feb 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/073207

Inventors:

Timothy Hansen - Spring Grove PA, US
Gene Benton - White Hall MD, US
Matthew Armstrong - Joppa MD, US

International Classification:

G01M003/04

US Classification:

073/040000

Abstract:

A system and method for determining when a defective or non-defective pipette tip has been acquired by a robotic device performing a sample transfer, prior to the insertion of the defective pipette tip into the fluid sample, thereby preventing waste of the sample or unacceptable handling of the sample. Furthermore, the system and method can effectively eject pipette tips, and in some circumstances, determine whether the ejection of the pipette tip was successful.