Humayun Qureshi, 7318385 Watson Way, Yorba Linda, CA 92886

6793888, Sep 21, 2004

Jul 18, 2001

09/908169

Humayun Qureshi - Eden Prairie MN
Bernhard Spiess - Minnetonka MN
Robert A. Weiss - Victoria MN
Peter G. Werness - Carver MN
Brian D. Wilson - Chaska MN
Ronald C. Laska - Minnetonka MN

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Fullerton CA

G01N 100

422 63, 422 64, 422 67, 436 43

A method and system of sample aliquot storage for automated immunochemistry or chemistry instruments are provided. The method and system provide a sample aliquot storage unit having a sample storage wheel for storing sample vessels containing sample aliquots in a chilled enclosed environment, which are accessible by both a sample pipettor of a sample aliquoting station and a pick-and-place gripper. The pick-and-place gripper transports the sample vessels containing sample aliquots to multiple independent reagent pipetting stations respectively for sample aspiration of subsequent assay, and thereafter transports the sample vessels containing remaining sample aliquots back to the sample storage wheel to be stored in the chilled environment for reflex testing. When all the tests are completed, the pick-and-place gripper transports the sample vessels to a waste storage area.

6825041, Nov 30, 2004

Mar 16, 2001

09/815088

Humayun Qureshi - Eden Prairie MN
Glenn A. Davis - Minnetonka MN
Mark J. Kittock - Eden Prairie MN
Armer J. Willenbring - Minnetonka MN
Brian D. Wilson - Chaska MN
Peter G. Werness - Carver MN

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Fullerton CA

G01N 3500

436 43, 422 63, 422 64, 422 65, 422 66, 422 67, 436 47, 436 50

A method and system for automated immunochemistry or chemistry analysis are provided. The method and system provide a sample aliquoting section, a reagent pipetting section having a plurality of independent reagent pipetting stations, each operating on a cycle of a first period of time, and an incubate and wash and read section operating on a cycle of a second period of time to match the throughput of the system, where the quotient of the first period of time divided by the second period of time is a whole number, and the number of the independent reagent pipetting stations being equal to the whole number. The respective cycles of the independent reagent pipetting stations are staggered apart by the second time period, such that at least one of the multiple independent pipetting stations is available for working with the incubate and wash and read section at each operating cycle of the second period of time.

6843481, Jan 18, 2005

Oct 10, 2000

09/685307

Mark J. Kittock - Eden Prairie MN, US
Humayun Qureshi - Eden Prairie MN, US

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Fullerton CA

F16J 1544

277411, 277447

A clearance seal assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a stationary member defining a first side, a second side and an opening connecting the first and second side; a moving member moveably disposed through the opening; and a sealing member circumferentially disposed between the stationary member and the moving member. The sealing member has a fluid-tight relationship with the stationary member. The sealing member and the moving member define a continuous and uniform gap having a size that allows the fluid to fill the gap but prevents the fluid from flowing through the gap from the first side to the second side of the opening under an operating pressure differential between the first and the second side. In a preferred embodiment, both the sealing member and the moving member are made of a ceramic material. The sealing assembly may also include a static seal disposed between the stationary member and the sealing to allow a variable clearance therebetween while maintaining the fluid-tight relationship between the sealing member and the stationary member.

7128874, Oct 31, 2006

Jan 26, 2001

09/771471

Mark J. Kittock - Eden Prairie MN, US
Brian D. Wilson - Chaska MN, US
Humayun Qureshi - Eden Prairie MN, US
Armer J. Willenbring - Minnetonka MN, US

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Fullerton CA

B32B 5/02

422 63, 294 271, 294106, 294116, 294 85, 436 43, 81 331

A method and system for picking and placing vessels are provided. The system includes a gripper assembly mounted on a positioning mechanism. The gripper assembly includes a cylinder, a plurality of flexible gripping members extending from the cylinder in a spaced-apart relationship for receiving therebetween a vessel and holding it by friction, a piston slideably inserted inside the cylinder, and a plunger connected to and movable with the piston and extending between the gripping members for engaging the vessel. The method includes the steps of positioning the gripper assembly, picking up and transferring a vessel, and placing, seating and releasing the vessel. The contents of the vessel may also be mixed simultaneously during the transferring of the vessel.

7217391, May 15, 2007

Mar 16, 2001

09/811028

Donald J. Gjerdingen - Mayer MN, US
Humayun Qureshi - Eden Prairie MN, US
Peter G. Werness - Carver MN, US
Brian D. Wilson - Chaska MN, US
Mark J. Kittock - Eden Prairie MN, US

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Fullerton CA

G01N 35/00

422 64, 422 65

A rotary incubation station for an automated analyzer is provided. The rotary incubation station includes a platform, a circular ring-shaped outside rotary wheel having a plurality of nesting locations for washing and reading vessels, and a circular disc-shaped inside rotary wheel having a plurality of nesting locations for incubation and storage of vessels. The rotary incubation station also includes a spur gear mechanism for rotating the outside and inside rotary wheels, including spur gear drivers respectively engaged with spur gear teeth of the outside and inside rotary wheel, providing accurate control of the rotation of the outside and inside rotary wheels.

2005004, Feb 24, 2005

Nov 20, 2002

10/300283

Mark Kittock - Eden Prairie MN, US
Humayun Qureshi - Eden Prairie MN, US

F04B001/00

417437000

A fluid-moving device is disclosed. The fluid-moving device comprises a housing defining a suction chamber; at least one internal passageway formed inside the housing; a moving member movably disposed within the chamber; and a sealing member circumferentially disposed between the housing and the moving member. The internal passageway has a first end opening to the suction chamber and a second end connecting to an outside surface of the housing. The sealing member has a fluid-tight relationship with the housing. The sealing member and the moving member define a continuous and uniform gap, having a size that allows the fluid to fill the gap but prevents the fluid from flowing through the gap from the first side to the second side of the opening under an operating pressure differential between the first and the second side.

2007003, Feb 15, 2007

Sep 29, 2006

11/537442

Mark Kittock - Eden Prairie MN, US
Brian Wilson - Chaska MN, US
Humayun Qureshi - Eden Prairie MN, US
Armer Willenbring - Minnetonka MN, US

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Fullerton CA

G01N 33/00

422063000

A method and system for picking and placing vessels are provided. The system includes a gripper assembly mounted on a positioning mechanism. The gripper assembly includes a cylinder, a plurality of flexible gripping members extending from the cylinder in a spaced-apart relationship for receiving therebetween a vessel and holding it by friction, a piston slideably inserted inside the cylinder, and a plunger connected to and movable with the piston and extending between the gripping members for engaging the vessel. The method includes the steps of positioning the gripper assembly, picking up and transferring a vessel, and placing, seating and releasing the vessel. The contents of the vessel may also be mixed simultaneously during the transferring of the vessel.