RareCyte, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160084743 | SOLUTION AND METHOD FOR ADHERING SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TO A SUBSTRATE - This disclosure is directed to a method and an attachment solution for adhering a cytological or histological sample, such as buffy coat, to a substrate, such as a microscope slide. The attachment solution includes an attachment base, an anti-coagulant, and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The attachment base may be an alcohol, an acid, an oxidizer, an organohalogen, a ketone, or any combination thereof. Once a sample is obtained, the sample may be re-suspended in the attachment solution or the attachment solution may be added to the sample. The sample may then be dispensed onto an analysis platform as one or more droplets and cured. | 03-24-2016 |
20160076979 | APPARATUS FOR SPREADING A FLUID ACROSS A SUBSTRATE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for spreading a fluid across a substrate. A spreader for spreading a fluid across a substrate includes a wiper and a frame. The wiper and the frame may mate to permit translation of the wiper across, and with respect to, the frame. The wiper spreads the fluid across the substrate and the frame supports the wiper and the substrate. The frame may also include a ramp to cause a portion of the wiper to lift away from the substrate. | 03-17-2016 |
20160045915 | TUBE AND FLOAT SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - Systems for analyzing target materials of a suspension include a tube and a float in which at least a portion of the float is porous. The at least one pore can allow for the flow of fluids and reagents out of the float and into a space between the outer surface of the float and the inner surface of the tube. The at least one pore can also prevent unwanted particles or material from flowing into the float. The introduction of additional fluids, such as fixing agents, washing agents, detergents, or labeling agents, may aid in further processing or detection of the target analyte. The porosity of the float may also allow for the target analyte to be extracted through the float by introducing a removal device, such as a vacuum, to draw the target analyte through the float and into the vacuum. | 02-18-2016 |
20160041077 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING A TARGET MATERIAL - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a sample. A fraction-density-altering solution may be added to a vessel that contains the sample to change the density of a first fraction of the sample without changing the density of the target material or the density of any other sample fraction. A collector may be inserted into the vessel to funnel the target material from the sample into the collector or into a processing receptacle included in the collector. In one implementation, the collector may include a cannula which extends into a chamber to hold the processing receptacle at a first end of the collector and a funnel at a second end that that is in fluid communication with the cannula. In another implementation, the processing receptacle may be inserted into a bore within the collector. | 02-11-2016 |
20150346476 | APPARATUS FOR HOLDING A SUBSTRATE WITHIN A SECONDARY DEVICE - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus for securely holding a substrate, such as a microscope slide. A holder includes a frame including at least three walls, such as a base, a first arm, and a second arm. Each wall includes a platform or a portion of a platform to support the substrate. The first arm includes at least one securing block and a second arm opposite the first arm includes a secure bar with a securing block. The securing blocks include a ramp to guide the substrate off of the platforms and a stopper to set a maximum lift distance and to constrain the substrate. | 12-03-2015 |
20150330880 | DEVICE, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ANALYZING A TARGET ANALYTE - This disclosure is directed to a cap for obtaining a target analyte from a suspension. The cap introduces a magnetic field or a magnetic gradient to the tube to draw the target analyte bound to a particle to the cap. In one aspect, a cap includes a magnetic insert and a receiving piece. The magnetic insert includes a stopper and a magnet extending from the stopper; and, the receiving piece, which is configured to hold the magnetic insert, includes a receiving stopper and a sheath. The sheath may include imaging slides on opposite sides of the sheath. In another aspect, the cap may include a stopper and an embedded magnet. The cap may include an analysis piece on a bottom end of the stopper. In yet another aspect, the cap may include a fluid compartment and a filter at a bottom end of the stopper. | 11-19-2015 |
20150323428 | APPARATUS FOR SPREADING A FLUID ACROSS A SUBSTRATE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for spreading a fluid across a substrate. A spreader for spreading a fluid across a substrate includes a wiper and a frame. The wiper and the frame may mate to permit translation of the wiper across, and with respect to, the frame. The wiper spreads the fluid across the substrate and the frame supports the wiper and the substrate. The frame may also include a ramp to cause a portion of the wiper to lift away from the substrate. | 11-12-2015 |
20150247876 | DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SELECTING A TARGET ANALYTE OR FLUID - This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for aspirating and dispensing a target analyte, target material, or fluid. A picker may aspirate and dispense the desired material by introducing a pressure gradient. The picker may include a hydraulic fluid to hydraulically couple at least two components, such as a moveable pump component and a cannula. | 09-03-2015 |
20150241426 | METHOD FOR DETECTING INFECTION BY DETECTING INFECTIOUS AGENT ANTIGENS - This disclosure is directed to a method for detecting an infection within a suspension without having to directly detect the infectious agent or without having to wait until symptoms of infection are present within the host. Once a sample is obtained, infectious agent-specific antibodies conjugated with labeling molecules are added to the biological sample. The infection may be detectable despite the absence of the infectious agent during detection because antigens released by the infectious agent may still be present on or within a biological component of the sample. The sample may undergo imaging to detect the infection. | 08-27-2015 |
20150231631 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING A TARGET MATERIAL - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a primary vessel, such as a tube, a collector, and a two-part seal including an internal pliant part and an external constricting part. The internal pliant part may be a float and the external constricting part may be a sealing ring. The system may also include a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel and funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector. | 08-20-2015 |
20150231630 | TUBE FOR PROCESSING OR STORING A SAMPLE - A tube for use in cell and cellular component analyses includes a main body with a flat end having a microwell to hold at least a portion of a sample and a second end. The microwell may be formed by a partition extending from the flat end to the second end or may be formed by a cavity within the flat end. The second end may be open or sealed, such as to prevent contamination. The cell and cellular component analyses may include, but are not limited to, lysis reactions, amplification reactions, nucleic acid analysis, cell culture, and cell viability assays. | 08-20-2015 |
20150202620 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING A TARGET MATERIAL - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector. | 07-23-2015 |
20150196906 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING A TARGET MATERIAL - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector. | 07-16-2015 |
20150192506 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING A TARGET MATERIAL - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a concave opening at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector. | 07-09-2015 |
20150185243 | DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SELECTING A TARGET ANALYTE OR FLUID - This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for aspirating and dispensing a target analyte, target material, or fluid. A picker may aspirate and dispense the desired material by introducing a pressure gradient. The picker may include a hydraulic fluid to hydraulically couple at least two components, such as a moveable pump component and a cannula. | 07-02-2015 |
20150182962 | DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SELECTING A TARGET ANALYTE OR FLUID - This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for aspirating and dispensing a target analyte, target material, or fluid. A picker may aspirate and dispense the desired material by introducing a pressure gradient. The picker may include a hydraulic fluid to hydraulically couple at least two components, such as a moveable pump component and a cannula. | 07-02-2015 |
20150148255 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING A TARGET MATERIAL - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a plurality of processing vessels and a collector. The collector funnels portions of the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessels. Sequential density fractionation is the division of a sample into fractions or of a fraction of a sample into sub-fractions by a step-wise or sequential process, such that each step or sequence results in the collection or separation of a different fraction or sub-fraction from the preceding and successive steps or sequences. In other words, sequential density fractionation provides individual sub-populations of a population or individual sub-sub-populations of a sub-population of a population through a series of steps. | 05-28-2015 |
20150056695 | APPARATUS FOR SPREADING A FLUID ACROSS A SUBSTRATE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for spreading a fluid across a substrate. A spreader for spreading a fluid across a substrate includes a wiper and a frame. The wiper and the frame may mate to permit translation of the wiper across, and with respect to, the frame. The wiper spreads the fluid across the substrate and the frame supports the wiper and the substrate. The frame may also include a ramp to cause a portion of the wiper to lift away from the substrate. | 02-26-2015 |
20150024427 | SOLUTION AND METHOD FOR ADHERING SUSPENSION COMPONENTS TO A SUBSTRATE - This disclosure is directed to a method and an attachment solution for adhering a cytological or histological sample, such as buffy coat, to a substrate, such as a microscope slide. The attachment solution includes an attachment base and an anti-coagulant. The attachment base may be an alcohol, an acid, an oxidizer, an organohalogen, a ketone, such as acetone, or any combination thereof, such as Carnoy's solution. Once a sample is obtained, the sample may be re-suspended in the attachment solution or the attachment solution may be added to the sample. The sample may then be dispensed onto an analysis platform as one or more droplets and cured. The sample may be spread on the analysis platform after having been dispensed. The sample may then be fixed, permeabilized, labeled, blocked, and washed. The sample may then be imaged and analyzed. | 01-22-2015 |
20150011013 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING A TARGET MATERIAL - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector. | 01-08-2015 |
20140349828 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING A TARGET MATERIAL - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a sample. A fraction-density-altering solution may be added to a vessel that contains the sample to change the density of a first fraction of the sample without changing the density of the target material or the density of any other sample fraction. A collector may be inserted into the vessel to funnel the target material from the sample into the collector or into a processing receptacle included in the collector. In one implementation, the collector may include a cannula which extends into a chamber at a first end of the collector and a funnel at a second end that that is in fluid communication with the cannula. The chamber is sized and shaped to hold the processing receptacle. In another implementation, the processing receptacle may be inserted into a bore within the collector. | 11-27-2014 |
20140329300 | DEVICE FOR ANALYZING A SAMPLE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - This disclosure is directed to a device and method of using the device to analyze a sample. The sample may be a suspension, a portion of the suspension, a particular component of the suspension, or the like. For example, the suspension may be blood, the portion may be buffy coat, and the component may be circulating tumor cells. The device may be used to hold the sample for imaging or further processing. The device comprises a cavity that may be sealed on one side by a porous membrane and on an opposite side by a non-porous cover. The porous membrane allows for reagents to be introduced to the sample without diluting the sample. The non-porous cover allows for imaging of the sample. The device further comprises a nozzle for introducing the sample into a space within the cavity. | 11-06-2014 |
20140309553 | KITS AND METHODS FOR SEPARATING A TARGET ANALYTE FROM A SUSPENSION - This disclosure is directed to kits and methods for extracting a target analyte from a biological fluid in real time. The biological fluid, therefore, does not need to be stored or shipped/delivered. Isolating the target analyte in real-time allows for on-the-spot processing with minimal, if any, down time between collection and testing. Furthermore, isolating in real time may also allow for the biological fluid to be extracted, processed, and returned—similar to that of dialysis—to permit for more volume to be processed and tested. In one aspect, an inner surface of a conduit may include a coating having a high affinity for the target analyte. The conduit may also include features which create turbulent flow to permit all portions of the biological fluid to come into contact with the coating. In another aspect, a capture chip is used to isolate the target analyte from the biological fluid. | 10-16-2014 |
20140308163 | DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SELECTING A TARGET ANALYTE - This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for picking a target analyte of a suspension. A picker introduces at least one force, such as by a magnetic gradient and/or by a pressure gradient, to extract the target analyte from a specimen. The magnetic gradient may be introduced by a magnet, such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, and the pressure gradient may be introduced by a pump which moves within a fluid-primed cannula to create the pressure gradient, thereby drawing the target analyte into the cannula. The picker may also expel the target analyte onto or into a substrate, such as a well plate, after the target analyte has been drawn into the picker by reversing the pressure gradient or removing the magnetic gradient. | 10-16-2014 |
20140287487 | DEVICE, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ANALYZING A TARGET ANALYTE - This disclosure is directed to a cap for obtaining a target analyte from a suspension. The cap introduces a magnetic field or a magnetic gradient to the tube to draw the target analyte bound to a particle to the cap. In one aspect, a cap includes a magnetic insert and a receiving piece. The magnetic insert includes a stopper and a magnet extending from the stopper; and, the receiving piece, which is configured to hold the magnetic insert, includes a receiving stopper and a sheath. The sheath may include imaging slides on opposite sides of the sheath. In another aspect, the cap may include a stopper and an embedded magnet. The cap may include an analysis piece on a bottom end of the stopper. In yet another aspect, the cap may include a fluid compartment and a filter at a bottom end of the stopper. | 09-25-2014 |
20140287486 | DEVICE FOR ANALYSIS OF A TARGET ANALYTE - This disclosure is directed to a slide for analyzing target analytes of a suspension. The slide can be used to collect and hold the target analyte for imaging or further processing. The slide comprises a well section, including wells into which the target analyte can be stored. The wells may be removable and sized to fit into a second apparatus, such as a PCR thermocycler, for additional processing. Alternatively, the wells may hold processing vessels, such as PCR tubes, the processing vessels being used for downstream processing and/or analysis. | 09-25-2014 |
20140246624 | MONOCHROMATIC DOT ENSEMBLES - This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for sorting a native aggregate, such as a fluorescent nanoparticle aggregate, which includes multiple objects, some of which have different characteristics, into lower level ensembles, such as monochromatic nanoparticle ensembles. In one aspect, the system includes two detectors, one of which accepts all emitted wavelengths and another one which is preceded by a filter to permit transmission of a specific wavelength or range of wavelengths. In another aspect, the system includes multiple detectors, each detector configured to detect a given wavelength or range of wavelengths, such that no two detectors have overlapping wavelengths or ranges. In yet another aspect, the system includes an optical regulator in front of a detector. This disclosure is also directed to systems and methods for multiplexing and analyzing a target analyte using the monochromatic nanoparticle ensembles. | 09-04-2014 |
20140219888 | TUBE AND FLOAT SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for analyzing target materials of a suspension include a tube and a float. The float may include expandable portions. The system traps a target analyte between the expandable float and the tube and/or to create a seal between the expandable float and the tube to inhibit fluid from flowing past the expandable float in the tube. The expandable portions may radially expand when exposed to an expanding fluid, such that the expanding fluid is not a naturally-occurring constituent of the suspension; or, the expandable portions may radially expand when a force is exerted upon the expandable portion. A tube may include expandable portions that expand towards the float. | 08-07-2014 |
20140161688 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING A TARGET MATERIAL - This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. The cannula extends into a chamber at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. In one implementation, the processing vessel is empty. In another implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid. In yet another implementation, the processing vessel may include at least one displacement fluid and at least one processing solution. The collector may also expel at least one displacement fluid from the processing vessel, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector. | 06-12-2014 |
20140051060 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEPARATING COMPONENT MATERIALS OF A SUSPENSION USING IMMUNOMAGNETIC SEPARATION - This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for immunomagnetic separation of a target analyte of a suspension from the other component materials of the suspension. The system may be composed of a tube, a float, and a magnet. The magnet introduces a magnetic field or a magnetic gradient to the system. The system may also include a solution containing a particle to conjugate the target analyte to form a target analyte-particle complex. The particle is capable of being attracted by the magnetic field or magnetic gradient introduced by the magnet. The target analyte-particle complex may be attracted to the sidewall of the tube after the suspension undergoes density-based separation, such as by centrifugation. | 02-20-2014 |
20130344507 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEPARATING COMPONENT MATERIALS OF A SUSPENSION USING IMMUNOMAGNETIC SEPARATION - This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for immunomagnetic separation of a target analyte of a suspension from the other component materials of the suspension. The system may be composed of a tube, a magnetizable float, and a magnet. The magnetizable float is configured to propagate or introduce a magnetic field. In one aspect, the magnet is included in the magnetizable float. In another aspect, the magnet is external to the magnetizable float. The system may also include a solution containing a particle to conjugate with the target analyte to form a target analyte-particle complex. The particle is capable of being attracted by the magnetic field or magnetic gradient introduced by the magnet. The target analyte-particle complex may be attracted to the magnetizable float. | 12-26-2013 |
20130280146 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEPARATION AND ANALYSIS OF TARGET ANALYTES - Systems for analyzing multiple target analytes of a suspension include a tube and multiple floats. The target analytes are conjugated with at least one fluorescent marker, and the tube, multiple floats and suspension are centrifuged so that at least a portion of each target analyte is located between the inner wall of the tube and the surface of the respective float. In order to identify each target analyte, the portions of the suspension between the tube and each float is illuminated with one or more channels of excitation light, which causes the at least one fluorescent marker to become excited and emit light at longer wavelengths. One of the target analytes may be used to assess quality control or may aid in a subsequent analysis or diagnosis. | 10-24-2013 |
20130189168 | FLOAT AND TUBE SYSTEM FOR SEPARATING A SUSPENSION WITH AN INTERNAL TRAP - This disclosure is directed to systems for separating a target analyte from a suspension. A suspension is added to a tube. A float is also added to the tube, and the tube, float, and suspension are centrifuged together, causing the constituent components of the suspension to separate into different layers along the axial length of the tube according to their specific gravities. The float has a specific gravity that positions the float at approximately the same level as a layer containing the target analyte, when the tube, float and sample are centrifuged. Prior to isolation, the material may be located between an outer surface of the float and an inner surface of the tube, or within a central bore that extends longitudinally through the float. The target analyte may then be drawn into a compartment within the float, thereby isolating the target analyte from the other suspension constituents. | 07-25-2013 |
20130095008 | TUBE AND FLOAT SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - This disclosure is directed to systems for analyzing target materials of a suspension. In one aspect, the systems include a tube and a float that is at least partially coated with a coating having a high affinity for target analytes of a suspension. The coating provides an adhesion or an attraction force with the target analytes through chemical means. In another aspect, the coating can be a changeable material that when stimulated by application of an appropriate stimulus attracts and/or attaches the target analytes to the coated surface of the float. In another aspect, a coating applied to the float may also be used to form a sealing engagement between the float and the inner surface of the tube in order to inhibit fluids from flowing past the coated float in the tube. | 04-18-2013 |