IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,284,900
Granted Patent B2
US 7,284,900 · App. 11/100,631 · Granted Oct 23, 2007

Apparatus and method for mixing specimens in vials

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,284,900
App. No.
11/100,631
Granted
Oct 23, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

Method and apparatus for mixing a specimen (e.g., a biological fluid specimen) in an upstanding container having an internal mixer with a cavity defined by an upstanding annular wall. The annular wall of the mixer is engaged by a movable holder, which is elevated along with the engaged mixer sufficiently to prevent contact of the mixer with the container during mixing. The mixer is then moved to mix the specimen. The holder, which may include an expanding collet that fits within the cavity of the mixer, preferably rotates the mixer to stir the specimen. When mixing is complete, the holder is disengaged from the mixer. A controller coordinates all actions of the holder.

Claims (12)

1. An apparatus for engaging and moving a mixer disposed in an uncovered, upstanding specimen container, the top of the mixer having a cavity defined by an upstanding annular wall, the apparatus comprising:

a holder mounted above the uncovered, upstanding specimen container for vertical movement relative to the specimen container and adapted to releasably engage the upstanding annular wall of the mixer, which is disposed loosely in the specimen container when not engaged by the holder;

a clamping actuator adapted to selectively cause the holder to engage or release the annular wall of the mixer, which is disposed in and remains in the specimen container;

a vertical actuator adapted to move the holder along a vertical axis toward and away from the mixer disposed in the upstanding specimen container, and to elevate the mixer relative to the specimen container when the mixer is engaged by the holder;

a mixing actuator adapted to effect movement of the holder to cause the engaged mixer to mix the specimen in the upstanding specimen container.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises a collet having flexible fingers, and the clamping actuator selectively moves the fingers radially to expand or contract the collet into or out of engagement with the annular wall of the mixer.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the collet fingers fit within the cavity of the mixer and are expandable to engage the inner surface of the annular wall.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the holder is rotatable about the vertical axis to mix the specimen.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises radially movable members adapted to grip the upstanding annular wall of the mixer.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the holder is rotatable about the vertical axis to mix the specimen.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mixing actuator is adapted to effect movement of the holder to cause the engaged mixer to mix the specimen only when the mixer is elevated by the holder relative to the upstanding specimen container.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the holder is rotatable about the vertical axis to mix the specimen.

Assignments (9)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2026
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC., ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP.; CYTYC CORPORATION, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LLC, AS SUCCESSOR-BY-CONVERSION TO CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND AS SUCCESSOR-BY-MERGER TO THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE PRODESSE, INC.; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 075566/0039 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8081301 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 028810 FRAME: 0745. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Nov 9, 2017
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 044432/0565 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NO. 8081301 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 035820 FRAME: 0239. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE. Recorded Nov 9, 2017
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 044727/0529 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2015
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED; GEN-PROBE PRODESSE, INC.; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036307/0199 →
SECURITY INTEREST RELEASE REEL/FRAME 028810/0745 Recorded Jun 4, 2015
From: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 035820/0239 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2012
From: HOLOGIC, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
Reel/Frame 028810/0745 →
TERMINATION OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENTS AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS Recorded Aug 26, 2010
From: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS, L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: HOLOGIC, INC.; R2 TECHNOLOGY, INC.; SUROS SURGICAL SYSTEMS, INC.; BIOLUCENT, LLC; DIRECT RADIOGRAPHY CORP.; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS II LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; CYTYC CORPORATION; CYTYC SURGICAL PRODUCTS III, INC.; CYTYC PRENATAL PRODUCTS CORP.; THIRD WAVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 024892/0001 →
11TH SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 1, 2009
From: HOLOGIC, INC.
To: GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 022892/0922 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 28, 2009
From: MONOGEN INC.
To: HOLOGIC INC.
Reel/Frame 022742/0960 →