Wing Sang Pang

US Patent:

7141213, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

May 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/561627

Inventors:

Wing S. Pang - Hacienda Hts CA, US
Mark Gross - Mission Viejo CA, US
Hendra Tanumihardja - West Covina CA, US
Ruediger F. Rauskolb - Palo Alto CA, US
G. Andrea Pedrazzini - Segrate, IT
Santiago F. Allen - Yorba Linda CA, US

Assignee:

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Fullerton CA

International Classification:

G01N 21/00
G01N 21/07
G01N 9/30
G01N 35/02
G06F 7/06

US Classification:

422 65, 63 64, 63100, 63 72, 63 67, 436 43, 436 47, 436 48, 436 50, 700226, 700266

Abstract:

A system for a clinical lab that is capable of automatically processing, including sorting, of multiple specimen containers. The system comprises a central controller, a workstation, one or more analyzers, and an automated centrifuge. The workstation has automatic detectors for detecting the presence of a holder holding specimen containers. The workstation has a bar code reader for reading bar codes on the containers. The system has a transport subsystem, preferably a workstation robotic arm and an analyzer robotic arm for transporting the specimen containers, moving them to and from the workstation, to and from the analyzers, and to and from the centrifuge. The centrifuge is loaded with buckets containing specimen containers. The workstation can be provided with a balance system for balancing the weight of the buckets used. The workstation can also have a decapper for automatically removing caps from the specimen containers.

US Patent:

8038942, Oct 18, 2011

Filed:

Jul 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/182958

Inventors:

Wing S. Pang - Hacienda Heights CA, US
Mark Gross - Mission Viejo CA, US
Hendra Tanumihardja - West Covina CA, US
Ruediger F. Rauskolb - Palo Alto CA, US
G. Andrea Pedrazzini - Segrate, IT
Santiago F. Allen - Yorba Linda CA, US

Assignee:

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Brea CA

International Classification:

G01N 9/30
B04B 15/00
B04B 5/02
G01N 31/00
G01N 21/00
G01N 33/00

US Classification:

422 72, 422 63, 422 64, 422 65, 422 66, 422 67, 422 73, 494 10, 494 20

Abstract:

A system for a clinical lab that is capable of automatically processing, including sorting, of multiple specimen containers. The system comprises a central controller, a workstation, one or more analyzers, and an automated centrifuge. The workstation has automatic detectors for detecting the presence of a holder holding specimen containers. The workstation has a bar code reader for reading bar codes on the containers. The system has a transport subsystem, preferably a workstation robotic arm and an analyzer robotic arm for transporting the specimen containers, moving them to and from the workstation, to and from the analyzers, and to and from the centrifuge. The centrifuge is loaded with buckets containing specimen containers. The workstation can be provided with a balance system for balancing the weight of the buckets used. The workstation can also have a decapper for automatically removing caps from the specimen containers.

US Patent:

20070059209, Mar 15, 2007

Filed:

Nov 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/555619

Inventors:

Wing Pang - Hacienda Heights CA, US
Mark Gross - Mission Viejo CA, US
Hendra Tanumihardja - West Covina CA, US
Ruediger Rauskolb - Palo Alto CA, US
G. Pedrazzini - Segrate, IT
Santiago Allen - Yorba Linda CA, US

Assignee:

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Fullerton CA

International Classification:

G01N 9/30

US Classification:

422072000

Abstract:

A system for a clinical lab that is capable of automatically processing, including sorting, of multiple specimen containers. The system comprises a central controller, a workstation, one or more analyzers, and an automated centrifuge. The workstation has automatic detectors for detecting the presence of a holder holding specimen containers. The workstation has a bar code reader for reading bar codes on the containers. The system has a transport subsystem, preferably a workstation robotic arm and an analyzer robotic arm for transporting the specimen containers, moving them to and from the workstation, to and from the analyzers, and to and from the centrifuge. The centrifuge is loaded with buckets containing specimen containers. The workstation can be provided with a balance system for balancing the weight of the buckets used. The workstation can also have a decapper for automatically removing caps from the specimen containers.

US Patent:

48581550, Aug 15, 1989

Filed:

Dec 24, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/813028

Inventors:

Dobson Okawa - Anaheim CA
Wing S. Pang - West Covina CA
Dang Ngo - Cypress CA
George Shibata - Chino CA

Assignee:

Beckman Instruments, Inc. - Fullerton CA

International Classification:

G01K 1500
G01K 702

US Classification:

364557

Abstract:

Apparatus for controlling reaction temperatures in a chemical analyzer comprises a thermoelectric element operating in response to a temperature sensor, and control means capable of predicting a setpoint deviation for a future time period, and, when an overshoot is predicted, reducing a control signal for the element by an amount proportional to a current setpoint deviation. The apparatus includes at least one reaction cell and a buffer unit for thermally stabilizing a fluid that is fed, on demand, into the reaction cell, the cell and the buffer unit having separate thermoelectric elements and sensors. A microcomputer control system generates independent control signals for the elements.

US Patent:

51622360, Nov 10, 1992

Filed:

Apr 13, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/512036

Inventors:

Wing S. Pang - West Covina CA
Dobson M. Okawa - Anaheim CA
Peter Kan - Fullerton CA
George K. Shibata - Chino CA

Assignee:

Beckman Instruments, Inc. - Fullerton CA

International Classification:

G01N 33557
G01N 33536
G01N 2520

US Classification:

436517

Abstract:

A system for analyzing a chemical reaction provides control of the temperature and volume of the reagents to improve the accuracy and precision in quantitative measurements of specific proteins and other immunochemistries in body fluids. The reaction occurs in a cuvette within a nephelometric optics module. A sensor senses the temperatures of reaction buffer liquids as they flow into the cuvette, and a heat exchanging device increases or decreases the temperatures of the buffer liquids. A control circuit responsive to the temperature sensor controls the heat exchanging device to maintain the temperature of the buffer liquids and the cuvette within a selected temperature range. The system may also include a sample pickup station, a sample probe for withdrawing a selected sample from the sample pickup station, a sample preparation station, and a sample transport for carrying said sample from the sample preparation station to the reaction cuvette. The system may include an antibody pickup station, an antibody probe for withdrawing an antibody from the antibody pickup station, an antibody preparation station, and an antibody transport for carrying the antibody from the antibody preparation station to the reaction cuvette.

US Patent:

60600225, May 9, 2000

Filed:

Jul 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/887601

Inventors:

Wing S. Pang - Hacienda Hts CA
Mark Gross - Mission Viejo CA
Hendra Tanumihardja - West Covina CA
Ruediger F. Rauskolb - Palo Alto CA
G. Andrea Pedrazzini - Segrate, IT
Santiago F. Allen - Yorba Linda CA

Assignee:

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Fullerton CA

International Classification:

G01N 3502

US Classification:

422 65

Abstract:

A system for a clinical lab that is capable of automatically processing, including sorting, of multiple specimen containers. The system comprises a central controller, a workstation, one or more analyzers, and an automated centrifuge. The workstation has automatic detectors for detecting the presence of a holder holding specimen containers. The workstation has a bar code reader for reading bar codes on the containers. The system has a transport subsystem, preferably a workstation robotic arm and an analyzer robotic arm for transporting the specimen containers, moving them to and from the workstation, to and from the analyzers, and to and from the centrifuge. The centrifuge is loaded with buckets containing specimen containers. The workstation can be provided with a balance system for balancing the weight of the buckets used. The workstation can also have a decapper for automatically removing caps from the specimen containers.

US Patent:

47366389, Apr 12, 1988

Filed:

Aug 19, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/087179

Inventors:

Dobson Okawa - Anaheim CA
Wing S. Pang - West Covina CA
Peter Kan - Fullerton CA

Assignee:

Beckman Instruments, Inc. - Fullerton CA

International Classification:

G01N 3506
G01F 2300

US Classification:

7386424

Abstract:

Apparatus for sensing liquid levels in fluid transfer mechanisms and the like comprises a conductive member supporting containers for sample liquids, the conductive member being rotatably mounted for positioning selected containers under a conductive pipette probe. A low-frequency oscillator is capacitively coupled to the conductive member for generating an alternating electric field and producing an electrical signal at the probe. As the probe is lowered toward the liquid, an amplifier circuit monitors an electrical signal received by the probe. When the probe contacts the liquid, the amplifier detects a signal level in excess of a threshold level and produces an output signal for inhibiting the downward movement of the probe at the moment of contact with the liquid.

US Patent:

51696029, Dec 8, 1992

Filed:

Mar 7, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/490051

Inventors:

Wing S. Pang - Hacienda Heights CA
Thomas L. Kraft - Houston TX
James W. Meador - Houston TX

Assignee:

Beckman Instruments, Inc. - Fullerton CA

International Classification:

B65D 3900

US Classification:

422103

Abstract:

A resealable conduit is used to remove or add fluid to a closed system without coring or contamination of the fluid. The conduit can include funnel-shaped guide means, duck bill valve means and beveled tip puncturing means. A conduit resting angle of less than about five degrees can be achieved. A tip bevel angle between about ten and twenty degrees is preferred. The beveled tip can have a rotated or twisted blade surface extension. A blade surface extension formed with a ninety degree rotation of the blade surface is preferred. Alternately, the puncturing means can include a needle point or a flat cutting surface.