BRIAN LLOYD GANZ
Pilots at Alder Ave, Carlsbad, CA

6360792, Mar 26, 2002

Oct 30, 2000

09/702164

Brian L. Ganz - Carlsbad CA
John Andrew Moulds - Encinitas CA
Christopher T. Brovold - Carlsbad CA

RoboDesign International, Inc. - Carlsbad CA

B65B 104

141129, 141130, 422100, 422103, 436180

An automated machine for filling a plurality of microplates. The automated machine includes at least one input stacking chamber for stacking empty microplates, at least one output stacking chamber for stacking filled microplates, and a microplate filling assembly disposed between the at least one input stacking chamber and the at least one output stacking chamber. The microplate filling assembly has a walking beam indexer, a lid lifter for lifting the lid off each microplate to permit the microplate to be filled, and after filling to replace the lid, and a fill mechanism in communication with a media source and positioned to fill the empty microplates after their lids have been lifted off. An automatic control unit is programmed to cause the walking beam indexer to move empty microplates from the at least one input stacking chamber, to cause the lid lifter to lift the lid off each microplate, to cause the fill mechanism to inject media from the media source into wells in the microplates, to cause the lid lifter to replace the lid after the media is injected, and to cause the walking beam indexer to move the microplates to the at least one output stacking chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are ten input stacking chambers and ten output stacking chambers and they are mounted on an input carousel and output carousel, respectively.

6361263, Mar 26, 2002

Dec 10, 1999

09/459200

Paul Dewey - Poway CA
Brian L. Ganz - Carlsbad CA
Erik Barnes - San Diego CA

Pyxis Corporation - San Diego CA

B65G 4700

41433105, 198349, 198676, 1984671, 414800

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inventorying packages on a storage device which consists of removing packages from the storage device with a variable pitch inventory screw, scanning a surface of the packages to read indicia on the surface and recording information obtained from the indicia about the contents in the packages. The present invention enables users to quickly and efficiently scan and store packages of items hanging on a lead screw in a centralized storage/retrieval system.

8038940, Oct 18, 2011

Jan 24, 2009

12/359306

Brian L. Ganz - Carlsbad CA, US
Nicholas Pratte - Encondido CA, US
Richard Roberts - Valley Center CA, US
David Jewell - San Diego CA, US

Lets Go Robotics, Inc. - Carlsbad CA

G01N 27/00, B01L 3/02

422 64, 422510

An automated machine for transferring solution from a source microwell plate to a destination microwell plate. A plurality of pins is used for transferring the solution. The pins are attached to pin assemblies. The pin assemblies are attached to the circumference of a circular dial that is rotatably connected to the automated machine. The circular dial rotates the pins form a solution removal position to a solution transfer position and then to a pin cleaning position. Solution is removed from individual wells at the solution removal position and the solution is transferred to individual wells at the solution transfer position. The pins are cleaned at the pin cleaning position. A computer is programmed to control the automated machine and the transfer of solution. In a preferred embodiment, the computer is programmed to: 1) execute a saved transfer list, 2) accept a customized input list from an operator, 3) execute the customized input list, and 4) save the customized input list for later execution. In a preferred embodiment, the automated machine is utilized for transferring variable volumes of solution from the source microwell plate to the destination microwell plate.

6979425, Dec 27, 2005

Oct 30, 2000

09/699818

Brian L. Ganz - Carlsbad CA, US
Mandel W. Mickley - Oceanside CA, US
John Andrew Moulds - Encinitas CA, US
Chritopher T. Brovold - Carlsbad CA, US

RoboDesign International, Inc. - Carlsbad CA

B01L003/02, G01N015/06, G01N021/00, G01N021/29, G01N035/00

422100, 422 681, 422 66, 422 67, 422 8205, 436180, 436 46, 436 49, 7386301, 7386411, 141129

A high capacity microarrayer for spotting solution onto slides in an automated microarray dispensing device. A microplate indexing device automatically moves, in sequence, a plurality of microplates to a solution removal area. A dispense head accesses each microplate at the solution removal area to remove solution from the microplate. The dispense head then moves to a slide positioning station to spot slides at the slide positioning station. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microplate indexing station has at least one input stacking chamber for stacking microplates, and at least one output stacking chamber for stacking microplates. A walking beam indexer is disposed between the at least one input stacking chamber and the at least one output stacking chamber. The walking beam indexer is for moving microplates from said at least one input stacking chamber to said at least one output stacking chamber. While at the solution removal area, a lid lifter lifts the lid off each microplate to permit the microplate to be accessed by the dispense head for solution removal.

2009008, Mar 26, 2009

Jul 22, 2008

12/177763

Brian L. Ganz - Carlsbad CA, US
James Borkenhagen - Spring Valley CA, US
Chris Rossman - Carlsbad CA, US
Andrew Cosand - Cambridge MA, US
Micheal Willis - La Jolla CA, US
Keith Crane - The Woodlands TX, US

G01N 23/207, G01N 21/64

378 73, 2504611

A device for inspecting microscopic objects. A plurality of LEDS is arranged in an array underneath a lens. Some of the LEDS are lighted and some of the LEDS are unlighted. A computer is in control of the LED array. The computer turns on selected LEDS from the array to form the lighted LEDS. Also, the computer turns off selected LEDS from the array to form the unlighted LEDS. The lighted LEDS form a pattern of lighted LEDS underneath the lens. In a preferred embodiment, the lens is connected to a computer controlled camera and the microscopic objects are microscopic crystals. In another preferred embodiment UV LEDS are utilized and illuminate crystals from above. In another preferred embodiment UV LEDS are utilized to illuminate a loop of a Hampton pin to locate a crystal in the loop of a Hampton pin for the purpose of x-ray crystallography.

7025933, Apr 11, 2006

May 5, 2003

10/430157

Brian L. Ganz - Carlsbad CA, US
Mandel W. Mickley - Oceanside CA, US
John Andrew Moulds - Encinitas CA, US
Christopher T. Brovold - Carlsbad CA, US

RoboDesign International, Inc. - Carlsbad CA

B32B 27/04, B32B 27/12, B32B 5/02, G01N 21/00, G01N 31/00

422 63, 422 681, 422100, 422105, 7386301, 7386401, 7386411, 7386425, 382133, 3562371, 3562376, 356614

A microarrayer for spotting solution onto a receiving surface in an automated microarray dispensing device. Elements of the present invention include: at least one dispense head for spotting the receiving surface, at least one light source capable of illuminating the receiving surface, at least one camera operating in conjunction with the at least one light source. The at least one camera is capable of acquiring and transmitting surface image data to a computer. The computer is programmed to receive the surface image data and analyze it. The computer will then generate post analysis data based on the analysis of the surface image data. The post analysis data is available for improving the spotting of the solution onto the receiving surface. In a preferred embodiment, the surface image data includes information relating to receiving surface alignment, information relating to spot quality, and receiving surface identification information. In a preferred embodiment, the analysis of the information relating to receiving surface alignment enables the computer to make automatic adjustments to the relative positions of the at least one dispense head and the receiving surface to increase the accuracy of the spotting.

2012021, Aug 23, 2012

Oct 18, 2011

13/276164

Brian L. Ganz - Carlsbad CA, US
Nicholas Pratte - San Marcos CA, US
Richard Roberts - Valley Center CA, US
David Jewell - San Diego CA, US

C40B 60/10, G01N 1/14

506 38, 422 64

An automated machine for transferring solution from a source microwell plate to a destination microwell plate. A plurality of pins is used for transferring the solution. The pins are attached to pin assemblies. The pin assemblies are attached to the circumference of a circular dial that is rotatably connected to the automated machine. The circular dial rotates the pins form a solution removal position to a solution transfer position and then to a pin cleaning position. Solution is removed from individual wells at the solution removal position and the solution is transferred to individual wells at the solution transfer position. The pins are cleaned at the pin cleaning position. A computer is programmed to control the automated machine and the transfer of solution. In a preferred embodiment, the computer is programmed to: 1) execute a saved transfer list, 2) accept a customized input list from an operator, 3) execute the customized input list, and 4) save the customized input list for later execution. In a preferred embodiment, the automated machine is utilized for transferring variable volumes of solution from the source microwell plate to the destination microwell plate.

8163238, Apr 24, 2012

Sep 12, 2005

11/224488

Brian L. Ganz - Carlsbad CA, US
Nicholas P. Pratte - San Marcos CA, US
Anthony L. Moore - Encinitas CA, US
Chinapong Songchan - La Mesa CA, US

Let 's Go Robotics, Inc. - Carlsbad CA

G01N 33/00, G01N 33/48

422 63, 422 98, 422400, 4352862, 4352873, 4353031, 141 1, 141129, 141130

An automated micro-well plate handling device for removing a micro-well plate from within a vertically stacked plurality of micro-well plates and transferring the removable micro-well plate to a receiving area. A vertical storage device for storing the vertically stacked plurality of micro-well plates creates a vertical clearance space between the vertically stacked micro-well plates. A shovel slides into the vertical clearance space underneath the micro-well plate that is being removed. The shovel then removes the micro-well plate from the vertical storage device and places the micro-well plate at a transfer station. A gripper then grabs the micro-well plate from the transfer station and transfers the micro-well plate to a receiving area. In a preferred embodiment, the automated micro-well plate handling device is controlled via a computer network.

2006011, Jun 8, 2006

Nov 3, 2004

10/980008

Brian Ganz - Carlsbad CA, US
John Adams - Escondido CA, US
John Hoffman - Poway CA, US
John Moulds - Encinitas CA, US
Thomas Vorndran - Oceanside CA, US

A24F 15/04, G07F 11/16

221254000

A small item dispense module. Small items are stored inside a first chamber. The small items are then transferred to a second chamber having a first singulator. The first singulator transfers the small items to a third chamber having a second singulator. The second singulator transfers the small items from the third chamber to a discharge tube having a discharge gate. The discharge gate allows for the dispensing of the small items so that they easily accessible. Preferably, the dispense module further includes: a microcontroller with real-time clock, a unique electronic identification number, an external barcode identification label, and an automatic locking mechanism that can be released electronically and controlled by the microcontroller. The microcontroller also preferably keeps track of dispense and fill requests and inventory. In a preferred embodiment, the small items being dispensed are pills.

6985616, Jan 10, 2006

Oct 18, 2001

09/982048

Brian L. Ganz - Carlsbad CA, US
David W. Jewell - San Diego CA, US
Mandel W. Mickley - Oceanside CA, US
John Andrew Moulds - Encinitas CA, US
Christopher T. Brovold - Carlsbad CA, US
John A. Adams - Escondido CA, US

RoboDesign International, Inc. - Carlsbad CA

G06K 9/00, G06K 9/62

382133, 382224

A method and device for inspecting and classifying a plurality of microscopic crystals. An indexing device sequentially places microscopic crystals in camera-view of a camera. The camera takes images of the microscopic crystals and then transfers the images to a computer where the are received. The computer then classifies the images. The computer is also programmed to control the indexing device and the camera. In a preferred embodiment, the microscopic crystals are protein crystals that have been grown in the wells of micro-well plates. Also, preferably, the computer is programmed to automatically classify the images.