CARLOS APARICIO, R.N
Nursing at Hammocks Blvd, Miami, FL

7354773, Apr 8, 2008

May 14, 2003

10/437695

Oilda Rubio - Miami FL, US
Carlos Aparicio - Miami FL, US
John A. Maples - Miami FL, US
Julie Wilkinson - Fort Lauderdale FL, US
Cecilia Smith - Miami FL, US
Frank J. Lucas - Boca Raton FL, US

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Fullerton CA

G01N 1/18

436177, 435 2, 435 725, 435 405, 435366, 435372, 435398, 435400, 435401, 4352872, 435971, 436521, 436522, 436536, 436538, 436546, 436 17, 436 45, 436 47

A method and apparatus for preparing biological cell samples for intracellular analysis. The invention is based upon the recognition that many of the steps of the conventional methods for such sample preparation can be eliminated, leading to a process that readily lends itself to automation and the advantages associated therewith. The method of the invention comprises the steps of (a) cell-fixation, (b) permeabilization and (c) staining (or labeling) of intracellular molecules of interest by probes that are readily detectable by flow cytometric techniques, all without any intervening cell-washing (and re-suspension) steps. Rather, the single cell-washing step is effected after these three steps have been carried out. Preferably, the washing step is carried out by passing the fixed, permeabilized and stained cell sample through a semi-permeable membrane that serves to filter out (by transmission) interferants to waste while retaining the cells of interest.

8110393, Feb 7, 2012

Mar 23, 2007

11/690340

Carlos Aparicio - Miami FL, US
Enrique Rabellino - Miami FL, US

Beckman Coulter, Inc. - Brea CA

C12M 1/34, C12M 3/00, G01N 33/48, G01N 1/00, G01N 21/00, G01N 31/00, G01N 33/00

4352871, 4352887, 356 39, 356 36, 422 67

The present specification discloses an automated method and apparatus useful for separating and harvesting cells of interest, e. g. , mononuclear cells, in a whole blood sample. The method of the invention uses the aspirating/dispensing probe of an automated sample preparation instrument to underlay a density gradient medium beneath a whole blood sample in a centrifugation tube, and the same probe is used to harvest cells of interest from a cell layer formed in the tube as a result of a centrifugation step. In harvesting cells, the probe is advanced inside the tube by a fixed, predetermined distance at which the probe tip (i. e. , its aspiration port) is known to be located at, or within a predetermined distance below, the bottom of the cell layer. A predetermined volume of liquid is then aspirated through the probe tip, whereby most cells of interest (and more than 90% of those cells that can be harvested by a flawless manual method) are removed from the cell layer and collected for analysis. Preferably, the probe is caused to move laterally with respect to the tube during the aspiration of the cell layer, whereby cells offset from the center of the container are readily harvested.

2002012, Sep 5, 2002

Sep 20, 2001

09/957234

Alexander Burshteyn - Hialeah FL, US
John Joubran - Escondido CA, US
Nazle Kuylen - Miami FL, US
Frank Lucas - Boca Raton FL, US
Carlos Aparicio - Miami FL, US
Michael Bell - Fullerton CA, US
Ravinder Gupta - Pembroke Pines FL, US
Maria Insausti - Miami FL, US
Jack McNeal - Long Beach CA, US
Paul Price - Miami FL, US
Sandra Socarras - Miami FL, US

G01N033/48

436/177000, 436/164000, 436/149000, 436/534000, 422/101000, 422/082080, 435/006000

A method for utilizing a filtration device for removing interferants from a test sample containing a mixture of a composition of interest and interferants in an automated apparatus is disclosed. The filtration device includes a microporous hollow fiber membrane having a plurality of pores sized to retain the composition of interest while allowing smaller diameter interferants to pass through the membrane.

2004013, Jul 8, 2004

Dec 19, 2003

10/741395

Alexander Burshteyn - Pembroke Pines FL, US
John Joubran - Escondido CA, US
Nazle Kuylen - Miami FL, US
Frank Lucas - Boca Raton FL, US
Carlos Aparicio - Miami FL, US
Michael Bell - Fullerton CA, US
Ravinder Gupta - Pembroke Pines FL, US
Maria Insausti - Miami FL, US
Jack McNeal - Long Beach CA, US
Paul Price - Miami FL, US
Sandra Socarras - Miami FL, US

Coulter International Corp. - Miami FL

G01N001/18

436/178000

A method for utilizing a filtration device for removing interferants from a test sample containing a mixture of a composition of interest and interferants in an automated apparatus is disclosed. The filtration device includes a microporous hollow fiber membrane having a plurality of pores sized to retain the composition of interest while allowing smaller diameter interferants to pass through the membrane.