CHARLES EDWARD BUGG, M.D.
Urology at Independence Dr, Birmingham, AL

5013531, May 7, 1991

Aug 31, 1990

7/575736

Robert S. Snyder - Huntsville AL
Blair J. Herren - Arab AL
Daniel C. Carter - Huntsville AL
Vaughn H. Yost - Huntsville AL
Charles E. Bugg - Birmingham AL
Lawrence J. DeLucas - Birmingham AL
Fred L. Suddath - Marietta GA

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

B01D 900

422245

A macromolecular crystal growing system especially designed for growing crystals in the low gravity of space as well as the gravity of earth includes at least one tray assembly, a carrier assembly which receives the tray, and a refrigeration-incubation module in which the carrier assembly is received. The tray assembly includes a plurality of sealed chambers with a plastic syringe and a plug means for the double tip of the syringe provided therein. Ganging mechanisms operate the syringes and plugs simultaneously in a precise and smooth operation. Preferably, the tray assemblies are mounted on ball bearing slides for smooth operation in inserting and removing the tray assemblies into the carrier assembly. The plugging mechanism also includes a loading control mechanism. A mechanism for leaving a syringe unplugged is also provided.

6027565, Feb 22, 2000

Oct 9, 1997

8/947596

Charles E. Bugg - Birmingham AL
Lawrence L. Delucas - Birmingham AL
Paul P. Trotta - Secaucus NJ
Michael D. Harrington - Birmingham AL
John Bradford Bishop - late of Lindale GA
by Sue C. Bishop - Lindale GA

G30B 3500

117202

An apparatus for producing crystals of a macromolecule in microgravity includes a container 100 which is made of a material having a low thermal conductivity and an open end. A thermally conductive lid 102 is fitted on the open end of the container to close the container and a heat source/sink 114 is provided in thermal contact with the thermally conductive lid to generate a temperature gradient within the container. When a solution of the macromolecule is provided in the container, the temperature gradient induces and control the crystallization of the macromolecule. In operation, a temperature ramp from a start temperature to an end temperature is used to maintain and control the temperature gradient.