Ralph Eugene Burns
Engineers at Pne Tree Ln, Boulder, CO

License number

Colorado 61510

Issued Date

Dec 30, 2004

Renew Date

Dec 30, 2004

Expiration Date

Jul 3, 2006

Type

Engineer Intern

Address

104 Pine Tree Ln, Boulder, CO 80304

Professional information

Method And Apparatus For Performing A Magnetic Separation Purification Procedure On A Sample Solution

US Patent:

6605213, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

Nov 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/721921

Inventors:

Kelly G. Ammann - Longmont CO
Ralph E. Burns - Boulder CO
Ernest V. Hansberry - Evergreen CO
Glenn A. Horner - Boulder CO
Cheryl A. Jakub - Golden CO
John E. Kling - Boulder CO
Donald J. Nieglos - Superior CO
Robert E. Schneider - Louisville CO
Robert J. Smith - Louisville CO

Assignee:

Gen-Probe Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

B01D 3506

US Classification:

210222, 210695, 422 63, 422 65, 422 67, 366110, 4352867, 436526

Abstract:

An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample.

Automated Process For Isolating And Amplifying A Target Nucleic Acid Sequence

US Patent:

6335166, Jan 1, 2002

Filed:

Apr 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/303030

Inventors:

Assignee:

Gen-Probe Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C12Q 168

US Classification:

435 6, 435 912

Abstract:

Automated Analyzer For Use In Performing Nucleic Acid-Based Amplification Reactions

US Patent:

2008026, Oct 30, 2008

Filed:

Oct 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/873818

Inventors:

Kelly G. Ammann - Longmont CO, US
Ralph E. Burns - Boulder CO, US
Ernest V. Hansberry - Evergreen CO, US
Glenn A. Horner - Boulder CO, US
Cheryl A. Jakub - Golden CO, US
John E. Kling - San Diego CA, US
Donald J. Nieglos - Superior CO, US
Robert E. Schneider - Erie CO, US
Robert J. Smith - Louisville CO, US

Assignee:

GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C12M 1/34, C12M 1/40

US Classification:

4352872, 4353031

Abstract:

An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step.

Method For Detecting The Presence Of A Nucleic Acid In A Sample

US Patent:

2014001, Jan 9, 2014

Filed:

Sep 11, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/024261

Inventors:

Ralph E. BURNS - Boulder CO, US
Ernest V. HANSBERRY (Deceased) - Blacksburg VA, US
Glenn A. HORNER - Boulder CO, US
Cheryl A. JAKUB - Bowling Green KY, US
John E. KLING - Loveland CO, US
Donald J. NIEGLOS - San Miguel de Allende, MX
Robert E. SCHNEIDER - Erie CO, US
Robert J. SMITH - Louisville CO, US

Assignee:

Gen-Probe Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C12Q 1/68

US Classification:

436501

Abstract:

An automated method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, where the method is performed within a housing of a self-contained, stand-alone analyzer. The method includes purifying the nucleic acid after it has been immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support. A pipette of the analyzer is used to form a reaction mixture comprising the purified nucleic acid and all reagents required to perform a nucleic acid amplification. As a result of the nucleic acid amplification, amplification products are synthesized that include a nucleotide sequence contained in the nucleic acid or the complement of the nucleic acid. The amplification products are exposed to a probe in a mixture, where the probe forms a hybrid with one of the amplification products. A label associated with the probe is detected as an indication of the formation of the hybrid, and the formation of the hybrid in the mixture provides an indication of the presence of the nucleic acid in the sample.

Automated System For Isolating And Amplifying A Target Nucleic Acid Sequence

US Patent:

7033820, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

Oct 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/973862

Inventors:

Kelly G. Ammann - Longmont CO, US
Ralph E. Burns - Boulder CO, US
Ernest V. Hansberry - Evergreen CO, US
Glenn A. Horner - Boulder CO, US
Cheryl A. Jakub - Golden CO, US
John E. Kling - Boulder CO, US
Donald J. Nieglos - Superior CO, US
Robert E. Schneider - Erie CO, US
Robert J. Smith - Louisville CO, US

Assignee:

Gen-Probe Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C12M 1/34, C12M 1/00, G01N 21/00, G01N 15/06

US Classification:

4352871, 4352831, 4352872, 422 50, 422 62, 422 63, 422 681

Abstract:

An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, preforming in analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample.

Automated Process For Isolating And Amplifying A Target Nucleic Acid Sequence

US Patent:

6890742, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Nov 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/985064

Inventors:

Assignee:

Gen-Probe Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C12P019/34, C12Q001/68, C07H021/02, C07H021/04, C07H021/00

US Classification:

435 912, 435 6, 435 911, 536 231, 536 243, 536 2433, 536 253, 536 2532

Abstract:

Automated Process For Detecting The Presence Of A Target Nucleic Acid In A Sample

US Patent:

7560256, Jul 14, 2009

Filed:

Jun 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/168374

Inventors:

Assignee:

Gen-Probe Incorporated - San Diego CA

International Classification:

C12P 19/34, C12Q 1/68, C07H 21/02, C07H 21/04, C07H 21/00

US Classification:

435 912, 435 6, 435 911, 536 231, 536 243, 536 2433, 536 2532

Abstract:

An automated process for detecting the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample. The process includes separating the target nucleic acid from other material present in the sample at a first station, transferring the separated target nucleic acid from the first station to a second station using a rotatable transport mechanism, combining the transferred target nucleic acid and reagents for performing an amplification reaction at the second station, and performing an amplification reaction. A product of the amplification reaction is detected as an indication of the presence of the target nucleic acid in the sample.

Water Filtration Device

US Patent:

D410273, May 25, 1999

Filed:

May 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

D/087733

Inventors:

Brian D. Hunter - Nederland CO
Jeffrey K. Aldred - Boulder CO
Kraig J. Koski - Longmont CO
Ralph Burns - Boulder CO

Assignee:

American Standard, Inc. - Piscataway NJ

International Classification:

2301

US Classification:

D23209

Water Filtration Device With A Water Fountain Outlet And A Faucet Outlet With Flow Viewing Apparatus

US Patent:

5993648, Nov 30, 1999

Filed:

Mar 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/042905

Inventors:

Brian D. Hunter - Nederland CO
Jeffrey K. Aldred - Boulder CO
Kraig J. Koski - Longmont CO
Ralph Burns - Boulder CO

Assignee:

American Standard, Inc. - Piscataway NJ

International Classification:

B01D 1712, B01D 3502, B67D 537

US Classification:

210 94

Abstract:

A faucet-mounted water filtration device includes a gate valve that is used to select between discharge options. The gate valve contains a thumb rest which is configured to allow manual valve actuation while supportedly engaging a user's thumb. First discharge option includes a conventional bottom discharge into a sink. A second discharge option exists as a water fountain that is formed as a compact, integral feature of the water filtration device. A flow indicator permits a user to check whether the filtration cartridge is working properly.