RODNEY S MARKIN, MD
Medical Practice at Nebraska Medical Ctr, Omaha, NE

2011020, Aug 25, 2011

Feb 25, 2011

13/034958

Rodney S. Markin - Omaha NE, US

PRAIRIE VENTURES, L.L.C. - Omaha NE

G01N 1/30, B01L 99/00, C12M 1/00, G01N 21/00, A61B 5/00

435 4052, 422536, 4352831, 436174, 436164, 600300

A carrier strip having a plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens may have a backing, a cover coupled to the backing along side regions located along opposite longitudinal edges of the carrier strip and along lateral intermediate regions positioned between each of the plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens. The carrier strip may be configured to individually retain each of the anatomical pathology specimens in one of the plurality of areas for retaining anatomical pathology specimens between the backing and the cover. Diagnostic studies of anatomical pathology specimens may be facilitated by distributing a digital copy of an image of the specimen may be to a pathologist. A diagnosis may be received from the pathologist based on the digital image of the specimen.

5529166, Jun 25, 1996

Mar 15, 1994

8/213627

Rodney S. Markin - Omaha NE
Eldon L. Tackett - Neola IA
Stephen J. Hoskinson - Omaha NE

Board of Regents - Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln NE

B65G 4746

198349

A central control apparatus for an automated laboratory conveyor system includes a conveyor track arranged in a closed loop to continuously transport a specimen carrier having a laboratory specimen therein. A receiving station is provided along the track which is connected to a laboratory information system having identification and instructional data with respect to a particular specimen, and which marks an individual specimen carrier to identify the carrier with a particular specimen as it is conveyed throughout the conveyor system. The receiving station and an archiving station are both connected to a central control unit which is connected to the conveyor track and the laboratory information system to control the entire automated laboratory conveyor system. At least one work station is located along the conveyor track for performing a predetermined test on a particular specimen. Each work station includes a gate apparatus for transferring the selected specimen carrier from the conveyor track to a work station track, for transport to a work station.

5567386, Oct 22, 1996

Apr 7, 1995

8/418942

Rodney S. Markin - Omaha NE

Board of Regents- Univ. of NE - Lincoln NE

G01N 3504

422 65

An elevator for specimen carriers includes an upper housing which is removably connected to an upstream end of an upper conveyor track and a lower housing which is removably connected to a downstream end of a lower conveyor track, the conveyor tracks being vertically spaced. Each conveyor track has a moving support surface which transports a specimen carrier downstream. The elevator includes a pair of opposingly disposed lift pins operably mounted along a chain housed within the elevator, the lift pins located to engage opposingly disposed wings on each specimen carrier, to lift the specimen carrier from the lower track to the upper track. The elevator housings are adjustably connected together, to permit adjustment of the overall height of the elevator for a variety of vertically spaced tracks.

5366062, Nov 22, 1994

Mar 15, 1994

8/213259

Rodney S. Markin - Omaha NE
Eldon L. Tackett - Neola NE
Stephen J. Hoskinson - Omaha NE

Board of Regents Univ. of Nebraska - Omaha NE

B65G 4700

1983453

An automated laboratory conveyor system includes a conveyor track arranged in a closed loop to continuously transport a specimen carrier having a laboratory specimen therein. A restraining apparatus is operably mounted on the track to restrain movement of the specimen carrier at predetermined locations. The restraining apparatus includes a cylinder with an extensible arm mounted adjacent the conveyor track with the arm operable between an extended position projecting over the conveyor track to prevent passage of the specimen carrier. The extensible arm is retractable to a retracted position which permits passage of the carrier along the track. The restraining apparatus includes a second cylinder with an extensible arm spaced upstream of the first cylinder, the second cylinder arm operable to restrain a specimen carrier upstream of the first extensible arm.

5800780, Sep 1, 1998

May 7, 1996

8/643997

Rodney S. Markin - Omaha NE

Board of Regents--Univ of Nebraska - Lincoln NE

G01N 3504

422 65

An elevator for specimen carriers includes an upper housing which is removably connected to an upstream end of an upper conveyor track and a lower housing which is removably connected to a downstream end of a lower conveyor track, the conveyor tracks being vertically spaced. Each conveyor track has a moving support surface which transports a specimen carrier downstream. The elevator includes a pair of opposingly disposed lift pins operably mounted along a chain housed within the elevator, the lift pins located to engage opposingly disposed wings on each specimen carrier, to lift the specimen carrier from the lower track to the upper track. The elevator housings are adjustably connected together, to permit adjustment of the overall height of the elevator for a variety of vertically spaced tracks.

5402875, Apr 4, 1995

Aug 29, 1994

8/297580

Rodney S. Markin - Omaha NE
Eldon L. Tackett - Neola IA
Stephen J. Hoskinson - Omaha NE

Board of Regents of the Univ of NE at Lincoln - Lincoln NE

B65G 3700

1983461

An apparatus for transferring a laboratory specimen carrier onto and off of a conveyor track includes a conveyor track with a carrier transport surface. A support surface is mounted adjacent the conveyor track, and a pair of jaw members are operably mounted on a frame next to the support surface. The jaw members are operable to grip and release a specimen carrier between the jaws, and the frame is operable to move the jaw members over the track and over the support platform to thereby transfer a specimen carrier.

5427743, Jun 27, 1995

Feb 9, 1994

8/193734

Rodney S. Markin - Omaha NE

Board of Regents - Univ. of Nebraska - Lincoln NE

B01L 906

422104

A specimen carrier is designed for transporting specimen tubes throughout an automatic laboratory conveyance system. The specimen carrier includes a generally rectilinear carrier body with a forward face having an identification zone delimited thereon. An identification code is marked in the identification zone so as to permit mechanical sensing and identification of the carrier on a conveyor system. A plurality of holes of various diameters and depths are provided in the top surface of the carrier to receive specimen tubes of various types. The deepest holes are located centrally, so that the carrier is stable while retaining specimens therein. A groove is formed in the top surface of the carrier body which extends between the specimen tube holes, so as to communicate any fluid spilling from a test tube to the other empty holes in the specimen carrier, thereby retaining the fluid within the body of the carrier. A special vertical slot is provided in one of the vertical holes, utilizing a pair of opposing vertical channels, so as to retain a specimen slide in the specimen carrier.

5417922, May 23, 1995

May 14, 1993

8/062785

Rodney S. Markin - Omaha NE
Eldon L. Tackett - Neola IA
Stephen J. Hoskinson - Omaha NE

Board of Regents - University of Nebraska - Lincoln NE

B01L 906

422 65

A specimen carrier for transporting conventional specimen tubes throughout an automatic laboratory conveyance system includes a generally rectilinear carrier body with a forward face having an identification zone delimited thereon. An identification code is marked in the identification zone so as to permit mechanical sensing and identification of the carrier on a conveyor system. A plurality of holes of various diameters and depths are provided in the top surface of the carrier to receive conventional specimen tubes of various types with the top ends of the specimen tubes located at a predetermined height above the top surface of the carrier.