US 12,330,327 B2
Apparatus for modifying biological material and methods of use and assembly
Stephen Higgins, Albany, NY (US); Paul Higgins, Schenectady, NY (US); Daniel Lannan, Derry, NH (US); and Craig Higgins, Albany, NY (US)
Assigned to HIGGINS BIOTECH, INC., Albany, NY (US)
Filed by Higgins Biotech, Inc., Albany, NY (US)
Filed on Oct. 13, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/450,708.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/090,901, filed on Oct. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0113227 A1, Apr. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. B26D 7/01 (2006.01); B26D 1/02 (2006.01); G01N 1/04 (2006.01); G01N 1/28 (2006.01); A61B 17/3211 (2006.01)
CPC B26D 7/01 (2013.01) [B26D 1/02 (2013.01); G01N 1/04 (2013.01); G01N 1/286 (2013.01); A61B 17/3211 (2013.01); G01N 2001/2873 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for modifying biological material, the apparatus comprising:
a base;
a frame coupled to the base, the frame comprising,
a first support coupled to a first end of the base,
a second support coupled to a second end of the base, and
an adjustable cross-bar assembly extending between the first and second supports and positioned above the base, the adjustable cross-bar assembly comprising:
a cross-bar body extending from a first end portion of the cross-bar body to a second end portion of the cross-bar body, wherein the first end portion is coupled to the first support, and wherein the second end portion is coupled to the second support;
a blade-coupling-member assembly coupled to the cross-bar body via a Z-lead screw, the blade-coupling member assembly threadingly engaged to a lower distal end of the Z-lead screw, the blade-coupling member assembly comprising a blade and a blade adapter, wherein the blade adapter includes a Z-carriage plate through which the Z-lead screw extends;
a first guide rail and a parallel second guide rail located on a top surface of the base, the first and second guide rails extending horizontally relative to the top surface of the base and defining a slot therebetween;
a biological-material-containment facility configured to be received within the slot and to contain biological material;
an X-rack gear disposed on a side of the biological-material-containment facility and affixed thereto;
an X-pinion gear configured to bifurcate the first guide rail, the first guide rail disposing within and partially enclosing the X-pinion gear on the top surface of the base, the X-pinion gear configured to mesh with the X-rack gear to linearly drive the biological-material-containment facility in a horizontal direction within the slot, guided by the first and second guide rails; and
an X-motor mechanically coupled to the X-pinion gear and mounted to an underside of the base, opposite the top surface of the base, the X-motor configured to rotationally drive the X-pinion gear;
wherein the blade-coupling-member assembly is suspended above the slot; and
wherein the blade is configured to modify the biological material as the biological-material containment facility is moved horizontally within the slot.