Patents by Inventor Frederic Furrer
Frederic Furrer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11860176Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises the steps of: setting a load limit for each laboratory instrument at maximum instrument capacity; dispatching biological samples to laboratory instrument(s) at a dispatch rate not greater than the instrument load limit; each laboratory instrument sending test order queries to the laboratory middleware upon identifying a biological sample; in response to the test order queries transmitting test orders to the laboratory instruments corresponding to the biological samples; the laboratory middleware monitoring a query rate of the plurality of laboratory instruments in order to determine an effective flow rate corresponding to each laboratory instrument; decreasing the load limit of a first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is lower than the dispatch rate; increasing the load limit for the first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is greater than or equal to the dispatch rate.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, IncInventors: Frederic Furrer, Marco Maetzler
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Publication number: 20220206023Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises the steps of: setting a load limit for each laboratory instrument at maximum instrument capacity; dispatching biological samples to laboratory instrument(s) at a dispatch rate not greater than the instrument load limit; each laboratory instrument sending test order queries to the laboratory middleware upon identifying a biological sample; in response to the test order queries transmitting test orders to the laboratory instruments corresponding to the biological samples; the laboratory middleware monitoring a query rate of the plurality of laboratory instruments in order to determine an effective flow rate corresponding to each laboratory instrument; decreasing the load limit of a first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is lower than the dispatch rate; increasing the load limit for the first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is greater than or equal to the dispatch rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2022Publication date: June 30, 2022Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Marco Maetzler
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Patent number: 11313870Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises the steps of: setting a load limit for each laboratory instrument at maximum instrument capacity; dispatching biological samples to laboratory instrument(s) at a dispatch rate not greater than the instrument load limit; each laboratory instrument sending test order queries to the laboratory middleware upon identifying a biological sample; in response to the test order queries transmitting test orders to the laboratory instruments corresponding to the biological samples; the laboratory middleware monitoring a query rate of the plurality of laboratory instruments in order to determine an effective flow rate corresponding to each laboratory instrument; decreasing the load limit of a first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is lower than the dispatch rate; increasing the load limit for the first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is greater than or equal to the dispatch rate.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Marco Maetzler
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Publication number: 20210132093Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises the steps of: setting a load limit for each laboratory instrument at maximum instrument capacity; dispatching biological samples to laboratory instrument(s) at a dispatch rate not greater than the instrument load limit; each laboratory instrument sending test order queries to the laboratory middleware upon identifying a biological sample; in response to the test order queries transmitting test orders to the laboratory instruments corresponding to the biological samples; the laboratory middleware monitoring a query rate of the plurality of laboratory instruments in order to determine an effective flow rate corresponding to each laboratory instrument; decreasing the load limit of a first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is lower than the dispatch rate; increasing the load limit for the first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is greater than or equal to the dispatch rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Marco Maetzler
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Patent number: 9855556Abstract: A method for handling a sample tube containing a biological sample is presented. A tube label can be attached to the sample tube. The tube label can carry tube data. The tube data can comprise at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one geometric property of the sample tube. At least the geometric tube data can be read from the tube label by a reader device. At least the geometric tube data from the reader device can be transmitted to a processing device. The processing device for handling the sample tube can be controlled in accordance with the at least one geometric property described by the read geometric data.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventor: Frederic Furrer
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Publication number: 20170036206Abstract: A method for handling a sample tube containing a biological sample is presented. A tube label can be attached to the sample tube. The tube label can carry tube data. The tube data can comprise at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one geometric property of the sample tube. At least the geometric tube data can be read from the tube label by a reader device. At least the geometric tube data from the reader device can be transmitted to a processing device. The processing device for handling the sample tube can be controlled in accordance with the at least one geometric property described by the read geometric data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventor: Frederic Furrer
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Patent number: 9500571Abstract: A method for handling a sample tube containing a biological sample is presented. A tube label can be attached to the sample tube. The tube label can carry tube data. The tube data can comprise at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one geometric property of the sample tube. At least the geometric tube data can be read from the tube label by a reader device. At least the geometric tube data from the reader device can be transmitted to a processing device. The processing device for handling the sample tube can be controlled in accordance with the at least one geometric property described by the read geometric data.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventor: Frederic Furrer
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Publication number: 20150355206Abstract: A method for handling a sample tube containing a biological sample is presented. A tube label can be attached to the sample tube. The tube label can carry tube data. The tube data can comprise at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one geometric property of the sample tube. At least the geometric tube data can be read from the tube label by a reader device. At least the geometric tube data from the reader device can be transmitted to a processing device. The processing device for handling the sample tube can be controlled in accordance with the at least one geometric property described by the read geometric data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventor: Frederic Furrer
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Publication number: 20150346229Abstract: A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Joerg Haechler, Andrzej Knafel
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Patent number: 9140713Abstract: A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2015Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Joerg Haechler, Andrzej Knafel
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Patent number: 9140632Abstract: A method for handling a sample tube containing a biological sample is presented. A tube label can be attached to the sample tube. The tube label can carry tube data. The tube data can comprise at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one geometric property of the sample tube. At least the geometric tube data can be read from the tube label by a reader device. At least the geometric tube data from the reader device can be transmitted to a processing device. The processing device for handling the sample tube can be controlled in accordance with the at least one geometric property described by the read geometric data.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventor: Frederic Furrer
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Publication number: 20150224497Abstract: A sample collection tube is disclosed for collecting a body fluid sample. The tube includes a closure arranged at an open end to close the open end and a partially evacuated inner space. The closure also includes a base portion connected to the sidewall and a cap portion coupled to the base portion, where the cap portion has an elastomeric material that is pierceable from outside of the tube for collecting a sample into the partially evacuated inner space and where the cap portion can be pivotable with respect to the sidewall such as to make the inner space accessible for withdrawing an aliquot of the sample. Alternatively, the cap portion can be separable from the base portion to make the inner space accessible and the base portion can include a self-resealable valve adapted to allow access of a pipetting unit into the inner space when the cap portion is separated and adapted to re-seal after withdrawal of the pipetting unit. Also disclosed is a work cell for handling sample collection tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2014Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicants: Beckton, Dickinson and Company, Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Hans-Peter Wahl
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Publication number: 20150212104Abstract: A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Joerg Haechler, Andrzej Knafel
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Patent number: 9029159Abstract: A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Joerg Haechler, Andrzej Knafel
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Patent number: 8852532Abstract: A g-force-sensitive label for detecting and indicating the application of a g-force is provided, the g-force sensitive label comprising an area for detecting and indicating an application of a g-force above a threshold value on the g-force sensitive label and an attachment area for attaching the g-force sensitive label on an object. At least one physical property of the area measurably changes its state upon applying a g-force above the threshold value, thereby altering a displayed pattern such that a machine-readable 1D or 2D or alphanumeric code is displayed.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Mark James Simmons
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Publication number: 20140141465Abstract: A method for handling a sample tube containing a biological sample is presented. A tube label can be attached to the sample tube. The tube label can carry tube data. The tube data can comprise at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one geometric property of the sample tube. At least the geometric tube data can be read from the tube label by a reader device. At least the geometric tube data from the reader device can be transmitted to a processing device. The processing device for handling the sample tube can be controlled in accordance with the at least one geometric property described by the read geometric data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Frederic Furrer
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Patent number: 8672219Abstract: A method for handling a sample tube containing a biological sample is presented. A tube label can be attached to the sample tube. The tube label can carry tube data. The tube data can comprise at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one geometric property of the sample tube. At least the geometric tube data can be read from the tube label by a reader device. At least the geometric tube data from the reader device can be transmitted to a processing device. The processing device for handling the sample tube can be controlled in accordance with the at least one geometric property described by the read geometric data.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventor: Frederic Furrer
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Publication number: 20130082099Abstract: A method for handling a sample tube containing a biological sample is presented. A tube label can be attached to the sample tube. The tube label can carry tube data. The tube data can comprise at least geometric tube data descriptive of at least one geometric property of the sample tube. At least the geometric tube data can be read from the tube label by a reader device. At least the geometric tube data from the reader device can be transmitted to a processing device. The processing device for handling the sample tube can be controlled in accordance with the at least one geometric property described by the read geometric data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Frederic Furrer
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Publication number: 20120275885Abstract: A method of operating the automated sample workcell for processing one or more biological samples is presented. The method comprises receiving one or more biological samples. Each biological sample is contained in a sample tube. Each sample tube is a tube type. If a test order was received for at least one of the biological samples, the test order being indicative of one or more first processing steps, the workcell can automatically execute the one or more first processing steps. If the test order was not received, one or more second processing steps can be determined based on the tube type of the sample tube that contains the at least one biological sample and the one or more second processing steps can then be executed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Joerg Haechler, Andrzej Knafel
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Publication number: 20110313684Abstract: A g-force-sensitive label for detecting and indicating the application of a g-force is provided, the g-force sensitive label comprising an area for detecting and indicating an application of a g-force above a threshold value on the g-force sensitive label and an attachment area for attaching the g-force sensitive label on an object. At least one physical property of the area measurably changes its state upon applying a g-force above the threshold value, thereby altering a displayed pattern such that a machine-readable 1D or 2D or alphanumeric code is displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Mark James Simmons