Patents by Inventor Gert Blankenstein
Gert Blankenstein 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: 11959907Abstract: A device and method for analyte detection and analytes in a particulate bearing fluid such as whole blood having an instrument for partitioning the particles from the fluid that is integrated with a detector for analyzes of one or more particulate bearing fluid analytes while the particles in the particulate bearing fluid are partitioned.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: INSTRUMENTATION LABORATORY COMPANYInventors: Hansong Zeng, Gert Blankenstein
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Publication number: 20230314405Abstract: An example method includes: analyzing a clot curve for a test sample that is based on an assay performed on the test sample in order to obtain two or more parameters associated with the clot curve; analyzing the two or more parameters to determine at least one of (i) whether a fibrinogen concentration in the test sample is below a threshold, or (ii) whether there is a therapeutic or pharmaceutical anticoagulant present in the test sample; and outputting, to a user interface, information based on the determination.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Benjamin Horev, Ethan Schonbrun, Gert Blankenstein, Luisa Andruzzi, Anne Winkler, Jacqueline Scott
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Patent number: 11478796Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing an optical or electrical measurement in a sample of a disperse fluid, the sample comprising particles and a fluid. The method comprises the steps of: a) positioning the sample in a microfluidic cavity having a resonance frequency, b) subjecting the sample, in the cavity, to an acoustic standing wave configured for causing the particles to congregate in at least one first region of the cavity, thereby causing the fluid to occupy at least one second region of the cavity, wherein the frequency of the acoustic standing wave is varied between a frequency below the resonance frequency and a frequency above the resonance frequency, and c) performing an optical or electrical measurement in the fluid in at least one of the at least one second region of the cavity. Varying the frequency ensures reproducible results. The invention also relates to a system therefore and a method and system for measuring hematocrit.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignees: ACOUSORT AB, INSTRUMENTATION LABORATORY COMPANYInventors: Per Augustsson, Pelle Daniel Ohlsson, Ola Jakobsson, Klara Andersson, Gert Blankenstein, Josef Kerimo, Ethan Schonbrun
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Publication number: 20220113293Abstract: A device and method for analyte detection and analytes in a particulate bearing fluid such as whole blood having an instrument for partitioning the panicles from the fluid that is integrated with a detector for analyses of one or more particulate bearing fluid analytes while the particles in the particulate bearing fluid are partitioned.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Hansong Zeng, Gert Blankenstein
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Publication number: 20220018765Abstract: This invention relates to an optical system and method for performing turbidity assay, e.g. coagulation of blood or plasma, comprising a standard optical reference, a sample handling structure, a light source and an optical detection unit. The standard optical reference, such as a fluorophore-doped glass, provides constant optical signal under controlled optical conditions. The sample handling structure, such as a microfluidic system with reaction chamber, can be placed beneath or above the standard optical reference. During operation, the coagulating plasma/blood changes its optical absorbance and reflection properties, which results in changes in optical signal that reaches the optical reading unit. The variation of the optical signal, such as fluorescence signal indicates the kinetics of the turbidity varying process, such as plasma/blood coagulation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Josef Kerimo, Hansong Zeng, Ron Scharlack, Gert Blankenstein
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Patent number: 11169058Abstract: Described is an automated reagent mixing container for separately storing and automatically mixing together at least two stored reagent components.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: INSTRUMENTATION LABORATORY COMPANYInventors: Gert Blankenstein, Hansong Zeng, Jr.
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Publication number: 20210283607Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing an optical or electrical measurement in a sample of a disperse fluid, the sample comprising particles and a fluid. The method comprises the steps of: a) positioning the sample in a microfluidic cavity having a resonance frequency, b) subjecting the sample, in the cavity, to an acoustic standing wave configured for causing the particles to congregate in at least one first region of the cavity, thereby causing the fluid to occupy at least one second region of the cavity, wherein the frequency of the acoustic standing wave is varied between a frequency below the resonance frequency and a frequency above the resonance frequency, and c) performing an optical or electrical measurement in the fluid in at least one of the at least one second region of the cavity. Varying the frequency ensures reproducible results. The invention also relates to a system therefore and a method and system for measuring hematocrit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: Per AUGUSTSSON, Pelle Daniel OHLSSON, Ola JAKOBSSON, Klara ANDERSSON, Gert BLANKENSTEIN, Josef KERIMO, Ethan SCHONBRUN
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Patent number: 11079325Abstract: This invention relates to an optical system and method for performing turbidity assay, e.g. coagulation of blood or plasma, comprising a standard optical reference, a sample handling structure, a light source and an optical detection unit. The standard optical reference, such as a fluorophore-doped glass, provides constant optical signal under controlled optical conditions. The sample handling structure, such as a microfluidic system with reaction chamber, can be placed beneath or above the standard optical reference. During operation, the coagulating plasma/blood changes its optical absorbance and reflection properties, which results in changes in optical signal that reaches the optical reading unit. The variation of the optical signal, such as fluorescence signal indicates the kinetics of the turbidity varying process, such as plasma/blood coagulation process.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: INSTRUMENTATION LABORATORY COMPANYInventors: Josef Kerimo, Hansong Zeng, Ron Scharlack, Gert Blankenstein
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Patent number: 10852295Abstract: Analyte content in a cell free portion of a body fluid, such as blood, is optically determined without centrifugation or other preliminary steps for separating the cell free portion from the body fluid. A channel is configured for containing a flowing sample of the body fluid along an optical boundary. The channel is configured so that a cell free layer of the fluid naturally forms along the boundary of the channel which coincides with the optical boundary. A light source is directed onto the optical boundary at an angle selected to generate total reflection from the boundary and to generate an evanescent field across the boundary in the cell free layer of fluid. A light detector is configured to detect absorption of the light in the evanescent field. The light source and light detector are matched to the wavelength range of an absorption peak of the analyte being detected.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory CompanyInventors: Ethan Schonbrun, Gert Blankenstein, Josef Kerimo, Hansong Zeng
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Publication number: 20200209121Abstract: Described is an automated reagent mixing container for separately storing and automatically mixing together at least two stored reagent components.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2020Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: Instrumentation Laboratory CompanyInventors: Gert Blankenstein, Hansong Zeng, JR.
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Patent number: 10648907Abstract: An optical system and method for quantifying total protein in whole blood or other multi-phase liquids and colloidal suspensions uses refractometry without preliminary steps such as cell separation or centrifugation. A refractometer is integrated with a flow cell to enable the refractive index of a flowing sample to be measured based on a substantially cell free boundary layer of the sample that is present under certain flow conditions. Dimensions of the flow cell are selected to produce a cell-free layer in a flow of whole blood in which the cell free layer is thick enough to reduce scattering of light from the refractometer light source. A numerical method is used to compensate for scattering artifacts. The numerical compensation method is based on the slope and width of a peak in the derivative curve of an angular spectrum image of the flowing sample produced by refractometry.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory CompanyInventors: Ethan Schonbrun, Lara Adib, Gert Blankenstein
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Patent number: 10585021Abstract: Described is an automated reagent mixing container for separately storing and automatically mixing together at least two stored reagent components.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2016Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory CompanyInventors: Gert Blankenstein, Hansong Zeng
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Publication number: 20200047183Abstract: Described is an automated reagent dispensing cap and methods of use in an automated clinical analyzer for introducing one or more reagent components housed in the reagent dispensing cap into a container enclosing another reagent component with which it is combined to achieve a reagent useful for diagnostic testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicant: Instrumentation Laboratory CompanyInventors: Gert Blankenstein, Hansong Zeng
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Patent number: 10456787Abstract: Described is an automated reagent dispensing cap and methods of use in an automated clinical analyzer for introducing one or more reagent components housed in the reagent dispensing cap into a container enclosing another reagent component with which it is combined to achieve a reagent useful for diagnostic testing.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory CompanyInventors: Gert Blankenstein, Hansong Zeng
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Publication number: 20190257750Abstract: An optical system and method for quantifying total protein in whole blood or other multi-phase liquids and colloidal suspensions uses refractometry without preliminary steps such as cell separation or centrifugation. A refractometer is integrated with a flow cell to enable the refractive index of a flowing sample to be measured based on a substantially cell free boundary layer of the sample that is present under certain flow conditions. Dimensions of the flow cell are selected to produce a cell-free layer in a flow of whole blood in which the cell free layer is thick enough to reduce scattering of light from the refractometer light source. A numerical method is used to compensate for scattering artifacts. The numerical compensation method is based on the slope and width of a peak in the derivative curve of an angular spectrum image of the flowing sample produced by refractometry.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: Instrumentation Laboratory CompanyInventors: Ethan Schonbrun, Lara Adib, Gert Blankenstein
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Publication number: 20190234931Abstract: Analyte content in a cell free portion of a body fluid, such as blood, is optically determined without centrifugation or other preliminary steps for separating the cell free portion from the body fluid. A channel is configured for containing a flowing sample of the body fluid along an optical boundary. The channel is configured so that a cell free layer of the fluid naturally forms along the boundary of the channel which coincides with the optical boundary. A light source is directed onto the optical boundary at an angle selected to generate total reflection from the boundary and to generate an evanescent field across the boundary in the cell free layer of fluid. A light detector is configured to detect absorption of the light in the evanescent field. The light source and light detector are matched to the wavelength range of an absorption peak of the analyte being detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: Instrumentation Laboratory CompanyInventors: Ethan Schonbrun, Gert Blankenstein, Josef Kerimo, Hansong Zeng
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Patent number: 10363559Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating blood and at the same time an apparatus (1) for absorbing blood (19) and separating components such as blood plasma, as a sample liquid (2), having a feed device (13) for receiving the blood (2), a separating device (15) for separating blood components as the sample liquid (2), a channel (3) which takes up the sample liquid (2) preferably exclusively by capillary forces and a fill device for filling the channel (3) with sample liquid (2) in an inlet or feed region (18) of the channel (3), wherein the separating device (15), particularly a membrane, is domed, more particularly convexly shaped and projects with the apex of the convex shape into the filling device in the direction of filling.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbHInventors: Gert Blankenstein, Holger Bartos, Ralf-Peter Peters, Christian Schoen
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Patent number: 10302559Abstract: An optical system and method for quantifying total protein in whole blood or other multi-phase liquids and colloidal suspensions uses refractometry without preliminary steps such as cell separation or centrifugation. A refractometer is integrated with a flow cell to enable the refractive index of a flowing sample to be measured based on a substantially cell free boundary layer of the sample that is present under certain flow conditions. Dimensions of the flow cell are selected to produce a cell-free layer in a flow of whole blood in which the cell free layer is thick enough to reduce scattering of light from the refractometer light source. A numerical method is used to compensate for scattering artifacts. The numerical compensation method is based on the slope and width of a peak in the derivative curve of an angular spectrum image of the flowing sample produced by refractometry.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory CompanyInventors: Ethan Schonbrun, Lara Adib, Gert Blankenstein
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Patent number: 10288600Abstract: Analyte content in a cell free portion of a body fluid, such as blood, is optically determined without centrifugation or other preliminary steps for separating the cell free portion from the body fluid. A channel is configured for containing a flowing sample of the body fluid along an optical boundary. The channel is configured so that a cell free layer of the fluid naturally forms along the boundary of the channel which coincides with the optical boundary. A light source is directed onto the optical boundary at an angle selected to generate total reflection from the boundary and to generate an evanescent field across the boundary in the cell free layer of fluid. A light detector is configured to detect absorption of the light in the evanescent field. The light source and light detector are matched to the wavelength range of an absorption peak of the analyte being detected.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Instrumentation Laboratory CompanyInventors: Ethan Schonbrun, Gert Blankenstein, Josef Kerimo, Hansong Zeng
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Publication number: 20190107486Abstract: An optical system and method for quantifying total protein in whole blood or other multi-phase liquids and colloidal suspensions uses refractometry without preliminary steps such as cell separation or centrifugation. A refractometer is integrated with a flow cell to enable the refractive index of a flowing sample to be measured based on a substantially cell free boundary layer of the sample that is present under certain flow conditions. Dimensions of the flow cell are selected to produce a cell-free layer in a flow of whole blood in which the cell free layer is thick enough to reduce scattering of light from the refractometer light source. A numerical method is used to compensate for scattering artifacts. The numerical compensation method is based on the slope and width of a peak in the derivative curve of an angular spectrum image of the flowing sample produced by refractometry.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: Instrumentation Laboratory CompanyInventors: Ethan Schonbrun, Lara Adib, Gert Blankenstein