Patents by Inventor Heinz Plank
Heinz Plank 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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Publication number: 20230386779Abstract: A sample holder includes a main component comprising a first surface area, and a retaining mechanism comprising a holding component. The retaining mechanism is configured to retain a sample between the holding component of the retaining mechanism and the first surface area in a closed state of the retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanism is further configured to enter an opened state upon mechanical actuation of the retaining mechanism. The opened state allows insertion and removal of the sample. The retaining mechanism is further configured to revert to the closed state once the mechanical actuation is removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Thomas Pfeifer, Heinz Plank, Miriam Weller, Konrad Winkler, Rainer Wogritsch
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Publication number: 20230120051Abstract: A sample holder for holding a sample carrier carrying a sample includes a sample carrier fixing element. The sample carrier fixing element includes a first section configured, when in a first position, to fix the sample carrier to the sample holder, and, when in a second position, to release the sample carrier or to provide access to an area where the sample carrier is to be located. The sample carrier fixing element also includes a second section different from the first section, the second section being operable such that upon operation of the second section the first section switches from the first position into the second position or from the second position into the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Heinz Plank, Tim Laugks, Ulrike Laugks, Roland Thuenauer
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Publication number: 20230120426Abstract: A sample holder transfer device is for use in cryo-microscopy and for transferring a sample holder to an analysing or processing unit. The sample holder is configured for holding a sample carrier carrying a sample. The sample holder transfer device is configured to receive the sample holder, the sample holder including a sample carrier fixing element. At least one section of the sample carrier fixing element is configured, when in a first position, to fix the sample carrier to the sample holder, and, when in a second position, to release the sample carrier or provide access to an area where the sample carrier is to be placed. The sample holder transfer device includes a switching mechanism operable to switch the at least one section of the sample carrier fixing element of the sample holder from the first to the second position or from the second to the first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventor: Heinz Plank
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Publication number: 20230039753Abstract: A sample transfer device (100) for receiving a sample inside the sample transfer device (100) and for transferring the sample to a processing or analysing unit includes a connection opening (110) defining a transfer path (114) along which the sample is to be transferred from a loading position (120) of the sample inside the sample transfer device (100) through the connection opening (110), a shutter (130) configured to block the connection opening (110) or to unblock the connection opening (110), and a shielding member (140) configured to be arranged between the connection opening (110) and the loading position (120) to protect the sample from an incoming gas stream when the shutter (130) unblocks the connection opening (110).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventor: Heinz PLANK
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Patent number: 10809211Abstract: A modular specimen holder (10?) for high pressure freezing and/or X-ray crystallography of a specimen has a specimen holding element (100?) and an extension element (200?) connectable with and separable from each other; the specimen holding element (100?) including a tubule (120?) adapted to hold the specimen and a base element (110?) adapted to hold the tubule (120?), wherein a distance from a bottom of the base element (110?) to a top of the tubule (120?) is a first distance (d1); the extension element (200?) being connectable with the base element (110?), wherein, when the extension element (200?) and the base element (110?) are connected with each other, a second distance (d2) from a bottom of the extension element (200?) to the top of the tubule (120?) is larger than the first distance (d1).Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventors: Rainer Wogritsch, Cveta Tomova, Paul Wurzinger, Heinz Plank, Siegfried Tanki
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Publication number: 20190195814Abstract: The present invention relates to modular specimen holder (10?) for high pressure freezing and/or X-ray crystallography of a specimen comprising a specimen holding element (100?) and an extension element (200?) connectable with each other and separable from each other; the specimen holding element (100?) comprising a tubule (120?) and a base element (110?), wherein the tubule (120?) is adapted to hold the specimen, the base element (110?) is adapted to hold the tubule (120?), wherein a distance from a bottom of the base element (110?) to a top of the tubule (120?) is a distance d1; the extension element (200?) being adapted to be connected with the base element (110?), wherein, when the extension element (200?) and the base element (110?) are connected with each other, a distance from a bottom of the extension element (200?) to the top of the tubule (120?) is a second distance d2; wherein the second distance d2 is larger than the first distance d1.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Rainer WOGRITSCH, Cveta TOMOVA, Paul WURZINGER, Heinz PLANK, Siegfried TANKI
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Patent number: 9097632Abstract: In a device (1) for rapid pressure-freezing an aqueous sample (3), such as a biological specimen, a pressurized cooling medium can be fed into a high-pressure chamber (11) into which a sample holder (30) containing a sample (3) is inserted and which is sealed with a pressure-tight seal, to the location of the sample holder (30) held therein. The high-pressure chamber (11) comprises a viewing window structure (2) with a pressure-tight window (20), through which light can be directed from the outside onto the sample (3) located in the sample holder (30). The window (20) can comprise a transparent window element made of a high-pressure-resistant material, wherein the window element (20) is held by a pressure- and temperature-resistant window bearing provided in the high-pressure chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: LEICA MIKROSYSTEME GMBHInventors: Reinhard Lihl, Rainer Wogritsch, Heinz Plank
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Patent number: 8585985Abstract: An apparatus for staining sample sections, comprising: a chamber that is adapted for fastening sample sections therein; and a pump that is adapted for pumping liquids through the chamber. The chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet can be connected to at least one reservoir of a staining liquid via inlet lines that are controllable by valves. The inlet lines are formed at least in the region of the associated valves by means of elastic hose lines, and the valves are formed as hose pinch valves. This apparatus minimizes or eliminates contaminations arising from staining processes for thin sections that are in particular prepared for examination in an electron microscope.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventors: Reinhard Lihl, Heinz Plank, Siegfried Tanki
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Publication number: 20130227970Abstract: In a device (1) for rapid pressure-freezing an aqueous sample (3), such as a biological specimen, a pressurized cooling medium can be fed into a high-pressure chamber (11) into which a sample holder (30) containing a sample (3) is inserted and which is sealed with a pressure-tight seal, to the location of the sample holder (30) held therein. The high-pressure chamber (11) comprises a viewing window structure (2) with a pressure-tight window (20), through which light can be directed from the outside onto the sample (3) located in the sample holder (30). The window (20) can comprise a transparent window element made of a high-pressure-resistant material, wherein the window element (20) is held by a pressure- and temperature-resistant window bearing provided in the high-pressure chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: LEICA MIKROSYSTEME GMBHInventors: Reinhard LIHL, Rainer WOGRITSCH, Heinz PLANK
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Patent number: 8471223Abstract: A sample stage for processing a sample in an ion beam etching apparatus has positioning arrangements each having a receiving apparatus and a mask, a sample being mountable in the receiving apparatus with reference to an ion beam and positionable relative to the mask. The sample stage includes a mechanism that enables a switchover between respective positioning arrangements so a selected positioning arrangement is respectively orientable toward the ion beam. The sample in the selected positioning arrangement is exposed to the ion beam while the remaining positioning arrangements face away from the ion beam. The positioning arrangements are arranged in one common vessel. A method for sequential preparation of at least two samples in an ion beam etching unit using the sample stage is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventors: Thomas Pfeifer, Heinz Plank
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Publication number: 20120199552Abstract: A sample stage for processing a sample in an ion beam etching apparatus has positioning arrangements each having a receiving apparatus and a mask, a sample being mountable in the receiving apparatus with reference to an ion beam and positionable relative to the mask. The sample stage includes a mechanism that enables a switchover between respective positioning arrangements so a selected positioning arrangement is respectively orientable toward the ion beam. The sample in the selected positioning arrangement is exposed to the ion beam while the remaining positioning arrangements face away from the ion beam. The positioning arrangements are arranged in one common vessel. A method for sequential preparation of at least two samples in an ion beam etching unit using the sample stage is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: LEICA MIKROSYSTEME GMBHInventors: Thomas PFEIFER, Heinz PLANK
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Patent number: 7621145Abstract: An automatic loading apparatus (12) for specimens (1) for high-pressure cryosubstitution is disclosed. The automatic loading apparatus (12) is connected to a high-pressure freezing device (40). Specimens (1) are inserted in a holder (2). By means of a slider (4), the specimens (1) and holders (2) are conveyed to the automatic loading apparatus (12). The guidance element (26) allows exact positioning of the holder (2) in the clamping element (14). The automatic loading apparatus makes possible rapid transfer of the holder (2) having the specimen (1) from, for example, an optical microscope to the high-pressure freezing device (40).Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2005Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventors: Heinz Plank, Andreas Hallady
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Publication number: 20090028757Abstract: An apparatus for staining sample sections, comprising: a chamber that is adapted for fastening sample sections therein; and a pump that is adapted for pumping liquids through the chamber. The chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet can be connected to at least one reservoir of a staining liquid via inlet lines that are controllable by valves. The inlet lines are formed at least in the region of the associated valves by means of elastic hose lines, and the valves are formed as hose pinch valves. This apparatus minimizes or eliminates contaminations arising from staining processes for thin sections that are in particular prepared for examination in an electron microscope.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: Reinhard Lihl, Heinz Plank, Siegfried Tanki
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Patent number: 7410055Abstract: A transport container (40) for slides (4) for immunological labeling of thin tissue sections (2a) is disclosed. The transport container (40) is embodied in the form of a trough which comprises a peripheral delimiting wall (49) that is closed off by a base (50). There is embodied in the interior of the trough on the delimiting wall (49) at least one peripheral step (57) on which the slide rests and is spaced away from the base (50) of the transport container (40).Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventor: Heinz Plank
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Patent number: 7303729Abstract: An apparatus and a method for immunological labeling of thin tissue sections are disclosed. The treatment fluid is applied in the form of liquid droplets onto at least one slide, the arrangement of liquid droplets corresponding to the arrangement of the thin tissue sections on the carrier plate. Each slide is retained in a transport container, the transport container being embodied in the form of a trough which comprises a peripheral delimiting wall that is closed off by a base. The base of one transport containers constitutes the cover of a transport container arranged beneath it. The transport containers are stacked in a first and a second station.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2006Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventor: Heinz Plank
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Patent number: 7083761Abstract: A container (2) for tissue preparation for the tissue embedding, having a base body (4), that is formed out cylindrical shaped side wall (5), a floor (6) and several bridges (50). The bridges (50) subdivide the container (2) in several sub-containers (52). The side wall (5) has a plurality of slit shaped openings (12), that extend essentially over the total height of the side wall (5).Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventors: Michael Zimmermann, Anton Lang, Heinz Plank, Rainer Wogritsch
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Publication number: 20060128024Abstract: An apparatus and a method for immunological labeling of thin tissue sections are disclosed. The treatment fluid is applied in the form of liquid droplets onto at least one slide, the arrangement of liquid droplets corresponding to the arrangement of the thin tissue sections on the carrier plate. Each slide is retained in a transport container, the transport container being embodied in the form of a trough which comprises a peripheral delimiting wall that is closed off by a base. The base of one transport containers constitutes the cover of a transport container arranged beneath it. The transport containers are stacked in a first and a second station.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2006Publication date: June 15, 2006Applicant: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventor: Heinz Plank
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Publication number: 20060090481Abstract: An automatic loading apparatus (12) for specimens (1) for high-pressure cryosubstitution is disclosed. The automatic loading apparatus (12) is connected to a high-pressure freezing device (40). Specimens (1) are inserted in a holder (2). By means of a slider (4), the specimens (1) and holders (2) are conveyed to the automatic loading apparatus (12). The guidance element (26) allows exact positioning of the holder (2) in the clamping element (14). The automatic loading apparatus makes possible rapid transfer of the holder (2) having the specimen (1) from, for example, an optical microscope to the high-pressure freezing device (40).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2005Publication date: May 4, 2006Applicant: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventors: Heinz Plank, Andreas Hallady
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Patent number: 7025937Abstract: An apparatus and a method for immunological labeling of thin tissue sections are disclosed. The treatment fluid is applied in the form of liquid droplets onto at least one slide, the arrangement of liquid droplets corresponding to the arrangement of the thin tissue sections on the carrier plate. Each slide is retained in a transport container, the transport container being embodied in the form of a trough which comprises a peripheral delimiting wall that is closed off by a base. The base of one transport containers constitutes the cover of a transport container arranged beneath it. The transport containers are stacked in a first and a second station.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Leica Mikrosysteme GmbHInventor: Heinz Plank
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Patent number: 6821072Abstract: A system for staining and coverslipping specimen slides, having a stainer (1) and a coverslipper (3) that are arranged next to one another. A transfer device (2), which transports racks with specimen slides from the stainer (1) to the coverslipper (3), is provided between the stainer (1) and the coverslipper (3). Transport is automated so that operation by the user is substantially reduced.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Leica Microsystems Nussloch GmbHInventors: Stefan Thiem, Anton Lang, Heinz Plank