Patents by Inventor Markus Hofstetter

Markus Hofstetter 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).

  • Patent number: 9880288
    Abstract: The present application relates to semiconductor devices, in particular to a device for monitoring a cell signal such as an electrical signal produced by living cells in response to external stimulation, optionally in real time, comprising (a) at least one discrete area comprising a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT); and (b) non-excitable cells attached to said HEMT (HEMT element) for example, fibroblasts, HEK, CHO cell lines, keratinocytes, etc. Preferably, the HEMT is an AlGaN/GaN FET. Accordingly, the device can be applied in uses and methods for monitoring a cell signal such as an electrical signal produced by living cells in response to external stimulation, optionally in real time. Likewise, the device can be applied for screening compounds that reverse, protect from and/or shield cells from external stimuli which cause damage to cells. Also, kits comprising the device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventors: Stefan Thalhammer, Markus Hofstetter, John Howgate, Martin Stutzmann
  • Patent number: 9402548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (10), in particular for detecting x-ray radiation, comprising a carrier substrate (11), a detector layer (12) which comprises GaN, is arranged on the carrier substrate (11) and has a thickness less than 50 ?m, and contact electrodes (13) which form ohmic contacts with the detector layer (12). The invention also relates to a measurement device which is equipped with at least one such radiation detector (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan Thalhammer, Markus Hofstetter, John Howgate, Martin Stutzmann
  • Patent number: 9354330
    Abstract: A method for detecting radiation during the examination of a sample (1) comprises the steps of generating the radiation, more particularly X-ray radiation or proton radiation, by means of a source device (10), passing the radiation through the sample (1), and detecting the radiation by means of at least one photoelectric solid-state detector (20) containing a photoconduction section having a predetermined response threshold and a potential well section for taking up free charge carriers. The solid-state detector (20) is a GaN- or GaAs-based semiconductor detector and the potential well section contains a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). A setting of the radiation is provided in such a way that the solid-state detector (20) is operated separately from the response threshold of the photoconduction section and in a sensitivity range of the potential well section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignees: Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen Deutsches Forschungszentrum fuer Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Technische Universitaet Muenchen
    Inventors: Stefan Thalhammer, Markus Hofstetter, John Howgate, Martin Stutzmann
  • Patent number: 9354329
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray camera (100) for the high-resolution detection of X-rays (1), comprising a plurality of radiation detectors (10), each of which has a carrier substrate (11), a detector layer (12), and contact electrodes (13). The detector layer (12) contains GaN, lies on the carrier substrate (11), and has a thickness of less than 50 ?m. The contact electrodes (13) form ohmic contacts with the detector layer (12). The X-ray camera also comprises a retaining device (20) on which the radiation detectors (10) are arranged along a specified reference line or reference surface (21). The invention also relates to a method for capturing an image of an object (2, 3) being examined using X-rays (1), said X-ray camera (100) being used in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen Deutsches Forschungszentrum fuer Gesundheit und Umwelt (Gmbh)
    Inventors: Stefan Thalhammer, Markus Hofstetter, John Howgate, Martin Stutzmann
  • Publication number: 20150041662
    Abstract: A method for detecting radiation during the examination of a sample (1) comprises the steps of generating the radiation, more particularly X-ray radiation or proton radiation, by means of a source device (10), passing the radiation through the sample (1), and detecting the radiation by means of at least one photoelectric solid-state detector (20) containing a photoconduction section having a predetermined response threshold and a potential well section for taking up free charge carriers. The solid-state detector (20) is a GaN- or GaAs-based semiconductor detector and the potential well section contains a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). A setting of the radiation is provided in such a way that the solid-state detector (20) is operated separately from the response threshold of the photoconduction section and in a sensitivity range of the potential well section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan Thalhammer, Markus Hofstetter, John Howgate, Martin Stutzmann
  • Publication number: 20140112432
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray camera (100) for the high-resolution detection of X-rays (1), comprising a plurality of radiation detectors (10), each of which has a carrier substrate (11), a detector layer (12), and contact electrodes (13). The detector layer (12) contains GaN, lies on the carrier substrate (11), and has a thickness of less than 50 ?m. The contact electrodes (13) form ohmic contacts with the detector layer (12). The X-ray camera also comprises a retaining device (20) on which the radiation detectors (10) are arranged along a specified reference line or reference surface (21). The invention also relates to a method for capturing an image of an object (2, 3) being examined using X-rays (1), said X-ray camera (100) being used in the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen Deutsches Forschungszentrum fuer Gesundheit und Umwevt(GmbH)
    Inventors: Stefan Thalhammer, Markus Hofstetter, John Howgate, Martin Stutzmann
  • Publication number: 20140093038
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (10), in particular for detecting x-ray radiation, comprising a carrier substrate (11), a detector layer (12) which comprises GaN, is arranged on the carrier substrate (11) and has a thickness less than 50 ?m, and contact electrodes (13) which form ohmic contacts with the detector layer (12). The invention also relates to a measurement device which is equipped with at least one such radiation detector (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum Für Gesundheit Und Umwelt (GmbH)
    Inventors: Stefan Thalhammer, Markus Hofstetter, John Howgate, Martin Stutzman
  • Publication number: 20120171715
    Abstract: The present application relates to semiconductor devices, in particular to a device for monitoring a cell signal such as an electrical signal produced by living cells in response to external stimulation, optionally in real time, comprising (a) at least one discrete area comprising a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT); and (b) non-excitable cells attached to said HEMT (HEMT element) for example, fibroblasts, HEK, CHO cell lines, keratinocytes, etc. Preferably, the HEMT is an AlGaN/GaN FET. Accordingly, the device can be applied in uses and methods for monitoring a cell signal such as an electrical signal produced by living cells in response to external stimulation, optionally in real time. Likewise, the device can be applied for screening compounds that reverse, protect from and/or shield cells from external stimuli which cause damage to cells. Also, kits comprising the device are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Stefan Thalhammer, Markus Hofstetter, John Howgate, Martin Stutzmann