Patents by Inventor Peter Fromherz

Peter Fromherz 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).

  • Selective staining of biomembranes using voltage-sensitive dyes
    Patent number: 7611863
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for staining membranes, in particular, a method for selective staining of cells using voltage-sensitive dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Peter Fromherz, Gerd Huebener, Marlon J. Hinner
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING PHARMACOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES BY MEASURING MEMBRANE CURRENTS WITH EXTRACELLULAR SENSORS
    Publication number: 20090032411
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioelectronic device comprising a living cell which is in operative contact with an extracellular planar potential-sensitive electrode, e.g. a field effect transistor. The cell comprises first and second ion channel/receptor systems which are responsive to stimuli. The ion channels are selected such that the ion flux of the first ion channel is directed against the ion flux of the second ion channel. Thus, the device is suitable as a bioelectronic sensor. Further, the invention relates to a method for determining the response of the cell to a stimulus. The method is e.g. suitable for drug screening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung Der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Ingmar Peitz, Peter Fromherz
  • Optimized Determination of Voltage Changes Using a Voltage-Sensitive Dye
    Publication number: 20080122428
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining voltage changes, e.g. in cell membranes, by means of a voltage-sensitive dye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Forderungder Wissenschaften e. V.
    Inventors: Bernd Kuhn, Winfried Denk, Gerd Hubener, Peter Fromherz
  • CMOS-process compatible high-DC surface coating for capacitive detection and stimulation of biological tissues
    Patent number: 7379766
    Abstract: Biochip for capacitive stimulation and/or detection of biological tissues. The biochip has a carrier structure, at least one stimulation and/or sensor device, which is arranged in or at the carrier structure, and at least one dielectric layer, one layer area of which is arranged at the stimulation and/or sensor device and the opposite layer area of which forms a stimulation and/or sensor area for capacitive simulation and/or detection of biological tissues, wherein the dielectric layer comprises TiO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Gabl, Tamara Birkenmaier, Bjorn-Oliver Eversmann, Peter Fromherz, Martin Jenkner, Matthias Schreiter, Roland Thewes, Wolfram Wersing
  • Measurement device and method for screening with cells immobilized on electrodes
    Patent number: 7326539
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for screening with cells immobilized on electrodes by using a low-salt medium. In particular, a method is disclosed for determining whether a substance is a modulator of a target component in a cell immobilized on an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Peter Fromherz, Matthias Brittinger
  • Selective staining of biomembranes using voltage-sensitive dyes
    Publication number: 20050260698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for staining membranes, in particular, a method for selective staining of cells using voltage-sensitive dyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Applicant: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Peter Fromherz, Gerd Hubener, Marlon Hinner
  • CMOS-process compatible high-DC surface coating for capacitive detection and stimulation of biological tissues
    Publication number: 20050187454
    Abstract: Biochip for capacitive stimulation and/or detection of biological tissues. The biochip has a carrier structure, at least one stimulation and/or sensor device, which is arranged in or at the carrier structure, and at least one dielectric layer, one layer area of which is arranged at the stimulation and/or sensor device and the opposite layer area of which forms a stimulation and/or sensor area for capacitive simulation and/or detection of biological tissues, wherein the dielectric layer comprises TiO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Gabl, Tamara Birkenmaier, Bjorn-Oliver Eversmann, Peter Fromherz, Martin Jenkner, Matthias Schreiter, Roland Thewes, Wolfram Wersing
  • Measurement device and method for screening with cells immobilized on electrodes
    Publication number: 20050037438
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for screening with cells immobilized on electrodes by using a low-salt medium. In particular, a method is disclosed for determining whether a substance is a modulator of a target component in a cell immobilized on an electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Applicant: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Peter Fromherz, Matthias Brittinger
  • Signal recording of a receptor-effector-system by an extracellular planar potential-sensitive electrode
    Patent number: 6602399
    Abstract: The present invention relates to bioelectronic devices comprising living cells which are in operative contact with an extracellular planar potential-sensitive electrode, e.g. a field effect transistor. The cells comprise an ion channel/receptor system which is responsive to stimuli. Thus, the device is suitable as a bioelectronic sensor. The electrode may also have a capacitive stimulating spot, with which the electrical or functional state of the cell or its ion channel/receptor system may be affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenchaften e.V.
    Inventors: Peter Fromherz, Elisabeth Meyer, Bernhard Straub
  • Lipid vesicles or lipid bilayers on chips
    Patent number: 6570196
    Abstract: The present invention relates to bioelectronic devices comprising lipid vesicles which are in contact with a chip, particularly with at least one gate of a field effect transistor. The vesicles/bilayers may comprise effector molecules in their membrane and thus are suitable as bioelectronic sensors. The chip may also have a capacitive stimulating spot, with which the electrical or functional state of the membrane or its incorporated molecules may be affected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Max-Plank-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften
    Inventors: Peter Fromherz, Volker Kiessling, Karsten Kottig, Günther Zeck