Patents by Inventor Suzana Kiel
Suzana Kiel 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: 11073519Abstract: In a lateral flow test (LFT) device, the liquid conduit element 20 is formed from a substrate 21, 22 or 24 having at least two layers, including a first layer 21b, 22b or 24b not exceeding 75 ?m in thickness formed from a porous material for wicking liquid, and a second layer 21a,22a or 24a of additional thickness formed from a generally non-porous polymer material acting as backing layer. The layered arrangement is incorporated into an LFT device to reduce sample volume requirements.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions Germany GmbHInventors: Alexander Schenk, Klaus Hochleitner, Suzana Kiel, Marcel Thieme, Wei Sun
-
Patent number: 10870086Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing a continuous web of polymeric membrane and for continuous downstream processing of said web. The apparatus (10) comprises: a casting station (20) for casting the continuous web (M); a carrier (24) for carrying the web downstream; a membrane drier (30) downstream of the carrier, for drying the web; and a brushing station (40) downstream of the drier for brushing the web. Said drier is located immediately downstream of the carrier, and upstream of said brushing station. The apparatus (10) further includes an additional drying station (50) downstream of the brushing station (40). Brushing after drying retains more surfactant in the membrane which is useful for certain applications. In addition, initial drying eliminates virtually all solvents from the membrane, but leaves some non-solvent (e.g. water) within it, which in turn fixes the surfactant on the nitrocellulose fibers, which improves significantly the consistency and reproducibility of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Global Life Sciences Solutions Germany GmbHInventors: Marcel Thieme, Klaus Hochleitner, Suzana Kiel, Alexander Schenk, Wolfgang Thamm, Daniela Katarzynski, Georg Peter Danisch
-
Publication number: 20180327811Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and kits for capturing sperm nucleic acids from or in a biological sample. In one embodiment the method the method comprises, contacting the sample with a lysis solution, having a protamine-DNA complex, to lyse the cell and applying a protamine-specific binding element. This results in the protamine-specific binding element binding to the protamine-DNA to form a complex which may be captured, purified, or detected. Also provided are kits for carrying out the disclosed methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Patrick McCoy SPOONER, Peter James TATNELL, Jeffrey Kenneth HORTON, John Richard NELSON, Michael John GERDES, Suzana KIEL, Ralf LENIGK, Alexander SCHENK, Wei SUN, Thomas HANSEN
-
Patent number: 10030241Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and kits for capturing sperm nucleic acids from or in a biological sample. In one embodiment the method the method includes, contacting the sample with a lysis solution, having a protamine-DNA complex, to lyse the cell and applying a protamine-specific antibody. This results in the protamine-specific antibody binding to the protamine-DNA to form a complex which may be captured, purified, or detected. Also provided are kits for carrying out the disclosed methods.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Patrick McCoy Spooner, Peter James Tatnell, Jeffrey Kenneth Horton, John Richard Nelson, Michael John Gerdes, Suzana Kiel, Ralf Lenigk, Alexander Schenk, Wei Sun
-
Publication number: 20180104655Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for manufacturing a continuous web of polymeric membrane and for continuous downstream processing of said web. The apparatus (10) comprises: a casting station (20) for casting the continuous web (M); a carrier (24) for carrying the web downstream; a membrane drier (30) downstream of the carrier, for drying the web; and a brushing station (40) downstream of the drier for brushing the web. Said drier is located immediately downstream of the carrier, and upstream of said brushing station. The apparatus (10) further includes an additional drying station (50) downstream of the brushing station (40). Brushing after drying retains more surfactant in the membrane which is useful for certain applications. In addition, initial drying eliminates virtually all solvents from the membrane, but leaves some non-solvent (e.g. water) within it, which in turn fixes the surfactant on the nitrocellulose fibers, which improves significantly the consistency and reproducibility of the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2016Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Marcel Thieme, Klaus Hochleitner, Suzana Kiel, Alexander Schenk, Wolfgang Thamm, Daniela Katarzynski, Georg Peter Danisch
-
Patent number: 9707523Abstract: A membrane filter 26 is disclosed comprising cellulous material 23 allowing the transition of fluid therethrough, and, in a substantially dry state, said membrane comprising also a salt of deoxycholic acid. Optionally, the air side of the membrane (the side facing away from the screen or belt used to manufacture the membrane) faces the sample fluid during use of the membrane. A method of manufacture of the membrane material is disclosed also, employing deoxycholic acid as a surfactant, to improve the recovery rate of the membrane filter in use.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Whatman GmbHInventors: Klaus Hochleitner, Suzana Kiel
-
Publication number: 20170115287Abstract: In a lateral flow test (LFT) device, the liquid conduit element 20 is formed from a substrate 21, 22 or 24 having at least two layers, including a first layer 21b, 22b or 24b not exceeding 75 ?m in thickness formed from a porous material for wicking liquid, and a second layer 21a,22a or 24a of additional thickness formed from a generally non-porous polymer material acting as backing layer. The layered arrangement is incorporated into an LFT device to reduce sample volume requirements.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Alexander Schenk, Klaus Hochleitner, Suzana Kiel, Marcel Thieme, Wei Sun
-
Publication number: 20160289666Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and kits for capturing sperm nucleic acids from or in a biological sample. In one embodiment the method the method comprises, contacting the sample with a lysis solution, having a protamine-DNA complex, to lyse the cell and applying a protamine-specific antibody. This results in the protamine-specific antibody binding to the protamine-DNA to form a complex which may be captured, purified, or detected. Also provided are kits for carrying out the disclosed methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Patrick McCoy Spooner, Peter James Tatnell, Jeffrey Kenneth Horton, John Richard Nelson, Michael John Gerdes, Suzana Kiel, Ralf Lenigk, Alexander Schenk, Wei Sun
-
Publication number: 20150377872Abstract: The invention discloses a reduced thickness membrane matrix for carrying liquids consisting of a cellulosic material with a thickness of between 10 and 50 ?m and a pore size between 0.1 ?m and 20 ?m for use with diagnostic tests such as lateral flow tests, thereby reducing the amount of test reagents required.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Klaus HOCHLEITNER, Suzana KIEL, Alexander SCHENK, Wei SUN
-
Publication number: 20150027945Abstract: A membrane filter 26 is disclosed comprising cellulous material 23 allowing the transition of fluid therethrough, and, in a substantially dry state, said membrane comprising also a salt of deoxycholic acid. Optionally, the air side of the membrane (the side facing away from the screen or belt used to manufacture the membrane) faces the sample fluid during use of the membrane. A method of manufacture of the membrane material is disclosed also, employing deoxycholic acid as a surfactant, to improve the recovery rate of the membrane filter in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: WHATMAN GMBHInventors: Klaus Hochleitner, Suzana Kiel
-
Patent number: 7682722Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly and polymer electrolyte fuel cells and methods of production thereof, in which a polymer membrane, containing at least one basic polymer membrane, is sandwiched between two flat gas diffusion electrodes each of which is loaded with a dopant, whereby after reaching a mass transport equilibrium for the exchange of the dopant between the gas diffusion electrodes and the polymer membrane, the polymer membrane has a conductivity of at least 0.1 S/m at a temperature of no less than 25° C.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: elcomax membranes GmbHInventors: Dieter Melzner, Annette Reiche, Ulrich Maehr, Suzana Kiel
-
Patent number: 7682723Abstract: A membrane for fuel cells, which is characterized by a homogeneous absorption and good retention of doping agents, and which guarantees a high mechanical stability at high temperatures when doped. Such membranes consist of at least one polymer, whose nitrogen atoms are chemically bonded to a central atom of a derivative of a polybasic inorganic oxo acid. The membranes are produced from polymer solutions that are devoid of water and oxo acid derivatives, by heating the solution that has been introduced into a membrane mold until a self-supporting membrane has been formed and then by thermally regulating the latter. Inventive fuel cells having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that comprises a membrane of the invention and phosphoric acid as the doping agent have, for example, an impedance of 0.5-1 ?cm2 at a measuring frequency of 1000 Hz and at an operating temperature of 160° C. and a gas flow for hydrogen of 170 mL/min and for air of 570 mL/min.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Volkswagen AGInventors: Dieter Melzner, Annette Reiche, Ulrich Maehr, Suzana Kiel, Stefan Haufe
-
Patent number: 7655334Abstract: A proton-conducting electrolyte membrane is disclosed, comprising at least one base material and at least one dopant, which is the reaction product of an at least dibasic inorganic acid with an organic compound, comprising one acidic hydroxyl group, or the condensation product of said compound with a polybasic acid. The membrane may be produced by a single step method, which avoids the use of dangerous materials and environmental pollutants. Subsequent doping of the membrane, e.g., in conjunction with assembly of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is not excluded. The electrolyte membrane has a high and constant mechanical stability and flexibility, excellent chemical and thermal stability and a high and constant conductivity. The membrane may be used in a fuel cell in a wide temperature range from 50° C. to more than 200° C., for example, whereby the fuel cell has a high and constant power level over the entire temperature range.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Volkswagen AGInventors: Dieter Melzner, Suzana Kiel, Ulrich Mahr, Annette Reiche
-
Patent number: 7615306Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell, which has a planar polymer membrane. This membrane, in a tangentially inner area, is coated on both sides with electrode structure, and, in a tangentially outer area projecting at least on one side beyond the electrode structure coating, is connected to a sealing member. A marginal zone of the polymer membrane is embedded in the elastomer sealing member. The sealing member extends tangentially inward to a transition area that lies tangentially between the outer area and the inner area, where it overlaps the electrode structures on outer faces of the electrode structures, on both of the sides of the polymer membrane.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Elcomax Membranes GmbHInventors: Stefan Haufe, Annette Reiche, Suzana Kiel, Ulrich Maehr, Dieter Melzner
-
Publication number: 20070154778Abstract: Gas diffusion electrodes with improved proton conduction between an electrocatalyst located in a catalyst layer and an adjacent polymer electrolyte membrane, capable of being used at operating temperatures up to or above the boiling point of water, ensuring lasting high gas permeability. Also, a production method and corresponding fuel cells. At least one part of the particles of an electrically conductive carrier material in the catalyst layer is at least partially loaded with at least one porous, proton-conducting polymer which can be used up to or above the boiling point of water. Loading and development of the porous structure is carried out in a phase inversion method. The gas diffusion electrodes can be used in high temperature fuel cells working at temperatures up to or above the boiling temperature of water without a drop in performance in continuous operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2007Publication date: July 5, 2007Inventors: Stefan Haufe, Annette Reiche, Suzana Kiel, Ulrich Maehr, Dieter Melzner
-
Publication number: 20070087244Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly and polymer electrolyte fuel cells and methods of production thereof, in which a polymer membrane, containing at least one basic polymer membrane, is sandwiched between two flat gas diffusion electrodes each of which is loaded with a dopant, whereby after reaching a mass transport equilibrium for the exchange of the dopant between the gas diffusion electrodes and the polymer membrane, the polymer membrane has a conductivity of at least 0.1 S/m at a temperature of no less than 25° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2005Publication date: April 19, 2007Inventors: Dieter Melzner, Annette Reiche, Ulrich Maehr, Suzana Kiel
-
Publication number: 20070072045Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell, which has a planar polymer membrane. This membrane, in a tangentially inner area, is coated on both sides with electrode structure, and, in a tangentially outer area projecting at least on one side beyond the electrode structure coating, is connected to a sealing member. A marginal zone of the polymer membrane is embedded in the elastomer sealing member. The sealing member extends tangentially inward to a transition area that lies tangentially between the outer area and the inner area, where it overlaps the electrode structures on outer faces of the electrode structures, on both of the sides of the polymer membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Inventors: Stefan Haufe, Annette Reiche, Suzana Kiel, Ulrich Maehr, Dieter Melzner
-
Publication number: 20070003808Abstract: A membrane for fuel cells, which is characterized by a homogeneous absorption and good retention of doping agents, and which guarantees a high mechanical stability at high temperatures when doped. Such membranes consist of at least one polymer, whose nitrogen atoms are chemically bonded to a central atom of a derivative of a polybasic inorganic oxo acid. The membranes are produced from polymer solutions that are devoid of water and oxo acid derivatives, by heating the solution that has been introduced into a membrane mold until a self-supporting membrane has been formed and then by thermally regulating the latter. Inventive fuel cells having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that comprises a membrane of the invention and phosphoric acid as the doping agent have, for example, an impedance of 0.5-1 ?cm2 at a measuring frequency of 1000 Hz and at an operating temperature of 160° C. and a gas flow for hydrogen of 170 mL/min and for air of 570 mL/min.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2006Publication date: January 4, 2007Inventors: Dieter Melzner, Annette Reiche, Ulrich Maehr, Suzana Kiel, Stefan Haufe
-
Publication number: 20050118476Abstract: A proton-conducting electrolyte membrane is disclosed, comprising at least one base material and at least one dopant, which is the reaction product of an at least dibasic inorganic acid with an organic compound, comprising one acidic hydroxyl group, or the condensation product of said compound with a polybasic acid. The membrane may be produced by a single step method, which avoids the use of dangerous materials and environmental pollutants. Subsequent doping of the membrane, e.g., in conjunction with assembly of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is not excluded. The electrolyte membrane has a high and constant mechanical stability and flexibility, excellent chemical and thermal stability and a high and constant conductivity. The membrane may be used in a fuel cell in a wide temperature range from 50° C. to more than 200° C., for example, whereby the fuel cell has a high and constant power level over the entire temperature range.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2002Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: Dieter Melzner, Suzana Kiel, Ulrich Mahr, Annette Reiche