Patents Assigned to Quantifoil Instruments GmbH
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Patent number: 10239063Abstract: A sample processing arrangement for processing a fluidic sample, the sample processing arrangement including a sample holder for accommodating the fluidic sample, an apparatus having a rotor mechanism and being configured for selectively operating the sample holder in an orbital motion mode for sample mixing, particularly for shaking, or in a rotary motion mode for sample separation, particularly for centrifuging, a mounting platform having a central portion on which the apparatus and the sample holder are mounted and having a surrounding portion circumferentially surrounding the central portion, and a plurality of module accommodation positions circumferentially distributed in the surrounding portion to surround the rotor mechanism and the sample holder, wherein each of the module accommodation positions is configured for detachably accommodating a selectable one of a plurality of sample processing modules, each being configured for fulfilling an assigned sample processing task, by accommodating the respectiType: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Quantifoil Instruments GmbHInventors: Andreas Vester, Falko Schulz
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Patent number: 10052598Abstract: A mechanism for generating an orbital motion for mixing a fluidic sample. The mechanism may comprise a first and second cogwheel each having a through hole and a plurality of cogs. A drive shaft having a concentric first section and an eccentric second section is guided through a respective through hole of the first and second cogwheel. A coupling body engages part of the cogs to thereby generate the orbital motion of the second cogwheel and a sample holder to be mounted so as to follow a motion of the second cogwheel upon rotating the first section of the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Quantifoil Instruments GmbHInventor: Andreas Vester
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Publication number: 20160368003Abstract: A sample processing arrangement for processing a fluidic sample, the sample processing arrangement including a sample holder for accommodating the fluidic sample, an apparatus having a rotor mechanism and being configured for selectively operating the sample holder in an orbital motion mode for sample mixing, particularly for shaking, or in a rotary motion mode for sample separation, particularly for centrifuging, a mounting platform having a central portion on which the apparatus and the sample holder are mounted and having a surrounding portion circumferentially surrounding the central portion, and a plurality of module accommodation positions circumferentially distributed in the surrounding portion to surround the rotor mechanism and the sample holder, wherein each of the module accommodation positions is configured for detachably accommodating a selectable one of a plurality of sample processing modules, each being configured for fulfilling an assigned sample processing task, by accommodating the respectiType: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: QUANTIFOIL INSTRUMENTS GMBHInventors: Andreas VESTER, Falko SCHULZ
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Patent number: 9371889Abstract: A mechanism for switching a sample holder (14, 40) accommodating a fluidic sample (38) between an orbital motion mode for sample mixing, particularly for shaking, and a rotary motion mode for sample separation, particularly for centrifuging, wherein the mechanism comprises a gear element (11) being drivable by a drive unit (42) to move selectively in a first direction (A) or in a second direction (B) being inverse to the first direction (A), an orbital motion generator (2 to 5) configured for generating an orbital motion of the sample holder (14, 40) when being operated in the orbital motion mode, a rotary motion generator (2, 4, 5) configured for generating a rotary motion of the sample holder (14, 40) when being operated in the rotary motion mode, and a one-way clutch arrangement (12, 13) configured for selectively coupling the gear element (11) with the orbital motion generator (2 to 5) to transfer a driving force from the gear element (11) to the orbital motion generator (2 to 5) for generating the orbitaType: GrantFiled: January 31, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Quantifoil Instruments GmbHInventor: Andreas Vester
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Patent number: 9132428Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for positioning a sample carrier plate, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises a main body (102) for receiving the sample carrier plate, positioning stops (106, 108) which are disposed in opposing first corner regions of the main body and are prestressed for clamping the sample carrier plate and mounted displaceably, an actuating device (114) which is disposed in a second corner region of the main body and is equipped such that by actuating the actuating device (114) the positioning stops (106, 108) can be transferred between an operating state engaging the sample carrier plate and an operating state releasing the sample carrier plate, and comprises a force transmitting element (118) which is equipped to transmit an actuating force from the actuating device to the positioning stops.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Quantifoil Instruments GmbHInventors: Olaf Simmat, Andreas Vester, Patrick Heinrich
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Patent number: 9126162Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a functional device, wherein the apparatus has a main body, a carrier element that can be disposed on the main body to receive the functional device, positioning stops, which are mounted displaceably to clamp the functional device, an actuating device which is adapted such that, by actuating the actuating device, the positioning stops can be transferred between an operating state engaging the functional device and an operating state releasing the functional device, and a force transmitting element which is adapted to transmit an actuating force from the actuating device to the positioning stops, wherein the actuating device and the force transmitting element are coupled in such a manner that, in the operating state engaging the functional device, the force transmitting element transmits a functional device force of the functional device to the actuating device in such a manner that the actuating device remains in a rest position with respect to the carrier element, in spite of theType: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Quantifoil Instruments GmbHInventors: Olaf Simmat, Andreas Vester, Patrick Heinrich
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Patent number: 9126200Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for positioning a sample carrier plate, wherein the apparatus comprises a main body for receiving the sample carrier plate, positioning stops which are disposed in opposing first corner regions of the main body and are prestressed for clamping the sample carrier plate and mounted displaceably, an actuating device which is disposed at the main body and is equipped such that by actuating the actuating device the positioning stops can be transferred between an operating state engaging the sample carrier plate and an operating state releasing the sample carrier plate, and comprises a force transmitting element which is equipped to transmit an actuating force from the actuating device to the positioning stops.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Quantifoil Instruments GmbHInventors: Olaf Simmat, Andreas Vester, Patrick Heinrich
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Publication number: 20150011348Abstract: A mechanism for switching a sample holder (14, 40) accommodating a fluidic sample (38) between an orbital motion mode for sample mixing, particularly for shaking, and a rotary motion mode for sample separation, particularly for centrifuging, wherein the mechanism comprises a gear element (11) being drivable by a drive unit (42) to move selectively in a first direction (A) or in a second direction (B) being inverse to the first direction (A), an orbital motion generator (2 to 5) configured for generating an orbital motion of the sample holder (14, 40) when being operated in the orbital motion mode, a rotary motion generator (2, 4, 5) configured for generating a rotary motion of the sample holder (14, 40) when being operated in the rotary motion mode, and a one-way clutch arrangement (12, 13) configured for selectively coupling the gear element (11) with the orbital motion generator (2 to 5) to transfer a driving force from the gear element (11) to the orbital motion generator (2 to 5) for generating the orbitaType: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Applicant: Quantifoil Instruments GmbHInventor: Andreas Vester
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Publication number: 20140193312Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for positioning a sample carrier plate, wherein the apparatus comprises a main body for receiving the sample carrier plate, positioning stops which are disposed in opposing first corner regions of the main body and are prestressed for clamping the sample carrier plate and mounted displaceably, an actuating device which is disposed at the main body and is equipped such that by actuating the actuating device the positioning stops can be transferred between an operating state engaging the sample carrier plate and an operating state releasing the sample carrier plate, and comprises a force transmitting element which is equipped to transmit an actuating force from the actuating device to the positioning stops.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: Quantifoil Instruments GmbHInventors: Olaf Hoyer, Andreas Vester, Patrick Heinrich
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Publication number: 20130011224Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a functional device, wherein the apparatus has a main body, a carrier element that can be disposed on the main body to receive the functional device, positioning stops, which are mounted displaceably to clamp the functional device, an actuating device which is adapted such that, by actuating the actuating device, the positioning stops can be transferred between an operating state engaging the functional device and an operating state releasing the functional device, and a force transmitting element which is adapted to transmit an actuating force from the actuating device to the positioning stops, wherein the actuating device and the force transmitting element are coupled in such a manner that, in the operating state engaging the functional device, the force transmitting element transmits a functional device force of the functional device to the actuating device in such a manner that the actuating device remains in a rest position with respect to the carrier element, in spite of theType: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: QUANTIFOIL INSTRUMENTS GMBHInventors: Olaf Hoyer, Andreas Vester, Patrick Heinrich
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Patent number: 8323588Abstract: A sample handling device (100) for handling a sample, the sample handling device (100) comprising a drive shaft (101) being drivable by a drive unit (102), a base plate (103) mounted to follow a motion of the drive shaft (101) when being driven by the drive unit (102), wherein the base plate (103) is configured to receive a sample carrier block (104) mountable to follow a motion of the base plate (103), and a compensation weight (105, 106) mounted asymmetrically on the drive shaft (101) in a manner to at least partially compensate an unbalanced mass of the sample handling device (100) during the motion.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Quantifoil Instruments GmbHInventors: Olaf Hoyer, Leander Dittmann, Giso Gessner, Andreas Vester
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Publication number: 20120128459Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for positioning a sample carrier plate, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises a main body (102) for receiving the sample carrier plate, positioning stops (106, 108) which are disposed in opposing first corner regions of the main body and are prestressed for clamping the sample carrier plate and mounted displaceably, an actuating device (114) which is disposed in a second corner region of the main body and is equipped such that by actuating the actuating device (114) the positioning stops (106, 108) can be transferred between an operating state engaging the sample carrier plate and an operating state releasing the sample carrier plate, and comprises a force transmitting element (118) which is equipped to transmit an actuating force from the actuating device to the positioning stops.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: QUANTIFOIL INSTRUMENTS GMBHInventors: Olaf HOYER, Andreas Vester, Patrick Heinrich
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Publication number: 20100218620Abstract: A sample handling device (100) for handling a sample, the sample handling device (100) comprising a drive shaft (101) being drivable by a drive unit (102), a base plate (103) mounted to follow a motion of the drive shaft (101) when being driven by the drive unit (102), wherein the base plate (103) is configured to receive a sample carrier block (104) mountable to follow a motion of the base plate (103), and a compensation weight (105, 106) mounted asymmetrically on the drive shaft (101) in a manner to at least partially compensate an unbalanced mass of the sample handling device (100) during the motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2008Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: QUANTIFOIL INSTRUMENTS GMBHInventors: Olaf Hoyer, Leander Dittmann, Giso Gessner, Andreas Vester
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Publication number: 20100031757Abstract: A sample handling device (100) for handling a sample, the sample handling device (100) comprising a base part (101), a cover part (102), a first force generating unit (104, 105) adapted to generate an attracting force promoting attraction between the base part (101) and the cover part (102), a second force generating unit (108, 142) adapted to generate a counterforce having at least a component being oriented opposite to the attracting force to promote a motion of the base part (101) and the cover part (102) relative to each other, and a control unit (103) adapted for controlling the second force generating unit (108, 142) for moving the base part (101) and the cover part (102) relative to each other for influencing a sample space (130) between the base part (101) and the cover part (102) for accommodating the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2007Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: QUANTIFOIL INSTRUMENTS GMBHInventor: Olaf Hoyer