Patents Assigned to Roche Diagnostics
  • Patent number: 11016102
    Abstract: Method for determination of whether a subject suffers from intermittent atrial fibrillation based on the determination of the amount of a Troponin T in a sample in a patient suffering from atrial fibrillation using a binding assay. Kits and devices adapted to carry out the methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Georg Hess, Andrea Horsch, Dietmar Zdunek
  • Publication number: 20210146368
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining properties of a laboratory sample container is presented. The apparatus comprises a light source for emitting light to illuminate the laboratory sample container and a number of curved reflecting and/or scattering units. A respective curved reflecting and/or scattering unit comprises a curved shape and is adapted to reflect and/or scatter light of the light source to an outer surface of the laboratory sample container for illuminating the laboratory sample container. The apparatus also comprises a camera adapted to take an image of the laboratory sample container. The image comprises image data related to the laboratory sample container. The apparatus also comprises a control unit adapted to determine the properties of the laboratory sample container based on the image data related to the laboratory sample container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Rein, Benjamin Sauer
  • Patent number: 11009499
    Abstract: A method for determining properties of a laboratory sample contained in a laboratory sample container is presented. The method comprises measuring projections of the laboratory sample container comprising the laboratory sample by irradiating light to the laboratory sample container at different projection angle and determining the properties by tomographic reconstruction based on the projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Rein
  • Publication number: 20210140987
    Abstract: A method for operating a laboratory system comprising instruments for processing samples and a control unit connected by a communication network is presented. The method comprises receiving and identifying a biological sample and retrieving an order list from a database. The list comprises a plurality of targets defining one or more processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample by one or more of the laboratory instruments. The method also comprises selecting a workflow strategy and retrieving workflow acceptance criterion corresponding to the workflow strategy. The control unit determines a sample workflow for processing the sample based on the workflow strategy and determines whether the sample workflow satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion. If the sample workflow does not satisfy the workflow acceptance criterion, workflow strategy and the workflow acceptance criterion is refined and the sample workflow is determined again until it satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Maetzler, Christopher Schofield, Ole Lambaek, Moritz von Hopffgarten
  • Patent number: 11001602
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to photoactivable protecting groups containing a diarylsulfide chromophore, a method for the synthesis thereof and their use as photoactivable protecting groups using maskless photolithography based array synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Klaus-Peter Stengele
  • Patent number: 11000848
    Abstract: A medical system for determining an analyte quantity in a blood sample via a cartridge that spins around a rotational axis. The cartridge may include: a separation chamber that separates blood plasma from the sample; a processing chamber containing a reagent with a specific binding partner which binds to the analyte to form an analyte specific binding partner complex; a first valve structure connecting the separation chamber to the processing chamber; a measurement structure to measure the quantity of the analyte, wherein the measurement structure includes a chromatographic membrane with an immobilized binding partner for direct or indirect binding of the analyte or the analyte specific binding partner complex, and an absorbent structure that is nearer to the axis than the membrane; a second valve structure connecting the processing chamber to the measurement structure; and a fluid chamber filled with a washing buffer and fluidically connected to the measurement structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thomas Dolbinow, Sabrina Adler, Erik Beiersdorf, Domenik Wensorra, Thorsten Brueckner, Thomas Fischer, Eloisa Lopez-Calle, Sascha Lutz, Josef Roedl, Juergen Spinke, Pamela Espindola, Thomas Manuel Keller
  • Patent number: 11002726
    Abstract: A test element analysis system for an analytical examination of a sample, in particular of a body fluid, is disclosed. The test element analysis system comprises an evaluation device with a test element holder for positioning a test element containing the sample and a measuring device for measuring a change in a measuring zone of the test element, the change being characteristic for an analyte. The test element holder contains contact elements with contact surfaces which allow an electrical contact between contact surfaces of the test element and the contact surfaces of the test element holder. The contact surfaces of the contact elements of the test element holder are provided with an electrically conductive surface containing metallic ruthenium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Hebestreit, Sylvia Saecker, Klaus Thome, Werner Heidt
  • Patent number: 11002749
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of calibrating an in-vitro diagnostic analyzer is disclosed. The method includes executing a multi-point calibration procedure including measuring a plurality of calibrator levels and thereby obtaining a plurality of respective calibration points. The method further includes calculating a result of the multi-point calibration procedure and determining failure or passing of the multi-point calibration procedure based on the calculated result. In case of failure of the multi-point calibration procedure, the method includes determining if failure is related to one or more individual failed calibration point(s), and in the affirmative, triggering a repetition of measuring the calibrator level(s) only with respect to the failed calibration point(s) and re-calculating the result of the multi-point calibration procedure after replacing only the failed calibration point(s) with the newly obtained calibration point(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Mirko Klingauf
  • Publication number: 20210132093
    Abstract: A method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises the steps of: setting a load limit for each laboratory instrument at maximum instrument capacity; dispatching biological samples to laboratory instrument(s) at a dispatch rate not greater than the instrument load limit; each laboratory instrument sending test order queries to the laboratory middleware upon identifying a biological sample; in response to the test order queries transmitting test orders to the laboratory instruments corresponding to the biological samples; the laboratory middleware monitoring a query rate of the plurality of laboratory instruments in order to determine an effective flow rate corresponding to each laboratory instrument; decreasing the load limit of a first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is lower than the dispatch rate; increasing the load limit for the first laboratory instrument if its effective flow rate is greater than or equal to the dispatch rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Furrer, Marco Maetzler
  • Patent number: 10996229
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assessing heart failure in vitro including the steps of measuring in a sample the concentration of the marker IGFBP-7, of optionally measuring in the sample the concentration of one or more other marker(s) of heart failure, and of assessing heart failure by comparing the concentration determined in for IGFBP-7 and the concentration(s) determined for the optionally one or more other marker to the concentration of this marker or these markers as established in a reference population. Also disclosed are the use of IGFBP-7 as a marker protein in the assessment of heart failure, a marker combination comprising IGFBP-7 and a kit for measuring IGFBP-7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., The Governing Council of the University of Toronto
    Inventors: Ursula-Henrike Wienhues-Thelen, Georg Hess, Hendrik Huedig, Herbert von der Eltz, Andrew Emili, Anthony Gramolini, Peter Liu, David MacLennan, Vincent Fong, Ruth Isserlin, Thomas Kislinger, Dirk Block
  • Patent number: 10996233
    Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system comprising a transport plane in which the transport plane is covered by an electrically conductive material is presented. A laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Pius Hermann, Jonathan Baer
  • Publication number: 20210123934
    Abstract: A container carrier for carrying a sample container along a track is presented. The container carrier comprises a holding portion for receiving and holding a sample container and a base portion. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag containing identifying information is provided with an antenna for wireless communication of the RFID tag with a reader device of the diagnostics system to read the identifying information. The RFID tag is on the holding portion. An arrangement for a diagnostics system is provided comprising container carriers and a track with a transport mechanism for moving the container carriers along a transportation lane. The transport mechanism defines a transport plane along which the container carriers move. A reader device reads the identifying information from the RFID tags. The reader device comprising a reader antenna above the transport plane to generate and emit a reader field for wireless communication with the RFID tag's antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Riccardo Leone Benedetti
  • Patent number: 10989725
    Abstract: A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The system comprises sample container carriers comprising a magnetically active device and configured to carry a sample container, interconnected transport plane modules configured to support carriers, and electro-magnetic actuators arranged in rows and columns below each transport plane module and configured to move a carrier on top of the transport plane modules by applying a magnetic force to the carrier. The method comprises assigning transport plane modules to a route category. At least two traffic lanes are formed on the route categorized transport plane module. The carriers are moved within each traffic lane in a transport direction. The transport directions are opposite to each other. The method also comprises assigning another transport plane module to a waypoint category. A change from one transport direction to the opposite transport direction is possible on the waypoint categorized transport plane module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Shubin Ren
  • Patent number: 10989726
    Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system comprising sample container carriers, a central controller having a network interface, and transport modules is presented. Each transport module comprises a transport surface, wherein the transport surfaces form a transport plane, a controllable driver arranged below the transport surface and configured to move sample container carriers on the transport surface, and a control unit for controlling the driver. The control unit comprises a network interface. The central controller and the control units of the transport modules are connected by their corresponding network interfaces. Each control unit comprises first and second addressing terminals. The addressing terminals are connected sequentially in a daisy chain topology. The first addressing terminal is the first control unit in the sequence and is connected to a first reference potential and the second addressing terminal is the last control unit in the sequence and is connected to a second reference potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Waser, Hans Schneider, Daniel Arnold
  • Publication number: 20210116290
    Abstract: An automated method for detecting and/or monitoring a state of a degasser of an analyzer is provided, the degasser including a container configured to be evacuated. The method includes obtaining a time series of values indicative of pressures inside the container. The time series spans a period during which the container is evacuated or pressurized. The method further includes determining a liquid level state of the degasser which is determined by an amount of liquid present in the container based on the time series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Quint, Dieter Kempken
  • Patent number: 10983138
    Abstract: A sample handling device for a laboratory automation system comprising a first carousel with a disc supported on a first axis, a second carousel with a disc supported on a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a transfer element between the first and second carousels is presented. Each disc has recesses distributed radially about the disc perimeter. Each recess receives a tube carrier. The first carousel and the second carousel connect via a passage for transferring sample tube carriers between the first and second carousels. The transfer element is a track switch which when in a rest position partly closes the passage to separate the first carousel from the second carousel. The track switch is swiveled and/or rotated about a third axis parallel to the first axis out of the rest position for transferring a tube carrier from the first carousel to the second carousel via the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gottlieb Schacher, Beat Jaeggi, Patrik Imfeld, Harald Ferihumer
  • Patent number: 10982007
    Abstract: A bivalent binding agent having a first monovalent binder that binds to a polypeptide epitope of a target polypeptide, a second monovalent binder that binds to a posttranslational polypeptide modification on the target polypeptide and a linker. Further disclosed are methods for the detection of a posttranslationally modified target polypeptide, for making the disclosed bivalent binding agent, and for use of the disclosed bivalent binding agent in histological staining procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Gerg, Dieter Heindl, Christian Klein, Alfred Mertens, Volker Schmid, Michael Schraeml, Monika Soukupova, Michael Tacke
  • Patent number: 10978978
    Abstract: A method of estimating an operating state of a drive system is presented. The drive system comprises an electric motor and a mechanical unit being moved by the electric motor. The method comprises a) operating the electric motor using electrical properties, b) determining movement properties regarding the movement of the mechanical unit using the electrical properties, repeating steps a) and b) for a number of times using changed electrical properties, and generating a distribution function. The distribution function allocates electrical properties to the resulting movement properties. The method also comprises estimating the operating state in response to the generated distribution function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Raul Baltasar Badaya
  • Publication number: 20210096146
    Abstract: An in-vitro diagnostics system arranged is presented. The system comprises a track, carriers to carry samples with data carriers, and a control station comprising a camera to detect sample images, a data carrier reader, a relocation device to relocate the sample, and a controller. The data carrier reader reads the data carrier through a read-out window. Measurement data indicates data carrier characteristics on a sample in a starting position determined from the camera images. Obscuring data indicates obscuring of part of the data carrier when the images are detected in the starting position. The controller determines, from the measurement data and the obscuring data, characteristics of the data carrier comprising location and size of the data carrier. Based on the data carrier characteristics, the sample is relocated relative to the read-out window from the starting position into a read-out position optimizing visibility of the data carrier through the read-out window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Martin
  • Patent number: 10962557
    Abstract: A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The system comprises container carriers, a gateway having a network interface, and transport modules. Each module comprises a transport surface and are adjacent in a row-direction and column-direction to form a transport surface. The module comprises a driver arranged below the transport surface to move container carriers on the transport surface and left, right, upper and lower network interfaces. The left and right network interfaces connect modules in rows and the upper and lower network interfaces connect modules in columns. The network interface of the gateway is connected to a network interface of a first module. The method comprises sending an explore command from the gateway to the first module, propagating an initialization command from the first module to the remaining modules, storing addresses within the modules, and using the addresses by the gateway to address the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Falk Hoehnel