Patents by Inventor Andreas Schirr

Andreas Schirr 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: 10723991
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus according to the present invention for generating the motion of a tool, in particular for the work on biological cell material, in particular for performing ICSI, comprises at least one actuator element, an actuated member, a motion section, at which can be arranged a tool and which is linked to the actuated member, the actuated member being elastically deformable, the actuator element being linked to the actuated member such that an actuation by the actuator element elastically deforms the actuated member by a distance, which corresponds to a length change of the actuated member, wherein said length change causes said motion of the motion section. Further, a corresponding method for generating a tool motion is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas Schirr, Jens Lembke, Andreas Graff
  • Patent number: 10031493
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator apparatus (1) for generating the motion of a tool, in particular for the work on biological cell material, which provides at least one electrically controlled actuator element (3), a motion section (3a), at which a tool can be arranged and which is linked to the at least one actuator element, an electrical control device (11) for controlling the at least one actuator element, an electrical measurement device (12), which is configured to perform a measuring method for measuring at least one electrical capacitance quantity of the at least one actuator element, wherein the capacitance quantity is usable to provide information on the status of the actuator apparatus. Further, a corresponding method for obtaining and utilizing said information on the actuator apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Schirr, Andreas Graff
  • Patent number: 9422520
    Abstract: System for generating the motion of a tool, in particular for the work on biological cell material, which includes an apparatus, the apparatus providing a tool section, at which a tool can be arranged, and at least one actuator element arranged to move the tool section, the system further comprising a system control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: EPPENDORF AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schirr, Jens Lembke, Dieter Knofe, Andreas Graff
  • Publication number: 20140195056
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator apparatus (1) for generating the motion of a tool, in particular for the work on biological cell material, which provides at least one electrically controlled actuator element (3), a motion section (3a), at which a tool can be arranged and which is linked to the at least one actuator element, an electrical control device (11) for controlling the at least one actuator element, an electrical measurement device (12), which is configured to perform a measuring method for measuring at least one electrical capacitance quantity of the at least one actuator element, wherein the capacitance quantity is usable to provide information on the status of the actuator apparatus. Further, a corresponding method for obtaining and utilizing said information on the actuator apparatus is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schirr, Andreas Graff
  • Patent number: 8722394
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laboratory apparatus, in particular for performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a plurality of PCR-samples, which comprises an arrangement for tempering samples, the arrangement comprising a tempering block for the tempering of samples, the tempering block comprising a reception side, which provides receptacles for receiving sample vessels, and a contact side for the contact of at least one tempering device, at least one tempering device, arranged in an area of said contact side, a pressure device, which comprises a pressure element and an auxiliary element, said at least one tempering device being arranged between said auxiliary element and the tempering block, the pressure element being linked to said auxiliary element and to the tempering block, and being arranged to press said at least one tempering device against the tempering block by pressing said auxiliary element against said at least one tempering device, wherein at least one tempering device is shaped and arranged
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventors: Henner Tasch, Andreas Schirr, Lutz Timmann
  • Patent number: 8674325
    Abstract: A method for the quantitative real time analysis of fluorescent samples is provided, at which each of the samples is excited to fluoresce by a sample individual light source (12) and the intensity of the light which is emitted by the samples is measured. For a highly precise measurement of even low light intensities for the purpose of reduction of the analysis time, each light source (12) is switched on and off-during a defined interval by a clocked pulse sequence of constant pulse frequency alternately. The measurement of the intensity of the emission light during these intervals is exclusively performed during the switch-on phases of the light, source (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Rainer Schliesser, Norbert Wittschief, Rainer Treptow, Gerd Joachim Eckert, Andreas Schirr
  • Patent number: 8374802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for photometrically investigating sample radiations of at least one sample, which are caused by the radiation of N emitter elements of at least one radiation element wherein said N emitter elements are emitting radiation during time periods which at least partially overlap, to detect the sample radiation of at least two samples as a sum signal during time periods which at least partially overlap and to evaluate the sample radiation of at least one individual sample from said sum signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Rainer Treptow, Gerd Joachim Eckert, Andreas Schirr, Rainer Schliesser, Norbert Wittschief
  • Publication number: 20130013115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for generating the motion of a tool, in particular for the work on biological cell material, includes an apparatus, the apparatus providing a tool section, at which a tool can be arranged, and at least one actuator element arranged to move the tool section, the system further comprising a system control device, the system control device providing control means, which are configured to let the apparatus perform a pulsed motion of the tool section, starting from a first position of the tool section, moving the tool section to a second position, and moving the tool section from the second position to a third position or back to the first position, by means of the at least one actuator element, the system further including a feed motion device, which is linked to the tool section or which is linked to the apparatus, respectively, and which is capable of providing a feed motion of the tool section, control means being configured to control the feed motion of the tool section, wher
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schirr, Jens Lembke, Dieter Knofe, Andreas Graff
  • Patent number: 8101897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laboratory apparatus for simultaneously carrying out reactions in a plurality of samples which are arranged in an array. The apparatus includes an illumination device, which emits illumination light onto the samples, a detection device, which generates a signal dependent on the light intensity of the light coming from the samples and which forwards the signal to an evaluation device, and a monitoring device for checking the functioning of the illumination device. The illumination device has a plurality of light-emitting diodes assigned in each case to one of the samples, and the monitoring device has electrical devices which can be used to perform an electrical functional check of the light-emitting diodes. The monitoring device is adapted to generate a signal when a functional disturbance of a light-emitting diode is ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schirr, Gerd Eckert, Markus Lapczyna
  • Publication number: 20110212521
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus according to the present invention for generating the motion of a tool, in particular for the work on biological cell material, in particular for performing ICSI, comprises at least one actuator element, an actuated member, a motion section, at which can be arranged a tool and which is linked to the actuated member, the actuated member being elastically deformable, the actuator element being linked to the actuated member such that an actuation by the actuator element elastically deforms the actuated member by a distance, which corresponds to a length change of the actuated member, wherein said length change causes said motion of the motion section. Further, a corresponding method for generating a tool motion is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Andreas SCHIRR, Jens Lembke, Andreas Graff
  • Publication number: 20110151519
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laboratory apparatus, in particular for performing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a plurality of PCR-samples, which comprises an arrangement for tempering samples, the arrangement comprising a tempering block for the tempering of samples, the tempering block comprising a reception side, which provides receptacles for receiving sample vessels, and a contact side for the contact of at least one tempering device, at least one tempering device, arranged in an area of said contact side, a pressure device, which comprises a pressure element and an auxiliary element, said at least one tempering device being arranged between said auxiliary element and the tempering block, the pressure element being linked to said auxiliary element and to the tempering block, and being arranged to press said at least one tempering device against the tempering block by pressing said auxiliary element against said at least one tempering device, wherein at least one tempering device is shaped and arranged
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Henner TASCH, Andreas SCHIRR, Lutz TIMMANN
  • Publication number: 20100324834
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for radiometrically investigating a plurality of samples, with: a radiation device providing a plurality of radiation elements, a radiation element comprising at least one emitter element, wherein the radiation device preferably provides at least two emitter elements which provide radiation with different radiation spectra, wherein at least two of said emitter elements are adapted to emit radiation during time periods which at least partially overlap, and a control device, controlling said radiation elements, a sample holder member providing a plurality of sample positions for supporting a plurality of samples, wherein device and the sample holder member are preferably at least a part of the radiation adapted to be moved against each other during the investigation procedure and wherein at least one radiation element is adapted to irradiate a sample with radiation via a first optical path which causes the sample to emit sample radiation with at least one sample radiation f
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Rainer Treptow, Gerd Joachim Eckert, Andreas Schirr, Rainer Schliesser, Norbert Wittschief
  • Publication number: 20100285599
    Abstract: A method for the quantitative real time analysis of fluorescent samples is provided, at which each of the samples is excited to fluoresce by a sample individual light source (12) and the intensity of the light which is emitted by the samples is measured. For a highly precise measurement of even low light intensities for the purpose of reduction of the analysis time, each light source (12) is switched on and off-during a defined interval by a clocked pulse sequence of constant pulse frequency alternately. The measurement of the intensity of the emission light during these intervals is exclusively performed during the switch-on phases of the light, source (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Rainer Schliesser, Norbert Wittschief, Rainer Treplow, Gerd Joachim Eckert, Andreas Schirr
  • Publication number: 20090283512
    Abstract: A device for heating of covers of reaction vessels including a directly and/or indirectly heated plate having an upper side which is designed with at least one or without a recessed portion, and a lower side, wherein the heated plate has at least one portion, which is translucent in the optical spectral region, at least one transparent element selected from the group of foils, plates and cuboids for covering portion of the heated plate which is translucent in the optical spectral region, wherein the at least one transparent element does not overlie the recessed portion of the heated plate; and a means for thermal insulating, wherein said means has at least one region, which is translucent in the optical spectral region and which encloses/covers the components defined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Rudiger Huhn, Arne Schafrinski, Florian Durr, Martin Stranzinger, Andreas Schirr, Henner Tasch, Markus Lapczyna
  • Publication number: 20090218518
    Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out real-time PCR reactions, including a thermocycler having a reaction region with a plurality of temperature-regulable receptacles for reaction vessels, an illumination device, which has a plurality of light-emitting diodes and is assigned to the reaction region and by means of which excitation light can be radiated into the receptacles, a detector device, which generates measured values in a manner dependent on a measured light intensity, optical devices defining a beam path that leads from the illumination device to the receptacles and from there to the detector device, a reference device, which generates a reference measured value by measurement of the light intensity of a light-emitting diode, and an evaluation device, which takes into account the reference measured value with the measured values, wherein the reference device has a reference light-emitting diode, the light of which is coupled into the beam path behind the reaction region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: EPPENDORF AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schirr, Gerd Eckert, Markus Lapczyna
  • Publication number: 20090032743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laboratory apparatus for simultaneously carrying out reactions in a plurality of samples which are arranged in an array. The apparatus includes an illumination device, which emits illumination light onto the samples, a detection device, which generates a signal dependent on the light intensity of the light coming from the samples and which forwards the signal to an evaluation device, and a monitoring device for checking the functioning of the illumination device. The illumination device has a plurality of light-emitting diodes assigned in each case to one of the samples, and the monitoring device has electrical devices which can be used to perform an electrical functional check of the light-emitting diodes. The monitoring device is adapted to generate a signal when a functional disturbance of a light-emitting diode is ascertained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: EPPENDORF AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schirr, Gerd Eckert, Markus Lapczyna
  • Patent number: 7060488
    Abstract: A configuration of mini-volume reaction receptacles (1, 16, 41) of which the receptacle housings (2, 17) each enclose an elongated chamber (3, 18, 42) of which the ends are connected to apertures (6, 7, 20, 22) formed in the receptacle housing. The receptacle housings have identical base surfaces and have a small height relative to the base surface, and are stacked on one another while their base surfaces are mutually aligned. At least one aperture of a receptacle housing communicates with at least one aperture of a vertically adjacent receptacle housing, as seen in the direction of stacking. The receptacles (1, 16, 41) are mechanically interlocked in a direction transverse to the direction of stacking and can be plugged one into another. Each receptacle housing defines at least one aperture (6, 7, 22) at its top side that is accessible to a pipette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Vinh Duong, Andreas Graff, Cordula Kroll, Werner Lurz, Melanie Persson, Andreas Schirr, Wilhelm Pluster, Lutz Timmann
  • Publication number: 20040001780
    Abstract: A laboratory temperature controlling apparatus including container-like wells (2) disposed in a unit in a plane. Heating devices and cooling devices drive the wells. The wells have thin walls, and the heating devices include electrically powered heating wires that are coiled around the exterior surface of the wells. The coiled heating wires generally match an external contour of the wells. The cooling device may be a blower disposed to blow air over the exterior surface of the wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Eppendorf AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schirr, Andreas Graff
  • Publication number: 20030148504
    Abstract: A configuration of mini-volume reaction receptacles (1, 16, 41) of which the housings (2, 17) each enclose an elongated chamber (3, 18, 42) of which the ends are connected to apertures (6, 7, 20, 22) of the particular housing, said housings exhibiting the same base surfaces and being of low height compared to the base surface and are stacked one on another while their base surfaces are mutually aligned, at least one aperture of a receptacle communicating with at least one aperture of a consecutive receptacle as seen in the direction of stacking, said configuration being characterized in that the receptacles (1, 16, 41) are mechanically interlocked in the direction transverse to the direction of stacking and can be plugged one into another, and each receptacle comprises at least one aperture (6, 7, 22) accessible to a pipette at its top side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: EPPENDORF AG
    Inventors: Vinh Duong, Andreas Graff, Cordula Kroll, Werner Lurz, Melanie Persson, Andreas Schirr, Wilhelm Pluster, Lutz Timmann