Patents by Inventor Bernhard NEEF

Bernhard NEEF 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: 11519863
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method in the preparation of samples for microscopic examination onto which a coverslip is applied. The method is notable for the fact that the coverslipping quality is checked automatically and at least partly optically. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method, and to an apparatus for checking the coverslipping quality of samples onto which a coverslip is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Christian Wilke, Karl-Heinrich Westerhoff
  • Patent number: 10151673
    Abstract: A treatment device (1) for treating histological or cytological samples has a plurality of containers (6) for different treatment agents and a detection apparatus (2) for detecting a code which unequivocally identifies a type of a treatment agent or a type of a group of treatment agents from a package or replacement container of a treatment agent or group of treatment agents. The device furthermore has an evaluation apparatus (18) that, based on a detected code, ascertains which of the containers is or are to be replenished or replaced, and an indicating apparatus (4) which communicates to a user the ascertained container (6) or containers (6) that is or are to be replenished or replaced. The indicating apparatus may include a display (5) presenting a schematic image of the plurality of containers (6) with image(s) of each ascertained container being marked, and/or a light source (15) that illuminates each ascertained container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Markus Wittmann
  • Publication number: 20180100787
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method in the preparation of samples for microscopic examination onto which a coverslip is applied. The method is notable for the fact that the coverslipping quality is checked automatically and at least partly optically. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method, and to an apparatus for checking the coverslipping quality of samples onto which a coverslip is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Christian Wilke, Karl-Heinrich Westerhoff
  • Patent number: 9880079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method in the preparation of samples for microscopic examination onto which a coverslip is applied. The method is notable for the fact that the coverslipping quality is checked automatically and at least partly optically. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method, and to an apparatus for checking the coverslipping quality of samples onto which a coverslip is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Christian Wilke, Karl-Heinrich Westerhoff
  • Publication number: 20180003600
    Abstract: A treatment device (1) for treating histological or cytological samples has a plurality of containers (6) for different treatment agents and a detection apparatus (2) for detecting a code which unequivocally identifies a type of a treatment agent or a type of a group of treatment agents from a package or replacement container of a treatment agent or group of treatment agents. The device furthermore has an evaluation apparatus (18) that, based on a detected code, ascertains which of the containers is or are to be replenished or replaced, and an indicating apparatus (4) which communicates to a user the ascertained container (6) or containers (6) that is or are to be replenished or replaced. The indicating apparatus may include a display (5) presenting a schematic image of the plurality of containers (6) with image(s) of each ascertained container being marked, and/or a light source (15) that illuminates each ascertained container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Bernhard NEEF, Markus WITTMANN
  • Patent number: 9664701
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10) for handling slides, including a first and at least a second module-receiving area (24 through 28) for receiving at least one module (30, 34) for handling slides each. The first module-receiving area (24) accommodates a coverslipper module (30, 32) for coverslipping thin sections on slides with a mounting medium and a cover slip (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Simon Keimer, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff
  • Patent number: 9063099
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10, 100) for handling slides, including an input compartment (14) for inputting racks (16) and the slides held therein, and a coverslipper module (30, 32) for coverslipping slides. The system (10, 100) further includes an output compartment (22) for outputting racks (16), a transport unit (20) for transporting the racks (16), and a control unit (52) for controlling the transport unit (20). The transport unit (20) is designed to be capable of transporting the racks (16) between the input compartment (14), the coverslipper module (30, 32) and the output compartment (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Simon Keimer, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff
  • Patent number: 9011066
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coverslipping module for mounting coverslips onto specimen slides (12) for microscopic investigations, having a transport apparatus (9) for transporting a specimen slide (12) out of a rack (3) or a specimen slide holder to a coverslipping position (13) in which the specimen slide (12) is equipped with a coverslip, and having an alignment device for aligning the specimen slide (12) in the coverslipping position (13) for mounting the coverslip. In order to allow the specimen slide (12) to be reliably and quickly aligned for mounting of the coverslips, thereby ensuring a high level of process dependability with a short processing time, the alignment device are constituted by multiple movable orientation jaws (18) which are arranged so that by closure of the orientation jaws (18), the specimen slide (12) becomes aligned in the coverslipping position (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Hoffmann, Bernhard Neef, Simon Keimer, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff
  • Patent number: 8753583
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for handling specimen slides (32, 78, 80) has at least one coverslipping module (14) for coverslipping thin sections arranged on specimen slides (32, 78, 80). The apparatus (10) further encompasses a drying unit (16, 70, 90) for extracting solvent from the mounting medium applied onto the specimen slides (32, 78, 80). The drying unit (16, 70, 90) has an air delivery unit (40) for delivering an air flow to the specimen slides (32, 78, 80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Simon Keimer, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff
  • Patent number: 8709360
    Abstract: An automated processing machine, in particular an automated coverslipper or an automated stainer used for processing samples placed on slides and having an output device for outputting slides that have been processed by the automated processing machine. The output device includes an extensible and retractable drawer unit. The drawer unit includes at least one receiving channel for receiving a plurality of holders for slides. Holders received in any position in the receiving channel can be removed therefrom when the output device is in the open position. The automated processing machine is designed such that holders intended for output are inserted into the at least one receiving channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Midhat Hajrovic, Bernhard Neef, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff, Simon Keimer
  • Patent number: 8591810
    Abstract: An apparatus (10, 60, 70, 100, 110, 120) for handling specimen slides (21) encompasses a coverslipping module (14) for coverslipping thin sections arranged on the specimen slides (21), the coverslipping module (14) applying first a mounting medium and then a coverslipping means onto the specimen slides (21). The apparatus (10, 60, 70, 100, 110, 120) further has an output unit (18) for outputting the specimen slides (21), which unit encompasses a drying unit (32) for at least partial extraction of at least one solvent from the applied mounting medium of the specimen slides (21) arranged in the output unit (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Neef
  • Publication number: 20120290127
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10, 100) for handling slides, including an input compartment (14) for inputting racks (16) and the slides held therein, and a coverslipper module (30, 32) for coverslipping slides. The system (10, 100) further includes an output compartment (22) for outputting racks (16), a transport unit (20) for transporting the racks (16), and a control unit (52) for controlling the transport unit (20). The transport unit (20) is designed to be capable of transporting the racks (16) between the input compartment (14), the coverslipper module (30, 32) and the output compartment (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Simon Keimer, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff
  • Publication number: 20120287261
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (10) for handling slides, including a first and at least a second module-receiving area (24 through 28) for receiving at least one module (30, 34) for handling slides each. The first module-receiving area (24) accommodates a coverslipper module (30, 32) for coverslipping thin sections on slides with a mounting medium and a cover slip (48).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Simon Keimer, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff
  • Publication number: 20120192660
    Abstract: An automated processing machine, in particular an automated coverslipper or an automated stainer used for processing samples placed on slides and having an output device for outputting slides that have been processed by the automated processing machine. The output device includes an extensible and retractable drawer unit. The drawer unit includes at least one receiving channel for receiving a plurality of holders for slides. Holders received in any position in the receiving channel can be removed therefrom when the output device is in the open position. The automated processing machine is designed such that holders intended for output are inserted into the at least one receiving channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Midhat Hajrovic, Bernhard Neef, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff, Simon Keimer
  • Publication number: 20120189412
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coverslipping module for mounting coverslips onto specimen slides (12) for microscopic investigations, having a transport apparatus (9) for transporting a specimen slide (12) out of a rack (3) or a specimen slide holder to a coverslipping position (13) in which the specimen slide (12) is equipped with a coverslip, and having alignment means for aligning the specimen slide (12) in the coverslipping position (13) for mounting the coverslip. In order to allow the specimen slide (12) to be reliably and quickly aligned for mounting of the coverslips, thereby ensuring a high level of process dependability with a short processing time, the alignment means are constituted by multiple movable orientation jaws (18) which are arranged so that by closure of the orientation jaws (18), the specimen slide (12) becomes aligned in the coverslipping position (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim HOFFMANN, Bernhard NEEF, Simon KEIMER, Karl-Heinz WESTERHOFF
  • Publication number: 20120134893
    Abstract: An apparatus (10, 60, 70, 100, 110, 120) for handling specimen slides (21) encompasses a coverslipping module (14) for coverslipping thin sections arranged on the specimen slides (21), the coverslipping module (14) applying first a mounting medium and then a coverslipping means onto the specimen slides (21). The apparatus (10, 60, 70, 100, 110, 120) further has an output unit (18) for outputting the specimen slides (21), which unit encompasses a drying unit (32) for at least partial extraction of at least one solvent from the applied mounting medium of the specimen slides (21) arranged in the output unit (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventor: Bernhard NEEF
  • Publication number: 20120134894
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for handling specimen slides (32, 78, 80) has at least one coverslipping module (14) for coverslipping thin sections arranged on specimen slides (32, 78, 80). The apparatus (10) further encompasses a drying unit (16, 70, 90) for extracting solvent from the mounting medium applied onto the specimen slides (32, 78, 80). The drying unit (16, 70, 90) has an air delivery unit (40) for delivering an air flow to the specimen slides (32, 78, 80).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Neef, Simon Keimer, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff