Patents by Inventor Gerhard Weidner

Gerhard Weidner 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).

  • Device and method for automatically producing a thermal recoil response in nematodes
    Patent number: 7447340
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) and a method for automatically eliciting a thermal avoidance response in nematodes, particularly in order to test pharmaceutical substances. The device (10) has a bearing surface (12) on which sample containers (14) of nematodes (16) are disposed, a laser (18), a selective laser-beam interrupter (27) to regulate the length of the laser pulse, aft and a scanner (22) for projecting and focussing the laser beam and for controlling a deflection. A light source (28) illuminates the sample container (14) with light, which brings about a contrast in the nematodes in the container. An additional light source (29) can also illuminate the sample container (14) with light in order to excite fluorescence-labeled areas of the nematodes, causing them to fluoresce. A real-time image processing device connected to the camera (30) determines the respective positions of all areas relevant for laser irradiation of the nematodes and makes this information available to a controller (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: NemaGain Research, LLC
    Inventors: Karlheinz Tovar, Gerhard Weidner, Evelyn Braungart
  • Device and method for automatically producing a thermal recoil response in nematodes
    Publication number: 20040234451
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) and a method for automatically eliciting a thermal avoidance response in nematodes, particularly in order to test pharmaceutical substances. The device (10) has a bearing surface (12) on which sample containers (14) of nematodes (16) are disposed, a laser (18), a selective laser-beam interrupter (27) to regulate the length of the laser pulse, aft and a scanner (22) for projecting and focussing the laser beam and for controlling a deflection. A light source (28) illuminates the sample container (14) with light, which brings about a contrast in the nematodes in the container. An additional light source (29) can also illuminate the sample container (14) with light in order to excite fluorescence-labeled areas of the nematodes, causing them to fluoresce. A real-time image processing device connected to the camera (30) determines the respective positions of all areas relevant for laser irradiation of the nematodes and makes this information available to a controller (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Karlheinz Tovar, Gerhard Weidner, Evelyn Braungart
  • Method for establishing neurogically relevant properties of a material
    Publication number: 20030108893
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for establishing the neurologically relevant properties of a material, for which a nematode is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Claudia Rudolph, Gerhard Weidner, Marius Hoener, Karlheinz Tovar, Peter Riederer, Manfred Gerlach, Ralf Baumeister