Patents by Inventor Gunter Fuhr

Gunter Fuhr 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).

  • Publication number: 20070267419
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cryoapparatus for freezing and/or thawing a sample (1), especially in the cryopreservation of a biological sample (1), with a coolable cooling space (3) and with a sample container (10) arranged in the cooling space (3) for temporarily receiving the sample (1) when freezing or thawing the sample (1). It is suggested that the sample container (10) can be tempered separately from the cooling space. Furthermore, the invention comprises an associated operating method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e. V.
    Inventors: Günter Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann, Young-Joo Oh, Uwe Schön
  • Publication number: 20070248716
    Abstract: A method for producing a biological material composition of animal, non-human origin, especially as feed or food, is described. The method includes an aggregation of stem cells from differentiated exocrine glandular tissue of an animal organism to organoid bodies, and a preparation of the material composition from the organoid bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Charli Kruse, Gunter Fuhr, Jurgen Rohwedel
  • Patent number: 7276207
    Abstract: Described is a fluidic microsystem with at least one compartment for the receiving and/or the through-flow of a liquid and having an electrode arrangement with a multiplicity of electrodes, between which a coaction zone is established, whereby the compartment possesses at least one wall, through which electromagnetic radiation can be linked into the said coaction zone in accord with a predetermined incident direction, and on at least one electrode a cooling apparatus is provided, and on which at least one respective electrode at least one reflector layer is provided, and wherein the respective electrode is at least partially shielded in reference to the incident beam direction, and having at least one heat conducting layer by means of which the respective electrode stands in thermal communication with a wall of the compartment, and/or includes an active cooling element, which is placed in thermal contact with the respective electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Evotec Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Muller, Thomas Schnelle, Gunter Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20070169488
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling device (1) for cooling an item to be cooled, especially for use in the examination, handling and processing of cryogenic samples. The device includes a cooling compartment (3) for receiving the item to be cooled, an inner wall defining the cooling compartment (3), an outer wall, a space between the outer wall and the inner wall, and a coolant feed line (11) for feeding a coolant. According to the invention, the coolant feed line (11) leads into the space between the inner wall and the outer wall and feeds the coolant into the space, the inner wall being permeable for the coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E. V.
    Inventors: Young-Joo Oh, Gunter Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann, Uwe Schon
  • Publication number: 20060283197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling apparatus, especially for cryogenically preserving biological samples, comprising a duct (5) for delivering a coolant (3) to a cooling chamber (1), a heater (6) that has an adjustable first heating performance (P2) for heating the coolant (3) delivered to the cooling chamber (1), a first temperature sensor (8-10) for measuring the temperature (T2-T4) in the cooling chamber (1), a second temperature sensor (7) for measuring the temperature (T1) of the coolant (3) delivered to the cooling chamber (1), and a regulator (11) for regulating the temperature. Said regulator (11) is embodied as a multiple regulator which detects several temperatures (T1-T4) as control variables and/or adjusts several heating performances (P1, P2) as manipulated variables. The invention further relates to a corresponding operating method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Uwe Schon, Heiko Zimmermann, Gunter Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20060194309
    Abstract: A method for producing cell material (20) having multiple biological cells (21), which have a predefined geometrical arrangement, includes the steps of providing a manipulation tool (10) having a tool body (11), whose surface (12, 14) at least partially contacts the cell material (20), and adjusting the manipulation tool (10) using a change of geometrical properties of the surface (12, 14) in such a way that the geometrical arrangement of the cells (21) is changed. A manipulation tool for performing a method of this type is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Angewand Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Gunter Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20060188865
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sample holding device (100), particularly for cryopreserving at least one sample, which has a bundle (10) consisting of a multitude of tubular flexible sample compartments (11, 12,) and a retaining device (20), to which the bundle (10) of sample compartments is connected. The retaining device (20) has a multitude of retaining frames (21, 22,) that are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the bundle (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Gunter Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann, Thomas Fixemer
  • Publication number: 20060156753
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for handling a probe, in particular, for treating, examining, inserting or extracting a cryoprobe. According to the invention, said probe is surrounded by an ambient gas, during handling, and an air-conditioning device (33) cools, dries and/or at least partially replaces the ambient gas by a protective gas, in order to prevent deterioration of the probe by the ambient gas during handling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Gunter Fuhr, Uwe Schon, Heiko Zimmermann, Young-Joo Oh
  • Publication number: 20060154232
    Abstract: Substrates (100) are described for receiving a plurality of samples, especially for the preservation of biological samples at cryotemperatures comprising a plurality of substrate plates (11, 12, 13) arranged on top of one another as a stack (10) and comprising an anchoring axis (20) to which the substrate plates (11, 12, 13) are connected. Processes for the preservation of biological samples at cryotemperatures are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Christian Degel, Heiko Zimmermann, Gunter Fuhr, Thomas Trautmann
  • Patent number: 7070684
    Abstract: A microsystem adapted for dielectrophoretic manipulation of particles in a suspension liquid wherein the microsystem has a channel with channel walls and a longitudinal extension. An electrode arrangement is present which has at least one microelectrode on at least one of the channel walls. This acts to generate a field barrier which crosses the channel at least partly. The microelectrode has a band-shape or has a multitude of straight electrode sections connected to each other. The band-shape has a predetermined curvature or the straight electrode sections are arranged with predetermined different angles so that the field barrier has a predetermined curvature relative to the longitudinal extension of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Evotec Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Fuhr, Thomas Schnelle, Rolf Hagedorn, Torsten Müller
  • Publication number: 20060134600
    Abstract: A method for moving a probe (10, 91) through a cell material (20), which is formed from biological cells (21), is described, the probe (10) displacing the cells (21) without injury. A probe (10, 91) for performing the method and a cell manipulator, which is equipped with at least one probe of this type, are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Gunter Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20060131196
    Abstract: A carrier (10) for at least one specimen chamber (11), in particular for cryoconservation of biological specimens is described, comprising a mounting frame (20) which is set up for positioning the specimen chamber (11) and has a first frame part (30) and a second frame part (40) which can be detachably assembled with connecting elements (50) and are in contact on the side faces (31, 41) in the assembled state, wherein the specimen chamber (11) can be secured between the side faces (31, 41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Gunter Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20060051735
    Abstract: A cell transfer method is described, in which transfer of at least one biological cell (21) describing a natural cell locomotion between a carrier (80) and a probe (10) is provided, and whereby positioning the probe (10) and the carrier (80) relative to one another in a transfer arrangement is provided, in which transfer of the cell (21) takes place due to the natural cell locomotion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWAN- DTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Gunter Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann, Hagen Thielecke
  • Patent number: 6991906
    Abstract: To measure or exert optically-induced forces on at least one particle in the focus of an optical cage, the following steps are taken: a) the focus is positioned in a microelectrode arrangement with a three-dimensional electrical field that has a field gradient which forms an electrical capture area, and the focus is at a distance from the capture are and b) the amplitude of the electrical field, the light power of the light beam forming the optical cage, and/or the distance of the capture area from the focus are varied to detect which varied field property moves the particle from the focus to the capture area or vice versa, or at least to temporarily move the particle into the capture area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Evotec Biosystems AG
    Inventors: Günter Fuhr, Thomas Schnelle, Torsten Müller, Hermine Hitzler, Karl-Otto Greulich, Shamoi Monajembashi
  • Publication number: 20060014134
    Abstract: A cryostorage device (100) is described that includes at least one data storage device (200) and at least one sample receptacle device (300) with at least one sample chamber (301, 302, etc.) for the uptake of a suspension sample, the at least one sample chamber (301, 302, etc.) being connected to the data storage device (200) and having a elongated, hollow shape that extends from an inlet end (320) over a predetermined length to an outlet end (330) and being attached to the at least one data storage device (200) in a flexible and movably hanging manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung de Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Gunter Fuhr, Heiko Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6931864
    Abstract: With a method for cryo-preservation, at least one specimen is arranged on a storage substrate and specimen data, which are characteristic for features of the specimen, are stored at specific positions. Also, a storage substrate for cryo-preservation with such a method is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Günter Fuhr, Rolf Hagedorn, Heiko Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20050069861
    Abstract: A method for operating a cryostorage device (100), especially for biological samples, is described which comprises a sample carrier (10) to receive at least one sample (11) and a data storage (20), wherein data are inductively transmitted from the data storage device (20) into a wireless transmission channel (40) and/or conversely using a resonant circuit (30) connected to the data storage device (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Heiko Zimmermann, Gunter Fuhr, Rolf Hagedorn
  • Publication number: 20050064590
    Abstract: A cryosubstrate, in particular for cryopreservation of biological specimens, having at least one solid-phase element is described. This solid-phase element is equipped for adherent fixation of specimens, with the solid-phase element comprising at least one carrier filament. Furthermore, a method of cryopreservation of biological specimens using such a cryosubstrate is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Heiko Zimmermann, Jorg-Uwe Meyer, Gunter Fuhr
  • Patent number: 6841356
    Abstract: For the cell trace based testing of biological cells, wherein the cells (16) are applied to an at least partially structured and/or surface modified substrate (11) and move adhesively over surface track regions (13, 15) of the substrate while producing cell traces (14a, 14b) consisting of material residues separated from the cells, cell tests are performed on the cell traces. A process for cell cultivation on biocompatible modified substrates whose surfaces are covered by cell traces is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Evotec Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Fuhr, Rolf Hagedorn, Stephen Graham Shirley, Ekkehard Richter
  • Patent number: 6833061
    Abstract: In order to isoelectrically separate particles with a pH-dependent net charge, the particles are exposed in a guiding liquid to electric field forces. The pH value of the guiding liquid is set in such a way that at least one predetermined type of particle is separated from the remaining particles and migrates to a fixing collecting means under the effect of the electric field forces. The collecting means is for example a porous hollow fiber delimited by electrodes which generate the electric field forces and crossed by the guiding liquid together with the sample to be separated. The particles whose isoelectric point matches the pH value of the guiding liquid run unimpeded through the fibers, whereas the remaining particles are pressed against the inner wall of the fiber and are prevented from being carried away with the liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Evotec Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Fuhr, Jonas Korlach, Rudolf Ehwald