Patents by Inventor Helmut Offenbacher

Helmut Offenbacher 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: 11604157
    Abstract: In a reference electrode for the potentiometric measurement of ion concentrations, comprising a swellable polymer body filled with at least one electrolyte salt and a potential sensing element of the second type located in the polymer body, preferably of the Ag/AgCl type, the polymer body is composed of preferably organic, hydrophobic prepolymer segments, which are three-dimensionally crosslinked by preferably organic, hydrophilic polymer chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ERBA TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Helmut Offenbacher, Werner Sallegger, Stefan Köstler
  • Publication number: 20210172895
    Abstract: In a reference electrode for the potentiometric measurement of ion concentrations, comprising a swellable polymer body filled with at least one electrolyte salt and a potential sensing element of the second type located in the polymer body, preferably of the Ag/AgCl type, the polymer body is composed of preferably organic, hydrophobic prepolymer segments, which are three-dimensionally crosslinked by preferably organic, hydrophilic polymer chains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Helmut OFFENBACHER, Werner SALLEGGER, Stefan KÖSTLER
  • Patent number: 8840765
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrochemical sensor for determining oxygen dissolved in an aqueous measuring medium, a process for its production as well as a method for determining oxygen dissolved in an aqueous measuring medium using the electrochemical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Helmut Offenbacher
  • Patent number: 8262992
    Abstract: The invention concerns a sensor cassette that can be inserted into an analyzer comprising a continuous measuring channel for receiving fluidic media and sensory elements for determining chemical and/or physical parameters of the fluidic media. According to the invention the sensor cassette consists of at least two permanently connected but separately manufactured modules which each have a housing and a measuring channel section wherein the measuring channel sections of adjacent modules are connected to the continuous measuring channel by a fluidic coupling and wherein at least one of the connected modules is designed as a sensor module and has a sensor array comprising at least two sensory elements. Furthermore, a memory element is allocated to the sensor cassette on which specific information for the sensor cassette in particular with regard to its construction from the respective modules is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Heinz Kontschieder, Marco Jean Pierre Leiner, Wolfgang Huber, Franz-Josef Krysl, Christoph Ritter, Helmut Offenbacher, Bernhard Schaffar, Marie-Luise Schinnerl, Johann Harer
  • Publication number: 20120168322
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrochemical sensor for determining oxygen dissolved in an aqueous measuring medium, a process for its production as well as a method for determining oxygen dissolved in an aqueous measuring medium using the electrochemical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Helmut Offenbacher
  • Patent number: 8163165
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical sensors for determining gaseous analytes in an aqueous measuring medium, to a process for producing such sensors, and to a process for determining gaseous analytes dissolved in an aqueous measuring medium using the electrochemical sensors. The electrolyte layer of the sensors comprises at least one particulate material and at least one binder which together form a porous, non-swellable framework structure, wherein the pores in this framework structure are configured to absorb a liquid electrolyte or contain the liquid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut Offenbacher, Gregor Steiner, Claudia-Gemma Muresanu
  • Publication number: 20110079523
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical sensors for determining gaseous analytes in an aqueous measuring medium, to a process for producing such sensors, and to a process for determining gaseous analytes dissolved in an aqueous measuring medium using the electrochemical sensors. The electrolyte layer of the sensors comprises at least one particulate material and at least one binder which together form a porous, non-swellable framework structure, wherein the pores in this framework structure are configured to absorb a liquid electrolyte or contain the liquid electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Helmut Offenbacher, Gregor Steiner, Claudia-Gemma Muresanu
  • Publication number: 20090156966
    Abstract: The invention concerns a sensor cassette that can be inserted into an analyzer comprising a continuous measuring channel for receiving fluidic media and sensory elements for determining chemical and/or physical parameters of the fluidic media. According to the invention the sensor cassette consists of at least two permanently connected but separately manufactured modules which each have a housing and a measuring channel section wherein the measuring channel sections of adjacent modules are connected to the continuous measuring channel by a fluidic coupling and wherein at least one of the connected modules is designed as a sensor module and has a sensor array comprising at least two sensory elements. Furthermore, a memory element is allocated to the sensor cassette on which specific information for the sensor cassette in particular with regard to its construction from the respective modules is stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Heinz Kontschieder, Marco Jean Pierre Leiner, Wolfgang Huber, Franz-Josef Krysl, Christoph Ritter, Helmut Offenbacher, Bernhard Schaffar, Marie-Luise Schinnerl, Johann Harer
  • Patent number: 6808619
    Abstract: In an electrode system, particularly for electrochemical sensors, which comprises a working electrode, a counterelectrode and an electrolyte, the counterelectrode is constituted by a material containing an elementary carbon, whereby the long-term stability of the electrode system is considerably increased (FIG. 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Helmut Offenbacher
  • Patent number: 6340714
    Abstract: A membrane for use in chloride-sensitive electrodes, comprises a polymer matrix with at least one electroactive component. The polymer matrix of the membrane contains an epoxy resin with an amino compound as a curing agent. For the purpose of reducing the danger of contamination and improving the useful life of the electrode, the epoxy resin is provided with at least one epoxy resin compatible flexibilizer, and the content of epoxy resin plus added flexibilizer in the electrode membrane amounts to more than 60% by weight, while that of the electroactive component is not more than 35% by weight, and preferably not more than 30% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
    Inventors: Massoud Ghahramani, Helmut Offenbacher, Christoph Ritter
  • Publication number: 20020005352
    Abstract: In an electrode system, particularly for electrochemical sensors, which comprises a working electrode, a counterelectrode and an electrolyte, the counterelectrode is constituted by a material containing an elementary carbon, whereby the long-term stability of the electrode system is considerably increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
    Inventor: Helmut Offenbacher
  • Patent number: 6214185
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a sensor for the determination of the concentration and the detection of an enzyme substrate in a liquid sample, the sensor comprising an enzyme capable of reacting with the enzyme substrate while producing a substance directly or indirectly detectable, a detection device for this substance and a cover membrane from a polymer permeable to the enzyme substrate, characterized in that the polymer is a polyvinyl chloride copolymer, i.e. a copolymer from vinyl chloride and a further monomer, the copolymer comprising hydrophilic groups. The sensor according to the invention may be provided as an optical sensor or as an amperometric sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: AVL Medical Instruments
    Inventors: Helmut Offenbacher, Bernhard Peter Harald Schaffar, Nicole Wiedner, Gabriela Pestitschek, Andreas Martin Dolezal
  • Patent number: 5928918
    Abstract: Biological components such as enzymes are immobilized in a three-dimensional cross-linked hydrophobic polymer. An enzyme is mixed with an aqueous solvent and a non-crosslinked prepolymer having an essentially nonpolar main chain with attached polar hydrophilic groups and cross-linking groups. The resultant mixture is exposed to cross-linking temperatures to react the prepolymer via the cross-linking groups without additional catalyst or cross-linking agents, and the aqueous solvent is evaporated to form a three-dimensional cross-linked hydrophobic polymer matrix containing the enzyme. The prepolymer can be an oil alkyl resin containing the main chain with attached polar hydrophilic groups and cross-linking groups. The oil alkyl resin is cross-linked by autoxidation, and aqueous solvent is evaporated to form the polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: AVL Medical Instruments AG
    Inventors: Helmut Offenbacher, Bernhard Schaffar, Massoud Ghahramani
  • Patent number: 5128019
    Abstract: In order to reduce the measuring volume in a device for measuring chemical and physical parameters of liquid or gaseous media by means of optical sensor elements whose optodes may be replaced easily, a measuring unit with a sample channel is provided which may be inserted into a supporting frame of the device and which may be connected to ingoing and outgoing sample lines via capillary bores. The measuring unit contains a sensor carrier forming the boundary of the sample channel on one side, which sensor carrier has bores holding the optodes. The indicator film of each individual optode is situated in the plane of the sensor carrier facing the sample channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: AVL Medical Instruments AG
    Inventors: Hellfried Karpf, Helmut Offenbacher, Erich Kleinhappl, Hermann Marsoner, Ewald Jobstl
  • Patent number: 5091800
    Abstract: In order to eliminate interferences of an optical or chemical nature, preferably in optical sensors, a cover layer is provided which comprises a hydrophilic, ion-permeable polymer membrane containing precious metal pigments deposited by a reduction or reduction/cementation technique for the purpose of suppressing straylight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: AVL AG
    Inventors: Helmut Offenbacher, Erna Schwarzenegger
  • Patent number: 4965087
    Abstract: A sensor element useful in making fluorescence-optical measurements includes a substrate having a carrier surface, particles having a large specific surface are which are glued, melted or sintered onto the carrier surface so as to provide small elevations of a regular distribution on the carrier surface, and an indicator substance immobilized on the particles. Additional substances can be applied to the particles to reduce undesirable influences of properties of the sample on the indicator substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: AVL AG
    Inventors: Otto Wolfbeis, Herbert Kroneis, Helmut Offenbacher
  • Patent number: 4776869
    Abstract: Bodies of borosilicate glass with a B.sub.2 O.sub.3 content of less than 13 percent by weight are provided with a microporous layer of a thickness of 5 to 20 .mu.m, and are thus turned into carriers for optical sensors. This process is characterized by the following steps. Thermal decomposition for 5 to 10 days at 500.degree. to 560.degree. C.; removal of the topmost layer of glass to a depth of at least 10 .mu.m in the part of the surface to be rendered porous; leaching of the separated borate phase with diluted mineral acids for a minimum of 2 days at 70.degree. to 98.degree. C.; and after-treatment of the microporous layer, including (a) chemical treatment with concentrated sulphuric acid and concentrated nitric acid for 2 hours at 20.degree. C., and (b) heat-treatment for 10 minutes to 2 hours at 450.degree. to 700.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: AVL AG
    Inventors: Helmut Offenbacher, Herbert Kroneis
  • Patent number: 4716118
    Abstract: One measurement each is obtained from two optical sensors of ion concentration, following which the measured values are used for empirical determination of the ionic strength of an electrolytic solution. The sensors contain the same indicator substance but differ with regard to surface modification, thus ensuring different responses to ionic strength in spite of identical excitation and fluorescence wavelengths and the resulting simplicity of the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: AVL AG
    Inventors: Otto S. Wolfbeis, Helmut Offenbacher
  • Patent number: 4703182
    Abstract: An arrangement for the fluorescence-optical measurement of concentrations of substances contained in a sample includes a detector, a light source and a sensor element that includes a carrier element, the carrier element having an indicator layer on a portion thereof and an indicator-free surface, the carrier element being transparent to the radiation used, and having a refractive index which is greater than that of the ambient medium at the indicator-free surface, the light space being positioned such that the transmission of light from the light source to the indicator layer, and from there to the detector, is achieved, at least partially, by total reflection in the carrier element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: AVL Gesellschaft fur Verbrennungskraftmaschinen und Messtechnik m.b.H. Prof.Dr.Dr.h.c. Hans List
    Inventors: Herbert Kroneis, Helmut Offenbacher
  • Patent number: 4568518
    Abstract: Fluorescence-optical indicator material is chemically bonded in a network structure permeating a carrier membrane of the sensor element. As this network structure is independent of the membrane and not chemically bonded thereto, the properties of the membrane and the indicator are not affected by the immobilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: AVL AG
    Inventors: Otto Wolfbeis, Herbert Kroneis, Helmut Offenbacher