Patents by Inventor Herbert Müller-Hartmann

Herbert Müller-Hartmann 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: 8003389
    Abstract: A method for introducing biologically active molecules into animal or human cells using electric current includes suspending the cells and dissolving the biologically active molecules in a buffer solution which has a buffer capacity of at least 20 mmol×l?1×pH?1 and an ionic strength of at least 200 mmol×l?1 at a change in the pH from pH 7 to pH 8 and at a temperature of 25° C. to form a suspension. The method further includes applying an electric voltage to the suspension so as to introduce the biologically active molecules into animal or human cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Lonza Cologne GmbH
    Inventors: Gudula Riemen, Elke Lorbach, Juliana Helfrich, Gregor Siebenkotten, Herbert Mueller-Hartmann, Kirsten Rothmann-Cosic, Corinna Thiel, Meike Weigel, Heike Wessendorf, Helmut Brosterhus, Michael Nix
  • Publication number: 20110117654
    Abstract: A method for introducing biologically active molecules into animal or human cells using an electric current includes suspending the cells and dissolving the biologically active molecules in a buffer solution including HEPES and at least 10 mmol×1?1 magnesium ions (Mg2+), the buffer solution having a buffer capacity of at least 20 mmol×1?1×pH?1 at a change in the pH from pH 7 to pH 8 and at a temperature of 25° C., and an ionic strength of at least 200 mmol×1?1. An electric voltage is applied to the suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: LONZA COLOGNE AG
    Inventors: Gudula Riemen, Elke Lorbach, Juliana Helfrich, Gregor Siebenkotten, Herbert Mueller-Hartmann, Kirsten Rothmann-Cosic, Corinna Thiel, Meike Weigel, Heike Wessendorf, Helmut Brosterhaus, Michael Nix
  • Publication number: 20100267106
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biomaterial using at least one electrical field generated by a first voltage pulse which is terminated once the value for an electrical parameter has exceeded or dropped below a preset limit. After the first voltage pulse has been terminated, it is continued by an additional voltage pulse. The invention also relates to a circuit arrangement comprising at least one storage device for electrical charges to generate at least one voltage pulse by selectively discharging the storage device, and at least one control unit for controlling the discharge. The present invention provides a controller for monitoring the chronological progression of the voltage pulse, said controller controlling at least one continuation of discharge after termination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: LONZA COLOGNE AG
    Inventor: Herbert Mueller-Hartmann
  • Patent number: 7732175
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biomaterial using at least one electrical field generated by a first voltage pulse which is terminated once the value for an electrical parameter has exceeded or dropped below a preset limit. After the first voltage pulse has been terminated, it is continued by an additional voltage pulse. The invention also relates to a circuit arrangement comprising at least one storage device for electrical charges to generate at least one voltage pulse by selectively discharging the storage device, and at least one control unit for controlling the discharge. The present invention provides a controller for monitoring the chronological progression of the voltage pulse. This controller controls at least one continuation of discharge after termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Lonza Cologne AG
    Inventor: Herbert Mueller-Hartmann
  • Patent number: 7704727
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for processing biological material which at least comprises a chamber at least closable to the outside and having an inner space for receiving the biological material. The chamber comprises at least one electrode placed in contact with the inner space for generating an electric field. Also disclosed is a method for processing biological material. The biological material is introduced into the inner space above and the electrode can generate an electric field after said biological material is introduced by applying voltage to said electrode and a further electrode in contact with the inner space. The chamber comprises at least one inlet line having at least one opening arranged close to the electrode. The biological material is almost completely rinsed out of the inner space after the electric field is generated, via a solution guided via an inlet line of the chamber along at least one electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Lonza Cologne AG
    Inventors: Gregor Siebenkotten, Herbert Müller-Hartmann, Gudula Riemen, Günter Kraus
  • Patent number: 7700357
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating biological material via electrical current, in which the biological material is added to a small volume of a buffer solution having relative high ionic strength. A strong electrical field is generated in the buffer solution by a high voltage pulse having a preset duration. The biological material is added to at most 50 ?l of a buffer solution with an ionic strength of at least 100 mmol/l. By at least one voltage pulse having a preset duration of at least 10 ?s, an electrical field with a field strength of at least 1 kV/cm is generated in the buffer solution. The voltage pulse is hereby interrupted at least once for a duration of at least 100 ?s and is then again continued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Lonza Cologne AG
    Inventors: Herbert Mueller-Hartmann, Michael Habig
  • Patent number: 7678564
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container 20, 30 for receiving an aqueous solution, which is formed at least partially by an outer limit 21 forming an inner chamber 22, 32 for receiving the solution, and which comprises at least one area which acts as an electrode 25, 26, 33, 34 when an electric voltage is applied and a subsequent discharge occurs, wherein at least one electrode 25, 26, 33, 34 is made of a conductive synthetic material at least based on a plastic material which is doped with at least one conductive substance. A container 20, 30 of the above-mentioned kind is created this way, which is simple and economical to produce and also, for example, enables an efficient transfection of living cells by means of electroporation or an effective electrofusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Lonza Cologne AG
    Inventors: Herbert Müller-Hartmann, Michael Habig, Peter Hoffmann, Gregor Siebenkotten
  • Patent number: 7332332
    Abstract: The invention relates to a buffer solution for suspending animal or human cells and for dissolving biologically active molecules in order to introduce biologically active molecules into cells using an electric current. The inventive buffer solution has a buffering capacity of at least 20 mmol?1×pH?1 and an ionic strength of at least 200 mmol×1?1 during a change to the pH value from pH 7 to pH 8 and at a temperature of 25° C. The use of a buffer solution of this type allows biologically active molecules to be introduced into animal and human cells with a high degree of transfection efficiency and at the same time a low cell mortality. Different cell types, in particular dormant and actively dividing cells of low activity, can be successfully transfected in the buffer solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Amaxa AG
    Inventors: Gudula Riemen, Elke Lorbach, Juliana Helfrich, Gregor Siebenkotten, Herbert Müller-Hartmann, Kirsten Rothmann, Corinna Thiel, Meike Weigel, Heike Wessendorf, Helmut Brosterbus, Michael Nix
  • Publication number: 20070059834
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating biological material via electrical current, in which the biological material is added to a small volume of a buffer solution having relative high ionic strength. A strong electrical field is generated in the buffer solution by a high voltage pulse having a preset duration. The biological material is added to at most 50 ?l of a buffer solution with an ionic strength of at least 100 mmol/l. By at least one voltage pulse having a preset duration of at least 10 ?s, an electrical field with a field strength of at least 1 kV/cm is generated in the buffer solution. The voltage pulse is hereby interrupted at least once for a duration of at least 100 ?s and is then again continued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: AMAXA GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Mueller-Hartmann, Michael Habig
  • Publication number: 20060094095
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating biomaterial using at least one electrical field generated by a first voltage pulse which is terminated once the value for an electrical parameter has exceeded or dropped below a preset limit. After the first voltage pulse has been terminated, it is continued by an additional voltage pulse. The invention also relates to a circuit arrangement comprising at least one storage device for electrical charges to generate at least one voltage pulse by selectively discharging the storage device, and at least one control unit for controlling the discharge. The present invention provides a controller for monitoring the chronological progression of the voltage pulse, said controller controlling at least one continuation of discharge after termination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Applicant: amaxa GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Mueller-Hartmann