Patents by Inventor Hermann Ulbrich

Hermann Ulbrich 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: 8277730
    Abstract: A tissue infiltration apparatus (1) for specimens present in cassettes (5) comprises at least two liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) and a transport apparatus (6). Multiple cassettes (5) are receivable in a transport basket (4). The transport apparatus (6) is configured in such a way that at least two transport baskets (4) are transportable in the tissue infiltration apparatus (1). A transport basket (4) is deliverable to, and/or movable away from, a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15) with the transport apparatus (6). An execution sequence (21) in which the transport baskets (4) pass through the liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) is definable. To enable accelerated or preferred processing of a transport basket (4) with the tissue infiltration apparatus (1), at least one means (8) is provided with which the order of two transport baskets (4) is definably modifiable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Ulbrich, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff, Stefan Künkel, Janet Minshew
  • Publication number: 20120090726
    Abstract: An apparatus for safety-compliant emptying and filling of a reagent container (24, 40) for a tissue processor (20) comprises a suction line (30, 42) for aspirating a reagent out of the reagent container (24, 40) and a delivery line (32, 44) for filling the reagent container (24, 40) with the reagent, a terminating opening (31, 43) of the suction line (30, 42) being spaced away from a terminating opening (33, 45) of the delivery line (32, 44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Claus HABERKORN, Hermann ULBRICH
  • Publication number: 20120052526
    Abstract: A tissue infiltration apparatus (1) for specimens present in cassettes (5) comprises at least two liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) and a transport apparatus (6). Multiple cassettes (5) are receivable in a transport basket (4). The transport apparatus (6) is configured in such a way that at least two transport baskets (4) are transportable in the tissue infiltration apparatus (1). A transport basket (4) is deliverable to, and/or movable away from, a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15) with the transport apparatus (6). An execution sequence (21) in which the transport baskets (4) pass through the liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) is definable. To enable accelerated or preferred processing of a transport basket (4) with the tissue infiltration apparatus (1), at least one means (8) is provided with which the order of two transport baskets (4) is definably modifiable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Ulbrich, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff, Stefan Künkel, Janet I. Minshew
  • Patent number: 8052928
    Abstract: A tissue infiltration apparatus (1) for specimens present in cassettes (5). comprises at least two liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) and a transport apparatus (6). A liquid having a definable property is introducible into a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15). Multiple cassettes (5) are receivable in a transport basket (4). The transport apparatus (6) is configured in such a way that with it, at least two transport baskets (4) are transportable in the tissue infiltration apparatus (1). A transport basket (4) is deliverable to a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15) and/or movable away from a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15) with the transport apparatus (6). An execution sequence (21) in which the transport baskets (4) pass through the liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) of the tissue infiltration apparatus (1) is definable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Ulbrich, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff, Stefan Künkel, Janet I. Minshew
  • Patent number: 8039262
    Abstract: A method for controlling a tissue processor and a tissue processor for processing tissue samples is described. A retort is provided including a cover that can be opened and closed by an operator. The retort cover is closed prior to tissue processing. The actuation state of a first and a second operating element can be determined. An operator is prompted to confirm unlocking of the closed retort cover by actuating a second operating element. The tissue processing is interrupted when an actuation of the second operating element is determined and the closed retort cover is unlocked and is continued after the retort cover is once again locked. After having completed tissue processing the retort cover is unlocked. By means of the described method and tissue processor improper intervention during ongoing tissue processing is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Konrad, Holger Metzner, Udo Hermann, Frank Meder, Hermann Ulbrich, Markus Dobusch, Stefan Künkel
  • Publication number: 20110045565
    Abstract: A tissue infiltration apparatus, system and method are described, allowing accelerating infiltration of the tissue sample with a variety of reagents fluids. The apparatus comprises a reaction chamber adapted to receive a tissue sample and a dielectric fluid to be infiltrated into a tissue sample. The reaction chamber comprises a bottom and a circumferential wall with a window section that is transparent for microwave irradiation. A holding element holds the tissue sample over a predetermined time period at a distance of 3PD of the dielectric fluid from the window section is provided. PD is the penetration depth of the microwaves into the dielectric fluid and defined as the depth where the initial microwave field intensity has been reduced to 1/e. A microwave system irradiates microwave irradiation through the window section into the reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Mark Sanders, Hermann Ulbrich
  • Publication number: 20110041599
    Abstract: A method for operating a tissue processor is described. During the operation of a tissue processor a reagent is fed from a container into a retort of the tissue processor, which retort does not contain any tissue samples. Thereafter, the reagent is returned into the container. During feeding, returning and/or in between feeding and returning a measured value is detected by a sensor of the tissue processor. This value is representative of a concentration of the reagent. During this feeding, this returning and/or in between no tissue sample is placed in the retort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Udo Herrmann, Hermann Ulbrich
  • Publication number: 20100323395
    Abstract: In the automatic processing of tissue samples in a tissue processor, the tissue samples are placed in a retort of the tissue processor. The tissue samples are exposed to a fixation reagent (FIX) in the retort. Afterwards, the tissue samples are exposed to a dehydrating reagent (ALK). Thereafter, the retort is cleared with an intermedium (INT) for removing the dehydrating reagent (ALK). Finally, the tissue samples are treated with a carrier material (CAR). Between the clearing of the retort with the intermedium (INT) and the treatment of the tissue samples with the carrier material (CAR), the retort is cleared with a carrier material protecting reagent (CARPRO) in which the intermedium (INT) and the carrier material (CAR) can be mixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann ULBRICH, Stefan KÜNKEL
  • Publication number: 20100263390
    Abstract: A freezing microtome for the production of microscopable thin sections of tissue samples (60), comprising a cooling device (24, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50, 52) for freezing the tissue samples (60), a cutting device for cutting the frozen tissue samples (60) and a working chamber, in which the cutting device and at least a part of the cooling device (24, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50, 52) are arranged is described. The part of the cooling device (24, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50, 52) arranged in the working chamber contains a liquid coolant (70), in which the tissue samples (60) can be inserted for freezing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe HÖFLING, Hermann ULBRICH, Ralf ECKERT, Michael EBERHARD
  • Publication number: 20100248301
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue embedding apparatus (1) for automatic embedding of at least one tissue sample (8). The tissue embedding apparatus (1) encompasses an input unit (2), an image acquisition unit (3), an embedding unit (4), at least one output unit (5, 6), and a control unit (7). A cassette (9) containing at least one tissue sample (8) is transferable to the input unit (2) of the tissue embedding apparatus (1). The tissue sample (8) is embeddable in an embedding medium by means of the embedding unit (4). The embedded tissue sample is outputtable with the at least one output unit (5). At least one image of the tissue sample (8) is acquirable with the image acquisition unit (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Ulbrich, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff, Stefan Künkel
  • Publication number: 20100216222
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue infiltration device (1) for samples (34) contained in cassettes (5). The tissue infiltration device (1) comprises at least two liquid containers (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15) and a transport apparatus (6). A liquid (12, 14, 16) having a property that can be predetermined can be filled into a liquid container (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15). A plurality of cassettes (5) can be held by a transport device (4). Using the transport apparatus (6), a transport device (4) can be brought to a liquid container (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15) and/or moved away from a liquid container (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15). A sequence of operations (8) can be prescribed in which a transport device (4) runs through the liquid containers (7, 11a-11d, 13, 15) of the tissue infiltration device (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Ulbrich, Marc Konrad, Peter Richter
  • Publication number: 20100112624
    Abstract: A method for operating a tissue processor and a respective tissue processor for performing this method are described for the processing tissue samples. The tissue processor comprises at least one retort for receiving the tissue samples and at least one container for receiving a process medium. The process medium is transferred at least one of from the container into the retort and from the retort into the container. A value is automatically measured in the course of transferring the process medium, the value representing a characteristic property of the process medium. The process medium is identified based on the value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Metzner, Udo Herrmann, Hermann Ulbrich, Eva Goedecke
  • Publication number: 20100055788
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for infiltrating tissue samples with carrier material, preferably paraffin. A supply of carrier material is kept ready for use in a supply station. From there, the carrier material can be delivered into at least a first and a second container. In these first and second containers carrier materials of differing degrees of purity are kept ready for use, respectively, for performing various infiltration steps on tissue samples. By means of the described method and apparatus the tissue processor can be operated with as little interruptions as possible and an ease in operation is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Ulbrich, Michael Rapp, Marc Konrad, Holger Metzner, Markus Dobusch, Eve Goedecke, Stefan Kuenkel, Udo Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20100055663
    Abstract: A method for controlling a tissue processor and a tissue processor for processing tissue samples is described. A retort is provided comprising a cover that can be opened and closed by an operator. The retort cover is closed prior to tissue processing. The actuation state of a first and a second operating element can be determined. An operator is prompted to confirm unlocking of the closed retort cover by actuating a second operating element. The tissue processing is interrupted when an actuation of the second operating element is determined and the closed retort cover is unlocked and is continued after the retort cover is once again locked. After having completed tissue processing the retort cover is unlocked. By means of the described method and tissue processor improper intervention during ongoing tissue processing is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Marc Konrad, Holger Metzner, Udo Hermann, Frank Meder, Hermann Ulbrich, Markus Dobusch, Stefan Künkel
  • Publication number: 20080199955
    Abstract: A tissue infiltration apparatus (1) for specimens present in cassettes (5). comprises at least two liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) and a transport apparatus (6). A liquid having a definable property is introducible into a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15). Multiple cassettes (5) are receivable in a transport basket (4). The transport apparatus (6) is configured in such a way that with it, at least two transport baskets (4) are transportable in the tissue infiltration apparatus (1). A transport basket (4) is deliverable to a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15) and/or movable away from a liquid container (7, 11, 13, 15) with the transport apparatus (6). An execution sequence (21) in which the transport baskets (4) pass through the liquid containers (7, 11, 13, 15) of the tissue infiltration apparatus (1) is definable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Ulbrich, Karl-Heinz Westerhoff, Stefan Kunkel, Janet I. Minshew
  • Patent number: 3965103
    Abstract: Compounds of the formula v,2/12Wherein R.sub.1 is H, lower-alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, phenyl, aralkyl, or --(CH.sub.2) .sub.n --X wherein n is 0-4 and X is --COO-lower-alkyl, C.tbd.N or --COOH and R.sub.2 is H, lower-alkyl or aralkyl, produced by condensing a diamine of the formula ##SPC1##With a nitro compound of the formula R.sub.1 --CH.sub.2 --NO.sub.2 in the presence of formalin or paraformaldehyde, or with the R.sub.1 -- C(CH.sub.2 OH).sub.2 NO.sub.2 reaction product of the above nitro compound and formalin or paraformaldehyde, or with formalin or paraformaldehyde followed by reaction with the above nitro compound, and their acid addition salts, possess antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and also against dermatophytes, yeasts and other fungi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1976
    Assignee: Schering Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Biere, Hermann Ulbrich, Hans-Joachim Kessler, Ulrich Redmann
  • Patent number: 3937733
    Abstract: Salts of iodomethanesulfonic acid and an organic base, more particularly, glucamine, N-alkyl- and N, N-dialkylglucamines and N-hydroxyalkyl- and N,N-di-hydroxyalkylglucamines, are useful as X-ray contrast agents, especially for spinal X-ray examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1972
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1976
    Assignee: Schering Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Ulbrich, Wolfgang Beich