Patents by Inventor Holger Metzner

Holger Metzner 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: 8557511
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Instruments (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hermann Ulbrich, Michael Rapp, Marc Konrad, Holger Metzner, Markus Dobusch, Eva Goedecke, Stefan Kuenkel, Udo Herrmann
  • Patent number: 8288086
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Metzner, Udo Herrmann, Hermann Ulbrich, Eva Goedecke
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7722811
    Abstract: A tissue processor (1) is described, having a retort (2) for processing histological samples with different reagents, having multiple reagent reservoir vessels (3), and having a conduit system and a control device (5) for delivering reagents out of the reagent reservoir vessels (3) into the retort (2). A suction conduit (11) projects into each reagent reservoir vessel (3) through the vessel opening (7) for reagent withdrawal. A closure system (12) having an externally tapered and internally hollow closure plug (13) is provided for closing off the vessel opening (7). The suction conduit (11) is guided through a cavity (14) of the closure plug (13) for reagent withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Konrad, Stefan Künkel, Holger Metzner, Eberhard Sendobry, Markus Dobusch
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Patent number: 7449147
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting imprinted cassettes and/or specimen slides for histological or cytological preparations comprises a motor-driven lifting platform (1) having panels (2) arranged one above another and adjustable as to height by way of the lifting platform (1), for collection of the cassettes and/or specimen slides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Metzner, Uwe Kiene, Manfred Biehl
  • Publication number: 20070122910
    Abstract: A tissue processor (1) is described, having a retort (2) for processing histological samples with different reagents, having multiple reagent reservoir vessels (3), and having a conduit system and a control device (5) for delivering reagents out of the reagent reservoir vessels (3) into the retort (2). A suction conduit (11) projects into each reagent reservoir vessel (3) through the vessel opening (7) for reagent withdrawal. A closure system (12) having an externally tapered and internally hollow closure plug (13) is provided for closing off the vessel opening (7). The suction conduit (11) is guided through a cavity (14) of the closure plug (13) for reagent withdrawal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Marc Konrad, Stefan Kunkel, Holger Metzner, Eberhard Sendobry, Markus Dobusch
  • Patent number: 6899228
    Abstract: A panel (1) for receiving cassettes (2) and/or specimen slides (3) for histological or cytological preparations is embodied in rectangular fashion with two longitudinal sides (4), a first narrow side (5) and a second narrow side (6), and comprises a base (7) as support for the specimen slides (3) and/or cassettes (2). Peripheral side walls (8) are provided on both longitudinal sides (4) and on the first narrow side (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Kiene, Manfred Biehl, Holger Metzner
  • Patent number: 6814257
    Abstract: A delivery device (5) for cassettes and/or specimen slides for histological preparations in a printing system (11) is described. The cassettes and/or specimen slides are in each case arranged one above another in stack magazines (6), a control device (1) being provided for removal of a cassette and/or specimen slide from the stack magazines (6). The improvement comprises a drive shaft (12) having a motor (13) for at least two stack magazines (6), and the motor (13) is connected to the control device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Kiene, Andreas Laudat, Holger Metzner, Manfred Biehl, Roland Walter, Bernd Guenther
  • Patent number: 6766593
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for drying solvent-based ink is described, in which the ink is applied onto plastic cassettes for histological preparations and/or on glass specimen slides (17) for microscopic thin sections. The apparatus (1) comprises a hot-air blower (2) and/or a flash device (3) for drying the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Laudat, Holger Metzner, Roland Walter
  • Patent number: 6715870
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for printing onto plastic cassettes for histological preparations and/or onto glass specimen slides for microscopic thin sections are described, in which a computing device (1) is provided to control the printing device (2), and the printing device (2) comprises an inkjet printer for printing onto the cassettes and/or specimen slides. The ink is pre-dried by way of a hot-air drier (3) and completely dried by way of a flash device (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Kiene, Manfred Biehl, Andreas Laudat, Holger Metzner, Rolf Metzner, Roland Walter
  • Publication number: 20030217945
    Abstract: A panel (1) for receiving cassettes (2) and/or specimen slides (3) for histological or cytological preparations is embodied in rectangular fashion with two longitudinal sides (4), a first narrow side (5) and a second narrow side (6), and comprises a base (7) as support for the specimen slides (3) and/or cassettes (2). Peripheral side walls (8) are provided on both longitudinal sides (4) and on the first narrow side (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Uwe Kiene, Manfred Biehl, Holger Metzner
  • Publication number: 20030215363
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting imprinted cassettes and/or specimen slides for histological or cytological preparations comprises a motor-driven lifting platform (1) having panels (2) arranged one above another and adjustable as to height by way of the lifting platform (1), for collection of the cassettes and/or specimen slides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Holger Metzner, Uwe Kiene, Manfred Biehl
  • Publication number: 20030059281
    Abstract: A delivery device (5) for cassettes and/or specimen slides for histological preparations in a printing system (11) is described. The cassettes and/or specimen slides are in each case arranged one above another in stack magazines (6), a control device (1) being provided for removal of a cassette and/or specimen slide from the stack magazines (6). The improvement comprises a drive shaft (12) having a motor (13) for at least two stack magazines (6), and the motor (13) is connected to the control device (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Uwe Kiene, Andreas Laudat, Holger Metzner, Manfred Biehl, Roland Walter, Bernd Guenther
  • Publication number: 20030049178
    Abstract: An apparatus for imprinting cassettes (1) and/or specimen slides, having a printing head (2) and a delivery device (3) for the cassettes (1) and/or specimen slides, is described. A pivot device (5) is provided for alignment of the printing head (2) with differently inclined printing planes (4) or for alignment of differently inclined printing planes (4) with the printing head (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Uwe Kiene, Andreas Laudat, Holger Metzner, Roland Walter
  • Publication number: 20020167577
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for printing onto plastic cassettes for histological preparations and/or onto glass specimen slides for microscopic thin sections are described, in which a computing device (1) is provided to control the printing device (2), and the printing device (2) comprises an inkjet printer for printing onto the cassettes and/or specimen slides. The ink is pre-dried by way of a hot-air drier (3) and completely dried by way of a flash device (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Uwe Kiene, Manfred Biehl, Andreas Laudat, Holger Metzner, Rolf Metzner, Roland Walter
  • Publication number: 20020139004
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for drying solvent-based ink is described, in which the ink is applied onto plastic cassettes for histological preparations and/or on glass specimen slides (17) for microscopic thin sections. The apparatus (1) comprises a hot-air blower (2) and/or a flash device (3) for drying the ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Andreas Laudat, Holger Metzner, Roland Walter