Patents by Inventor Kurt Schildknecht
Kurt Schildknecht 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: 11112365Abstract: An optical device for determining the presence and/or concentration of analytes in a sample is presented. The optical device comprises a detector and a detection unit comprising optical path components. The detection unit has wavelength-dependent responsivity. The optical device further comprises a light source for emitting light of different respective usable wavelength ranges. The light is guidable through the optical path to the detector to generate baseline signals and response signals relative to the baseline signal indicative of the presence and/or concentration of analytes in the optical path. The intensity of the light reaching the detector is adjusted inverse to the wavelength-dependent responsivity with respect to at least two respective usable wavelength ranges so that a reduction of the ratio between the maximum baseline signal at one of the selected usable wavelength ranges and the minimum baseline signal at another of the selected usable wavelength ranges is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Rik Harbers, Kurt Schildknecht
-
Publication number: 20180252651Abstract: An optical device for determining the presence and/or concentration of analytes in a sample is presented. The optical device comprises a detector and a detection unit comprising optical path components. The detection unit has wavelength-dependent responsivity. The optical device further comprises a light source for emitting light of different respective usable wavelength ranges. The light is guidable through the optical path to the detector to generate baseline signals and response signals relative to the baseline signal indicative of the presence and/or concentration of analytes in the optical path. The intensity of the light reaching the detector is adjusted inverse to the wavelength-dependent responsivity with respect to at least two respective usable wavelength ranges so that a reduction of the ratio between the maximum baseline signal at one of the selected usable wavelength ranges and the minimum baseline signal at another of the selected usable wavelength ranges is obtained.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2018Publication date: September 6, 2018Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Rik Harbers, Kurt Schildknecht
-
Patent number: 9956559Abstract: An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the in-ter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.Inventors: Claudio Cherubini, Roger Iten, Emad Sarofim, Kurt Schildknecht
-
Patent number: 9945787Abstract: An optical device for determining the presence and/or concentration of analytes in a sample is presented. The optical device comprises a detector and a detection unit comprising optical path components. The detection unit has wavelength-dependent responsivity. The optical device further comprises a light source for emitting light of different respective usable wavelength ranges. The light is guidable through the optical path to the detector to generate baseline signals and response signals relative to the baseline signal indicative of the presence and/or concentration of analytes in the optical path. The intensity of the light reaching the detector is adjusted inverse to the wavelength-dependent responsivity with respect to at least two respective usable wavelength ranges so that a reduction of the ratio between the maximum baseline signal at one of the selected usable wavelength ranges and the minimum baseline signal at another of the selected usable wavelength ranges is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Rik Harbers, Kurt Schildknecht
-
Publication number: 20170100715Abstract: An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the in-ter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: Claudio Cherubini, Roger Iten, Emad Sarofim, Kurt Schildknecht
-
Patent number: 9557269Abstract: An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the inter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Inventors: Claudio Cherubini, Roger Iten, Emad Sarofim, Kurt Schildknecht
-
Publication number: 20140220669Abstract: An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the inter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventors: Claudio Cherubini, Roger Iten, Emad Sarofim, Kurt Schildknecht
-
Patent number: 8797526Abstract: An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the inter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Claudio Cherubini, Roger Iten, Emad Sarofim, Kurt Schildknecht
-
Publication number: 20120295249Abstract: An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the inter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Claudio Cherubini, Roger Iten, Emad Sarofim, Kurt Schildknecht
-
Patent number: 8159658Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system for the automated analysis of samples, comprising: a first optical device including at least one receptacle for receiving at least one of said samples and a receptacle-associated optical unit including at least one receptacle-associated light source for emitting light adapted for determining a color of said sample and generating a light beam for irradiating said sample contained in said receptacle and at least one receptacle-associated light detector for detecting light transmitted through said sample and generating a receptacle-associated detection signal; a second optical device including at least one test element provided with at least one test zone for applying said sample, said test zone being subject to an optically detectable change in response to at least one characteristic of said sample being different from said color and a test element-associated optical unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Fabian Durrer, Kurt Schildknecht, Urs Vollenweider
-
Publication number: 20100283995Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system for the automated analysis of samples, comprising: a first optical device including at least one receptacle for receiving at least one of said samples and a receptacle-associated optical unit including at least one receptacle-associated light source for emitting light adapted for determining a colour of said sample and generating a light beam for irradiating said sample contained in said receptacle and at least one receptacle-associated light detector for detecting light transmitted through said sample and generating a receptacle-associated detection signal; a second optical device including at least one test element provided with at least one test zone for applying said sample, said test zone being subject to an optically detectable change in response to at least one characteristic of said sample being different from said colour and a test element-associated optical unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventors: Fabian Durrer, Kurt Schildknecht, Urs Vollenweider
-
Patent number: 4725554Abstract: Method for measuring the coagulation time of a blood sample in which a sample-reagent mixture is formed by introducing the sample and at least one reagent into a cuvette. To reduce the operating and material costs, the sample-reagent mixture is so moved in a stationary cuvette that the mixture flows back and forth around an edge projecting into the cuvette, whereby a clot forms on this edge.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1986Date of Patent: February 16, 1988Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.Inventor: Kurt Schildknecht
-
Patent number: 4659550Abstract: Method for measuring the coagulation time of a blood sample in which a sample-reagent mixture is formed by introducing the sample and at least one reagent into a cuvette.To reduce the operating and material costs, the sample-reagent mixture is so moved in a stationary cuvette that the mixture flows back and forth around an edge projecting into the cuvette, whereby a clot forms on this edge.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1982Date of Patent: April 21, 1987Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.Inventor: Kurt Schildknecht
-
Patent number: 4648713Abstract: A method for the photometric analysis of a liquid sample in which different path lengths of the sample are analyzed photometrically.In order to reduce the time needed for analyzing a large number of samples, the analysis is carried out with a light beam which is generated by an immobile light source; the sample is introduced into a cuvette which has at least two regions with different cross-section lengths; and the cuvette is continuously moved along a circular path in such a manner that in the course of the photometric measurement the light beam passes through at least two of the regions in succession.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1983Date of Patent: March 10, 1987Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.Inventors: Claude Borer, Kurt Schildknecht