Patents by Inventor Markus Schurf
Markus Schurf 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).
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Patent number: 11442260Abstract: A system 100 and method are provided for imaging a sample in a sample holder. For providing autofocus, a 2D pattern is projected onto the sample holder 050 via an astigmatic optical element 120. Image data 172 of the sample is acquired by an image sensor 140 via magnification optics 150. A difference in sharpness of the two-dimensional pattern in the image data is measured along a first axis and a second axis. Based on the difference, a magnitude and direction of defocus of the camera subsystem is determined with respect to the sample holder. This enables the sample holder, and thereby the sample, to be brought into focus in a fast and reliable manner.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Andreas Erlbacher, Markus Schürf, Josef Grassl, Alexander Kaser
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Patent number: 10841507Abstract: An imaging system and method are provided in which a well of a microplate 050 is imaged by a camera 110 comprising magnification optics 112. The camera is controlled to acquire a series of images of the well with different exposures. The series of images comprise a base image with a base exposure and at least one further image with a larger exposure than the base exposure. The series of images are then merged into an output image which comprises in a center region of the well image content from the base image and at a peripheral region of the well image content from the at least one further image. Advantageously, the output image may allow for better assaying or analysis of the samples in the well than any of the individual images.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Markus Schürf, Frank Münchow, Christian Oberdanner, Alexander Kaser
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Publication number: 20190185228Abstract: A closure element with at least one vent opening is a sealing plug that has a pin-shaped lower part with an underside. The at least one vent opening is formed by a duct in the sealing plug which, starting at an inlet opening into the duct, extends upwards from the underside of the pin-shaped lower part in the interior of the sealing plug and leads out of the sealing plug through a lateral outlet opening. A method is also disclosed for the complete and bubble-free filling of a container with a closure element and to the use of a filled container provided with a closure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2018Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Harald Gebetsroither, Manfred Lansing, Markus Schurf
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Publication number: 20190049708Abstract: A system 100 and method are provided for imaging a sample in a sample holder. For providing autofocus, a 2D pattern is projected onto the sample holder 050 via an astigmatic optical element 120. Image data 172 of the sample is acquired by an image sensor 140 via magnification optics 150. A difference in sharpness of the two-dimensional pattern in the image data is measured along a first axis and a second axis. Based on the difference, a magnitude and direction of defocus of the camera subsystem is determined with respect to the sample holder. This enables the sample holder, and thereby the sample, to be brought into focus in a fast and reliable manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Andreas ERLBACHER, Markus SCHÜRF, Josef GRASSL, Alexander KASER
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Publication number: 20180376048Abstract: An imaging system and method are provided in which a well of a microplate 050 is imaged by a camera 110 comprising magnification optics 112. The camera is controlled to acquire a series of images of the well with different exposures. The series of images comprise a base image with a base exposure and at least one further image with a larger exposure than the base exposure. The series of images are then merged into an output image which comprises in a center region of the well image content from the base image and at a peripheral region of the well image content from the at least one further image. Advantageously, the output image may allow for better assaying or analysis of the samples in the well than any of the individual images.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Markus SCHÜRF, Frank MÜNCHOW, Christian OBERDANNER, Alexander KASER
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Patent number: 9914125Abstract: The invention relates to a device for carrying out chemical or biological reactions, having a reaction vessel receiving element for receiving a microtiter plate with several reaction vessels, where the reaction vessel receiving element has several recesses arranged in a regular pattern to receive the respective reaction vessels, a treating device for heating the reaction vessel receiving element, and a cooling device for cooling the reaction vessel receiving element. The reaction vessel receiving element is divided into several segments so that the individual segments are thermally decoupled from one another, and each segment is assigned a heating device which can be actuated independently of the others. By means of the segmentation of the reaction vessel receiving element, it is possible for zones to be set and held at different temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Wolfgang Heimberg, Thomas Herrmann, Matthias Knulle, Markus Schurf, Tilmann Wagner
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Patent number: 9322784Abstract: A microplate reader and method has at least one measuring device and a holding device for accommodating at least one microplate and for positioning samples-containing wells of microplates in relation to the measuring device. The at least one measuring device is used for detecting light emitted by samples in wells of a microplate and/or which is influenced by samples transilluminated by light in the wells. The microplate reader has a control unit for controlling the composition of a gas atmosphere surrounding the wells containing the samples. A respective use is characterized particularly in that living cells are measured in a controlled gas atmosphere, wherein the living cells are chosen from microaerophilic, optionally anaerobic and obligatorily anaerobic microorganisms as well as fungi and eukaryotic cells.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Josef Grassl, Gerald Probst, Markus Schürf
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Patent number: 8721972Abstract: The invention relates to a device for performing biological reactions in a nucleic acid sample. The device can comprise a reaction vessel receiving element that includes a plurality of reaction vessel holders and a gastight jacket or equalization plate containing a fluid changeable between liquid and gaseous states. The gastight jacket or equalization plate can be configured to provide temperature equalization among the reaction vessel holders. The reaction vessel receiving element can also include at least one Peltier element, a cooling element, and a controller configured to cycle the device through a predetermined time-temperature profile via heating and cooling.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLCInventors: Wolfgang Heimberg, Thomas Herrmann, Matthias Knulle, Markus Schurf, Tilmann Wagner
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Patent number: 8692988Abstract: Micro cuvette assembly for examining biological samples has a first partial plate with one or more first cuvette surfaces and a second partial plate opposite the first and which also has one or more second cuvette surfaces. In an active position of the assembly, the second cuvette surfaces are arranged parallel and in register with the first cuvette surfaces and are spaced apart from the first cuvette surfaces whereby one or more micro cuvettes are formed. The first and second partial plates also have openings arranged in register with the cuvette surfaces and transparent bodies are provided as the cuvette surfaces. The first and second plates are completely penetrated by these openings and the transparent bodies are manufactured from a different material than the partial plates and span the openings close to a first surface of the partial plates.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Tecan Trading AGInventors: Walter Gotschy, Josef Grassel, Fritz Payr, Markus Schürf
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Publication number: 20140030170Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the earning out of chemical or biological reactions with a reaction vessel receiving element for receiving a microtiter plate with several reaction vessels, wherein the reaction vessel receiving element has several recesses arranged in a regular pattern to receive the respective reaction vessels, a heating device for heating the reaction vessel receiving element, and a cooling device for cooling the reaction vessel receiving element. The invention is characterised by the fact that the reaction vessel receiving element is divided into several segments. The individual segments are thermally decoupled from one another, and each segment is assigned a heating device which may be actuated independently of the others. By means of the segmentation of the reaction vessel receiving element, it is possible for zones to be set and held at different temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: APPLIED BIOSYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Wolfgang Heimberg, Thomas Herrmann, Matthias Knulle, Markus Schurf, Tilmann Wagner
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Patent number: 8605279Abstract: Relates to a micro cuvette assembly (1), comprising a first partial plate (2) with one or more first cuvette surfaces (3) and a second partial plate (4) which is arrangeable relative to the first partial plate and has at least one or more second cuvette surfaces (5) which, in an active position of the micro cuvette assembly (1), are arranged in register plane-parallel to the first cuvette surfaces (3) and spaced apart by a distance (6), thus forming, in the active position of the micro cuvette assembly (1), one or more micro cuvettes (7) in which a liquid volume (8) applied previously to one of the cuvette surfaces (3,5) is held between these two cuvette surfaces (3,5).Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Tecan Trading AGInventors: Walter Gotschy, Josef Grassl, Fritz Payr, Markus Schürf
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Patent number: 8389288Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the carrying out of chemical or biological reactions with a reaction vessel receiving element for receiving a microtiter plate with several reaction vessels, wherein the reaction vessel receiving element has several recesses arranged in a regular pattern to receive the respective reaction vessels, a heating device for heating the reaction vessel receiving element, and a cooling device for cooling the reaction vessel receiving element. The invention is characterized by the fact that the reaction vessel receiving element is divided into several segments. The individual segments are thermally decoupled from one another, and each segment is assigned a heating device which may be actuated independently of the others. By means of the segmentation of the reaction vessel receiving element, it is possible for zones to be set and held at different temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLCInventors: Wolfgang Heimberg, Thomas Herrmann, Matthias Knulle, Markus Schurf, Tilmann Wagner
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Publication number: 20120264206Abstract: The invention relates to a device for performing biological reactions in a nucleic acid sample. The device can comprise a reaction vessel receiving element that includes a plurality of reaction vessel holders and a gastight jacket or equalization plate containing a fluid changeable between liquid and gaseous states. The gastight jacket or equalization plate can be configured to provide temperature equalisation among the reaction vessel holders. The reaction vessel receiving element can also include at least one Peltier element, a cooling element, and a controller configured to cycle the device through a predetermined time-temperature profile via heating and cooling.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Wolfgang Heimberg, Thomas Herrmann, Matthias Knulle, Markus Schurf, Tilmann Wagner
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Publication number: 20120064564Abstract: A microplate reader and method has at least one measuring device and a holding device for accommodating at least one microplate and for positioning samples-containing wells of microplates in relation to the measuring device. The at least one measuring device is used for detecting light emitted by samples in wells of a microplate and/or which is influenced by samples transilluminated by light in the wells. The microplate reader has a control unit for controlling the composition of a gas atmosphere surrounding the wells containing the samples. A respective use is characterized particularly in that living cells are measured in a controlled gas atmosphere, wherein the living cells are chosen from microaerophilic, optionally anaerobic and obligatorily anaerobic microorganisms as well as fungi and eukaryotic cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: JOSEF GRASSL, Gerald Probst, Markus Schürf
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Publication number: 20110292383Abstract: Micro cuvette assembly for examining biological samples has a first partial plate with one or more first cuvette surfaces and a second partial plate opposite the first and which also has one or more second cuvette surfaces. In an active position of the assembly, the second cuvette surfaces are arranged parallel and in register with the first cuvette surfaces and are spaced apart from the first cuvette surfaces whereby one or more micro cuvettes are formed. The first and second partial plates also have openings arranged in register with the cuvette surfaces and transparent bodies are provided as the cuvette surfaces. The first and second plates are completely penetrated by these openings and the transparent bodies are manufactured from a different material than the partial plates and span the openings close to a first surface of the partial plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: TECAN TRADING AGInventors: Walter Gotschy, Josef Grassl, Fritz Payr, Markus Schürf
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Patent number: 7727479Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the carrying out of chemical or biological reactions with a reaction vessel receiving element for receiving a microtiter plate with several reaction vessels, wherein the reaction vessel receiving element has several recesses arranged in a regular pattern to receive the respective reaction vessels, a heating device for heating the reaction vessel receiving element, and a cooling device for cooling the reaction vessel receiving element. The invention is characterized by the fact that the reaction vessel receiving element is divided into several segments. The individual segments are thermally decoupled from one another, and each segment is assigned a heating device which may be actuated independently of the others. By means of the segmentation of the reaction vessel receiving element, it is possible for zones to be set and held at different temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLCInventors: Wolfgang Heimberg, Thomas Herrmann, Matthias Knulle, Markus Schurf, Tilmann Wagner
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Publication number: 20100120099Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the carrying out of chemical or biological reactions with a reaction vessel receiving element for receiving a microtiter plate with several reaction vessels, wherein the reaction vessel receiving element has several recesses arranged in a regular pattern to receive the respective reaction vessels, a heating device for heating the reaction vessel receiving element, and a cooling device for cooling the reaction vessel receiving element. The invention is characterised by the fact that the reaction vessel receiving element is divided into several segments. The individual segments are thermally decoupled from one another, and each segment is assigned a heating device which may be actuated independently of the others. By means of the segmentation of the reaction vessel receiving element, it is possible for zones to be set and held at different temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2010Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Wolfgang Heimberg, Thomas Herrmann, Matthias Knulle, Markus Schurf, Tilmann Wagner
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Publication number: 20100120100Abstract: An interactive radio network enables users to interact with the content of a radio broadcast, including commercials or messages, and to selectively save, store, review, fast forward, rewind, pause, forward, and respond to the radio programs and/or the commercials. The interactive radio network provides a widespread, international, and economical access to the radio stations, and reduces the need for advertisement billboards. It provides the users with an opportunity to selectively inquire about the products or services being advertised. Furthermore, the interactive radio network allows the users as well as various sectors of the advertisement industry to interact with the content of the radio broadcast. The advertisements are no longer limited to audio messages, but can further include elaborate video, text, and data information. The interactive radio network enables the users to communicate and interact with each others, based on the broadcast content.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2010Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: Wolfgang Heimberg, Thomas Herrmann, Matthias Knulle, Markus Schurf, Tilmann Wagner
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Patent number: 7611674Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the carrying out of chemical or biological reactions with a reaction vessel receiving element for receiving a microtiter plate with several reaction vessels, wherein the reaction vessel receiving element has several recesses arranged in a regular pattern to receive the respective reaction vessels, a heating device for heating the reaction vessel receiving element, and a cooling device for cooling the reaction vessel receiving element. The invention is characterised by the fact that the reaction vessel receiving element is divided into several segments. The individual segments are thermally decoupled from one another, and each segment is assigned a heating device which may be actuated independently of the others. By means of the segmentation of the reaction vessel receiving element, it is possible for zones to be set and held at different temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLCInventors: Wolfgang Heimberg, Thomas Hermann, Matthias Knulle, Markus Schurf, Tilmann Wagner
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Publication number: 20090086198Abstract: Relates to a micro cuvette assembly (1), comprising a first partial plate (2) with one or more first cuvette surfaces (3) and a second partial plate (4) which is arrangeable relative to the first partial plate and has at least one or more second cuvette surfaces (5) which, in an active position of the micro cuvette assembly (1), are arranged in register plane-parallel to the first cuvette surfaces (3) and spaced apart by a distance (6), thus forming, in the active position of the micro cuvette assembly (1), one or more micro cuvettes (7) in which a liquid volume (8) applied previously to one of the cuvette surfaces (3,5) is held between these two cuvette surfaces (3,5).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Walter Gotschy, Josef Grassl, Fritz Payr, Markus Schurf