Patents by Inventor Rik Harbers
Rik Harbers 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: 11353471Abstract: A method for calibration and/or error detection in an optical measurement device for biological samples having at least a first and a second measurement channel is described. The method comprises calculating an updated reference factor for the second measurement channel based on the first and second detection signals, comparing the updated reference factor with at least one current reference factors and depending on the result of the comparison, storing the updated reference factor as a current reference factor for use in a later measurement in the second measurement channel or keeping the current reference factors for use in a later measurement in the second measurement channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2016Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Rik Harbers, Marcel Thomann
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Patent number: 11226348Abstract: A storage module for a laboratory automation system, a method of operating a laboratory automation system, and a laboratory automation system are presented. Items used by laboratory stations are stored centrally in a storage module and can be transported to the laboratory stations using a laboratory sample distribution system.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Urs Vollenweider, Gottlieb Schacher, Goran Savatic, Marco Maetzler, Christoph Ludwig, Christian Loewenstein, Yves Laloux, Rik Harbers, Matthias Edelmann, Andreas Drechsler
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Publication number: 20220003788Abstract: A method of determining a level of interference with a photometric in-vitro diagnostic assay and an in-vitro diagnostic analyzer for carrying out the method are described. The method comprises treating an aliquot of a sample with at least one reagent to obtain a sample/reagent mixture and subjecting the sample/reagent mixture to a photometric measurement in order to obtain a result of the in-vitro diagnostic assay, and during the same photometric measurement determining a preliminary level of interference by semi-quantitatively determining one or more interfering substances in the same sample/reaction mixture. The method further comprises triggering a separate photometric measurement of another aliquot of the same sample either undiluted or diluted with a liquid other than a reagent in order to determine an effective level of interference by quantitatively determining the one or more interfering substances, only upon determining a preliminary level of interference above a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Pierre Bolliger, Rik Harbers, Rolf Knobel
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Patent number: 11204361Abstract: A laboratory automation system for processing sample containers containing laboratory samples and/or for processing the samples is presented. The laboratory automation system comprises a digital camera configured to take an image of the sample container together with a calibration element. The image comprises image data related to the sample container and image data related to the calibration element. The laboratory automation system also comprises an image processing device configured to determine geometrical properties of the sample container depending on the image data related to the sample container and the image data related to the calibration element.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Armin Birrer, Andreas Drechsler, Rik Harbers
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Patent number: 11150256Abstract: A reagent management system is disclosed comprising a reagent container section for receiving reagent containers and a reagent reconstitution device for reconstituting dry, or lyophilized, reagents or concentrated reagents in reagent containers in order to carry out in-vitro diagnostic tests with the reconstituted reagents. A controller is programmed to instruct the reagent reconstitution device to automatically reconstitute an initial volume of a selected reagent type in reagent containers. The initial volume is calculated based on an open container stability time (OCS) of the reconstituted reagent type for each reagent container and on a number of tests to be carried out within the OCS of the reconstituted reagent type. A reagent container for use by the reagent management system and methods of automatically reconstituting a dry, or lyophilized reagent, or a concentrated liquid reagent in a reagent container to carry out an in-vitro diagnostic test with the reagent are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Friedrich Ackermann, Andreas Calatzis, Rik Harbers, Roland Hutter, Jean-Pierre Bolliger, Theresa Kitcoff, Patrick Sascha Labud
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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
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Patent number: 11039750Abstract: Needle interventions are widely used in the field of oncology for taking biopsies of tissue in order to inspect whether tissue is cancerous or not. To make these interventions more reliable feedback of what kind of tissue is in front of the needle is required. A way to achieve this is by making use of optical spectroscopy. This requires integration of fibers into the needle. These fibers are used to deliver light to illuminate the tissue in front of the needle and to collect back the reflected light from the tissue. The present invention proposes to integrate the fiber distal ends in the slanted bevel of the needle in such a way that at least one source-detector fiber pair has a distance that is larger than the outer diameter of the needle.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Augustinus Laurentius Braun, Rik Harbers, Marjolein Van Der Voort, Adrien Desjardins, Rami Nachabe
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Patent number: 10791932Abstract: An optical detection method is provided, wherein a body part (5) comprising at least one joint is irradiated with light. Local attenuation of the light by the body part (5) is detected as attenuation measurements (2) at the position of the at least one joint and at the position of at least one other portion of the body part (5); and wherein blood flow to and/or from the body part (5) is temporarily at least partially blocked and thereafter enabled again (3). Distinct local attenuation measurements for the at least one joint and for at least one other portion of the body part (5) are performed for at least two of the times before (I), during (II), and after (III) the blocking of blood flow.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Demcon Hemics B.V.Inventors: Wouter Harry Jacinth Rensen, Michael Cornelis Van Beek, Rik Harbers
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Publication number: 20200305717Abstract: An optical detection method and device are provided, wherein a body part comprising at least one joint is irradiated with light. Local attenuation of the light by the body part is detected as attenuation measurements at the position of the at least one joint and at the position of at least one other portion of the body part; and wherein blood flow to and/or from the body part is temporarily at least partially blocked and thereafter enabled again. Distinct local attenuation measurements for the at least one joint and for at least one other portion of the body part are performed for at least two of the times before (I), during (II), and after (III) the blocking of blood flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Wouter Harry Jacinth Rensen, Michael Cornelis Van Beek, Rik Harbers
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Publication number: 20190004075Abstract: A reagent management system is disclosed comprising a reagent container section for receiving reagent containers and a reagent reconstitution device for reconstituting dry, or lyophilized, reagents or concentrated reagents in reagent containers in order to carry out in-vitro diagnostic tests with the reconstituted reagents. A controller is programmed to instruct the reagent reconstitution device to automatically reconstitute an initial volume of a selected reagent type in reagent containers. The initial volume is calculated based on an open container stability time (OCS) of the reconstituted reagent type for each reagent container and on a number of tests to be carried out within the OCS of the reconstituted reagent type. A reagent container for use by the reagent management system and methods of automatically reconstituting a dry, or lyophilized reagent, or a concentrated liquid reagent in a reagent container to carry out an in-vitro diagnostic test with the reagent are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Friedrich Ackermann, Andreas Calatzis, Rik Harbers, Roland Hutter, Jean-Pierre Bolliger, Theresa Kitcoff, Patrick Sascha Labud
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Patent number: 10082517Abstract: A reagent management system is disclosed comprising a reagent container section for receiving reagent containers and a reagent reconstitution device for reconstituting dry, or lyophilized, reagents or concentrated reagents in reagent containers in order to carry out in-vitro diagnostic tests with the reconstituted reagents. A controller is programmed to instruct the reagent reconstitution device to automatically reconstitute an initial volume of a selected reagent type in reagent containers. The initial volume is calculated based on an open container stability time (OCS) of the reconstituted reagent type for each reagent container and on a number of tests to be carried out within the OCS of the reconstituted reagent type. A reagent container for use by the reagent management system and methods of automatically reconstituting a dry, or lyophilized reagent, or a concentrated liquid reagent in a reagent container to carry out an in-vitro diagnostic test with the reagent are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Inventors: Friedrich Ackermann, Andreas Calatzis, Rik Harbers, Roland Hutter, Jean-Pierre Bolliger, Theresa Kitcoff, Patrick Sascha Labud
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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
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Publication number: 20180224476Abstract: A laboratory automation system for processing sample containers containing laboratory samples and/or for processing the samples is presented. The laboratory automation system comprises a digital camera configured to take an image of the sample container together with a calibration element. The image comprises image data related to the sample container and image data related to the calibration element. The laboratory automation system also comprises an image processing device configured to determine geometrical properties of the sample container depending on the image data related to the sample container and the image data related to the calibration element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Armin Birrer, Andreas Drechsler, Rik Harbers
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Publication number: 20180106821Abstract: A storage module for a laboratory automation system, a method of operating a laboratory automation system, and a laboratory automation system are presented. Items used by laboratory stations are stored centrally in a storage module and can be transported to the laboratory stations using a laboratory sample distribution system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Urs Vollenweider, Gottlieb Schacher, Goran Savatic, Marco Maetzler, Christoph Ludwig, Christian Loewenstein, Yves Laloux, Rik Harbers, Matthias Edelmann, Andreas Drechsler
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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
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Publication number: 20170176478Abstract: A method for calibration and/or error detection in an optical measurement device for biological samples having at least a first and a second measurement channel is described. The method comprises calculating an updated reference factor for the second measurement channel based on the first and second detection signals, comparing the updated reference factor with at least one current reference factors and depending on the result of the comparison, storing the updated reference factor as a current reference factor for use in a later measurement in the second measurement channel or keeping the current reference factors for use in a later measurement in the second measurement channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Rik Harbers, Marcel Thomann
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Publication number: 20160374563Abstract: Needle interventions are widely used in the field of oncology for taking biopsies of tissue in order to inspect whether tissue is cancerous or not. To make these interventions more reliable feedback of what kind of tissue is in front of the needle is required. A way to achieve this is by making use of optical spectroscopy. This requires integration of fibers into the needle. These fibers are used to deliver light to illuminate the tissue in front of the needle and to collect back the reflected light from the tissue. The present invention proposes to integrate the fiber distal ends in the slanted bevel of the needle in such a way that at least one source-detector fiber pair has a distance that is larger than the outer diameter of the needle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus HENDRIKS, Augustinus Laurentius BRAUN, Rik HARBERS, Marjolein VAN DER VOORT, Adrien DESJARDINS, Rami NACHABE
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Publication number: 20160299164Abstract: A reagent management system is disclosed comprising a reagent container section for receiving reagent containers and a reagent reconstitution device for reconstituting dry, or lyophilized, reagents or concentrated reagents in reagent containers in order to carry out in-vitro diagnostic tests with the reconstituted reagents. A controller is programmed to instruct the reagent reconstitution device to automatically reconstitute an initial volume of a selected reagent type in reagent containers. The initial volume is calculated based on an open container stability time (OCS) of the reconstituted reagent type for each reagent container and on a number of tests to be carried out within the OCS of the reconstituted reagent type. A reagent container for use by the reagent management system and methods of automatically reconstituting a dry, or lyophilized reagent, or a concentrated liquid reagent in a reagent container to carry out an in-vitro diagnostic test with the reagent are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: Friedrich Ackermann, Andreas Calatzis, Rik Harbers, Roland Hutter, Jean-Pierre Bolliger, Theresa Kitcoff, Patrick Sascha Labud
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Patent number: 9322765Abstract: An optical system comprising a light source comprising a plurality of light emitting elements (LEEs) is presented. The light source is mounted on the same substrate or chip board so that the LEEs are in thermal contact with each other such as to enable thermic conduction and heat transfer between the LEEs. The system is switchable between light source modes in which different light emitting elements or a different number of light emitting elements is switched in an on mode and in a down mode respectively. In all light source modes, one or more light emitting elements, such as those with longer expected lifetime, remain in the on mode, while one or more light emitting elements, such as those with shorter expected lifetime, may be switched in the down mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Rik Harbers, Philipp Nicolas Zeller
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Patent number: 9285311Abstract: An optical system for performing scattering and absorbance assays in clinical diagnostics comprises a light source for emitting collimated light parallel to an optical axis in an optical path, a sample holding unit comprising at least one sample holding position located in the optical path and an optical detector for measuring light transmitted through a sample located in a sample holding position. The optical system further comprises an adjustable light angle selector adjusted to prevent light transmitted through the sample and diverging from the optical axis with an angle greater than a certain value from reaching the detector when a scattering assay is performed, and wherein the light angle selector is adjusted to allow light transmitted through the sample and diverging from the optical axis with an angle smaller than a certain value to reach the detector when an absorbance assay is performed.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventor: Rik Harbers