Patents by Inventor Rolf Knobel

Rolf Knobel 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: 11630116
    Abstract: An automated method for determining a coagulation result of a biological sample is presented. The method includes obtaining a time series representing measurement data of a sample. The time series spans a period in which a clotting reaction is supposed to take place. The method includes obtaining a global model function configured to model measurement data of a sample in which a clotting reaction takes place. The global model function is configured to model the measurement data as a sigmoidal shape with at least one inflection point. The absolute value of the maximum curvature of the sigmoidal shape is larger on one side of the at least one inflection point than on the other side. The method includes fitting the model function to the time series representing measurement data to obtain a fitted model function and determining a coagulation result of the sample based on the fitted model function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Rolf Knobel
  • Publication number: 20220003788
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Bolliger, Rik Harbers, Rolf Knobel
  • Patent number: 10458997
    Abstract: A method for determining a background shift is presented. The method includes obtaining a plurality of optical measurement sets of a sample taken by a sample analyzer at different points in time. Each set includes one measurement taken in a first channel and another measurement taken in a second channel different from the first channel. The plurality of optical measurement sets includes one set group and another set group. The measurements in the one set group show a higher signal change than the measurements in the other group. A first background signal is determined based on a relation of measurements in the first and second channels in the one group. A second background signal is determined based on a relation of measurements in the first and second channels in the one group and the other group. A background shift is determined based on the first and second background signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Rolf Knobel
  • Patent number: 10351843
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated analytical system and an automated method for separating and detecting an analyte, as well as an automated analytical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Renato Belz, Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Rolf Knobel, Christian Thalmann
  • Publication number: 20190162665
    Abstract: An analysis method is provided aimed at improving the linearity (precision and/or accuracy) of a quantification by a real-time nucleic acid amplification reaction RNR such as a polymerase chain reaction PCR over a wide range of analyte concentrations and/or limiting the effects of the presence of interfering substances by way of determining a quantification cycle number (Cq) of the RNR as the cycle number corresponding to an intersection of the growth curve with a combined threshold function (CTF) over the RNR cycle range comprising at least two different threshold levels, the quantification cycle number (Cq) being indicative of a quantitative and/or qualitative analysis result of a growth curve, the growth curve being indicative of the intensity of the fluorescence emission of an analyte for each amplification reaction cycle of the RNR over a RNR cycle range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rolf Knobel
  • Publication number: 20190154716
    Abstract: An analytical apparatus and a method for isolating and analyzing at least one analyte are described, comprising at least one module for receiving and dispensing a sample to be analyzed, at least one module for isolating said analyte to be analyzed, at least one module for analyzing said analyte, wherein said modules (i) to (iii) are arranged along an axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Urs Knecht, Rolf Knobel, Heinz Trueeb
  • Publication number: 20190018927
    Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with data evaluation tools, methods for analyzing a dataset, and a computer readable medium comprising a computer program code that when run on a data processing device carries out the method of the disclosure as well as a device for carrying out the method of the disclosure. The methods and devices disclosed herein are used in analytical systems that analyze biological samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Roche Molecular System, Inc.
    Inventor: Rolf Knobel
  • Publication number: 20190018030
    Abstract: An automated method for determining a coagulation result of a biological sample is presented. The method includes obtaining a time series representing measurement data of a sample. The time series spans a period in which a clotting reaction is supposed to take place. The method includes obtaining a global model function configured to model measurement data of a sample in which a clotting reaction takes place. The global model function is configured to model the measurement data as a sigmoidal shape with at least one inflection point. The absolute value of the maximum curvature of the sigmoidal shape is larger on one side of the at least one inflection point than on the other side. The method includes fitting the model function to the time series representing measurement data to obtain a fitted model function and determining a coagulation result of the sample based on the fitted model function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Rolf Knobel
  • Patent number: 10081502
    Abstract: An automated analyzer with an on-board fridge for long-term cooling of reagents, and a method for isolating and analyzing an analyte comprising long-term cooling of reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Frank, Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Rolf Knobel, Markus Rinderknecht
  • Patent number: 10081503
    Abstract: An automated analyzer with an on-board fridge for long-term cooling of reagents, and a method for isolating and analyzing an analyte comprising long-term cooling of reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Frank, Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Rolf Knobel, Markus Rinderknecht
  • Publication number: 20180067140
    Abstract: A method for determining a background shift is presented. The method includes obtaining a plurality of optical measurement sets of a sample taken by a sample analyzer at different points in time. Each set includes one measurement taken in a first channel and another measurement taken in a second channel different from the first channel. The plurality of optical measurement sets includes one set group and another set group. The measurements in the one set group show a higher signal change than the measurements in the other group. A first background signal is determined based on a relation of measurements in the first and second channels in the one group. A second background signal is determined based on a relation of measurements in the first and second channels in the one group and the other group. A background shift is determined based on the first and second background signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Rolf Knobel
  • Publication number: 20180000023
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated analytical system and an automated method for separating and detecting an analyte, as well as an automated analytical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Renato Belz, Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Rolf Knobel, Christian Thalmann
  • Patent number: 9678092
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of isolating and analyzing an analyte using an analytical apparatus which comprises modules of different types, wherein any one module of one type has a specific, pre-defined timing for carrying out its workflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Rolf Knobel
  • Publication number: 20160282379
    Abstract: An analytical apparatus and a method for isolating and analyzing at least one analyte are described, comprising at least one module for receiving and dispensing a sample to be analyzed, at least one module for isolating said analyte to be analyzed, at least one module for analyzing said analyte, wherein said modules (i) to (iii) are arranged along an axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: ROCHE MOLECULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Urs Knecht, Rolf Knobel, Heinz Trueeb
  • Patent number: 9383379
    Abstract: A method is described for distributing samples within an automated analyzer from a linear arrangement of sample vessels to a processing plate in a two-dimensional n×m arrangement wherein samples are sorted, followed by transfer with a pipetting device with a linear arrangement to a processing vessel in a two-dimensional n×m arrangement and subsequent processing of samples using a second pipetting device which has a two-dimensional n×m arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: ROCHE MOLECULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Frank, Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Rolf Knobel, Siegfried Mueller, Urs Schnieper, Heinz Trueeb
  • Patent number: 9383378
    Abstract: A method is described for distributing samples within an automated analyzer from a linear arrangement of sample vessels to a processing plate in a two-dimensional n×m arrangement wherein samples are sorted, followed by transfer with a pipetting device with a linear arrangement to a processing vessel in a two-dimensional n×m arrangement and subsequent processing of samples using a second pipetting device which has a two-dimensional n×m arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Frank, Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Rolf Knobel, Siegfried Mueller, Urs Schnieper, Heinz Trueeb
  • Publication number: 20160161517
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of isolating and analyzing an analyte using an analytical apparatus which comprises modules of different types, wherein any one module of one type has a specific, pre-defined timing for carrying out its workflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Rolf Knobel
  • Publication number: 20160161518
    Abstract: An analyzer for detecting or quantitating an analyte comprising a temporary storage unit for storing a reagent cassette and a method for presenting a reagent cassette present in a temporary storage unit to a pipetting device are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Frank, Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Rolf Knobel, Markus Rinderknecht, Urs Schnieper
  • Patent number: 9315801
    Abstract: A method for separating and analyzing an analyte is provided which comprises, in a first position, transferring a liquid sample to a multiwell plate with a pipette tip, replacing the tips in the tip rack in the same position, and re-using the pipette tips for aspirating and dispensing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ROCHE MOLECULAR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Renato Belz, Andreas Gisler, Robert Huesler, Rolf Knobel, Christian Thalmann
  • Publication number: 20160061731
    Abstract: An analysis method is provided aimed at improving the linearity (precision and/or accuracy) of a quantification by a real-time nucleic acid amplification reaction RNR such as a polymerase chain reaction PCR over a wide range of analyte concentrations and/or limiting the effects of the presence of interfering substances by way of determining a quantification cycle number (Cq) of the RNR as the cycle number corresponding to an intersection of the growth curve with a combined threshold function (CTF) over the RNR cycle range comprising at least two different threshold levels, the quantification cycle number (Cq) being indicative of a quantitative and/or qualitative analysis result of a growth curve, the growth curve being indicative of the intensity of the fluorescence emission of an analyte for each amplification reaction cycle of the RNR over a RNR cycle range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: Rolf Knobel