Patents by Inventor Steffen Howitz

Steffen Howitz 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: 9556081
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of radiochemical compounds using a device having at least a reaction module, a dosing module, and a storage module, wherein the reaction module has at least one reaction vessel having a closable opening through which substances needed for the preparation of a predetermined radiochemical compound can be introduced into the reaction vessel of the reaction module and through which the prepared radiochemical compound can be removed from the reaction vessel of the reaction module; the dosing module has at least one pipetting head which can be moved relative to the storage module and the reaction module and in x, y, and z directions and also has at least one dosing unit; and at least one reservoir for one of the substances needed for the preparation of the respective radiochemical compound is formed in the storage module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: ABX ADVANCED BIOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS GMBH, GeSim—Gesellschaft für Silizium-Mikrosysteme mbH
    Inventors: Marco Mueller, Steffen Howitz
  • Patent number: 9480992
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the separation of a polarizable bioparticle comprising the steps: a) dielectrophoretic preseparation of a polarizable bioparticle from a suspension of bioparticles; b) fluidic separation of the selected bioparticle by fixing the bioparticle in a dielectrophoretic field cage and circulating fluid around the bioparticle; c) transferring the separated bioparticle from the dielectrophoretic field cage to a culture chamber; d) dielectrophoretic fixing of the separated bioparticle in the culture chamber and study, observation, manipulation and/or culturing of the separated bioparticle. The invention further relates to a microfluidic system and use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Technische Universitat Dortmund
    Inventors: Andreas Schmid, Lars M. Blank, Steffen Howitz, Frederik Sven Ole Fritzsch
  • Publication number: 20160115092
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of radiochemical compounds using a device having at least a reaction module, a dosing module, and a storage module, wherein the reaction module has at least one reaction vessel having a closable opening through which substances needed for the preparation of a predetermined radiochemical compound can be introduced into the reaction vessel of the reaction module and through which the prepared radiochemical compound can be removed from the reaction vessel of the reaction module; the dosing module has at least one pipetting head which can be moved relative to the storage module and the reaction module and in x, y, and z directions and also has at least one dosing unit; and at least one reservoir for one of the substances needed for the preparation of the respective radiochemical compound is formed in the storage module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicants: ABX ADVANCED BIOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS GMBH, GESIM-GESELLSCHAFT FUER SILIZIUM-MIKROSYSTEME MBH
    Inventors: Marco Mueller, Steffen Howitz
  • Patent number: 9260354
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the preparation of radiochemical compounds. It is provided that the device comprises at least a reaction module, a dosing module, and a storage module, wherein the reaction module has at least one reaction vessel having a closable opening through which substances needed for the preparation of a predetermined radiochemical compound can be introduced into the reaction vessel of the reaction module and through which the prepared radiochemical compound can be removed from the reaction vessel of the reaction module; the dosing module has at least one pipetting head which can be moved relative to the storage module and the reaction module and in x, y, and z directions and also has at least one dosing unit; and at least one reservoir for one of the substances needed for the preparation of the respective radiochemical compound is formed in the storage module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: ABX ADVANCED CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS GMBH, GeSIM—Gesellschaft für Silizium-Mikrosysteme mbH
    Inventors: Marco Mueller, Steffen Howitz
  • Publication number: 20150133650
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the preparation of radiochemical compounds. It is provided that the device comprises at least a reaction module, a dosing module, and a storage module, wherein the reaction module has at least one reaction vessel having a closable opening through which substances needed for the preparation of a predetermined radiochemical compound can be introduced into the reaction vessel of the reaction module and through which the prepared radiochemical compound can be removed from the reaction vessel of the reaction module; the dosing module has at least one pipetting head which can be moved relative to the storage module and the reaction module and in x, y, and z directions and also has at least one dosing unit; and at least one reservoir for one of the substances needed for the preparation of the respective radiochemical compound is formed in the storage module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicants: GESIM-GESELLSCHAFT FUER SILIZIUM-MIKROSYSTEME MBH, ABX ADVANCED BIOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS GMBH
    Inventors: Marco MUELLER, Steffen HOWITZ
  • Publication number: 20150122653
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the separation of a polarisable bioparticle comprising the steps: a) dielectrophoretic preseparation of a polarisable bioparticle from a suspension of bioparticles; b) fluidic separation of the selected bioparticle by fixing the bioparticle in a dielectrophoretic field cage and circulating fluid around the bioparticle; c) transferring the separated bioparticle from the dielectrophoretic field cage to a culture chamber; d) dielectrophoretic fixing of the separated bioparticle in the culture chamber and study, observation, manipulation and/or culturing of the separated bioparticle. The invention further relates to a microfluidic system and use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Technische Universitat Dortmund
    Inventors: Andreas Schmid, Lars M. Blank, Steffen Howitz, Frederik Sven Ole Fritzsch
  • Patent number: 8980184
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the preparation of radiochemical compounds. It is provided that the device comprises at least a reaction module, a dosing module, and a storage module, wherein; the reaction module has at least one reaction vessel having a closable opening through which substances needed for the preparation of a predetermined radiochemical compound can be introduced into the reaction vessel of the reaction module and through which the prepared radiochemical compound can be removed from the reaction vessel of the reaction module; the dosing module has at least one pipetting head which can be moved relative to the storage module and the reaction module and in x, y, and z directions and also has at least one dosing unit; and at least one reservoir for one of the substances needed for the preparation of the respective radiochemical compound is formed in the storage module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: ABX Advanced Biochemical Compounds GmbH, Gesim—Gesellschaft fuer Silizium-Mikrosysteme mbH
    Inventors: Marco Mueller, Steffen Howitz
  • Publication number: 20130144051
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the preparation of radiochemical compounds. It is provided that the device comprises at least a reaction module, a dosing module, and a storage module, wherein; the reaction module has at least one reaction vessel having a closable opening through which substances needed for the preparation of a predetermined radiochemical compound can be introduced into the reaction vessel of the reaction module and through which the prepared radiochemical compound can be removed from the reaction vessel of the reaction module; the dosing module has at least one pipetting head which can be moved relative to the storage module and the reaction module and in x, y, and z directions and also has at least one dosing unit; and at least one reservoir for one of the substances needed for the preparation of the respective radiochemical compound is formed in the storage module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicants: GESIM-GESELLSCHAFT FUER SILIZIUM-MIKROSYSTEME MBH, ABX ADVANCED BIOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS GMBH
    Inventors: Marco Mueller, Steffen Howitz
  • Patent number: 7278210
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a 3-D microscope flow-through cell, consisting of an upper and a lower substrate between which is located a flow channel, an electrode structure penetrating the flow channel and connected with external contacts and with through-connections at the ends of the flow channel for the connection of fluid inlets and outlets. The invention provides a method of producing 3-D microscope micro flow-through cells that are suitable for the reversible assembly of microscope flow-through cells for the ?m-volume range. According to the invention, this is obtained in that a base substrate is first provided with access holes and a flow channel, the flow channel being made of a sandwich of a material non-elastic inside and elastic outside, in that the flow channel for the purpose of a fluid-tight channel closure, is pressed against a second cover glass in order to provide a reversibly sealable flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: GeSIM Gesellschaft Fur Silizium-Mikrosysteme mbH Rossendorfer Technologiezentrum
    Inventors: Steffen Howitz, Mario Buerger
  • Patent number: 7114541
    Abstract: A 3D micro flow cell is fabricated by forming a first spacer on a substrate to define the flow channel of the cell extending between inlet and outlet openings. A second spacer, comprising a pasty adhesive is applied outside the first spacer or in a groove on the first spacer to seal the cell when the first substrate is joined to a second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Gesim Gesselschaft fur Silizium-Mikrosysteme mbH
    Inventors: Steffen Howitz, Guenther Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20040253821
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a 3-D microscope flow-through cell, consisting of an upper and a lower substrate between which is located a flow channel, an electrode structure penetrating the flow channel and connected with external contacts and with through-connections at the ends of the flow channel for the connection of fluid inlets and outlets. The invention provides a method of producing 3-D microscope micro flow-through cells that are suitable for the reversible assembly of microscope flow-through cells for the &mgr;m-volume range. According to the invention, this is obtained in that a base substrate is first provided with access holes and a flow channel, the flow channel being made of a sandwich of a material non-elastic inside and elastic outside, in that the flow channel for the purpose of a fluid-tight channel closure, is pressed against a second cover glass in order to provide a reversibly sealable flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: GeSIM GESELLSCHAFT FUR SILIZIUM-MIKROSYSTEME mbH
    Inventors: Steffen Howitz, Mario Buerger
  • Publication number: 20040038387
    Abstract: A 3D micro flow cell is fabricated by forming a first spacer on a substrate to define the flow channel of the cell extending between inlet and outlet openings. A second spacer, comprising a pasty adhesive is applied outside the first spacer or in a groove on the first spacer to seal the cell when the first substrate is joined to a second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Steffen Howitz, Guenther Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20020021222
    Abstract: A sensor is provided for controlling functioning, e.g. for controlling drop delivery of a micropipette of a nanoplotter or the like and/or for determining the exact local drop deposition and/or its positional deviation from the envisaged deposition site and/or measuring the size of a drop. The invention aims at providing a sensor that makes it possible to detect delivery of a drop. According to the invention, this is done by using a point, line or planar shaped electrode (1) on at least one measuring field (3, 3′) that is connected to at least one electronic evaluation device (7) and on which at least one test drop (4) is deposited or dropped with the aid of the micropipette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Steffen Howitz, Mario Burger
  • Patent number: 6213735
    Abstract: A micromechanical ejection pump for extracting small fluid volumes from a flowing sample fluid is provided with a substrate, and a canal for pressurized working fluid. The micromechanical ejection pump also has a canal for ejecting a fluid volume from the sample fluid. The working fluid canal runs into the extension of the sample fluid canal discharging crosswise thereto. The ejection canal connected to the sample fluid canal branches off from the working fluid canal opposite to the sample fluid canal. The working fluid canal and the ejection canal have in particular a substantially similar cross-section of 0.01-0.12 mm2, wherein the ratio of the cross-section of the sample fluid canal to the cross-section of the working fluid canal or the ejection canal is preferably between 0.2 and 0.5, more particularly between 0.3 and 0.4 and most preferably 0.35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Evotec Biosystem AG
    Inventors: Karsten Henco, Rolf Guenther, Steffen Howitz, Thomas Wegener
  • Patent number: 6179584
    Abstract: A microejector pump for generating microdrops includes at least one pump chamber configured in a silicon chip and a piezoelectrically actuable silicon membrane arranged over the pump chamber. The pump chamber is connected to at least one supply line as well as a discharge line provided with an ejection orifice. A glass chip closes off at least the pump chamber from the silicon membrane. The microejector pump can also include an integral heater and controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Gesim Gesellschaft fur Silizium-Mikrosysteme mbH
    Inventors: Steffen Howitz, Thomas Wegener, Mario Burger, Thomas Gehring
  • Patent number: 5925511
    Abstract: For the fixated cryopreservation of single living biological objects or s objects compiled in a given number (for example cells) a cryogenically cooled substrate (13) is jetted therewith in a enveloping solution in microdroplet form (12) from a storage vessel, for example by means of a microdroplet jetting device (11). The substrate is temperature-controlled via a coolant (15), the surface to be jetted being located in a gas atmosphere or in vacuum (14). The substrate surface is maintained at a temperature T1 resulting in freezing of the impinging microdroplet, the substrate surface being possibly supportingly microstructured and comprising sensing elements. By controlled movement of either the substrate or the microdroplet jetting device the microdroplets can be applied singly and in patterns in arrays freely selectable or predetermined by the structuring of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Zur Fordereung Der Angeweandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Gunter Fuhr, Jan Hornung, Rolf Hagedorn, Torsten Muller, Steffen Howitz, Bernd Wagner, Ulrich Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5730187
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a fluid microdiode for directionally incorporating a dosed fluid into another stationary or flowing target fluid contained in a closed system, especially in the submicroliter range. It is characterized by a planar arrangement of a microcapillary open on both sides or a system of closely juxtaposed microcapillaries open on both sides being in direct contact with the target fluid on the outlet side thereof and being separated from the discontinuously supplied dosed fluid on their inlet side by an air or gas cushion, forming a meniscus (6) which is curved according to the surface tension. As a device (1), said fluid microdiode consists of a stacked arrangement of a flow channel (9), the actual diode in the form of a grid structure formed by capillaries, and a spacer chip (2), securing the gaseous medium in the region of the coupling surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventors: Steffen Howitz, Minh Tan Pham