Patents by Inventor Thomas Ortmann

Thomas Ortmann 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: 11630090
    Abstract: A sample dispatcher for a fluid separation apparatus includes a sampling path including a sampling volume, a sampling unit, and a retaining unit. The sampling unit receives a fluidic sample, and the sampling volume temporarily stores an amount of the received sample. The retaining unit receives and retains from the sampling volume at least a portion of the stored sample, and has different retention characteristics for different components of the sample. A switching unit is coupled to the sampling path, a sampling fluid drive, a mobile phase drive, and a separating device. In a feed injection configuration of the switching unit, the mobile phase drive, the separating device, and the sampling path are coupled together in a coupling point for combining a flow from the sampling fluid drive containing the fluidic sample retained by the retaining unit with a flow of the mobile phase from the mobile phase drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ortmann, Thomas Glauner
  • Publication number: 20230112993
    Abstract: A sample separation device for separating a fluidic sample includes a fluid drive for driving a mobile phase and the fluidic sample when injected in the mobile phase, a sample separation unit for separating the fluidic sample in the mobile phase, and a control unit configured for bracketing the fluidic sample between two mobile phase portions of the mobile phase. At least one of the mobile phase portions is arranged directly next to the fluidic sample and has a higher solvent strength compared to a solvent of the fluidic sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Dwight Robert Stoll, Stephan Buckenmaier, Sascha Lege, Thomas Ortmann, Konstantin Shoykhet
  • Publication number: 20230085894
    Abstract: A sample injector is provided for a chromatography system that includes a mobile phase drive and a separation unit. The mobile phase drive is configured for driving a mobile phase through the separation unit, and the separation unit is configured for chromatographically separating compounds of a sample fluid in the mobile phase. The sample injector is configured for injecting the sample fluid into the mobile phase and comprises a needle and a handling unit configured for positioning the needle. Operating the sample injector includes providing a receptacle that includes a filtration unit configured for filtering a sample fluid comprised within the receptacle, moving the filtration unit within the receptacle in order to filter at least a portion of the sample fluid contained in the receptacle, operating the handling unit to position the needle into the receptacle, and aspirating a volume of the filtered sample fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Blasius Nocon, Thomas Ortmann
  • Publication number: 20230039500
    Abstract: A fluid processing apparatus includes a first fluid separation apparatus including a first fluid pump, configured for driving a first mobile phase, and a first separation unit configured for separating a fluidic sample when within the first mobile phase. A sampling unit includes a modulation buffering unit and a modulation drive, wherein the modulation drive is configured for introducing fluid into the modulation buffering unit. A switching unit is configured, in a first switching state, for introducing fluid into the modulation buffering unit from downstream of the first separation unit, and, in a second switching state, for introducing fluid buffered in the modulation buffering unit in a first flow path between the first fluid pump and the first separation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Stephan Buckenmaier, Sascha Lege, Thomas Ortmann, Konstantin Shoykhet
  • Patent number: 11567040
    Abstract: Injector (40) for injecting a fluidic sample into a mobile phase in a sample separation apparatus (10), the injector (40) comprising a main flow path (100) between a fluid drive (20) and a sample separation device (30), wherein the fluid drive (20) is adapted to drive the mobile phase and the sample separation device (30) is adapted to separate the fluidic sample that is injected into the mobile phase, a discharge device (104) for discharging an, in particular predetermined, amount of the mobile phase from the main flow path (100), and a supply device (102) for supplying an, in particular predetermined, amount of the fluidic sample and/or of a solvent into the main flow path (100), wherein the discharged amount and the supplied amount compensate each other at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ortmann, Konstantin Shoykhet
  • Patent number: 11519885
    Abstract: A sample injector for a chromatography system is configured for injecting a sample fluid into a mobile phase, and includes a needle and a conduit. The needle is configured for aspirating the sample fluid and includes a needle tip, a needle channel through the needle for guiding the aspirated sample fluid, and a needle opening at the needle tip into which the needle channel opens. The conduit is configured for fluidically coupling with the needle and includes a conduit tip, and a conduit channel through the conduit for guiding fluid and having a conduit opening at the conduit tip. The conduit tip and the needle tip are configured to be pressed against each other for fluidically coupling the conduit channel with the needle channel, with at least a portion of the conduit tip penetrating into the needle opening for providing the fluidic coupling between the conduit and needle channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ortmann, Michael Lang, Blasius Nocon
  • Publication number: 20220341897
    Abstract: An injector is configured for injecting a fluidic sample from an injector path into a mobile phase in a separation path between a fluid drive and a sample separation unit of a sample separation device. The injector includes a control unit configured for generating a first overpressure in a blocked first partial path of the injector path by a first pressure source, for generating a second overpressure in a blocked second partial path of the injector path by a second pressure source, for subsequently fluidically coupling the first partial path with the second partial path for generating an expansion stroke for releasing a gas bubble in the injector path, and for rinsing the released gas bubble from the injector path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Ortmann, Martin Seifried, Sam Wouters, Irina Spuling
  • Publication number: 20220283127
    Abstract: A sample management device which comprises a source flow path in which a fluidic sample can flow, a volume flow adjustment unit configured for adjusting a volume flow of the fluidic sample to be branched off from the source flow path at a fluidic coupling point, and a fluidic valve fluidically coupled with the source flow path and with the volume flow adjustment unit, wherein the fluidic valve is switchable into a branch off state in which the fluidic coupling point is established within the source flow path to branch off an adjustable volume of the fluidic sample from the source flow path via the fluidic coupling point while a flow of the fluidic sample in the source flow path continues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Ortmann, Daniel Thielsch
  • Publication number: 20220283129
    Abstract: A fluid processing apparatus includes a first fluid processing unit and a second fluid processing unit. A fluid unit is fluidically coupled to the first fluid processing unit and includes a first buffering unit configured for buffering fluid, and/or a mask flow source configured for providing a mask fluid or a flow thereof. A first coupling point is fluidically coupled between the first fluid processing unit and the fluid unit. A modulation unit is configured, selectively, for withdrawing fluid from the first coupling point, or for transferring withdrawn fluid into the second fluid processing unit. The apparatus may be utilized for chromatography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Dwight Robert Stoll, Konstantin Shoykhet, Thomas Ortmann, Stephan Buckenmaier, Sascha Lege
  • Publication number: 20220236235
    Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a sample separation unit configured for separating, preferably chromatographically separating, compounds in a fluidic sample includes a first fluid connector configured for being mechanically and fluidically coupled with a first fluid interface of the sample separation unit, a second fluid connector configured for being mechanically and fluidically coupled with a second fluid interface of the sample separation unit, and a swivel mechanism configured for swivelling the first fluid connector between a mounting orientation for mounting the first fluid interface of the sample separation unit at the first fluid connector and an alignment orientation for aligning the second fluid interface of the mounted sample separation unit with the second fluid connector for subsequently coupling the second fluid interface with the second fluid connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Daniela Loraing, Lena Höninger, Uwe Effelsberg, Andreas Otto, Ansgar Waldbaur, Armin Steinke, Thomas Ortmann, Michael Lang
  • Patent number: 11371968
    Abstract: A sample management device which comprises a source flow path in which a fluidic sample can flow, a volume flow adjustment unit configured for adjusting a volume flow of the fluidic sample to be branched off from the source flow path at a fluidic coupling point, and a fluidic valve fluidically coupled with the source flow path and with the volume flow adjustment unit, wherein the fluidic valve is switchable into a branch off state in which the fluidic coupling point is established within the source flow path to branch off an adjustable volume of the fluidic sample from the source flow path via the fluidic coupling point while a flow of the fluidic sample in the source flow path continues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ortmann, Daniel Thielsch, Dominik Ruf
  • Patent number: 11346822
    Abstract: A sample management device which comprises a source flow path in which a fluidic sample can flow, a volume flow adjustment unit configured for adjusting a volume flow of the fluidic sample to be branched off from the source flow path at a fluidic coupling point, and a fluidic valve fluidically coupled with the source flow path and with the volume flow adjustment unit, wherein the fluidic valve is switchable into a branch off state in which the fluidic coupling point is established within the source flow path to branch off an adjustable volume of the fluidic sample from the source flow path via the fluidic coupling point while a flow of the fluidic sample in the source flow path continues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ortmann, Daniel Thielsch
  • Publication number: 20220128519
    Abstract: A configurable injector for injecting a fluidic sample in a separation path of a sample separation apparatus includes a sample accommodation volume for accommodating the fluidic sample to be injected into the separation path, a valve arrangement fluidically couplable with the separation path, fluidically coupled with the sample accommodation volume, and being controllable for injecting the fluidic sample into the separation path, an input interface configured for receiving input data indicative of an injection profile of an injector to be emulated by the configurable injector, and a control unit configured for controlling the configurable injector, in particular the valve arrangement, so that the configurable injector is operated in accordance with the injection profile to thereby emulate the injector to be emulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Ortmann
  • Publication number: 20220120719
    Abstract: An injector, for injecting a fluidic sample into a flow path between a fluid drive and a sample separation unit, includes a sample accommodation volume, a sample drive, and a fluidic valve switchable to selectively couple the volume with the flow path or decouple the volume from the flow path. In an injection switching state, the fluid drive, the separation unit and the sample drive are coupled by the valve so that fluid driven by the sample drive and flowing from the volume to the separation unit and further fluid driven by the fluid drive and flowing from the fluid drive to the separation unit are combined at a fluidic connection upstream of the separation unit. A control unit controls a pressure of the fluid and/or the further fluid during injecting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Thielsch, Thomas Ortmann, Sam Wouters
  • Patent number: 11275062
    Abstract: An injector, for injecting a fluidic sample into a flow path between a fluid drive and a sample separation unit, includes a sample accommodation volume, a sample drive, and a fluidic valve switchable to selectively couple the volume with the flow path or decouple the volume from the flow path. In an injection switching state, the fluid drive, the separation unit and the sample drive are coupled by the valve so that fluid driven by the sample drive and flowing from the volume to the separation unit and further fluid driven by the fluid drive and flowing from the fluid drive to the separation unit are combined at a fluidic connection upstream of the separation unit. A control unit controls a pressure of the fluid and/or the further fluid during injecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Daniel Thielsch, Thomas Ortmann, Sam Wouters
  • Publication number: 20210389282
    Abstract: An injector, for injecting a fluidic sample in at least one selected one of a first sample separation apparatus and a second sample separation apparatus, includes a valve arrangement fluidically connectable to the first sample separation apparatus and the second sample separation apparatus, a sample accommodation volume for accommodating the fluidic sample, and a control unit configured for controlling the valve arrangement so that fluidic sample in the sample accommodation volume is selectively injectable into the selected first sample separation apparatus and/or second sample separation apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Ortmann
  • Publication number: 20210333247
    Abstract: A sample injector for a chromatography system is configured for injecting a sample fluid into a mobile phase, and includes a needle and a conduit. The needle is configured for aspirating the sample fluid and includes a needle tip, a needle channel through the needle for guiding the aspirated sample fluid, and a needle opening at the needle tip into which the needle channel opens. The conduit is configured for fluidically coupling with the needle and includes a conduit tip, and a conduit channel through the conduit for guiding fluid and having a conduit opening at the conduit tip. The conduit tip and the needle tip are configured to be pressed against each other for fluidically coupling the conduit channel with the needle channel, with at least a portion of the conduit tip penetrating into the needle opening for providing the fluidic coupling between the conduit and needle channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Ortmann, Michael Lang, Blasius Nocon
  • Publication number: 20210033572
    Abstract: A sample dispatcher for a fluid separation apparatus includes a sampling path including a sampling volume, a sampling unit, and a retaining unit. The sampling unit receives a fluidic sample, and the sampling volume temporarily stores an amount of the received sample. The retaining unit receives and retains from the sampling volume at least a portion of the stored sample, and has different retention characteristics for different components of the sample. A switching unit is coupled to the sampling path, a sampling fluid drive, a mobile phase drive, and a separating device. In a feed injection configuration of the switching unit, the mobile phase drive, the separating device, and the sampling path are coupled together in a coupling point for combining a flow from the sampling fluid drive containing the fluidic sample retained by the retaining unit with a flow of the mobile phase from the mobile phase drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Ortmann, Thomas Glauner
  • Publication number: 20200340956
    Abstract: Injector (40) for injecting a fluidic sample into a mobile phase in a sample separation apparatus (10), the injector (40) comprising a main flow path (100) between a fluid drive (20) and a sample separation device (30), wherein the fluid drive (20) is adapted to drive the mobile phase and the sample separation device (30) is adapted to separate the fluidic sample that is injected into the mobile phase, a discharge device (104) for discharging an, in particular predetermined, amount of the mobile phase from the main flow path (100), and a supply device (102) for supplying an, in particular predetermined, amount of the fluidic sample and/or of a solvent into the main flow path (100), wherein the discharged amount and the supplied amount compensate each other at least partially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Ortmann, Konstantin Shoykhet
  • Publication number: 20200333300
    Abstract: A sample management device which comprises a source flow path in which a fluidic sample can flow, a volume flow adjustment unit configured for adjusting a volume flow of the fluidic sample to be branched off from the source flow path at a fluidic coupling point, and a fluidic valve fluidically coupled with the source flow path and with the volume flow adjustment unit, wherein the fluidic valve is switchable into a branch off state in which the fluidic coupling point is established within the source flow path to branch off an adjustable volume of the fluidic sample from the source flow path via the fluidic coupling point while a flow of the fluidic sample in the source flow path continues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Ortmann, Daniel Thielsch, Dominik Ruf