Patents by Inventor Thomas Zumstein

Thomas Zumstein 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: 11952155
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible container housing a drug substance is disclosed that includes forming a first compartment from a flexible sheet-like material, filling a liquid into the first compartment, sealing the first compartment, forming a second compartment from the flexible sheet-like material, filling a dry drug formulation into the second compartment, and sealing the second compartment. The method further involves lyophilizing the drug formulation inside a tubular cartridge, filling the second compartment by introducing the tubular cartridge through an opening of the second compartment such that an open end of the tubular cartridge is positioned distant from the opening of the second compartment, providing the drug formulation from the open end of the tubular cartridge into the second compartment, and withdrawing the tubular cartridge from the second compartment. The first and second compartments are separated by a frangible seal which opens when the first compartment is compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE INC.
    Inventors: Carmen Lema Martinez, Joerg Luemkemann, Tobias Werk, Thomas Zumstein, Daniel Kullmann
  • Publication number: 20230398547
    Abstract: A microplate system (1) comprising a microplate (2) and a plurality of containments (3). The microplate (2) has a length in a range between about 127 mm and about 129 mm and a width in a range between about 84 mm and about 86 mm. The microplate (2) has 384 or 1536 receptacles (21). Each receptacle (21) of the microplate (2) extends through the microplate (2) such that it has a first open end and a second open end. Each receptacle (21) of the microplate (2) forms a seat to hold one of the plurality of containments (3). Each of the plurality of containments (3) comprises a cap (32) and a tube (31) shaped to be held in the seat of one of the receptacles (21) of the microplate (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Sven BURRI, Rolf CANESSO, Pascal Markus HOFER, Jonas LUZIO, Dieter SCHMIDLI, Thomas ZUMSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20230346641
    Abstract: A lyophilisate retainer for lyophilizing a substrate is disclosed that includes a three dimensional scaffold body having pores. The pores of the scaffold body are configured to receive and hold the substrate. The scaffold body is made of a scaffold material providing heat transfer properties in lyophilisation to induce heat transfer to the substrate held in the pores of the scaffold body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel KULLMANN, Carmen LEMA MARTINEZ, Gregoire SCHWACH, Joerg LUEMKEMANN, Thomas ZUMSTEIN, Pascal Markus HOFER, Jonas LUZIO
  • Publication number: 20220390476
    Abstract: A fluid analysis arrangement (1) comprises a particle quantifying device (4), a holder (6), a robot (3), a washing station (5) and a control unit (2). The particle quantifying device (4) has a sensor unit (42) with a sensing stick (421) to be arranged in a fluid to sense for particles in the fluid, and an evaluation unit (41). The holder (6) has a plurality of seats each configured to receive a container in which a sample fluid is arranged. The control unit (2) is connected to the particle quantifying device (4) and the robot (3). The sensor unit (42) is mounted to the robot (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander Fidelis NIESS, Vanessa LEBOUC-HAEFLIGER, Carmen LEMA MARTINEZ, Joerg LUEMKEMANN, Sven AMRHEIN, Jasmin JOHN, Thomas ZUMSTEIN, Sven BURRI, Roger STEINER, Tobias WERK
  • Patent number: 11485952
    Abstract: A cell separation apparatus a container for reception of a cell suspension and a conduit connected to the container for the conveyance of cell suspension out of the container. The conduit extends along a notional conduit path passing centrally through the conduit, the conduit path defining in the conduit an axial direction proceeding along the conduit path, a radial direction orthogonal to the conduit path, and a circumferential direction proceeding around the conduit path. A segment of the conduit constitutes a turbulent flow segment including a flow configuration. The flow configuration includes at least two axial configuration segments located axially behind one another to accelerate a cell suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: Hamilton Bonaduz AG, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e. V.
    Inventors: Tom Kissling, Jens Grosch, Thomas Zumstein, Andrea Traube, Carsten Etzold, Tobias Seiler
  • Publication number: 20220023148
    Abstract: A lyophilisate container (39) comprising a compartment; a wall (3119, 3129) limiting the compartment; and a lyophilisate arranged inside the compartment. At least a portion of the wall (3119, 3129) is semipermeable allowing vapour permeation in one direction out of the compartment through the wall (3119, 3129) and preventing vapour permeation in an opposite direction into the compartment through the wall (3119, 3129).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Carmen LEMA MARTINEZ, Joerg LUEMKEMANN, Thomas ZUMSTEIN, Daniel KULLMANN
  • Publication number: 20220024616
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible container (1) housing a drug substance, comprises: forming a first compartment (11) of the container (1) out of a flexible sheet-like material, filling a liquid (2) into the first compartment (11) of the container (1), sealing the first compartment (11), forming a second compartment (12) of the container (1) out of the flexible sheet-like material, filling a dry drug formulation (3) into the second compartment (12), and sealing the second compartment (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Carmen LEMA MARTINEZ, Joerg LUEMKEMANN, Tobias WERK, Thomas ZUMSTEIN, Daniel KULLMANN
  • Patent number: 10919041
    Abstract: In a method of analyzing solid form properties of a substance, which including the step of solidifying the substance, the solidified substance is obtained in one of a plurality of wells of a multi-well plate. In the multi-well plate the at least one of the plurality of wells has a bottom made of a thermoplastic polyimide. The method further includes analyzing the solidified substance in the well of the multi-well plate by X-ray diffraction. Thereby, the analysis includes providing X-ray through the solidified substance and a bottom of the well and evaluating the X-ray which passed the solidified substance and the bottom of the well. Such method and multi-well plate provide a durable and cost efficient system allowing a high quality analysis of solid form properties of the substance and an efficient and safe processing of the substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE INC.
    Inventors: Urs Schwitter, Frédéric Ran, André Alker, Tom Kissling, Thomas Zumstein
  • Patent number: 10550360
    Abstract: A fluid supply interface includes a line component having a first coupling formation for the temporary coupling of a first fluid channel, a second coupling formation for the temporary coupling of a second fluid channel, and a third coupling formation for the temporary or permanent coupling of a third fluid channel, each of said coupling formations being penetrated by a fluid line section, wherein in the line component, a fluid line assembly is formed, by means of which each fluid line section of the first, second and third coupling formations is or can be connected to each fluid line section of the other two coupling formations for the purpose of fluid transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Bonaduz AG
    Inventors: Jens Grosch, Tom Kissling, Thomas Zumstein
  • Publication number: 20190293576
    Abstract: A sample holder (1) for containing a substance in a solid form screening process comprises a body (2) with a sidewall portion (21), a bottom portion (22) and a hollow interior limited by the sidewall portion (21) and the bottom portion (22). The bottom portion (22) is made of a thermoplastic polyimide. The sample holder (1) allows for providing a high quality analysis of solid form properties of a substance and an efficient and safe processing of the substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE INC.
    Inventors: Urs SCHWITTER, Frédéric RAN, André ALKER, Tom KISSLING, Thomas ZUMSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20190291104
    Abstract: In a method of analyzing solid form properties of a substance, which including the step of solidifying the substance, the solidified substance is obtained in one of a plurality of wells of a multi-well plate. In the multi-well plate the at least one of the plurality of wells has a bottom made of a thermoplastic polyimide. The method further includes analyzing the solidified substance in the well of the multi-well plate by X-ray diffraction. Thereby, the analysis includes providing X-ray through the solidified substance and a bottom of the well and evaluating the X-ray which passed the solidified substance and the bottom of the well. Such method and multi-well plate provide a durable and cost efficient system allowing a high quality analysis of solid form properties of the substance and an efficient and safe processing of the substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE INC.
    Inventors: Urs SCHWITTER, Frédéric RAN, André ALKER, Tom KISSLING, Thomas ZUMSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20190032002
    Abstract: A cell separation apparatus a container for reception of a cell suspension and a conduit connected to the container for the conveyance of cell suspension out of the container. The conduit extends along a notional conduit path passing centrally through the conduit, the conduit path defining in the conduit an axial direction proceeding along the conduit path, a radial direction orthogonal to the conduit path, and a circumferential direction proceeding around the conduit path. A segment of the conduit constitutes a turbulent flow segment including a flow configuration. The flow configuration includes at least two axial configuration segments located axially behind one another to accelerate a cell suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicants: Hamilton Bonaduz AG, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e. V.
    Inventors: Tom Kissling, Jens Grosch, Thomas Zumstein, Andrea Traube, Carsten Etzold, Tobias Seiler
  • Publication number: 20170342364
    Abstract: A fluid supply interface includes a line component having a first coupling formation for the temporary coupling of a first fluid channel, a second coupling formation for the temporary coupling of a second fluid channel, and a third coupling formation for the temporary or permanent coupling of a third fluid channel, each of said coupling formations being penetrated by a fluid line section, wherein in the line component, a fluid line assembly is formed, by means of which each fluid line section of the first, second and third coupling formations is or can be connected to each fluid line section of the other two coupling formations for the purpose of fluid transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Jens Grosch, Tom Kissling, Thomas Zumstein
  • Patent number: 9778277
    Abstract: An apparatus (2) for the automatic testing of substances for carcinogenicity comprises: a plate support (3) on which at least one micro-well plate (1) can be placed; a movable pipetting unit (4) comprising a predetermined number of pipettes (40); a number of containers (5) containing a liquid culture medium (50), the number of containers (5) corresponding to the number of pipettes (40) of the pipetting unit (4); a dish support (6) on which a corresponding number of dishes (60) can be placed, each having a bottom and an upstanding side wall (601); a plurality of spinners (63) for spinning the dishes (60); a plurality of suction cups (62) for placing a lid (600) on each of the dishes; and a plurality of laterally arranged belts (64,65) for transporting the closed dishes (60) to an intermediate storage (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
    Inventors: Dieter Voegelin, Patrick Iaiza, Thomas Zumstein, Tom Kissling
  • Patent number: 9636680
    Abstract: Sample handling system for handling samples contained in tubes (4), each tube (4) having a hollow body, a closed bottom and an open top for accessing the sample contained in the tube (4). The system comprises a micro-plate (1) comprising at least one grid insert (2) having a plurality of compartments. Each compartment comprises one or more side walls laterally confining a through-hole for receiving a said tube (4). The through-hole has a top opening and a bottom opening and extends between the top opening and the bottom opening. A frame (3) to which the at least one separate grid insert (2) is to be attached to form the micro-plate (1). The frame (3) laterally confines a through-opening which is dimensioned to allow for accessing each compartment (21) of the attached at least one grid insert (2) from above and from below. This allows for moving such tube (4) into and out of each compartment (21) through each of the top opening (202) and the bottom opening (203) of the through-hole (201).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE INC.
    Inventors: Christof Fattinger, Tom Kissling, Thomas Zumstein
  • Patent number: 9267933
    Abstract: A hanging droplet plate (1) comprises a predetermined number of droplet compartments (10) each being capable of receiving a droplet of a liquid. The respective droplet compartment (10) comprises a circumferential microfluidic wetting barrier (102) which is arranged to surround a respective cavity (100) and which prevents a droplet from spreading beyond the microfluidic wetting barrier (102). The respective compartment (10) comprises a closed bottom (101) and at least one additional circumferential microfluidic wetting barrier (104), each additional circumferential microfluidic wetting barrier (104) which is arranged to surround a preceding circumferential microfluidic wetting barrier (102). A wettable area (103) is arranged between two adjacently arranged microfluidic wetting barriers (102, 104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Christof Fattinger, Patrick Iaiza, Tom Kissling, Dieter Voegelin, Thomas Zumstein, Claudia Mcginnis
  • Patent number: 9201084
    Abstract: A robotic microplate storage system includes a freezer room having freezing units and a first robot for moving and removing microplates into and out of the freezing unit. The first robot can also transfer microplates to a processing station, where the microplates are stored in a microplate recipient within the freezing unit. The storage system may also include at least one processing room which is thermally separated from the freezer room. Each processing room may include a processing station having a tube transfer module and a second robot for moving the microplates between the microplate recipients and the tube transfer module. The first robot may be designed such that it is only capable of removing a microplate recipient from and moving it into a freezing unit as well as transferring it from a freezing unit to a processing station or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: F. HOFFMAN-LA ROCHE AG
    Inventors: Christof Fattinger, Remo Anton Hochstrasser, Dieter Voegelin, Thomas Zumstein
  • Publication number: 20150017078
    Abstract: Sample handling system for handling samples contained in tubes (4), each tube (4) having a hollow body, a closed bottom and an open top for accessing the sample contained in the tube (4). The system comprises a micro-plate (1) comprising at least one grid insert (2) having a plurality of compartments. Each compartment comprises one or more side walls laterally confining a through-hole for receiving a said tube (4). The through-hole has a top opening and a bottom opening and extends between the top opening and the bottom opening. A frame (3) to which the at least one separate grid insert (2) is to be attached to form the micro-plate (1). The frame (3) laterally confines a through-opening which is dimensioned to allow for accessing each compartment (21) of the attached at least one grid insert (2) from above and from below. This allows for moving such tube (4) into and out of each compartment (21) through each of the top opening (202) and the bottom opening (203) of the through-hole (201).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG
    Inventors: Christof Fattinger, Tom Kissling, Thomas Zumstein
  • Publication number: 20140106395
    Abstract: A hanging droplet plate (1) comprises a predetermined number of droplet compartments (10) each being capable of receiving a droplet of a liquid. The respective droplet compartment (10) comprises a circumferential microfluidic wetting barrier (102) which is arranged to surround a respective cavity (100) and which prevents a droplet from spreading beyond the microfluidic wetting barrier (102). The respective compartment (10) comprises a closed bottom (101) and at least one additional circumferential microfluidic wetting barrier (104), each additional circumferential microfluidic wetting barrier (104) which is arranged to surround a preceding circumferential microfluidic wetting barrier (102). A wettable area (103) is arranged between two adjacently arranged microfluidic wetting barriers (102, 104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Christof Fattinger, Patrick Iaiza, Tom Kissling, Dieter Voegelin, Thomas Zumstein, Claudia Mcginnis
  • Patent number: 7857575
    Abstract: A stacker (1) for storing a plurality of microplates each having a top surface side and a bottom surface side opposed to the top surface side, comprises a housing and a removal gate (13) for removing a microplate of the plurality of microplates out of the housing. The stacker (1) is arranged to accommodate the plurality of microplates inside the housing such that the top surface side of one microplate of the plurality of microplates abuts on the bottom surface side of an adjacent microplate of the plurality of microplates and such that the housing adjoins to the plurality of microplates. Using such a stacker 1, the plurality of microplates can be arranged and stored in a compact manner wherein the single microplates of the plurality of microplates can still selectively and efficiently be accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: F. Hoffmann-LaRoche AG
    Inventors: Christoph Fattinger, Thomas Zumstein, Remo Anton Hochstrasser, Dieter Voegelin