Patents by Inventor Thorsten Brueckner
Thorsten Brueckner 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: 11673138Abstract: A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge is provided. The cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis. The method comprises: placing the biological sample into a sample inlet; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process a biological sample into the processed biological sample using a fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow from the measurement structure inlet to an absorbent structure via a chromatographic membrane, and performing an optical measurement of a detection zone on the chromatographic membrane with an optical instrument. An inlet air baffle reduces evaporation of the processed biological sample from the chromatographic membrane during rotation of the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thorsten Brueckner, Sascha Lutz
-
Publication number: 20220280938Abstract: A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge is provided. The cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis. The method comprises: placing the biological sample into a sample inlet; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process a biological sample into the processed biological sample using a fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow from the measurement structure inlet to an absorbent structure via a chromatographic membrane, and performing an optical measurement of a detection zone on the chromatographic membrane with an optical instrument. An inlet air baffle reduces evaporation of the processed biological sample from the chromatographic membrane during rotation of the cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thorsten Brueckner, Sascha Lutz
-
Patent number: 11369957Abstract: A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge is provided. The cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis. The method comprises: placing the biological sample into a sample inlet; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process a biological sample into the processed biological sample using a fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow from the measurement structure inlet to an absorbent structure via a chromatographic membrane, and performing an optical measurement of a detection zone on the chromatographic membrane with an optical instrument. An inlet air baffle reduces evaporation of the processed biological sample from the chromatographic membrane during rotation of the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thorsten Brueckner, Sascha Lutz
-
Publication number: 20210229098Abstract: A medical system for determining an analyte quantity in a blood sample via a cartridge that spins around a rotational axis. The cartridge may include: a separation chamber that separates blood plasma from the sample; a processing chamber containing a reagent with a specific binding partner which binds to the analyte to form an analyte specific binding partner complex; a first valve structure connecting the separation chamber to the processing chamber; a measurement structure to measure the quantity of the analyte, wherein the measurement structure includes a chromatographic membrane with an immobilized binding partner for direct or indirect binding of the analyte or the analyte specific binding partner complex, and an absorbent structure that is nearer to the axis than the membrane; a second valve structure connecting the processing chamber to the measurement structure; and a fluid chamber filled with a washing buffer and fluidically connected to the measurement structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thorsten Brueckner, Thomas Fischer, Eloisa Lopez-Calle, Sascha Lutz, Josef Roedl, Juergen Spinke, Pamela Espindola, Thomas Manuel Keller, Thomas Dolbinow, Sabrina Adler, Erik Beiersdorf, Domenik Wensorra
-
Patent number: 11000848Abstract: A medical system for determining an analyte quantity in a blood sample via a cartridge that spins around a rotational axis. The cartridge may include: a separation chamber that separates blood plasma from the sample; a processing chamber containing a reagent with a specific binding partner which binds to the analyte to form an analyte specific binding partner complex; a first valve structure connecting the separation chamber to the processing chamber; a measurement structure to measure the quantity of the analyte, wherein the measurement structure includes a chromatographic membrane with an immobilized binding partner for direct or indirect binding of the analyte or the analyte specific binding partner complex, and an absorbent structure that is nearer to the axis than the membrane; a second valve structure connecting the processing chamber to the measurement structure; and a fluid chamber filled with a washing buffer and fluidically connected to the measurement structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thomas Dolbinow, Sabrina Adler, Erik Beiersdorf, Domenik Wensorra, Thorsten Brueckner, Thomas Fischer, Eloisa Lopez-Calle, Sascha Lutz, Josef Roedl, Juergen Spinke, Pamela Espindola, Thomas Manuel Keller
-
Publication number: 20210069715Abstract: A cartridge including a structural part with a hole surrounded at least partially by a recess, so that a wall is formed that separates the hole from the recess. The cartridge includes a liquid pack, wherein the liquid pack comprises a surrounding seal portion and a liquid containing portion. The liquid pack is arranged at least partially in the hole, in that a circumferential outer line of the seal portion protrudes over the hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thorsten Brueckner, Sascha Lutz, Alexander Keuchel
-
Patent number: 10864519Abstract: A method of dispensing a particle mixture and a reagent fluid cartridge are presented. The cartridge comprises a first reservoir partially filled with reagent fluid, a second reservoir partially filled with particles, a pumping chamber, a first pumping chamber conduit connecting the first reservoir and the pumping chamber, a second pumping chamber conduit connecting the second reservoir and the pumping chamber, an outlet for dispensing reagent fluid and particles from the cartridge, an outlet conduit connecting the outlet to the pumping chamber, and a valve sealing the outlet conduit. The method comprises closing the valve, applying a force to the plunger to transport a first defined volume of reagent fluid and second defined volume of particles into the pumping chamber to form a mixture of reagent fluid and particles, opening the valve, and forcing the mixture from the pumping chamber using the plunger to dispense the mixture from the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Thorsten Brueckner, Nadine Losleben, Norbert Oranth
-
Patent number: 10416054Abstract: System and method of determining an amount of an analyte in a blood sample using a cartridge and blood collector are disclosed. The blood collector has a mounting surface, a capillary structure with a curved portion, and a capillary inlet. The cartridge has a receiving surface, a cartridge inlet, a microfluidic structure, and a measurement structure. The method includes placing the blood sample into the capillary inlet; attaching the mounting surface to the receiving surface; rotating the cartridge about a rotational axis to transport the blood sample from the capillary structure to the cartridge inlet and into the microfluidic structure; controlling the rotation of the cartridge to process the blood sample into the processed sample using the microfluidic structure; controlling the rotation of the cartridge to transfer the processed sample to the measurement structure; and measuring the amount of the analyte using the measurement structure and a measurement system.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thorsten Brueckner, Sascha Lutz, Bruntje Esrom, Michael Herbel
-
Patent number: 10345322Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing a fluid is provided, the cartridge comprising: a reservoir chamber configured for receiving the fluid, the reservoir chamber having a fluid outlet and a cover with a first bearing; and a stirring assembly comprising a stirrer located inside the reservoir chamber, the stirring assembly comprising a shaft connected to the stirrer. The stirring assembly can be moved between first and second positions, wherein in the first position the stirring assembly can seal the fluid outlet, the stirring assembly in the first position being configured to form a second bearing with the reservoir chamber or the fluid outlet such that the stirrer can be rotated about an axis defined by the first and second bearing, and wherein if the stirring assembly is in the second position the fluid can pass through the fluid outlet, the shaft being configured to transmit rotational power to the stirrer.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Thorsten Brueckner, Christoph Boehm, Juergen Spinke
-
Patent number: 10330693Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing fluid is presented. The cartridge comprises a valve. The valve comprises a pumping chamber for pumping the fluid. The valve positions a pumping chamber conduit. The pumping chamber conduit is connected to the pumping chamber. The cartridge further comprises a plunger for changing the volume of the pumping chamber. The cartridge further comprises a reservoir conduit for connecting the reservoir with the valve. The valve positions the pumping chamber conduit to connect with the reservoir conduit. The cartridge further comprises an outlet conduit for dispensing the fluid. The valve further rotates the pumping chamber conduit to connect with the outlet conduit.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Peter Kupser, Norbert Oranth, Juergen Spinke, Thorsten Brueckner, Timo Klein
-
Patent number: 10288609Abstract: A method for determining the amount of a specific analyte by photometric assays, wherein the specific analyte in a sample reacts with an analyte specific reaction partner in a reaction mixture. At least two calibration curves are generated, the first calibration curve recorded at a first wavelength is optimized for low concentrations of the specific analyte thereby maximizing the lower detection limit and, the second calibration curve recorded at a second wavelength is optimized for high concentrations of the specific analyte thereby maximizing the upper detection limit. The optimized lower detection limit and the optimized upper detection limit results in an extended dynamic range.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Thorsten Brueckner, Eloisa Lopez-Calle, Norbert Oranth, Josef Roedl
-
Patent number: 10241124Abstract: A method of performing a measurement of an analyte in a sample using an automatic analyzer is provided. The automatic analyzer comprises: a cartridge for dispensing a fluid, a measurement unit for performing the measurement, a sample holder for receiving the sample, and a pump for pumping the fluid out of the cartridge and into the sample holder. The cartridge comprises: a rigid portion, a flexible bladder, and an outlet. The rigid portion comprises an opening, which is connected to an inner cavity. The flexible bladder seals the opening to form a fluid chamber from the inner cavity. The fluid chamber is at least partially filled with the fluid. The pump is connected to the outlet. The method comprises: placing the sample into the sample holder, controlling the pumping of the fluid from the cartridge into the sample holder, and performing the measurement of the analyte using the measurement unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Manfred Augstein, Nadine Losleben, Thorsten Brueckner, Christoph Boehm, Juergen Spinke
-
Publication number: 20180369812Abstract: A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge is provided. The cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis. The method comprises: placing the biological sample into a sample inlet; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process a biological sample into the processed biological sample using a fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow from the measurement structure inlet to an absorbent structure via a chromatographic membrane, and performing an optical measurement of a detection zone on the chromatographic membrane with an optical instrument. An inlet air baffle reduces evaporation of the processed biological sample from the chromatographic membrane during rotation of the cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thorsten Brueckner, Sascha Lutz
-
Patent number: 10086373Abstract: An automatic analyzer cartridge, spinnable around a rotational axis, has a support structure with a front face perpendicular to the rotational axis, a fluidic structure for processing a biological sample into the processed biological sample, a measurement structure with at least one detection zone on the front face, and a rotatable lid covering the front face. The rotatable lid is rotatable about the rotational axis relative to the support structure from a first position relative to the support structure to a second position relative to the support structure. The rotatable lid has a sample inlet opening and a detection zone opening. In the first position, a sample inlet is aligned with the sample inlet opening and the measurement structure is covered by the rotatable lid. In the second position, the sample inlet is covered by the rotatable lid and the measurement structure is aligned with the detection zone opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Sascha Lutz, Juergen Spinke, Thorsten Brueckner
-
Publication number: 20180264471Abstract: A medical system for determining an analyte quantity in a blood sample via a cartridge that spins around a rotational axis. The cartridge may include: a separation chamber that separates blood plasma from the sample; a processing chamber containing a reagent with a specific binding partner which binds to the analyte to form an analyte specific binding partner complex; a first valve structure connecting the separation chamber to the processing chamber; a measurement structure to measure the quantity of the analyte, wherein the measurement structure includes a chromatographic membrane with an immobilized binding partner for direct or indirect binding of the analyte or the analyte specific binding partner complex, and an absorbent structure that is nearer to the axis than the membrane; a second valve structure connecting the processing chamber to the measurement structure; and a fluid chamber filled with a washing buffer and fluidically connected to the measurement structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thorsten Brueckner, Thomas Fischer, Eloisa Lopez-Calle, Sascha Lutz, Josef Roedl, Juergen Spinke, Pamela Espindola, Thomas Manuel Keller, Thomas Dolbinow, Sabrina Adler, Erik Beiersdorf, Domenik Wensorra
-
Publication number: 20180231544Abstract: A method for determining the amount of a specific analyte by photometric assays, wherein the specific analyte in a sample reacts with an analyte specific reaction partner in a reaction mixture. At least two calibration curves are generated, the first calibration curve recorded at a first wavelength is optimized for low concentrations of the specific analyte thereby maximizing the lower detection limit and, the second calibration curve recorded at a second wavelength is optimized for high concentrations of the specific analyte thereby maximizing the upper detection limit. The optimized lower detection limit and the optimized upper detection limit results in an extended dynamic range.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Thorsten Brueckner, Eloisa Lopez-Calle, Norbert Oranth, Josef Roedl
-
Patent number: 10018644Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing a fluid is presented. The cartridge comprises a reservoir chamber for receiving the fluid. The reservoir chamber has a fluid outlet. The cartridge further comprises a controllable dispenser component for dispensing a dispensing volume of the fluid from the reservoir chamber. The dispenser component is connected to the fluid outlet of the reservoir. The cartridge further comprises a single compressible fluid pump with a single elastic pumping element and a conduit extending from the fluid pump towards the fluid outlet. The fluid pump discharges a mixing volume of the fluid from the conduit into the reservoir chamber upon compression of the elastic pumping element. The mixing volume depends on the degree of compression of the elastic pumping element. The fluid pump sucks in the mixing volume from the reservoir into the conduit upon decompression of the elastic pumping element.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignees: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Thorsten Brueckner, Christoph Boehm, Juergen Spinke, Terumi Tamura, Taku Sakazume, Kyoko Imai
-
Publication number: 20180071740Abstract: A method of dispensing a particle mixture and a reagent fluid cartridge are presented. The cartridge comprises a first reservoir partially filled with reagent fluid, a second reservoir partially filled with particles, a pumping chamber, a first pumping chamber conduit connecting the first reservoir and the pumping chamber, a second pumping chamber conduit connecting the second reservoir and the pumping chamber, an outlet for dispensing reagent fluid and particles from the cartridge, an outlet conduit connecting the outlet to the pumping chamber, and a valve sealing the outlet conduit. The method comprises closing the valve, applying a force to the plunger to transport a first defined volume of reagent fluid and second defined volume of particles into the pumping chamber to form a mixture of reagent fluid and particles, opening the valve, and forcing the mixture from the pumping chamber using the plunger to dispense the mixture from the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.Inventors: Thorsten Brueckner, Nadine Losleben, Norbert Oranth
-
Publication number: 20170176306Abstract: System and method of determining an amount of an analyte in a blood sample using a cartridge and blood collector are disclosed. The blood collector has a mounting surface, a capillary structure with a curved portion, and a capillary inlet. The cartridge has a receiving surface, a cartridge inlet, a microfluidic structure, and a measurement structure. The method includes placing the blood sample into the capillary inlet; attaching the mounting surface to the receiving surface; rotating the cartridge about a rotational axis to transport the blood sample from the capillary structure to the cartridge inlet and into the microfluidic structure; controlling the rotation of the cartridge to process the blood sample into the processed sample using the microfluidic structure; controlling the rotation of the cartridge to transfer the processed sample to the measurement structure; and measuring the amount of the analyte using the measurement structure and a measurement system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Thorsten Brueckner, Sascha Lutz, Bruntje Esrom, Herbel Michael
-
Publication number: 20170095814Abstract: An automatic analyzer cartridge, spinnable around a rotational axis, has a support structure with a front face perpendicular to the rotational axis, a fluidic structure for processing a biological sample into the processed biological sample, a measurement structure with at least one detection zone on the front face, and a rotatable lid covering the front face. The rotatable lid is rotatable about the rotational axis relative to the support structure from a first position relative to the support structure to a second position relative to the support structure. The rotatable lid has a sample inlet opening and a detection zone opening. In the first position, a sample inlet is aligned with the sample inlet opening and the measurement structure is covered by the rotatable lid. In the second position, the sample inlet is covered by the rotatable lid and the measurement structure is aligned with the detection zone opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Sascha Lutz, Juergen Spinke, Thorsten Brueckner