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: 9573131
    Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing a fluid is presented. The cartridge comprises a reservoir chamber for receiving the fluid and for receiving a ventilation gas. The reservoir chamber comprises an inlet for receiving the ventilation gas and an outlet for dispensing the fluid. At least a portion of the reservoir chamber is filled with the ventilation gas when in an operating position. The inlet is located in the portion being filled with the ventilation gas. The fluid comprises a reagent. The cartridge further comprises a baffle for restricting gas diffusion through the inlet. The reservoir chamber receives the ventilation gas via the baffle. The inlet is maintains a constant gas pressure within the portion of the reservoir chamber that is being filled with the ventilation gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Thorsten Brueckner, Peter Koltay, Norbert Oranth, Juergen Spinke, Laurent Tanguy
  • Publication number: 20160252540
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Thorsten Brueckner, Christoph Boehm, Juergen Spinke
  • Publication number: 20160231344
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Peter Kupser, Norbert Oranth, Juergen Spinke, Thorsten Brueckner, Timo Klein
  • Publication number: 20160216289
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Manfred Augstein, Nadine Losleben, Thorsten Brueckner, Christoph Boehm, Juergen Spinke
  • Publication number: 20160139164
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Thorsten Brueckner, Christoph Boehm, Juergen Spinke, Terumi Tamura, Taku Sakazume, Kyoko Imai
  • Patent number: 9341641
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Boehm, Peter Kupser, Norbert Oranth, Juergen Spinke, Thorsten Brueckner, Timo Klein
  • Publication number: 20150224500
    Abstract: A cartridge for dispensing a fluid is presented. The cartridge comprises a reservoir chamber for receiving the fluid and for receiving a ventilation gas. The reservoir chamber comprises an inlet for receiving the ventilation gas and an outlet for dispensing the fluid. At least a portion of the reservoir chamber is filled with the ventilation gas when in an operating position. The inlet is located in the portion being filled with the ventilation gas. The fluid comprises a reagent. The cartridge further comprises a baffle for restricting gas diffusion through the inlet. The reservoir chamber receives the ventilation gas via the baffle. The inlet is maintains a constant gas pressure within the portion of the reservoir chamber that is being filled with the ventilation gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Thorsten Brueckner, Peter Koltay, Norbert Oranth, Juergen Spinke, Laurent Tanguy