Patents by Inventor Volker Zimmer

Volker Zimmer 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: 7901622
    Abstract: The invention relates to a test element with at least one capillary for continuous transport of a liquid sample in a transport direction, with several zones succeeding one another in the transport direction in the capillary and containing different materials with which water has different contact angles ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Volker Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20110009774
    Abstract: Body fluid sampling device comprising a skin-piercing element having a collection zone for receiving body fluid. In one embodiment, the collection zone includes a plurality of holes, e.g., 3 or more holes, or 50 to 100 holes. The hole size may be small, e.g., having a diameter of 0.01 to 0.5 mm. The holes may or may not extend through the lancet. In some embodiments, the holes have a depth of 50 to 500 ?m. In other embodiments, the collection zone is porous, or is a roughened area. The collection zone can take up a very small volume of body fluid, e.g., 3 to 10 nL, in a very short time period, e.g., less than 0.5 seconds. In other embodiments, the device further comprises a fluid receiving means spaced apart from the collection zone so that body fluid in the collection zone will not contact the fluid receiving means initially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Irio Calasso, Patrick Griss, Emad Sarofim, Rainer Jaeggi, Uwe Kraemer, Dave Hasker, Volker Zimmer, Wilifried Schmid, Otto Fuerst, Hans List, Hans-Peter Haar, Theo Arnitz, Steven N. Roe
  • Publication number: 20100292609
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carrier tape comprising lancets and corresponding products in which a plurality of disposable lancets having a lancet tip for piercing a user's skin are provided on a carrier tape that is or can be wound onto a spool and used for obtaining a sample of body fluid. The lancets can each be arranged in a package and the lancet packages formed in this manner can be applied individually to the carrier tape and fastened thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Volker Zimmer, Frank Deck, Bernd Hiller, Ahmet Konya
  • Publication number: 20100286561
    Abstract: The invention concerns a test tape device for analyzing a body fluid having a carrier tape (36), a plurality of lancing elements (12) arranged on the carrier tape (36) which are provided with a tip (40) that can puncture a body part and a collecting structure (44) that takes up the body fluid obtained during the puncture, and test fields (14) mounted on the carrier tape (36) each being associated with a lancing element (12) and can have body fluid applied thereto. According to the invention it is proposed that the lancing elements (12) are each movably attached to the carrier tape (36) by a coupling member (38) and that a used lancing element (12) can be brought into contact with a test field (14) by a transfer movement from a usage position distant from a test field (14) into a contact position so that body fluid can be transferred from the collecting structure (44) onto the test field (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans List, Wilhelm Leichner, Volker Zimmer, Matthias Greuter
  • Patent number: 7819822
    Abstract: Body fluid sampling device comprising a skin-piercing element having a collection zone for receiving body fluid, and the device further comprising a fluid receiving means remote spaced apart from the collection zone so that body fluid in the collection zone will not contact the fluid receiving means initially. The collection zone takes up a very small volume of body fluid of about 10 to 500 nl in a very short time period of less than 0.5 seconds. The fluid receiving means may have a test zone for performing an analytical reaction. Fluid sample from the collection zone is automatically or manually transported to the fluid receiving means to contact the fluid with the test zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Irio Guiseppe Calasso, Patrick Griss, Emad Sarofim, Rainer Jaeggi, Uwe Kraemer, Dave Hasker, Volker Zimmer, Wilfried Schmid, Otto Fuerst, Hans List, Hans-Peter Haar, Theo Arnitz, Steven N. Roe
  • Patent number: 7799578
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device and method for withdrawing samples of liquid samples for analytical elements. The device includes a carrier and a cover with a surface that cooperates with a surface of the carrier to form a channel. The channel has an opening defined by at least one edge. At least one notch in the form of a partial groove extends into the at least one edge of the opening so that one side of the edge of the opening is at least partially interrupted by the at least one notch. The notch forms a sample application opening by exposing the surface, whose extension forms an inner surface of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7771367
    Abstract: A system for analyzing a bodily fluid is described, which contains at least one lancing element, such as a lancet, stored in a first magazine, and at least one test element with a detection area, stored in a second magazine, the detection area containing reagents if necessary for use in detecting the analyte. The system also includes a housing, which encloses at least part of the first magazine and the second magazine and includes an opening for placement of a body part. At least one of the lancing elements and at least one of the test elements are located below the opening, and one of the magazines is located at least partly between the opening and the other magazine. The two magazines may at least partially overlap. The lancing element and the test element may be moved toward the opening so the body part resting on the opening can be lanced with the lancing element and the emerging bodily fluid can be collected using the test element at the same opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Haar, Hans-Juergen Kuhr, Ortrud Quarder, Joachim Hoenes, Dirk Voelkel, Volker Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7731900
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a body fluid testing device (10) for analyzing a body fluids, comprising a test media tape (30) adapted to collect the body fluid, a supply portion (100) storing an uncontaminated section of the test media tape, a storage portion (110) for storing a contaminated section of the test media tape, an exposure portion positioned between the supply portion and the storage portion, the exposure portion being adapted to expose a section of the test media tape to the body fluid. An important aspect is a tip portion (20) for exposing a test medium to body fluid application. The application further concerns a test media cassette for housing test media. Another aspect is a testing device and method that employs illumination of a test medium at the site for body fluid application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Haar, Joachim Hoenes, Hans List, Maria Manser, Karl Miltner, Rudolf Pachl, Volker Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20100063417
    Abstract: Lancing system for extracting a body fluid from the skin of a human or animal comprising a needle element (3) for lancing the skin, a lancing device (2) which includes a lancet drive (15a), by which a lancing movement of the needle element (3) coupled with the lancet drive by means of a coupling mechanism (28) is driven in lancing direction, wherein the lancing device (2) comprises a housing (4) with a housing opening (5) at its in lancing direction front end and the housing opening (5) is surrounded by a housing skin contact surface (7) which is pressed against the skin when using the lancing device (2), the needle element (3) is moved on a predetermined lancing path in a lancing direction in a forward phase of the lancing movement until its tip (3c) enters the skin in order to create a wound and in a return phase of the lancing movement following the reaching of a reversal point corresponding to the lancing depth (S) in the skin is retracted again, a lancing depth reference element (8) with a reference skin
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Hans List, Irio G. Calasso, Joachim Hoenes, Hans-Peter Haar, Uwe Kraemer, Herbert Harttig, Volker Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20100044260
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic package for hydrophilic articles, in particular for hydrophilically coated medical instruments, which package is intended to ensure the hydrophilic nature of the enclosed instrument over a long period of time. The package comprises at least one receiving compartment with a medical instrument for insertion into body tissue and is characterized in that, after sterilization by radiation, it has a proportion of volatile constituents of ?0.1 ?g/cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Brigitte Niederberger, Volker Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20100036282
    Abstract: An analyte determination analysis system with a disposable integrated sample acquisition and analysis element is disclosed. A piercing element has a tip for generating a bodily puncture wound and a test strip having a body fluid sample receiving zone to perform an analysis on a body fluid sample. A reusable analysis instrument comprises a coupling unit that couples the integrated sample acquisition and analysis element to a drive that drives a piercing element in a piercing movement comprising two phases: a propulsion phase wherein the piercing element moves on a puncture path in a puncture direction and a retraction phase wherein the piercing element moves opposite to the puncture direction after reaching a reversal point. A measuring and analysis unit measures a variable characteristic for the determination of the analyte and determines a desired analysis result on the basis of the measurement. The sample receiving zone of the test strip forms a sample contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Hans List, Volker Zimmer, Michael Keil
  • Publication number: 20090321287
    Abstract: A system comprising disposable medical devices and a packaging strip comprising a plurality of chambers containing the disposable medical devices. The strip is folded along breadthwise running fold lines to form a series of loops, each loop comprising opposing sections. The opposing sections of at least some of these loops are sealed to each other thus forming chambers between said sections. A cartridge contains such a packaging strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Hans List, Uwe Kraemer, Volker Zimmer, Steven N. Roe
  • Publication number: 20090275861
    Abstract: Body fluid testing device for analyzing a body fluid comprises a test media tape adapted to collect the body fluid. The test media tape comprises a tape and test media portions. A free tape portion without test medium is located between successive test media portions. The testing device further comprises a supply portion. The supply portion comprises a housing in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained. The housing further has an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the housing. The testing device further has a sealing means for closing the opening against the surrounding. A free tape portion of the test media tape is located between a wall of the housing and the sealing means when the sealing means closes the opening. Further aspects concern a test media cassette with sealing means and a method for providing test media while holding them sealed against humidity during onboard storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Werner Ruhl, Hugo Schrem, Volker Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7582258
    Abstract: Body fluid testing device for analyzing a body fluid comprises a test media tape adapted to collect the body fluid. The test media tape comprises a tape and test media portions. A free tape portion without test medium is located between successive test media portions. The testing device further comprises a supply portion. The supply portion comprises a housing in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained. The housing further has an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the housing. The testing device further has a sealing means for closing the opening against the surrounding. A free tape portion of the test media tape is located between a wall of the housing and the sealing means when the sealing means closes the opening. Further aspects concern a test media cassette with sealing means and a method for providing test media while holding them sealed against humidity during onboard storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Werner Ruhl, Hugo Schrem, Volker Zimmer, Klaus Zimmer, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20090177118
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for collecting body fluids which has at least one lancet comprising a lancet body with at least two tips of different lengths. The device is characterized in that it has a selection means with the aid of which only one tip is selected before the lancing. This selection means can have different functions and shapes. The selection means is used to select a tip from a plurality of lancet tips which have different lengths and make only this tip available for use in the lancing process. Since the various tips are attached to a lancet body, it is, for example, possible to use a bending element which bends one of the various tips out of the plane of the lancet body in order to provide only one lancet tip for use. This is especially preferable for lancet tips that are arranged linearly relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Haar, Herbert Harttig, Joachim Hoenes, Hans-Juergen Kuhr, Ortrud Quarder, Dirk Voelkel, Volker Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20090099477
    Abstract: The invention is related to a lancet wheel (1) having a plurality of lancets (2) in a ring-shaped arrangement, the lancets (2) comprising a lancet body (4) that ends in a lancet tip (3). A lancet wheel (1) according to the invention has a carrier (5) that carries the lancets (2), whereby the lancets (2) are connected to the carrier (5) via bars (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) that allow for mobility of the lancets (2) relative to the carrier (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Joachim Hoenes, Hans List, Volker Zimmer, Christian Hoerauf, Uwe Kraemer
  • Publication number: 20090024059
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for obtaining body fluid, in particular blood, comprising a lancing element having a tip for puncturing the skin of a body part and an actuator coupled with the lancing element for a forward and backward movement of the lancing element, where the lancing element can be inserted into the skin up to an optionally adjustable puncture position. The actuator is adapted to drive the lancing element forwardly to a penetration speed of at most 0.7 m/s when the lancing element penetrates the skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Christian HOERAUF, Hans LIST, Volker ZIMMER
  • Publication number: 20090022630
    Abstract: An analysis system is provided which comprises an integrated analysis device and a test strip magazine, for determining an analyte in a body fluid, wherein the analysis system comprises a first group comprising reusable components and a second group of components comprising a plurality of disposable articles. The second group includes non-electronic and electronic components, with critical interfaces configured between two or more such components, wherein non-electronic components can be disconnected from electronic components at a disconnection point. In one embodiment, critical interfaces are produced and tested during production of the analysis system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Joachim Hoenes, Bruno Thoes, Joerg Scherer, Karl Wemer, Volker Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20080269791
    Abstract: A device for obtaining body fluid is described which has at least one lancet comprising a lancet body and a tip. The lancet has at least one structure with an altered stiffness which can also be referred to as a bending region. This structure preferably has a lower or reduced stiffness than the remaining lancet body such that the lancet can be bent in this region when a force acts thereon. In this process, the orientation of the tip is changed relative to the remaining lancet body. This change in orientation is preferably out of the lancet body plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Joachim Hoenes, Frank Deck, Hans-Peter Haar, Uwe Kraemer, Volker Zimmer, Herbert Harttig
  • Publication number: 20080267822
    Abstract: A measurement system is provided which comprises an analysis device with at least one of a measurement function and a sample collection function, and also at least one magazine configured to receive at least one consumer element therein. The magazine comprises a magazine housing having a pair of openings. The magazine is designed as an exchangeable magazine that can be selectively operatively connected to the analysis device. The analysis device further comprises a closure mechanism having at least one sealing element which is designed to convey at least one consumer element from one of the openings. The sealing element is further configured to sealingly close the openings of the magazine when the sealing element is disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Hans List, Stephan-Michael Frey, Volker Zimmer