Patents by Inventor Werner Reif

Werner Reif 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: 8951785
    Abstract: A stirrer for a bioreactor has first and second opposed mountings fastened to the inner surfaces of opposite walls of the bioreactor and disposed along a common rotational axis. A first arm has an end connected to the first mounting for rotation about the rotational axis and for pivoting about a first pivot axis that is transverse to the rotational axis. A second arm has an end connected to the second mounting for rotation about the rotational axis and for pivoting about a second pivot axis that is transverse to the rotational axis. Ends of the arms are coupled for pivoting about at least one additional pivot axis that is transverse to the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Shahmir Fatherazi, Gerhard Greller, Oscar-Werner Reif
  • Patent number: 8896424
    Abstract: A dosing system and a method for dosing a medium, having a dosing control unit (4), at least one exchangeable container (2) containing a medium to be dosed, and a dosing valve (3, 3?) that can be connected to the container (2), wherein at least one part of the dosing valve (3, 3?) that comes into contact with the medium is designed as an exchangeable system component (7, 10) and has a machine-readable code for identification purposes, wherein at least one container (2), as an exchangeable system component (2), has a machine-readable code for identification purposes, wherein the exchangeable parts (2, 7, 10, 19) that come into contact with the medium are designed as disposable parts, and wherein the dosing control unit (4) is connected with a communication unit (5) to read the codes, and wherein the communication unit (5) has a unique read connection (22) to each exchangeable system component (2, 7, 10, 19) or its code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Sartorius Lab Instruments GmbH & KG, Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Oscar-Werner Reif, Reinhard Baumfalk, Dieter Schmidt, Christian Oldendorf, Swen Weitemeier
  • Patent number: 8746515
    Abstract: A closure for a container has an upper part (1) that can be connected to the container. The upper part (1) has an opening (2) and an outer hollow body (3). An inner hollow body (4) is arranged coaxially in the outer hollow body (3) with an intermediate space therebetween. A lower part (7) in the form of a hollow body can be displaced longitudinally in the intermediate space. A plug (5) is held coaxially in the lower part (7) and opens or closes the opening as the lower part (7) is displaced longitudinally in the intermediate space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Shahmir Fatherazi, Gerhard Greller, Oscar-Werner Reif, Magali Barbaroux, Michael Bates
  • Patent number: 8690129
    Abstract: A disposable mixing vessel comprising a flexible container, a centrally disposed shaft having first and second ends with one or more impellers thereon and a magnetic element associated with a first shaft end, a first flange adapted to rotatably engage the first shaft end and a second flange adapted to rotatably engage the second shaft end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Ludwig, Oscar-Werner Reif, Gerhard Greller, Wolfgang Kahlert, Guenther Pradel, Michael Bates, Magail Barbaroux, Stephane Baud, Isabelle Gay, Sebastian Chaussin
  • Patent number: 8690418
    Abstract: A method of mixing including providing a flexible container which comprises at least two components, assembling the components from outside the flexible container to form a centrally disposed magnetic driven shaft with at least one impeller, whereby the integrity of the flexible container is maintained, filling the flexible container having the centrally disposed magnetic driven shaft with one or more ingredients of the contents to be mixed; engaging a magnetic element of the centrally disposed magnetic driven shaft with an external magnetic drive element; analyzing the contents of the flexible container using at least one sensor or a sampling line on the flexible container; and draining the contents of the flexible container through a drain port at the bottom of the flexible container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Ludwig, Oscar-Werner Reif, Gerhard Greller, Wolfgang Kahlert, Guenther Pradel, Michael Bates, Magail Barbaroux, Stephane Baud, Isabelle Gay, Sebastian Chaussin
  • Patent number: 8651327
    Abstract: A system for storing biopharmaceutical materials includes a plurality of flexible walls bounding an interior for holding biopharmaceutical materials therein. At least one port is connected to a first wall of the walls and provides fluid communication between the interior and an exterior to allow a draining of the interior. A collapsible conduit includes a plurality of perforations along the conduit. The plurality of perforations is configured to allow flow of the biopharmaceutical materials from the exterior to the interior of the conduit. The conduit has a cross-sectional area transverse to a length of the conduit and the conduit extends from one of the at least one port toward an opposite end of the interior. The conduit is collapsible by the flexible walls and forms a reduced cross-sectional area to allow a flow of the biopharmaceutical materials through and/or along the conduit to the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim North America Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Cutting, Oscar Werner Reif
  • Patent number: 8580199
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring an oxygen content in a liquid or gaseous sample has first and second sensor sections (14a, 14b). The first sensor section (14a) can be brought into contact with the sample and has a luminescent indicator dye embedded in an oxygen-permeable first polymer matrix. The second sensor section (14b) is arranged adjacent to the first sensor section (14a) and includes the same dye embedded in an oxygen-impermeable second polymer matrix. A light guide (10) guides luminescence excitation light from a light source (31, 32) to the sensor sections (14a, 14b) and guides luminescence emission light from the sensor section (14a, 14b) to a detector (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Baumfalk, Oscar-Werner Reif, Thomas Scheper, Michael Fritzsche
  • Patent number: 8453847
    Abstract: A filter cartridge unit including a first end plate, at least one second end plate, and a filter cartridge that is arranged between the end plates. The filter cartridge is connected, in a form-fitting and fluid-tight manner, to its adjacent end plates in a circumferential subarea of contact surfaces thereof using an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Oscar-Werner Reif, Ulrich Grummert, Frank Oppermann
  • Patent number: 8448457
    Abstract: A system for use in freezing, thawing, transporting or storing biopharmaceutical materials which includes a container, a holder and plurality of heat transfer members. The container is configured to hold biopharmaceutical materials therein. The holder has a cavity for receiving the container and includes an interior surface bounding the cavity. A plurality of pockets contact outer surfaces of the container and is received in the cavity. Each pocket of the plurality of pockets includes a pocket cavity. A heat transfer member actively controls the temperature of biopharmaceutical materials held in the container and is received in the pocket cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim North America Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Cutting, Isabelle Gay, Oscar Werner Reif
  • Patent number: 8408078
    Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for removing samples or introducing fluids from/into system(s) having flexible walls. A sampler/fluid dispenser (3) is fixed on the outside with a connecting area (4) of its base (5) on a sample removal region/fluid dispensing region (6) of the flexible wall (2) and, in its interior, has a severing element (8). At least the severing element (8) can be pushed forward in the direction of the sample removal region/fluid dispensing region (6) in order to remove the samples and in order to introduce fluids, in such a way that the wall (2) can be perforated within the sample removal region/fluid dispensing region (6). The system (1) comprises containers, bags or tubes for filling, mixing, transporting, storage of media, such as biological liquids, sera, buffers, ultra-pure water and can be used as biological reactors or cell culture vessels in the pharmaceutical and biotechnical industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Heyo Mennenga, Oscar-Werner Reif, Dieter Schmidt, Reinhard Vogt
  • Patent number: 8371132
    Abstract: A system for use in freezing, thawing, transporting or storing biopharmaceutical materials which includes a container, a holder and plurality of heat transfer members. The container is configured to hold biopharmaceutical materials therein. The holder has a cavity for receiving the container and includes an interior surface bounding the cavity. A plurality of pockets contact outer surfaces of the container and is received in the cavity. Each pocket of the plurality of pockets includes a pocket cavity. A heat transfer member actively controls the temperature of biopharmaceutical materials held in the container and is received in the pocket cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim North America Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Cutting, Isabelle Gay, Oscar Werner Reif
  • Patent number: 8342737
    Abstract: A vibrational mixer (1), in particular a single-path mixer for use in single-path bioreactors (4) with flexible walls, consisting of a mixer shaft (2) that can be set into longitudinal motions by a drive (8), with at least one mixing element (3), wherein at least one channel (13) is arranged in the mixer shaft with an opening to an interior reactor space (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Greller, Oscar-Werner Reif
  • Patent number: 8268059
    Abstract: The invention relates to a waste gas system for bioreactors having a hydrophobic sterile filter, arranged at the end, and a heat exchanger which protects the sterile filter against blocking by liquid media. The gas outflow duct for discharging waste gas from a bioreactor vessel is divided in a cooling zone of the heat exchanger into a multiplicity of subducts and is extended in a heating zone of the heat exchanger to a calming zone. Due to the multiplicity of subducts, a considerably larger surface area for the removal of heat from the waste gas is available, with the result that in the case of laminar flow of the waste gas through the subducts a high effectiveness of the separation of liquids from the waste gas can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen van den Boogard, Gerid Hellwig, Jens Ludwig, Oscar-Werner Reif, Stefan Weisshaar
  • Patent number: 8252582
    Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable bioreactor comprising a reversible, externally attachable sensor arrangement for measuring a physical variable of a contained medium. A sensor adapter (28) for receiving an electronic sensor arrangement (34, 38; 42; 44a, 44b, 46, 48) interacting with the medium cross-flowing the peripheral lines (14, 16, 18), by means of an inner delimiting surface (32a, 32b; 42; 44a, 44b, 46, 48) of the sensor adapter, is integrated into at least one of the peripheral lines (14, 16, 18) of the bioreactor which is used to supply or discharge the medium. Said sensor adapter (28) is mounted on the peripheral line (14, 16, 18) as an insert extending the peripheral line (14, 16, 18) and which can be cross-flown by the contained medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Baumfalk, Oscar-Werner Reif, Thomas Scheper, Daniel Riechers, Russell Hayden, Philip Nuzzo
  • Publication number: 20120199614
    Abstract: A system for storing biopharmaceutical materials includes a plurality of flexible walls bounding an interior for holding biopharmaceutical materials therein. At least one port is connected to a first wall of the walls and provides fluid communication between the interior and an exterior to allow a draining of the interior. A collapsible conduit includes a plurality of perforations along the conduit. The plurality of perforations is configured to allow flow of the biopharmaceutical materials from the exterior to the interior of the conduit. The conduit has a cross-sectional area transverse to a length of the conduit and the conduit extends from one of the at least one port toward an opposite end of the interior. The conduit is collapsible by the flexible walls and forms a reduced cross-sectional area to allow a flow of the biopharmaceutical materials through and/or along the conduit to the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: SARTORIOUS STEDIM NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan CUTTING, Oscar Werner REIF
  • Publication number: 20120103579
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plate heat exchanger comprising a plurality of plates having flow channels, wherein a first plate has a front side having at least one flow channel for a first fluid and a second plate has a front side having at least one flow channel for a second fluid, and wherein the plates have through openings via which the flow channels for the same fluid are respectively connected to one another, wherein a front plate, which is placed in front of the front side of the first plate, has ports for the first fluid and for the second fluid, wherein an end plate forms the end of the aligned plates, wherein the plates and ports are formed from plastic, and wherein the plates are bonded or welded tightly together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: SARTORIUS STEDIM BIOTECH GMBH
    Inventors: Oscar-Werner Reif, Juergen van den Boogaard, Stefan Weisshaar
  • Patent number: 8123395
    Abstract: A method is provided for mixing media in a container. The method includes introducing a first media into the container and then introducing a second media into the container while mixing the media to form a mixture. The method continues by measuring the values of two parameters of the mixture at spaced apart locations in the container. The introduction of the second media into the container may be interrupted based on a comparison of the measured values to a preselected intended value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Baumfalk, Oscar-Werner Reif, Stefan Obermann, Dieter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8123397
    Abstract: A disposable container is provided for mixing media. The container has at least one closable opening for introducing and/or removing media and has sensor mounts at spaced apart locations on the wall of the container. Each sensor mount has a front surface facing into the container and a rear surface sealed against the wall of the container. Sensors are embedded in the respective sensor mounts at positions adjacent the front surfaces. The sensors measure at least one specified parameter of the media at spaced apart locations in the container. The seals between the rear surfaces of the sensor mounts and the wall of the container ensure sterility for the media in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Baumfalk, Oscar-Werner Reif, Stefan Obermann, Dieter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8107715
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting a sample in a longitudinal sample container (10), comprising a sample container holder (30) for holding the sample container in a housing. Said sample container holder comprises a side viewing window in the region of at least one longitudinal side of the sample container, and a front viewing window (35) in the region at least one front side of the sample container. Said device also comprises a first illumination arrangement for illuminating the sample container through the front viewing window, a second illumination arrangement for illuminating the sample container through the side viewing window, and an imaging photodetector for detecting a first image of the sample illuminated by means of the first illumination arrangement, and a second image of the sample illuminated by means of the second illumination arrangement. Said detection takes place through the side viewing window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Baumfalk, Oscar-Werner Reif, Florian Wurm, Maria de Jesus, Martin Jordan, Matthieu Stettler, Stefan Obermann
  • Patent number: 8093015
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the viability of cells in cell cultures, said method comprising the steps of: coloring the sample with a dye which can penetrate into individual cells depending on the viability of the latter, determining the proportions of cells which are colored to differing extents. The invention is distinguished by virtue of the fact that a cell suspension of the colored cells is centrifuged as a sample in a sample vessel (10) until the solid content present in the sample has settled as a compressed cell cake (13), and, in order to determine the proportions, the volumes of differently colored sections (131, 132, 133) of the compressed cell cake (13) are determined as a measure of the proportions of cells of different viability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Obermann, Reinhard Baumfalk, Oscar-Werner Reif, Florian Wurm, Maria de Jesus, Matthieu Stettler, Martin Jordan