Including Liquid Flow, Level, Or Volume Control Patents (Class 435/286.5)
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Patent number: 6323022Abstract: A cell-cultivating device includes a plurality of culture tanks and a driving device. The culture tanks communicate with each other and have culture medium inside. The driving device forces the culture medium to flow between the culture tanks so as to vertically oscillate medium levels in the culture tanks.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: King-Ming Chang, Long-Shuenn Jean, Yu-Tai Liu, Chun-Chieh Chen, Ken-Yuan Chang, Shu-Fang Chiang
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Patent number: 6319472Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and applications for use of a stacked, reconfigurable system for electrophoretic transport are provided. In one embodiment, a system having a first chamber including at least a bottom support and an intermediate support, and a second chamber, said second chamber including a bottom support and a top member, the first and second chambers being coupled through a via. Electrophoretic, and optional electro-osmotic and thermal, transport is effected. In another aspect of this invention, three or more chambers are coupled by an electrophoretic buss. The electrophoretic buss includes driving electrodes and is adapted to receive fluid containing materials for transport. The chambers are coupled to the electrophoretic buss and serve as a tap from the buss for delivery of charged materials. In one embodiment, certain functions are performed in different chambers.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1998Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Nanogen, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Ackley, Edward L. Sheldon, Michael K. Krihak
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Patent number: 6312960Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing a reaction substrate for use as assay devices comprising parallel printing of arrays of biosites on reaction substrates, wherein each biosite comprises a single type of capture probe bound to the reaction substrate and the array of biosites is deposited on the reaction substrate by a capillary bundle printer device.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Genometrix Genomics, Inc.Inventors: William J. Balch, Michael E. Hogan
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Publication number: 20010034057Abstract: A process and device are disclosed to determine the activity of enzymes in liquids in a largely automatic manner. The device for carrying out this process has a column with an chromatographic carrier for treating a measurement sample. The carrier is mixed with a substance capable of binding to an enzyme inhibitor present in the measurement sample and that corresponds to at least one enzyme. A measurement sample supply is associated to one end of the column. A valve/pump arrangement for filling at least one test tube with a carrier and at least part of the measurement sample is connected downstream of the column, in the flow direction of the measurement sample. The carrier is dissociated into cleavage products by the action of the enzyme. The rise in concentration per unit of time of at least one of the cleavage products of the carrier is sensed during an incubation time.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2001Publication date: October 25, 2001Inventors: Johannes Schumacher, Bernd Werle
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Patent number: 6306644Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for simultaneously cultivating different mammal cells, for separately obtaining different mammal cell products and for simulating organic interactions on the humoral plane. Essentially, the invention consists of arranging several culture vessels in a common supply circuit and or cultivating different mammal cells in separate vessels.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Inventors: Uwe Marx, Gert Hausdorf
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Patent number: 6306665Abstract: Microporous solid phase materials that are suitable for lateral flow and other assays for detecting the presence of analytes in test samples, that are stable under variations in humidity and, even after storage for extended periods of time, can form stable covalent bonds with molecules containing a free primary or secondary amine group or sulfhydryl group are described. The invention further concerns chemically derivatized solid phase materials, and conjugates comprising such materials. Examples of lateral flow devices for the quantitative or semi-quantitative determination of an analyte in a biological sample are described.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: A-Fem Medical CorporationInventors: Robert Lee Buck, Huiying Wang, Timothy Patrick Hyatt, Paul Andrew Mueggler
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Patent number: 6273687Abstract: A micromachined pump apparatus 1 includes a substrate 2 having upper and lower surfaces and a plurality of lengthwise arranged apertures 2A-2E, each of which has an upper surface opening and a lower surface opening. A plurality of diaphragms 6A-6E close the upper surface openings of the apertures 2A-2E, respectively. A guide plate 3 is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 2 and defines a passage 3a through which an object fluid is moved by cooperating with the diaphragms on the upper surface of the substrate 2. A base plate 4 is fixedly mounted at its upper surface on the lower surface of the substrate 2, thereby enclosing an operating fluid in each of the apertures 2A-2E. An electrically operated heater device 5 is provided on the upper surface of the base plate 4 for heating the fluids in the apertures 2A-2E, respectively, in such a manner that whenever the fluids are heated the resultant expansion of the respective operating fluid expands the diaphragms, respectively, toward the passage.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1999Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Wataru Nogimori, Yoshihiro Naruse, Kouichi Irisa, Shinji Ando
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Patent number: 6271027Abstract: A cell and tissue culture device comprises several culture wells (18-i) accommodating cells and tissues to be grown, of first (2) and second (25) tanks, and connecting means (20,23,24) coupled to wells and tanks so as to enable a culture fluid to flow from one tank to another via the wells. Each tank (20,25) accommodates at least a flexible pocket (6,7;27,29), at least one of which is able to receive the culture fluid. The device further comprises at least a controller module (50,150) providing first and/or second sequences of external pressures to be applied, on the pockets of first and second tanks, respectively, and pressurization means (41,46-49) configured for applying to the pockets, pressures defined by said first and second sequences provided by the controller module.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Cell Tissue ProgressInventors: Farzin Sarem, Leila-Ouassila Sarem Damerdji
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Patent number: 6268147Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a novel method for analyzing genomic DNA and expressed sequences using auxiliary oligonucleotides, preannealed to the single-stranded target nucleic acid to form a partially duplex target molecule, offers several advantages in the analysis of nucleic acid sequences by hybridization to genosensor arrays or “DNA chips”. Also provided is a method for directly analyzing and comparing patterns of gene expression at the level of transcription in different cellular samples.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Inventors: Kenneth Loren Beattie, Rogelio Maldonado Rodriguez
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Patent number: 6268168Abstract: Cellular physiology workstations for automated data acquisition and perfusion control are described. The cellular physiology workstation may be used for physiological and electrophysiological experiments. Methods for employing such cellular physiology workstations in physiological and electrophysiological experiments are also disclosed. The cellular physiology workstations comprise one or more recording chambers each for holding one or more cells to be measured. One or more cells are place in each recording chamber. Perfusions means, such as an automatic perfusion system is connected to the recording chamber to perfuse the cells with a plurality of solutions containing different concentration of one or more agents to be tested. Biosensors, such as patch clamps, electrodes, or microscopes are positioned to detect a response from the cell. The cellular physiology workstation may optionally comprise injecting means for introducing an injection solution into the cell before and during analysis.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2000Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Trustees of Boston UniversityInventors: David H. Farb, Nader Yaghoubi, Terrell T. Gibbs
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Patent number: 6268119Abstract: A cell separation method comprising steps of introducing a cell-containing fluid containing cells to be recovered and cells to be removed, into a cell-capturing means capable of substantially capturing the cells to be recovered and substantially permitting passage therethrough of cells to be removed; taking out the resulting fluid containing the cells to be removed, from the cell-capturing means; and then introducing a liquid with a viscosity of not more than 500 mPa·s and not less than 5 mPa·s into the cell-capturing means to recover therefrom the cells to be recovered which have been captured by the cell-capturing means.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Asahi Medical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaya Sumita, Shuji Terashima
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Patent number: 6261832Abstract: Compositions and methods of treating mammalian diseases using myoblasts, and/or their physical, genetic, chemical derivatives. Myogenic cells that are normal, or genetically or phenotypically altered are cultured and transplanted into malfunctioning and/or degenerative tissues or organs to alleviate conditions that are hereditary, degenerative, debilitating, undesirable, and/or fatal. Treatment of these conditions is not limited to the usage of mechanical, electrical or physical properties of these myogenic cells, but includes the usage of biochemicals secreted/released by the latter. The present invention discloses the use of normal myoblasts to deliver the complete normal genome to effect genetic repair, or to augment the size, or the function of tissues or organs. Certain conditions may be better served with genetically altered myogenic cells derived from gene transduction, whereas others may be better served with cytoclimes converter cells.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1998Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Inventor: Peter K. Law
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Patent number: 6261771Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of multiple target nucleic acids and/or antigens such as hormones, antibodies, or nerve agents in a sample, involves presenting the sample to a plurality of reporter binding sites wherein each reporter binding site comprises two partially hybridized molecules. A first of the two hybridized molecules is bound to the binding site and is complementary to a target nucleic acid or antigen, and it will therefore hybridize to the target nucleic acid or antigen and cause the release of the second hybridized molecule into the sample. The second hybridized molecule comprises a reporter nucleic acid sequence, which uniquely identifies the target nucleic acid or antigen. Subsequent PCR amplification of the unique reporter nucleic acid sequence using labeled primers results in multiple labeled copies of the unique nucleic acid sequence.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1998Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Robert C. Bohannon
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Publication number: 20010003652Abstract: The invention relates to heat-settable reaction resin systems with low stress properties which assume a low-shrinkage characteristic when prefabricated elastomer particles are incorporated. The total volume shrinkage of the resin formulations produced by the use according to the invention is approximately 35% lower than shrinkage in formulations without elastomer particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 1999Publication date: June 14, 2001Applicant: Thomas Charles FreemanInventor: THOMAS CHARLES FREEMAN
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Publication number: 20010003653Abstract: Disclosed is a cell culture device for inducing shear stress and/or strain on cells. The device includes a cell culture membrane and a flow pathway for moving fluid across cells growing on the membrane to apply shear stress on the cells. Another embodiment of the device includes a body having flow shafts into which slides are placed. Fluid flows through the flow shafts over the slides to apply shear stress to cells growing on the slides.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2000Publication date: June 14, 2001Inventor: Albert J. Banes
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Patent number: 6242209Abstract: An apparatus and method for real-time measurement of a cellular response of a test compound or series of test compounds (303) on a flowing suspension of cells (349), in which a homogeneous suspension of each member of a series of cell types (349) is combined with a concentration of a test compound (303), directed through a detection zone (355), and a cellular response of the living cells is measured in real time as the cells in the test mixture are flowing through the detection zone (355). The apparatus may be used in automated screening of libraries of compounds, and is capable of real-time variation of concentrations of test and standard compounds and generation of dose/response profiles within a short time span.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2000Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Axiom Biotechnologies, Inc.Inventors: John Ransom, Ilya Okun, Alex Okun
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Patent number: 6242239Abstract: A process for separating HIV from a fluid is described, in which the HIV is bound to a C1 esterase inhibitor immobilized on a support material. The process can be carried out both for the preparation of HIV-free blood donations and therapeutically for the reduction of the virus load in the blood by means of a blood lavage under the conditions of an extracorporeal blood circulation. The C1 esterase inhibitor can be bonded to a support material which is customary in affinity chromatography or to the fibers of a filter.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Aventis Behring GmbHInventors: Albrecht Gröner, Jürgen Römisch
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Patent number: 6238908Abstract: An apparatus and related method are disclosed, for receiving, maintaining and growing biological cells ex vivo within a portable cassette, without exposing the cells to the external environment. The portable cassette is used in combination with a processor instrument that facilitates an initial inoculation of the cassette with cells of the kind to be grown and subsequently distributes those cells in a predetermined pattern (e.g., uniformly) throughout a cell growth chamber. Thereafter, the portable cassette is used in combination with an incubator instrument that incubates the cell growth chamber so that the cells are optimally expanded. The same processor instrument then is used to harvest the expanded cells from the portable cassette. Both instruments are configured to condition the portable cassette during stages of the cell growth process, without disturbing the cassette's sterile system.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1997Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.Inventors: R. Douglas Armstrong, James Maluta, David W. Roecker
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Patent number: 6238910Abstract: An apparatus for automatically hybridizing nucleic acid samples is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fluid control module and a temperature control module for precisely controlling fluid contacting and temperature of a plurality of DNA samples. The DNA samples are typically arrayed on solid substrates (glass microscope slides), and the disclosed apparatus can process up to twelve slides at one time on a master unit; satellite units can be added to increase the number of slides. All slides can be processed in parallel, or may be addressed individually to undergo different hybridization protocols. Thermal control is typically by slide pairs, such that each slide pair undergoes the same temperature profile. Processes are carried out under software control by an embedded PC (personal computer). User input is by touchscreen, floppy disk drive, or external network control.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Genomic Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Custance, Jonathan I. Parker
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Patent number: 6235539Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device that utilizes capillarity-mediated, chromatographic transport, for the qualitative or semi-quantitative analysis of selected analytes in liquid samples. The device utilizes an applicator/collection device for collecting and administering the sample to the flow path such that reagent(s) flow through the applicator/collection device, washing the sample into the reaction pathway. The device farther utilizes an air gap between the initial location of the reagent and the reaction pathway to funnel the reagent efficiently through the sample so as to collect all or substantially all of the sample and make it available for the reaction(s).Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1998Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Charles Carpenter
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Patent number: 6228635Abstract: A portable cassette is disclosed, for receiving, maintaining and growing biological cells ex vivo, without exposing the cells to the external environment. The portable cassette is used in combination with a succession of instruments, to inoculate the cassette's cell growth chamber with cells, to then incubate the chamber so that the cells are optimally expanded, and finally to harvest the expanded cells. Each instrument is configured to condition the portable cassette during a stage of the cell growth process, without disturbing the cassette's sterile system. In addition, an updatable memory device associated with the cassette stores significant information about the cassette and its condition during the various steps of the cell growth process. Such information is useful both for subsequent archival purposes and for facilitating a resumption of the cell growth process in the event of any instrument failure or significant alarm condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1997Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Aastrom Bioscience, Inc.Inventors: R. Douglas Armstrong, James Maluta, David W. Roecker
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Patent number: 6221654Abstract: The invention relates to a microfabricated device and methods of using the device for analyzing and sorting of single polynucleotides, e.g. by size, according to an optical signal measured within a detection region of the device. An optical signal such as fluorescence from a reporter molecule associated with the polynucleotide molecules can be used to determine polynucleotide size or to direct selected polynucleotides into one or more selected branch channels of the device.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1997Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Stephen Quake, Wayne D. Volkmuth
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Patent number: 6207448Abstract: A bioreactor (10) comprises an elastic housing (12) and a plurality of hollow, porous fibers (14) disposed within the housing. The lumens of the fibers define an intrafiber compartment, and the outer surfaces of the fibers and the housing define an extrafiber compartment. A variable flow device (34) varies the flow of the perfusate through the intrafiber compartment. The variable flow device can include a flow restrictor (34) that variably restricts the discharge of a perfusate (26) from the intrafiber compartment or a pump for increasing the flow of the perfusate into the intrafiber compartment. The elastic housing can include a wall (28) with perforations (30) extending therethrough and an elastic membrane (32) tightly surrounding the wall or a wall with at least one expansion port extending therethrough and at least one extrafiber space expander 38 coupled to a one of the at least one expansion port.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterInventors: Jacek Rozga, Achilles A. Demetriou
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Patent number: 6202713Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for series cultivation of organisms which is particularly suitable for providing organisms to be cultivated with a culture medium that has a toxic effect on said organisms at a high dosage, but when applied in appropriate dosage, said device determines the amount of substrate required to enable organisms to produce substances microbially in optimum conditions. According to the invention, a dosing schedule is predefined and the amount of substrate in the flask is adjusted according to actual requirements. In order to avoid underdosage, filling of the shaking flask no longer occurs according to a fixed predefined sequence.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignees: Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH, Dasgip Drescher Arnold, Schneider Gesellschaft fur Informations-und Prozesstechnologie mbHInventors: Thomas Drescher, Juta Altenbach-Rehm, Dirk Weuster-Botz
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Patent number: 6197256Abstract: An analyzing system for analyzing fluid samples includes a measuring buoy immersible in a body of fluid to be tested. The buoy forms a sample chamber in which samples of the fluid are to be tested. The sample chamber communicates with a settling chamber through a chamber opening, and the settling chamber communicates with the body of fluid through a floor opening formed in the buoy below the chamber opening. A gas exchange apparatus communicates with the sample chamber and with a source of air or gas for introducing the air or gas into the sample chamber to drain sample fluid therefrom, and for discharging the air or gas from the sample chamber to admit sample fluid into the sample chamber from the settling chamber. A testing device is disposed in the sample chamber for testing the sample fluid, and is connected to a control and analysis device.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1998Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: ISCO Inc.Inventor: Friedrich Wilhelm Siepmann
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Patent number: 6190858Abstract: The invention discloses a method for monitoring at least one condition in a patient comprising the steps of (a) obtaining samples from the patient over a period of time; (b) flowing the samples, or gases associated with or produced by the samples, over at least one gas sensor; c) measuring the response or responses of the at least one gas sensor; and (d) correlating the response or responses with the occurrence or state of the at least one condition. A method for identifying a micro-organism comprising the steps of (a) providing at least one gas sensor; (b) compiling a database of responses to at least one known micro-organism under a variety of culturing conditions; c) abstracting gas or vapor from a detection region and flowing the same over the at least one gas sensor and observing the response of the sensor or sensors; and (d) comparing the response to the database.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Osmetech plcInventors: Krishna Chandra Persaud, Allan John Syms
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Patent number: 6180335Abstract: The present invention is a disposable element for assaying food samples and a method for using the element. The disposable element includes a container having first, second, and third ports, a prefilter disposed in the container, an immuno-sorbent layer having antibodies to a target microbe affixed thereto, the immuno-sorbent layer also being disposed in the container, and an electrode in contact with the immuno-sorbent layer. The prefilter and immuno-sorbent layers are positioned in the container such that a sample introduced into the first port passes through the prefilter and the immuno-sorbent layer when a pressure differential is created between the first and third ports. In addition, liquid entering the second port passes through the immuno-sorbent layer, but not the prefilter, when a pressure differential is created between the second and third ports. The prefilter preferably has a pore size between 10 and 30 microns.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: University of New MexicoInventors: Ebtisam S. Wilkins, Plamen B Atanassov, Dmitri M. Ivnitski, Ihab A. Abdel-Hamid
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Patent number: 6174719Abstract: The invention involves a method and apparatus for processing biological material, such as heart valves and vascular grafts.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Inc.Inventors: David R. Elizondo, Todd D. Campbell, Robert P. Totten
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Patent number: 6171849Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first porous carrier and a second porous carrier for evaluating biological fluid samples is disclosed. The apparatus is used for separating non high density lipoprotein (non-HDL) from a lipoprotein in a body sample and for determining high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in a HDL and non high density lipoprotein (non-HDL) in a body sample.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2000Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbHInventors: Walter Rittersdorf, Ulfert Deneke, Gerhard Hiller, Hartmut Merdes, Klaus Buecker, Uwe Goebbert
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Patent number: 6171851Abstract: A process and device are disclosed to determine the activity of enzymes in liquids in a largely automatic manner. The device for carrying out this process has a column with an chromatographic carrier for treating a measurement sample. The carrier is mixed with a substance capable of binding to an enzyme inhibitor present in the measurement sample and that corresponds to at least one enzyme. A measurement sample supply is associated to one end of the column. A valve/pump arrangement for filling at least one test tube with a carrier and at least part of the measurement sample is connected downstream of the column, in the flow direction of the measurement sample. The carrier is dissociated into cleavage products by the action of the enzyme. The rise in concentration per unit of time of at least one of the cleavage products of the carrier is sensed during an incubation time.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Inventors: Johannes Schumacher, Bernd Werle