Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). It especially teaches the production of a soluble prion protein (PrP)-chaperone complex and the advantageous use of such chaperone-PrP complex, especially in the detection of PrP in an immunoassay, as well as its use as and immunogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. It especially teaches the production of a soluble A?-chaperone complex and the advantageous use of such chaperone-A? complex, especially in the detection of A? in an immunoassay, as well as its use as an immunogen.

Abstract: Sensors (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) and a method for detecting an analyte are described. Sensors (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) each have a volume of a hydrophilic medium (24) that retains an amount of analyte proportionate to the concentration of analyte in a biological fluid, electrodes (12) and a redox enzyme in contact with medium (24), and an electron transfer mediator. The fluid contacts sensors (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) and at initially predetermined intervals intermittently applies a potential to electrode (12) sufficient to oxidize the mediator and sensing current through electrode (12) as a function of the duration of the applied potential. The applied mediator oxidizing applied potential is maintained for a period of time sufficient to determine the rate of change of current with time through electrode (12). The current flow is correlated with the current flow for known concentrations of the analyte in medium (24).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the detection of an analyte in a sample using analyte-specific conjugates which have at least one heterologous group for an analyte-independent binding to a control zone. The present invention additionally provides new conjugates and reagent kits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of HIV infections. It especially teaches the production of a soluble retroviral surface glycoprotein- (or transmembrane glycoprotein)-chaperone complex and the advantageous use of a chaperone-antigen complex especially in the detection of antibodies to HIV in immunoassays, preferably according to the double antigen bridge concept, or as an immunogen. The invention also discloses soluble complexes comprising a variant of HIV-1 gp41 or a variant of HIV-2 gp36, respectively, and a chaperone selected from the peptidyl-prolyl-isomerase class of chaperones. Variants comprising specific amino-acid substitutions in the N-helical domain of HIV-1 gp41 or of HIV-2 gp36, respectively, are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a biosensor is provided. The method includes providing a substrate and a cover including first and second surfaces, positioning a reagent on the substrate, carving a channel by laser ablation in the first surface, and coupling the first surface of the cover to the second surface. The channel includes a first portion having a first height and a second portion having a second height that is less than the first height.

Abstract: A quality test of fluids of biological origin can be performed optically with applying a suitable evaluation method. In case of two components to be determined in a such fluid, an extinction spectrum is approximated in a first wavelength range by a combination of a merely theoretical curve and the spectrum of the pure first substance in a first wavelength range, and this evaluation is repeated in a second wavelength range this time by approximating the measured spectrum (62) by a combination of a hypothetical curve, the spectrum (64) of the first component with the already determined concentration, and the spectrum (65) of the pure second component. Furthermore, it is feasible to subtract the first and second spectrum and analyze the so obtained differential spectrum (66) in view of anomalies. The hypothetical curves are preferably straight lines which are defined by slope and ordinate section.

Abstract: A method for identifying microbial DNA/RNA comprising providing a sample containing microbial DNA/RNA; enriching DNA/RNA in the sample by a PCR method wherein the DNA/RNA that is identified comprise copies which are amplified by the PCR method; preliminarily classifying at least one microorganism by identifying the microbial DNA/RNA by a melting curve; adding at least one labeled oligonucleotide whereby temperature-dependent hybridization takes place and identifying the DNA/RNA on the basis of a physical property of the resultant DNA/RNA oligonucleotide complex, such as the temperature-dependence of the hybridization.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of producing flow rates of a transport liquid of about 1 to 1000 nl/min. The method provides a pump having a housing defining a space and including a channel and a wettable membrane positioned in the housing, the membrane including a first side facing toward the channel and a second side facing the space. The method further includes at least partially filling the channel with the transport liquid, contacting the wettable membrane with the transport liquid to generate an underpressure in the channel,evaporating the transport liquid at the wettable membrane to remove the transport liquid from the channel and to create an underpressure in the channel, and maintaining a generally constant vapor pressure of the transport liquid in the space.

Abstract: A biosensor is provided in accordance with the present invention. The biosensor includes an electrode support substrate, electrodes positioned on the electrode support, each electrode including a meter-contact portion and a measurement portion, and a sensor support substrate. The sensor support substrate cooperates with the electrode support substrate to define channel in alignment with the measurement portion of the electrodes. Additionally, the sensor support substrate includes opposite ends and at least one window. The at least one window is spaced-apart from the ends and in alignment with the meter-contact portion of at least one of the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pump for flow rates from about 1 to 1000 nl/min in which liquid transport takes place by evaporation of a transport liquid through a wettable membrane. The pumps according to the invention are particularly suitable for applications in the field of medical diagnostics such as microdialysis or ultrafiltration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind buprenorphine and/or at least one metabolic product thereof. The present invention further relates to buprenorphine metabolite conjugates for the production of monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind buprenorphine and/or at least one metabolic product thereof and hybridoma cells that produce the monoclonal antibodies. The invention also relates to immunoassay methods for determining buprenorphine and/or one or more buprenorphine metabolites in a sample using the novel antibodies and conjugates of the present invention.

Abstract: Reagents and the use of the reagents in a microparticle light scattering agglutination assay are disclosed. The reagents comprise a mixture of particles having relatively stronger light scattering properties and particles having relatively weak light scattering properties with respect to one another. The particles having strong light scattering properties carry a binding partner of high reactivity with the analyte. The particles having weak light scattering properties carry a binding partner of low reactivity with the analyte.

Abstract: A sensor strip comprises an electrode substrate, an electrode set, on the electrode substrate, and a heat conducting layer, on the electrode substrate opposite the electrode set. A sensor instrument for use with this sensor strip comprises a temperature sensor, at a side of a gap for accepting the sensor strip, opposite electrical contacts. The invention provides an accurate determination of the temperature of a sample.

Abstract: A biosensor is provided that comprises a substrate, a reagent positioned on the substrate, and a cover including a top side and a generally flat bottom side. The bottom side is coupled to the substrate to define a sealed portion and an unsealed portion. The unsealed portion cooperates with the substrate to define a channel extending across the reagent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biosensor. The biosensor includes a support substate, an electrically conductive coating positioned on the support substrate, the coating being formed to define electrodes and a code pattern, wherein there is sufficient contrast between the conductive coating and the substrate such that the code pattern is discernible, and a cover cooperating with the support substrate to define a channel. At least a portion of the electrodes are positioned in the channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and more particularly to compounds which are useful for the determination of bicarbonate and the delivery of bicarbonate to a non-aqueous solution. The invention further relates to an optical sensor for the determination of bicarbonate in a liquid sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides hapten derivatives useful for the preparation of antigens, antibodies and reagents for use in immunoassays for the detection of LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD. In the present invention, the 2-oxy LSD nucleus is derivatized out of the indole nitrogen to form an aminoalkyl derivative. The resulting haptens can then be further modified at this functionalized position for linking to appropriate immunogenic or labeling groups to provide reagents for immunoassays having substantially equal specificity for both LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD.

Abstract: Analysis system for the analytical investigation of a sample, in particular of a body fluid. It consists of test elements brought into contact, for performing an analysis, with a sample to be investigated, and an evaluation apparatus with a test element support for positioning the test element in a measurement position, as well as a measurement and evaluation electronic device. The measurement and evaluation electronic device of the evaluation apparatus comprises a temperature correction device, in order to take into account the temperature prevailing in the measurement zone during the measurement for the determination of the result of the analysis. The temperature correction unit includes a temperature history imaging device for the currentless tracing of the temperature history before the time of measuring, without consuming electric energy before the time of measuring.

Abstract: A system and method for managing information in a healthcare facility includes the steps of uploading information to a server, notifying a physician that the information is available for review, receiving a message from the server verifying that the information was reviewed by the physician, acknowledging receipt of the message, and automatically updating a file documenting the uploading, receiving, and acknowledging steps.