Abstract: The present invention relates to a neutron detector that for the first time permits the construction of large detector areas of approximately 1 m2 to 2 m2, with a spatial resolution of the neutrons of under 2 mm. It is additionally possible in the case of the modular construction in a stack arrangement to attain detection sensitivities that are comparable to 3He counter tubes (ca. 60%) or, with a greater number of detector elements, higher. By using thin substrate plates—such as aluminum sheets—and omission of the external pressure vessels, the neutron detectors are relatively lightweight despite their large dimensions and can be produced inexpensively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a neutron detector that for the first time permits the construction of large detector areas of approximately 1 m2 to 2 m2, with a spatial resolution of the neutrons of under 2 mm. It is additionally possible in the case of the modular construction in a stack arrangement to attain detection sensitivities that are comparable to 3He counter tubes (ca. 60%) or, with a greater number of detector elements, higher. By using thin substrate plates—such as aluminum sheets—and omission of the external pressure vessels, the neutron detectors are relatively lightweight despite their large dimensions and can be produced inexpensively.

Abstract: A sample rack handling unit comprising an onload section for loading sample racks holding a sample container is presented. The onload section comprises an onload edge and a receiving area with an onload rail longitudinally on the receiving area parallel to the onload edge. The onload rail engages a recess on the rack bottom such that the rack longitudinally slides on the receiving area along the onload rail when the rack is engaged. The onload rail has a base portion and a protrusion extending from the base portion. The protrusion faces the onload edge and the base portion comprises an inclined onload rail side opposite the onload edge such that the recess engages the onload rail when the rack is loaded on the receiving area from the onload edge transversely to the onload rail and the recess disengages the onload rail by sliding the rack towards the onload edge.

Abstract: A method of gravimetric volume determination is described in which a load cell can be calibrated either outside of an analytic analyzer for gravimetric calibration of the analyzer, or in a fully automated manner inside the analyzer.

Abstract: A device for the gravimetric volume determination of liquid volumes. The device comprises a housing (11) having the shape and dimensions of a standard rack used in a clinical diagnostic analyzer system for holding sample or reagent containers, and the following components contained in housing (11): a load cell (12) for gravimetric volume determination, a weighing container (13) for receiving a liquid to be weighed with said load cell (12), a windbreak (14) which shields said weighing container (13) from air flow, an evaporation trap (15) which prevents evaporation of liquid loaded into said weighing container (13), a temperature sensor (21), an air-pressure sensor (31) and a humidity sensor (41) for sensing temperature, air pressure and humidity respectively at predetermined points within said housing (11), and an electronic processing unit for processing electrical output signals delivered by said load cell (12) and by said sensors (21, 31, 41).

Abstract: A system and method for the automated extraction of nucleic acids from nucleic acids containing samples are disclosed. In the system, reagents provided in cavities of a reagent plate are transferred to samples accommodated in a process plate using a pipetting device comprising pipettes provided with disposable pipette tips for pipetting of the reagents to obtain sample-reagent mixtures, the sample-reagent mixtures accommodated in the process plate are incubated by an incubating device to release the nucleic acids; the released nucleic acids accommodated in the process plate are separated by a separating device and released to obtain extracted nucleic acids containing fluids; the extracted nucleic acids containing fluids are transferred to cavities of an output plate by disposable pipette tips; wherein each of the samples is assigned one-to-one to a cavity of the reagent plate, at least one of the disposable pipette tips and a cavity of the output plate.

Abstract: A method of gravimetric volume determination is described in which a load cell can be calibrated either outside of an analytic analyzer for gravimetric calibration of said analyzer, or in a fully automated manner inside said analyzer.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for preparing a solution of a solid with a liquid and/or a dilution of a liquid with another liquid includes a balance with a weighing pan, a display- and operating unit, a processor, a storage memory, and a data interface. The device includes at least one electronic dosage delivery device for liquids, in particular an electronic pipette, with a microprocessor, a memory unit, and a data interface, so that a communication can be established between the respective data interfaces of the balance and the at least one electronic dosage delivery device. An identifier element signals when the electronic dosage delivery device has been selected. A program is configured to perform calculations in the processor of the balance based on instructions given by the attendant, based on substance data stored in the memory of the balance and in certain cases based on weighing results.

Abstract: A device for the gravimetric volume determination of liquid volumes. The device comprises a housing (11) having the shape and dimensions of a standard rack used in a clinical diagnostic analyzer system for holding sample or reagent containers, and the following components contained in housing (11): a load cell (12) for gravimetric volume determination, a weighing container (13) for receiving a liquid to be weighed with said load cell (12), a windbreak (14) which shields said weighing container (13) from air flow, an evaporation trap (15) which prevents evaporation of liquid loaded into said weighing container (13), a temperature sensor (21), an air-pressure sensor (31) and a humidity sensor (41) for sensing temperature, air pressure and humidity respectively at predetermined points within said housing (11), and an electronic processing unit for processing electrical output signals delivered by said load cell (12) and by said sensors (21, 31, 41).