Abstract: Device (1) and method for delimiting a field (3) impinged with light from a light source (2), particularly on the surface of an optical element (4) and/or sample (5), having a slit diaphragm (6) including a slit height (7) and a slit width (8), which includes first and second linearly movable slides (9, 9?), positioned parallel to one another on two separate parallel lines, which are movable at least partially symmetrically to one another in relation to an optical axis (10), each of the two slides (9, 9?) including at least one optical opening (11, 11?), which—for continuous adjustment of at least the slit height (7) or the slit width (8)—may be positioned at least partially on the optical opening (11?, 11) of the neighboring slide (9?, 9) in the region of the optical axis (10).

Abstract: Device (1) and method for delimiting a field (3) impinged with light from a light source (2), particularly on the surface of an optical element (4) and/or sample (5), having a slit diaphragm (6) including a slit height (7) and a slit width (8), which includes first and second linearly movable slides (9, 9?), positioned parallel to one another on two separate parallel lines, which are movable at least partially symmetrically to one another in relation to an optical axis (10), each of the two slides (9, 9?) including at least one optical opening (11, 11?), which—for continuous adjustment of at least the slit height (7) or the slit width (8)—may be positioned at least partially on the optical opening (11?, 11) of the neighboring slide (9?, 9) in the region of the optical axis (10).

Abstract: A housing with electronics arranged therein includes a wall defining a penetration therethrough. A flexible conductor support made of plastic and including electrical conductors embedded therein extends through the penetration opening for electrical connection of at least one of the conductors to the electronics in the housing. The plastic of the flexible conductor provides insulation of the electrical conductors. The conductor support is sealed and mechanically fixed by a conductor support seal arranged between the penetration opening of the housing and the conductor support, the conductor support seal being molded directly onto the flexible conductor support and the housing.

Abstract: A fluorimeter has a flash lamp, a measurement station with a receiver for microtitration plates, at least one measurement head disposed at the receiver and an evaluation station having a detector. Emission signals given off by a sample are evaluated by the detector. Light guides extend from the flash lamp to the measurement head from the measurement head to the detector. At the measurement station one measurement head is arranged above a sample and one measurement head beneath the sample. A change-over switch is formed by a pivotal bar which connects the light guides selectively to the upper or the lower measurement heads. On the pivotal bar are connections for the light guides which lead to the upper and the lower measurement heads. Connection of a respective measurement head can be brought selectively into correlation with the light source and the detector.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing a solution for an agglutination pattern. The method comprises the steps of producing an illuminated image of the solution on an array of pixels, and assigning to each pixel in the illuminated image, a data value representing the intensity of the illuminated image on the pixel. Those data values are then processed according to a predetermined program to determine if an agglutination pattern is present and, if so, to classify that pattern into one of a plurality of predefined classes. With the preferred processing procedure, the pixel array is separated into a plurality of zones, and the data values for the pixels in each zone are processed according to a respective predetermined procedure to determine values for a predefined set of variables. Then, those determined values are processed to determine whether an agglutination pattern is present in the solution, and if so, to classify that pattern into one of the predefined classes.

Abstract: A temperature control device controls the temperature of the contents of a pan-shaped specimen container, in particular for the temperature control of specimen strips by hybridization assays. The specimen container can be set sealingly into a movably supported housing for a water bath.

Abstract: A blood analysis system or instrument, generally, including an incubator station, a sample and reagent holding station, a pipette assembly, a centrifuge, an analysis station, and a transport assembly. Generally, the incubation station holds containers while reagents and fluids are being dispensed in those containers, and, if desired, for incubating the containers. The sample and reagent holding station holds samples and a plurality of reagents, and the pipette assembly transfers fluids from that sample and reagent holding station to containers in the incubation station. The centrifuge is provided for centrifuging the container, and the analysis station is provided to analyze the containers optically to identify reactions therein. The transport assembly carries the containers between the incubator station, the centrifuge, and the analysis station.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing a solution for an agglutination pattern. The method comprises the steps of producing an illustrated image of the solution on an array of pixels, and assigning to each pixel in the illuminated image, a data value representing the intensity of the illuminated image on the pixel. Those data values are then processed according to a predetermined program to determine if an agglutination pattern is present and, if so, to classify that pattern into one of a plurality of predefined classes. With the preferred processing procedure, the pixel array is separated into a plurality of zones, and the data values for the pixels in each zone are processed according to a respective predetermined procedure to determine values for a predefined set of variables. Then, those determined values are processed to determine whether an agglutination pattern is present in the solution, and if so, to classify that pattern into one of the predefined classes.

Abstract: A blood analysis system or instrument, generally, including an incubator station, a sample and reagent holding station, a pipette assembly, a centrifuge, an analysis station, and a transport assembly. Generally, the incubation station holds containers while reagents and fluids are being dispensed in those containers, and, if desired, for incubating the containers. The sample and reagent holding station holds samples and a plurality of reagents, and the pipette assembly transfers fluids from that sample and reagent holding station to containers in the incubation station. The centrifuge is provided for centrifuging the container, and the analysis station is provided to analyze the containers optically to identify reactions therein. The transport assembly carries the containers between the incubator station, the centrifuge, and the analysis station.

Abstract: A matrix line printer has an L-shaped shuttle for a series of electromagnetic actuators. Wires are provided running in an arc from the printer frame to the shuttle. Peojections on the shuttle engage eccentrically mounted rollers on the frame.

Abstract: A matrix line printer which includes a shuttle-carrier mounted in a frame for limited reciprocating movement and supporting a plurality of print elements; a plurality of rollers are journalled in the frame and arranged parallel to the direction of reciprocating movement of the shuttle, projections on the shuttle engage the rollers; a pair of circularly round, cylindrical guide pins are arranged in coaxial relation to each other and mounted to respective opposite ends of the shuttle, run in a pair of corresponding sleeve-like bearings; leaf springs on the shuttle urge the projection against the rollers; and additional springs are arranged transversely to the coaxial alignment of said pins for balancing purposes.

Abstract: A rotational movement of a constant speed drive is translated into a linear reciprocating motion having two relatively long, constant slope sections within a cycle, such section occuring in between two sequential reversals, and representing a constant speed. The speed modification is obtained by a universal joint-cross link with oblique axes and a crank output having a linear phase.