Abstract: A measuring head for determining particle size in transparent media, comprising a measuring head body which has an opening for an optical measuring point with two measuring windows, consisting of an illuminating device and a light receiving device which is connected to an opto-electronic converter device. A rinsing device is used to clean the optical measuring point. The windows can be reliably prevented from becoming fouled or wetted by particles contained in the particle flow, enabling optical permeability of the measuring point and avoiding false measuring values. The rinsing device has a rinsing medium source, a channel extending to the opening inside the measuring head body for delivery of a rinsing medium and at least one discharge opening near the opening, which extends perpendicularly to and directly in front of the measuring windows. At least one defined rinsing jet is spread over the surfaces of the measuring windows.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for distance measurement by determining the pulse transit time, in which pulsed electromagnetic radiation is transmitted using at least one transmitter and signal pulses reflected at objects are detected using at least one receiver, wherein at least one received logic signal containing logic signals is generated from the received analog signal containing the signal pulses, in particular by means of a threshold circuit, and is evaluated with respect to the transit times of the logic signals, and wherein the received logic signal is read into a programmable logic circuit by means of a clocked data reading device and is mapped onto a time pattern in the logic circuit, in that instantaneous values of the received logic signal are stored in logic units of the logic circuit associated with the time windows for time windows of the time pattern corresponding to at least one clock pulse of the data reading device.

Abstract: A miniaturized temperature-zone flow reactor, used for thermally controlled biochemical or molecular-biological processes, especially polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enables more efficient reactions by providing at least one closed flow path which is divided into three partial paths (A1 . . . An; B1 . . . Bn and BB1 . . . BBn?1; C1 . . . Cn) with the reactor having three substrate chips (A; B; C) which are made of a material having a high heat conductivity, and which have defined channel sections that are spaced apart relative to each other, and are connected by a connecting chip (V) made of a poor heat-conductive material. The substrate chips (A; B; C) are maintained at different temperatures by various means, including the use of controlling heating elements in contact with the chips.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for individually separating microorganisms from a suspension or culture, parallel cultivation of individual cells and analyzing the metabolic performances thereof. The invention enables basic microbial operations such as media optimization, screening according to images of novel natural substances and special metabolic performances, qualitative and quantitative detection of the effects of nutrient substrates, effectors and active substances including the media optimization and selection of microorganism clones with specific properties from large populations according to mutagenesis, transformation, transfection and genetic processing in addition to the detection of microbial contaminations to be carried out.

Abstract: The invention relates to an affinity sensor for detecting specific molecular binding events, for use in the field of molecular biology, e.g., in medical diagnostics, especially in biosensor technology or in DNA microarreay tests. The aim of the invention is to provide an affinity sensor of this type for rapidity, sensitively, specifically, economically and routinely detecting the presence of molecules, especially bioactive molecules, and to provide special applications for an affinity sensor of this type. To this end, the affinity sensor consists of a support substrate which is provided with at least two electrodes. The electrodes are situated equidistantly from each other and cover an area on both sides, at least this area being provided for receiving immobilized specific binding partners which are capable of coupling complementary corresponding binding partners directly or with other specific binding molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel thin layers for microsystem techniques and microstructuring. It is an object of the invention to provide thin layers which can be manufactured under less problems and more economically than the previous conventional layers, and which permit the use of existing technologies for microstructuring. The object is realized in that the thin layer is formed of an enzymatically degradable biopolymer in a range of layer thicknesses of from 30 nm to 3 &mgr;m. Biopolymeric thin layers manufactured according to the invention permit their application, after a respective structurizing, as test assays or in setting up substance libraries.

Abstract: A measuring head for determining the size of particles in transparent media, comprising a measuring head body which has an opening for an optical measuring point with two measuring windows, consisting of an illuminating device and a light receiving device which is connected to an opto-electronic converter device. A rinsing device is used to clean the optical measuring point. The aim of the invention is to provide a measuring head whose windows can be reliably prevented from becoming fouled or wetted by particles contained in the particle flow, enabling optical permeability of the measuring point and avoiding false measuring values.

Abstract: A microcompartment array with a high compartment density and a process for producing the same are disclosed. To solve the problem that consists in arranging as many compartments as possible per surface unit and in providing a process for producing the same which excludes any mixture of adjacent compartment contents even when the compartments are overfilled, without having to change the way in which the compartments are filled, a first functional surface lining is applied on the inner walls of the compartment-like recesses, whereas the support surface areas which separate the individual compartment-like recesses from each other by their open sides are provided with a second functional surface lining having an effect opposite to that of the first functional surface lining.

Abstract: A bath for generating microstructures which is required in numerous fields of application of the microsystem technique and in microstructuring offers a less expensive alternative to known conventional approaches and disposal of the used bath may be carried out in a manner more environmentally friendly manner than in the previous methods for manufacture of microstructures. The bath includes at least one biogenic agent (in particular, an enzyme) which acts upon a preselectable thin layer.

Abstract: A bath for generating microstructures which is required in numerous fields of application of the microsystem technique and in microstructuring offers a less expensive alternative to known conventional approaches and disposal of the used bath may be carried out in a manner more environmentally friendly manner than in the previous methods for manufacture of microstructures. The bath includes at least one biogenic agent (in particular, an enzyme) which acts upon a preselectable thin layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing structured, self-organized molecular monolayers of individual molecular species. The invention is preferably used to create solid-phase bonded substance libraries. To this end, a) a substrate (2) suitable for the first monolayer is provided; b) a microstructured polymer mask (1) having openings is applied to the subtrate (2) at least once in a defined direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for the detection of biochemical or chemical substances using fluorescent light excitation, and to a process for its production, which can be used in a variety of fields, for example in biotechnology, in molecular medicine, in pharmaceuticals development and for the analysis or various chemical substances. A relatively simple structure is intended to provide the invention with the possibility of being able to carry out the detection of a large number of samples in a very short time with a high degree of accuracy. To that end, a laminar substrate is formed with a locally defined structure in order to detect different samples. Advantageously, on the detector side, a lens array designed according to the structuring can be used to project the fluorescent light from the different samples on to a detector array. It is, however, also possible to place a detector array matched to the structuring of the substrate on the substrate, or arrange it there.

Abstract: A setting instrument for a tibia part (1) of a knee joint prosthesis comprises a separate attachment piece (2) for the securing at the tibia part (1) and comprises a hand piece (3) which can be brought firmly into engagement with the separate attachment piece (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a miniaturized fluid flow switch which enables a directed deflection or deviation of a fluidic test current injected into a fluidic carrier current. The aim of the invention it to provide a fluid flow switch which does not require any moveable parts and with which no restricting preconditions exist with regard to the fluid media to be used. To this end, the inventive switch is comprised of at least two carrier current channels (11, 12) and of a test current channel (2) which, together, open into a distribution chamber (3) to which at least two discharge channels (41, 42) connect. The carrier current channels (11, 12) are connected to a common inlet (10), and at least the carrier current channels (11, 12) are respectively placed, in particle sections, in close thermal contact with controllable heating devices (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing structured, self-organized molecular monolayers of individual molecular species. The invention is preferably used to create solid-phase bonded substance libraries. To this end, a) a substrate (2) suitable for the first monolayer is provided; b) a microstructured polymer mask (1) having openings is applied to the subtrate (2) at least once in a defined direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel baths for generating microstructures which are required in numerous fields of application of the microsystem technique and in microstructuring. It is an object of the invention to provide novel baths for generating microstructures which offer a less expensive and, above all, a solution for their disposal which is more friendly to environment than the previous methods for manufacture of microstructures. The object is realized in that the respective baths are added at least one biogenic catalyst (in particular, an enzyme) which acts upon a preselectable thin layer.

Abstract: A miniaturized multi-chamber thermocycler provides a thermocycler which is easy to handle, and permits the treatment of a great number of samples of small sample volumes at high temperature changing rates and at low heating powers. A sample receptacle body manufactured in micro-system technics provides a plurality of sample chambers which are embodied such that at least one of the sample chamber walls of the sample chamber which constitutes the sample chamber base is an efficient heat conductor and also of low mass. Said sample chambers are coupled to a coupling body, serving as heat sink, established via at least one poor heat conducting bridge which, with respect to its dimensioning and/or material selection is such that its specific heat conductance .lambda. is smaller 5 W/K.degree..multidot.m.

Abstract: A miniaturized thermocycler is provided for carrying out thermally controlled biochemical or biological melecular processes, in particular polymerase chain reactions. The aim of the invention is to provide a miniaturized thermocycler which enables such reactions to be carried out more effectively, avoids the problem of parasitic heat absorbers and can be manufactured inexpensively in series. This aim is achieved by virtue of the fact that the sample holder (1) is designed as a series of meanders winding in a plane, the sample holder (1) has a groove in a wall and closed over by a cover, the groove passing alternately through comparable heating zones (2) and cooling zones (3), located at intervals along the groove, as it meanders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high chromium, corrosion resistant, austenitic alloys and to the use thereof.

Abstract: The Application relates to a precipitation hardening alloy which has a 0.2% proof stress of at least 500 N/mm.sup.2 and a high resistance to corrosion in highly aggressive sour gas media. The alloy consists of 43 to 51% nickel, 19 to 24% chromium, 4.5 to 7.5% molybdenum, 0.4 to 2.5% copper, 0.3 to 1.8% aluminium and 0.9 to 2.2% titanium, residue iron. Heat treatment processes are described which allow the establishment in the alloy of high strength accompanied by satisfactory ductility.