Abstract: A method and optode for determining a concentration of an analyte in a sample liquid is provided. The method comprises a radiation source, where excitation radiation is directed onto a carrier unit which is in contact with the sample liquid and has immobilized molecules of a sensor dye that is sensitive to the analyte. The excitation radiation induces luminescence radiation of the sensor dye. This radiation is detected by a radiation detector, which generates an output signal. The analyte concentration is ascertained from the detector output signal using an evaluation routine. This uses a property of the luminescence radiation on the interaction of the concentration of the analyte in the sample liquid used. The dependence of the examined property of the luminescence radiation on an indirect exchange interaction between the individual molecules of the sensor dye, which interact with each other over particles of the analyte.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an in-vitro method for detecting a target nucleic acid in a patient's sample. An exemplary method involves steps of bringing the sample in contact with a probe, that is a molecular beacon, is labeled with a fluorescent dye, and can hybridize with the target, then irradiating the probe with light exciting the fluorescent dye, then observing the sample with a detector, and then, if the detector detects light emitted by the probe, concluding that the target is in the sample. In order to rapidly detect the emitted light, prior to bringing the probe in contact with the sample, the probe can be immobilized in a carrier element, wherein the carrier element is in contact with an optical element which lets the emitted light pass to the detector.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample liquid, in which a) by means of a radiation source (3, 10, 17, 25, 31), excitation radiation is directed onto a carrier unit (5, 13, 20, 26, 33) which is in contact with the sample liquid and which has immobilized molecules of a sensor dye that is sensitive to the analyte, b) a portion of luminescence radiation of the sensor dye, this radiation is induced by the excitation radiation, is applied to a radiation detector (4, 14, 21, 28, 34,35) in order to generate an output signal therefrom, and c) an evaluation routine ascertains the analyte concentration from the detector output signal, wherein a dependence of a property of the luminescence radiation on the concentration of the analyte in the sample liquid is used, characterized in that d) dependence of the examined property of the luminescence radiation on an exchange interaction between the individual molecules of the sensor dye is used to ascertain analyte concentration, wherein the exchan