Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring characteristics of particles in solution and to a device for performing the same, wherein said method comprises the steps of providing a vessel comprising a sample of said particles in solution, wherein the sample has preferably a volume between 0.1 ?L and 15 ?L, providing a monochromatic light source and a light detector, transmitting light from the monochromatic light source to the vessel comprising the sample, detecting light emitted from the vessel with the light detector, and determining characteristics of said particles in solution comprised in the sample based on a dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring characteristics of particles in solution and to a device for performing the same, wherein said method comprises the steps of providing a vessel comprising a sample of said particles in solution, wherein the sample has preferably a volume between 0.1 ?L and 15 ?L, providing a monochromatic light source and a light detector, transmitting light from the monochromatic light source to the vessel comprising the sample, detecting light emitted from the vessel with the light detector, and determining characteristics of said particles in solution comprised in the sample based on a dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement.

Abstract: The input apparatus (1) for medical minimally invasive robots or medical simulators consists of at least one handheld device (10) having a first operating part (12) and a second operating part (14), wherein the first and second operating parts (12,14) are connected to one another via a pivot joint (16), a measuring system (20) having one or more sensors for determining an angle between the first and second operating parts (12,14), for contactlessly detecting the spatial position of the handheld device and for contactlessly detecting the orientation of the handheld device, and a computer unit (22) which can be connected to the handheld device (10) via a data link.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring forces and/or moments on an object, including at least one sensor element for the detection of an expansion of the object in at least one spatial direction, from which expansion a force or a moment can be determined, wherein the sensor element including an optical fiber with a sensor region with a fiber Bragg grating is provided, and the fiber Bragg grating is adapted to be irradiated with light, preferably a broadband light, generating a reflected light having a peak wavelength. The optical fiber is formed by a fiber core and at least one sheath of light-guiding material surrounding the fiber core. The fiber Bragg grating is arranged in the fiber core. The material of the sheath is doped with a fluorescent material and the fluorescent material may be irradiated with an excitation radiation to generate a fluorescent radiation having at least one main emission wavelength.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for measuring fluorescence lifetime. An excitation light radiation (12a), periodically modulated in a first frequency, is directed to a fluorescent material (20). For the measurement of fluorescence lifetime, the phase difference between the excitation light radiation (12a) and the fluorescent radiation (20a) is measured, the fluorescent radiation being detected by a fluorescent radiation detector (18). According to the invention, a correction signal (16a), periodically modulated in a second frequency, is supplied to a measuring circuit (19), and a phase drift between the emitted correction signal (16a) and the correction signal (16a) processed by the measuring circuit is measured, the phase drift being caused by the measuring circuit.

Abstract: The input apparatus (1) for medical minimally invasive robots or medical simulators consists of at least one handheld device (10) having a first operating part (12) and a second operating part (14), wherein the first and second operating parts (12,14) are connected to one another via a pivot joint (16), a measuring system (20) having one or more sensors for determining an angle between the first and second operating parts (12,14), for contactlessly detecting the spatial position of the handheld device and for contactlessly detecting the orientation of the handheld device, and a computer unit (22) which can be connected to the handheld device (10) via a data link.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring forces and/or moments on an object, including at least one sensor element for the detection of an expansion of the object in at least one spatial direction, from which expansion a force or a moment can be determined, wherein the sensor element including an optical fiber with a sensor region with a fiber Bragg grating is provided, and the fiber Bragg grating is adapted to be irradiated with light, preferably a broadband light, generating a reflected light having a peak wavelength. The optical fiber is formed by a fiber core and at least one sheath of light-guiding material surrounding the fiber core. The fiber Bragg grating is arranged in the fiber core. The material of the sheath is doped with a fluorescent material and the fluorescent material may be irradiated with an excitation radiation to generate a fluorescent radiation having at least one main emission wavelength.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for measuring fluorescence lifetime. An excitation light radiation (12a), periodically modulated in a first frequency, is directed to a fluorescent material (20). For the measurement of fluorescence lifetime, the phase difference between the excitation light radiation (12a) and the fluorescent radiation (20a) is measured, the fluorescent radiation being detected by a fluorescent radiation detector (18). According to the invention, a correction signal (16a), periodically modulated in a second frequency, is supplied to a measuring circuit (19), and a phase drift between the emitted correction signal (16a) and the correction signal (16a) processed by the measuring circuit is measured, the phase drift being caused by the measuring circuit.

Abstract: In a force/moment sensor for measuring at least three orthogonal loads, there are provided rod-shaped elements formed as glass fibers which have no support structure and are fixed in platforms. In one embodiment, the rod-shaped portions can form one continuous glass fiber or a small number of glass fibers, with the one or plurality of fibers being wound in an undulating configuration around a virtual cylinder. The glass fibers can be provided with a coating.