Abstract: A Microplate comprising a plurality of wells (2) is arranged in a two-dimensional array, wherein each well (2) is inclined or pivotably mounted in the microplate (1) so that the wells (2) align with the direction of a centrifugal force during centrifuging of the microplate (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the result of an agglutination reaction and a microplate used in such a method. Agglutinated and non-agglutinated sample material is separated by means of a separation material such as gel material or a bead matrix in a centrifugation step. Whether an agglutination reaction took place or not is determined by comparing the color intensities and/or the gray levels of images of the top side and the bottom side of the respective reaction vessel. Comparing the color intensities and/or the gray levels of the two images makes the automatic determination reliable and stable. Furthermore, the reaction wells are arranged in a two-dimensional array which provides a high throughput.

Abstract: A centrifuge for cleaning a reaction vessel unit, having a rotor for holding at least one reaction vessel unit with its opening(s) directed outwardly, a motor for rotating the rotor around a rotation axis, a housing having a substantially cylindrical inner surface, wherein a drain is provided for discharging fluid expelled from the reaction vessel unit, wherein a gap is provided between the inner surface and the rotor so that by rotating the rotor a wind is generated which drives the expelled fluid on the inner surface to the drain wherein an aspiration pump is connected to the drain for discharging fluid.

Abstract: A method for concentrating materials in a liquid involves pouring the liquid into a material-containing receptacle and irradiating the liquid by acoustic waves so that a stationary flow pattern with different flow rate areas is formed in the receptacle. A concentration device and reaction method using such concentration are also provided.

Abstract: Provision is made for an interchangeable accumulator unit comprising a housing (10, 20) and a lithium accumulator cell (40) arranged in the housing. Provision is further made in the housing of the accumulator unit for a charging circuit (50) for controlling the charging process of the lithium accumulator cell (40). Provision is made on the housing (10, 20) for at least one first charging contact unit (100, 200).

Abstract: A method for the quantitative determination of the number of at least one predetermined sequence in a biological sample comprises the steps: a) providing a biological sample containing a nucleic acid, b) fragmenting the nucleic acid contained in the biological sample, c) dividing the sample obtained in the step b) into y subsamples, d) adding at least two primer pairs to each of the at least two subsamples, where to each of the subsamples the same primer pairs are added, and where the individual primer pairs are adapted to amplify, in an amplification reaction, subsequences of the predetermined sequence that are different for each primer pair, e) carrying out an amplification reaction with each of the at least two subsamples obtained in the step d), f) determining the number of different amplification products obtained with the amplification reactions in the step e) for the individual sub samples and the determination of the number of subsamples in which identical amplifications products have been obtained

Abstract: The present Invention relates to a process for determining the genotype of one or more individuals from a biological sample which contains nucleic acids from different individuals, in particular a process for determining the number of copies of a predetermined sequence, in which first using at least two subquantities of the biological sample of different concentrations, in each case at least one amplification reaction is carried out, subsequently the number of the different amplification products obtained for each of the at least two subquantities is determined and compared with one another, and finally the amplification products which were obtained only for one defined subquantity and/or those amplification products which were obtained for all subquantities, are characterized. In addition, the present invention relates to a kit for carrying out the process according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out an enzymatic reaction, in particular for carrying out a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Said method consists of the following steps: at least one eukaryotic cell is removed from a starting material; the cell core or cores of the eukaryotic cell(s) is/are coloured; at least one eukaryotic cell is deposited on a reaction point of a solid substrate in a liquid volume of less than 10 ?l; it is detected whether at least one coloured cell core is present on a reaction point of the substrate, subsequently, an enzyme and optionally a reaction buffer is added to the eukaryotic cell(s) and the enzymatic reaction is subsequently started. Preferably, the claimed invention is carried out using a flow cytometer.

Abstract: A method is provided for characterizing a mixed sample having at least two particles with nucleic acids from different individuals, where each particle has nucleic acid from one or more individuals, in particular for the quantitative determination of the absolute and/or relative copy number of a predetermined sequence of an individual, of which nucleic acid is present in the mixed sample, having the steps: a) isolating the particles and applying at least two individual particles to a substrate, where each of the at least two particles is deposited in each case individually to a hydrophilic reaction site, surrounded by a hydrophobic zone, of the substrate in a volume of less than 10 ?l so that precisely one particle is present per reaction site, b) analysis of at least two of the particles deposited to the substrate at the reaction site of the substrate to assign each of the particles to individuals from the mixed sample by genotyping, where at least 80% of the particles analysed are to be assigned to an indi

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the quantitative analysis of the number of a pre-determined sequence, and optionally of sequences homologous to the pre-determined sequence, in a biological sample, whereby a defined quantity of a biological sample is subjected to at least one amplification reaction which is adapted in such a way as to amplify at least two non-homologous sequences contained in the pre-determined sequence. The number of different amplification products obtained is then determined and compared with a frequency distribution. The invention further relates to a kit for the quantitative analysis of the number of a pre-determined sequence in a biological sample, and a device which is especially suitable for carrying out the inventive method.

Abstract: There is provided a wireless headphone having charging contacts in the headphone band and at least one magnet in the headphone band. There is also provided a charging station for a corresponding wireless headphone with bars as an electrical feed line for charge contacting of a wireless headphone.

Abstract: A method for concentrating materials in a liquid involves pouring the liquid into a material-containing receptacle and irradiating the liquid by acoustic waves so that a stationary flow pattern with different flow rate areas is formed in the receptacle. A concentration device and reaction method using such concentration are also provided.

Abstract: Provision is made for an interchangeable accumulator unit comprising a housing (10, 20) and a lithium accumulator cell (40) arranged in the housing. Provision is further made in the housing of the accumulator unit for a charging circuit (50) for controlling the charging process of the lithium accumulator cell (40). Provision is made on the housing (10, 20) for at least one first charging contact unit (100, 200).

Abstract: There is provided a wireless headphone having charging contacts in the headphone band and at least one magnet in the headphone band. There is also provided a charging station for a corresponding wireless headphone with bars as an electrical feed line for charge contacting of a wireless headphone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the amplification of genetic information, wherein it is possible to analyze the frequency of unlimited partial amounts of genetic material from very small sample amounts. The inventive methods enable parallel amplification of specific target sequences of the respective partial amounts and simultaneous qualitative analysis thereof and subsequent relative quantitative analysis, wherein several high concentration amplification products containing many target sequences and qualitatively high value amplification products are provided.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit is provided for stabilizing the amplitude of a HF oscillation of an audio signal. In such an oscillator circuit, an audio signal having a frequency in the range of 20 Hz . . . 20 kHz is coupled into the oscillator circuit, is modulated with a high frequency and is emitted in the form of an RF audio signal having a frequency of more than 2 MHz. Such an oscillator circuit is used for instance in an infrared transmitting unit, wherein a low frequency audio signal is transformed into a higher frequency infrared signal. The higher frequency audio signals are transmitted via infrared channel to an appropriate receiving unit--for instance to infrared head phones--which comprises a receiving unit having an appropriate demodulator and preferably also a stereo-decoder in order to reproduce the low frequency audio signals.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for drilling multilayer printed circuit boards, and is also directed to a printed circuit board drill for the implementation of this method. When, based on a known measuring procedure, an offset of the interior layers of the printed circuit boards relative to the rated position is identified, the drill spindles must be appropriately adjusted before drilling in order to avoid rejects. This, however, has the disadvantage that respectively only one printed circuit board can be drilled at one time. Contrasting therewith, the invention provides that the seating plate for the printed circuit board of the drill can be designed variable with respect to the drill spindle, so that a plurality of seating plates can now be adjusted independently of one another. As a consequence, the employment of multi-spindle drills becomes possible.

Abstract: A compact and relatively simple artificial hand, which includes hooks pivotally mounted on a first frame to move together and apart, the first frame being rotatably mounted on a second frame to enable "turning at the wrist" movement without limitation, and the second frame being pivotally mounted on a third frame to permit "flexing at the wrist" movement. A hook-driving motor is fixed to the second frame but has a shaft that drives a speed reducer on the first frame which, in turn, drives the hooks. A second motor mounted on the second frame, turns a gear on the first frame to rotate the first frame and the hooks thereon. A third motor mounted on the third frame, turns a gear on a second frame to pivot it.