Abstract: The invention concerns the stabilization and amplification of electrochemiluminescence signals in detection methods.

Abstract: Device for withdrawing Blood for Diagnostic Purposes. A lancet holder (8) for holding a lancet (7) and a lancet drive (12) having a loadable elastic drive spring (15) are provided within an elongated housing (2). The relaxing motion of the drive spring (15) is converted into a puncturing motion, after release of a locking device, to move the lancet (7), held by the lancet holder (8), at high speed in the puncturing direction until its tip exists out of an exit opening (5) of the housing (2). An improved handling and simultaneous minimization of pain is achieved by providing a two-sided rotary/translatory transmission (25) in the housing (2), wherein a) the input side (24) of the rotary/translatory transmission (25) transforms the motion of a loading button (17), protruding out of the rear end (16) of the housing.

Abstract: A stabilized reagent for the photometric enzymatic determination of creatine kinase (CK) in biological sample material by forming ATP from creatine phosphate and ADP and detecting the ATP formed, containing an organic or inorganic sulphur compound preferably in a submolar amount relative to the added CK activator. A corresponding reagent in a liquid form is stable at 2 to 8° C. for up to 12 months without significant loss of function.

Abstract: The invention concerns a DNA coding a eukaryotic highly active alkaline phosphatase with a specific activity of more than 3000 U/mg. The invention also concerns a process for the production of a DNA according to the invention, a vector containing the DNA according to the invention and a cell line containing this vector. Furthermore the invention concerns a recombinant highly active alkaline phosphatase with a specific activity of more than 3000 U/mg which is coded by the DNA according to the invention.

Abstract: An immunoassay for the determination of myocardial necroses using antibodies to troponin T and a binding partner B for troponin T or for the an antibody, whereby either the antibody or the binding partner B is labelled with a determinable group. The immunological complex formed which contains the determinable group is isolated by separation of the phases and the determinable group is determined in one of the phases. Furthermore, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to troponin T are described with a cross-reactivity of less than 5% to skeletal muscle troponin T and less than 2% to troponin I and other myofibrillar proteins.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel tricyclic antidepressant drug derivatives synthesized for covalent attachment to proteins or polypeptide antigens for use in the preparation of antibodies or receptors to tricyclic antidepressant drugs and tricyclic antidepressant metabolites. The new derivatives are characterized by a saturated double bond on the amitriptyline portion of the molecule and are represented by the structure where R1 is a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched chain of 0-10 carbon or heteroatoms, X is a linker group consisting of 0-2 substituted or unsubstituted aromatic rings, and Y is an activated ester or NH—Z, where Z is a poly(amino acid).

Abstract: The invention concerns an immunological process for the determination of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), particularly for the determination of free PSA, the total concentration of PSA and the concentration of PSA-serpin complexes by incubation of the sample with at least one antibody specifically binding to free PSA but not to complex PSA. The process is characterized in that especially before the determination of the total PSA concentration a nucleophile containing amine is added to the sample. Furthermore, the invention concerns the use of amine-containing nucleophiles for the production of free PSA as well as a procedure for preparing free PSA from complex PSA by incubation of a sample containing complex PSA with a nucleophile containing amine.

Abstract: An immunoassay for the determination of myocardial necroses using antibodies to troponin T and a binding partner B for troponin T or for the an antibody, whereby either the antibody or the binding partner B is labelled with a determinable group. The immunological complex formed which contains the determinable group is isolated by separation of the phases and the determinable group is determined in one of the phases. Furthermore, monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to troponin T are described with a cross-reactivity of less than 5% to skeletal muscle troponin T and less than 2% to troponin I and other myofibrillar proteins.

Abstract: The invention concerns an immunological process for the detection of an analyte in a sample, in particular of tumor markers wherein for the reduction of interference substances containing a peptide sequence derived from the framework regions of the variable domain of the antibodies to be detected or the antibodies used for immune therapy or scintigraphy are added to the test preparation. Furthermore, the invention concerns the use of such substances for the reduction of interference of immunoassays, a suppressive agent and a process for the reduction of interference of immunoassays by the substances mentioned.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and reagent for the determination of lipase in the presence of a colour substrate and at least one N-substituted carboxylic acid amide derivative or a compound of the general formula (I) or (Ia) in which R1 and R2 independently of one another represent hydrogen or a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon residue with 2 to 24 carbon atoms, Z denotes a saturated or unsaturated, substituted, cyclic or straight-chained hydrocarbon residue with 1 to 10 carbon atoms, X represents an atom or a group of atoms with positive charge and n is a number from 1 to 3. Tetra-sodium-N-(1,2-dicarboxylethyl)-N-alkylsulfosuccinamide or a mixture containing such a compound has proven to be particularly advantageous for the elimination of unspecific reactions in the determination of lipase in a biological sample.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for the detection of an analyte in a sample by chemiluminescence or electrochemiluminescence using derivatized test reagents. In addition new reagents and reagent kits for chemiluminescence and electrochemiluminescence detection methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Method for the automated, microscope-aided examination of tissue samples or samples of body fluids with the aid of neural networks. In a first method of examination the sample is firstly classified according to its type and subsequently a digitalized image is divided into connected segments which are examined by one or several neural networks. The sample is classified as pathological if cell types are present which do not belong to the type of sample or if structural cell or tissue changes are present. In a second method of examination the digitalized image is again segmented and the segments are examined for the presence of a cell object. This is followed by an examination whether the cell object is an individual cell or a cell complex. In a third step of the analysis it is determined whether the found cell object is located on one of the image borders. If this is the case then a further image is recorded in which the found cell objects are completely included.

Abstract: Improved methods for obtaining polynucleotides comprising sequences which differ between two populations of DNA or CDNA are provided. Improvements include reduction in the number of amplification cycles, use of a nuclease digestion step prior to amplification, a novel oligonucleotide adapter for the practice of the improved method, and novel methods for selective amplification of the desired unique fragments and selective degradation of fragments containing sequences common to both populations. Fragments of a sample population are amplified using a primer that endows the amplification products with resistance to nuclease degradation. Fragments of a control population are amplified using a primer that targets the amplification products for preferential degradation. Multiple cycles of hybridization, nuclease treatment and amplification are utilized to provide enrichment of fragments unique to the sample population.

Abstract: A process for the production of analytical devices is provided in accordance with the present invention. Analytical devices include analytical test elements with a capillary-active zone for examining liquid samples. In the process a carrier layer is prepared, a spacer layer is laminated onto the carrier layer, a contour is punched, cut or stamped through the spacer layer laminated onto the carrier layer which determines the shape of the capillary-active zone, those parts of the spacer layer which are not required to form the capillary-active zone are removed from the carrier layer and a cover layer is applied to the spacer layer to result in a capillary-active zone. The process according to the invention is preferably suitable for manufacturing analytical devices from tape material.

Abstract: The invention concerns rhodamine derivatives of the general formulae in which Ca-Cd each denote a C atom, and Ca and Cb as well as Cc and Cd are either linked together by a single bond or by a double bond; X1 to X16 denote independently of one another halogen, sulfonic acid, hydrogen or an alkyl residue with 1-20 C atoms in which the alkyl residue can be substituted with one or several halogen or sulfonic acid residues; R1 and R2 are either identical or different and denote either hydrogen, alkyl with 1-20 C atoms, polyoxyhydrocarbyl units, phenyl or phenylalkyl with 1-3 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain in which the alkyl and/or phenyl residues can be substituted by one or several hydroxy, halogen, sulfonic acid, amino, carboxy or alkoxycarbonyl groups where alkoxy can have 1-4 carbon atoms, R1 contains at least one activatable group, R2 and X4 can be optionally linked together via a bridge composed of 0-2 C atoms.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for the analysis of sample liquids, comprising: a) test elements comprising an edge profile; b) a moisture-impermeable, tightly sealable storage container for at least two test elements comprising a guide element, a spacer between the guide element and the first test element to be withdrawn, and a transport device for test elements; and c) a measuring instrument that is independent of a power supply network and can be held with one hand, the instrument comprising a guide groove for test elements, an opposing guide groove for the guide element of the storage container, and a holding device for test elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of peptides which are comprised essentially of D-amino acids to eliminate interference in diagnostic methods, a method for eliminating interference in diagnostic methods by peptides which are comprised essentially of D-amino acids as well as a reagent that eliminates interference containing at least one peptide which is comprised essentially of D-amino acids.

Abstract: A diagnostic kit, method, and apparatus for electrochemically determining the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample. A mixture is formed which includes the sample, an enzyme acceptor polypeptide, an enzyme donor polypeptide, and a labeled substrate. The enzyme donor polypeptide is capable of combining with the enzyme acceptor polypeptide to form an active enzyme complex. The formation of such the active enzyme complex is responsive to the presence or concentration of the analyte in the fluid sample. The active enzyme hydrolyzes the labeled substrate, resulting in the generation of an electroactive label, which can then be oxidized at the surface of an electrode. A current resulting from the oxidation of the electroactive compound can be measured and correlated to the concentration of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the enzymatic measurement of mycophenolic acid and other IMPDH inhibitors in biological samples.The present invention also provides assay reagents and packaged kits useful for performing enzymatic measurement of mycophenolic acid and other IMPDH inhibitors in biological samples.