Abstract: A method for detecting biological activities in a specimen, for instance a blood sample, employing a sealable container with a culture medium, into which the sample is introduced, wherein metabolic processes are enhanced in the presence of microorganisms in the sample, thereby causing changes to take place in the concentrations of the substances subject to such processes. The concentration changes are measured by optodes that are in direct contact with the sample, and by an excitation and detection assembly assigned to these optodes, to which is connected an evaluation unit for determining concentration changes of the substances over time.

Abstract: In order to improve the response behavior of an optical sensor for determining at least one parameter in a liquid or gaseous sample, the sensor including a substrate which is provided with carrier particles and a fluorescent indicator immobilized thereon, the substrate is configured as a polymer film transparent to both excitation and emission radiation, and the individual carrier particles carrying the fluorescent indicator in immobilized form are bonded with only part of their surface to a thin layer of a thermoplastic material adhering to the polymer film and assume thermosetting properties after the carrier particles have been pressed in, whereas the other part of the surface of the carrier particles extend into an optically transparent hydrogel layer which covers the thermoplastic layer and in which the carrier particles are anchored mechanically. Such sensors may easily be attached to the end of an optical waveguide and may be made in any size by a simple punching operation.

Abstract: For the simultaneous measurement of two parameters of a liquid or gaseous sample, in a fluorescence measuring device in which the influence of the aging processes of the indicator substance and the fluctuations in the light intensity of the excitation light source are to be avoided, it is proposed that the change in the first parameter to be measured is obtained from the change in the ratio of two intensity values, determined for different wavelengths of the excitation and emission spectrum of the indicator substance, and the change of a second parameter is obtained from the change in the decay time t of the fluorescence radiation of the same indicator substance from the group of aromatic hydrocarbons, the aromatic heterocycles and the metal organic complexes.

Abstract: In order to determine at least one parameter of interest in a living organism, a perfusion fluid is directly introduced in the tissues. After its partial balancing by the tissue parameter of interest, the perfusion fluid is collected and analyzed for the parameter of interest, as well as for endogenous or exogenous marker properties indicative of the degree of interaction between the perfusion fluid and the tissue, in such a way that the parameter of interest can be determined with the help of such characteristic properties. Contrary to usual processes, used exclusively inside blood vessels or other body cavities filled with liquid, this process creates in the tissues, i.e. in the closed cellular structure, a previously inexistent cavity, in which the perfusion fluid introduced in the tissue interacts directly with the organic tissue, with no intervening membranes.

Abstract: In order to eliminate interferences of an optical or chemical nature, preferably in optical sensors, a cover layer is provided which comprises a hydrophilic, ion-permeable polymer membrane containing precious metal pigments deposited by a reduction or reduction/cementation technique for the purpose of suppressing straylight.

Abstract: In order to improve a one-way measuring element, which may be inserted into an analyzer for analyzing gaseous or liquid samples and which comprises a measuring channel with a measuring zone and one or more sensors located therein, the proposal is put forward that the one-way measuring element be provided with a sensor part whose measuring channel has seals on both ends, and with a sample-taking part, and that a coupling element be placed at the inlet end of the measuring channel for direct coupling of the sample-taking part containing the gaseous or liquid sample, and that the measuring channel be filled with a calibrating and storage medium prior to the measuring process, and that the calibrating and storage medium contained in the measuring channel be displaced by the sample flowing in after the sample-taking part has been coupled to the sensor part. The one-way measuring elements obtained in this way are characterized by great simplicity of design and ease of handling.

Abstract: An analyzing apparatus primarily designed for the analysis of body fluids, includes a feeding device, a measuring unit formed by a string of measuring cells linked by a channel, and a waste disposal unit for removal of the samples analyzed. Such an analyzing apparatus may be tailored to suit specific purposes by providing the measuring unit, or at least parts thereof, as modular units, which can directly be coupled to the feeding device and the waste disposal unit via a separate control block.

Abstract: A device for withdrawing body fluids such as blood, urine and tissue fluid includes a withdrawal unit, a suction unit, and a storage system receiving the body fluid between the withdrawal unit and the suction unit, the storage system being divided into separate areas holding the fluid fractions gathered at given intervals and permitting the individual fluid fractions to be identified with regard to their time of withdrawal. In this way tests requiring repeated sampling at short intervals are made easier for doctor and patient.

Abstract: Due to the size of the devices used for the excitation and measuring of light, conventional sensor elements for optically determining the concentrations of substances contained in gaseous and liquid samples, featuring an indicator layer with one or more indicator substances, are not well suited for use with microanalysis equipment, nor are they easy to mass-produce. These disadvantages are eliminated by using a unitary sensor element having a carrier layer, at least one photosensitive element with electric contact leads in contact with the carrier layer, and an indicator layer containing an indicator substance.

Abstract: A feeding device with a feeder element for liquid or gaseous samples includes an automatic sample exchanger having sample vessels for the liquid or gaseous samples and openings between the sample vessels through which the feeder element is automatically shifted from the feed position for serial samples to an initial position in contact with a feed opening for calibrating or cleansing media.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the properties of a sample includes a sensor block with at least one sensor module whose housing contains a measuring chamber in contact with a sensor, the housing of the sensor module M including a mixing chamber for indirect measurement of a sample property, which chamber is placed upstream of the measuring chamber, and is connected with a sample channel and a reagent channel. Due to the modular design of the sensor block, the sample and reagent paths in the sensor block or sensor module may be kept short; along with the compact arrangement of mixing chamber and measuring chamber this permits the required sample and reagent volumes to be kept to a minimum.

Abstract: A sensor element useful in making fluorescence-optical measurements includes a substrate having a carrier surface, particles having a large specific surface are which are glued, melted or sintered onto the carrier surface so as to provide small elevations of a regular distribution on the carrier surface, and an indicator substance immobilized on the particles. Additional substances can be applied to the particles to reduce undesirable influences of properties of the sample on the indicator substance.

Abstract: A feeding device for introducing liquid or gaseous media into the analysis path of an analyzing apparatus includes a feeder element which cooperates in an initial position with a feed opening for calibrating or cleansing media and which may by brought into one or more sample feed positions. The feeder element is fastened by means of chain pins to a driven link chain which is guided by a guide pulley, the chain permitting the feeder element to be moved from the initial position and then tilted into a sample feed position upon contact of the feeder element with the guide pulley.

Abstract: In conventional devices for feeding an analyzing apparatus with different media, comprising a feeder unit with fittings for the media to be introduced, the individual media travel different paths between the input opening and the measuring chambers, which will result in different conditions of measurement for calibrating media and sample media. The invention eliminates this drawback by providing the feeder unit 1 with input elements 6, by placing the sample input opening 4 on a supporting piece 3 which may be moved by a control unit 17, and by providing that each input element 6 may be brought into sealing contact with the sample input opening 4 subsequent to a rotatory motion of the supporting piece 3.

Abstract: In conventional devices for feeding an analysing apparatus with different media, comprising a feeder unit with fittings for the media to be introduced, the individual media travel different paths between the inlet opening and the measuring chambers, which will result in different conditions of measurement for calibrating media and sample media. The invention eliminates this drawback by providing the feeder unit (1) with feed elements (4, 4') connected with the fittings (5), and by enabling each feed element (4, 4') to be positioned above the sample inlet opening (10) by means of a control unit (8) effecting a translational or rotatory motion of the feeder unit (1), subsequent to which the feed element (4, 4') can be inserted into the sample inlet opening (10) by means of a lifting device acting parallel to the center axis (11) of the sample inlet opening (10).

Abstract: Bistable magnet, in particular for the actuation of valves and the like, with a movable piston that has a pole face and that is held by a permanent magnet in one of its two stable positions, wherein this piston has a stop face that is provided with a damping plate and that with an opposing face that is built stationary into the housing defines an end position of the piston. To avoid switching noises without decreasing the holding forces it is provided that, in addition to the stop face on the piston, a pole face is provided that interacts with a stationary pole face and that a device that guides the magnetic flux and bridges the air gap between these pole faces is provided between these pole faces.

Abstract: An ion-selective electrode for determining an electrolyte concentration in an aqueous solution includes an ion-selective layer and a potential-sensitive fluorescent indicator in the ion-selective layer, the fluorescence intensity of the potential-sensitive fluorescent indicator being measured to provide an indication of the electrolyte concentration.

Abstract: In order to obtain a higher measuring accuracy and better selectivity in the optical quantitative analysis of sulphur dioxide in gaseous or liquid media, it is proposed that the medium to be analyzed be brought into contact with a fluorescent indicator which emits fluorescent light upon excitation and which is from the group of triphenylmethane dyes, and that the extent to which fluorescence is quenched by the SO.sub.2 quencher be used as a measurable variable for quantitative determination of the content of sulphur dioxide in the medium.

Abstract: Bodies of borosilicate glass with a B.sub.2 O.sub.3 content of less than 13 percent by weight are provided with a microporous layer of a thickness of 5 to 20 .mu.m, and are thus turned into carriers for optical sensors. This process is characterized by the following steps. Thermal decomposition for 5 to 10 days at 500.degree. to 560.degree. C.; removal of the topmost layer of glass to a depth of at least 10 .mu.m in the part of the surface to be rendered porous; leaching of the separated borate phase with diluted mineral acids for a minimum of 2 days at 70.degree. to 98.degree. C.; and after-treatment of the microporous layer, including (a) chemical treatment with concentrated sulphuric acid and concentrated nitric acid for 2 hours at 20.degree. C., and (b) heat-treatment for 10 minutes to 2 hours at 450.degree. to 700.degree. C.

Abstract: A sensor element for use in determining the concentrations of substances contained in gaseous and liquid samples includes a carrier layer and an indicator layer containing one or more indicator substances whose optical properties change depending on the concentration of the substances to be measured, the carrier layer being provided with at least one photosensitive element with electrical contacts in planar arrangement, the indicator layer acting as a waveguide for excitation radiation coupled therein by an optical element.