Abstract: In a glass ampoule for holding a drug, a calibration liquid or a quality control liquid, whose bottom is flat or recessed towards the interior of the ampoule, the bottom area is shaped and/or coated such that a predefined breaking site is provided, which can be mechanically destroyed with little use of force.

Abstract: In a sensor layer for quantitative determination of at least one chemical component in a gaseous or liquid sample medium containing a chromophore which is directly or indirectly responsive to the component being determined by changing its absorption spectrum, and a luminophore which is not responsive to the component being determined, where there is an at least partial overlap between the emission spectrum of the luminophore and the absorption spectrum of the chromophore, and where the energy transfer between luminophore and chromophore produces a measurable change in at least one luminescence characteristic of the luminophore, the luminophore L and the chromophore .GAMMA. are ionic substances with differing electrical charges, which are incorporated in a matrix material that is permeable to the chemical component being determined.

Abstract: Biological components such as enzymes are immobilized in a three-dimensional cross-linked hydrophobic polymer. An enzyme is mixed with an aqueous solvent and a non-crosslinked prepolymer having an essentially nonpolar main chain with attached polar hydrophilic groups and cross-linking groups. The resultant mixture is exposed to cross-linking temperatures to react the prepolymer via the cross-linking groups without additional catalyst or cross-linking agents, and the aqueous solvent is evaporated to form a three-dimensional cross-linked hydrophobic polymer matrix containing the enzyme. The prepolymer can be an oil alkyl resin containing the main chain with attached polar hydrophilic groups and cross-linking groups. The oil alkyl resin is cross-linked by autoxidation, and aqueous solvent is evaporated to form the polymer matrix.

Abstract: Starting from two non-miscible phases, i.e., a lipophilic and a hydrophilic phase, a surface-active substance and a recognition component, a micellar recognition system is built in a suitable manner and is incorporated into a layer structure. The micellar recognition system is provided in a single thin layer in which the recognition component is distributed homogeneously. Additional layers which may be provided about this layer, have an influence on the properties of the entire layer structure. On contact between the layer structure and the substance to be measured a recognition step takes place in the layer which is followed by a transducing step. In this way a measurement variable is produced by means of which information is obtained on the substance. The layer structures exhibit higher sensitivity, a lower detection threshold, short response time and special robustness with regard to sample interference.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the concentrations of n hemoglobin derivatives in a sample of undiluted, unhemolyzed whole blood provided in a cuvette, employs a device producing a primary light beam formed of at least n substantially monochromatic, narrow-band components of different wavelengths. Further provided is a detection device for measuring of the radiation passing through the cuvette. At least two measuring geometries are provided for spectral detection of a collimated central beam and at least one scatter beam, and detection of the central beam departing from a first measuring location in the cuvette takes place in a first measuring position on the axis of the primary beam, and detection of the scatter beam takes place in a second measuring position if it departs from the first measuring location in the cuvette, or in the first measuring position if it departs from a second measuring location in the cuvette, whereby the axes of the central beam and the scatter beam(s) enclose angles .alpha..sub.

Abstract: An optochemical fluorescence sensor with a biorecognitive layer for measuring the concentration of one or more analytes in a sample is provided with at least one island layer which is applied on a sensor substrate. The islands of the island layer are in the form of electrically-conductive material and have a diameter of less than 300 nm, the biorecognitive layer being directly applied on the island layer or bound via a spacer film. In addition, an analyte-specific fluorescent compound is provided which may be added to the sample or is provided in the sensor itself. The biorecognitive layer can bind the analyte to be measured directly or by means of analyte-binding molecules, the originally low quantum yield of the fluorescent compound increasing strongly in the vicinity of the island layer.

Abstract: A measuring assembly comprises a supporting element transparent to excitation and measurement radiation, which is provided with a number of preferably different luminescence-optical sensor elements on a first boundary face. Via a second boundary face excitation radiation can be picked up, and a third boundary face is used to supply measurement radiation of the sensor elements to a detector of an evaluation unit. The direction of the excitation radiation is essentially normal to that of detection. The preferably different sensor elements are connected by a common sample channel, and optical and/or temporal separation of the measurement radiation of the individual sensor elements is provided.

Abstract: In a method of optically determining the total hemoglobin concentration (tHb) in non-hemolyzed whole blood, using at least two wavelengths for measuring, a first wavelength of .lambda.<805 nm and a second wavelength of .lambda.>805 nm is employed, such the following is valid for the absorption coefficients of hemoglobin derivatives O.sub.2 Hb and RHb at the two measurement wavelengths .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.2 : .sigma.O(.lambda..sub.1).about..sigma.R(.lambda..sub.2) and .sigma.R(.lambda..sub.1).about..sigma.O(.lambda..sub.2). The sum of absorption values A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 measured at wavelengths .lambda..sub.1 and .lambda..sub.2 will be a quantity which is proportional to the total hemoglobin concentration tHb and independent of the oxygen saturation O.sub.2sat.

Abstract: An optical indicator for determining the activity of an ion in a sample is provided with an ionophor which is capable of selectively binding the ion to be measured. The ionophor has at least two functional groups that can form an electron donor acceptor (EDA) complex, the complex bond being broken up by the attachment of the ion to be determined. This will lead to a change in at least one of the measurable optical properties of the indicator in dependence on the activity of the ion to be measured.

Abstract: A planar sensor for determining a chemical parameter of a sample, includes a substrate whose surface is at least partly plane and is provided with at least one potentiometric or amperometric and, possibly, an optical transducer, and one or more biochemical components. The transducer and the biochemical component are provided on the surface of the substrate, or at least part of the surface, as a sensor spot, and a cover membrane surrounding this sensor spot, is heat welded to the surface of the substrate. Those sensor spots that include a potentiometric or amperometric transducer are in contact with a strip conductor attached to the plane surface of the substrate and the thermal seal of the cover membrane is interrupted where the conducting strips lead away from the sensor spots.

Abstract: A reagent bottle suitable for insertion into a sample analyzer features a sample discharge opening plugged by an elastic, pierceable stopper, and an air inlet. Both the sample discharge opening and the air inlet are located on the same side of the reagent bottle, the axes of the two openings running parallel to each other, such that both openings can be docked onto corresponding sampling and air inlet elements of the analyzer in one and the same working process when the reagent bottle is inserted into the analyzer. The elastic stopper is covered on its outside by a protective foil and has a recess at a puncturing site enabling the sampling element to puncture the foil more easily. Bordering on the recess of the stopper is an area which is prepunctured but offers a tight elastic seal.

Abstract: In a method for calibration of a pH measuring element whose ion-permeable, hydrophilic polymer layer is brought into contact with an aqueous solution prior to calibration, the aqueous solution is displaced or replaced by a gaseous calibrating medium, and residues of the aqueous solution remaining in the ion-permeable polymer layer. The gaseous calibrating medium contains a known amount of at least one component which is acid or basic in aqueous solution which reacts with the remaining residues of the aqueous solution in the polymer layer, such that a defined pH value is established in the polymer layer, which is employed for calibration of the measuring element.

Abstract: For the purpose of automatically drawing a liquid from a sealed glass ampoule the latter is held in a support in upright position with the ampoule bottom facing upwards, and the bottom is destroyed mechanically by inserting a withdrawing element. The liquid content of the ampoule is then sucked from a splinter-free zone of the glass ampoule.

Abstract: Electromagnetic actuating device, in particular for a valve, includes a plunger which is axially movable between two extreme positions, an electromagnetic coil surrounding the plunger actuating it, and a permanent magnet holding the plunger in one of its extreme positions, and at least one pole plate located between plunger and permanent magnet. The holding force of the permanent magnet is considerably increased by providing that the permanent magnet, which is configured as a flat disk, be completely covered by the pole plate on the side facing the plunger.

Abstract: An optochemical sensor for measuring concentrations of analytes is provided with a reactive matrix preferably made of polymeric material capable of swelling. Further provided are a mirror layer and a layer of a plurality of discrete islands that are electrically conductive, between which layers the reactive matrix is positioned, the diameter of the islands being smaller than the wavelength of the light employed for monitoring and evaluation.

Abstract: A sensor with a first, second and third force pick-up includes a piece of foil made of piezoelectric material which serves all three pick-ups and carries a number of electrodes. The second and third pick-up are located one on either side of the first pick-up and are characterized by a smaller pick-up surface than the first one. For measuring blood pressure the sensor is pressed against a part of a patient's body such that the first force pick-up, i.e., the one in the middle, is at the shortest possible distance from a large artery. During measurement the absolute values of the changes in the measurement values of the three force pick-ups, which are due to the pulsating blood stream, are added. On the other hand the changes in the measurement values caused by interfering forces will cancel each other out.

Abstract: In a process for mixing two initial solutions to produce a working solution with an accurately defined mixing ratio, the two initial solutions are coarsely mixed in a first step, having a mixing ratio lying within a given range, and the value of an internal parameter of the working solution is determined in a second step. The values of this internal parameter are known and differ significantly for the two initial solutions. Then the accurate mixing ratio of the working solution is determined from the measured value of the internal parameter in a third step.

Abstract: A fluid-tight connection of capillary channels in components which are detachable from each other is established with the use of a sealing element. In order to compensate for slight deviations between the channel axes during the coupling of the components without creating any dead spaces, the sealing element is configured as a piece of flexible tubing adapting to the course of the capillary channels during component coupling, and a mounting element anchored in one of the components.

Abstract: A member has a solid carrier and a thin oxide layer which is arranged thereon and consists of iridium oxide and/or possibly at least one oxide of at least one other metal belonging to the fifth or sixth period and to one of the subgroups 5b, 6b, 7b and 8 of the Periodic Table of chemical elements and/or zirconium oxide. The oxide layer is monocrystalline and therefore very stable. The member can serve, for example, for the formation of at least one electrode which serves as a proton donor and/or proton acceptor and/or for the measurement and/or change of the pH value and/or for a coulometric measurement or for holding biologically active molecules and at the same time as an electrode and/or optical sensor.

Abstract: In a device for determining the concentration of a reagent from a group consisting of gases with acid or alkaline reaction in aqueous environments, and volatile acids and bases in liquid or gaseous samples, a sample chamber is situated in a housing and a unit for pH measurement with a reaction space is separated from the sample chamber by an ion-impermeable, gas-permeable membrane. The feeding of the reaction space with buffer solution is facilitated by connecting the reaction space by means of an ion-permeable channel to a reservoir for a buffer solution located outside of the pH measuring unit.