Abstract: A device for analyzing the metabolism of cells includes a supporting base which carries a pH measuring electrode, a control electrode designed for proton exchange with the liquid, a reference electrode, and a counterelectrode, and which, together with at least one other part, confines a hollow space containing the cells and a liquid. The electrodes are connected to electronic circuit elements. In the course of an analysis the pH value of the liquid is determined by means of the pH measuring electrode and the reference electrode. Between the control electrode and the counterelectrode an electric current is passed through the liquid and controlled such that the pH of the liquid is maintained at a constant preset value beneficial to the cells, by proton exchange with the control electrode. In addition, the amount of charge required for generating the current during the measuring period is determined to obtain a measure for the intensity of the metabolic process and thus for the vitality of the cells.

Abstract: In order to avoid dead volumes in a valve for control of a branch line departing from the main line in a valve chamber located in a valve housing, the valve chamber contains an elastomer part provided with a main channel and a branch channel departing from it, and the two ends of the main channel are sealingly connected with the main lines. The free end of the branch channel is sealingly connected with the branch line, and further that a valve lifter be provided in the valve housing, which acts on the branch channel in the branch-off area directly adjacent to the main channel of the elastomer part, thus reducing the cross-section of the branch channel, which is held in place by a counterpiece in the valve housing.

Abstract: A luminescence-optical indicator for determining the activity of alkali metals based on decay time includes at least three components that are chemically bound to one another, i.e., a fluorophor, a functional group with which the luminescence decay time of the fluorophor can be influenced, and a ionophor binding the alkali metal ions to be measured in a selective and reversible manner, the effect of the functional group on the decay time of the fluorophor being altered in dependence on the activity of the alkali metal ions.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement includes at least one potentiometric measuring electrode located in a sample channel, a reference electrode located in a branch line, and a suction pump downstream of the diaphragmless entrance opening of the branch line into the sample channel the reference electrode being an ion-sensitive, i.e., preferably chloride-sensitive, membrane electrode.

Abstract: A feeder unit, which is used for selectively charging an analyzing apparatus with liquid or gaseous sample-, reference- or cleaning media, comprises a sample inlet and a feeder part hinged on the feeder unit at one end. The feeder part contains an intake passage for the cleaning medium to be entered, the sample inlet having a flexible feeder funnel cooperating with a washing element which is attached to the feeder part and can be introduced into the funnel. The feeder part is configured as a cover flap swinging around a fixed pin. The intake passage for the cleaning medium opens into the washing element and is also used for delivering liquid and gaseous reference media. The washing element is located on a support which is elastically attached to the cover flap, and fits into the flexible funnel when the cover flap is closed.

Abstract: For quality control of packaged organic substances, preferably packaged foods and drugs, the materials to be examined are brought into contact with a planar optical sensor element which is applied on the inside of the wrapping and responds to a change in the gas composition in the gas space above the sample by a change in color or fluorescence. The change of one of the optical properties of the sensor element is detected visually or opto-electronically.

Abstract: Apparatus for withdrawing arterial blood has a protective tube having a mounting member on one end of the tube. The mounting member includes a conical seat for the receipt of a hollow needle. A connecting member is mounted on the other end of the tube. First and second capillaries, having respective ends, arc positioned within the tube. The first capillary is arranged concentrically within the second capillary so that an annular space is formed between the first and the second capillaries. The first capillary projects beyond both ends of the second capillary, and one end of each of the first and the second capillaries is mounted in the mounting member. The first capillary is connectable to a hollow-needle, and the other end of each of the first and the second capillaries is mounted in the connecting member which provides communication between the first and the second capillaries.

Abstract: A two-channel sampling needle is designed for withdrawing body fluids, such as blood or tissue fluid, has two essentially parallel cannulas, the first cannula being provided with an insertion needle which may be removed after the sampling needle has been introduced, its sharpened end projecting beyond the end of the first cannula. At the distal end of the sampling needle the second cannula has at least one connecting opening into the first cannula. A mounting part of the sampling needle is provided with fittings for the two cannulas and with a separate opening plugged by a flexible stopper for removal of the insertion needle.

Abstract: A dialytic probe is provided with an insertion needle sharpened at one end, which is surrounded by a flexible plastic cannula, and may be removed after introduction of the probe. The plastic cannula is covered at least partly by a tubular dialyzing membrane which is bonded to the plastic cannula at the distal end and to a handle at the other end, thus forming a fluid-tight seal. The space between the plastic cannula and dialyzing membrane is divided along the length of the probe, such that two passages or lumens of essentially crescent-shaped cross-section are formed, with a flow-connection at the distal end of the plastic cannula, and with a connection to one of separate ingoing and outgoing lines each. The lumen of the plastic cannula may be connected to a drug feeder line. The handle holds the ingoing and outgoing lines and a potential drug feeder line of the probe.

Abstract: In a sensor arrangement for direct or indirect optical determination of physical or chemical parameters, in human and animal bodies, the sensor arrangement including an indicator cell which is permeable to the chemical substance or physical quantity to be measured and which contains one or more indicators, a radiation source supplying the excitation radiation for the indicator, and a detector for detection of the response radiation emitted by the indicator, the indicator cell is configured as a capsule which may be introduced into body cavities, such as mouth, nose, stomach, intestine, blood vessels, bronchial tubes, urinary bladder, or which may be implanted in the tissue, and the material used for this capsule is transparent to excitation radiation and to the response radiation emitted by the indicator in the range of wavelengths between 600 and 1,300 nm, and the material of the capsule, or rather, its outer layer, is bio-compatible.

Abstract: In order to simultaneously determine the concentrations of different analytes in several places in a tissue by means of a thin, biocompatible tube or cannula which is inserted into the tissue, the tube is provided with several areas along its length which contain either identical or different optically excitable and readable, preferably luminescence-optical, indicating substances for measuring the local distribution of one parameter, such as O.sub.2 concentration or O.sub.2 partial pressure, or for simultaneous measurement of at least two different parameters, e.g., pO.sub.2, pCO.sub.2 or pH.

Abstract: Method for analyzing gaseous or liquid samples, utilizing a one-way measuring element with a measuring channel containing at least one optical or electrochemical sensor and being provided with sealing elements on either end. In order to obtain accurate measurements in a simple manner the proposal is put forward that for measuring purposes a storage medium in the measuring channel be replaced by a separating medium which should then be replaced by the sample. Sample and storage medium will remain in the measuring element when it is discarded.

Abstract: A method for the continuous and reversible determination of the concentration of an enzyme substrate such as glucose in an specimen, wherein the specimen is brought into contact with a corresponding enzyme selected from oxidases and oxygenases and to which a flavin coenzyme (FMN, FAD) is bonded, the flavin coenzyme changing to a reduced form by the enzyme substrate and to an oxidized form by molecular oxygen dissolved in the specimen, and the change in the fluorescence spectrum, produced by means of the reduction of the flavin coenzyme, is measured.

Abstract: A device for the sampling of body fluids using a hollow needle (6), is provided with a storage system (3) with several separate sample containers (4) placed on a movable carrier (9). The containers (4) which are sealed by puncturable membranes (5) so as to be gas-tight, will receive collected fractions of the body fluid at given intervals, a device (7) connected to a control unit (2) being provided, by which the hollow needle (6) is positioned over each sample container (4) in turn and is inserted through the membrane (5) into the sample container. The sampling device 1 is configured as a two-channel cannula (18), one (19) of whose channels is connected via a first connecting tube (25) to the hollow needle (6) used for insertion into the sample containers (4), while its other channel (20) is connected via a second connecting tube (26) to a pump (8'; 21) operated by the control unit (2).

Abstract: A device for measuring blood pressure includes a sensor arrangement which is releasably attached to the exterior of a body and which is electrically conductively connected with electronic circuit. The sensor arrangement and the circuit are configured to determine, in at least one measuring region of the body, a valve which is a measure for a variable that changes periodically over time in the rhythm of the pulse beat and which is correlated with the blood pressure. This variable may, for example, be the flow velocity and/or flow quantity and/or the volume of the arterial blood and/or a cross-sectional dimension and/or the flow cross section area of an arterial blood vessel. The sensor and circuit further determine a value which is a measure for the pulse wave velocity. By linking the two values together and including at least one calibration value, at least one value that is characteristic for of the blood pressure (preferably including at least the systolic blood. pressure) can be determined.

Abstract: An indicator for use in a luminescence-optical configuration for continuous and reversible measurement of the pH of a sample within a relevant measuring range (M), whose luminescence decay time .tau. is dependent on the pH of the sample, is characterized by the following properties. The pK.sub.a value of the acidic or basic indicator is in the relevant measuring range when the indicator is in its electronic ground state (S.sub.0). The protonation rate k.sub.p of the base, or deprotonation rate k.sub.dp of the acid in the excited state (S.sub.1, X) of the indicator is lower than the decay rate k.sub.A of the excited state, and the luminescence decay times .tau..sub.S and .tau..sub.B of the acidic forms (AH*, BH.sup.+*) and the basic forms (A.sup.-*, B*) of the indicator are different from each other. If the pK.sub.a .tau. value of the indicator in its electronically excited state (S.sub.1, X) is within the relevant measuring range, the protonation rate k.sub.p of the base, or deprotonation rate k.sub.

Abstract: A system for measuring the saturation of at least one gas in blood has a sensor which is, intended to be placed on a living body. Light is emitted from the sensor and into the body at a light radiating zone. The sensor has a plurality of light receiving zones, serving to receive light backscattered in the body, which zones are at various distances from the light radiating zone. Light receiving means are also present, in order to measure the intensities of the light backscattered from the body and reaching the sensor in the various light receiving zones. The measuring system also has electronic circuitry, which upon measurement, based on a predetermined criterion, selects one evaluation zone from among the light receiving zones and evaluate the portion of the light detected in the evaluation range that varies periodically over time at the rate of the pulse frequency in order to detect at least one gas saturation of blood, in particular the oxygen saturation of blood.

Abstract: An analyzing device, in particular for examining body fluids, with a measuring module, at least one gas feed tube for a calibrating gas, a moistening device for the calibrating gas as well as a washing water tube connectable to the measuring channel of the measuring module, is simplified and improved in that the moistening device for the calibrating gas is integrated in the washing water conduit through a water inlet and a water outlet. The calibrating gas can be led over the water surface in the moistening device and moistened in this way.

Abstract: Electromagnetically actuated valve, comprising an actuating device, a movable plunger and a valve chamber with an opening for the medium passing through it, which opening may be closed by the plunger. In order to ensure safe functioning of the valve at small closing forces, the valve chamber is totally sealed against the actuating device and the movable plunger by means of a flexible diaphragm, the diaphragm being fitted into the housing along its circumference and being pressed against the edge of the opening by the movable plunger.

Abstract: In order to simplify manufacture of the interior electrode of a polarographic electrode with an electrically insulating shell containing a wire lead and carrying a reactive surface at its front end, which surface is formed by the free cross-sectional areas of wires arranged in the shell and in electrical contact with the wire lead, the wires and the site where they are connected to the wire lead are embedded in a plastic compound filling the front end of the shell.