Abstract: The invention refers to coatings on different substrates, whereby a hydrophilic polymer layer is bound by means of a polymer adhesion promoter layer to a substrate. A method for the production of these layer systems is disclosed as well. The layers according to the invention can be used as immobilization matrix and for the suppression of non-specific protein adsorption in biosensors, MALDI targets and other bioanalytical devices. Furthermore they can be used for the bio-compatibilization of implants and for the coating of contact lenses. Optical elements, which are provided with such coatings, do not fog up any more. Beyond that the layers are dirt-deflecting and/or self-cleaning.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for quality control of a material layer, which involves providing the material of the layer with an agent for absorbing an electromagnetic radiation, irradiating the surface of the layer with an electromagnetic radiation, and measuring the amount of light emitted by the material layer, for example, reflected radiation or fluorescence radiation.

Abstract: A method for detecting ?-oxoaldehydes in the whole blood, blood plasma and/or serum of a patient. A respiratory air sample is analyzed for the presence of at least one ?-oxoaldehyde, and the presence of ?-oxoaldehydes in the whole blood, blood plasma and/or serum of the patient is determined from the results of the analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring metabolic activity of cells in liquid media, to an appropriate vessel and to a device for implementing said method. The invention aimes at enhancing measuring accuracy and reducing the costs involved in monitoring oxygen consumption and thus metabolic activity in culture cells. To this end, oxygen concentration is optically determined with the aid of sensor membranes in a liquid medium located in partially oxygen permeable vessels. Then, the measured oxygen concentrations in the vessels containing culture cells in a liquid medium are compared with the measured oxygen concentration in a vessel containing only such a liquid medium without cells and/or with an oxygen concentration calculated using the measured values of other parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for detecting substance concentration or activity or for determining the presence of substances based on electrochemical reactions. The electrochemical sensor comprises an electrode with surfaces inside the electrode, wherein electrochemical detection reactions occur. Said sensor guarantees high flow densities and is suitable for miniaturization. A substance-recognizing agent is advantageously placed in the electrode in contact with the inner surfaces. This enables not only short response times and long service life but also measurements with excellent linearity.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for carrying out quantitative fluorescence immunoassays using evanescent field excitation. Light from at least one light source is directed onto the boundary between two media which have differing refractive indices. The light source emits practically monochromatic light with a wavelength suitable for exciting a marking substance. The light is directed onto a boundary surface disposed between an optically transparent base plate, the refractive index of which is greater than that of the material above the boundary surface, and a receiving region for the sample. The receiving region is covered with a covering plate on the side disposed opposite the base plate, there being arranged between the base plate and covering plate at least one functional layer. A detector for detecting the fluorescent light is disposed on the same side of the base plate as the light source.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for carrying out quantitative fluorescence immunoassays using evanescent field excitation. Light from at least one light source is directed onto the boundary between two media which have differing refractive indices. The light source emits practically monochromatic light with a wavelength suitable for exciting a marking substance. The light is directed onto a boundary surface disposed between an optically transparent base plate, the refractive index of which is greater than that of the material above the boundary surface, and a receiving region for the sample. The receiving region is covered with a covering plate on the side disposed opposite the base plate, there being arranged between the base plate and covering plate at least one functional layer. A detector for detecting the fluorescent light is disposed on the same side of the base plate as the light source.

Abstract: The invention relates to sensor membranes for determining oxygen concentrations and to a process for the preparation thereof, in which, in a polymer matrix which is permeable to oxygen, an indicator is present whose optical and physicochemical properties can be influenced by the respective analytes. Starting from the disadvantages of known sensor membranes, it is the object of the invention to provide a sensor membrane which is thermally and also dimensionally stable, and can be prepared simply and flexibly. This object is achieved according to the invention in that the polymer matrix which contains the optical oxygen indicator is formed from a polymer containing sulfur, preferably in the main chain, particularly preferably containing sulfide and/or sulfone functionalities in the main chain.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method for carrying out fluorescence immunoassays, wherein from at least one light source light is directed onto a surface at one end of a light waveguide and with the light coupled into the light waveguide by evanescent field excitation at the surface of the light waveguide fluorescence of at least one labelling substance bound to a chemical or biochemical partner of a general receptor-ligand system is excited. The solution according to the invention is here to provide a possible way of carrying out fluorescence immunoassays with high accuracy of measurement at low cost and within a short time. To achieve this object, the fluorescent light is decoupled from the light waveguide and directed via an optical system onto an optical detector with which the intensity of the fluorescent light is measured.

Abstract: The invention concerns an analyte selective sensor for the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of ions or substances contained in solution. The proposed sensor (1) comprises at least one analyte-specific layer (3) deposited on an inert carrier (7) and in contact with the solution; this analyte-specific layer consists of a liquid, solid or semi-solid material and is in contact with at least two electrodes (5, 6). The layer (3) selectively removes the analyte from the solution so that its own electrical characteristics, such as resistance, conductivity, admittance or impedance, change as the analyte is taken up.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measurement apparatus (1) for analysing fluids, comprising a container (3) in the form of a syringe, into which a fluid may be taken in via an intake device (14) through at least one opening (5), and further comprising a sensor (7) which is either integrated in the container wall (9) or is attached to said container wall (9), the sensor(s) (7) being so disposed that it/they can come into contact with the fluid which may be taken up into the cavity (10).