Abstract: The invention relates to a miniaturized spectrometer for investigating the spectrum of emission radiation excited in an object by incident radiation. For the miniaturized spectrometer according to the invention, a diode laser is preferably used as an edge emitter (without a perforated shutter). The window of the edge emitter is arranged at the focal point of the converging lens at the input of the illuminating beam path (without an optical fiber), preferably without a perforated shutter. The edge emitter produces a divergent beam pencil with an elliptical cross-section. The length ratio of the main axes of the ellipse is more than 2:1. The large main axis of the ellipse runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the entry slit of the microspectrometer.

Abstract: Sample liquid is collected in a chamber downstream of a separating device. Adjoining the chamber are a plurality of channels which guide the sample liquid to one or more investigating regions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a component (4) of a biosensor, comprising at least one first device (6) for receiving a sample liquid, wherein the device (6) is connected via a distributor channel (7) to further receiving devices (8 to 11), into each of which a feed channel (71, 72, 73, 74) branching off from the distributor channel (7) opens, and the feed channels (71, 72, 73, 74) are arranged in succession in flow direction (S) of the sample liquid passed on through the distributor channel (7). In accordance with the invention, it is envisaged that, in the distributor channel (7), in each case between two immediately successive feed channels (71, 72; 72, 73; 73, 74) in flow direction (S), at least one region (K) for at least temporary slowing or stoppage of the capillary flow of the sample liquid has been inserted.

Abstract: Process for joining a foil or a membrane. The invention relates to a method for joining at least one foil-like or membrane-like part to a structural part (9), wherein the foil-like or membrane-like part is separated by means of a tool (2) from a semi-finished product (3) and is held on the tool (2) by applying a reduced pressure, and wherein the foil-like or membrane-like part is placed on the structural part (9), and is in turn held on this (9) and joined to this (9) by applying a reduced pressure. By means of the method a precise, reliable and readily automatable joining of a foil-like or membrane-like part to a structural part (9) is possible. A device (1) is also proposed, with which the method according to the invention can readily be carried out.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sample separation, particularly for blood separation, in which the sample liquid is introduced into a feed device. The sample flows vertically through a separating device such as a filter or a membrane, so that sample particles are retained and separated off. The sample liquid thus separated, particularly blood plasma, is received by an inlet chamber underneath the separating device and conveyed by means of a channel in the lateral direction out of the inlet chamber. Particularly advantageously, the channel extends into the inlet chamber, the channel being formed by a recess in the base of the inlet chamber.

Abstract: A device, particularly a microfluidic system, is proposed, in which two cavities are arranged spatially close to one another and are sealed off from one another by a common cover. A fluidic connection can be produced between the cavities by movement of a pin-shaped body towards the cover. In this way it is possible to release a reagent in controlled manner without having to put it under pressure.

Abstract: Holding device for the arrangement of at least one optical component in front of a laser light source of a laser unit, including a first holding part to which at least one optical component is attached, the holding device furthermore including a second holding part which is attached to one part of the laser unit, and the first holding part being attached to the second holding part. Furthermore this invention relates to an arrangement with such a holding device and a process for producing this arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to joining plastic components into a microfluidic cartridge (20). The invention in particular relates to cartridges (20) for diagnostic analysis devices. The cartridge (20) comprises a fluidically conductive floor element (11), a cover (2), and a film (3) disposed between the elements (1, 2). The cover (2) or the floor element (1) and the film (3) comprise a filling opening (5) for filling microfluidic channels (4) in one of the elements having sample fluid. Pins (6) formed integrally with one of the board-shaped elements (1, 2) engage in corresponding holes (7) in the film (3) and the associated element (1, 2) for each. By means of deforming a pin (6), a friction fit is produced between a deformed pin and the wall of a hole, and a head (9) contacting the associated substrate in a form-fitting manner is formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic apparatus for producing a volume flow that is uniform over time in a metering process. In various solution processes or reaction processes it is essential to have a specified given volume flow or mass flow of fluid available to ensure reliable dissolution of the reagent or ensure that the reaction takes place. In microfluidic apparatus in which separation of particles from a fluid, particularly blood, is carried out through a membrane, the volume flow through the membrane decreases continuously. In order to achieve a uniform volume flow during metering, it is envisaged that first of all a reservoir is filled from a first channel, so that the contents of the reservoir can then be fed to the metering process by opening a fluid stop. The emptying of the reservoir takes place with a uniform volume flow of 0.05 microlitres per second to 10 microlitres per second.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic arrangement for metering one or more first metered amounts of liquid (A) and for separating the latter from a second amount of liquid (B), having the following features: the arrangement has a first channel and one or more second channels; the first channel has one inlet and one outlet; in the area of the outlet the arrangement has a capillarity, which is greater than or equal to the capillarity in the area of the inlet; the one or more second channels branch off from the first channel at one or more branch points; the one or more second channels have a greater capillarity than the first channel at the branch points; and the one or more second channels have a predetermined volume. In the arrangement as depicted in the invention a liquid is transported in the first channel from the inlet to the outlet. At the branch points one portion of the liquid at a time enters the one or more second channels and fills them completely with the first metered amounts of liquid (A).

Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1) for a fluid for metering a reagent into a microfluidic system. The container comprises a chamber (4) and a first film (3) which seals off the chamber (4) so that the fluid is encapsulated in the chamber. Advantageously, the first film (3) is an aluminium sealing film. A second film (7) is sealingly arranged on the first film, for example by adhesive bonding of the film layers. The films differ in their tear strength such that when pressure is applied simultaneously to both films the first film tears while the second film deforms elastically and/or plastically. By tearing the first film a connection is produced between the container chamber and an inlet channel so that a fluid contained in the chamber flows into the microfluidic system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spray head for atomising a medium using a pressurised propellant, with a spray head body (10) which comprises a fastening ring (6) and an actuating element (20) movably connected thereto, a holding element (12) which comprises an inlet port (24), an adjoining duct section (26) and a holding section (28), and a duct element (14) which has an outlet port (62) for the medium and which has in at least one section a diameter such that the medium to be discharged atomizes in the flow of propellant, the duct element (14) preferably being a capillary pipe or capillary tube and/or having a constant diameter over its entire length, the duct element (14) being arranged in the holding section (28) of the holding element (12) and, preferably, being bent through approximately 90° in the holding section (28) of the holding element (12) and the holding element (12) preferably being connected to the spray head body (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device for metering liquids into a microfluidic network. The microfluidic channels or chambers are at least partly formed by the introduction of suitable structures into a film above the substrate carrier, so that at least some of the flow of fluid through the network takes place above the plane of the substrate. In order to form a stable channel structure or chamber structure in the film, it is envisaged that in the edge zone between the unattached and attached portions a wedge of material is formed by the viscous flow of the film material as the film is bonded to the substrate, this wedge forming a transition between the chamber wall and the substrate and raising the chamber wall above the plane of the substrate. In one method of producing a finished microfluidic structure a flat planar film is laminated onto a flat sheet-like substrate.

Abstract: Device for manipulation of limited quantities of liquids with the following features: the device has at least one solid; the solid has surface areas in which different capillary forces act; one or more first surface areas have a microstructured and/or nanostructured surface; the microstructured and/or nanostructured surfaces have regularly arranged structure elements (A to E); the solid and the structure elements consist of one material and are connected to one another in one piece; one or more first surface areas are provided with reagents; the second surface area encompasses at least one of the first surface areas.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a first liquid within a device including fabricated microstructures for transporting the first liquid through a system of capillary channels and cavities with a closed configuration. The method including transporting the first liquid through the system by capillary force only, stopping a flow of the first liquid temporarily at a capillary stop, switching on the flow of the first liquid after a desired stop time is elapsed, adjusting the stop time of the first liquid by a length and a cross-section of the control capillary between a beginning of the control capillary and its end at the capillary stop, metering the first liquid to be manipulated, and holding a metered amount of the first liquid during the stop time within a cavity.

Abstract: A discharge device and a method for evaporating a liquid to the atmosphere are proposed. The liquid pressurized by gas is supplied to an evaporator via a flow restriction device which restricts the flow rate of the liquid such that continuous release and evaporation of the liquid is possible. Further, an evaporator is proposed. The evaporator comprises an evaporation surface which is designed preferably by microstructuring such that the surface area is increased and/or the liquid forms an essentially uniform film on the evaporation surface.

Abstract: For investigating the spectrum of emission radiation excited in an object by incident radiation, miniaturised spectrometers are known for mobile use. These devices comprise a light source with perforated shutter, an illuminating beam path, a detecting beam path and a spectrometer. For the miniaturised spectrometer according to the invention, a diode laser is preferably used as an edge emitter (without a perforated shutter). The window of the edge emitter is arranged at the focal point of the converging lens at the input of the illuminating beam path (without an optical fibre), preferably without a perforated shutter. The edge emitter produces a divergent beam pencil with an elliptical cross-section. The length ratio of the main axes of the ellipse is more than 2:1. The large main axis of the ellipse runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the entry slit of the microspectrometer. The miniaturised spectrometer has a reduced size and an increased sensitivity for emission radiation of low intensity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating blood, more particularly an apparatus (1) for absorbing blood (19) and separating blood components, e.g. blood plasma, as a sample liquid (2). Said apparatus (1) comprises a feeding device (13) for absorbing the blood (2), a device (15) for separating blood components as a sample liquid (2), a duct which preferably absorbs the sample liquid (2) exclusively by means of capillary forces, and a device for filling the duct (3) with sample liquid (2) in an inlet or feeding zone (18) of the duct (3). The separating device (15), in particular a membrane, is curved, especially convexly shaped, and the apex of said curved, especially convex shape projects into the filling device.

Abstract: A sample carrier with a sample receiver for the sample liquid and with preferably several sample chambers which are connected thereto is proposed. In order to avoid refilling with sample liquid when it evaporates or is otherwise lost or used up, there is additionally a reservoir for sample liquid which is covered in the same way as the sample chambers and which has a connecting channel to the environment which can be closed by the sample liquid.

Abstract: A device and a plurality of microfluidic platforms for taking up and especially studying or manipulating a sample liquid, a measuring instrument for use with the device and platforms, and a process for performing the studying or manipulating of the sample liquid. Very simple, hygienic and user-friendly handling is enabled in that the platforms which are connected to one another in a sealed state and can each be individually separated and individually, preferably simultaneously, opened for taking up of a sample, such as blood, for, e.g., performing a glucose determination.