Abstract: Spherical, magnetizable polyvinyl alcohol microparticles, methods for their production, and use thereof are provided in the invention. The microparticles are especially useful for diagnostic purposes. The method enables the production of microparticles having a particle size distribution in the range of 0.5 to 3 ?m, and includes the following steps, dispersing a nanoparticulate, magnetizable material in an aqueous phase which contains polyvinyl alcohol in dissolved form, adding the aqueous phase to an organic phase, immiscible with said aqueous phase and containing at least one emulsifier, producing an emulsion by stirring at a temperature of 25° C. or higher, and adding at least one water-soluble crosslinking agent while stirring is continued.

Abstract: A device is provided for the complete uptake of liquids from vessels using removal units having removal tips. The removal tips or the vessel bottoms are configured or arranged relative to one another such that the area of the surface of a vessel bottom on which the respective removal tip would touch down, when that removal tip is inserted into the vessel, and the end surface of the removal tip are tilted relative to each another, at least on a portion of the two surfaces. That is to say, the surfaces are not parallel there.

Abstract: A device is provided for the complete uptake of liquids from vessels using removal units having removal tips. The removal tips or the vessel bottoms are configured or arranged relative to one another such that the area of the surface of a vessel bottom on which the respective removal tip would touch down, when that removal tip is inserted into the vessel, and the end surface of the removal tip are tilted relative to each another, at least on a portion of the two surfaces. That is to say, the surfaces are not parallel there.

Abstract: A sample vessel matrix is provided in which the walls of the individual sample vessels are very high compared with their cross-section, wherein the ratio of the height of the sample vessel to the well length is between 3 and 7.