Abstract: A sensor strip comprises an electrode substrate, an electrode set, on the electrode substrate, and a heat conducting layer, on the electrode substrate opposite the electrode set. A sensor instrument for use with this sensor strip comprises a temperature sensor, at a side of a gap for accepting the sensor strip, opposite electrical contacts. The invention provides an accurate determination of the temperature of a sample.

Abstract: A biosensor is provided in accordance with the present invention. The biosensor includes an electrode support substrate, electrodes positioned on the electrode support substrate, a sensor support substrate coupled to the electrode support substrate, and electrically conductive tracks positioned on the sensor support substrate. Each track is in electrical communication with one of the electrodes.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of intramolecularly, covalently cross-linked proteins and covalently cross-linked reverse transcriptase from HIV as immunological binding partners in immunoassays. It also concerns immunological test procedures for detecting an analyte in a sample in which intramolecularly, covalently cross-linked proteins are used as binding partners, and it further concerns intramolecularly, covalently cross-linked reverse transcriptase from HIV and a method for producing this reverse transcriptase.

Abstract: A biosensor is provided in accordance with the present invention. The biosensor includes a substrate and a cover extending across at least a portion of the substrate. The cover includes a first surface facing the substrate and a second surface. At least a portion of the first surface is removed to define a capillary channel. The capillary channel has a surface energy ranging from about 60 mN/m to about 72 mN/m.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a cell for electrochemical analysis is provided, comprising a body having a chamber, and a pair of electrodes opposing each other within the camber comprising a electrically conductive rod extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal direction and removed within the capillary channel. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one reagent is provided within the capillary channel. The cell may be part of a plurality of such cells connected in seriatim.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies against dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase are disclosed. Immunologic assays using the monoclonal antibodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a method, reagent and test cartridge for the determination of the clotting time of a blood sample by means of a reagent containing tissue factor and a sulfatide. In an alternative embodiment, the reagent may contain tissue factor and at least one of the group consisting of a phosphatide and a sulfatide. This invention is preferably used to monitor the effectiveness of heparin therapy in patients that have been administered low to moderate heparin doses to achieve blood heparin levels from 0 to about 3 U/mL, and may also be used for determining clotting time at higher heparin levels of up to about 6 U/mL.

Abstract: Compounds including haptens, intermediates, and immunogens that are useful in the production of antibodies specific for the methylenedioxy class of amphetamine derivatives are described. Antibodies specific for the methylenedioxy class of amphetamine derivatives, reagent kits containing antibodies specific for the methylenedioxy class of amphetamine derivatives, methods of producing antibodies specific for the methylenedioxy class of amphetamine derivatives, and methods of detecting analytes including members of the methylenedioxy class of amphetamine derivatives are also described.

Abstract: The invention concerns an analytical element for the determination of an analyte containing in or on material which enables liquid transport between zones, a sample application zone and a detection zone located downstream thereof, wherein the detection zone contains a partner 1 of a specific binding pair 1 immobilized in such a manner that it is able to bind to partner 2 of the specific binding pair 1 which is not the analyte when it contacts it, wherein a labelled partner 1 of a specific binding pair 2 is present upstream of the detection zone impregnated on a material such that it can be detached by liquid and is able to bind to partner 2 of the specific binding pair 2 which is not the analyte when this contacts it as well as a method for the determination of an analyte using this analytical element.

Abstract: Methods and reagents for determining antithrombin III (AT) in body fluids by adding an AT binding partner to the sample and determining the free AT binding partner.

Abstract: The invention is a method, reagent and test cartridge for the determination of the clotting time of a blood sample by means of a reagent containing tissue factor and a sulfatide. In an alternative embodiment, the reagent may contain tissue factor and at least one of the group consisting of a phosphatide and a sulfatide. This invention is preferably used to monitor the effectiveness of heparin therapy in patients that have been administered low to moderate heparin doses to achieve blood heparin levels from 0 to about 3 U/mL, and may also be used for determining clotting time at higher heparin levels of up to about 6 U/mL.

Abstract: The invention concerns a magazine for storing test elements (1) with one or several test zones (3) which are attached adjacent to one another on a rectangular support, wherein the magazine has at least one pair of guide grooves (18a, b) located opposite to one another into which the test elements are inserted in such a way that they lie directly adjacent to one another and the edges of adjacent supports abut one another. A further subject matter of the invention is a system which comprises a slide (14, 31) in addition to the magazine according to the invention which is used to push a layer of test elements along the guide grooves towards the opposite end of the layer to remove test elements from the magazine.

Abstract: System for withdrawing body fluid from a body part in particular the finger pad, comprising a compression unit that can be deformed when the body part is pressed against it and increases the internal pressure in a region of the body part, and a withdrawal device. Deformation of the compression unit partially converts the primary pressing movement into a secondary movement which leads to an increase in the internal pressure in a region of the body part. The invention also comprises a system for stimulating the outflow of body fluid using a deformable compression unit.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a cell for electrochemical analysis is provided, comprising a body having a chamber, and a pair of electrodes opposing each other within the camber comprising a electrically conductive rod extending through the body transverse to the longitudinal direction and removed within the capillary channel. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one reagent is provided within the capillary channel. The cell may be part of a plurality of such cells connected in seriatim.

Abstract: The invention relates to method, wherein the number of repeat sequences which are present in a sample is detemined by means of melting temperature analysis. More precisely, the invention relates to a method for analysis of a target nucleic acid consisting of repetitive and non repetitive sequences comprising (i) hybridization of at least one polynucleotide hybridization probe comprising a first segment which is complementary to a non repetitive region and a second segment which is compementary to an adjacent repetitive region, said second segment consisting of a defined number of repeats and (ii) determination of the melting point temperature of the hybrid which has been formed between the target nucleic acid and the at least one hybridization probe.

Abstract: A method of making a patterned laminate includes ablating through a portion of a metallic layer with a laser, to form a pattern in the metallic layer, where the metallic layer is on and in contact with an insulating substrate. The patterned laminate may be patterned to form electrodes, and can be formed into an electrochemical sensor strip.

Abstract: A fluid sampling apparatus is provided that in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber, a lancet positioned in the chamber and including an end formed to create a fluid collection incision, and a light source positioned in the chamber. The light source is formed to emit a light beam of a pre-determined wavelength and for a time sufficient to seal the incision.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically handling sample cups closed with a screwable cap is disclosed. The apparatus for automatically opening, closing and transporting sample cups comprises a transportable gripper (11) which includes a rotatable gripper tool (21) adapted to enter and engage with a recess (35, 36) of said cap (34) to form a connection which can be locked by rotating the gripper tool (21) in a first sense with respect to said sample cup (31) and which can be unlocked by rotating the gripper tool (21) with respect to said sample cup (31) in a second sense opposite to the first.