Abstract: A sample entry device is provided comprising a single plug-in site for automated input of medical samples, typically samples of body fluids, or quality control media, from diverse sample vessels. Sample transport containers are provided in the entry device, each having a cannula that can be inserted both through an opening into an open sample vessel and through a penetrable lid element into a closed sample vessel, and the entry device is provided with guiding elements, which will grip the cannula of the sample transport container to guide and center the cannula before it is inserted into the sample vessel or punctures it.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the recombinant production or expression of eukaryotic alkaline phosphatase mutants in yeast cells wherein the specifically introduced mutations result in a reduction of the specific AP activity by at least a factor 1:100. The invention also concerns a method for inserting corresponding nucleic acid sequences into a vector for expression in methylotrophic yeast strains and it concerns corresponding vectors and host strains.

Abstract: A method for applying reactive films containing solids to microporous membranes is provided wherein the membrane is firstly moistened and the reactive film containing solids is applied to the membrane while it is still moist. Membranes produced in this manner can contain reactive films having a high proportion of film openers and can be used advantageously in diagnostic elements for detecting constituents and, in particular, large hydrophobic analytes in body fluid.

Abstract: Stabilized aqueous solution of a coenzyme for hydrogen-transferring enzymes characterized in that the solution contains NAD, NADP or a derivative thereof in an oxidized or reduced form and one or several organic compounds or salts thereof having a pKa value between 1.5 and 6.0 and/or a nitrogen compound of the general formula in which the residues R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and denote hydrogen, or a saturated or unsaturated alkyl or aryl group as well as the use of the solution to determine dehydrogenases in particular lactate dehydrogenase or substrates thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the monitoring of a medical microsample in the flow measuring cell of an analyzer with regard to position and absence of bubbles by means of an alternating voltage applied to the measuring cell, the measuring cell being provided with a multitude of electrode systems placed one behind the other, each system comprising a number of single electrodes for measuring a substance contained in the microsample by means of a measurement voltage which essentially is a DC voltage. To monitor the exact position of the microsample and/or to detect air bubbles in the area of each electrode system, the alternating voltage and the measurement voltage are simultaneously and directly applied to the single electrodes of the corresponding electrode system, and the measured AC component respectively the measured impedance gives a measure for the position of the microsample and the absence of bubbles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for increasing the dynamic measuring range of especially immunological test elements in particular immunological chromatography test strips that can be evaluated optically that are based on specific binding reactions. The invention enables the dynamic measuring range of test elements based on specific binding reagents, especially of immunological test elements to be shifted towards higher analyte concentrations without impairing the lower detection limit.

Abstract: A system for recommending insulin bolus quantities to an insulin user includes a display unit and memory unit coupled to a control circuit with a user blood glucose target stored in the memory unit. The control circuit is programmed to receive the user's current blood glucose value, to determine and display via the display unit a recommended correction insulin bolus quantity if the current blood glucose value exceeds the blood glucose target, to compute a difference value as the current blood glucose value less the blood glucose target, and to produce a modified blood glucose target as a sum of the blood glucose target and the difference value for a lock-out time period if the difference value is positive. Additional correction insulin bolus quantities may be recommended during the lock-out time period if the user's current blood glucose value exceeds the modified blood glucose target.

Abstract: System for withdrawing body fluid from a body part in particular the finger pad, comprising a compression unit that is 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: The present invention generally relates to a system for withdrawing small amounts if body fluid from an animal or human. The system comprises a holder and a disposable lancing unit attached to the holder. The lancing unit also comprises an open capillary channel for transporting the body fluid and piercing the skin.

Abstract: A biosensor is provided that comprises a plate element with a pre-determined reaction zone and a recess positioned adjacent to the reaction zone. The biosensor also comprises a reagent that is positioned on the reaction zone. In preferred embodiments, the recess circumscribes at least a portion of the reaction zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified IMPDH polypeptide wherein the IMPDH polypeptide has a histidine tag and where the subdomain of the IMPDH polypeptide is modified so that the rate stability of the histidine-tagged, modified IMPDH polypeptide is maintained relative to the wild-type IMPDH polypeptide. The invention also relates to a method, nucleic acid molecules, vectors, and host cells for producing such a histidine-tagged, modified IMPDH polypeptide, and to kits comprising the histidine-tagged, modified IMPDH polypeptide.

Abstract: Analytes in a liquid sample are determined by methods utilizing sample volumes of less than about 1.5 ?l and test times within ten seconds. The methods are preferably performed using small test strips including a sample receiving chamber filled with the sample by capillary action.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for monitoring the concentration of analytes in body fluids, in particular in interstitial fluid and comprises a catheter having an implantable region and an outlet opening for withdrawing fluid in particular body fluid. A first and a second analytical zone are contacted sequentially with fluid from the catheter and undergo a detectable change when an analyte is present. The analytical zones can be contacted manually with fluid and also preferably in an automated fashion by means of a device. A system according to the invention additionally has an analytical device for analysing the analytical zones in order to determine the concentration of the analyte on the basis of changes caused by the analyte. A further subject matter of the present invention are catheters for use in systems according to the invention as well as magazines containing test zones.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for producing recombinant trypsin from porcine pancreas in Pichia pastoris which is soluble and secreted into the culture medium, whereby expression at pH 3.0-4.0 substantially prevents activation of trypsinogen to ?-trypsin and autolysis of ?-trypsin by ?-trypsin into ?-trypsin and from there into inactive peptides.

Abstract: Described are micro-arrays of electrodes disposed proximal to a flexible substrate, electronic components and sensors comprising such arrays, and methods of use for such arrays.

Abstract: The present invention is related to compounds comprising six-membered rings capable of being incorporated into nucleic acids. Particularly, the six-membered ring is a derivative of cyclohexane, cyclohexene, tetrahydropyran, tetrahydrothiopyran or piperidine. These compounds may be used to build up oligomeric compounds. The invention is further related to uses of these oligomeric compounds for hybridization and as probes. In addition, methods for the detection of nucleic acids are provided wherein the oligomeric compounds are used.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a system for reagent-free determination of the concentration of an analyte in vivo. The system comprises a light transmitter for generating monochromatic primary light, a scattered-light percutaneous sensor which includes an inbound light guide and a detection light guide, a wavelength-selective detection device that is connected to the detection light guide for detection of Raman-scattered components of the secondary light and an evaluation device for determining the concentration of the analyte from the Raman-scattered components of the secondary light.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a blood withdrawal system for withdrawing blood for diagnostic purposes. The blood withdrawal system includes housing with a lancet, which can be moved within the housing. The housing also includes a lancet drive with a drive spring and a cocking mechanism that includes an actuation element. The blood withdrawal system of the present invention also includes a lancet ejection mechanism that can be moved from an active position to remove the lancet to a passive position where such removal of the lancet is not possible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It discloses the use of protein proteasome subunit alpha 3 (PSA3) in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. It relates to a method for diagnosis of colorectal cancer from a liquid sample, derived from an individual by measuring PSA3 in said sample. Measurement of PSA3 can, e.g., be used in the early detection or diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Abstract: The invention concerns new chemical compounds that can be used as marker substances in renal diagnostics, their production and use, and renal diagnostic agents which contain them.