Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the current filling level of a liquid, preferably a calibrating, quality control, or cleaning fluid, or waste water, in a container, for example of an analyzer, where an immersion pipe is dipped into the liquid in the container to be filled or drained. The immersion pipe is connected to a pumping device via a tube system. The pressure p in the tube system is measured and increased, starting from the ambient pressure p0, until a first discontinuous pressure change occurs at pressure p1 due to the liquid column in the immersion pipe being forced out of the pipe, and/or the pressure p in the tube system is decreased until the liquid column in the immersion pipe reaches a change in cross-section of the immersion pipe, which change is situated above the maximum filling level of the liquid, such that a second discontinuous pressure change occurs at pressure p2 due to the liquid column reaching the change in cross-section.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the expression of target proteins in in vitro translation systems, characterized in that folding helper proteins are co-expressed in this system. The co-expressed folding helper proteins are selected from one or several of the following protein classes: Hsp70, Hsp60, Hsp90, Hsp100 protein family, the family of small heat shock proteins and isomerases.

Abstract: Liquid crystal display with conductive segments for representing symbols which also has at least one inverse segment that fills at least in part the display area that is not covered by the remaining segments. This liquid crystal display allows a simple, visual detection of faulty segments. For this purpose a check is carried out in which all segments and all existing inverse segments are activated which results in a homogenous image when the display is completely functional or the faulty segments are inversely displayed in relation to the remaining display surfaces.

Abstract: A conjugate of a tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (tns-AP) and dextran which can be obtained by reacting unglycosylated tns-AP with activated dextran by incubation in aqueous solution, stopping the reaction and isolating the conjugate from the solution. The conjugate obtained in this manner is suitable as a standard for the determination of alkaline phosphatase.

Abstract: System for analyzing sample liquids by evaluating test elements with an analytical unit (20) in which a test element (10) to be analyzed is positioned by a holder (21, 22, 120, 140) in an analytical position relative to the analytical unit and the system additionally comprises a position control unit to check whether an analytical area of the test element is correctly positioned relative to the analytical unit wherein the position control unit comprises a light source (30, 2) to irradiate an area of the test element and preferably the analytical area (11), a detector (31, 131) to detect light reflected from the area and an evaluation unit, and the light source and detector are positioned relative to one another in such a manner that the light intensity of specularly reflected radiation at the detector when the test element is correctly positioned is different from a light intensity when it is incorrectly positioned and the evaluation unit recognizes any faulty positioning on the basis of the light intensity a

Abstract: The heterologous expression of the reverse transcriptase from the Avian Myeloblastosis Virus (AMV-RT) in prokaryotic cells and in particular Escherichia coli (E. coli) is described in the present invention. The invention also includes certain measures to simplify the purification of the heterodimeric AMV-RT.

Abstract: A method of treating particles to be used in immunoassays reduces interference in particle agglutination assays. For particles having covalently bound antibodies and residual NHS-ester or sNHS-ester groups on the surface, the reactive esters are treated with an aqueous mixture containing an amine compound of formula (I): H2N—R—X??(I). The moiety —X is —NH2, —OH, or —CO2CH2CH3; and R is an alkyl group or an alkyl ether group. When —X is —NH2 or —CO2CH2CH3, R contains from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and when —X is —OH, R contains from 4 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: This invention involves a process for selecting and producing eukaryotic alkaline phosphatase in yeast. Yeast cells are subjected to multiple transformations using a vector comprising a first resistance marker gene and the alkaline phosphatase gene. Those strains that grow in media containing the first resistance marker are further transformed using a vector comprising a second selection marker gene and the alkaline phosphatase gene. Transformants that grow in media containing the second selection marker are selected for expressing the eukaryotic alkaline phosphatase.

Abstract: A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a casing which is pressed against a skin surface to produce a seal therewith. A cocking mechanism is pulled rearwardly to place a lancing device in a cocked state. By releasing a trigger, the lancing device is driven forward to produce an incision in the skin, and then is retracted out of the incision. A plunger mounted on the cocking mechanism is then retracted to generate a negative pressure at the front end of the casing to draw body fluid from the incision.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a labelling reagent in which the label is bound via an amide bond and a linker to a residue of the molecule which is essentially characterized in that the N atom of the amide bond and the label are linked together directly by a covalent bond. In particular these are phosphoramidites or reactive supports suitable for nucleic acid synthesis. The invention also concerns processes for the production of such supports from suitable precursors.

Abstract: A device for sampling body fluid, the device comprising, a main body, a lancet disposed within the main body, a carrier disposed within the main body fixedly attached to the lancet, a spring in communication with the lancet and the carrier, an annular space disposed within the main body adjacent the lancet, and a testing device for measuring a body fluid. The testing device may include micro-porous test strips, an electronic testing device, an optical/reflectance testing measuring device, or a visual inspection.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for producing biosensors and a biosensor for determination of creatinine. The biosensor comprises at least two enzymes, for the amperometric determination of enzymatically degradable substances in biological liquids, the enzymes being immobilized on a working electrode.

Abstract: Blood withdrawal system for withdrawing blood for diagnostic purposes, comprising a housing with an outlet opening for the tip of a lancet, a lancet guide and a lancet drive. The lancet drive comprises a plural lever coupling mechanism, forming a connection between the drive element and the lancet during the puncturing movement and comprising two levers connected to each other via a first swivel joint, wherein one of the levers is coupled to the lancet with its end facing towards the lancet by means of a second swivel joint, and the second lever comprises a third swivel joint at the end facing away from the lancet. During the cocking movement, the freedom of movement of the lancet is limited in such a manner that the lancet tip does not protrude from the outlet opening.

Abstract: A biosensing cell assembly having a measurement loop with a test cell having an analyte reaction zone for amperometric measurement of a response current to determine analyte concentration and a noise cancellation loop arranged to be physically exposed to the same electromagnetic environment as the measurement loop. The noise cancellation loop has a predetermined impedance within a range of the impedance of the test cell analyte reaction zone and provides a current to cancel or reduce the effects of the electromagnetic environment on the measurement loop.

Abstract: A method for quantifying an HIV protease inhibitor in a sample includes combining HIV protease, a conjugate comprising an HIV protease inhibitor analog, and a sample suspected of containing an HIV protease inhibitor. The HIV protease and the conjugate are capable of forming a detectable complex. The method also includes measuring the amount of the detectable complex, and relating the amount of the detectable complex to a concentration of the HIV protease inhibitor in the sample.

Abstract: Devices and methods for utilizing dry chemistry dye indicator systems for body fluid analysis such as glucose level in whole blood are provided by incorporating a porous membrane with a skin side which enables separation of whole blood and visually reading the indicator without removing the red blood cell portion of the blood from the membrane. The devices also enable visual reading of the indicator by use of a membrane or matrix which provides separation of whole blood in a lateral flow of the blood through the matrix from the input area to a test area of the matrix. The devices also provide for microtitration of fluid samples in fixed volumetric openings containing indicator reagent. Another aspect of the device provides a determination of hematocrit level in whole blood in combination with indicator indication of analyte concentration which can be compensated for the hematocrit level. The devices provided are low cost.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the detection of an infection with influenza A and/or influenza B virus comprising the steps: i) obtaining a saliva sample, ii) preparing the saliva sample for a detection reaction and iii) detecting the influenza A and/or influenza B virus in the saliva sample. The invention in addition concerns a test kit for the detection of an infection by the influenza A and/or influenza B virus containing: i) a device for the collection of a saliva sample and ii) reagents and auxiliary agents for the detection of influenza A and/or influenza B viruses. Furthermore the invention concerns the use of saliva as a sample material for the detection of an infection with the influenza A and/or influenza B virus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the measurement of an analyte in biological samples whereby an uncompetitive inhibitor is coupled to a ligand and utilized in a homogeneous assay. The analyte can be a drug or drug derivative, hormone, polypeptide, or oligonucleotide. The present invention also provides novel compounds, assay reagents and packaged kits useful for performing such measurements.

Abstract: In an electrode system, particularly for electrochemical sensors, which comprises a working electrode, a counterelectrode and an electrolyte, the counterelectrode is constituted by a material containing an elementary carbon, whereby the long-term stability of the electrode system is considerably increased (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A device and method for lancing a patient, virtually simultaneously producing and collecting a small fluid sample from a body. The device comprises a blood collection system including a lancing needle (16), drive mechanism (11), kneading or vibration mechanism (25), optional suction system (7), and sample ejection mechanism. The device is preferably sized to be hand-held in one hand and operable with one hand. The device can optionally contain integral testing or analysis component (83) for receiving the sample and providing testing or analysis indication or readout for the user. A method involves piercing the skin at a rapid rate, kneading the surrounding area by ultrasonic action, piezoelectric or mechanical oscillation to stimulate the blood flow from the wound, drawing the fluid using a pumping system.