Abstract: A method for stabilizing cell-free nucleic acids. The method includes providing a composition and applying the composition to a biological sample as a stabilizing agent for the cell-free nucleic acids contained in the biological sample. The composition includes at least one buffering compound that buffers to a pH value of 7 or below, at least one anticoagulant and urotropin in aqueous solution.

Abstract: A device for making available sample carriers includes a tube with a receiving chamber for a plurality of sample carriers. The receiving chamber is delimited, at its front end, by a holding means for individualized release of the sample carriers and, at its rear end, by a plunger for exerting a force on the sample carriers. The holding means is elastic. To prevent a plurality of sample carriers being released at the same time from the tube, a plurality of fins are mounted on the plunger. The fins are mutually offset in the circumferential direction of the plunger. The offset arrangement of the fins has the effect that, under the action of the force, the plunger is pressed into the interior of the tube by in each case only a predefined ejection stroke. The ejection stroke is adapted to the length or the diameter of one of the sample carriers.

Abstract: A sealing cap seals a sample tube for receiving a liquid, in particular blood. The sealing cap includes a cavity delimited by a membrane and a base having an opening that can be sealed by a non-return valve. In order to reduce the volume of liquid which, during centrifugation of the sample tube sealed by the sealing cap, flows out of the sealing cap through the then open opening into the sample tube, the cavity of the sealing cap has a separating wall that divides the cavity into a first and a second sub-area. Only the second sub-area is above the opening, also meaning that only the volume of liquid in the second sub-area can flow into the sample tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for stabilizing the total nucleic acids from whole blood, in particular RNA, and to a process for stabilizing the total nucleic acids from whole blood for subsequent isolation and at the same time serves for the disruption of cells so that cellular nucleic acids in the state at contacting the composition, especially at the point of time of blood collection, are released and are maintained stable in respect of quality and concentration and can be isolated subsequently. Therein, the composition is characterized in that it especially prevents the degradation and new synthesis of RNA in whole blood, into which it is mixed. The isolation of RNA by contacting the mixture of the aqueous composition and blood with an adsorption agent can be made directly from the complete mixture of the aqueous composition with blood, i.e. e.g. without precipitation and separation of nucleic acids from the mixture, optionally after a storage, during which the mixture is e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator for separating blood plasma and blood cells in a blood collection tube. The separator comprises a float with a first density and at least one passage opening. In addition to the float, the separator comprises a ballast with a second density that is greater than the first density. The total density of the separator, that is, the float and the ballast together, lies between the density of the plasma and the density of the cells in the blood. The float forms a valve together with the ballast. The float and the ballast are arranged so as to be movable relative to each other. In accordance with the invention, the ballast has at least one valve element for opening or closing a passage opening in the float.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood taking device (1), in particular, for newborn babies and small children or small animals, comprising a blood taking vessel (2), provided on the front end thereof with a cannula (5) with a sharpened tip (4), whereby a porous, gas-permeable limiting element (8) which automatically stops the flow of taken blood, is arranged by pressing in the blood taking vessel (2) in a defined position. The rear end of the blood taking vessel (2) is sealed by a plug (11) which may be temporarily opened for taking blood (11), which dispenses the taken blood by means of a stroke running in a sealed manner in the blood taking vessel (2), which empties under pressure at least a part amount of the blood retained before the limiting element (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood-collection device for newborn babies and infants, comprising a cannula, which is provided with a blood inlet and outlet and is located in a holder (2) that has a grip region (7). Said collection device is equipped with a bow-shaped bridging element (6) that connects the grip region to the holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cannula, preferably equipped with a cannula holder for, in particular a blood sampling device, which comprises a pivotable protective housing (102) for a free end of the cannula. Said protective housing (102) is closed on the periphery except for a cannula insertion opening (8) provided between opposing side walls. Said insertion opening is produced by at least one pair of lamella (8a, 8b), formed on the side walls, the lamella tapering towards one another in the manner of a funnel and forming an expandable funnel slot. The protective housing (102) comprises two housing parts which can be inserted into each other. The inner housing (2a) comprises the pair of lamella (8a, 8b) and an outer housing (11), which surrounds the inner housing (2a), is embodied as a sleeve that is less elastic than the inner housing (2a).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cannula, preferably equipped with a cannula holder for, in particular a blood sampling device, which comprises a pivotable protective housing (102) for a free end of the cannula. Said protective housing (102) is closed on the periphery except for a cannula insertion opening (8) provided between opposing side walls. Said insertion opening is produced by at least one pair of lamella (8a, 8b), formed on the side walls, the lamella tapering towards one another in the manner of a funnel and forming an expandable funnel slot. The protective housing (102) comprises two housing parts which can be inserted into each other. The inner housing (2a) comprises the pair of lamella (8a, 8b) and an outer housing (11), which surrounds the inner housing (2a), is embodied as a sleeve that is less elastic than the inner housing (2a).

Abstract: A butterfly-needle set has an elongated two-part case forming a pair of transversely open slots. An elongated needle in the case has a pair of generally coplanar and oppositely projecting wings projecting out of the case through the slots. The slots are sufficiently long that the needle can move longitudinally between a front position with the needle projecting from a front end of the case and a rear position with the needle completely within the case. An elastically deflectable spring element projects at a small acute angle toward a rear end of the case into at least one of the slots so as to deflect elastically and allow the needle to move from the front position into the rear position and to block movement of the needle from the rear position into the front position.

Abstract: A blood-drawing device has a specimen tube having a projecting tip having an outer connection region of a predetermined diameter and a guide sleeve fittable over the tip and having an inner resilient part. The inner resilient part has an inside diameter smaller than the diameter of the connection region. A needle fitted to the guide sleeve is surrounded by an elastomeric tubular needle shield inward from the guide sleeve. The sleeve can move between an outer position with the needle shield extending inward past the inner needle end and the resilient part offset outward from the connection region and an inner position with the needle end in the specimen tube, the needle shield compressed between the sleeve and the specimen tube, and the resilient part fitting tightly around the connection region and deformed outwardly thereby such that the resilient part grips the connection region.

Abstract: A sample tube for injection molded with two cores in one base with an intermediate bottom forming a well for receiving the biological material. In a second stage, the bottom edge of the cylindrical wall is heated and turned inwardly to form preferably a rounded bottom of complementary contour to a stamp applied thereagainst in a thermal reforming operation.

Abstract: A long-term urine-collection kit has a large-capacity can having a wide mouth, a small-capacity cup having a rim dimensioned to sit in the mouth, and a removable cover fittable over the mouth of the can when the cup is sitting in the mouth. The capacity of the can is enough, e.g. 2-3 l, to hold a day's urine, and the capacity of the cup is enough, e.g. 400-500 ml, to hold a single urination.

Abstract: A box for shipping bottles has a rectangular floor, generally parallel sides projecting from longitudinal edges of the floor, parallel ends projecting from end edges of the floor and bridging the sides, and a cover fittable over the sides and ends and forming therewith and with the floor a generally closed space. Holders set in a row are each hinged on the floor in the space and are each shiftable transversely toward and away from each of the sides to define bottle-holding spaces with the ends. The holders are of generally identical section but of different longitudinal length. Each holder has a pair of parallel legs having lower edges hinged on the floor and upper edges and a top panel bridging the respective upper edges and hinged thereon. One leg of each pair of legs is substantially shorter than the other leg to impart to the holders a right-trapezoidal shape.

Abstract: A blood collection device has a holder having a forwardly extending sharp-edged cannula capable of venipuncture and a rearwardly extending cannula. A guide sleeve into which a blood-collection tube is insertable from one end, at an opposite end, threadedly receives the holder whereby the tube can be filled with blood conducted by the rearwardly extending cannula into the device. A closed end elastic tubular valve rubber sheath surrounding and hugging the rearwardly extending cannula is shape locked and force fitted in said guide sleeve.

Abstract: A long-term urine-collection kit has a large-capacity can having a wide mouth, a small-capacity cup having a rim dimensioned to sit in the mouth, and a removable cover fittable over the mouth of the can when the cup is sitting in the mouth. The capacity of the can is enough, e.g. 2-3 l, to hold a day's urine, and the capacity of the cup is enough, e.g. 400-500 ml, to hold a single urination.

Abstract: A box for shipping bottles has a rectangular floor, generally parallel sides projecting from longitudinal edges of the floor, parallel ends projecting from end edges of the floor and bridging the sides, and a cover fittable over the sides and ends and forming therewith and with the floor a generally closed space. Holders set in a row are each hinged on the floor in the space and are each shiftable transversely toward and away from each of the sides to define bottle-holding spaces with the ends. The holders are of generally identical section but of different longitudinal length. Each holder has a pair of parallel legs having lower edges hinged on the floor and upper edges and a top panel bridging the respective upper edges and hinged thereon. One leg of each pair of legs is substantially shorter than the other leg to impart to the holders a right-trapezoidal shape.

Abstract: A tube holding a sample of blood and having an end provided with a pierceable closure is partially evacuated of gas by an apparatus that has a stationary guide defining an axis inclined at an angle to the horizontal. A needle fixed in the guide projects axially downward therein. A slide in the guide forms a downwardly inclined and open seat centered on the axis and adapted to receive the end of the tube. The slide is movable in the guide between an outer position with the seat spaced past an end of the needle and an inner use position with the needle projecting into the seat so that in the use position the needle projects through the closure of the tube fitted to the seat. The slide is urged axially downward in the guide, and a pump is provided for aspirating air through the needle.

Abstract: A device for carrying out a test for the detection of particles in urine, especially for carrying out a test to determine the susceptibility of a test subject for kidney stones, whereby urine from the test subject is taken and collected and then the detection test is carried out, whereby the urine after a stand time is poured out of the test vessel, whereby the residue of test particles may be present in the test vessel is detected subsequently by the addition of a detection reagent, especially a dye reagent for optical detection, especially for a self test by a test subject, for example, at home. The device having a collecting vessel in which the urine is directly collected from the test subject and which also simultaneously forms the test vessel. The test vessel is column shaped and tapered toward its bottom and upwardly transitions into an overflow region.