Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for processing samples (2), comprising a body (3) with a collecting chamber (4), which can be connected with a pump (5) for aspirating, or dispensing fluids and that acts on this collecting chamber, a separating chamber (6) adjoining the collecting chamber (4) for the solid phase extraction and elution of organic, or inorganic particles (7) separated from these samples (2), and an opening (8) for releasing these particles (7). The device in accordance with the invention relates to individual pipette tips, as well as to SPE microplates, and is distinguished in that the device (1) comprises a capillary (9), which is connected with the collecting chamber (4), or with the body (8), and has a packing (10) for the solid phase extraction of organic, or inorganic particles (7) separated from these samples (2) and is used as a separating chamber (6).

Abstract: An optical system for exciting and measuring fluorescence of samples has a first laser; a deflection element; a mirror; and an optic fixed in relation to one another. A unit is linearly movable back and forth along the optical axis and is mechanically connected to an oscillating linear drive. The optic acts as a collimator and the mirror acts to deflect the collimated light diametrically opposite to the bundled light of the laser. A table for receiving sample holders for samples; an optical arrangement for imaging a second focal point; an aperture plate in the second focal point; a first spectral filter; and a first detector are parts of the optical system and a focusing beam of the light emitted by the laser and is deflected by the deflection element toward the mirror.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention provides a microsystem platform and a micromanipulation device for manipulating the platform that utilizes the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels. The microsystem platforms of the invention are provided having arrays of thermal control regions, wherein fluid applied to the platform can be placed at a temperature and maintained at that temperature for a time that is dependent on the path length of the channel in the region, the cross-section dimension of the channel, and the rotational speed of the platform. Methods specific for the apparatus of the invention for performing any of a wide variety of microanalytical or microsynthetic processes are provided.

Abstract: A device for transferring and characterizing objects positions the object on a horizontal work field. The device includes at least one rail extending parallel to the X direction and a displacement unit, movable back and forth in the X direction, having a motorized gripping mechanism for grasping an object. A processor for controlling movements of the displacement unit and actions of the gripping mechanism is distinguished in that the displacement unit includes a carrying device, movable together therewith along the rail, for transferring objects in the X direction. The carrying device is a plate for carrying objects moved onto this carrying plate using the gripping mechanism. According to a method of the invention, objects are moved onto the plate of the carrying device, transferred in the X direction, and deposited again at a second position.

Abstract: A method, a device, and a test kit for performing this method for determining the volume of a sample of the liquid. In the method, a specific concentration of a chromophoric indicator is provided in this liquid, a sample is separated from the liquid, the optical absorption of the separated sample is measured, and the volume of the separated sample is determined by correlation of the measured optical absorption with the concentration of indicator in this liquid. Ions that generate a color in the sample by complexing with a specific ligand are used as the indicator to stain the liquid.

Abstract: Method for measuring the presence or absence of chemical groups, in particular phosphate groups, attached to biological molecules in a sample in which these molecules are tagged with fluorescent markers and these fluorescent markers are activated by means of irradiating the sample with light. The method is characterized by the following steps: a) Use of a fluorescent marker, the fluorescence lifetime of which assumes a different value depending upon the presence or absence of phosphate groups attached to the biomolecule; b) Measurement of the fluorescence lifetime of the fluorescent marker attached to a biomolecule and selected in accordance with Step a); c) Classification of the biomolecules in accordance with the presence or absence of phosphate groups attached to these, based on the different lifetime of each.

Abstract: A metal rod-shaped element for a liquid detecting device is essentially cylindrical and has first and second ends. In at least one length, starting from the second end, the element has an isolating coating and an electrode strip is provided which extends along a longitudinal axis of the element. The electrode strip is not electrically connected to the element and the strip comprises a high impedance material. Two flattened sections are provided where the metal of the element lies openly. In a cross sectional view the electrode strip is situated between the two flattened sections. A first contact mechanism is provided in order to establish, in the range of the first end, an electrical contact to the rod-shaped element, and a second contact mechanism is provided in order to establish, within the range of the first end, an electrical contact to the electrode strip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) and a method for determining parameters of fluid-containing samples (2) in a system (3) for individually irradiating the samples (2) with light (4) of a light source (5) in an essentially vertical irradiation direction (6). In this case, this system (3) includes a detector (7) for measuring the light (8) coming from a single sample, and this detector (7) has a detection direction (9?), which lies on an optical axis (9) that is essentially parallel to the optical axis (6) of the light source (5). This device (1) includes at least one reflective surface (10), using which the light (4) coming essentially vertically out of the light source (5) may be at least partially deflected in an essentially horizontal irradiation direction (11).

Abstract: A method for separating particles in free-flow electrophoresis FFE includes conveying a separation medium using a dosage pump into a separation chamber; releasing the separation medium via outlets; applying an electrical field in the separation medium; coupling a particle to be separated with selectively defined charge labels for generating charge-modified particles which due to their selectively modified net surface charge display a different migratory behavior in FFE than non-charge-modified particles; adding a mixture of particles to be separated to the separation medium in the separation chamber by way of sample injection points; removing the particles separated using the separation medium by way of fractionation points; and collecting the fractions with the separated particles.

Abstract: A free-flow electrophoresis (FFE) apparatus and separation medium for separating particles therefore, includes a separation chamber with a dosage pump for conveying medium, electrodes for applying an electric field in the medium and sample injection points for adding a mixture of particles to be separated and fractionation points for removing the particles. Definable charge labels couple with the particles to form charge-modified particles which display with a different migratory behavior in FFE The apparatus includes focusing buffers between the separation medium and at least one electrode which has much higher electrical conductivity than the separation medium.

Abstract: An optical system and method of exciting and measuring fluorescence on or in samples treated using fluorescent pigments using such an optical system having at least one first laser (1); a mirror (4); a deflection element (7); an optic (8); and a unit (10), which includes mirror (4) and optic (8) mounted fixed in relation to one another. The unit (10) is positioned so it is linearly movable back and forth along the optical axis (5) and is mechanically connected to an oscillating linear drive (11). The optic (8) additionally acts as a collimator and the mirror (4) additionally acts to deflect the collimated light (12) parallel to the optical axis (5).

Abstract: A gel electrophoresis cassette (33) is disclosed which includes two plates (34, 35) and at least one seal (36) which separates these plates. The seal (36) is annular; it may be positioned essentially in the region of the outer edge of the plates (34, 35). For performing an electrophoresis in a second dimension following an isoelectric focusing in an first dimension, one of the plates (34, 35) includes a recess (37) for inserting a strip holder (1) having a base plate (4), which has a carrier surface (2) on which an IEF strip (3) is accommodated. The base plate (4) includes at least one stop (5) offset to a lower level in relation to the carrier surface (2) and a sealing surface (6). The strip holder (1) is insertable into this recess (37) in such a way that the stop (5) of the base plate (4) is applied to the outer surface of the plate (34, 35) and the sealing surface (6) presses tightly against the inner surface (38) of the recess (37).

Abstract: Device (1) and method for delimiting a field (3) impinged with light from a light source (2), particularly on the surface of an optical element (4) and/or sample (5), having a slit diaphragm (6) including a slit height (7) and a slit width (8), which includes first and second linearly movable slides (9, 9?), positioned parallel to one another on two separate parallel lines, which are movable at least partially symmetrically to one another in relation to an optical axis (10), each of the two slides (9, 9?) including at least one optical opening (11, 11?), which—for continuous adjustment of at least the slit height (7) or the slit width (8)—may be positioned at least partially on the optical opening (11?, 11) of the neighboring slide (9?, 9) in the region of the optical axis (10).

Abstract: An apparatus with a flash lamp can trigger a flash of light by application of an ignition pulse. The apparatus encompasses a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a switching element and a control circuit. The first capacitor, second capacitor and switching element are arranged in a network in such a way that the switching element is located on the low side of a power circuit. The apparatus can be operated in a first mode and a second mode by actuating the control circuit. In the first mode the first capacitor is discharged by the flash lamp, triggering a flash of light of high energy. In the second mode the second capacitor is discharged by the flash lamp and a flash of light of low energy is triggered.

Abstract: A strip holder (1) is disclosed for accommodating a gel strip (3) for separating molecules using gel electrophoresis. The strip holder (1) disclosed is distinguished by including a baseplate (4), at least one stop (5), which is offset to a lower level in relation to the carrier surface (2), and at least one sealing surface (6), this stop (5) being implemented to be applied to counter surfaces (7) of an electrophoresis chamber, through which offset to a lower level of the stop (5) the installation depth of the strip holder (1) carrying a gel strip (3) into this electrophoresis chamber is determined and the sealing surface (6) ensuring a sealing installation of the strip holder (1) carrying a gel strip (3) into this electrophoresis chamber. Such a chamber (15) for isoelectric focusing of molecules in gel strips (3) is distinguished by including such a strip holder (1), a frame (16), and a cover (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for dispensing or aspirating/dispensing liquid samples, including a pump (2) and a micro-ejection device (3), the micro-ejection device (3) having a pulse generator (4) with a chamber (5). The pulse generator (4) is used to produce pressure waves in the liquid in order to cause the samples of a liquid to be dispensed. The micro-ejection device (3) also comprises an end piece (6) and a liquid line (7) which connects the pulse generator (4) to the end piece (6) the pulse generator comprises a micro-actuator (10) which is configured to function in the same direction as that in which the pressure wave leaves the chamber (5). The inventive devices are characterised in that the chamber (5), in the area of the end facing away from the end piece (6), or the corresponding connecting element (14) has a narrowed section (16) which restricts any expansion of the pressure waves in the direction of the pump (2). The invention also relates to systems with multiple devices of this type.

Abstract: A support for a microtiter plate has a base and a supporting plate connected to the base by a fixable ball and socket joint so the plate can tip and/or rotate in a limited way. The center of rotation of the joint lies at the upper side of the support plate and the ball and socket joint are made up of a socket connected to the base, and a ball mounted in the socket and connected to the plate. The ball has a connecting piece shaped onto the lower side of the ball, which projects through an opening of the socket. The connecting piece supports a stop on which a clamping part is supported. The clamping part presses against the outside of the socket and may be pressed against the socket to fix the ball and socket joint.

Abstract: A device for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples comprising a pump that comprises a cylindrical chamber, a piston movable in this cylindrical chamber, and a piston drive that engages the piston. The device further comprises a tip connected to the cylindrical chamber with a line, and a channel system that discharges into the cylindrical chamber for flushing or rinsing the latter. The device is characterized in that the piston entirely seals this cylindrical chamber from the channel system, if the piston is positioned in the cylindrical chamber in such a way that a free piston end comes to rest between the channel system and the line. Preferably, the cylindrical chamber is located in a cylinder block, which comprises two parts that are separated by and enclosing an intermediate channel system. The channel system most preferably is implemented as a coherent cavity. According to a first embodiment, the cylindrical chamber is implemented as a sleeve that is inserted in a boring located in a cylinder block.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting and quantifying particulate matter suspended in a fluid. Specifically, the invention provides an integrated, affinity-binding based, analytical system comprising a platform for performing an affinity-binding based assay for specifically binding particulates including microbial cells, and a detection means for detecting the particulates specifically bound to a defined surface or chamber comprising the platform. Methods for using the analytical systems of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A device (1) is disclosed for providing a hybridization chamber (2), for hybridizing nucleic acid samples, proteins, or tissue sections on a slide (3), which is implemented so that it is movable in relation to this slide (3) and includes an annular sealing surface (4) for sealing the hybridization chamber (2) by being applied to a surface (5) of this slide (3), lines (6) for supplying and/or removing media to and/or from the hybridization chamber (2), and a specimen supply line (7). The devices according to the invention include a media-separating agitation device (8) for moving liquids in relation to samples immobilized on the surface (5) of the slide (3). Furthermore, process units (18) for hybridizing nucleic acid samples, proteins, or tissue sections and corresponding automatable systems including such process units (18) are disclosed.