Abstract: A sensor device and a method for the determination of the amount of target particles at a contact surface adjacent to a sample chamber include detecting, by a detector, the target particles in the sample chamber by a sensor element, and providing at least one corresponding sensor signal. An evaluation unit determines the amount of target particles in a first zone at the contracts surface and in a second zone a distance away from the contact surface based on this sensor signal. In an optical measurement approach, frustrated total internal reflection taking place under different operating conditions, such as wavelength and/or angle of incidence, may be used to extract information about the first and second zones. In a magnetic measurement approach, different magnetic excitation fields may be used to excite magnetic target particles differently in the first and second zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a property of a heart. The apparatus comprises a catheter (5), which comprises a first property sensing unit for sensing a contraction signal indicative of a reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at a sensing site of the heart (2). The apparatus further comprises a first property determining unit (8) for determining the reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at the sensing site from the sensed contraction signal as a first property of the heart (2). The reoccurring local contraction provides information about the heart (2), which can be used for a better and/or more reliable characterization of the heart (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for transmitting power inductively from a transmitter (11) to a receiver (10), the receiver (10) comprising a signal generator for generating a signal, triggered by an event reflecting that the receiver intends to receive power from the transmitter, wherein said signal intends to activate said transmitter from standby mode to activated mode; and comprising a signal transmitting coil (103) for transmitting said signal to said transmitter; said transmitter (11) comprising a signal receiving coil (112); a detector (114) for detecting said signal received by the receiving coil; and a unit (115) for activating the transmitter from standby mode to activated mode upon the detection of said signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a property of a heart. The apparatus comprises a catheter (5), which comprises a first property sensing unit for sensing a contraction signal indicative of a reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at a sensing site of the heart (2). The apparatus further comprises a first property determining unit (8) for determining the reoccurring local contraction of the heart (2) at the sensing site from the sensed contraction signal as a first property of the heart (2). The reoccurring local contraction provides information about the heart (2), which can be used for a better and/or more reliable characterization of the heart (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method (4,5,6,7,2) for capacitive measurement of electrophysiological signals (1) wherein motion artifacts are suppressed or reduced by providing a feedback mechanism. An average voltage between a capacitive sensor electrode (1) and the body (3) is controlled so as to reduce or minimize motion-induced signals.

Abstract: A method of detecting a receiver (214) by a transmitter and a transmitter for detecting a receiver are provided. The transmitter is intended to transmit power inductively to the receiver (214). The transmitter comprising a first transmission coil as a first electrode (204) and a second electrode (206). The first electrode (204) and the second electrode (206) form a capacitor (202). The method comprises the steps of applying a voltage (216) to any one of the electrodes (204, 206) and detecting a capacitance change of the capacitor (202).

Abstract: Conventional accelerometers are based on test masses that are suspended in some kind of spring damper system. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a two-dimensional adaptive accelerometer based on dielectrophoresis is provided, which measures an acceleration of a test mass freely floating in a medium by determining the movement of the test mass due to an accelerating force acting on the test mass. A non-uniform electric force field provides for a wide and adjustable dynamic range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (102) arranged for measuring a geometry of a fluid meniscus (132). The device comprises a fluid chamber (104) storing a first electrically conductive fluid (128) and a second electrically insulating fluid (324). The fluids are mutually immiscible and define a fluid meniscus (132) in between them. Furthermore a main electrowetting electrode (118) and auxiliary electrowetting electrodes (120, 122, 124, 126) are provided for controlling the geometry of the fluid meniscus. Hereto a voltage source (134) for providing a voltage between the main electrowetting electrode and the auxiliary electrowetting electrodes is comprised, as well as a measurement circuit (144) for separately measuring capacitances between the main electrowetting electrode and at least two of the auxiliary electrowetting electrodes. For this purpose the measurement circuit comprises a multiplexer for demodulating a signal indicative for said capacitances.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device (100) and a method for the determination of the amount of target particles (1) at a contact surface (112) adjacent to a sample chamber (2). Target particles (1) in the sample chamber are detected by a sensor element (SE) and at least one corresponding sensor-signal (s, s?) is provided. An evaluation unit (EU) then determines the amount of target particles (1) in a first zone (Z1) immediately at the contracts surface (112) and a second zone (Z2) a distance (z) away from the contact surface based on this sensor-signal. In an optical measurement approach, frustrated total internal reflection taking place under different operating conditions (e.g. wavelength, angle of incidence) may be used to extract information about the first and second zones (Z1, Z2). In a magnetic measurement approach, different magnetic excitation fields may be used to excite magnetic target particles differently in the first and second zone (Z2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic sensor device (20) comprising at least one sensor surface lying in a first plane, a first magnetic field generating means (12) for attracting magnetic or magnetizable objects (15) toward a sensor surface (13), the first magnetic field generating means (12) lying in a second plane different from and substantially parallel to the first plane, and a second magnetic field generating means (14) for magnetizing magnetic or magnetizable objects (15) which are bond to the sensor. The spacing between the first magnetic field generating means (12) and the at least one sensor element (11) is smaller than 2 ?m down to optionally overlapping. The present invention furthermore provides a method for determining the presence and/or amount of magnetic or magnetizable objects (15) in a sample fluid using the magnetic sensor device (20) according to embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device (100) comprising a magnetic field generator (1) driven with an excitation current of a first frequency (f1) and a magnetic sensor element (e.g. a GIVER sensor (2)) driven with a sensor current (I2) of a second frequency (f2) for measuring reaction fields (HB) generated by magnetized particles (3). In an associated evaluation unit (10), a reference component (uQ) of the measurement signal (uGMR) is separated that depends on the excitation current (I1) and the sensor current (I2) but not on the presence of magnetized particles (3). The reference component (uQ) may particularly be produced by a combination of the self-magnetization (H2) of the magnetic sensor element (2) and cross-talk related currents. The reference component (uQ) may be isolated based on its phase with respect to a particle-dependent component of the measurement signal (uGMR) or based on its scaling with one of the current frequencies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device for the determination of magnetized particles (3) which comprises a magnetic field generator (1, 1?)(e.g. a conductor wire) that is driven with an excitation current (I1) of a first frequency (f1), and a magnetic sensor element (2) (e.g. a GMR resistance), that is driven with a sensor current (I2) of a second frequency (f2) for generating measurement signals (UGMR). A preprocessed signal (uf) is then generated from the measurement signal (UGMR) that comprises a predetermined frequency (?f), and an evaluation unit (10) separates from this preprocessed signal a spurious component that does not depend on the presence of magnetized particles (3) in the sample chamber. The spurious component (UQ) may particularly be caused by self-magnetization (H2) of the magnetic sensor element (2) in combination with parasitic (capacitive or inductive) cross-talk.

Abstract: A motor power controller for a disk drive includes at least two operation states. In a first operation state, the disk drive motor is running continuously, and in a second operation state, the motor is spun up at the beginning of each data operation and spun down at the end of each data operation. The motor power controller transitions the disk drive from the first to the second operation state when a time interval is longer than a predetermined period of time without any data requests is determined. Further, the motor power controller transitions the disk drive from the second to the first operation state when a predetermined number of time intervals between consecutive data requests are all smaller than the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor (MS) comprising a magneto-resistive element (GMR) for sensing a magnetic stray field (SF) generated by a magnetizable object (SPB) when magnetized and for generating an electrical object signal (UOB) which depends on the sensed magnetic stray field (SF), the sensor (MS) comprising a magnetic field generator (WR1, WR2) for generating a magnetic field (H, Hext) having a first frequency (?1) for magnetizing the magnetizable object (SPB), a current source (AC2) for at least generating an AC-current (I2 sin ?2t) having a second frequency (?2t) through the magneto-resistive element (GMR), and electronic means for generating an electrical output signal (U0) derived from the electrical object signal (UOB), the electronic means comprising stabilization means for stabilizing the amplitude of the electrical output signal (U0), the stabilization means deriving its information which is needed for said stabilization from the amplitude of a signal component, which is present in the object signal (UOB) duri

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a magnetic sensor device for the determination of the concentration of target particles (2) in a sample fluid, wherein the amount of the target particles (2) in a sensitive region (14) is observed by sampling measurement signals with associated sensor units (10a-10d). The target particles (2) may optionally be bound to binding sites (3) in the sensitive region, and a parametric binding curve, e.g. a Langmuir isotherm, may be fitted to the sampled measurement signals to determine the desired particle concentration in the sample. Moreover, parameters like the sampling rate and the size of the sensitive region (14) can be dynamically fitted during the ongoing sampling process to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. In another embodiment of the invention, single events corresponding to the movement of target particles into, out of, or within the sensitive region are detected and counted.

Abstract: An optical disc drive apparatus includes a laser device for generating a light beam for optically reading data from a disc. The laser device is electrically incorporated in a resonant circuit which includes an inductance coupled to the laser device.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor (MS) for sensing a magnetic stray field (SF) generated by magnetizable object (SPB) when magnetized and for generating an electrical object signal (UOB) which depends on the sensed magnetic stray field (SF), comprising a magnetic field generator (WR1, WR2) for generating a magnetic main field (H) for magnetizing the magnetizable object (SPB), and cross-talk reduction means for reducing the effect of a cross talk signal component in the electrical object signal (UOB) caused by magnetic cross-talk between the magnetic main field (H) and the magnetic stray field (SF), wherein the cross-talk reduction means is arranged for distinguishing a signal property between the cross-talk signal component and the remaining part of the electrical object signal (UOB) and for generating an electrical output signal (Uo).

Abstract: The invention relates to a microelectronic device (200), particularly a magnetic biosensor, comprising B/E-electrodes (21) that can generate a magnetic field (B) in a sample chamber (10). The device further comprises E-electrodes (23, 24) that can generate an electrical field (E) in the sample chamber (10) in cooperation with the B/E-electrodes (21). Thus the B/E-electrodes are used for two purposes. Electrical fields (E) in the sample chamber (10) may particularly be used for pumping and/or mixing of a fluid sample or for a stringency test of particle bindings.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor device is disclosed for the detection or determination of a magnetic field, such as for example, but not limited to, the presence of magnetic particles (15). In particular it relates to an integrated or on-chip magnetic sensor element (11) for the detection of magnetic nano-particles functioning as a label to biological molecules. The device of the present invention offers reduced cross-talk between the magnetic sensor element (11) and a magnetic field generator (12) by compensating capacitive and/or magnetic coupling for instance by using an electrostatic shield and/or modulation and demodulation techniques. The device may be used for magnetic detection of binding of biological molecules on a micro-array or biochip.

Abstract: An optical recording apparatus with a small form factor optical drive for driving an optical record carrier is operable in different accessing modes having different data rates depending on the power mode of the recording apparatus. A Switch is provided in the recording apparatus for switching a controller for accessing the optical record carrier for reading data from or recording data to the optical record carrier. A first accessing mode has a low data rate and is used in a low power mode, while a second accessing mode has a high data rate and is used or allowed to be used in a high power mode.