Abstract: Methods, analytical devices and analytical systems are provided for determining at least one analyte concentration in a body fluid sample. The methods, which may be incorporated into the devices and systems, can include the following steps: applying a body fluid to a test carrier; illuminating the test carrier by at least one light source, where the at least one light source is modulated by using at least two modulation frequencies; receiving light remitted by the test carrier by using at least one detector; determining an analyte concentration by evaluating at least one detector signal generated by the detector, where the detector signal is demodulated with the at least two modulation frequencies to generate at least two demodulated detector signals, each demodulated signal corresponding to one of the modulation frequencies; and detecting a fault by comparing the at least two demodulated detector signals.

Abstract: Methods, analytical devices and analytical systems are provided for determining at least one analyte concentration in a body fluid sample. The methods, which may be incorporated into the devices and systems, can include the following steps: applying a body fluid to a test carrier; illuminating the test carrier by at least one light source, where the at least one light source is modulated by using at least two modulation frequencies; receiving light remitted by the test carrier by using at least one detector; determining an analyte concentration by evaluating at least one detector signal generated by the detector, where the detector signal is demodulated with the at least two modulation frequencies to generate at least two demodulated detector signals, each demodulated signal corresponding to one of the modulation frequencies; and detecting a fault by comparing the at least two demodulated detector signals.

Abstract: A blood glucose test instrument kit having modular component parts capable of being assembled into a plurality of different handheld blood glucose test instruments is disclosed. The kit comprises the combination of an interconnection platform adapted to connect to a collection of interoperable modules. The collection of interoperable modules including: a plurality of different measurement engine modules, at least one user interface module, at least one power supply module. A handheld blood glucose test instrument is assembled by the interconnection to the interconnection platform of at least one measurement engine module, at least one user interface module, and at least one power supply module. The inter-module communication among the modules connected thereto to achieve enhanced glucose test instrument reliability by effecting at least one reliability protocol selected from a group of reliability protocols.

Abstract: A network for monitoring bodily functions of a patient is disclosed. The network comprises at least two distinct network nodes that can be connected to a body of the patient. At least two of the network nodes can have at least one medical function, such as, for example, a diagnostic function and/or a medication function. The network nodes can communicate directly with one another via the body of the patient and can interchange data and/or commands.

Abstract: A blood glucose test instrument kit having modular component parts capable of being assembled into a plurality of different handheld blood glucose test instruments is disclosed. The kit comprises the combination of an interconnection platform adapted to connect to a collection of interoperable modules. The collection of interoperable modules including: a plurality of different measurement engine modules, at least one user interface module, at least one power supply module. A handheld blood glucose test instrument is assembled by the interconnection to the interconnection platform of at least one measurement engine module, at least one user interface module, and at least one power supply module. The inter-module communication among the modules connected thereto to achieve enhanced glucose test instrument reliability by effecting at least one reliability protocol selected from a group of reliability protocols.

Abstract: A cryostatic microtome with an automatic approach of the preparation automatically stops the feed movement between the microtome knife and a frozen preparation towards each other upon a mechanical contact between the knife and the preparation. An electrical voltage of a few volts is applied between the microtome knife and the preparation. A small current which appears, due to the intrinsic conductivity of the preparation, upon mechanical contact between the preparation and the microtome knife, and a smaller voltage drop at the preparation resulting therefrom, is current amplified by means of a preamplifier connected as an impedance converter and subsequently measured. The feed movement between the preparation and the microtome knife is automatically stopped when the voltage at the amplifier output falls below a predefined threshold voltage.

Abstract: A microtome (2) with a sample holder (51) for a sample (22) to be thinly sectioned and with a knife holder (12) for a cutting knife (10) is described, wherein the sample holder (51), for performing a cutting movement (arrow 54) relative to the knife holder (12), can be driven in a first spatial direction (arrows 54, 56) by means of a first drive device (53), and for performing a coarse adjustment and a section thickness adjusting movement in a second spatial direction (arrow 24) perpendicular to the first spatial direction (54, 56) by means of an electrical second drive device (50). In the vicinity of the cutting knife (10), for defined delimitation of the coarse adjustment movement of the sample holder (51) in the second spatial direction, a delimiting device (20) is provided, which is connected over control means (44), preferably an electronic control, with the electrical second drive device (50).