Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a sensor assembly for an IVD analyzer, the sensor comprising two opposite substrates with at least one fluidic conduit for receiving a sample. The electrodes of different types of electrochemical sensors are arranged on the two opposite substrates facing the at least one fluidic conduit for coming in contact with the sample and determining sample parameters, wherein the counter electrodes and the reference electrodes are formed on one substrate and the working electrodes are formed on the opposite substrate. This achieves optimal sensor-working conditions in terms of a homogeneous and symmetrical electric field density and enables a sensor assembly with simpler geometry and smaller size.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a sensor assembly for an IVD analyzer, the sensor comprising two opposite substrates with at least one fluidic conduit for receiving a sample. The electrodes of different types of electrochemical sensors are arranged on the two opposite substrates facing the at least one fluidic conduit for coming in contact with the sample and determining sample parameters, wherein the counter electrodes and the reference electrodes are formed on one substrate and the working electrodes are formed on the opposite substrate. This achieves optimal sensor-working conditions in terms of a homogeneous and symmetrical electric field density and enables a sensor assembly with simpler geometry and smaller size.

Abstract: A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge is provided. The cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis. The method comprises: placing the biological sample into a sample inlet; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process a biological sample into the processed biological sample using a fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow from the measurement structure inlet to an absorbent structure via a chromatographic membrane, and performing an optical measurement of a detection zone on the chromatographic membrane with an optical instrument. An inlet air baffle reduces evaporation of the processed biological sample from the chromatographic membrane during rotation of the cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum valve having a valve closure and having a drive unit which is coupled to the valve closure and which has at least one adjustment element. The vacuum valve furthermore has a position sensor, in particular a travel or distance sensor, such that a position of the valve closure and/or of the at least one adjustment element relative to a zero position, in particular an open position or closed position of the vacuum valve, can be measured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum valve having a valve closure and having a drive unit which is coupled to the valve closure and which has at least one adjustment element. The vacuum valve furthermore has a position sensor, in particular a travel or distance sensor, such that a position of the valve closure and/or of the at least one adjustment element relative to a zero position, in particular an open position or closed position of the vacuum valve, can be measured.

Abstract: A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge is provided. The cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis. The method comprises: placing the biological sample into a sample inlet; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process a biological sample into the processed biological sample using a fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow from the measurement structure inlet to an absorbent structure via a chromatographic membrane, and performing an optical measurement of a detection zone on the chromatographic membrane with an optical instrument. An inlet air baffle reduces evaporation of the processed biological sample from the chromatographic membrane during rotation of the cartridge.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer cartridge, spinnable about a rotational axis, has fluid and aliquoting chambers, a metering chamber connected to a vent that is nearer to the rotational axis than the metering chamber, first and second ducts connecting the fluid and aliquoting chambers, and the metering and aliquoting chambers, respectively. Metering chamber side walls taper away from a central region, wherein capillary action next to the walls is greater than in the central region. Fluid flows to the metering chamber using capillary action via the second duct that has an entrance and exit in the aliquoting and metering chambers, respectively; the exit being closer to the rotational axis than the entrance. A downstream fluidic element connects to the metering chamber via a valve. A fluidic structure receives and processes a biological sample into the processed biological sample and has a measurement structure that enables measurement of the processed biological sample.

Abstract: A method of performing an optical measurement of an analyte in a processed biological sample using a cartridge is provided. The cartridge is operable for being spun around a rotational axis. The method comprises: placing the biological sample into a sample inlet; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to process a biological sample into the processed biological sample using a fluidic structure; controlling the rotational rate of the cartridge to allow the processed biological sample to flow from the measurement structure inlet to an absorbent structure via a chromatographic membrane, and performing an optical measurement of a detection zone on the chromatographic membrane with an optical instrument. An inlet air baffle reduces evaporation of the processed biological sample from the chromatographic membrane during rotation of the cartridge.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a sensor device, a method of operating the sensor device and an IVD analyzer for receiving the sensor device for determining chemical and/or physical characteristics of a fluid. The sensor device comprises at least two fluidic conduits for repeatedly receiving fluids, each fluidic conduit comprising at least one sensory element arranged such as to come in contact with a fluid in the respective fluidic conduit. In particular, the fluidic conduits comprise different sensory elements, respectively, wherein the sensory elements are separated in the respective fluidic conduits according to compatibility or susceptibility to deterioration or operating temperature. Alternately, the fluidic conduits comprise at least in part the same sensory elements, wherein the sensor device is operated in a primary operating mode and in response to a trigger event, switches to an extended operating mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a sensor assembly for an IVD analyzer, the sensor comprising two opposite substrates with at least one fluidic conduit for receiving a sample. The electrodes of different types of electrochemical sensors are arranged on the two opposite substrates facing the at least one fluidic conduit for coming in contact with the sample and determining sample parameters, wherein the counter electrodes and the reference electrodes are formed on one substrate and the working electrodes are formed on the opposite substrate. This achieves optimal sensor-working conditions in terms of a homogeneous and symmetrical electric field density and enables a sensor assembly with simpler geometry and smaller size.

Abstract: A valve system having a vacuum valve and a regulating unit is disclosed. The vacuum valve has a valve seat including a valve opening, a first seal surface, and a valve closure for closing the valve opening using a second seal surface. A drive unit coupled to the valve closure is designed to be adjusted to provide respective valve opening states. The regulating unit adjusts the valve opening state by actuating the drive unit based on a currently determined regulating variable and a target variable. The regulating unit has a checking function configured such that a series of states of the valve closure are detected as park of the regulating process, and the states are stored as current regulating data. The current regulating data is compared with specified target regulating data and process information is generated based on the comparison of the current and the target regulating data.

Abstract: A medical system for determining an analyte quantity in a blood sample via a cartridge that spins around a rotational axis. The cartridge may include: a separation chamber that separates blood plasma from the sample; a processing chamber containing a reagent with a specific binding partner which binds to the analyte to form an analyte specific binding partner complex; a first valve structure connecting the separation chamber to the processing chamber; a measurement structure to measure the quantity of the analyte, wherein the measurement structure includes a chromatographic membrane with an immobilized binding partner for direct or indirect binding of the analyte or the analyte specific binding partner complex, and an absorbent structure that is nearer to the axis than the membrane; a second valve structure connecting the processing chamber to the measurement structure; and a fluid chamber filled with a washing buffer and fluidically connected to the measurement structure.

Abstract: A medical system for determining an analyte quantity in a blood sample via a cartridge that spins around a rotational axis. The cartridge may include: a separation chamber that separates blood plasma from the sample; a processing chamber containing a reagent with a specific binding partner which binds to the analyte to form an analyte specific binding partner complex; a first valve structure connecting the separation chamber to the processing chamber; a measurement structure to measure the quantity of the analyte, wherein the measurement structure includes a chromatographic membrane with an immobilized binding partner for direct or indirect binding of the analyte or the analyte specific binding partner complex, and an absorbent structure that is nearer to the axis than the membrane; a second valve structure connecting the processing chamber to the measurement structure; and a fluid chamber filled with a washing buffer and fluidically connected to the measurement structure.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve drive (1) for a valve (2), in particular for a vacuum valve, which has at least one pneumatic cylinder (3) with at least one piston (4) that is movably mounted in the pneumatic cylinder (3) and at least two cylinder cavities (5, 6) arranged on opposite sides of the piston (4). Each cylinder cavity (5, 6) is connected to at least one pressure source for applying pressure to each cylinder cavity (5, 6). One of the pressure sources is a constant pressure source (7) for applying a constant pressure to the cylinder cavity (5) arranged on one of the sides of the piston, and one of the other pressure sources is a regulated pressure source (8) for applying a variably regulatable pressure to the cylinder cavity (6) arranged on the opposite side of the piston (4).

Abstract: A cartridge including a structural part with a hole surrounded at least partially by a recess, so that a wall is formed that separates the hole from the recess. The cartridge includes a liquid pack, wherein the liquid pack comprises a surrounding seal portion and a liquid containing portion. The liquid pack is arranged at least partially in the hole, in that a circumferential outer line of the seal portion protrudes over the hole.

Abstract: A vacuum valve including a valve housing with seat surrounding a first opening with a sealing surface is disclosed. A valve disk having a first disk section and a second disk section tightly mounted inside an outer boundary of the first disk that is movable parallel to an opening axis. A drive is connected to the first disk section. The first disk section includes a first bearing surface configured to contact the sealing surface in the closed position. The outer boundary has a radially inwardly oriented inner surface. The second disk section has a radially outwardly oriented outer surface configured to contact the inner surface sealing a second contact area. At least for determined radial angles about a center of the valve disk, a first radial distance from the center to the first bearing surface is shorter than a second radial distance from the center to the second contact area.

Abstract: Discloses is a vacuum valve having a valve closure and having a drive unit which is coupled to the valve closure and which has at least one adjustment element. The vacuum valve furthermore has a position sensor, in particular a travel or distance sensor, such that a position of the valve closure and/or of the at least one adjustment element relative to a zero position, in particular an open position or closed position of the vacuum valve, can be measured.

Abstract: A method and cartridge for determining an amount of at least two analytes in a biological sample and an automatic analyzer are disclosed. The cartridge may comprise a cartridge inlet, a sample holding chamber fluidically connected to the inlet, and two or more metering chambers. Each metering chamber may comprise a sample inlet, a sample outlet, and a metered outlet for dispensing a predetermined volume. At least one sample distribution channel is connected between the sample outlet of a metering chamber with a sample inlet of another metering chamber. For each metering chamber, a connecting tube fluidically connects the sample inlet with the sample holding chamber, a microfluidic structure for processing the sample into a processed sample connects to the sample outlet, and a measurement structure fluidically connects to the microfluidic structure and enables measurement of the processed sample to determine the amount of the analyte in the processed sample.

Abstract: A valve system having a vacuum valve and a regulating unit is disclosed. The vacuum valve has a valve seat including a valve opening, a first seal surface, and a valve closure for closing the valve opening using a second seal surface. A drive unit coupled to the valve closure is designed to be adjusted to provide respective valve opening states. The regulating unit adjusts the valve opening state by actuating the drive unit based on a currently determined regulating variable and a target variable. The regulating unit has a checking function configured such that a series of states of the valve closure are detected as park of the regulating process, and the states are stored as current regulating data. The current regulating data is compared with specified target regulating data and process information is generated based on the comparison of the current and the target regulating data.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer cartridge, spinnable about a rotational axis, has fluid and aliquoting chambers, a metering chamber connected to a vent that is nearer to the rotational axis than the metering chamber, first and second ducts connecting the fluid and aliquoting chambers, and the metering and aliquoting chambers, respectively. Metering chamber side walls taper away from a central region, wherein capillary action next to the walls is greater than in the central region. Fluid flows to the metering chamber using capillary action via the second duct that has an entrance and exit in the aliquoting and metering chambers, respectively; the exit being closer to the rotational axis than the entrance. A downstream fluidic element connects to the metering chamber via a valve. A fluidic structure receives and processes a biological sample into the processed biological sample and has a measurement structure that enables measurement of the processed biological sample.