Abstract: The present invention concerns sample pick-up and metering devices, analytical test systems for determining an analyte in a sample liquid and their use for this purpose and methods for determining an analyte in a sample liquid. They comprise or use a sample pick-up and metering device according to the invention which consists of a support and a metering element integrated into the support for taking up a defined volume of sample liquid and a closed liquid compartment located on the support which contains a defined volume of a liquid where the liquid compartment on the support can be opened.

Abstract: Embodiments directed to a device for analyzing samples administered from a sample vessel are disclosed. One embodiment may comprise a central unit having a supply of reaction vessels and a sampling unit by which at least part of a sample is transferred from one of the sample vessels into the reaction vessel; at least one analytical unit having a plurality of reagent vessels; a transport unit which transports at least part of the reaction vessels from the central unit to the analytical unit such that the analytical unit supplies the reagent from the reagent vessels into the reaction vessel for triggering a reaction between the sample and the reagent; and at least one measuring unit provided in the analytical unit which measures the physical property of the sample held in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments directed to a device for analyzing samples administered from a sample vessel are disclosed. One embodiment may comprise a central unit having a supply of reaction vessels and a sampling unit by which at least part of a sample is transferred from one of the sample vessels into the reaction vessel; at least one analytical unit having a plurality of reagent vessels; a transport unit which transports at least part of the reaction vessels from the central unit to the analytical unit such that the analytical unit supplies the reagent from the reagent vessels into the reaction vessel for triggering a reaction between the sample and the reagent; and at least one measuring unit provided in the analytical unit which measures the physical property of the sample held in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A device for separating at least part of the liquid component of a blood sample and methods thereof are disclosed. Generally, the device includes a container body for receiving the blood sample, a layer of retaining porous material, a layer of separating permeable material. The retaining porous material retains non-liquid components of the blood sample after the non-liquid components have been subjected to centrifugal force which forces them through the separating permeable material into the retaining porous material.

Abstract: A device for analyzing samples is disclosed, which are supplied in sample vessels (2), a central unit (1) with reaction vessels (2), a transport unit (6) for transporting the reaction vessels and at least one analytical unit (7, 8, 9) being provided. The central unit (1) contains a sampling unit (30), by which at least a part of the sample is transferred from the sample vessel (2) to a reaction vessel. At least a part of the reaction vessels is transferred via/by the transport unit (6) to at least one of the analytical units (7, 8, 9). Furthermore, at least one reagent vessel (20, . . . , 23) with at least one reagent is provided, which is supplied to the sample in the reaction vessel for a reaction between the sample and the reagent. Finally, at least one measuring device (5) or at least one measuring unit for the measuring of a physical property of the sample is provided. The device according to the invention works extremely efficiently, simultaneously a minimal effort of resources being required.

Abstract: A cuvette holder for holding a plurality of reaction cuvettes is disclosed. The cuvette holder includes a body made by injection molding of a plastic material. The body extends along a circular segment and defines an array of chambers arranged along a circular segment, each of the chambers is for receiving, retaining and loosely holding the upper end portion of a reaction cuvette.

Abstract: A reagent container assembly adapted for being installed in a cavity of an analyzer. The reagent container assembly comprises a housing having an upper opening and defining at least one circular array of chambers, each chamber being adapted for receiving a reagent container, a cover for closing the upper opening of the housing, and a locking mechanism arranged within the housing. The locking mechanism is adapted for locking the cover and for preventing rotation thereof. The locking mechanism is further adapted for locking the housing and thereby preventing rotation thereof when the reagent container assembly is removed from its position in the analyzer. The locking mechanism is further adapted for cooperating with a pin arranged at the bottom of the cavity of the analyzer when the reagent container assembly is installed in the analyzer, the housing being unlocked by the cooperation and thereby allowed to be rotated within the cavity of the analyzer.

Abstract: A device for separating at least part of the liquid component of a blood sample and methods thereof are disclosed. Generally, the device includes a container body for receiving the blood sample, a layer of retaining porous material, a layer of separating permeable material. The retaining porous material retains non-liquid components of the blood sample after the non-liquid components have been subjected to centrifugal force which forces them through the separating permeable material into the retaining porous material.

Abstract: A cuvette holder for holding a plurality of reaction cuvettes. The cuvette holder comprising a body (42) made by injection molding of a plastic material, said body extending along a circular segment and defining an array of chambers (43) arranged along a circular segment, each of said chambers (43) being adapted for receiving, retaining and loosely holding the upper end portion (34) of a reaction cuvette (31).

Abstract: A device for analyzing samples is disclosed, which are supplied in sample vessels (2), a central unit (1) with reaction vessels (2), a transport unit (6) for transporting the reaction vessels and at least one analytical unit (7, 8, 9) being provided. The central unit (1) contains a san?pling unit (30), by which at least a part of the sample is transferred from the sample vessel (2) to a reaction vessel. At least a part of the reaction vessels is transferred via/by the transport unit (6) to at least one of the analytical units (7, 8, 9). Furthermore, at least one reagent vessel (20, . . . , 23) with at least one reagent is provided, which is supplied to the sample in the reaction vessel for a reaction between the sample and the reagent. Finally, at least one measuring device (5) or at least one measuring unit for the measuring of a physical property of the sample is provided. The device according to the invention works extremely efficiently, simultaneously a minimal effort of resources being required.

Abstract: A reagent container assembly adapted for being installed in a cavity of an analyzer. The reagent container assembly comprises a housing having an upper opening and defining at least one circular array of chambers (65, 66), each chamber (65, 66) being adapted for receiving a reagent container, a cover for closing the upper opening of the housing, and locking means arranged within the housing. The locking means are adapted for locking the cover and for preventing rotation thereof. The locking means are further adapted for locking the housing and thereby preventing rotation thereof when the reagent container assembly is removed from its position in the analyzer. The locking means are further adapted for cooperating with a pin (224) arranged at the bottom of said cavity of the analyzer when the reagent container assembly is installed in the analyzer, said housing being unlocked by said cooperation and thereby allowed to be rotated within said cavity of the analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns sample pick-up and metering devices, analytical test systems for determining an analyte in a sample liquid and their use for this purpose and methods for determining an analyte in a sample liquid. They comprise or use a sample pick-up and metering device according to the invention which consists of a support and a metering element integrated into the support for taking up a defined volume of sample liquid and a closed liquid compartment located on the support which contains a defined volume of a liquid where the liquid compartment on the support can be opened.

Abstract: A device for dispensing drops of a liquid is disclosed. The device comprises a liquid accelerating vessel (11) for receiving a volume of the liquid to be dispensed, a nozzle (14) which is directly mechanically connected with the liquid accelerating vessel (11), a bending element (15), having one portion (17) which is free to oscillate and driving means for causing bending oscillations of the bending element (15). The liquid accelerating vessel (11) has an inlet opening (12) and an outlet opening (13). The nozzle (14) has a passage (22) which is in fluid communication with the interior (21) of the liquid accelerating vessel (11). The driving means comprise a piezoelectric transducer (18) which is directly mechanically connected with the portion (17) of the bending element (15), which portion (17) is free to oscillate.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer for the assay of liquid samples pipetted from a container into a mixing chamber includes a controller for controlling the operation of the analyzer in response to sensors that monitor the functions of the analyzer. Within the analyzer, the responses of the sensors are evaluated and, when such responses do not meet prescribed criteria, error messages are provided. In the disclosed embodiments, the controller is implemented using at least one program-controlled processor. In order to monitor the pipetting operations in an effective manner, the automatic analyzer, in one embodiment, uses a plurality of operation and monitoring control units which operate independently of one another. Each of these units is by a central processing unit.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus for monitoring pipetting operations, and in particular the ejection of a first liquid from a pipetting needle having a tip immersed in a second liquid. The apparatus comprises a light source that irradiates the second liquid with a light beam, and light receiver which receives the light beam emerging from the second liquid and delivers an output signal which corresponds to the received light intensity. To improve the accuracy and reliability of pipetting operations, the apparatus is provided with a light receiver adapted for continuously delivering intensity signals (Un); first storage means for storing previously determined threshold values (S); second storage means for storing intensity signals (Un) delivered by the light receiver and evaluation parameters (Bm, Am/Atot) derived therefrom; and at least one logic circuit for comparing the evaluation parameters (Bm, Am/Atot) with the threshold values (S) and for delivering a resulting output signal (E, F).