Abstract: The invention is directed to a disposable sample holding and processing device (1) dimensioned for being operated in a nucleic acid amplification apparatus for analyzing a liquid sample containing a nucleic acid by a nucleic acid amplification technique. The device (1) comprises chambers (15, 16) and channels (44) designed to perform the steps of capturing, amplification and detection of the nucleic acid within the device (1), and optionally also a lysis chamber (3). The binding chamber (15) contains a solid phase (14) for immobilization of a component of the sample to be analyzed, and the amplification chamber (16) is connected to the binding chamber (15) by a fluid channel (44).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for piercing a body part and determining whether a sufficient volume of blood has been withdrawn. A lancing element is rapidly inserted into a body part in a forward phase and retracted quickly to a lesser puncturing depth. Subsequently, the lancing element is retracted slower than during the first retraction movement and the distance retracted during the second retraction is shorter than the first retraction movement. During the second retraction movement, body fluid is collected in a collection phase by a capillary structure of the lancing element. Contact between the lancing element and the body fluid is detected after the forward phase at the beginning and the end of a waiting period.

Abstract: A method for the automated analysis of liquid samples using at least one microfluidic structure is disclosed as well as microfluidic structures, a device having at least one of the microfluidic structures, a kit and a system including such microfluidic device. In one embodiment, the method may comprise: transferring a sample into a first fluid reservoir which is in fluid communication with a second fluid reservoir by a flow channel; spinning the microfluidic structure so as to transport the sample into one or more dead-end recesses or chambers; transferring a control fluid into the structure which generates a barrier to flow and diffusion of the sample contained in the one or more dead-end recesses or chambers; and analyzing the sample contained in the one or more dead-end recesses or chambers.

Abstract: The present invention includes a container and a method of separating one or more components of interest bound to magnetic particles using centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A device for sampling, transporting and/or disposal of fluid media in the nl and ?l-range comprises a substrate with an open or closed capillary-like groove or channel respectively, the substrate with the open or closed groove or capillary respectively is bent or arcuated at least at one location. The substrate comprises at least one end into which the open or closed capillary-like groove or channel respectively is extended, which end is shaped according to its application or use as e.g. needle-like, straight-lined cut, tip-like, at least most half circle-shape, rounded, etc.

Abstract: Body fluid sampling device comprising a sampling element having a fluid pathway (11) for receiving body fluid, at least a portion of the fluid pathway is open to the environment and further comprising a fluid receiving means (40) being spaced from the fluid pathway so that fluid in the pathway will not contact the fluid receiving means initially. The fluid receiving means has two or more test zones (45) for performing analytical reactions. Fluid from the channel is contacted with the fluid receiving means either by bringing the fluid receiving means and the fluid into mechanical contact or by electrically transporting fluid from the channel onto the fluid receiving means.

Abstract: An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the inter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.

Abstract: The present invention includes a container and a method of separating one or more components of interest bound to magnetic particles using centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A device for sampling, transporting and/or disposal of fluid media in the nl and ?l-range comprises a substrate with an open or closed capillary-like groove or channel respectively, the substrate with the open or closed groove or capillary respectively is bent or arcuated at least at one location. The substrate comprises at least one end into which the open or closed capillary-like groove or channel respectively is extended, which end is shaped according to its application or use as e.g. needle-like, straight-lined cut, tip-like, at least most half circle-shape, rounded, etc.

Abstract: A device for sampling, transporting and/or disposal of fluid media in the nl and ?l-range comprises a substrate with and open or closed capillary-like groove or channel respectively, the substrate with the open or closed groove or capillary respectively is bent or arcuated at least at one location. The substrate comprises at least one end into which the open closed capillary-like groove or channel respectively is extended, which end is shaped according to its application or use as e.g. needle-like, straight-lined cut, tip-like, at least most half circle-shape, rounded, etc.

Abstract: Body fluid sampling device comprising a skin-piercing element having a fluid pathway for receiving body fluid, at least a portion of said fluid pathway is open to the environment and further comprising a fluid receiving means being spaced from said fluid pathway so that fluid in said pathway will not contact the fluid receiving means initially. Said fluid receiving means may have a test zone for performing an analytical reaction. Fluid from said channel is contacted with said fluid receiving means either by bringing the fluid receiving means and the fluid into mechanical contact or by electrically transporting fluid from the channel onto the fluid receiving means.

Abstract: Body fluid sampling device comprising a skin-piercing element (10) having a fluid pathway (11) for receiving body fluid, at least a portion of the fluid pathway is open to the environment and further comprising a fluid receiving element (40) being spaced from the fluid pathway so that fluid in the pathway will not contact the fluid receiving element initially. The fluid receiving element may have a test zone (45) for performing an analytical reaction. Fluid from the channel is contacted with the fluid receiving element either by bringing the fluid receiving element and the fluid into mechanical contact or by electrically transporting fluid from the channel onto the fluid receiving element.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for separating plasma from a blood sample comprising a stacked structure which is provided with a first portion including a separating member having a first surface for applying or receiving the blood sample, wherein the separating member is adapted to permit the passage of plasma but to inhibit the passage of cells, and a second portion including an absorptive member for absorbing the plasma, which has a second surface in contact with the separating member for receiving the plasma, wherein the absorptive member is adapted to generate a capillary pressure so as to draw plasma from the separating member to the absorptive member. The first portion is fixed to the backing member in a manner to be removed without destroying the absorptive member. The absorptive member is fixed to the backing member in a manner to be removed without destroying the absorptive member.

Abstract: The invention refers to a handling kit for analyzing a liquid sample, especially by nucleic acid amplification, comprising a disposable sample holding and processing device (1) dimensioned for use in an apparatus for analyzing a liquid sample, and a sample transfer tip (12) for transferring liquid into the disposable device (1), the disposable device (1) having a sample preparation chamber (10) which has an outlet (9) and an insertion opening (16) which is adapted to receive the sample transfer tip (12), the insertion opening and the sample transfer tip (12) being dimensioned in such a way that inserting the sample transfer tip (12) into an insertion position in the sample preparation chamber (10) causes a tight seal between an outer wall (40) of the sample transfer tip (12) and an inner wall (41) of the sample preparation chamber (10), the disposable device (1) having a vent (31) for venting the sample preparation chamber (10).

Abstract: Body fluid sampling device comprising a sampling element having a fluid pathway (11) for receiving body fluid, at least a portion of the fluid pathway is open to the environment and further comprising a fluid receiving means (40) being spaced from the fluid pathway so that fluid in the pathway will not contact the fluid receiving means initially. The fluid receiving means has two or more test zones (45) for performing analytical reactions. Fluid from the channel is contacted with the fluid receiving means either by bringing the fluid receiving means and the fluid into mechanical contact or by electrically transporting fluid from the channel onto the fluid receiving means.

Abstract: A method for the automated analysis of liquid samples using at least one microfluidic structure is disclosed as well as microfluidic structures, a device having at least one of the microfluidic structures, a kit and a system including such microfluidic device. In one embodiment, the method may comprise: transferring said sample into a first fluid reservoir which is in fluid communication with a second fluid reservoir by a flow channel; spinning said microfluidic structure so as to transport said sample into one or more dead-end recesses or chambers; transferring a control fluid into the structure which generates a barrier to flow and diffusion of said sample contained in said one or more dead-end recesses or chambers; and analyzing said sample contained in said one or more dead-end recesses or chambers.

Abstract: Body fluid sampling device comprising a sampling element having a fluid pathway (11) for receiving body fluid, at least a portion of the fluid pathway is open to the environment and further comprising a fluid receiving means (40) being spaced from the fluid pathway so that fluid in the pathway will not contact the fluid receiving means initially. The fluid receiving means has two or more test zones (45) for performing analytical reactions. Fluid from the channel is contacted with the fluid receiving means either by bringing the fluid receiving means and the fluid into mechanical contact or by electrically transporting fluid from the channel onto the fluid receiving means.

Abstract: A microfluidic processing unit for the automated processing of liquid samples and method thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, the unit comprises first and second main channels connected to a pump for generating a negative or positive pressure therein; a sample channel which supplies a liquid sample is connectable to a sample vessel containing the liquid sample, the sample channel communicates with the first main channel and is equipped with an on/off valve; one or more reagent channels for supplying one or more reagents, the reagent channels being connectable to reagent vessels containing reagents for reacting with the liquid samples, each of the reagent channels communicating with the first or second main channel and being equipped with an on/off valve; and a reaction chamber for reacting a sample and reagent, the reaction chamber being connected to the first and second main channels via at least one on/off valve.

Abstract: A system and method for cycling liquid samples through a series of temperature excursions are disclosed. Provided are open-top reaction vessels for containing the samples, which may be enclosed by one or more covers. A temperature-controlled block for generating or adsorbing heat is coupled thermally to the reaction vessels. A detection arrangement is disposed in an emission beam path to detect radiation emitted from the samples through the covers. A heating arrangement for generating heat includes a heating element that is both disposed between the reaction vessels and the detection arrangement and coupled thermally to the covers. The heating element includes an optically transparent substrate provided with one or more opaque heating lines, the heating lines being disposed in the emission beam path in a manner to obtain a predetermined minimum optical transmission of the heating element. A controller, set up to control cycling of the samples, is provided.

Abstract: A system for dispensing one or more fluids into wells of a target multi-well plate, a holder and a method thereof are disclosed. The system provides the holder which holds the multi-well plate in a predefined holding position, the plate having a well region provided with wells for accommodating the fluids and an edge region surrounding the well region. The holder includes: a contact area which contacts the edge region to form a sealing zone which air-tightly seals a void formed between the holder and the plate; a supporting face which supports the well region in a planar condition; and a duct which connects to a pump to generate a negative pressure in the void so as to draw the well region onto the supporting face.