Abstract: An instrument and method is provided that conveniently allows rapid amplification of nucleic acids.

Abstract: An instrument and method is provided that conveniently allows rapid amplification of nucleic acids. The instrument comprises in the following order at least one substantially flat temperature sensor element; a heat conducting substrate and a heater layer, whereby the heat conducting substrate comprises one or more channels permeable for fluid.

Abstract: A analytical device comprising a body comprising a fluidic unit comprising a first chamber having an outlet opening and a first channel exiting said outlet opening, wherein said first chamber further contains an insert comprising recesses between ribs touching the walls of said first chamber and a second channel, said insert being located in a first position wherein said insert is not engaged with said outlet opening, said insert being moveable from said first position to a second position within said first chamber, wherein said insert is engaged with said outlet opening such that said second channel extends said first channel into said first chamber and in the part pointing towards said outlet opening resembles the shape of said first chamber.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a sampling system for sample liquid having a support, a lancing element arranged thereon and a semi-open channel for the capillary transport of the sample liquid from the lancing element to a collecting site on the support. A receiving structure is provided for receiving excess sample liquid escaping from the side of the channel.

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: The invention generally concerns a microfluidic system having a support body provided with a lancing member and a semi-open microchannel, for the capillary transport of a sample fluid from a receiving site to a target site. In order to obtain a higher aspect ratio the support body is coated with a build-up layer which laterally defines the microchannel in the upper region.

Abstract: System for thermocycling of fluids in cartridges comprising a thermocycling unit in thermal contact with a first substantially planar and heat conducting wall of a cartridge, a light source for transmitting light into the interior of said cartridge through a second light transparent wall of said cartridge which is arranged substantially perpendicular to said first wall, a light detector for detecting light emerging from the interior of the cartridge through said second wall and a fluid providing unit coupled to an inlet of the cartridge for providing the cartridge with fluid and an outlet of the cartridge to drain gas when the cartridge is filled with fluid. The invention further concerns a cartridge for conducting the thermal cycling of fluids.

Abstract: A system and method for carrying out the withdrawal of body fluid with as little body fluid as possible visible to the user at the end of the process. The present invention provides a pressure piece for exerting pressure on a body part. The pressure piece is moved relative to a support for the body part, and in the final phase of fluid withdrawal, the compressive or resistive force of the pressure piece on the body part is reduced in order to avoid the escape of body fluid from the puncture site. The support results in a defined positioning of the body part that rests against it for the lancing process, whereas the relative movement of the pressure piece enables an additional increase in pressure and thus an improved collection of fluid.

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 said fluid pathway is open to the environment and further comprising a fluid receiving means (40) 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 (45) 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 having a collection zone for receiving body fluid, and the device further comprising a fluid receiving means remote spaced apart from the collection zone so that body fluid in the collection zone will not contact the fluid receiving means initially. The collection zone takes up a very small volume of body fluid of about 10 to 500 nl in a very short time period of less than 0.5 seconds. The fluid receiving means may have a test zone for performing an analytical reaction. Fluid sample from the collection zone is automatically or manually transported to the fluid receiving means to contact the fluid with the test zone.

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: Manufacture of a device having a body comprising a cavity with a fluid port made from an elastomeric material adhering to the body is disclosed. The device can be used advantageously in reliable analyses in automated procedures.

Abstract: A method to adjust a temperature of a fluid is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of providing a heat sink taking effect on the fluid, heating the fluid by Joule heating, and adjusting the heat provided by Joule heating in order to reach a desired temperature of the fluid. Furthermore, an apparatus to carry out the method is also disclosed. Therewith, a very efficient temperature change of the fluid can very quickly be obtained since the temperature of the surrounding is not substantially changed by heat diffusion. While a temperature increase is carried out by Joule heating, a temperature decrease is carried out by simply deactivating Joule heating. As soon as Joule heating is deactivated, the heat is extracted from the fluid by the heat sink, thereby initiating a high speed temperature change towards lower temperatures.

Abstract: A device and method for interconnecting at least one reservoir for holding at least one liquid with at least one area in or on a test element to be supplied and/or brought into contact with the liquid is provided. In accordance with one embodiment, the reservoir and the area to be supplied and/or brought into contact with the liquid are integrated on the same test element or are arranged on separate embodiments. The device comprises at least one capillary-like tube or conduit comprising an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends thereof, which tube or conduit is at least along a section at least nearly rigid.

Abstract: A quality test of fluids of biological origin can be performed optically with applying a suitable evaluation method. In case of two components to be determined in a such fluid, an extinction spectrum is approximated in a first wavelength range by a combination of a merely theoretical curve and the spectrum of the pure first substance in a first wavelength range, and this evaluation is repeated in a second wavelength range this time by approximating the measured spectrum (62) by a combination of a hypothetical curve, the spectrum (64) of the first component with the already determined concentration, and the spectrum (65) of the pure second component. Furthermore, it is feasible to subtract the first and second spectrum and analyze the so obtained differential spectrum (66) in view of anomalies. The hypothetical curves are preferably straight lines which are defined by slope and ordinate section.

Abstract: A method for purification of a nucleic acid comprising the steps of (a) adsorbing on a substrate the nucleic acid from a composition containing (i) an aqueous buffer, (ii) salts in a high concentration, (iii) a water-miscible, non-acidic organic compound, and (iv) the nucleic acid; ( b) optionally washing with a washing solution the substrate with the adsorbed nucleic acid; (c) contacting the substrate with the adsorbed nucleic acid with a solution containing salts in a lower concentration compared to the composition of step (a), thereby desorbing the nucleic acid from the substrate; (d) separating the solution with the desorbed nucleic acid from the substrate, thereby purifying the nucleic acid; and optionally (e) precipitating the desorbed nucleic acid from the solution of step (d) and isolating the precipitated nucleic acid, thereby further purifying the nucleic acid.

Abstract: A photoelectric module (1) comprises an electrically non-conducting support (2) and a photoelectric element including an array of spatially distributed photoelectric members applied to a surface of the support (2). High simplicity and efficiency is obtained by the double function of module (1) for light transmission or reflection, and spatially averaged light measurement. In a preferred application of module (1) a light source (8, LED) is energized by a driving circuit (9) controlled by an electronic circuit (11). The input of this circuit (11) is connected to the photoelectric module (1), the power delivered to the light source (8) and the intensity of the light beam emitted by the light source being regulated preferably to a constant value by the feedback loop consisting of module (1), electronic circuit (11) and driving circuit (9).

Abstract: A photoelectric module (1) comprises an electrically non-conducting support (2) and a photoelectric element including an array of spatially distributed photoelectric members applied to a surface of the support (2). High simplicity and efficiency is obtained by the double function of module (1) for light transmission or reflection, and spatially averaged light measurement. In a preferred application of module (1) a light source (8, LED) is energized by a driving circuit (9) controlled by an electronic circuit (11). The input of this circuit (11) is connected to the photoelectric module (1), the power delivered to the light source (8) and the intensity of the light beam emitted by the light source being regulated preferably to a constant value by the feedback loop consisting of module (1), electronic circuit (11) and driving circuit (9).