Abstract: An optical system and method for quantifying total protein in whole blood or other multi-phase liquids and colloidal suspensions uses refractometry without preliminary steps such as cell separation or centrifugation. A refractometer is integrated with a flow cell to enable the refractive index of a flowing sample to be measured based on a substantially cell free boundary layer of the sample that is present under certain flow conditions. Dimensions of the flow cell are selected to produce a cell-free layer in a flow of whole blood in which the cell free layer is thick enough to reduce scattering of light from the refractometer light source. A numerical method is used to compensate for scattering artifacts. The numerical compensation method is based on the slope and width of a peak in the derivative curve of an angular spectrum image of the flowing sample produced by refractometry.

Abstract: An optical system and method for quantifying total protein in whole blood or other multi-phase liquids and colloidal suspensions uses refractometry without preliminary steps such as cell separation or centrifugation. A refractometer is integrated with a flow cell to enable the refractive index of a flowing sample to be measured based on a substantially cell free boundary layer of the sample that is present under certain flow conditions. Dimensions of the flow cell are selected to produce a cell-free layer in a flow of whole blood in which the cell free layer is thick enough to reduce scattering of light from the refractometer light source. A numerical method is used to compensate for scattering artifacts. The numerical compensation method is based on the slope and width of a peak in the derivative curve of an angular spectrum image of the flowing sample produced by refractometry.

Abstract: A device and method for analyte detection and analytes in a particulate bearing fluid such as whole blood having an instrument for partitioning the particles from the fluid that is integrated with a detector for analyses of one or more particulate bearing fluid analytes while the particles in the particulate bearing fluid are partitioned.

Abstract: Described is an automated reagent mixing container for separately storing and automatically mixing together at least two stored reagent components.

Abstract: Described is an automated reagent dispensing cap and methods of use in an automated clinical analyzer for introducing one or more reagent components housed in the reagent dispensing cap into a container enclosing another reagent component with which it is combined to achieve a reagent useful for diagnostic testing.

Abstract: Analyte content in a cell free portion of a body fluid, such as blood, is optically determined without centrifugation or other preliminary steps for separating the cell free portion from the body fluid. A channel is configured for containing a flowing sample of the body fluid along an optical boundary. The channel is configured so that a cell free layer of the fluid naturally forms along the boundary of the channel which coincides with the optical boundary. A light source is directed onto the optical boundary at an angle selected to generate total reflection from the boundary and to generate an evanescent field across the boundary in the cell free layer of fluid. A light detector is configured to detect absorption of the light in the evanescent field. The light source and light detector are matched to the wavelength range of an absorption peak of the analyte being detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating blood and at the same time an apparatus (1) for absorbing blood (19) and separating components such as blood plasma, as a sample liquid (2), having a feed device (13) for receiving the blood (2), a separating device (15) for separating blood components as the sample liquid (2), a channel (3) which takes up the sample liquid (2) preferably exclusively by capillary forces and a fill device for filling the channel (3) with sample liquid (2) in an inlet or feed region (18) of the channel (3), wherein the separating device (15), particularly a membrane, is domed, more particularly convexly shaped and projects with the apex of the convex shape into the filling device in the direction of filling.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating blood, more particularly an apparatus (1) for absorbing blood (19) and separating blood components, e.g. blood plasma, as a sample liquid (2). Said apparatus (1) comprises a feeding device (13) for absorbing the blood (2), a device (15) for separating blood components as a sample liquid (2), a duct which preferably absorbs the sample liquid (2) exclusively by means of capillary forces, and a device for filling the duct (3) with sample liquid (2) in an inlet or feeding zone (18) of the duct (3). The separating device (15), in particular a membrane, is curved, especially convexly shaped, and the apex of said curved, especially convex shape projects into the filling device.

Abstract: A device and method for analyte detection and analytes in a particulate bearing fluid such as whole blood having an instrument for partitioning the particles from the fluid that is integrated with a detector for analyses of one or more particulate bearing fluid analytes while the particles in the particulate bearing fluid are partitioned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sample separation, particularly for blood separation, in which the sample liquid is introduced into a feed device. The sample flows vertically through a separating device such as a filter or a membrane, so that sample particles are retained and separated off. The sample liquid thus separated, particularly blood plasma, is received by an inlet chamber underneath the separating device and conveyed by means of a channel in the lateral direction out of the inlet chamber. Particularly advantageously, the channel extends into the inlet chamber, the channel being formed by a recess in the base of the inlet chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic apparatus for producing a volume flow that is uniform over time in a metering process. In various solution processes or reaction processes it is essential to have a specified given volume flow or mass flow of fluid available to ensure reliable dissolution of the reagent or ensure that the reaction takes place. In microfluidic apparatus in which separation of particles from a fluid, particularly blood, is carried out through a membrane, the volume flow through the membrane decreases continuously. In order to achieve a uniform volume flow during metering, it is envisaged that first of all a reservoir is filled from a first channel, so that the contents of the reservoir can then be fed to the metering process by opening a fluid stop. The emptying of the reservoir takes place with a uniform volume flow of 0.05 microliters per second to 10 microliters per second.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical system and method for performing turbidity assay, e.g. coagulation of blood or plasma, comprising a standard optical reference, a sample handling structure, a light source and an optical detection unit. The standard optical reference, such as a fluorophore-doped glass, provides constant optical signal under controlled optical conditions. The sample handling structure, such as a microfluidic system with reaction chamber, can be placed beneath or above the standard optical reference. During operation, the coagulating plasma/blood changes its optical absorbance and reflection properties, which results in changes in optical signal that reaches the optical reading unit. The variation of the optical signal, such as fluorescence signal indicates the kinetics of the turbidity varying process, such as plasma/blood coagulation process.

Abstract: A bioserisor platform is configured with upconverting nanoparticles on the surface of a resonant grating structure with enhanced sensitivity. The grating structure is illuminated with a light beam at one of its resonance modes to form a strong evanescent field at the surface and used for high sensitivity assays. The strong evanescent field triggers the upconverting nanoparticles to generate enhanced and localized emission on the grating surface, with lower background and lower auto-fluorescence from the grating substrate. This leads to improved performance in detecting analytes in bioassays.

Abstract: A device is proposed having a separating device for filtering a liquid sample and having a conveying device. A positive pressure or negative pressure can be generated by means of the conveying device, for accelerating or assisting the filtration.

Abstract: Sample liquid is collected in a chamber downstream of a separating device. Adjoining the chamber are a plurality of channels which guide the sample liquid to one or more investigating regions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the scattered light (L2) of particles (P, PK) in a measuring medium (F), wherein a measuring container (1) is supplied with the measuring medium (F) and incident light (L1) is shone through the measuring medium (F) at least in some regions over a certain path length (1) and in a certain direction and the light (L2) scattered from the incident light (L1) is measured within a certain angle range (?). It is provided according to the invention that the incident light (L1) is guided parallel to a longitudinal axis (S) of the measuring container (1). By these measures, known methods can be improved and it is readily possible to use the invention even for very small measuring volumes of the measuring medium (F) with the associated small dimensions of the measuring container (1).

Abstract: A device and a process are proposed for separating constituents of a sample fluid, wherein the sample fluid is supplied by capillary force to a receiving region (7) for metering, stopping or delaying the sample fluid and the sample fluid is pre-treated with a soluble chemical (13) in the receiving region (7) before the sample fluid is supplied to a separating device (5) for separating off constituents of the sample fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic platform (1) having at least one means (12) for initiating a movement of a liquid (P), in particular a sample liquid, between at least two locations (100, 101) of the microfluidic platform (1). It is proposed according to the invention that the means (12) is embodied as an element of changeable volume and/or shape and is mounted on a cover-like component (11) that is movably connected to the microfluidic platform (1). By moving of the component (11) the element (12) can be brought into a position such that, by changing its volume and/or shape, it causes the liquid (P) situated at the location (100) to be moved at least partly from this location (100) to the other location (101). In this way a sample liquid (P) can be transferred from a sample application point (100) to a sample utilisation area (101) in a very simple and reliable manner.

Abstract: A method for filling a cavity, of a packaging, particularly a blister packaging, with a liquid and a packaging suitable for this purpose are proposed. The cavity is completely filled with the liquid by an acceleration force or by continuous throughflow.

Abstract: A device is proposed having a separating device for filtering a liquid sample and having a conveying device. A positive pressure or negative pressure can be generated by means of the conveying device, for accelerating or assisting the filtration.