Abstract: A microfluidic device meters liquids into a network of channels or chambers partly formed by a film partly attached to and above a substrate, the network permitting flow of fluid above the substrate. To form a channel or chamber, the edge zone between unattached and attached portions of the film forms a wedge of material by viscous flow of film material as the film is laminated to the substrate, this wedge forming a transition between the chamber wall and the substrate, raising the wall above the plane of the substrate. Film is laminated with a mask having an opening, the mask pressed onto the film under pressure and/or with heat. The film is brought to a temperature to produce a viscous flow of film and/or substrate medium into the region of the opening, forming a wedge of material as the film bulges up at the opening to form a chamber.

Abstract: A device for the intake or manipulation of a fluid, in particular, a liquid, and a method for the production of a device of this type in which a flat, non-preformed covering film is laminated onto a carrier, a three-dimensionally shaped or convex chamber wall being formed solely by means of the laminating process. The chamber wall which forms a boundary of a chamber for the fluid is partially deformable. The device is simple to produce and can be used universally.

Abstract: A method and a device for the optical examination of a surface region are proposed. Fluorescence measurement is used to determine the amount of a substance bound to the surface region. Light interference is shut out thanks to the surface region being covered with an optically active liquid which filters, reflects, scatters and/or absorbs light with a wavelength at least substantially corresponding to the light radiated in and/or out.

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: A microfluidic device and a method of producing it are proposed, in which a film covers a chamber in a carrier. The film is locally re-tightened in the region of the chamber after the film has been secured to the carrier. In this way it is possible to prevent undesirable bulging of the film into the chamber.

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: A device and a method for manipulating or analysing a liquid sample in a microfluidic channel are proposed. In order to implement an immunoassay, a movable substrate having a binding region is inserted in the channel. The substrate is embodied as a plate-like plastic part and is microstructured in the binding region. It is magnetically movable in the channel and for optical detection can be moved into a gas space.

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: A micro-liter liquid sample, particularly a biological sample, is analyzed in a device employing centrifugal and capillary forces. The sample is moved through one or more sample wells arrayed within a small flat chip via interconnecting capillary passageways. The passageways may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic and may include hydrophobic or hydrophilic capillary stops.

Abstract: Holding device for the arrangement of at least one optical component in front of a laser light source of a laser unit, including a first holding part to which at least one optical component is attached, the holding device furthermore including a second holding part which is attached to one part of the laser unit, and the first holding part being attached to the second holding part. Furthermore this invention relates to an arrangement with such a holding device and a process for producing this arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for efficient transport, transfer and movement of fluids. In particular, the invention provides fluidic micro-structures for controlled transport and movement of liquids in devices for analytical and other purposes. Devices of the invention include one or more features that can enhance performance of the fluid transfer, referred to as a pre-shooter stop, a butterfly structure, a cascade structure, a waste chamber inlet, a capillary driven sample inlet chamber, a capillary stop structure, a bifurcation flow-through structure, and a hydrophobic vent.

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 microlitres per second to 10 microlitres per second.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic arrangement for metering one or more first metered amounts of liquid (A) and for separating the latter from a second amount of liquid (B), having the following features: the arrangement has a first channel and one or more second channels; the first channel has one inlet and one outlet; in the area of the outlet the arrangement has a capillarity, which is greater than or equal to the capillarity in the area of the inlet; the one or more second channels branch off from the first channel at one or more branch points; the one or more second channels have a greater capillarity than the first channel at the branch points; and the one or more second channels have a predetermined volume. In the arrangement as depicted in the invention a liquid is transported in the first channel from the inlet to the outlet. At the branch points one portion of the liquid at a time enters the one or more second channels and fills them completely with the first metered amounts of liquid (A).

Abstract: Holding device for the arrangement of at least one optical component in front of a laser light source of a laser unit, including a first holding part to which at least one optical component is attached, the holding device furthermore including a second holding part which is attached to one part of the laser unit, and the first holding part being attached to the second holding part. Furthermore this invention relates to an arrangement with such a holding device and a process for producing this arrangement.

Abstract: Microstructured device for removable storage of small amounts of liquid with the following features: the device has a carrier; the device has a first cavity with at least one first section for storage of a small amount of liquid; the first section of the first cavity is molded into the carrier; the first section is closed with a cover element and a blocking element; the device has a means for transmission of a force from the cover element to the blocking element which destroys the connection between the blocking element and the carrier or destroys the blocking element itself so that the amount of liquid can be removed from the first section of the cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device for metering liquids into a microfluidic network. The microfluidic channels or chambers are at least partly formed by the introduction of suitable structures into a film above the substrate carrier, so that at least some of the flow of fluid through the network takes place above the plane of the substrate. In order to form a stable channel structure or chamber structure in the film, it is envisaged that in the edge zone between the unattached and attached portions a wedge of material is formed by the viscous flow of the film material as the film is bonded to the substrate, this wedge forming a transition between the chamber wall and the substrate and raising the chamber wall above the plane of the substrate. In one method of producing a finished microfluidic structure a flat planar film is laminated onto a flat sheet-like substrate.

Abstract: Device for manipulation of limited quantities of liquids with the following features: the device has at least one solid; the solid has surface areas in which different capillary forces act; one or more first surface areas have a microstructured and/or nanostructured surface; the microstructured and/or nanostructured surfaces have regularly arranged structure elements (A to E); the solid and the structure elements consist of one material and are connected to one another in one piece; one or more first surface areas are provided with reagents; the second surface area encompasses at least one of the first surface areas.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a first liquid within a device including fabricated microstructures for transporting the first liquid through a system of capillary channels and cavities with a closed configuration. The method including transporting the first liquid through the system by capillary force only, stopping a flow of the first liquid temporarily at a capillary stop, switching on the flow of the first liquid after a desired stop time is elapsed, adjusting the stop time of the first liquid by a length and a cross-section of the control capillary between a beginning of the control capillary and its end at the capillary stop, metering the first liquid to be manipulated, and holding a metered amount of the first liquid during the stop time within a cavity.

Abstract: A discharge device and a method for evaporating a liquid to the atmosphere are proposed. The liquid pressurized by gas is supplied to an evaporator via a flow restriction device which restricts the flow rate of the liquid such that continuous release and evaporation of the liquid is possible. Further, an evaporator is proposed. The evaporator comprises an evaporation surface which is designed preferably by microstructuring such that the surface area is increased and/or the liquid forms an essentially uniform film on the evaporation surface.

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.