Abstract: An inhaler, a store and a method for atomizing a dry medicament formulation are disclosed. The medicament formulation is first dissolved by a liquid solvent and then atomized together with the solvent. This allows easy metering and satisfactory storage of the medicament formulation in the dry state. Particularly preferably, the dry medicament formulation is prepared by drying an initially liquid medicament formulation. Alternatively, the dried medicament formulation may also be expelled in dry form by means of a gas current and atomized.

Abstract: A micro flow system is provided for separating particles, comprising a microfabricated member having a flow channel (5) defined therein for guiding a flow of a fluid containing the particles through the flow channel, first inlet means (2) positioned at one end of the flow channel for entering the fluid into the flow channel, first outlet means (7) positioned at the other end of the flow channel for discharging the fluid from the flow channel, the flow of the fluid containing the particles being controlled in such a way that one particle at the time passes a cross section of the flow channel, the member being positioned in a field that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the flow channel so that particles residing in the flow channel and being susceptible to the field across the flow channel are deflected in the direction of the field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic switch for stopping a liquid flow during a time interval with the following features: the switch has at least one first channel and at least one second channel; the first channel and the second channel have a common end area; the first channel in the end area has a stopping mechanism for stopping of a liquid flow flowing in the first channel; the stopping mechanism can be controlled by means of a liquid flow flowing in the second channel for continuing the liquid flow in the first channel. Transport in the first and the second channel takes place advantageously by the capillarity acting in the channel.

Abstract: A device and a process for manipulation of a liquid, the ability of a liquid to flow from a first channel section in a second channel section being temporarily stopped by means of a capillary stop before it flows from the first channel section into the second channel section. Control which is accurate in time is easily enabled by the two channel sections being moved relative to one another for bridging or cancelling the capillary stop, especially being brought into contact.

Abstract: A microliter liquid sample, particularly a biological sample, is analyzed in a device employing centrifugal and capillary forces. The sample is moved by capillary forces into one or more metering wells which define the amount of the sample to be analyzed in subsequent steps. The defined amount of the sample is transferred from the metering wells to one or more conditioning and reagent wells for measuring the amount of an analyte contained in each metered amount of the sample.

Abstract: A device and a process for testing a sample liquid wherein the sample liquid flows laminarly by capillary forces over a flat side of a channel to completely filling a reaction area which has a soluble and/or reacting reagent on the flat side and defines a reaction volume of the sample liquid, the reaction volume being temporarily stopped in the reaction area for dissolving or reacting at least 90% of the reagent in the defined reaction volume of the sample liquid, and at least 90% of the dissolved reagent or a reaction product, after stopping, flows together with the reaction volume into the test area which is formed by the channel downstream of the reaction area, the sample liquid flowing with an at least essentially straight liquid front and/or at least essentially without a change in the flow cross section from the reaction area into the test area.

Abstract: A microfluidic device provides separation of particles in a liquid sample, particularly, separation of a sample of whole blood into its components for further analysis. Separation into red blood cells and plasma occurs within a few seconds after the blood sample has been transferred into a separation chamber with the application of centrifugal force of less than about five times gravity. With the application of greater force measurement of hematocrit is possible.

Abstract: A device and a plurality of microfluidic platforms for taking up and especially studying or manipulating a sample liquid, a measuring instrument for use with the device and platforms, and a process for performing the studying or manipulating of the sample liquid. Very simple, hygienic and user-friendly handling is enabled in that the platforms which are connected to one another in a sealed state and can each be individually separated and individually, preferably simultaneously, opened for taking up of a sample, such as blood, for, e.g., performing a glucose determination.

Abstract: A microstructured platform for manipulating a wetting liquid including at least one cavity and a channel system for transporting the liquid. At least some of the channels of the channel system are made as capillaries which have a dimension in the millimeter range or less in at least one direction transverse to the transport direction of the liquid. The platform also includes at least one other microstuctured element disposed in the transport path of the liquid. The microstructured element may be in the form of a fluidic switch, metering means, separating device, or a region for holding together a limited amount of liquid. The structure facilitates or enables the manipulation of liquids when only a small amount of liquid is available and extensive analyses are to be performed with the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microstructure arrangement for the bubble-free filling with a liquid of at least one system for draining off liquids. The arrangement has an inlet for the arrangement to be connected to a system for the supply of liquids and at least one outlet for the arrangement to be connected to the at least one liquid-discharging system. The arrangement has a transition region, through which the liquid can be transported from the inlet to the at least one outlet. At a start of the transition region, at least one first microstructure element for producing a point with increased capillary force is provided, in order to achieve gap-free wetting of the areas bounding this point with increased capillary force, in particular side walls, a cover and/or a bottom.

Abstract: A sampling device and a system for testing of sample liquid are proposed. Very simple and prompt testing of the sample liquid is enabled in that the sampling device has a reservoir for the dilution liquid and that the taken-up sample liquid can be delivered by the dilution liquid directly to the testing area.

Abstract: A microstructured separation device for separating parts of a liquid which comprises liquid components and at least one type of particle and/or at least one complex of interconnected particles of at least one type, with the following features: the device has an inlet for the liquid, a collection section, and a transport path from the inlet to the collection section; the transport path includes, situated one after the other in the direction of transport, a resuspension section, an incubation section, a first separation section for holding back at least some of the complexes and/or for slowing down the movement of at least some of the complexes and/or at least some of the particles, and a second separation section for holding back at least some of the complexes and/or at least some of the particles and/or for slowing down the movement of the particles; and the first separation section and second separation section have a microstructure with one or more microstructure elements.

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: Mixing of liquids in a microfluidic device is accomplished by dispensing the liquids into a first chamber to produce combined liquid. The liquids are thereafter discharged through at least one capillary from the first chamber into a second chamber for complete mixing.

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: Analytical results obtained with microfluidic devices are improved by providing structural features in areas containing dry supported reagents, the structural features directing the flow of a sample over the area in a predetermined uniform manner and facilitating the purging of air.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analyzing biological samples is provided with a sample inlet section including an inlet port, a capillary passageway communicating with the inlet port and with an inlet chamber. The inlet chamber includes means for uniformly distributing the sample liquid across the inlet chamber and purging the air initially contained therein.

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: A microstructured separating device, especially for separating liquid components from a particle-containing liquid, comprising the following features: at least one transport channel for transport of the liquid in a given transport direction; at least one separating area at a branch point of the transport channel which is adjoined by a side channel through which a partial flow of the liquid from the transport channel is diverted; a microstructure in the separating area which keeps larger particles of the liquid out of the separating area and which slows down the transport of smaller particles in the separating area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic switch for stopping a liquid flow during a time interval with the following features: the switch has at least one first channel and at least one second channel; the first channel and the second channel have a common end area; the first channel in the end area has a stopping mechanism for stopping of a liquid flow flowing in the first channel; the stopping mechanism can be controlled by means of a liquid flow flowing in the second channel for continuing the liquid flow in the first channel. Transport in the first and the second channel takes place advantageously by the capillarity acting in the channel.