Abstract: A device for determining the concentration of heparin in a fluid sample comprising: a container for holding the fluid sample; a container for holding the dye solution; a mixer for mixing the fluid sample and the dye solution; an illumination source for illuminating a mixture comprising the fluid sample and the dye solution with electromagnetic radiation having a substantially continuous range of wavelengths in the visible range; a detector for detecting the absorption spectrum of the mixture within the substantially continuous range of wavelengths; a recorder for recording the absorption spectrum of the mixture within the substantially continuous range of wavelengths; and a calculator for calculating a spectral parameter.

Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of heparin in a fluid sample comprising: (a) providing a fluid sample containing heparin; (b) adding to the fluid sample a solution of a dye to form a mixture of sample and dye, wherein the dye interacts with the heparin in the sample so that the absorption spectrum of the mixture of sample and dye in the visible range varies as a result of the interaction in a manner quantitatively dependent on the heparin concentration; (c) determining the absorption spectrum in the visible range of the mixture of sample and dye; and (d) calculating a spectral parameter representative of both the reduction in the absorption of the free dye in solution and the increase in the absorption of the dye-heparin complex, the value of the spectral parameter being indicative of the concentration of heparin present in the fluid sample, in order to determine the concentration of heparin present in the fluid sample.

Abstract: A symmetric cyanine of the formula: 1

Abstract: A fluorescent cyanine dye of the following general formula is disclosed: wherein: X1 and X2 are independently selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(CH3)2 or —C═CH2; Y1 and Y2 are nonmetal atoms required to form a benzo-condensed or naphtho-condensed ring; Q is a conjugated moiety that increases the fluorescent quantum yield and the stability of the compound; R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C4, alkyl, alkylensulfonic group or alkylensulfonate group wherein the alkylene group has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, a sulfonic group, a sulfonate group, alkylensulfonic, alkylensulfonate and —SO2NH(CH2)m—W—(CH2)nZ, wherein alkylene has 1 to 4 carbon atoms, with the proviso that at least one of R1 to R5 contains a sulfonic or sulfonate group; W is absent or is a group selected from —SO2NH, —O—, —COO

Abstract: A process for preparing an asymmetrical indocyanine dye comprising the steps of:

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fluorescent dyes and its valence tautomers of the formula wherein Q represents a conjugated moiety that increases the fluorescent quantum yield of the compound; R.sub.1 is a functionalized group of the formula--(CH.sub.2).sub.j Y, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of SO.sub.3 H, COOH, NH.sub.2, CHO, NCS, epoxy, phthalimido, and COOZ, wherein Z represents a leaving group; R.sub.2 is a functionalized group of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.k Y', wherein Y' is selected from the group consisting of SO.sub.3 H, COOH, NH.sub.2, CHO, NCS, epoxy, phthalimido, and COOZ, wherein Z represents a leaving group; M.sup.+ is a counterion selected from the group consisting of ammonium, alkali metal cations, and alkaline earth metal cations; n=1 to 4; m=1 to 4; j=2 to 10; and k=2 to 10.

Abstract: Physico-chemical parameters, such as pH, pO.sub.2, pCO.sub.2, % O.sub.2, sat, etc., are determined with the use of a sensitive medium, such as a chromophore, having at least one optical property the profile of the spectrum whereof over a predetermined wavelength spectrum of optical radiation varies as a function of the parameter to be determined. The profile of the spectrum is analysed, for example by means of polychromatic sensor means acting on the medium's spectrum, which is preferably substantially continuous, so as to enable the analysis to be carried out with the aid of a profile-recognition function by typical pattern-recognition operations. The determination is thus rendered largely independent of numerous perturbing factors such as those resulting from the use of partially disposable monitoring units, thus eliminating the need for calibration steps.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight whereby the light rays emitted by a rear portion of a lamp, mounted on the focal point of a paraboloid reflector and supported on a lampholder located on the focal axis of the reflector and supported by the same, are intercepted by a collar-shaped dimmer surrounding a lamp portion facing the respective lampholder.