Abstract: A fluid handling unit is configured for handling a fluid contained or to be contained in a receptacle bearing a marking. The unit includes a needle having an elongated shape with an open end and for aspirating the fluid from the receptacle and/or dispensing the fluid into the receptacle. The fluid handling unit further includes a needle drive for positioning the needle with respect to the receptacle, a detection unit for detecting the marking of the receptacle, and a control unit. The control unit is configured for analyzing the detected marking for determining at least one feature that is part of the marking or the marking itself, determining a target position based on the detected at least one feature, and operating the needle drive to position the open end of the needle relative to the determined target position.

Abstract: An interface device, for providing a fluidic interface between a sample separation device and a mass spectrometer, includes an emitter capillary and a plurality of sample capillaries. The sample capillaries are movably arranged within the emitter capillary for transferring fluidic sample from the sample separation device to the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An interface device, for providing a fluidic interface between a sample separation device and a mass spectrometer, includes an emitter capillary and a plurality of sample capillaries. The sample capillaries are movably arranged within the emitter capillary for transferring fluidic sample from the sample separation device to the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A sample injector for injecting a fluid into a fluidic path, wherein the sample injector comprises a robot arm configured for moving an injection needle, when being connected to the robot arm, between a fluid container containing the fluid and a seat in fluid communication with the fluidic path, the needle configured for aspirating the fluid from the fluid container, when the needle has been moved to the fluid container, and for injecting aspirated fluid into the fluidic path, when the needle is accommodated in the seat, and the seat configured for accommodating the needle and providing fluid communication with the fluidic path, wherein the robot arm is configured for selectively disconnecting the needle from the robot arm when the needle is accommodated in the seat, and wherein the robot arm is configured for performing a further task while the needle is disconnected from the robot arm.

Abstract: An injection needle cartridge for a sample injector for injecting a sample fluid into a mobile phase in a fluidic path of a fluid separation system between a mobile phase drive and a separation unit, the injection needle cartridge comprising an injection needle configured for aspirating the sample fluid from a fluid container when the injection needle has been moved to the fluid container, and for injecting aspirated sample fluid into the fluidic path when the injection needle is sealingly accommodated in a needle seat, and a sealing force generator configured for applying a sealing force to the injection needle for sealingly accommodating the injection needle in the needle seat, wherein the injection needle cartridge is configured for being substitutably mountable on a handling robot of the sample injector for handling the injection needle cartridge between the fluid container and the needle seat.

Abstract: A measurement device (100) comprising an accommodation chamber (102) adapted for accommodating a replaceable measurement member (104), a movable closure mechanism (106) adapted to be moved to selectively expose or cover the accommodation chamber (102), and a data mechanism (600) adapted for at least one of reading data from and writing data on a replaceable measurement member (104), when the replaceable measurement member (104) is accommodated in the accommodation chamber (102), upon moving the movable closure mechanism (106).

Abstract: A microfluidic chip (10) comprises a substrate (20) having a main side (30) and a lateral side (40), and a microfluidic channel (50, 60) within the substrate and being adapted to transport a fluid. The microfluidic channel has a lateral opening to the lateral side of the substrate allowing to introduce fluid to the microfluidic channel.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for a gel electrophoresis device, the electrode arrangement comprising a first electrode member adapted to provide an electrical contact with one or more gel strips, wherein the first electrode member comprises a first locking element to lock the first electrode member to the gel electrophoresis device.

Abstract: A method of determining position information, the method having detecting—along a first direction—a value of a geometry parameter related to a structure formed on and/or in a substrate, and determining—with regard to a second direction—a value of a position parameter based on the detected value of the geometry parameter and a predetermined relationship between the geometry parameter and the position parameter.

Abstract: A supply arrangement includes a supply reservoir element and a microfluidic device, wherein the supply reservoir element has a first reservoir unit having a prefilled liquid reagent therein, and the microfluidic device has a reception device adapted for receiving the liquid reagent from the first reservoir unit. The supply reservoir element is coupled to the microfluidic device. One of the supply reservoir element and the microfluidic device includes a puncturing element in order to cause fluid flow of the liquid reagent from the first reservoir unit to the reception device when the puncturing element is operated. The supply reservoir element has a basal plane, and the first reservoir unit has a first blister element arranged on the basal plane.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering fluids into microfluidic device body structures (112, 202, 316, 508) are described. The methods and devices include the use of fluid manifolds (200, 300, 400, 500) which are integrated or interchangeable with device body structures. Methods of fabricating manifolds are also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic arrangement (1) for the optical detection of fluids is provided, comprising a microfluidic device (2) having at least one first channel (3) with an opening (4) which is in fluid communication with an optical detection unit (6) of an optical device (5); the microfluidic device (2) being operatively detachably coupled with the optical device (5) whereby an extension of the part (7,7?) of relevance of the optical detection path (17) is provided. A method for detecting fluids using the arrangement of the present invention is provided.

Abstract: A method of determining position information, the method having detecting—along a first direction—a value of a geometry parameter related to a structure formed on and/or in a substrate, and determining—with regard to a second direction—a value of a position parameter based on the detected value of the geometry parameter and a predetermined relationship between the geometry parameter and the position parameter.

Abstract: Described is a novel marker protein associated with epithelial tumors, e.g., ovarian, mammary, stomach, kidney, thyroid and lung carcinomas, Dropl, a dystrophin-related protein as well as a nucleic acid molecule encoding Dropl. Furthermore, various diagnostic and therapeutic uses based on the finding that the expression of Dropl is downregulated in epithelial tumors are described.

Abstract: A microfluidic device has at least one microfluidic fluidic flow path, has at least one inlet port, and has at least one optical detection area. The optical detection area is optically coupled to the flow path. The inlet port is coupled to the flow path also. Besides this, the microfluidic device comprises at least one adjusting device. The adjusting device is fixed to the microfluidic device and is adapted for guiding respectively adjusting an optical device relatively to the optical detection area of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for a gel electrophoresis device, the electrode arrangement comprising a first electrode member adapted to provide an electrical contact with at least two gel strips individually so that each electrical signal of the at least two gel strips is controllable and/or monitorable separately.

Abstract: An electrode arrangement for a gel electrophoresis device, the electrode arrangement comprising a first electrode member adapted to provide an electrical contact with one or more gel strips, wherein the first electrode member comprises a first locking element to lock the first electrode member to the gel electrophoresis device.

Abstract: An insert element for a gel electrophoresis device, the insert element comprising a carrier element comprising one or more gel strip receptions, wherein each of the one or more gel strip receptions is adapted to receive a gel strip, and wherein each of the one or more gel strip receptions is adapted to receive a compartment frame to be located close to the gel strip.

Abstract: What is described in this case is a laboratory microchip having microspray means whose direction of spray can be altered. The microchip has a substrate 40 which has a channel structure provided on one side 41 thereof. On the other side (in the region of an edge of the substrate in the present case), there is a microspray tip 42. Substrate 40 is designed to be deformable particularly in a region 43, in which case the deformability may be achieved either by thinning the substrate material locally in this region 43 or by means of a linear perforation extending approximately perpendicularly to the plane of the paper. Alternatively, the deformability may be obtained by selecting a suitable material for the entire substrate. A microchip which has been bent in the manner indicated is shown in the bottom part of FIG. 3. The bending of the substrate which is shown has turned the direction of spray 44 of microspray tip 42 through 90°. The bending of the substrate may be permanent or reversible in this case.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow divider and a process for dividing a fluid flow into a number of fluid flows, in particular in analytical and/or preparative fluid measurement technology and/or in micro-fluid systems. The flow divider exhibits at least one working sensor, which is assigned to one of the fluid flows and which comprises a control unit for regulating the pressure of one of the fluid flows and/or for regulating one of the fluid flows. The control unit is coupled to the at least one working sensor and to an actuator for changing the fluid flow. At least a number of working sensors corresponding to the number of divided fluid flows is provided, whereby respectively at least one of the working sensors is assigned to one of the fluid flows and whereby the working sensors enable recording of the respective fluid flow. According to the process of the present invention the control unit regulates the fluid flows such that the ratio between at least two of the fluid flows remains substantially constant.