Abstract: The invention relates to a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging radio frequency-receiver (112; 216; 308; 404), the receiver (112; 216; 308; 404) being adapted to receive analog signals from at least one radio frequency receiver coil unit (106; 200; 202; 300; 400; 402), the radio frequency receiver (112; 216; 308; 404) comprising: an analog-digital converter (118; 226) to convert the analog pre-amplified magnetic resonance signal into a digital signal, means (120; 230) for digital down converting the digital signal and a first communication interface (130; 252) adapted for transmitting the down converted digital signal via a communication link (e.g. wireless, optical or wire-bound).

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic biosensor device comprising a sensor cartridge for receiving an assay to be tested, an electromagnetic unit for producing a magnetic field at a sensor surface of the sensor cartridge, and detection means for detecting the presence of magnetic particles close to the sensor surface. The electromagnetic unit is adapted to periodically produce a magnetic field having at least a first and a second magnetic field strength, the ratio of the amount of time of applying the first magnetic field strength to the amount of time of the period of applying the first and the second field strength being varied during the measurement. The invention further provides a method for applying a magnetic field to a sensor surface of a magnetic bio sensor device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic biosensor device comprising a sensor cartridge for receiving an assay to be tested, an electromagnetic unit for producing a magnetic field at a sensor surface of the sensor cartridge, and detection means for detecting the presence of magnetic particles close to the sensor surface. The electromagnetic unit is adapted to periodically produce a magnetic field having at least a first and a second magnetic field strength, the ratio of the amount of time of applying the first magnetic field strength to the amount of time of the period of applying the first and the second field strength being varied during the measurement. The invention further provides a method for applying a magnetic field to a sensor surface of a magnetic bio sensor device.

Abstract: A cartridge (1,3) for a magnetic-label sensor, in particular for a magnetic-label biosensor, comprises a sensor area (4) a fluid channel (2) in contact with said sensor area and first (A) and second (B1, B2) reservoirs in fluid communication with said fluid channel. The first reservoir comprises a first type of magnetic particles (8) and the second reservoir comprises a second type of magnetic particles (8a). The first type of magnetic particles are functionalized for binding with said sensor area, whereas the second type of magnetic particles are non-functionalized for binding with said sensor area. The magnetic particles (8, 8a) are manipulated using magnet (13). Detection is based on frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) is hereby light from laser/LED (II) is reflected at sensor area (4) and detected by photodetector/CCD(12).

Abstract: The application is directed to a sensor element for use in a magnetochemical sensor, which comprises a first gel-like material (10), especially a swellable hydrogel such as polyacrylamide, and a magnetic second material (20) in the form of particles, especially magnetite (Fe304) nanoparticles, embedded in the first material along with a receptor for an alalyte, eg glucose. Changes in magnetic field due to interaction with the analyte are detected with GMR element (50). Applications include biosensors, DNA testing devices, and high throughput screening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device and a corresponding method for pumping of high conductivity liquids comprising: —a microfluidic channel (26; 80; 101) for containing an electrically conductive liquid, in particular a liquid having a high conductivity, —at least two electric field electrodes (21, 22; 71, 72; 91, 92) for generating electric fields, —at least one magnetic field electrode (21, 22; 75, 76; 93, 94) for generating a magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to said electric fields, —a voltage source (23; 74; 95) for providing electric potentials to said at least two electric field electrodes (21, 22; 71, 72; 91, 92) for generating said electric fields, —a current source (23; 78, 79; 96, 97) for providing an electric current to said at least two magnetic field electrodes (21, 22; 75, 76; 93, 94) for generating said magnetic field, wherein said voltage source (23; 74; 95) and said current source (23; 78, 79; 96, 97) are adapted to simultaneously provide said elect

Abstract: The invention relates to a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging radio frequency—receiver (112; 216; 308; 404), the receiver (112; 216; 308; 404) being adapted to receive analogue signals from at least one radio frequency receiver coil unit (106; 200; 202; 300; 400; 402), the radio frequency receiver (112; 216; 308; 404) comprising: an analogue-digital converter (118; 226) to convert the analogue pre-amplified magnetic resonance signal into a digital signal, means (120; 230) for digital down converting the digital signal and a first communication interface (130; 252) adapted for transmitting the down converted digital signal via a communication link (e.g. wireless, optical or wire-bound).

Abstract: The invention relates to a microelectronic sensor device with a matrix array of rows (R4, R5) and columns (C1, C2) of detection cells (10), wherein each detection cell comprises an activation element (30) for transferring target particles (e.g. magnetic beads) into an activated state and a sensor element (20) for detecting activated target particles. According to a preferred embodiment, the activation elements (20) of each row of the matrix as well as the sensor elements (20) of each column of the matrix are connected in series. By activating one row and reading out one column, each detection cell (10) can thus individually be addressed with a limited number of column- and row-address circuits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device (100) that can for example be used for the detection of magnetized particles (1) and that comprises at least one conductor (111, 113) and at least one magnetic sensor element, e.g. a GMR element (112). To compensate for their different thicknesses (d, h), these components are placed on a first and second region (R1, R2), respectively, that have different distances from a sensitive plane (E) of the magnetic sensor element (112). Thus a magnetic excitation field (H) generated by the conductor (111, 113) can be made perpendicular to said sensitive plane (E) in the magnetic sensor element (112). In a preferred production process, the conductor (111, 113) is for example partially embedded in a channel that is etched into the surface of a substrate (114).

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic sensor device (10) comprising (a) excitation wires (11, 13) for generating a magnetic excitation field (B) that magnetizes particles (2) in an investigation region (5), and (b) a magnetic sensor element, for example a GMR sensor (12), for detecting reaction fields (B?) generated by the magnetized particles (2). The excitation wires (11, 13) and the GMR element (12) are driven by current pulses such that the average power dissipation is kept constant while the signal-to-noise ratio is optimized. The sampling frequency of said pulses is preferably larger than the thermal time constant (?) of the magnetic sensor device (10).

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a magnetic sensor has a magnet and a magneto-resistive, arranged on a substrate such that magnetic field lines through the magneto-resistive element are substantially parallel to a plane of the substrate. Movement of a movable magnetically permeable element MMPE near the substrate is detected as it alters the number of field lines through the element. The MMPE can be more sensitive than devices arranged with perpendicular field lines, and can be easier to manufacture and integrate. Applications include analog pointers, pressure sensors and microphones. The MMPE can use magnets placed either side of the element to detect changes in size of a gap above the element. As the gap closes, less of the parallel oriented field passes through the magneto resistive element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microelectronic device (100) with means for the determination of the wetting grade of a sensitive surface (22) that lies adjacent to a sample chamber (1) with a sample fluid. In a particular embodiment, the device may be a magnetic sensor device comprising magnetic excitation wires (11, 13) for the generation of magnetic fields (B) in the sample chamber and a GMR sensor (12) for sensing reaction fields (B') generated by magnetized particles (2). A detector module (30) can optionally be adapted to measure the resistance of conductors (11, 12, 13) which depends, via the dissipation of heat generated by electrical currents, on the wetting grade of the sensitive surface (22). In another embodiment, the capacitance of conductors is measured, which is affected at the sensitive surface by the presence of gas bubbles (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor arrangement (1) comprising a magnet (2), a magnetic field sensor (3) and a twistable or rotatable rod (4), characterized in that the magnet (2) is arranged below the magnetic field sensor (3) and the twistable or rotatable rod (4) is arranged above the magnetic field sensor (3), wherein the rod (4) comprises a lower surface (6) generating a tilt angle between the surface and the plane of the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A bridge type magnetic sensor is disclosed having four resistive elements in a bridge arrangement, two of the resistive elements on opposing sides of the bridge having a magnetoresistive characteristic such that their resistance increases with increasing positive magnetic field and with increasing negative magnetic field. A frequency doubling is obtained because the output characteristic of the magnetic sensor is a V-shaped curve, where the signal rises for increasing positive and negative fields.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a magnetic sensor device for the determination of the concentration of target particles (2) in a sample fluid, wherein the amount of the target particles (2) in a sensitive region (14) is observed by sampling measurement signals with associated sensor units (10a-10d). The target particles (2) may optionally be bound to binding sites (3) in the sensitive region, and a parametric binding curve, e.g. a Langmuir isotherm, may be fitted to the sampled measurement signals to determine the desired particle concentration in the sample. Moreover, parameters like the sampling rate and the size of the sensitive region (14) can be dynamically fitted during the ongoing sampling process to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. In another embodiment of the invention, single events corresponding to the movement of target particles into, out of, or within the sensitive region are detected and counted.

Abstract: Consistent with an example embodiment, here is a system for selecting the speed of a pointer on a display. The system comprises an analog input device arranged to generate an analog output signal (Vout), the analog input device suitable to be activated during an activation time (t). A signal processing means is arranged to select, depending on the activation time (t), a conversion function (f) for converting the output signal (Vout), the conversion function being different for different activation times, so that the converted output signal determined the speed of the pointer on the display. The speed of the pointer icon on the screen is both dependent on the time, t, and dependent on the output signal, Vout, of the analog input device itself, i.e. the pointer speed is a two-dimensional function f(t, Vout).

Abstract: Devices (1) comprising magneto resistive systems (2) for detecting incoming magnetic fields and comprising first/second branches with first/second magneto resistive elements (21-22) having first/second resistance values depending on the incoming magnetic fields according to first/second response curves are provided with shifting means for shifting the first/second response curves of the first/second branches into first/second directions to get an adapted linear behavior. The shifting means comprise first/second structures of the first/second branches resulting in a first/second local fields at the first/second branches such that the first/second response curves of the first/second branches are shifted into the first/second directions.

Abstract: Devices (40) are provided with sensor arrangements (41) comprising field generators (42) for generating magnetic fields, field detectors (43) comprising magnetic field dependent elements (51-58) for detecting components of the magnetic fields in planes of the elements (51-58), and movable objects (44) for, in response to accelerations of the movable objects (44) parallel to the planes, changing the components of the magnetic fields. Length axes of the magnetic field dependent elements (51-58) make angles between minus 80 degrees and plus 80 degrees with the components to be detected. Means for forcing the movable objects (44) into rest positions comprise elastic material (59) or fixed objects (46) whereby one of the objects (44,46) comprises the field generator (42) and the other comprises magnetic material or a further field generator (50).

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a magnetic sensor has a magnet and a magneto-resistive element, arranged on a substrate such that magnetic field lines through the magneto-resistive element are substantially parallel to a plane of the substrate. Movement of a movable magnetically permeable element (MMPE) near the substrate is detected as it alters the number of field lines through the element. The MMPE can be more sensitive than devices arranged with perpendicular field lines, and can be easier to manufacture and integrate. Applications include analog pointers, pressure sensors and microphones. The MMPE can use magnets placed either side of the element to detect changes in size of a gap above the element. As the gap closes, less of the parallel oriented field passes through the magneto resistive element.