Abstract: An automation process for the management of operating materials and/or supplies of an analyzer or analyzing system, preferably for applications in medical, environmental or food technology, comprising the following steps: (a) automatic recording of data on operating materials and/or supplies, in particular type and maximum useful life of the operating materials used, as well as types, expiry dates and quantities of the required supplies, (b) entering the desired frequency of analysis, or automatic calculation of the estimated frequency of analysis from past frequencies of use of the analyzer or analyzing system, (c) automatic calculation of the operating materials and/or supplies required per unit of time, based on the data obtained in steps (a) and (b), (d) determining an optimum point in time for ordering the required operating materials and/or supplies, (e) automated ordering of the operating materials and/or supplies via a device for remote data transmission, preferably via an internet connection.

Abstract: An automation process for the management of operating materials and/or supplies of an analyzer or analyzing system, preferably for applications in medical, environmental or food technology, comprising the following steps:

Abstract: A flexible, extendable analyzing system for analyzing medical samples, and preferably for analysis of body fluids, is provided with one or several independent single analyzers for measuring a single parameter or parameter group each, and a computer-supported central unit with an input/output unit. The single analyzers are coupled to the central unit in a first position, i.e., the charging position, from which they can be removed and inserted in a second position, i.e., the measuring position, preferably a bedside measuring position. The single analyzers coupled to the central unit in the charging position form a multi-component analyzer.

Abstract: The sensor membrane of an optical sensor for detection of O.sub.2, H.sub.2 O.sub.2, SO.sub.2 or halogenated hydrocarbons in a sample contains an indicator substance that is homogeneously immobilized in the polymer matrix of the sensor membrane and is, at least indirectly, in contact with the sample, changing at least one of its optical properties upon a change of the parameter to be measured. The indicator substance contains an inorganic salt of a transition metal complex with .alpha.-diimine ligands. The indicator substance is homogeneously distributed in the polymer matrix, which essentially consists of at least one substance belonging to the group of cellulose derivatives, polystyrenes, polytetrahydrofuranes, or their respective derivatives.

Abstract: A measuring assembly comprises a supporting element transparent to excitation and measurement radiation, which is provided with a number of preferably different luminescence-optical sensor elements on a first boundary face. Via a second boundary face excitation radiation can be picked up, and a third boundary face is used to supply measurement radiation of the sensor elements to a detector of an evaluation unit. The direction of the excitation radiation is essentially normal to that of detection. The preferably different sensor elements are connected by a common sample channel, and optical and/or temporal separation of the measurement radiation of the individual sensor elements is provided.

Abstract: An optical indicator for determining the activity of an ion in a sample is provided with an ionophor which is capable of selectively binding the ion to be measured. The ionophor has at least two functional groups that can form an electron donor acceptor (EDA) complex, the complex bond being broken up by the attachment of the ion to be determined. This will lead to a change in at least one of the measurable optical properties of the indicator in dependence on the activity of the ion to be measured.

Abstract: A method, a sensor and apparatus for detecting biological activities in a specimen, for example in a blood sample, are provided in which a sealable container is sealed with a culture medium therein into which the sample is introduced, metabolic processes are enhanced in the presence of microorganisms in the sample and changes taking place in the concentrations of the substances. Such processes are detected and monitored with an excitation and detection assembly assigned to concentration sensors, in the form of optodes which are optically coupled to the excitation and detection assembly and to thereby to an evaluation unit for determining concentration changes of the substances over time as indications of the presence of microorganisms.

Abstract: In a sensor arrangement for direct or indirect optical determination of physical or chemical parameters, in human and animal bodies, the sensor arrangement including an indicator cell which is permeable to the chemical substance or physical quantity to be measured and which contains one or more indicators, a radiation source supplying the excitation radiation for the indicator, and a detector for detection of the response radiation emitted by the indicator, the indicator cell is configured as a capsule which may be introduced into body cavities, such as mouth, nose, stomach, intestine, blood vessels, bronchial tubes, urinary bladder, or which may be implanted in the tissue, and the material used for this capsule is transparent to excitation radiation and to the response radiation emitted by the indicator in the range of wavelengths between 600 and 1,300 nm, and the material of the capsule, or rather, its outer layer, is bio-compatible.

Abstract: In order to simultaneously determine the concentrations of different analytes in several places in a tissue by means of a thin, biocompatible tube or cannula which is inserted into the tissue, the tube is provided with several areas along its length which contain either identical or different optically excitable and readable, preferably luminescence-optical, indicating substances for measuring the local distribution of one parameter, such as O.sub.2 concentration or O.sub.2 partial pressure, or for simultaneous measurement of at least two different parameters, e.g., pO.sub.2, pCO.sub.2 or pH.

Abstract: Method for analyzing gaseous or liquid samples, utilizing a one-way measuring element with a measuring channel containing at least one optical or electrochemical sensor and being provided with sealing elements on either end. In order to obtain accurate measurements in a simple manner the proposal is put forward that for measuring purposes a storage medium in the measuring channel be replaced by a separating medium which should then be replaced by the sample. Sample and storage medium will remain in the measuring element when it is discarded.

Abstract: An indicator for use in a luminescence-optical configuration for continuous and reversible measurement of the pH of a sample within a relevant measuring range (M), whose luminescence decay time .tau. is dependent on the pH of the sample, is characterized by the following properties. The pK.sub.a value of the acidic or basic indicator is in the relevant measuring range when the indicator is in its electronic ground state (S.sub.0). The protonation rate k.sub.p of the base, or deprotonation rate k.sub.dp of the acid in the excited state (S.sub.1, X) of the indicator is lower than the decay rate k.sub.A of the excited state, and the luminescence decay times .tau..sub.S and .tau..sub.B of the acidic forms (AH*, BH.sup.+*) and the basic forms (A.sup.-*, B*) of the indicator are different from each other. If the pK.sub.a .tau. value of the indicator in its electronically excited state (S.sub.1, X) is within the relevant measuring range, the protonation rate k.sub.p of the base, or deprotonation rate k.sub.

Abstract: A method, a sensor and apparatus for detecting biological activities in a specimen, for example in a blood sample, are provided in which a sealable container is sealed with a culture medium therein into which the sample is introduced, metabolic processes are enhanced in the presence of microorganisms in the sample and changes taking place in the concentrations of the substances such to such processes are detected and monitored with an excitation and detection assembly assigned to concentration sensors, herein the form of optodes which are optically coupled to the excitation and detection assembly and thereby to an evaluation unit for determining concentration changes of the substances over time as indications of the presence of microorganisms.

Abstract: Method for analysing gaseous or liquid samples, utilising a one-way measuring element with a measuring channel containing at least one optical or electrochemical sensor and being provided with sealing elements on either end. In order to obtain accurate measurements in a simple manner the proposal is put forward that for measuring purposes a storage medium in the measuring channel be replaced by a separating medium which should then be replaced by the sample. Sample and storage medium will remain in the measuring element when it is discarded.

Abstract: A method for detecting biological activities in a specimen, for instance a blood sample, employing a sealable container with a culture medium, into which the sample is introduced, wherein metabolic processes are enhanced in the presence of microorganisms in the sample, thereby causing changes to take place in the concentrations of the substances subject to such processes. The concentration changes are measured by optodes that are in direct contact with the sample, and by an excitation and detection assembly assigned to these optodes, to which is connected an evaluation unit for determining concentration changes of the substances over time.

Abstract: Due to the size of the devices used for the excitation and measuring of light, conventional sensor elements for optically determining the concentrations of substances contained in gaseous and liquid samples, featuring an indicator layer with one or more indicator substances, are not well suited for use with microanalysis equipment, nor are they easy to mass-produce. These disadvantages are eliminated by integrating on the carrier layer (1) at least one photosensitive element (3) and its electric contact leads in planar arrangement, and by establishing optical contact between the indicator substance (7, 7') of the indicator layer (6) stimulated by the excitation radiation (11), and the photosensitive elements (3).

Abstract: In order to reduce the measuring volume in a device for measuring chemical and physical parameters of liquid or gaseous media by means of optical sensor elements whose optodes may be replaced easily, a measuring unit with a sample channel is provided which may be inserted into a supporting frame of the device and which may be connected to ingoing and outgoing sample lines via capillary bores. The measuring unit contains a sensor carrier forming the boundary of the sample channel on one side, which sensor carrier has bores holding the optodes. The indicator film of each individual optode is situated in the plane of the sensor carrier facing the sample channel.

Abstract: Due to the size of the devices used for the excitation and measuring of light, conventional sensor elements for optically determining the concentrations of substances contained in gaseous and liquid samples, featuring an indicator layer with one or more indicator substances, are not well suited for use with microanalysis equipment, nor are they easy to mass-produce. These disadvantages are eliminated by using a unitary sensor element having a carrier layer, at least one photosensitive element with electric contact leads in contact with the carrier layer, and an indicator layer containing an indicator substance.

Abstract: A sensor element for use in determining the concentrations of substances contained in gaseous and liquid samples includes a carrier layer and an indicator layer containing one or more indicator substances whose optical properties change depending on the concentration of the substances to be measured, the carrier layer being provided with at least one photosensitive element with electrical contacts in planar arrangement, the indicator layer acting as a waveguide for excitation radiation coupled therein by an optical element.