Abstract: Magnetic particles are prepared containing a magnetic core coated with a glass layer having a substantially pore-free class surface or having pores with a diameter offices than 10 nm. The particles are used for separating biological material such as nucleic acids. A preferred process of preparing the particles is by forming a mixture of magnetic cores with a sol formed from an alcohol and a metal alkoxide, spray-drying the mixture to coat the cores with a layer of gelled sol, and heating the coated cores to obtain the magnetic glass particles. Preferably, the particles have an average particle size of less than 100 ?m. The magnetic core may be a composite material containing a mica core and magnetite particles immobilized on the mica core, and the glass layer may contain boron oxide. Magnetic core materials include magnetite (Fe3O4) and Fe2O3.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pump for flow rates from about 1 to 1000 nl/min in which liquid transport takes place by evaporation of a transport liquid through a wettable membrane. The pumps according to the invention are particularly suitable for applications in the field of medical diagnostics such as microdialysis or ultrafiltration.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a catheter with a hollow fiber membrane (10) bent essentially in U-shape or such a hollow fiber membrane (10) comprising two legs (11, 13) and a bent section (15). According to the invention the hollow fiber membrane (10) is heat-treated and/or treated with at least one solvent in its bent section (15). The catheter according to the invention has a small overall diameter, is simple to manufacture and easy to implant and explant. The bent section (15) does not kink so that the lumen remains open. The present invention also concerns a method for producing such a catheter or such a hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of producing flow rates of a transport liquid of about 1 to 1000 nl/min. The method provides a pump having a housing defining a space and including a channel and a wettable membrane positioned in the housing, the membrane including a first side facing toward the channel and a second side facing the space. The method further includes at least partially filling the channel with the transport liquid, contacting the wettable membrane with the transport liquid to generate an underpressure in the channel,evaporating the transport liquid at the wettable membrane to remove the transport liquid from the channel and to create an underpressure in the channel, and maintaining a generally constant vapour pressure of the transport liquid in the space.

Abstract: Subject matter of the invention is a reagent preparation for binding components of a sample in the form of a tablet comprising a multitude of magnetic particles which are held together with the aid of excipients, and the use of this reagent preparation in analytical test.

Abstract: The invention discloses a micropump having heating elements in which an essentially pulsed operation of the heating elements occurs by means of a control unit. The pulsed operation of the heating elements enables an exact control of the flow rate. With the aid of the control unit it is possible to keep the flow rate constant over a long period of days or to change the flow rate rapidly and precisely.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for preparing biological samples for the subsequent detection of an analyte. In particular, the invention relates to a process for the isolation of a nucleic acid in a sample using a suspension of magnetic glass particles. In addition, kits and apparatuses containing magnetic glass particles for sample preparation are provided.

Abstract: Magnetic particles with an outer glass surface being essentially poreless or having pores of a diameter of less then 10 nm as well as ferromagnetic particles with a glass surface are preferentially useful for the isolation of biological material from samples. They provide a quick and reliable purification.

Abstract: Preparations of particles having a glass surface, wherein more than 75% by weight of these particles have a particle size between 0.5 &mgr;m and 15 &mgr;m and a glass surface which contains between 2 and 6 mole % zinc oxide, have proven to be particularly advantageous in processes for the purification of nucleic acids. This in particular results in an increased nucleic acid yield.

Abstract: The invention concerns a flat permeable membrane which has recesses on at least one side which are preferably in the form of channel structures that are considerably larger than the pores of the membrane.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for preparing biological samples for the subsequent detection of an analyte. In particular, the invention relates to a process for the isolation of a nucleic acid in a sample using a suspension of magnetic glass particles. In addition, kits and apparatuses containing magnetic glass particles for sample preparation are provided.

Abstract: Preparations of particles having a glass surface, wherein more than 75% by weight of these particles have a particle size between 0.5 &mgr;m and 15 &mgr;m and a glass surface which contains between 2 and 6 mole % zinc oxide, have proven to be particularly advantageous in processes for the purification of nucleic acids. This in particular results in an increased nucleic acid yield.

Abstract: To investigate the flowability of a physiological fluid sample, an uptake passage (12) for the fluid sample (16), an actuator device (18) for the cyclic change in orientation of measuring particles (14) in the fluid sample (16), and a detector device (20, 22) for the preferably optical detection of the change in orientation of the measuring particles (14) are provided. In order to make reliable measurements possible with minimal instrument expense, it is proposed that the actuator device is formed by a pump unit (18) to produce a flow of the fluid sample (16) that travels back and forth along the uptake passage (12) and indicates the change in orientation of the measuring particles (14).

Abstract: Magnetic particles with an outer glass surface being essentially poreless or having pores of a diameter of less then 10 nm as well as ferromagnetic particles with a glass surface are preferentially useful for the isolation of biological material from samples. They provide a quick and reliable purification.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pump for flow rates from about 1 to 1000 nl/min in which liquid transport takes place by evaporation of a transport liquid through a wettable membrane. The pumps according to the invention are particularly suitable for applications in the field of medical diagnostics such as microdialysis or ultrafiltration.

Abstract: A system for simple nucleic acid analysis is described in which the amplification space contains at least a part of the binding space. An additional improvement is achieved by the design of the binding or/and amplification space which is optionally surrounded by a heatable metal layer.

Abstract: Subject matter of the invention is a reagent preparation for binding components of a sample in the form of a tablet comprising a multitude of magnetic particles which are held together with the aid of excipients, and the use of this reagent preparation in analytical test,

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of an asymmetric porous membrane for the evenly distributed concentration of a substance which is not or not substantially adsorbed to the membrane and which is brought into contact with the membrane in the form of a membrane-wetting solution on the fine-pored side of the membrane.

Abstract: Subject matter of the invention is a reagent preparation for binding components of a sample in the form of a tablet comprising a multitude of magnetic particles which are held together with the aid of excipients, and the use of this reagent preparation in analytical test.

Abstract: A method of isolating a biological material by a) providing a biological material which is bound to a porous matrix (C11), and b) compressing the matrix under conditions where the biological material is released from the surface of the matrix into an elution liquid. brings about the advantage that the emission of aerosols into the environment is greatly reduced. It is also possible to obtain highly concentrated and minute amounts of solution. The method is also easy to automate.