Abstract: The invention relates to a test cell for mixing a liquid. The test cell comprises an interior space for receiving the liquid and a running rail, which is formed in the interior space, for a ball, wherein the running rail is formed by two projections which project into the interior space from opposite side walls of the test cell. According to the invention, the running rail has a straight section and is deflected upward at both ends. In the test cell according to the invention, a high filling level can be achieved with a low quantity of liquid, this being advantageous for optical measurements. The invention also relates to a measuring method using the test cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test cell for mixing a liquid. The test cell comprises an interior space for receiving the liquid and a running rail, which is formed in the interior space, for a ball, wherein the running rail is formed by two projections which project into the interior space from opposite side walls of the test cell. According to the invention, the running rail has a straight section and is deflected upward at both ends. In the test cell according to the invention, a high filling level can be achieved with a low quantity of liquid, this being advantageous for optical measurements. The invention also relates to a measuring method using the test cell.

Abstract: A cuvette module comprises a cuvette carrier and a cuvette held by the cuvette carrier. An intermediate chamber is formed in the cuvette carrier. The cuvette carrier comprises an electrically conductive plastic material. The cuvette has a different material than the cuvette carrier and the wettability of the cuvette carrier is greater than the wettability of the cuvette. A method transfers a predetermined amount of liquid from a transport container to a cuvette, employs a cuvette module. The method makes it easier to check whether the intermediate chamber still contains a sufficient amount of liquid.

Abstract: A sample rack handling unit comprising an onload section for loading sample racks holding a sample container is presented. The onload section comprises an onload edge and a receiving area with an onload rail longitudinally on the receiving area parallel to the onload edge. The onload rail engages a recess on the rack bottom such that the rack longitudinally slides on the receiving area along the onload rail when the rack is engaged. The onload rail has a base portion and a protrusion extending from the base portion. The protrusion faces the onload edge and the base portion comprises an inclined onload rail side opposite the onload edge such that the recess engages the onload rail when the rack is loaded on the receiving area from the onload edge transversely to the onload rail and the recess disengages the onload rail by sliding the rack towards the onload edge.

Abstract: A cuvette module comprises a cuvette carrier and a cuvette held by the cuvette carrier. An intermediate chamber is formed in the cuvette carrier. The cuvette carrier comprises an electrically conductive plastic material. The cuvette has a different material than the cuvette carrier and the wettability of the cuvette carrier is greater than the wettability of the cuvette. A method transfers a predetermined amount of liquid from a transport container to a cuvette, employs a cuvette module. The method makes it easier to check whether the intermediate chamber still contains a sufficient amount of liquid.

Abstract: An aggregometer for measuring and recording platelet aggregation with at least one measurement cuvette having two electrodes, with a device for moving the liquid to be examined and with measurement and evaluation electronics connected to the electrodes via contact elements, is characterized in that the measurement cuvette comprises two adjacently arranged, upwardly open partial spaces which are only connected to one another in the lower region, in that the electrodes are designed as metal spheres inserted in the bottom of the measurement cuvette and in that the device for moving the liquid is a pumping device which can be placed on one of the partial spaces in a substantially sealing manner and which periodically and alternately generates low and excess pressure.

Abstract: An aggregometer for measuring and recording platelet aggregation with at least one measurement cuvette having two electrodes, with a device for moving the liquid to be examined and with measurement and evaluation electronics connected to the electrodes via contact elements, is characterized in that the measurement cuvette comprises two adjacently arranged, upwardly open partial spaces which are only connected to one another in the lower region, in that the electrodes are designed as metal spheres inserted in the bottom of the measurement cuvette and in that the device for moving the liquid is a pumping device which can be placed on one of the partial spaces in a substantially sealing manner and which periodically and alternately generates low and excess pressure.

Abstract: The apparatus for examining bodily fluids comprising a plurality of cuvettes into which bodily fluid and a reagent can be introduced is distinguished by the apparatus comprising chambers that are open at the top, the number of said chambers being at least equal to the number of the cuvettes.

Abstract: The device for analysing body fluids, having a plurality of cuvettes (1), is distinguished in that the cuvettes (1) are connected to one another in a circular arrangement, and respectively have a holding space (2) for the reagent with a bottom rising radially outwards, which is followed radially outwards by the reaction chamber (4). The reagent is delivered by centrifugal force from the holding chamber (2) into the reaction chamber (4), where it reacts with the fluid to be analysed, and this is detected by sensors (8, 10).

Abstract: The apparatus for analyzing body fluids which are contained in tubes provided with an externally readable identification marking, with positive sample identification at the position at which a quantity of fluid is removed for analysis, it being possible for the tubes to be inserted into a rotatable rotor (1), is distinguished in that at least two rotors (1) can be pushed into the apparatus in a drawer-like manner, it being possible for these rotors to be driven via a laterally arranged gear wheel (9) in each case which engages in the observation slits which are arranged on the circumference of the rotor (1) and through which the identification of the tubes takes place.

Abstract: The apparatus serves for testing and measuring blood clotting time. Blood or blood plasma (12) and a reagent (13) are introduced into a measuring cuvette (8). The clotting time is measured electro-optically with the aid of a stirring element (9) which is arranged in the measuring cuvette (8), can be attracted magnetically and is driven by a magnetic stirring device arranged outside the measuring cuvette (8). The method and apparatus are suitable for automatic measuring methods owing to the fact that blood plasma (12) and reagent (13) are introduced beside one another onto an essentially horizontal internal surface (10) of a measuring cuvette (8) provided with an opening above this surface (10), in that the measuring cuvette (8) and its contents are heated to the reaction temperature, in that the measuring cuvette is pivoted by essentially 90.degree.

Abstract: The method and the apparatus serve for testing and measuring blood clotting time. Blood or blood plasma (12) and a reagent (13) are introduced into a measuring cuvette (8). The clotting time is measured electrooptically with the aid of a stirring element (9) which is arranged in the measuring cuvette (8), can be attracted magnetically and is driven by a magnetic stirring device arranged outside the measuring cuvette (8). The method and apparatus are suitable for automatic measuring methods owing to the fact that blood plasma (12) and reagent (13) are introduced beside one another onto an essentially horizontal internal surface (10) of a measuring cuvette (8) provided with an opening above this surface (10), in that the measuring cuvette (8) and its contents are heated to the reaction temperature (step 7), in that the measuring cuvette is pivoted by essentially 90.degree.

Abstract: A blood coagulation time measuring device includes a stirrer drive arrangnt for rotating a stirring rod placed inside the measuring vessel when the vessel is inserted in a measuring channel of the device. A light detector assembly within the device determines the degree of coagulation formation in the measuring vessel by transmitting a light beam from a light source through the measuring vessel and onto a photo-electric cell. Light balancing circuitry coupled to the light source and the photo-electric cell automatically adjusts the brightness of the light from the light source in correspondence with the turbidity of liquid in the measuring vessel. A control switch arrangement operates to turn the stirrer drive arrangement on or off in response to operation of the light balancing circuitry.