Abstract: A method of determining oxygen concentration, metabolic activity, and/or the effects of a test substance on the metabolic activity of a live cell sample by photoluminescence quenching technique employing a photoluminescent probe that self-loads sans any loading reagent into the cells of the cell sample. The probe comprises a plurality of polymeric particles each comprising an amphiphilic cationic polymer matrix having a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic positively charged surface provided by quaternary amino groups, and a hydrophobic oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye embedded in the hydrophobic core.

Abstract: The invention is based on the use of photoluminescent probes for intracellular sensing of oxygen, especially assaying intracellular oxygen concentration. The photoluminescent probe comprises a suspension of polymeric particles having an average diameter in the 20 nm to 100 nm range, formed from an amphiphilic cationic co-polymer which is oriented in the formed particle to provide a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell. The probe includes a hydrophobic oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye such as Pt-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphine, PtPFPP embedded in the hydrophobic core of the particle, and the co-polymer includes quaternary ammonium groups which provide hydrophilic and cationic character to the particle shell. The photoluminescent probe, which in use is provided in the form of an aqueous suspension of probe, is incubated with live mammalian cells in a suitable growth medium for a period of time to allow the probe particles passively load into the cells.

Abstract: A device for the transcutaneous, in vivo measurement of the concentration of at least one analyte in a living organism includes a catheter which can be introduced into the organism, and a luminescence indicator, which is immobilized on the catheter and which reacts to a change in the concentration of the at least one analyte to be measured with a change in at least one optical property. The luminescence indicator is transcutaneously connected to a source for providing an excitation radiation and a detector for detecting the measuring radiation. The luminescence indicator is immobilized on the outer circumference of the catheter, which is used to dispense a fluid medium, for example a medication, into the organism or to drain a body fluid.

Abstract: The invention is based on the use of photoluminescent probes for intracellular sensing of oxygen, especially assaying intracellular oxygen concentration. The photoluminescent probe comprises a suspension of polymeric particles having an average diameter in the 20 nm to 100 nm range, formed from an amphiphilic cationic co-polymer which is oriented in the formed particle to provide a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell. The probe includes a hydrophobic oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent dye such as Pt-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphine, PtPFPP embedded in the hydrophobic core of the particle, and the co-polymer includes quaternary ammonium groups which provide hydrophilic and cationic character to the particle shell. The photoluminescent probe, which in use is provided in the form of an aqueous suspension of probe, is incubated with live mammalian cells in a suitable growth medium for a period of time to allow the probe particles passively load into the cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the transcutaneous, in vivo measurement of the concentration of at least one analyte in a living organism, comprising a carrier which can be introduced into the organism, and a luminescence indicator which is immobilized on the carrier and which reacts to a change in the concentration of the analyte to be measured with a change in at least one optical property, wherein the luminescence indicator is transcutaneously connected to a source for providing the excitation radiation and a detector for detecting the measuring radiation. According to the invention, the luminescence indicator is immobilized on the outer circumference of a catheter, which is used to dispense a fluid medium, for example a medicament, into the organism or to suck up a body fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determining carbon dioxide in a gaseous or liquid sample, comprising: a polymer matrix and an indicator embedded in the polymer matrix, wherein the indicator comprises a pH-sensitive dye and a lipophilic, metal cation-ionophore complex, and wherein an anion of the pH-sensitive dye and the metal cation-ionophore complex form an ion-pair which is soluble in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reagent for carrying out assays in accordance with the FRET-principle, containing an acceptor dye as well as particles exhibiting a donor dye, whereby the donor dye and the acceptor dye are located in different chemical phases, the acceptor dye is provided as bound to the particles and the particles are essentially impermeable to the sample medium or to components of the sample medium affecting the luminescence characteristics of the donor dye. The invention furthermore relates to a method for the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of at least one analyte and/or component of a liquid measuring medium, comprising the addition of the reagent according to the invention to the measuring medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fluorimetrically or photometrically identifying gaseous substances or substances, which can be converted into a gaseous state, in samples. Decomposition reactions, optional purification steps, and detection can be carried out in a cell, which comprises one or more ion-permeable membranes, in a user-friendly and selective manner without losing any substances.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optochemical sensor functioning in accordance with the FRET-principle and exhibiting an acceptor (chromophore or luminophore) responsive to an analyte contained in a sample medium as well as a donor (luminophore), characterized in that acceptor and donor are located in separate chemical phases, whereby the phase containing the donor is essentially impermeable to the sample medium or to components of the sample medium affecting the luminescence characteristics of the luminophore. The invention further relates to a method for qualitative and/or quantitative determination of at least one analyte and/or component of a gaseous or liquid measuring medium according to the FRET-principle, characterized by the use of the sensor according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reagent for carrying out assays in accordance with the FRET-principle, containing an acceptor dye as well as particles exhibiting a donor dye, whereby the donor dye and the acceptor dye are located in different chemical phases, the acceptor dye is provided as bound to the particles and the particles are essentially impermeable to the sample medium or to components of the sample medium affecting the luminescence characteristics of the donor dye. The invention furthermore relates to a method for the qualitative and/or quantitative determination of at least one analyte and/or component of a liquid measuring medium, comprising the addition of the reagent according to the invention to the measuring medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel sensor wherein the micro titer plates or supports are fitted with wells receiving the specimens to ascertain oxygen content. The wells contain luminescent or fluorescent dyes (for instance platinum, palladium or ruthenium complexes with phenathroline, porphyrin or pyridine ligands) which are imbedded in the particles of a gas-permeable but water-impermeable matrix. The matrix is a polystyrene derivative or a polystyrene copolymer. The particles in turn are dispersed in a second, water-permeable matrix consisting of a hydrophilic polymer such as polyhydroxy methacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optochemical sensor functioning in accordance with the FRET-principle and exhibiting an acceptor (chromophore or luminophore) responsive to an analyte contained in a sample medium as well as a donor (luminophore), characterized in that acceptor and donor are located in separate chemical phases, whereby the phase containing the donor is essentially impermeable to the sample medium or to components of the sample medium affecting the luminescence characteristics of the luminophore. The invention further relates to a method for qualitative and/or quantitative determination of at least one analyte and/or component of a gaseous or liquid measuring medium according to the FRET-principle, characterized by the use of the sensor according to the invention.

Abstract: Luminescent microparticles and nanoparticles are provided for use either as internal standards for referencing fluorescent signals, or as markers for detecting biomolecules. Luminescence dyes are incorporated in inert form into solid materials such that they are protected from the influence of chemical and biological compounds in aqueous sample constituents. The photophysical characteristics of the dyes (spectral characteristics, luminescence quantum efficiency, luminescence fading time and polarization) remain unaffected. The surface of the nanoparticles and microparticles can be provided with reactive surfaces in order to enable covalent coupling of biochemicals or to eliminate aggregation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fluorimetrically or photometrically identifying gaseous substances or substances, which can be converted into a gaseous state, in samples. Decomposition reactions, optional purification steps, and detection can be carried out in a cell, which comprises one or more ion-permeable membranes, in a user-friendly and selective manner without losing any substances.

Abstract: An optical sensor for determining an analyte, specifically oxygen, has a sensor matrix that is made up substantially of a fluoropolymer. The sensor matrix contains a luminescent indicator with a metal complex of ruthenium, rhenium, rhodium or iridium, and with at least one at least partially fluorinated ligand.

Abstract: A method and device for fluorimetric determination of a biological, chemical or physical parameter of a sample utilize at least two different luminescent materials, the first of which is sensitive to the parameter, at least with respect to luminescence intensity, and the second of which is insensitive to the parameter, at least with respect to luminescence intensity and decay time. The luminescent materials have different decay times. The time- or phase behaviour of the resulting luminescence response is used to form a reference value for determination of a parameter.

Abstract: In nanoparticles, a phosphorescent donor dyestuff and several fluorescent acceptor dyestuffs are immobilized together. These nanoparticles serve as multiplex marker for a number of analytes, which can be determined according to absorption spectra of the acceptor dyestuffs as well as according to the luminescence-decay period of the respective dyestuffs.

Abstract: An optical sensor for determining an analyte, specifically oxygen, has a sensor matrix that is made up substantially of a fluoropolymer. The sensor matrix contains a luminescent indicator with a metal complex of ruthenium, rhenium, rhodium or iridium, and with at least one at least partially fluorinated ligand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the temperature-compensated determination of chemical parameters, comprising: an optical temperature sensor which contains a temperature indicator that has a temperature-dependent afterglow time and/or luminous intensity and does not react with the surrounding medium; a chemical sensor which contains an indicator that is sensitive to a chemical parameter; means for stimulating the temperature indicator and the chemical indicator to luminesce; means for measuring the luminescence of the temperature indicator and of the chemical indicator; means for establishing an optical connection between indicator, excitation device and measuring equipment; means for detecting luminous radiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the temperature-compensated determination of chemical parameters, comprising: