Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal cycler (10) comprising a housing (12), the housing (12) accommodating a thermal block (14) having a plurality of sample wells (32), each for receiving a test sample in a sample vessel, electric heater means (18) for heating the thermal block (14), a power supply (24) and an electronic control (22) for controlling the electric heater means (18), and further comprising a temperature analysis and/or verification unit (28) for analyzing and/or verifying a thermal performance of the thermal block (14). The invention further relates to a method for analyzing or verifying a thermal performance of a thermal cycler (10) and for calibrating the thermal cycler (10).

Abstract: Provided is a thermal cycler including a housing, the housing with a thermal block having sample wells, each for receiving a test sample in a sample vessel, an electric heater for heating the thermal block, a power supply and an electronic control for controlling the electric heater, and a temperature analysis and/or verification unit for analyzing and/or verifying a thermal performance of the thermal block. Also provided is a method for analyzing or verifying a thermal performance of a thermal cycler and for calibrating the thermal cycler. The thermal cycler has a temperature analysis and/or verification unit integrated into the housing and connected to the power supply and electronic control by an internal interface, whereas the method is characterized by the following steps: providing the thermal cycler with an integrated temperature analysis and/or verification unit and using the integrated temperature analysis and/or verification unit for self-calibration of the thermal cycler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal cycler (10) comprising a housing (12), the housing (12) accommodating a thermal block (14) having a plurality of sample wells (32), each for receiving a test sample in a sample vessel, electric heater means (18) for heating the thermal block (14), a power supply (24) and an electronic control (22) for controlling the electric heater means (18), and further comprising a temperature analysis and/or verification unit (28) for analyzing and/or verifying a thermal performance of the thermal block (14). The invention further relates to a method for analyzing or verifying a thermal performance of a thermal cycler (10) and for calibrating the thermal cycler (10).

Abstract: A disk display includes a vessel having a vessel cap on a first end of the vessel, the vessel cap having a wall defining an opening, the wall including a disk support extending radially inward into the opening; and a disk retainer element that is securable within the vessel cap to hold a disk against the disk support. The disk retainer element may seat against the vessel cap using cooperating elements on the vessel cap and disk retainer element that define a trajectory for the disk retainer element to move along when the disk retainer element is being secured in the vessel cap, in which the trajectory flattens with increased insertion of the disk retainer element in the vessel cap, or the trajectory forms a helix having a continuously increasing helix angle. A knob and groove arrangement may be used for the cooperating elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (12; 72) for optically measuring fluorescence of nucleic acids in test samples (14). The device (12; 72) comprises a plurality of sample wells (32) each for receiving an upright sample tube (16) made of a transparent material, having a side wall (20) and a bottom end (22) and containing one of the test samples (14) together with at least one fluorescent dye, at least one excitation light source (24; 74, 76, 78, 80) disposed in the vicinity of each sample well (32) for directing an excitation light beam through the side wall (20) of the sample tube (16) into the test sample (14) for exciting the dye, and an optical fluorescence detector (28) disposed underneath the bottom end (22) of each sample tube (16) for capturing fluorescence emitted from the dye in the test sample (14) upon excitation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal cycler (10) comprising a housing (12), the housing (12) accommodating a thermal block (14) having a plurality of sample wells (32), each for receiving a test sample in a sample vessel, electric heater means (18) for heating the thermal block (14), a power supply (24) and an electronic control (22) for controlling the electric heater means (18), and further comprising a temperature analysis and/or verification unit (28) for analyzing and/or verifying a thermal performance of the thermal block (14). The invention further relates to a method for analyzing or verifying a thermal performance of a thermal cycler (10) and for calibrating the thermal cycler (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (12; 72) for optically measuring fluorescence of nucleic acids in test samples (14). The device (12; 72) comprises a plurality of sample wells (32) each for receiving an upright sample tube (16) made of a transparent material, having a side wall (20) and a bottom end (22) and containing one of the test samples (14) together with at least one fluorescent dye, at least one excitation light source (24; 74, 76, 78, 80) disposed in the vicinity of each sample well (32) for directing an excitation light beam through the side wall (20) of the sample tube (16) into the test sample (14) for exciting the dye, and an optical fluorescence detector (28) disposed underneath the bottom end (22) of each sample tube (16) for capturing fluorescence emitted from the dye in the test sample (14) upon excitation.

Abstract: A flexible circuit electrode array, which comprises: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and a partial or entire coating of the base and top layer by a soft polymer.

Abstract: A visual prosthesis which includes a hermetic package and flexible circuit electrode array is disclosed. The hermetic package includes electrode drivers and contacts. The flexible circuit electrode array includes a polymer base layer, metal traces, including electrodes suitable to stimulate visual neural tissue and bond pads bonded to contacts on the hermetic package, all deposited on the polymer base layer, a polymer top layer deposited on the polymer base layer and deposited on the metal traces, a partial or an entire coating of the polymer base layer and of the polymer top layer by a soft polymer that is softer than the polymer base layer; and the polymer base layer and the polymer top layer contain a plurality of aligned holes to facilitate bonding of the soft polymer.

Abstract: A flexible circuit electrode array and method of fabrication having a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on the polymer base layer, including electrodes to stimulate tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on the polymer base layer and metal traces; and a coating of the base and top layer by a soft polymer. A method of preparing a flexible circuit electrode array, comprising: providing a first soft polymer layer; depositing a first a base layer on the first soft polymer layer; providing a metal thin film on the base layer; depositing a top polymer layer on the metal thin film; providing holes in the top polymer layer; depositing a second soft polymer layer on the top polymer layer; providing holes in the second soft polymer layer for bond pads and electrodes; and preparing electrodes in the provided holes.

Abstract: A system of metalization in an integrated polymer microsystem. A flexible polymer substrate is provided and conductive ink is applied to the substrate. In one embodiment the flexible polymer substrate is silicone. In another embodiment the flexible polymer substrate comprises poly(dimethylsiloxane).

Abstract: A peel and stick electronic system comprises a silicone body, and at least one electronic unit operatively connected to the silicone body. The electronic system is produce by providing a silicone layer on a substrate, providing a metal layer on the silicone layer, and providing at least one electronic unit connected to the metal layer.

Abstract: A stretchable electronic circuit or electronic device and a polymer-based process to produce a circuit or electronic device containing a stretchable conducting circuit. The stretchable electronic apparatus has a central longitudinal axis and the apparatus is stretchable in a longitudinal direction generally aligned with the central longitudinal axis. The apparatus comprises a stretchable polymer body and at least one circuit line operatively connected to the stretchable polymer body. The circuit line extends in the longitudinal direction and has a longitudinal component that extends in the longitudinal direction and has an offset component that is at an angle to the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal component and the offset component allow the apparatus to stretch in the longitudinal direction while maintaining the integrity of the circuit line.

Abstract: Polymeric composition, material produced thereof and their applications The invention relates to a novel polymer composition comprising at least one copolymer constituted of acrylic (AC) monomer units and of at least one water-soluble comonomer unit, which is preferably 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS). The composition is used to produce materials, such as membranes, film or suface coatings, that are suitable as highly tissue compatible supports for epithelial cells, such as hepatocytes. The materials are suitable to be used in a bioartificial liver, where they work as separating membrane and carrier for adhesion-dependent tissue cells. As an example it is described how selectively permeable membranes are formed by a phase inversion process from these acrylic copolymers with varying content of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and how they interact with liver cells to construct a biohybrid organ for liver replacement.

Abstract: A high density polymer-based integrated electrode apparatus that comprises a central electrode body and a multiplicity of arms extending from the electrode body. The central electrode body and the multiplicity of arms are comprised of a silicone material with metal features in said silicone material that comprise electronic circuits.

Abstract: A peel and stick electronic system comprises a silicone body, and at least one electronic unit operatively connected to the silicone body. The electronic system is produce by providing a silicone layer on a substrate, providing a metal layer on the silicone layer, and providing at least one electronic unit connected to the metal layer.

Abstract: A system of metalization in an integrated polymer microsystem. A flexible polymer substrate is provided and conductive ink is applied to the substrate. In one embodiment the flexible polymer substrate is silicone. In another embodiment the flexible polymer substrate comprises poly(dimethylsiloxane).

Abstract: A peel and stick electronic system comprises a silicone body, and at least one electronic unit operatively connected to the silicone body. The electronic system is produce by providing a silicone layer on a substrate, providing a metal layer on the silicone layer, and providing at least one electronic unit connected to the metal layer.

Abstract: A peel and stick electronic system comprises a silicone body, and at least one electronic unit operatively connected to the silicone body. The electronic system is produce by providing a silicone layer on a substrate, providing a metal layer on the silicone layer, and providing at least one electronic unit connected to the metal layer.

Abstract: A stretchable electronic circuit or electronic device and a polymer-based process to produce a circuit or electronic device containing a stretchable conducting circuit. The stretchable electronic apparatus has a central longitudinal axis and the apparatus is stretchable in a longitudinal direction generally aligned with the central longitudinal axis. The apparatus comprises a stretchable polymer body and at least one circuit line operatively connected to the stretchable polymer body. The circuit line extends in the longitudinal direction and has a longitudinal component that extends in the longitudinal direction and has an offset component that is at an angle to the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal component and the offset component allow the apparatus to stretch in the longitudinal direction while maintaining the integrity of the circuit line.