Abstract: Methods and devices for electrochemically controlled degradation of metals particles using halide biochemistry allowing in-situ control and being suitable for analyte detection and quantification.

Abstract: A diffractometric sensing device for analyzing molecular interactions is described, the diffractometric sensing device comprising a transparent carrier medium, the carrier medium comprising a grating structure (42.1-42.5) with a plurality of consecutive surfaces or lines and a plurality of binding sites arranged thereon, the binding sites being configured to interact with one or more target molecules, wherein the grating structure is configured to diffract a portion of coherent light propagating in the carrier medium so as to produce a constructive interference signal at a light detector (4.1-4.4), the signal being dependent on molecular interactions at or in the vicinity of the binding sites. The invention offers more sensitivity, faster response, miniaturization, easy manufacturing and more applications compared to current diffractometric sensing devices.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object comprises the steps of (a) bringing at least one nozzle in a first position close to a surface of a substrate, (b) delivering through said at least one nozzle at least one reactant to said surface, (c) effecting a solid forming reaction of said at least one delivered reactant such that said at least one delivered reactant undergoes a transition to become a growing solid deposit on said surface under said at least one nozzle, and (d) detecting an interaction of said growing solid deposit with said at least one nozzle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1), a method, and a kit for analysing liquid samples. The device (1) comprises a sample layer (111) having a plurality of liquid permeable test sites (112) separated by a liquid impermeable barrier region (113), and an inlet part (2) comprising a plurality of inlet channels (211), which lead to respective test sites (112) of the sample layer (111), such that a flow connection between said inlet channels (211) and said respective test sites (112) is established or can be established, wherein said inlet channels (211) comprise first openings (218) and second openings (219), wherein a second surface area defined by the positions of said second openings (219) is smaller than a first surface area defined by the positions of said first openings (218) The invention further relates to a method for functionalizing a sample layer (111).

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer structure (1) formed by at least a polymer, wherein said structure (1) comprises a volume (2) and a surface (3), wherein said polymer comprises a plurality of polymer chains connected by linkings, characterized by a linking density, wherein said linking density increases, particularly monotonously, from the surface (3) into the volume (2) of the polymer structure (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a device and a system for producing particularly a hydrogel (200) and for controlling an enzymatically catalyzed formation of a covalent bond in a solution, wherein said covalent bond is formed between a first compound (20) comprising a first moiety (21) and a second compound (22) comprising a second moiety (23), wherein the first and the second moiety (21, 23) are a substrate of an enzyme wherein said enzyme catalyzes the formation of a covalent bond between the first and the second moiety (21, 23), and wherein a voltage is applied to the solution for spatially controlling said formation, wherein said voltage is adjusted such that it induces electrolysis of said solution.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object comprises the steps of (a) bringing at least one nozzle in a first position close to a surface of a substrate, (b) delivering through said at least one nozzle at least one reactant to said surface, (c) effecting a solid forming reaction of said at least one delivered reactant such that said at least one delivered reactant undergoes a transition to become a growing solid deposit on said surface under said at least one nozzle, and (d) detecting an interaction of said growing solid deposit with said at least one nozzle.

Abstract: An implantable device for the electrical and/or pharmaceutical stimulation of the central nervous system, especially the spinal cord, is suggested. The device comprises a conformable substrate which is primarily composed of a flexible and stretchable polymer, and a plurality of flexible electrodes and conductive leads embedded in the conformable substrate. Not only the substrate, but also the leads are stretchable. The substrate may consist of PDMS, and the leads may consist of a conductive PDMS, in particular, PDMS with an electrically conductive filler material, and may optionally be metal-coated. The device defines a multi-electrode array which may be employed for neurostimulation in the epidural or subdural space of an animal or human.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1), a method, and a kit for analysing liquid samples. The device (1) comprises a sample layer (111) having a plurality of liquid permeable test sites (112) separated by a liquid impermeable barrier region (113), and an inlet part (2) comprising a plurality of inlet channels (211), which lead to respective test sites (112) of the sample layer (111), such that a flow connection between said inlet channels (211) and said respective test sites (112) is established or can be established, wherein said inlet channels (211) comprise first openings (218) and second openings (219), wherein a second surface area defined by the positions of said second openings (219) is smaller than a first surface area defined by the positions of said first openings (218) The invention further relates to a method for functionalizing a sample layer (111).

Abstract: Small and extremely small molecules and ions or atoms may be detected with the novel device with exceptional sensitivity. The detection is implemented in a simple manner by the known acoustic resonator FBAR or by means of other technologies that measure the physical properties of the filled layer. The permeability of substances (e.g. active ingredients) through membranes such as cell membranes, lipid bilayers, and cell walls can be examined by combining a sensor with the reservoir and the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer structure (1) formed by at least a polymer, wherein said structure (1) comprises a volume (2) and a surface (3), wherein said polymer comprises a plurality of polymer chains connected by linkings, characterized by a linking density, wherein said linking density increases, particularly monotonously, from the surface (3) into the volume (2) of the polymer structure (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a device and a system for producing particularly a hydrogel (200) and for controlling an enzymatically catalysed formation of a covalent bond in a solution, wherein said covalent bond is formed between a first compound (20) comprising a first moiety (21) and a second compound (22) comprising a second moiety (23), wherein the first and the second moiety (21, 23) are a substrate of an enzyme wherein said enzyme catalyzes the formation of a covalent bond between the first and the second moiety (21, 23), and wherein a voltage is applied to the solution for spatially controlling said formation, wherein said voltage is adjusted such that it induces electrolysis of said solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a probe arrangement (10g) for exchanging in a controllable way liquids with micro-sized samples of material like biological cells, especially in connection with an scanning probe microscope, said probe arrangement (10g) comprising a probe holder (11) with at least one embedded first channel (18) and a cantilever (12) with at least one embedded second channel (15) and being provided to be attached to said probe holder (11) in a way that at least one aperture (19) of the first channel (18) is connected to at least one aperture (17) of the second channel (15) in a way that permits the liquid-tight transfer of a liquid between said first and second channels (15, 18). A safe and easy use of the probe arrangement is achieved by having the cantilever (12) permanently attached to said probe holder (11) to form a prefabricated probe unit (10g).

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed, which comprises a functional unit (C) for permanent or temporary placement in the urogenital tract of a human or animal body. The functional unit has at least one electrically conducting portion. A power source (G) supplies a current to the electrically conducting portion after placement of the functional unit in the urogenital tract. In this manner, the growth of bacteria on the functional unit can be reduced.

Abstract: A hopper having a passage through which a medicine can be passed downward is provided. A part of a lower portion of the hopper is a deformable portion having flexibility, and the deformable portion is deformable so as to open and close the passage. According to this configuration, the deformable portion that is a part of the hopper is deformed to open and close the passage. Thus, there is no portion such as an opening and closing plate on which the medicine remains, thereby preventing a gap in which the medicine remains from being formed in the hopper, and preventing the medicine from easily remaining in the hopper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioanalytical device consisting of a microwell array with microwell (2) that are filled with assay components (12, 15, 36), wherein detection probes (36) used in the assay (10) are metal nanoparticles (11, 12) or fluorescent compounds, and wherein the microwell array is connected and/or connectable to a sample that is on a flat substrate (6) to quantify the amount of a ligand (35) in the sample by using a detection mechanism. The detection mechanism is based on change in the optical properties of some of the assay components (12, 15, 36) upon contact with the ligand (35). The present invention also relates further to a method for detecting and quantifying molecules using said bioanalytical device.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed, which comprises a functional unit (C) for permanent or temporary placement in the urogenital tract of a human or animal body. The functional unit has at least one electrically conducting portion. A power source (G) supplies a current to the electrically conducting portion after placement of the functional unit in the urogenital tract. In this manner, the growth of bacteria on the functional unit can be reduced.

Abstract: Small and extremely small molecules and ions or atoms may be detected with the novel device with exceptional sensitivity. The detection is implemented in a simple manner by the known acoustic resonator FBAR or by means of other technologies that measure the physical properties of the filled layer. The permeability of substances (e.g. active ingredients) through membranes such as cell membranes, lipid bilayers, and cell walls can be examined by combining a sensor with the reservoir and the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a probe arrangement (10g) for exchanging in a controllable way liquids with micro-sized samples of material like biological cells, especially in connection with an scanning probe microscope, said probe arrangement (10g) comprising a probe holder (11) with at least one embedded first channel (18) and a cantilever (12) with at least one embedded second channel (15) and being provided to be attached to said probe holder (11) in a way that at least one aperture (19) of the first channel (18) is connected to at least one aperture (17) of the second channel (15) in a way that permits the liquid-tight transfer of a liquid between said first and second channels (15, 18). A safe and easy use of the probe arrangement is achieved by having the cantilever (12) permanently attached to said probe holder (11) to form a prefabricated probe unit (10g).

Abstract: A probe arrangement with a probe for local electrophysiological analysis of cells (4) such as patch-clamp techniques for use with atomic force microscopy, has a probe with a cantilever arm (2) connected to a probe holder (3). The probe has a probe tip (4) at a probing end (5) of the cantilever arm (2) and a fluid channel (6) in the cantilever arm (2) connecting a probe tip aperture (7) with a fluid reservoir (8) via a duct (9). The fluid channel (6), the duct (9) and the fluid reservoir (8) are adapted to be filled with a fluid solution (10) enabling ion transport for electrophysiological analysis. A first electrode (15) for electrophysiological analysis is placed in the fluid reservoir (8) and/or in the duct (9) and/or in the fluid channel (6).