Abstract: Cartridge for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample. The cartridge includes one or more nucleic acid sequences, wherein the cartridge has a generic part and one or more separate application-specific parts, which are connectable to the generic part.

Abstract: Cartridge and method for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. The cartridge comprises a one or more nucleic acid sequences, and the cartridge includes a generic part and one or more separate application-specific parts, which are connectable to the generic part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cartridge for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. The cartridge comprises a generic part and one or more separate application-specific parts, which are connectable to the generic part. Also disclosed is a system for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in a sample comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. This system comprising a reusable apparatus, wherein said apparatus is configured to receive a cartridge and to control a process for the detection of the presence, absence and/or amount of a target nucleotide sequence in the sample, being present in said cartridge.

Abstract: A closure device (10) for a container (12) includes a filling device (14) that can be attached to an opening (16) of the container (12) A closure structure such as a membrane (18), a system (34), or a duckbill closure (54, 84) is attached to the filling device (14) in such a way that the opening (16) of the container (12) is sealed when the filling device (14) is attached to the opening (16). The closure structure is coated at least partially with polytetrafluoroethylene (22, 38, 60, 94) on one side (20, 40, 58, 90) that is accessible from outside the container (12) in the assembled state of the filling device (14) on the container (12).

Abstract: A system (1) for point of care diagnosis and/or analysis of a body fluid of a patient, includes at least one cartridge (2), at least one handheld diagnosis and/or analysis device (3) and at least one data processing device (4). Each cartridge (2) comprises a sample receiving room (5) for receiving a sample of the body fluid to be diagnosed and/or analyzed, a diagnosing and/or analyzing arrangement (6) for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the sample, and a first interface (7) for connecting the cartridge (2) to the handheld device (3). Each handheld device (3) comprises one second interface (8) for connecting one of said cartridges (2) to the handheld device (3), a measurement arrangement (9) co-operating with the connected cartridge (2) for measuring the parameter and generating measurement data thereof, and one third interface (13) for connecting the handheld device (3) to the data processing device (4).

Abstract: In a cardiac monitoring method, at east an inactive natriuretic peptide (22) and an active natriuretic peptide (20) are assayed in a biological sample taken from a patient. Both the inactive and active natriuretic peptides are produced in the patient responsive to cardiac stress. A therapeutic agent (26), such as a synthetic or mimetic natriuretic peptide, is administered to the patient. The administered therapeutic agent substantially interferes with the active natriuretic peptide assay but does not substantially interfere with the inactive natriuretic peptide assay. Kinetics of the administered therapeutic agent are determined based on at least the active natriuretic peptide assay. Cardiac diagnostic information is determined based on at least the inactive natriuretic peptide assay.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging system and a method for analysing an object. A first image of the object is created with an image recording unit and used to determine the further processing required and/or the characteristics of the analysed object. Further image processing in order to obtain information from the analysed object is carried out based on the initial information obtained from the image. The system and method are used for example in analysis of medical test strips.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aptitude test system (4) which includes at least one object (1) which is provided with a data carrier (2) on which data associated with the object (1) is stored, as well as a test device (5) which includes a reading apparatus (6) whereby the data of the data carrier (2) can be transfer-red to a computer (7). The data includes aptitude data which characterizes at least one permissible application for the associated object (1). The computer (7) has access to current application data which characterizes a concrete application intended for the relevant object (1). For aptitude testing of the relevant object (1) the computer evaluates the aptitude data thereof and the actual application data. The computer (7) outputs a release signal when the object (1) is suitable for the intended application.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure device (10) for a container (12) comprising a filling device (14) that can be attached to an opening (16) of the container (12), and a closure means (18) that is attached to the filling device (14) in such a way that the opening (16) of the container (12) is sealed when the filling device (14) is attached to the opening (16) and that is coated at least partially with polytetrafluoroethylene (22) on one side (20) that is accessible from outside the container (12) in the assembled state of the filling device (14) on the container (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aptitude test system (4) which includes at least one object (1) which is provided with a data carrier (2) on which data associated with the object (1) is stored, as well as a test device (5) which includes a reading apparatus (6) whereby the data of the data carrier (2) can be transfer-red to a computer (7). The data includes aptitude data which characterizes at least one permissible application for the associated object (1). The computer (7) has access to current application data which characterizes a concrete application intended for the relevant object (1). For aptitude testing of the relevant object (1) the computer evaluates the aptitude data thereof and the actual application data. The computer (7) outputs a release signal when the object (1) is suitable for the intended application.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system (1) for point of care diagnosis and/or analysis of a body fluid of a patient, comprising at least one cartridge (2), at least one handheld diagnosis and/or analysis device (3) and at least one data processing device (4). Each cartridge (2) comprises a sample receiving room (5) for receiving a sample of the body fluid to be diagnosed and/or analyzed, a diagnosing and/or analyzing arrangement (6) for measuring at least one physiological parameter of the sample, and a first interface (7) for connecting the cartridge (2) to the handheld device (3). Each handheld device (3) comprises one second interface (8) for connecting one of said cartridges (2) to the handheld device (3), a measurement arrangement (9) co-operating with the connected cartridge (2) for measuring the parameter and generating measurement data thereof, and one third interface (13) for connecting the handheld device (3) to the data processing device (4).

Abstract: A fluid movement system for moving a sample fluid is preferably included in a cartridge to be inserted into a reading device. The fluid movement system includes a pressure variation means for moving the sample fluid under the influence of a pressure variation applied to the fluid movement system, and a timing means for controlling the timing for releasing a pressure in the pressure variation means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for point of care diagnosis and/or analysis of body fluids of a patient, comprising:—a cartridge (2),—a diagnosis and/or analysis apparatus (3),—means (6) for measurement of the concentration of at least one specific component of a sample of the body fluids,—connecting means (8, 13) providing communication for electrical and/or Ooptical values between the cartridge (2) and the diagnosis and/or analysis apparatus (3),—wherein said values correlate with at least one of the respective concentrations,—diagnosing and/or analyzing means (14) measuring the respective concentration value via the connecting means (8, 13),—storage means (10) for storing cartridge specific data and/or information,—reading means (15) for reading the data and/or information out of the storage means (10),—wherein the diagnosing and/or analyzing means (14) evaluate the respective concentration values in accordance to the cartridge specific data a

Abstract: Disclosed is the sensing a sample fluid. The sample fluid is first provided into a cartridge (400), and the cartridge (400) inserted into a reading device (420). A pressure variation is provided in the cartridge (400), and the sample fluid will be moved to a sensing element (140) by using the provided pressure variation and by controlling the timing for releasing a pressure in the pressure variation means (40, 50, 100, 110). The moved the sample fluid can then be sensed by means of the sensing element (140).

Abstract: Optical vehicle display having a set of LEDs arranged in a matrix and having a control circuit which acts as a controllable current source and as controllable voltage source, so that a constant current can be applied for each LED and the respective voltage is established accordingly. An optical vehicle display designed in this way permits a design as a taillight, brake light, flashing indicator and the like in a motor vehicle with favorable production at the same time due to reduced faulty assembly and simple adjustment of the light values.

Abstract: An optical display device has a set of LEDs arranged in a matrix and includes control circuitry which acts as a controllable current source and as controllable voltage sources. The control circuitry enables a constant current to be applied for each LED, and respective voltages to be established accordingly. Due to the additional logic circuitry which deliver different clock pulses at different frequencies for cyclic switching of at least one LED, signals that are visible to the human eye are generated and at the same time signals that are not visible to the human eye are also generated. The signals that are not visible are digitally coded and transmitted for appropriately adapted reading devices. Thus additional information for a variety of purposes can be made available, especially in the communications and traffic area, simultaneously with the lighting up of the LEDs. This refers in particular to traffic control systems, diagnosis and monitoring.

Abstract: A laser system includes a gain medium for providing and amplifying a laser beam within an optical resonator. According to the invention, the laser system actively provides a plurality of different optical modes for stabilizing the laser beam, preferably by forcing the laser beam to jump between different optical modes more frequent than environmental disturbances occur. Providing the plurality of different optical modes can be achieved e.g. by varying the phase of the laser beam and/or by varying the optical length of the optical resonator. The laser system can be employed in a gas monitoring system, e.g. for monitoring a respiration and/or anaesthetic gas, for providing a Raman spectrum of the gas to be monitored.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a target substance in a pixel array is provided. The apparatus has a light source to emit a light suitable for exciting the target substance in the array, a total internal reflection (TIR) member, and a light detector. The TIR member has a TIR surface on which the array is located. The light from the light source passes into the TIR member and is reflected by the TIR surface. The array is within an evanescent field region at the TIR surface. The light detector is adapted to detect light emitted from the array as a result of evanescent excitation of the target substance.

Abstract: The presence of trace materials in a sample is detected using both macroscopic and microscopic properties. A detector includes a light source and an optical resonator. The light source may be located either inside the resonance cavity of the resonator or outside the cavity, in which case it may be a semi-conductor such as a semi-conductor laser or a superluminescent diode. The detector also includes at least one reflective member that has a total internal reflection (TIR) surface and may be a passive device or an active gain element. Light from the light source is preferably focussed onto a single point of reflection on the TIR surface. The test sample is positioned within the evanescent field region of the TIR surface. Optical changes arising within the evanescent field region, such as excitation of fluorescence in the sample, changes in its refractive index, and changes in the resonant frequency of the optical resonator, are then detected.

Abstract: The presence of trace materials in a sample is detected using both macroscopic and microscopic properties. A detector includes a light source and an optical resonator. The light source may be located either inside the resonance cavity of the resonator or outside the cavity, in which case it may be a semi-conductor such as a semi-conductor laser or a superluminescent diode. The detector also includes at least one reflective member that has a total internal reflection (TIR) surface and may be a passive device or an active gain element. Light from the light source is preferably focussed onto a single point of reflection on the TIR surface. The test sample is positioned within the evanescent field region of the TIR surface. Optical changes arising within the evanescent field region, such as excitation of fluorescence in the sample, changes in its refractive index, and changes in the resonant frequency of the optical resonator, are then detected.