Abstract: A centrifugal device comprising: a rotor having a rotor shaft having a longitudinal rotor axis; a holder having an access end, and a holder axis; a location mechanism for locating the holder within the centrifugal device, such that the holder is rotatable about the rotor axis, with the holder axis forming a non-zero angle with the rotor shaft axis, the location mechanism accurately locating the access end of the holder within the centrifugal device, wherein the location mechanism comprises a holding pin having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotor axis, the holding pin being rotatable about the rotor axis.

Abstract: A centrifugal device comprising: a rotor having a rotor shaft having a longitudinal rotor axis; a holder having an access end, and a holder axis; location means for locating the holder within the centrifugal device, such that the holder is rotatable about the rotor axis, with the holder axis forming a non-zero angle with the rotor shaft axis, the location means accurately locating the access end of the holder within the centrifugal device, wherein the location means comprises a holding pin having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotor axis, the holding pin being rotatable about the rotor axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high through-put system for determining and/or monitoring electrophysiological properties of ion channels of ion channel-containing membranes, typically lipid membrane-containing structures such as cells. In particular, the invention provides a substrate which provides means for automatically positioning cells at measuring sites using electroosmotic flow in canals formed on or in the substrate. The electroosmotic flow is generated and controlled by electroosmotic flow pumps integrated on the substrate or positioned in relation thereto. Thereby, cells can be positioned in favorable measurement configuration at a plurality of sites for performing testing and measurements. Also, the invention relates to a main electric circuit for performing testing and measurements on a plurality of cells in parallel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate and a method for obtaining an electrophysiological measuring configuration in which a cell forms a high resistive seal (giga-seal) around a measuring electrode making it suitable for determining and monitoring a current flow through the cell membrane. The substrate is typically part of an apparatus for studying electrical events in cell membranes, such as an apparatus for carrying out patch clamp techniques utilised to study ion transfer channels in biological membranes. The substrate has a plurality or an array of measuring sites with integrated measuring and reference electrodes formed by wafer processing technology. The electrodes are adapted to conduct a current between them by delivery of ions by one electrode and receipt of ions by the other electrode and are typically silver/silver halide electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate and a method for obtaining an electrophysiological measuring configuration in which a cell forms a high resistive seal (giga-seal) around a measuring electrode making it suitable for determining and monitoring a current flow through the cell membrane. The substrate is typically part of an apparatus for studying electrical events in cell membranes, such as an apparatus for carrying out patch clamp techniques utilised to study ion transfer channels in biological membranes. The substrate has a plurality or an array of measuring sites with integrated measuring and reference electrodes formed by wafer processing technology. The electrodes are adapted to conduct a current between them by delivery of ions by one electrode and receipt of ions by the other electrode and are typically silver/silver halide electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high through-put system for determining and/or monitoring electrophysiological properties of ion channels of ion channel-containing membranes, typically lipid membrane-containing structures such as cells. In particular, the invention provides a substrate which provides means for automatically positioning cells at measuring sites using electroosmotic flow in canals formed on or in the substrate. The electroosmotic flow is generated and controlled by electroosmotic flow pumps integrated on the substrate or positioned in relation thereto. Thereby, cells can be positioned in favorable measurement configuration at a plurality of sites for performing testing and measurements. Also, the invention relates to a main electric circuit for performing testing and measurements on a plurality of cells in parallel.

Abstract: Textured yarns which can be processed for example by deep-drawing into irreversibly highly formable woven or knitted fabrics and a process for their preparation are described. These yarns have degrees of elasticity of below 50% and contain at least as carrier component undrawn but partially oriented polyester filaments which have been improved by a heat treatment in their flow stress.

Abstract: A yarn component containing at least one filament is prepared by:selecting at least one partially oriented, undrawn synthetic filament having a birefringence of at least 20.times.10.sup.-3 and an elongation at break of 70-200%, andsubjecting the thus-selected filament or filaments to a heat treatment at 100.degree.-180.degree. C. under tension. The resulting yarn component has a degree of elasticity under a load of 5 cN/tex of less than 50%, which causes the yarn to be especially well suited for use in formable sheet structures.

Abstract: A textile sheet structure which is irreversibly highly deformable is prepared by weaving or knitting a yarn which has a degree of elasticity under a load of 5 cN/tex of less than 50% and which consists at least in part of partially oriented, undrawn synthetic filaments which have birefringence values above 20.times.10.sup.-3, elongations at break between 70 and 200% and flow stresses of at least 6 cN/tex, which have been produced by high-speed spinning and are then subjected to a heat treatment under stress at temperatures between 100.degree. and 180.degree. C.