Abstract: A procedure for the release and isolation of nucleic acids from biological compartments of a sample always uses an instrument that can hold one or more sample processsing vessels, maintain the sample processing vessels at a constant temperature, shake the sample processing vessels and separate magnetic particles by means of magnetic force. This system greatly simplifies the isolation of nucleic acids.

Abstract: An instrument that can hold one or more sample processsing vessels, maintain the sample processing vessels at a constant temperature, shake the sample processing vessels and separate magnetic particles by means of magnetic force. This system greatly simplifies the isolation of nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for rinsing out a substance present in a zone (d) with a liquid rinsing agent in several rinsing steps and for transferring the rinsing agent emerging from the zone (d) in the last rinsing step to a cuvette (K), wherein the zone (d) is present on a rotor (R) of variable speed of rotation, radially inwardly of the zone (d) on the rotor (R) there is provided a pump chamber (PK) for the rinsing agent which is connected with the zone (d) via a valve chamber (VK2) which fills, under the action of centrifugal force, above a predetermined speed of rotation, from the pump chamber (PK) and empties below the predetermined speed of rotation into the zone (d) and the zone (d) is connected with the cuvette (K) via a pipe (4) which, in one section, the axis of which has a component directed radially outwardly, is directed into a waste chamber (AK).

Abstract: In a process for carrying out an analytical determination by mixing and incubating a sample liquid with at least one dry reagent which is soluble therein to form a reaction mixture liquid and measuring a parameter in the reaction mixture liquid, the sample liquid is first transported along a transport path to the soluble dry reagent and the resulting reaction mixture liquid then further transported along the transport path. The further transporting of the reaction mixture liquid along the transport path is under the influence of a force-change cycle in which centrifugal force and a further force alternately predominate to determine the direction of the further transporting along the transport path. At least one further liquid is transported on another path, part of which is separate from and part of which is common with the transport path, by the force-change cycle in such a manner that at least two of the liquids pass through the common part of the transport path chronologically separated.

Abstract: A photometric liquid analysis apparatus of the centrifugal analysis type uses insert elements having an elongated body, an optical measurement chamber near one end of the elongated body and a positioning trough on one side of the elongated body. The photometric liquid analysis apparatus has a rotor for rotating the insert elements to photometric means for photometric analysis of a liquid then in the optical measurement chamber of the insert element during the rotation of the rotor. The rotor has radial guiding chambers, each having an opening at an end thereof adjacent the outer periphery of the rotor and a configuration for receiving one of the insert elements with its positioning trough on a lateral side thereof and adjacent the outer periphery of the rotor.

Abstract: A process and a device for the centrifugal control and mixing of a limited volumes of fluid, especially in the rotor of a centrifugal analyzer, has at least one baffle chamber, in a flow canal for the fluid the volume of which is greater than the volume of fluid. It is so shaped that, when the device is rotated at a sufficiently high first speed of rotation, the fluid remains in it. An outlet canal is connected to the baffle chamber the fluid. At least a part thereof lies closer to the axis of rotation than the fluid surface during the rotation with the first speed of rotation. The walls of the outlet canal consist of a material which is wettable by the fluid and, in combination therewith, have cross-section which forces the fluid out of the baffle chamber; by boundary surface force when the device is rotated at a second, slower speed.

Abstract: A rotor unit for a centrifugal analyzer comprises a rotatably driven circular rotor base; and a rotor head comprising a plurality of insert elements each having at least one chamber sample for the reception of a sample liquid, at least one measuring chamber radially outwardly from the associated sample chamber for the measurement of characteristic parameters for the detection of components of the sample, at least one liquid channel connecting the sample chamber with the measuring chamber and each insert element is releasably mounted on the rotor base at any one of a plurality of different selectable angular positions wherein the insert element is positionally stable when the rotor base is rotating.