Abstract: A device is provided comprising a receiving chamber for receiving a patient's sample, a first reagent reservoir and a second reagent reservoir. The receiving chamber may be configured for receiving at least an end portion of a sample collecting element, with the patient's sample being collected by that sample collecting element. The first reagent reservoir may generally be configured to accommodate a liquid reagent which may include a lysing agent, i.e. the liquid may be a kind of a lysis buffer. Likewise, the second reagent reservoir may generally be configured to accommodate a dry reagent which may include magnetic particles. The device may further comprise at least one of the following two actuators, a first actuator for supplying a first reagent from the first reagent reservoir to the sample and a second actuator for supplying a second reagent from the second reagent reservoir to the resulting mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (100) for isolating an analyte (2) from a body fluid sample (4), wherein the analyte (2) is part of a target (6) contained in the body fluid sample (4). The device (100) comprises at least two types of magnetic particles (8, 12) for binding the analyte (2) and/or the target (6), at least three chambers (16, 18, 20) arranged in series to allow controlled movement of the magnetic particles (8, 12) and at least one fluid for releasing the analyte (2) from the target (6).

Abstract: In order to provide a system allowing an improved and facilitated preparation of a sample for an appropriate analysis, a device for preparing a patient's sample before analysis is provided. The device comprises a housing (10, 30) and an actuator (50). The housing includes a receiving chamber (32). The receiving chamber is configured for receiving a liquid. The actuator is movable relative to the housing. The actuator is configured for extracting a predetermined amount of the liquid received in the receiving chamber and for supplying the extracted liquid to a reagent chamber, so that the reagent is suspended in the liquid. The actuator comprises a metering chamber (52) configured for receiving the predetermined amount of the liquid and for supplying the predetermined amount of the liquid to the reagent chamber.

Abstract: A device is provided comprising a receiving chamber for receiving a patient's sample, a first reagent reservoir and a second reagent reservoir. The receiving chamber may be configured for receiving at least an end portion of a sample collecting element, with the patient's sample being collected by that sample collecting element. The first reagent reservoir may generally be configured to accommodate a liquid reagent which may include a lysing agent, i.e. the liquid may be a kind of a lysis buffer. Likewise, the second reagent reservoir may generally be configured to accommodate a dry reagent which may include magnetic particles. The device may further comprise at least one of the following two actuators, a first actuator for supplying a first reagent from the first reagent reservoir to the sample and a second actuator for supplying a second reagent from the second reagent reservoir to the resulting mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (100) for isolating an analyte (2) from a body fluid sample (4), wherein the analyte (2) is part of a target (6) contained in the body fluid sample (4). The device (100) comprises at least two types of magnetic particles (8, 12) for binding the analyte (2) and/or the target (6), at least three chambers (16, 18, 20) arranged in series to allow controlled movement of the magnetic particles (8, 12) and at least one fluid for releasing the analyte (2) from the target (6).

Abstract: In order to provide a system allowing an improved and facilitated preparation of a sample for an appropriate analysis, a device for preparing a patient's sample before analysis is provided. The device comprises a housing (10, 30) and an actuator (50). The housing includes a receiving chamber (32). The receiving chamber is configured for receiving a liquid. The actuator is movable relative to the housing. The actuator is configured for extracting a predetermined amount of the liquid received in the receiving chamber and for supplying the extracted liquid to a reagent chamber, so that the reagent is suspended in the liquid. The actuator comprises a metering chamber (52) configured for receiving the predetermined amount of the liquid and for supplying the predetermined amount of the liquid to the reagent chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for optically detecting at least one substance in a fluid (200). The system (1) comprises particles (400, 410) arranged to be dispersed in the fluid (200), each one comprising a magnetic bead (400) and an agent (410). The agent (410) is reactive with said substance such that it gives a specific optical response upon a determined optical excitation or a chemical reaction. The system (1) further comprises a chamber (330) to contain said fluid (200) and particles (400, 410). The chamber (330) is closed at one side by a window (310) optically transparent to the wavelengths of said optical response and said optical excitation. The system (1) further comprises an optical detector (100) adapted to detect at least a portion of said optical response. The system (1) further comprises magnetic sources (103) arranged to magnetically move the particles (400, 410) onto or close to the window (310).

Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a magnetic source (150) and two chambers (110) that are connected by a channel. The chambers and the channel are filled with different fluids such that a non-zero surface tension is created at the associated fluidic interfaces. Moreover, the magnetic source (150) is arranged to provide at least two separate magnetic gradient regions (GR) and to allow for the attraction of magnetic particles (MP) present in one of the chambers into these different regions. The magnetic forces (F) generated by at least one of the gradient regions (GR) is strong enough to allow for pushing or pulling magnetic particles through the fluidic interfaces. The magnetic source may be realized by a permanent magnet (150) of hexahedral shape. A method achieves dispersion and re-accumulation of an ensemble of magnetic particles in the microfluidic system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system comprising a magnetic source (150) and two chambers (110) that are connected by a channel. According to a preferred embodiment, the chambers and the channel are filled with different fluids such that a non-zero surface tension is created at the associated fluidic interfaces. Moreover, the magnetic source (150) is arranged to provide at least two separate magnetic gradient regions (GR) and to allow for the attraction of magnetic particles (MP) present in one of the chambers into these different regions, wherein furthermore the magnetic attraction forces (F) generated by at least one of the gradient regions (GR) is strong enough to allow for pushing or pulling magnetic particles through said fluidic interfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic source may be realized by a permanent magnet (150) of hexahedral shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (100) for the enrichment of magnetic particles (1) in a sample fluid. The sample fluid is provided in a sample cartridge (2) between a first pole (111) and a second pole (112) of an actuator magnet (110). A minimal magnetic flux as well as a minimal magnetic gradient are then established inside the sample fluid, wherein their values depend on the particular magnetic particles (1) and the sample fluid under consideration. In a preferred embodiment, the first pole (111) has a single tip (T).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (100) for the enrichment of magnetic particles (1) in a sample fluid. The sample fluid is provided in a sample cartridge (2) between a first pole (111) and a second pole (112) of an actuator magnet (110). A minimal magnetic flux as well as a minimal magnetic gradient are then established inside the sample fluid, wherein their values depend on the particular magnetic particles (1) and the sample fluid under consideration. In a preferred embodiment, the first pole (111) has a single tip (T).