Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for presenting an analyte of a liquid sample as an MS-analyte to a mass spectrometer. More particularly, the method comprises the steps of applying a liquid sample containing the analyte to a sample inlet port of a microchannel structure of a microfluidic device, said structure also comprising an outlet port (MS-port) that is capable of being interfaced with a mass spectrometer, passing the analyte to the MS-port thereby transforming it to an MS-analyte, and presenting the MS-analyte to mass spectrometer via the MS-port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling flow of liquids in a micro channel structure. It comprises providing in said micro channel structure plugs (34) of polymer material in said structure, said polymer material in a first state blocking said channel from liquid flow, and in a second state providing a free path-way (32) for liquid flow. Energy is selectively applied so as to cause said polymer to enter a desired one of said first or second states. It also relates to a micro channel valve system, comprising a plurality of such plugs (34). Additionally it comprises a chemical reactor, comprising a plurality of micro chambers interconnected by micro channels, having a valve system according to the invention.

Abstract: A method and a distributor are provided for ensuring efficient and expandable distribution of signals in a network. Distribution rules are defined by configuration in a distributor. A rule comprises one or more patterns used to attempt finding a match with a signal content. A result of a match attempt in a rule may lead to a destination for the signal content or to another rule. Rules are assembled hierarchically to form a decision tree. A network of distributors may be used instead of a single distributor. Functional units use distributors to exchange signals content. A configuration of the decision tree can be modified without impacting ongoing signal distribution. Functional units can be added, split or otherwise reorganized without having to cater for signal distribution modifications.

Abstract: A microfluidic device adapted such that the flow of fluids within the device is controlled by different surfaces of the device having different surface characteristics. Preferably the device comprises a substrate not formed from a hydrated oxide material.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds of the general Formula (I) as ligands to the melanocortin receptors and/or for treatment of disorders in the melanocortin system: wherein X is (CH2)n where n is 0, 1 or 2; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, hydroxy, alkylsulphonyloxy, cyano, nitro, trihaloalkyl, sulpho or one of the structures given in Scheme 1; or two of R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 may together form a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy moiety; R6, R7, R8 and R9 are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, hydroxy, amines (primary, secondary or tertiary) having 0, 1 or 2 carbon atoms, cyano, nitro, trihaloalkyl, amide or sulpho, and z where shown represents the point of attachment of the residue to the phenyl or pyrrole ring; and the pharmacologically active salts thereof.

Abstract: A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine having at least one exhaust line (15, 16) for evacuating exhaust gases from the combustion chamber of the engine and at least on inlet line for supplying air to the combustion chamber. A high-pressure turbine (17) interacts with a high-pressure compressor (19) and a low-pressure turbine (21) interacts with a low-pressure compressor (23) in order to extract energy from the exhaust flow of the engine and pressurize the inlet air of the engine. Both compressor stages are of the radial type and are provided with compressor wheels having backswept blades, in which a blade angle between an imaginary extension of the blade along the centerline between root section and tip section in the direction of the outlet tangent and a line connecting the center axis of the compressor wheel to the outer point of the blade, is at least about 40 degrees.

Abstract: A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine (10) having at least one exhaust line (15, 16) for evacuating exhaust gases from the combustion chamber (11) of the engine and at least one inlet line (12) for supplying air to the combustion chamber. A high-pressure turbine (17) interacts with a high-pressure compressor (19) and hereupon forms a high-pressure turbo unit (18) with a common rotation axis. A low-pressure turbine (21) interacts with a low-pressure compressor (23) and hereupon forms a low-pressure turbo unit (22) with a common rotation axis, for extracting energy from the exhaust flow of the engine and pressurizing the inlet air of the engine. The low-pressure turbine (21) is of the axial type.

Abstract: A turbocharger unit (18) for an internal combustion engine (10) with at least one exhaust line (15, 16) for conducting exhaust gases away from the combustion chamber (11) of the engine and at least one inlet line (12) for supplying air to the combustion chamber. The turbocharger unit includes a turbine (17) which interacts with a compressor (19) for extracting energy from the exhaust gas flow of the engine and pressurizing the inlet air of the engine. The compressor (19) is of radial type and provided with an impeller with backswept blades (35) where the blade angle (?b2) between an imaginary extension of the center line of the blade between root section and tip section in the direction of the outlet tangent and a line (36) which connects the center axis of the impeller to the outer tip of the blade is at least roughly 45°. The turbine (17) which drives the compressor (19) is of radial type.

Abstract: A partial-length catheter, or an extendable tube or sleeve member of the catheter, is selectively movable within the prostatic urethra to open a urine drainage passageway through and obstructed portion of the prostatic urethra or to open the external urinary sphincter muscle and thereby discharge urine from the bladder. A control element is manipulated at a position exterior of the urinary canal to selectively move the catheter or the extendable tube or sleeve member, thereby selectively controlling urine discharge. The catheter may also be used to diagnose urinary retention problems caused by a weak bladder or a prostatic obstruction.

Abstract: A method of controlled heating of a micro channel reactor structure (46, 48, 50) comprises providing a structure (b1, b2, B1, B2) defining a desired temperature profile. A preferred embodiment of a heating element structure comprises a pattern of areas of a material capable of providing heat when energized, disposed over said micro channel reactor structure.

Abstract: A method, system and Edge Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) Relay/Server for handling MMS messages in an MMS system, wherein incoming MMS messages are received at the Edge MMS Relay/Server from User Agents (UAs). The former determines criteria associated with the MMS messages and based on the criteria, selectively forwards the MMS messages to the proper MMS Relay/Server of a second stage of the MMS system, where the MMS messages are handled based on their type, and further delivered to the MMS recipients. Such criteria may include the retrieval time of the messages, the type of subscription of the user (prepaid vs postpaid), the need for transcoding the MMS message, and immediate vs future delivery time.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing temperature cycling, comprising a micro channel reactor structure (46, 48, 50), and having a heating structure (b1, b2, B1, B2) defining a desired temperature profile. A preferred embodiment of a heating element structure comprises a pattern of areas of a material capable of providing heat when energized, disposed over said micro channel reactor structure.

Abstract: A method of controlled heating of a micro channel reactor structure (46, 48, 50) comprises providing a structure (b1, b2, B1, B2) defining a desired temperature profile. A preferred embodiment of a heating element structure comprises a pattern of areas of a material capable of providing heat when energized, disposed over said micro channel reactor structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for presenting an analyte of a liquid sample as an MS-analyte to a mass spectrometer. More particularly, the method comprises the steps of applying a liquid sample containing the analyte to a sample inlet port of a microchannel structure of a microfluidic device, said structure also comprising an outlet port (MS-port) that is capable of being interfaced with a mass spectrometer, passing the analyte to the MS-port thereby transforming it to an MS-analyte, and presenting the MS-analyte to mass spectrometer via the MS-port.

Abstract: A method for characterizing n components An of n catalytic systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for performing the steps of nucleic acid template purification, thermocycling reaction and purification of the products of the thermocycling reaction characterized in that the steps take place sequentially in a microfluidic disc. Also disclosed is a microstructure for fluids comprising at least one inlet opening connected to a first chamber incorporating a means for purifying template nucleic acid which, in turn, is connected to a second chamber incorporating a means for a thermocycling reaction which, in turn, is connected to a third chamber incorporating a means for purifying products of the thermocycling reaction, and a microfluidic disc comprising a plurality of such microstructures.

Abstract: A microfluidic device that comprises several microchannel structures in which there are an inlet port, an outlet port and there between a structural unit comprising a fluidic function. The structural unit can be selected amongst units enabling a) retaining of nl-aliquots comprising constituents which has been defined by mixing of aliquots within the microfluidic device (unit A), b) mixing of aliquots of liquids (unit B), c) partition of larger aliquots of liquids into smaller aliquots of liquids and distributing the latter individually and in parallel to different microchannel structure of the same microfluidic device (unit C), d) quick penetration into a microchannel structure of an aliquot of a liquid dispensed to an inlet port of a microchannel structure (unit D), and e) volume definition integrated within a microchannel structure (unit E).

Abstract: A microfluidic device that comprises several microchannel structures in which there are an inlet port, an outlet port and there between a structural unit comprising a fluidic function. The structural unit can be selected amongst units enabling a) retaining of nl-aliquots comprising constituents which has been defined by mixing of aliquots within the microfluidic device (unit A), b) mixing of aliquots of liquids (unit B), c) partition of larger aliquots of liquids into smaller aliquots of liquids and distributing the latter individually and in parallel to different microchannel structure of the same microfluidic device (unit C), d) quick penetration into a microchannel structure of an aliquot of a liquid dispensed to an inlet port of a microchannel structure (unit D), and e) volume definition integrated within a microchannel structure (unit E).

Abstract: A microfluidic device that comprises several microchannel structures in which there are an inlet port, an outlet port and there between a structural unit comprising a fluidic function. The structural unit can be selected amongst units enabling a) retaining of nl-aliquots comprising constituents which has been defined by mixing of aliquots within the microfluidic device (unit A), b) mixing of aliquots of liquids (unit B), c) partition of larger aliquots of liquids into smaller aliquots of liquids and distributing the latter individually and in parallel to different microchannel structure of the same microfluidic device (unit C), d) quick penetration into a microchannel structure of an aliquot of a liquid dispensed to an inlet port of a microchannel structure (unit D), and e) volume definition integrated within a microchannel structure (unit E).

Abstract: A microfluidic device that comprises several microchannel structures in which there are an inlet port, an outlet port and there between a structural unit comprising a fluidic function. The structural unit can be selected amongst units enabling a) retaining of nl-aliquots comprising constituents which has been defined by mixing of aliquots within the microfluidic device (unit A), b) mixing of aliquots of liquids (unit B), c) partition of larger aliquots of liquids into smaller aliquots of liquids and distributing the latter individually and in parallel to different microchannel structure of the same microfluidic device (unit C), d) quick penetration into a microchannel structure of an aliquot of a liquid dispensed to an inlet port of a microchannel structure (unit D), and e) volume definition integrated within a microchannel structure (unit E).