Abstract: A probe for detecting magnetic particles. In one embodiment, the probe includes: a cylindrical probe core having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical probe core defining two channels for containing coils of wire, one of the channels being adjacent the first end of the cylindrical probe core; two sense coils, one each of the sense coils being located in a respective one of the channels; and two drive coils, one each of the drive coils being co-located with the respective sense coil in a respective one of the channels.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for automatically extracting i2,6-diisopropylphenol (Propofol), from a complex sample matrix comprising cellular material, e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining the presence of an analyte of interest by means of a detection of a reaction product between the analyte of interest and a reactant, the method comprising extracting the analyte of interest from a complex sample matrix; transferring the analyte of interest to an initial reaction mixture; performing a background measurement on the initial reaction mixture comprising at most a negligible concentration of the reaction product, wherein the reaction conditions present in said initial reaction mixture at least reduce the reaction rate of the formation of the reaction product such that the background measurement can be performed without a measurable change in said negligible concentration; altering the reaction conditions in the initial reaction mixture to accelerate said reaction rate; continuing said reaction until the concentration of the reaction product has stabilized; performing a second measurement on the resultant reaction mixture to obtain a signal correlated to said con

Abstract: This invention relates to a sensor and in particular to a sensor for the detection of biologically important species. Specifically, the invention provides a method for detecting an analyte in the presence of at least one interferent in a sample. The method comprises the steps of providing a sensor having a transducer and a receptor layer in communication with the transducer, in which the receptor layer comprises a material for absorbing the analyte; exposing the receptor layer to the sample; treating the receptor layer to remove selectively the at least one interferent; and measuring the signal from the transducer. The treatment step is performed by applying a change in potential, a change in pH or a change in temperature to the receptor layer, by washing the receptor layer, by irradiating the receptor layer, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sensor and in particular to a sensor for the detection of biologically important species. Specifically, the invention provides a sensor for detecting an analyte in a sample.

Abstract: A polymer capable of selectively binding propofol is prepared from one or more suitable monomers (e.g. N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate) and a cross-linker. It may be a molecularly imprinted polymer. An element (7) of the polymer may be used in a propofol sensor (1) mounted in a confinement structure (3) on a substrate (2).

Abstract: A polymer capable of selectively binding alfentanil is prepared from one or more suitable monomers (e.g. ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate) and a cross-linker. It may be a molecularly imprinted polymer. An element (7) of the polymer may be used in an alfentanil sensor (1) mounted in a confinement structure (3) on a substrate (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implant 100 which comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive closed loops (300A, 300B, 300C, 300D; 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D each constituted from a plurality of loop portions such as struts (400, 500). The loops together form apertured walls of a cage with an interior volume, and the portions in any one said loop providing electrically-conductive pathways within which eddy currents are liable to be induced when the implant is subjected to an time-dependent external magnetic field, with each said loop comprising at least first and second said pathways. The implant is characterized in that the first and second pathways are arranged such that, in any particular magnetic field, the direction of the eddy current that would be induced in the second pathway is the reverse of the direction of the eddy current that would be induced in the first pathway, so as to mitigate the tendency of the implant to function in said magnetic field as a Faraday cage.

Abstract: A method of hermetically packaging an electronic device (8), in an enclosure (2) comprising mutually inter-engageable first and second housing members (4, 6), comprising the steps of securing the electronic device (8) to the first housing member (4), engaging the first (4) and second (6) housing members such that an hermetic seal is provided there between, wherein the engagement step is performed in a controlled atmosphere. The hermetic seal may be provided by an interference fit between the first (4) and second (6) housing members or via sealing means (16) interposed between the housing members (4, 6). The second housing member (6) may comprise an optical element (20), for example a window or lens. The packaging method is particularly applicable to packaging thermal detectors, for example microbolometer arrays.

Abstract: A combined surface topography and spectroscopic analysis instrument comprises a scanning tunnelling microscope tip (12); and a sample carrier (58) which supports a sample (10) so that a surface thereto to be analyzed is presented towards the tip (12). The sample carrier (58) and the tip (12) are relative movable to enable the distance between the tip (12) and the surface to be varied in use and the sample surface to be scanned in two dimensions by the tip (12). An electronic analyzer is positioned to detect electrons from the tip (12) which have been back-scattered off the sample surface. A voltage controller (59) enables selective operation of the tip (12) in a first voltage range in scanning tunnelling mode, to enable spatial resolution imaging of the sample surface, and in a second, higher, voltage range in electron field emission mode whereby to permit the electron analyzer to analyze the back-scattered electrons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a position sensor which is suitable for use in a piston and cylinder assembly. The position sensor includes a movable field modifying member which is operable to vary the inductance of a sensor winding, whereby the position of the field modifying member relative to the sensor winding can be determined by monitoring the inductance of the sensor winding. The position sensor also includes a compensation winding which is arranged to have a common coupling with the field modifying member whereby a signal output from the compensation winding can be used to compensate for variations in the signal level output by the sensor winding caused by, for example, temperature variations of the system.

Abstract: A shower handset having teats formed in an elastomeric plate wherein positioning of the elastomeric plate behind the spray plate causes the teats to deflect outwardly, the cross-sectional areas of outlet orifices increasing in response to increasing flow rate.

Abstract: A combined surface topography and spectroscopic analysis instrument comprises a scanning tunnelling microscope tip (12); and a sample carrier (58) which supports a sample (10) so that a surface thereof to be analyzed is presented towards the tip (12). The sample carrier (58) and the tip (12) are relative movable to enable the distance between the tip (12) and the surface to be varied in use and the sample surface to be scanned in two dimensions by the tip (12). An electron analyzer is positioned to detect electrons from the tip (12) which have been back-scattered off the sample surface. A voltage controller (59) enables selective operation of the tip (12) in a first voltage range in scanning tunnelling mode, to enable spatial resolution imaging of the sample surface, and in a second, higher, voltage range in electron field emission mode whereby to permit the electron analyzer to analyze the back-scattered electrons.

Abstract: The present invention provides a position sensor which is suitable for use in a piston and cylinder assembly. The position sensor includes a movable field modifying member which is operable to vary the inductance of a sensor winding, whereby the position of the field modifying member relative to the sensor winding can be determined by monitoring the inductance of the sensor winding. The position sensor also includes a compensation winding which is arranged to have a common coupling with the field modifying member whereby a signal output from the compensation winding can be used to compensate for variations in the signal level output by the sensor winding caused by, for example, temperature variations of the system.