Abstract: The comprises at least one sample receiving chamber for a sample liquid, and a distributor channel for sample liquid connected to said at least one sample receiving chamber, with at least one such distributor channel extending from each sample receiving chamber. The sample support further comprises at least one reaction chamber entered by an inflow channel branched off said at least one distributor channel, and a venting opening for each reaction chamber. Each distributor channel and each inflow channel are dimensioned to have the liquid transport through the distributor and inflow channels effected by capillary forces. In each reaction chamber, the entrance region of the inflow channel is provided with a means for generating a capillary force causing the sample liquid to flow from the inflow channel into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: The sample support comprises at least one sample receiving chamber for a sample liquid, and a distributor channel for sample liquid connected to said at least one sample receiving chamber, with at least one such distributor channel extending from each sample receiving chamber. The sample support further comprises at least one reaction chamber entered by an inflow channel branched off said at least one distributor channel, and a venting opening for each reaction chamber. Each distributor channel and each inflow channel are dimensioned to have the liquid transport through the distributor and inflow channels effected by capillary forces. In each reaction chamber, the entrance region of the inflow channel is provided with a means for generating a capillary force causing the sample liquid to flow from the inflow channel into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microstructure arrangement for the bubble-free filling with a liquid of at least one system for draining off liquids. The arrangement has an inlet for the arrangement to be connected to a system for the supply of liquids and at least one outlet for the arrangement to be connected to the at least one liquid-discharging system. The arrangement has a transition region, through which the liquid can be transported from the inlet to the at least one outlet. At a start of the transition region, at least one first microstructure element for producing a point with increased capillary force is provided, in order to achieve gap-free wetting of the areas bounding this point with increased capillary force, in particular side walls, a cover and/or a bottom.

Abstract: A micro-liter liquid sample, particularly a biological sample, is analyzed in a device employing centrifugal and capillary forces. The sample is moved through one or more sample wells arrayed within a small flat chip via interconnecting capillary passageways. The passageways may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic and may include hydrophobic or hydrophilic capillary stops.

Abstract: A micro-liter liquid sample, particularly a biological sample, is analyzed in a device employing centrifugal and capillary forces. The sample is moved through one or more sample wells arrayed within a small flat chip via interconnecting capillary passageways. The passageways may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic and may include hydrophobic or hydrophilic capillary stops.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for analyzing biological samples is provided with a sample inlet section including an inlet port, a capillary passageway communication with the inlet port and with an inlet chamber. The inlet chamber includes means for uniformly distributing the sample liquid across the inlet chamber and purging the air initially contained therein.

Abstract: A process and a device for determining the viscosity of a fluid are proposed. Very simple and accurate determination is enabled in that the magnetic particles in the fluid are set into vibration by a magnetic field which varies over time. A measurement of the amplitude and/or phase of particle vibration is used to determine the viscosity or an associated quantity, such as the coagulation of blood or the glucose content.

Abstract: A fluid can be discontinuously atomized with an atomizer of the present invention. The atomizer can include a helical spring, disk spring or gas spring, acting as a pressure spring, as an energy storage device, a cylinder, piston, two ducts and two valves. Atomization can be initiated manually by triggering a locking mechanism. The energy storage device can be disposed outside a storage container for the fluid. The energy storage device can be provided mechanical energy manually. Via the piston, the stored energy can exert pressure onto the fluid in the cylinder, which ranges from 1 MPa to 5 MPa (10 bar to 50 bar). Distribution of the droplet size in the atomized jet can be independent from the level of experience and behavior of the person actuating the atomizer, and can be adjusted in a reproducible manner. The mean droplet diameter can be smaller than about 50 micrometers. The mass flow of the fluid through the nozzle can be less than about 0.4 g/s.

Abstract: A method and a device for tie atomization of a liquid by directing a jet of liquid onto a hot contact surface, in particular a deflecting surface, so that a part of the liquid is vaporized. The non-vaporized liquid is atomized into small droplets that form an aerosol.

Abstract: The device (10) for the stepwise transport of liquid, particularly of sample liquid to be analyzed, through several reaction chambers located in series in terms of flow while utilizing capillary forces comprises at least one channel (14) through which liquid is transportable on the basis of capillary forces. Further, the device (10) comprises at least two closed vent holes (38,40,42) which are in fluid communication with the channel (14) at connection sites (22,24,26) spaced from each other along the channel (14). The connection sites (22,24,26) divide the channel (14) into several channel sections (44,46,48). The fluid connections between a respective channel section (44,46,48) and the vent holes (38,40,42) allocated thereto can be opened separately.

Abstract: A microstructured separating device, especially for separating liquid components from a particle-containing liquid, comprising the following features: at least one transport channel for transport of the liquid in a given transport direction; at least one separating area at a branch point of the transport channel which is adjoined by a side channel through which a partial flow of the liquid from the transport channel is diverted; a microstructure in the separating area which keeps larger particles of the liquid out of the separating area and which slows down the transport of smaller particles in the separating area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for collecting blood and separating blood plasma as a liquid sample, by means of a canal that absorbs the liquid sample by capillary forces. The aim of the invention is to obtain a uniform filling of the canal with the liquid sample and an effective separation. To achieve this, deaeration takes place in a transverse direction to the main filling direction or to the longitudinal direction of the canal, immediately downstream of a separation device in an inlet region of the canal.

Abstract: A device and a process for testing a sample liquid in which especially the ELISA process can be carried out very easily, rapidly and with high precision. To do this, a sample liquid and a dilution liquid are each supplied to several metering chambers of different volumes, so that the sample liquid can be diluted into assigned reaction chambers in one dilution step in different dilution ratios. Different liquids can be supplied in succession to the reaction chambers by means of a common receiving chamber. The liquids are transferred from the reaction chambers into the assigned test chambers to stop the detection reaction.

Abstract: An inhaler, a store and a method for atomizing a dry medicament formulation are disclosed. The medicament formulation is first dissolved by a liquid solvent and then atomized together with the solvent. This allows easy metering and satisfactory storage of the medicament formulation in the dry state. Particularly preferably, the dry medicament formulation is prepared by drying an initially liquid medicament formulation. Alternatively, the dried medicament formulation may also be expelled in dry form by means of a gas current and atomized.

Abstract: In the swell-welding according to the invention of two bodies, of which at least one body consists of plastic, the connection surface of the plastic body is firstly exposed to a gas which contains the vapor of a swelling agent for the plastic. The plastic body reversibly swollen at the surface is welded to the other body by pressing onto one another, and the pressed-together bodies are conditioned. In all process steps, the temperature of the bodies to be connected is below the glass transition temperature of the plastic. No auxiliary substance remains in the welded body. The flush connection produced by swell welding is durable and strong.

Abstract: The sample support comprises at least one sample receiving chamber for a sample liquid, and a distributor channel for sample liquid connected to said at least one sample receiving chamber, with at least one such distributor channel extending from each sample receiving chamber. The sample support further comprises at least one reaction chamber entered by an inflow channel branched off said at least one distributor channel, and a venting opening for each reaction chamber. Each distributor channel and each inflow channel are dimensioned to have the liquid transport through the distributor and inflow channels effected by capillary forces. In each reaction chamber, the entrance region of the inflow channel is provided with a means for generating a capillary force causing the sample liquid to flow from the inflow channel into the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A process and a device for separating and exhausting gas bubbles from a flowing liquid, especially in a microfluidic system, are proposed. Radial deflection of the liquid, a preferably annular deaeration chamber from which gas can escape through gas separation material, and a following discharge filter are characteristic. The discharge filter is made of a hydrophilic material which forms pores or small channels. Optionally, there is an inlet filter of the corresponding material upstream of the deaeration chamber.

Abstract: A microliter liquid sample, particularly a biological sample, is analyzed in a device employing centrifugal and capillary forces. The sample is moved by capillary forces into one or more metering wells which define the amount of the sample to be analyzed in subsequent steps. The defined amount of the sample is transferred from the metering wells to one or more conditioning and reagent wells for measuring the amount of an analyte contained in each metered amount of the sample.

Abstract: A device and a process for testing a sample liquid wherein the sample liquid flows laminarly by capillary forces over a flat side of a channel to completely filling a reaction area which has a soluble and/or reacting reagent on the flat side and defines a reaction volume of the sample liquid, the reaction volume being temporarily stopped in the reaction area for dissolving or reacting at least 90% of the reagent in the defined reaction volume of the sample liquid, and at least 90% of the dissolved reagent or a reaction product, after stopping, flows together with the reaction volume into the test area which is formed by the channel downstream of the reaction area, the sample liquid flowing with an at least essentially straight liquid front and/or at least essentially without a change in the flow cross section from the reaction area into the test area.

Abstract: A microfluidic device provides separation of particles in a liquid sample, particularly, separation of a sample of whole blood into its components for further analysis. Separation into red blood cells and plasma occurs within a few seconds after the blood sample has been transferred into a separation chamber with the application of centrifugal force of less than about five times gravity. With the application of greater force measurement of hematocrit is possible.