Abstract: A detection system for detecting luminescence sites on a substrate and including an irradiation unit for generating at least one excitation irradiation beam for exciting luminescence sites on the substrate; a first optical element, e.g. refractive element adapted for receiving at least two irradiation beams of different wavelengths or wavelength ranges, the at least two irradiation beams being excitation irradiation beam(s) to be focused on a substrate and/or luminescence irradiation beam(s) to be collected from the excited luminescence sites on the substrate; and an optical compensator for adjusting at least one of the at least two irradiation beams of different wavelengths or wavelength ranges so as to reduce or compensate for optical aberrations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensing device for sensing target elements in a fluid. The sensing device comprises a substrate (61) having first regions (66a) and second regions (66b). A patterned first layer (62) is provided on the substrate (61), wherein the patterned first layer (62) covers the second regions (66b) and does not cover the first regions (66a). In the first regions (66a) capture elements (64) are arranged for capturing the target elements. Such a sensing device allows defining the first regions, i.e. capture regions, by the patterned first layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosensor comprising a cartridge for accommodating a fluid sample, the cartridge comprising at least two chambers, wherein each chamber comprises a sensor surface with one or more binding sites. The biosensor further comprises means for generating a magnetic field at the binding sites of the sensor surfaces of the at least two chambers. The biosensor also comprises means for detecting particles accumulated at/and or proximate the binding sites of the sensor surfaces of the at least two chambers. Therein, the magnetic field at the binding sites has a sufficiently large gradient to actuate magnetic label particles towards the binding sites.

Abstract: A detection system combines an excitation radiation source (18) providing excitation radiation (10) to an analysis region of a sample (14) within a substrate (16) having a detection surface, a detector (22) for detecting radiation collected from the analysis region comprising the detection surface of the sample resulting from the excitation, and a magnet arrangement (24) beneath the analysis region of the sample, and stationary with respect to the excitation radiation source and light coupling arrangement, for attracting magnetic beads (15) within the sample to the substrate surface The detection radiation is collected from the detection surface of the substrate, to give an enhanced surface specificity The invention combines the advantages of surface detection with a simple low cost magnetic system for bringing the target to the surface

Abstract: A system and method is described for detecting a plurality of analytes in a sample. The characterization system (100) comprises an aperture array (108) and a lens array (110) for generating and focusing a plurality of excitation sub-beams on different sub-regions of a substrate. These sub-regions can be provided with different binding sites for binding different analytes in the sample. By detecting the different luminescent responses in a detector, the presence or amount of different analytes can be determined simultaneously. Alternatively or in addition thereto collection of the luminescence radiation can be performed using the lens array for directly collecting the luminescence response and for guiding the collected luminescence response to corresponding apertures.

Abstract: A detection system, comprising: a radiation source (24) for providing input radiation; a radiation focusing arrangement (26) for providing the input radiation to an analysis region of a sample (20);—a radiation collection (26) arrangement for collecting output radiation from the analysis region of the sample resulting from interaction of the input radiation with the sample; a radiation detector (28) for detecting the collected output radiation; operating means (40,50,60) for operating the detection device in a first detection mode and a second detection mode, wherein in the first detection mode the analysis has a first size and/or shape and wherein in the second detection mode the analysis region has a second size and/or shape that is different from the first size and/or shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microf luidic device, for instance for molecular sieving or for detecting a target substance in a sample fluid. The device comprises a first substrate (120) having a substantially flat first surface that is provided with first recesses (124), and a second substrate (128) having a substantially flat second surface that is provided with second recesses (130). At least some of the first recesses are filled with a porous material (114). Alternate first recesses and second recesses form a meandering channel for a sample fluid. The second recesses may be filled with a further porous material. In an embodiment, a capture substance for binding a target substance is arranged in or on the porous material.

Abstract: The invention relates to phase-separated composite for microfluidic applications, whereby the polymerization/phase separation is performed in such a way that a top-layer of a certain ratio to the height of the composite is achieved in order to ensure the stability of the composite.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a waveguide sensor as well as to an evanescent field induced evanescent field induced sensor system for use in diagnostic housing and an integrated waveguide sensor comprising: a waveguide layer,—capture compounds applied on the upper surface of said waveguide layer for 5 specific bonding to target substances,—a cladding layer surface of said waveguide layer,—a filter which is transmitting for luminescent radiation while absorbs and/or reflects radiation of excitation radiation, wherein the filter is arranged below the lower 10 surface of said cladding layer, at least one detector for sensing luminescent radiation, wherein the detector is arranged below the lower surface of said filter, a substrate that is connected with the detector and comprises the electrical interface of said detector; wherein 15 between the upper surface of the waveguide layer and along at least a lower surface section of the housing a channel is formed for receiving a fluidic probe; and the luminesce

Abstract: A detection system is described (100) for detecting luminescence sites on a substrate (6). The detection system (100) typically comprises an irradiation unit (102) for generating at least one excitation irradiation beam for exciting luminescence sites on the substrate (6). The at least one excitation irradiation beam may be a plurality of excitation irradiation beams. The detection system (100) also comprises a first optical element, e.g. refractive element (25), adapted for receiving at least two irradiation beams of different wavelengths or wavelength ranges, the at least two irradiation beams being excitation irradiation beam(s) to be focused on a substrate and/or luminescence irradiation beam(s) to be collected from the excited luminescence sites on the substrate (6). The detection system (100) also comprises an optical compensator for adjusting at least one of the at least two irradiation beams of different wavelengths or wavelength ranges so as to reduce or compensate for optical aberrations.

Abstract: A detection method is described for detecting an analyte, in particular nucleic acids, in a sample using SE(R)RS, without the need for labeling of the analyte. The detection method is based on the displacement of a labeled surrogate target probe from a capture probe by the analyte in the sample. The present invention also provides a corresponding detection system, to a disposable cartridge for use in such a system, and to a combination of surrogate target probe and capture probe.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling or manipulating the flow of a solution or liquid comprising biological material or biomolecules. Therefore, particles are added to the solution or liquid for providing the solution or liquid with rheological properties. The solution or liquid comprising the particles is provided in a microchannel and by applying an electric and/or magnetic field to the microchannel, the flow of the liquid or solution can be controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the investigation of a sample material by multiple sample light spots (501) generated by evanescent waves. An array of source light spots (510) is generated by a multi-spot generator, e.g. a multi-mode interferometer (106), and mapped onto sample light spots (501) in a sample layer (302) by (micro-)lenses (202, 203) or by the Talbot effect. The input light (504) of the source light spots (510) is shaped such that all of it is totally internally reflected at the interface between a transparent carrier plate (301) and the sample layer (302). Thus the sample light spots (501) consist of evanescent waves only and are restricted to a limited volume. In a preferred application, fluorescence stimulated in the sample light spots (501) is detected with spatial resolution by a CCD array (401).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an evanescent field induced optical sensor of a transparent polymer substrate coated with a thin transparent polymer waveguide for use as biosensor for detecting biological molecules, wherein the transparent polymer waveguide has a thickness of ?0.10 ?m and ?0.50 ?m and a refractive index nD of 1.39 to 1.79, said transparent polymer waveguide has a coupling grating recess structure for enhancing the coupling of the light wave into said transparent polymer waveguide, the lower surface of said transparent polymer waveguide contacts the transparent polymer substrate, said transparent polymer substrate has a refractive index n of 1.29 to 1.69, wherein the material of said transparent polymer waveguide and said transparent polymer substrate is selected such that the difference of the refractive index ?nD of said transparent polymer waveguide and said transparent polymer substrate is at least ? n 0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making gas bubbles in a liquid, the bubbles having substantially uniform size suitable for responding to ultrasound or other diagnostic tools. Gas (P2) is forced through one or more pores or nozzles, into the liquid (P1), the nozzles or pores being of substantially uniform diameter, the flow of the gas being controlled to thereby cause the formation of substantially monodisperse gas bubbles in the liquid. Moreover, an apparatus is disclosed for making a suspension of gas bubbles in a liquid of a size suitable for responding to ultrasound or other diagnostic tools. Said apparatus comprises means for forcing a gas through an array of nozzles or pores into the liquid, the nozzles or pores being of substantially uniform diameter, and first means for controlling; a flow parameter of the gas so that gas is suspended as substantially monodisperse gas bubbles in the liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a functional assembly, for instance a biosensor, and to a method to obtain it. The assembly comprises a functional element (2), aimed to interact at its functional side with a sample fluid, and, electrically connected thereto through electrical connection means, an interconnect substrate (4) for supporting the element and transmitting signals. The interconnect substrate is provided with, an opening that gives access to the functional side of the functional element. The transition of the opening to the functional element is formed by a sidewall (5a), extending substantially over the circumference of the opening, whereby the average slope of the sidewall (5a) with respect to the plane (5b) of the functional element is less than 60 degrees. The assembly provides a transition to the functional element (2), having smooth and self-stratifying sidewalls, which allows a homogeneous filling of only small amounts of sample fluids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a miniaturized fluid container with microchannels (11, 12) which are bordered by ridges (13, 14), wherein the crests of the ridges (13, 14) are glued to a cover plate (20). Additional stability may be achieved by distributing glue (33) in cavities between the microchannels (11, 12), the spreading of said glue being driven by capillary forces.

Abstract: A collimator panel comprises: a solid panel having a first face for receiving uncollimated radiation and a second opposite face for providing collimated radiation; and a plurality of elongate particles disposed in the panel and orientated to provide the collimating function. A method of manufacturing a collimator panel comprises the steps of: suspending a plurality of elongate particles in a liquid; applying an electric or magnetic field to the suspension to orientate the particles; and solidifying the liquid to fix the orientation of the particles, thereby forming a collimator panel. A method of manufacturing the elongate particles is also provided.

Abstract: Micro-fluidic systems comprise components (4), for instance sensors or pump units, which are intended to measure properties of a fluid or exert influence on this fluid, which is conducted in a channel (7). In the present invention, a micro-fluidic system is proposed in which a component (4) is embedded in castjacket material (5), such that a component structure (49) is formed, parallel to which a channel structure (8) is arranged, wherein a channel (7) is incorporated in the channel structure (8). In such a micro-fluidic system, the component can be positioned in relation to the channel in such a manner that a fluid flow with very good flow properties through the channel can be realized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic regulating device, comprising a first layer having a first microfluidic channel defined therein, a second layer having a second microfluidic channel defined therein, a fluid flow regulating layer disposed between the first and the second microfluidic channel, which layer comprises a movable valve member which in open position allows fluid communication between the first and second channel and in closed position seals against a valve seat, whereby at least part of the valve member and of the valve seat is magnetic. The device is able to store small quantities of liquids at microfluidic cartridges and access these on demand in a well controlled and simple way.