Abstract: Methods and devices for detection of micro-organisms present or suspected to be present within a mammalian blood sample are provided. A selective lysis is obtained by incubating the sample in a non-ionic detergent under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illustration of an annotation (22) at a sample slide (14). It is the intention for the invention to copy the annotation (22) provided at a reference slide (12) to the sample slide (14). Typically, a reference image (26) of the reference slide (12) is provided, in particular by scanning the reference slide (12). The reference image (26) therefore has the information about a reference slice (16) which is carried by the reference slide (12). Furthermore, the reference slide (12) has been marked with a region of interest (20) and the annotation (22), which can be associated with the region of interest (20). If such reference slide (12) is scanned, the respective reference image (26) comprises the information about the marked region of interest (20) as well as the annotation (22), too. Furthermore, the sample slide (14) carrying a sample slice (18) can be scanned, in order to provide a sample image (28).

Abstract: Methods and devices for detection of micro-organisms present or suspected to be present within a mammalian blood sample are provided. A selective lysis is obtained by incubating the sample in a non-ionic detergent under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the selective lysis of cells in a sample comprising micro-organisms such as bacteria are provided. The selective lysis is obtained by incubating the sample in a non-ionic detergent under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illustration of an annotation (22) at a sample slide (14). It is the intention for the invention to copy the annotation (22) provided at a reference slide (12) to the sample slide (14). Typically, a reference image (26) of the reference slide (12) is provided, in particular by scanning the reference slide (12). The reference image (26) therefore has the information about a reference slice (16) which is carried by the reference slide (12). Furthermore, the reference slide (12) has been marked with a region of interest (20) and the annotation (22), which can be associated with the region of interest (20). If such reference slide (12) is scanned, the respective reference image (26) comprises the information about the marked region of interest (20) as well as the annotation (22), too. Furthermore, the sample slide (14) carrying a sample slice (18) can be scanned, in order to provide a sample image (28).

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods, kits-of-parts, and devices for the selective lysis of eukaryotic cells in a sample comprising micro-organisms such as bacteria unicellular fungi. The selective lysis is obtained by incubating the sample in an ionic surfactant under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a skin treatment device comprising a laser source (40) and focusing optics (50), such that a focal spot (18) is positioned in a dermis layer (24) of the skin to be treated. The laser beam (42) is powered and focused (16) such that a LIOB (laser induced optical breakdown) phenomenon is obtained, which affects the skin in order to stimulate re-growth of tissue. This in turn reduces wrinkles (30). The device may comprise wrinkle-determining means (52, 54, 56, 58). The focusing optics (50) may have a numerical aperture of at least 0.4. The invention also provides a corresponding method to treat skin, in particular to reduce wrinkles (30), by providing a focused laser beam (16) that causes LIOB in the dermis layer (24) of the skin. The advantage is that damage to overlaying epidermis layers may be avoided by the use of the very local LIOB phenomenon.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods, kits-of-parts, and devices for the selective lysis of eukaryotic cells in a sample comprising micro-organisms such as bacteria unicellular fungi. The selective lysis is obtained by incubating the sample in an ionic surfactant under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the selective lysis of cells in a sample comprising micro-organisms such as bacteria are provided. The selective lysis is obtained by incubating the sample in a non-ionic detergent under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a phantom for simulating the ultrasound guided insertion of a needle in a blood vessel of a human body site. The phantom comprises: a skin mimicking layer (2), formed in a first material; —a tissue mimicking layer (3), formed in a second material and at least one artificial blood vessel (4a, 4b, 4c), formed in a third material, the first, second and third material being arranged to reproduce both the mechanical and the ultrasound properties of the corresponding parts of the human body site. Thanks to the invention, the phantom permits a realistic simulation of a human body site behavior.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly automated puncture system for inserting a cannula or a needle into a blood vessel of a person or an animal. The puncture system has an acquisition module that allows for determining at least one location of a blood vessel underneath the surface of a skin and that is further enabled to determine an optimal puncture location that is well suitable for inserting a cannula into the blood vessel. Further, the puncture system has an actuator for moving and aligning the cannula to a determined position. The system is further adapted to autonomously insert the cannula into the blood vessel for multiple purposes, such as blood withdrawal, venous medication and infusions.

Abstract: A method of performing surface-enhanced resonant Raman spectroscopy (SERRS) in respect of a sample (100) provided on an aggregated colloid nano-particle having a plasmon absorption band similar to that of a target molecule. The sample is irradiated at a first wavelength (?1).coinciding with the absorption band of the plasma, to obtain (12) a SERRS spectra for deriving (10) a fingerprint of the target melecule, and at a second wavelength (?2), coinciding with the absorption band caused by aggregate of said nano- particles, to obtain (14) a SERS spectra for monitoring (16) said aggregation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for achieving sub-surface, highly spatially selective cardiac ablation by means of laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) are disclosed. Damage to non-targeted heart and artery/vein tissue is to be minimized according to the present disclosure. A catheter enters the heart, e.g., via a vein, and catheter location is determined/confirmed. Laser pulses are guided through the optical path within the catheter and, at or near the catheter end, a focusing structure is provided that focuses the laser radiation through the non-targeted vein/heart tissue into the targeted tissue. In the focusing structure, laser induced LIOB occurs and related mechanical effects affect the targeted tissue.

Abstract: The present invention describes the provision of an internal control in analytical techniques involving labeling of analytes, such as SERRS, for detection of an analyte, particularly a biomolecule in a sample, with improved accuracy.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting blood vessels and precisely determining parameters in respect thereof, such as geometry, depth and diameter. Optical imaging, such as IR imaging, is used to obtain a general overview (16) of the blood vessel pattern in a region of interest from which a target vessel can be defined and its lateral position determined. Ultrasound imaging is then employed to precisely measure parameters, such as depth and diameter, in respect of the target vessel. The resultant system is of relatively low cost, and relatively simple to implement and use.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described suitable to determine the effects of sample matrix on the detection of a label so as to allow correction for these sample matrix effects when using the label in an analytical detection technique. The method is particularly advantageous for use in a disposable molecular diagnosis cartridge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a highly automated puncture system for inserting a cannula or a needle into a blood vessel of a person or an animal. The puncture system has an acquisition module that allows for determining at least a location of a blood vessel underneath of the surface of a skin and is further enabled to determine an optimal puncture location that is potentially suitable for inserting a cannula into the blood vessel. Further, the puncture system has tissue analysis means to analyse the skin surface in the proximity of the puncture location to check whether the skin is suitable for punctuation. This prevents puncturing the skin at locations where scars, wound and the like can be found.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly automated puncture system for inserting a cannula or a needle into a blood vessel of a person or an animal. The puncture system has an acquisition module that allows for determining at least a location of a blood vessel underneath of the surface of a skin and is further enabled to determine an optimal puncture location that is well suitable for inserting a cannula into the blood vessel. Further, the puncture system has an actuator for moving and aligning the cannula to a determined position. The system is further adapted to autonomously insert the cannula into the blood vessel for multiple purposes, such as blood withdrawal, venous medication and infusions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for guiding a probe over the surface of the skin of a patient. Performing measurements with ultrasound techniques for small structures such as blood vessels need well-defined spatial relationship between the measuring probe and the tissue which has to be examined. The invention seeks to ensure a movement of the measuring probe in a controlled and precise way over the skin. Therefore, a system 1 is suggested which comprises a probe holder 2 to which a probe 4 is rigidly attachable. The probe holder 2 is moveable along at least one rail 5, 5?. The rail can be wrapped around the patient 3 or a body part 7 of the patient or the animal.

Abstract: The present application relates to a puncture system for inserting a cannula or a needle into a blood vessel of a person or an animal. The puncture system (100) has location determination means (108) for determining at least one location of the blood vessel. The location determination means are mechanically flexible such that their shape is adaptable to the shape of a body part of the person or animal. Furthermore, the system comprises processing means (112) for determining a puncture location (124) of the blood vessel depending on the output of the location determination means.