Abstract: A method for assaying a sample for each of multiple analytes is described. The method includes contacting an array of spaced-apart test zones with a liquid sample (e.g., whole blood). The test zones are disposed within a channel of a microfluidic device. The channel is defined by at least one flexible wall and a second wall which may or may not be flexible. Each test zone comprising a probe compound specific for a respective target analyte. The microfluidic device is compressed to reduce the thickness of the channel, which is the distance between the inner surfaces of the walls within the channel. The presence of each analyte is determined by optically detecting an interaction at each of multiple test zones for which the distance between the inner surfaces at the corresponding location is reduced. The interaction at each test zone is indicative of the presence in the sample of a target analyte.

Abstract: A device comprising a rigid substrate, a flexible cover element at least partially covering the substrate, a first structure formed in the substrate, adapted for accommodating liquids and adapted for releasing contents of one or more cells, spores, or viruses, the contents including the target molecules, a second structure formed in the substrate, adapted for accommodating liquids and comprising at least one binding member adapted for capturing the target molecules and for determining a value indicative of the presence and/or amount of the target molecules, a micro fluidic network interconnecting at least the first structure and the second structure, and an actuator member adapted for effecting a fluid flow between the first structure and the second structure by pressing the flexible cover element against the substrate to selectively close a portion of the micro fluidic network.

Abstract: A method for assaying a sample for each of multiple analytes is described. The method includes contacting an array of spaced-apart test zones with a liquid sample (e.g., whole blood). The test zones disposed within a channel of a microfluidic device. The channel is defined by at least one flexible wall and a second wall which may or may not be flexible. Each test zone comprising a probe compound specific for a respective target analyte. The microfluidic device is compressed to reduce the thickness of the channel, which is the distance between the inner surfaces of the walls within the channel. The presence of each analyte is determined by optically detecting an interaction at each of multiple test zones for which the distance between the inner surfaces at the corresponding location is reduced. The interaction at each test zone is indicative of the presence in the sample of a target analyte.

Abstract: A method for assaying a sample for each of multiple analytes is described. The method includes contacting an array of spaced-apart test zones with a liquid sample (e.g., whole blood). The test zones disposed within a channel of a microfluidic device. The channel is defined by at least one flexible wall and a second wall which may or may not be flexible. Each test zone comprising a probe compound specific for a respective target analyte. The microfluidic device is compressed to reduce the thickness of the channel, which is the distance between the inner surfaces of the walls within the channel. The presence of each analyte is determined by optically detecting an interaction at each of multiple test zones for which the distance between the inner surfaces at the corresponding location is reduced. The interaction at each test zone is indicative of the presence in the sample of a target analyte.

Abstract: A method for assaying a sample for each of multiple analytes is described. The method includes contacting an array of spaced-apart test zones with a liquid sample (e.g., whole blood). The test zones disposed within a channel of a microfluidic device. The channel is defined by at least one flexible wall and a second wall which may or may not be flexible. Each test zone comprising a probe compound specific for a respective target analyte. The microfluidic device is compressed to reduce the thickness of the channel, which is the distance between the inner surfaces of the walls within the channel. The presence of each analyte is determined by optically detecting an interaction at each of multiple test zones for which the distance between the inner surfaces at the corresponding location is reduced. The interaction at each test zone is indicative of the presence in the sample of a target analyte.

Abstract: A device comprising a rigid substrate, a flexible cover element at least partially covering the substrate, a first structure formed in the substrate, adapted for accommodating liquids and adapted for releasing contents of one or more cells, spores, or viruses, the contents including the target molecules, a second structure formed in the substrate, adapted for accommodating liquids and comprising at least one binding member adapted for capturing the target molecules and for determining a value indicative of the presence and/or amount of the target molecules, a micro fluidic network interconnecting at least the first structure and the second structure, and an actuator member adapted for effecting a fluid flow between the first structure and the second structure by pressing the flexible cover element against the substrate to selectively close a portion of the micro fluidic network.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implantable pulse generator (100), IPG, for stimulation of a neurological cellular mass comprising a casing (2) that at least partially encloses the pulse generating module (PGM) (4) and that is transparent to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields, or wherein the pulse generating module (4) includes a controller circuit (18) provided as two or more circuit boards (20, 22), co-operatively connected, one such circuit board being an interface circuit board, where at least one component of the controller circuit (8) is located on the interface circuit board (20), and feed through wires for connector block (6) are connected thereto (20), and one of the opposing surfaces of the interface circuit board (20) is aligned over apertures (48, 50, 52) in the PGM housing for the feed through wires.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator for an implantable hearing aid device including a mechanical output structure that has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is a mechanical attachment structure to attach a stapes prosthesis, and wherein the second portion is a wire-like member coupling the mechanical attachment structure to a magnetically permeable armature shaft assembly.

Abstract: A method for assaying a sample for each of multiple analytes is described. The method includes contacting an array of spaced-apart test zones with a liquid sample (e.g., whole blood). The test zones are disposed within a channel of a microfluidic device. The channel is defined by at least one flexible wall and a second wall which may or may not be flexible. Each test zone comprising a probe compound specific for a respective target analyte. The microfluidic device is compressed to reduce the thickness of the channel, which is the distance between the inner surfaces of the walls within the channel. The presence of each analyte is determined by optically detecting an interaction at each of multiple test zones for which the distance between the inner surfaces at the corresponding location is reduced. The interaction at each test zone is indicative of the presence in the sample of a target analyte.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a toothed wheel (1) in net shape or near-net shape quality, in particular a chain wheel, for a VVT system from a powder, with the toothed wheel (1) having an at least approximately cylindrically shaped housing (2) which is delimited in axial direction by one respective end face (6, 7) and which has an outside surface (3), and at the outside surface (3), a toothing (8) having teeth (9) and tooth roots (10) between the teeth (9) is embodied at a distance to both of the end faces (6, 7), and the toothing (8) has a tooth root circle (25) having a tooth root circle diameter, and the powder is filled into a mold (28) and pressed by means of at least one punch, and protrusions (11, 20) are embodied at least in the region of the teeth (9) at the outside surface (3) of the housing (2) and projecting over the latter in radial direction.

Abstract: A method for assaying a sample for each of multiple analytes is described. The method includes contacting an array of spaced-apart test zones with a liquid sample (e.g., whole blood). The test zones disposed within a channel of a microfluidic device. The channel is defined by at least one flexible wall and a second wall which may or may not be flexible. Each test zone comprising a probe compound specific for a respective target analyte. The microfluidic device is compressed to reduce the thickness of the channel, which is the distance between the inner surfaces of the walls within the channel. The presence of each analyte is determined by optically detecting an interaction at each of multiple test zones for which the distance between the inner surfaces at the corresponding location is reduced. The interaction at each test zone is indicative of the presence in the sample of a target analyte.

Abstract: A method for assaying a sample for each of multiple analytes is described. The method includes contacting an array of spaced-apart test zones with a liquid sample (e.g., whole blood). The test zones disposed within a channel of a microfluidic device. The channel is defined by at least one flexible wall and a second wall which may or may not be flexible. Each test zone comprising a probe compound specific for a respective target analyte. The microfluidic device is compressed to reduce the thickness of the channel, which is the distance between the inner surfaces of the walls within the channel. The presence of each analyte is determined by optically detecting an interaction at each of multiple test zones for which the distance between the inner surfaces at the corresponding location is reduced. The interaction at each test zone is indicative of the presence in the sample of a target analyte.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (100) suitable, for example, in hearing aid applications is disclosed. Certain embodiments of the actuator comprise a hermetic titanium housing (1), a mechanical output structure (110) emulating the long process of incus (8), and means for efficiently generating movement in the audible frequency range. The electromechanical actuator (100) may be configured to be coupled to the inner ear fluids via a conventional stapes prosthesis. The implantable actuator (100), which may be considered to be operably equivalent to a loudspeaker of a conventional hearing aid, may bypass the outer and the middle ear in order to directly drive the inner ear fluids. As such, embodiments of the electromechanical actuator of the present invention may be used to remedy any source of conductive hearing loss.

Abstract: In a method for determining a type of air-fuel mixture error of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, wherein a torque parameter (M1) of the cylinder is ascertained, a lambda parameter (?1) of the cylinder is ascertained, a torque reference parameter and a lambda reference parameter are ascertained, as a function of a comparison of the torque parameter (M1) with the torque reference parameter and as a function of a comparison of the lambda parameter (?1) with the lambda reference parameter, the type of air-fuel mixture error is indicated to be a fuel path error or to be an air path error.

Abstract: Devices for the delivery of a bioactive substance to a cochlea and methods of delivery thereof. The devices include means to allow the release of the bioactive substance within a cochlea.

Abstract: A method of forming electrode structures comprising a plurality of electrode pads and a plurality of electrically conducting wires extending from the electrode pads. The method comprises coating an electrode structure with a relatively electrically insulating material, arranging each of the electrode pads in a first arrangement; arranging the wires relative to each other to provide a sufficient gap of separation between neighboring wires; securing the wires to a remotely positioned anchor member to preserve a gap of separation between neighboring wires, and applying a coating of relatively electrically insulating material to the electrode structure.

Abstract: Devices for the delivery of a bioactive substance to a cochlea and methods of delivery thereof. The devices include means to allow the release of the bioactive substance within a cochlea.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a fuel from vegetable oil in order to operate of diesel internal combustion engines. In said method, the oleaginous fruit is pressed, and the dripping oil is filtered. According to the invention, the dripping vegetable oil containing the cloudy matter is mixed with a clay material in a first step before being filtered and is filtered in a second step.

Abstract: In a method for producing a semi-conductor module (10) comprising at least two semi-conductor chips (12, 14) and an interposer (20) which has electrically conductive structures (28) connecting the semi-conductor chips (12, 14) to one another, the interposer (20) is printed directly onto a first (12) of the semi-conductor chips. When the interposer (20) is printed on, the electrically conductive structures (28) are produced by means of electrically conductive ink (68). The second semi-conductor chip (14) is mounted on the interposer (20) such that the two semi-conductor chips (12, 14) are arranged one above the other and that the interposer (20) forms an intermediate layer between the two semi-conductor chips (12, 14).

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, including an electrical connecting arrangement on a connection-side end, an end on the combustion-chamber side pointing toward a combustion chamber, an insulator and a housing having a thread for attaching the spark plug to an engine component, a first sealing area and a second sealing area being provided between the insulator and the housing, the first sealing area being situated closer to the connection-side end and the second sealing area being situated closer to the end on the combustion-chamber side, a tool engagement area for transmitting a torque to the spark plug for fitting or removing the spark plug being situated in an area of the spark plug which lies between the connection-side end and the first sealing area.