Abstract: Magnesium ion selective electrode membranes and the preparation thereof. The membranes are rendered highly selective for magnesium ions by the addition of acidic groups to the preferably PVC membrane, either by introducing a lipophilic compound comprising an acidic group covalently linked to a C4-C18 alkyl-substituted phenyl group (e.g. bis-4-octylphenyl phosphoric acid) into the membrane comprising the magnesium selective ionophore (e.g. a neutral ionophore 1,10-phenanthroline derivative) or by covalently linking an acidic (e.g. a carboxylic) group to the ionophore (e.g. a 1,10-phenanthroline derivative).

Abstract: Processes for preparing ion selective membranes are presented which have selectivity for a primary analyte (in particular magnesium) as well as another ion (in particular calcium), wherein said process comprises addition of a) an ionophore (in particular 1,10-phenanthroline), b) a lipophilic salt containing said primary analyte (in particular hemi-magnesium bis[4-octylphenyl]phosphate) and c) a lipophilic salt containing said other ion (in particular hemi-calcium bis[4-octylphenyl]phosphate). Also, ion selective membranes are presented which are prepared using said processes, in particular to membranes selective for magnesium ions. In further aspects, electrodes and potentiometric sensors are presented comprising such membranes and the use thereof for determining ion concentrations in samples.

Abstract: A method of preparation of a blood sample with a reagent for hematology is disclosed.

Abstract: A blood analyser and related methods, in particular a method of analysing a blood sample is disclosed. The blood analyser comprises a memory, an interface, and one or more processors. The blood analyser is configured to obtain image data of a prepared blood sample; select a first image associated with a first image plane of the prepared blood sample from the image data; characterize the first image, wherein the characterization of the first image comprises to determine a first set of cell regions belonging to the first image plane; select a first distal image associated with a first distal image plane on a distal side of the first image plane, and determine a first distal set of distal cell regions associated with the first set of cell regions; and determine a first cell parameter for each cell region of the first set of cell regions based on the first distal set of distal cell regions.

Abstract: A blood sampler is disclosed. The blood sampler contains a solid mixture comprising a compound selected from iloprost, beraprost, treprostinil, cicaprost, carbacyclin, EP 157 ((Z)-7-[(1R,2R,3R,4S)-3-[(Z)-benzhydryloxyiminomethyl]-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-5-enyl]hept-5-enoic acid), FK-788 (2-[[(6R)-6-(diphenylcarbamoyloxymethyl)-6-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-5H-naphthalen-1-yl]oxy]acetic acid), and taprostene, as well as any stereoisomers and salts thereof, wherein said compound is dispersed in a matrix of a water-soluble polymer material and/or a sugar.

Abstract: The present application discloses a planar enzyme sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a solution comprising a substrate of an electrically insulating material supporting an electrode layer of an electrically conductive material. The substrate and electrode layer have a plurality of layers disposed thereon which include an enzyme layer and a microporous outer layer covering the enzyme layer, wherein the outer layer comprises a continuous phase of a water-resistant polymer (e.g. a polyvinylacetate or an acrylate copolymer), a protein (e.g. an enzyme) embedded in the continuous phase, and possibly polytetrafluoroethylene particles. The enzyme and the polytetrafluoroethylene particles provide a controlled porosity to the outer membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining a blood gas parameter and/or a basic metabolic panel parameter in a blood sample comprising combining the blood sample with an anti-coagulant and an anti-platelet agent, and determining said blood gas parameter and/or parameter in the sample. In some aspects, the invention relates to determining said parameters in samples that have been subjected to pre-analytical stress.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a device for measuring the concentration of creatinine in a sample including one or more enzyme modulators, the method comprising: determining sensitivities of the device for each of two or more calibration solutions, wherein each calibration solution has a different amount of enzyme modulator; determining a degree of modulation for each of the two or more calibration solutions; determining a degree of modulation for a sample to be measured; and calculating the sensitivity of the device for the sample, wherein said calculating comprises modifying the sensitivity of one of the two or more calibration solutions by a function comprising the determined degrees of modulation.

Abstract: Processes for preparing ion selective membranes are presented which have selectivity for a primary analyte (in particular magnesium) as well as another ion (in particular calcium), wherein said process comprises addition of a) an ionophore (in particular 1,10-phenanthroline), b) a lipophilic salt containing said primary analyte (in particular hemi-magnesium bis[4-octylphenyl]phosphate) and c) a lipophilic salt containing said other ion (in particular hemi-calcium bis[4-octylphenyl]phosphate). Also, ion selective membranes are presented which are prepared using said processes, in particular to membranes selective for magnesium ions. In further aspects, electrodes and potentiometric sensors are presented comprising such membranes and the use thereof for determining ion concentrations in samples.

Abstract: Magnesium ion selective electrode membranes and the preparation thereof. The membranes are rendered highly selective for magnesium ions by the addition of acidic groups to the preferably PVC membrane, either by introducing a lipophilic compound comprising an acidic group covalently linked to a C4-C18 alkyl-substituted phenyl group (e.g. bis-4-octylphenyl phosphoric acid) into the membrane comprising the magnesium selective ionophore (e.g. a neutral ionophore 1,10-phenanthroline derivative) or by covalently linking an acidic (e.g. a carboxylic) group to the ionophore (e.g. a 1,10- phenanthroline derivative).

Abstract: A method of calibrating a device for measuring the concentration of creatinine in a sample including one or more enzyme modulators, the device comprising an enzyme layer, the method comprising: determining sensitivities of the device for each of one or more calibration solutions; determining a degree of modulation for the sample to be measured, determining a degree of modulation for each calibration solution; wherein said determining of each of the degrees of modulation comprises estimating the concentration of an enzyme modulator in the enzyme layer of the device; and calculating the sensitivity of the device for the sample, wherein the said calculating comprises adjusting the sensitivity of the device for each calibration solution by a factor comprising the determined degrees of modulation of the sample and the calibration solution.

Abstract: The present application discloses a planar enzyme sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a solution comprising a substrate of an electrically insulating material supporting an electrode layer of an electrically conductive material. The substrate and electrode layer have a plurality of layers disposed thereon which include an enzyme layer and a microporous outer layer covering the enzyme layer, wherein the outer layer comprises a continuous phase of a water-resistant polymer (e.g. a polyvinylacetate or an acrylate copolymer), a protein (e.g. an enzyme) embedded in the continuous phase, and possibly polytetrafluoroethylene particles. The enzyme and the polytetrafluoroethylene particles provide a controlled porosity to the outer membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant polypeptide having creatine amidinohydrolase activity, where the polypeptide both retains thermostable activity in the presence of reagents that modify thiol groups. The invention further relates to methods for producing the mutant polypeptide; and to a sensor comprising the mutant polypeptide for use in the measurement of creatinine in samples of physiological fluids. Additionally, the invention teaches how to use the mutant polypeptide to enhance the life-time of a creatinine sensor, and a method for producing the sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant polypeptide having creatine amidinohydrolase activity, where the polypeptide both retains thermostable activity in the presence of reagents that modify thiol groups. The invention further relates to methods for producing the mutant polypeptide; and to a sensor comprising the mutant polypeptide for use in the measurement of creatinine in samples of physiological fluids. Additionally, the invention teaches how to use the mutant polypeptide to enhance the life-time of a creatinine sensor, and a method for producing the sensor.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a device for measuring the concentration of creatinine in a sample including one or more enzyme modulators, the device comprising an enzyme layer, the method comprising: determining sensitivities of the device for each of one or more calibration solutions; determining a degree of modulation for the sample to be measured, determining a degree of modulation for each calibration solution; wherein said determining of each of the degrees of modulation comprises estimating the concentration of an enzyme modulator in the enzyme layer of the device; and calculating the sensitivity of the device for the sample, wherein the said calculating comprises adjusting the sensitivity of the device for each calibration solution by a factor comprising the determined degrees of modulation of the sample and the calibration solution.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a device for measuring the concentration of creatinine in a sample including one or more enzyme modulators, the method comprising: determining sensitivities of the device for each of two or more calibration solutions, wherein each calibration solution has a different amount of enzyme modulator; determining a degree of modulation for each of the two or more calibration solutions; determining a degree of modulation for a sample to be measured; and calculating the sensitivity of the device for the sample, wherein said calculating comprises modifying the sensitivity of one of the two or more calibration solutions by a function comprising the determined degrees of modulation.