Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.

Roche Diagnostics Gmbh

F. Hoffmann-la Roche Ag

Vuk Siljegovic

Patrick Griss

Rainer Jaeggi

Olivier Elsenhans

Martin Burri

Claudius Burkhardt

Jürg Dual

Frank May

Ulrich Opara

Markus Brunner

The present invention concerns sample pick-up and metering devices, analytical test systems for determining an analyte in a sample liquid and their use for this purpose and methods for determining an analyte in a sample liquid. They comprise or use a sample pick-up and metering device according to the invention which consists of a support and a metering element integrated into the support for taking up a defined volume of sample liquid and a closed liquid compartment located on the support which contains a defined volume of a liquid where the liquid compartment on the support can be opened.

Sample pick-up and metering device with integrated liquid compartments

A method and level sensor apparatus for detecting contact of a pipetting needle with at least a liquid contained in a vessel are disclosed. The apparatus provides a pipetting needle made of a material suitable for transmitting ultrasonic waves, a needle holder for holding the needle, a electromechanical transducer for generating ultrasonic pulses to be transmitted towards the needle, for receiving echo pulses reflected at the tip of the needle, and for generating an electrical output signal representative of the echo pulses, and electronic circuit means for generating and applying a driving signal to the transducer, which generates corresponding pulses which are transmitted to the needle towards the tip thereof, and for monitoring and evaluating the output signal to detect the position of the needle at which the tip of the needle contacts the liquid and for providing a resulting signal representative of the result of said evaluation.

Method and apparatus for detecting contact of a pipetting needle with a liquid in a vessel

A level sensor apparatus is disclosed for detecting contact of a pipetting needle with a liquid contained in a vessel. The apparatus includes a sensor head made up of a pipetting needle, a needle holder, and an electromechanical transducer. The sensor head also has an associated mechanical resonance frequency. An electrical signal generator is used to generate a driving signal which when applied to the electromechanical transducer causes vibration of the pipetting needle at the resonance frequency. A measurement device is used to measure a parameter of a vibration signal indicative of the mechanical vibration of the pipetting needle when it is driven by the driving signal. An electronic circuit and associated computer software is provided to evaluate variation of the vibration signal with time and thus detect contact of the pipetting needle with a liquid contained in the vessel.

Level sensor apparatus for detecting contact of a pipetting needle with a liquid in a vessel

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Mettmenstetten, Switzerland

Vuk Siljegovic