The invention relates in particular to a method for determining physical, chemical and / or biological properties of a medium (M) by means of a first and a second transmitter-receiver pair (SE1, SE2; SE1, SE3) The receivers (SE2, SE3) of the receivers (SE2, SE3) receive surface waves (OW1, OW2, OW3) originating at least in part from the first or second acoustic waves (VW1, VW2, ...), which are passed through the guiding element ( The acoustic surface waves (OW1, OW2, OW3) propagating at the shell surfaces (11, 12, 21, 22) of R) are excited, propagate in the medium (M) and at least partially in turn act as surface waves (OW1, OW2, OW3) ) is coupled into the guide element, eg the tube (R) or the shell surface (11, 12, 21, 22) of the tube section. According to the invention, it is proposed: - Excitation of surface waves (OW1, OW2) by the transmitter (SE1) of the first transmitter-receiver pair (SE1, SE2), the propagation direction of said surface waves being parallel to the direction of the guide element (R) The longitudinal extension direction (z) extends, and the surface wave (OW3) is excited by the transmitter (SE1) of the second transmitter-receiver pair (SE1, SE3), the propagation direction of the surface wave being set relative to the guide The longitudinal extension (z) of the element (R) has a defined angle α, where 0°