Abstract: A device for detecting a phase boundary in a liquid tank a sensor that can be advanced in the direction of the phase boundary in the liquid tank. A circuit processes an output signal of the sensor to detect a change in capacitance and has a first channel with a first filter module to filter out a first signal having a short pulse width from the output signal and a second channel having a second filter module to filter out a second signal having a greater pulse width from the output signal. A controller module with comparator module determines whether the first signal reaches a first threshold value and a processing module determines whether the second signal meets predefined second signal criteria.

Abstract: A method of selecting pipetting parameters of a pipetting device for dispensing or pipetting a specific volume of a liquid sample, includes a fluid column of a fluid chamber of the pipetting device set into oscillation at the beginning of the aspiration, the pressure is monitored with the pressure transducer in the fluid chamber, and the pressure changes generated during aspiration into measuring signals are recorded. These measuring signals are processed by a computer or micro-processor and reproduced as a pressure curve, which is characteristic for the fluid column with the aspirated liquid sample, and which is compared with known pressure curves. Based on this comparison, pipetting parameters of the pipetting device are selected for the dispense or for pipetting a specific volume of the liquid sample. Selectable pipetting parameters include a speed of a movement of a pump piston of the pipetting device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for classifying a liquid (1) in a known pipetting system for this liquid (1), the method being characterized in that the changes of a selected, measurable, and physically founded virtual parameter are detected as a data set typical for this liquid (1); this typical data set of the selected virtual parameter is compared to corresponding data sets of known liquids, and the liquid (1) is classified on the basis of this comparison. An especially preferred method and a device for classifying a liquid (1) relate to a device which comprises a fluid chamber (2), to which a measuring chamber (3) is connected, whose internal pressure is monitored using a pressure transducer (4). At least a first part (5) of this fluid chamber (2) may be brought into fluid connection with a sample (6) of this liquid (1).

Abstract: A pipetting apparatus has a fluidic space to which a pressure transducer with a pressure sensor is attached with a gas filled space. The fluidic space is defined by a pipette tip, a first tubing that connects the pipette tip to a pump, and an active part of the pump. The pipetting apparatus further has an impulse generating mechanism that is in operative contact with a column of system liquid inside the fluidic space. The impulse generating mechanism induces a vertical movement in the system liquid column, which results in a pressure variation in the gas filled space that is pneumatically connected with the fluidic space. This pressure variation, as recorded with the pressure transducer and as processed by a first data processing unit during utilization of this pipetting apparatus, is taken as an indicator for the detection of penetration or of quitting of a surface of a liquid, with an orifice of the pipette tip, of which liquid an amount is to be aspirated and dispensed.

Abstract: A device for detecting a phase boundary in a liquid tank a sensor that can be advanced in the direction of the phase boundary in the liquid tank. A circuit processes an output signal of the sensor to detect a change in capacitance and has a first channel with a first filter module to filter out a first signal having a short pulse width from the output signal and a second channel having a second filter module to filter out a second signal having a greater pulse width from the output signal. A controller module with comparator module determines whether the first signal reaches a first threshold value and a processing module determines whether the second signal meets predefined second signal criteria.

Abstract: A method according to Claim 25, wherein essentially homogeneous material mixtures are achieved or maintained in these liquid containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipetting apparatus (1) having a pipette tip (2) for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples; a pump (4) for generating negative pressure or positive pressure in the pipette tip (2) that is connected to the pipette tip (2) by means of a pump conduit (3); a fluid chamber (5) defined by the pipette tip (2) and/or the pump conduit (3); a measurement probe (6) functionally connected to the fluid chamber (5) for measuring the physical parameters resulting in this fluid chamber (5) during pipetting; and a device control system (7) with a processor (8), in which an activated computer program product enables the control system (7) of the pipetting apparatus (1) to individually accept or reject pipetted liquid samples on the basis of the physical parameters measured.

Abstract: A pipetting apparatus has a fluidic space to which a pressure transducer with a pressure sensor is attached with a gas filled space. The fluidic space is defined by a pipette tip, a first tubing that connects the pipette tip to a pump, and an active part of the pump. The pipetting apparatus further has an impulse generating mechanism that is in operative contact with a column of system liquid inside the fluidic space. The impulse generating mechanism induces a vertical movement in the system liquid column, which results in a pressure variation in the gas filled space that is pneumatically connected with the fluidic space. This pressure variation, as recorded with the pressure transducer and as processed by a first data processing unit during utilization of this pipetting apparatus, is taken as an indicator for the detection of penetration or of quitting of a surface of a liquid, with an orifice of the pipette tip, of which liquid an amount is to be aspirated and dispensed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) and to a method for moving liquid containers (2). Said device comprises a support unit (3) which is implemented to receive the liquid containers (2); a base unit (5) in relation to which the support unit (3) is mounted in an essentially horizontally free oscillating manner by means of connection elements (7); and movement means (6) for moving the support unit (3) in relation to the base unit (5). The inventive device (1) is characterized in that the support unit (3) comprises at least one support element (20,21) whereon at least one movement mass (8) is movably fastened. The at least one movement mass (8) interacts with a movement means (6) which is fastened to the same support element (20,21) and can also be moved thereby. Thereby, the movements of the at least one movement mass (8) set the same supporting support element (20,21) and the liquid containers (2) received by the support surface (28) of the support unit (3) into corresponding counter movements.

Abstract: A pipetting apparatus (1) comprises a fluidic space (7), to which a pressure transducer (11) with a pressure sensor (12) is attached with a gas filled space (15). The fluidic space (7) is defined by a pipette tip (2), a first tubing (5) that connects the pipette tip (2) to a pump (4), and an active part (6) of the pump (4). The pipetting apparatus (1) according to the present invention is characterized in that the pipetting apparatus (1) further comprises an impulse generating means (16, 18, 19) that is in operative contact with a column (10) of system liquid (8) inside the fluidic space (7). The impulse generating means (16, 18, 19) is designed to induce a vertical movement in this system liquid column (10), which results in a pressure variation in the gas filled space (15) that is pneumatically connected with the fluidic space (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipetting apparatus (1) having a pipette tip (2) for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples; a pump (4) for generating negative pressure or positive pressure in the pipette tip (2) that is connected to the pipette tip (2) by means of a pump conduit (3); a fluid chamber (5) defined by the pipette tip (2) and/or the pump conduit (3); a measurement probe (6) functionally connected to the fluid chamber (5) for measuring the physical parameters resulting in this fluid chamber (5) during pipetting; and a device control system (7) with a processor (8), in which an activated computer program product enables the control system (7) of the pipetting apparatus (1) to individually accept or reject pipetted liquid samples on the basis of the physical parameters measured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for classifying a liquid (1) in a known pipetting system for this liquid (1), the method being characterized in that the changes of a selected, measurable, and physically founded virtual parameter are detected as a data set typical for this liquid (1); this typical data set of the selected virtual parameter is compared to corresponding data sets of known liquids, and the liquid (1) is classified on the basis of this comparison. An especially preferred method and a device for classifying a liquid (1) relate to a device which comprises a fluid chamber (2), to which a measuring chamber (3) is connected, whose internal pressure is monitored using a pressure transducer (4). At least a first part (5) of this fluid chamber (2) may be brought into fluid connection with a sample (6) of this liquid (1).

Abstract: A pipetting apparatus (1) comprises a fluidic space (7), to which a pressure transducer (11) with a pressure sensor (12) is attached with a gas filled space (15). The fluidic space (7) is defined by a pipette tip (2), a first tubing (5) that connects the pipette tip (2) to a pump (4), and an active part (6) of the pump (4). The pipetting apparatus (1) according to the present invention is characterized in that the pipetting apparatus (1) further comprises an impulse generating means (16,18,19) that is in operative contact with a column (10) of system liquid (8) inside the fluidic space (7). The impulse generating means (16,18,19) is designed to induce a vertical movement in this system liquid column (10), which results in a pressure variation in the gas filled space (15) that is pneumatically connected with the fluidic space (7).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for positioning objects (2) relative to a substantially horizontal working surface (5) having a longitudinal extension (3) in the X-direction and a transversal extension (4) in the Y-direction; with the apparatus (1) for moving objects (2) being arranged at least in a Z-direction standing substantially perpendicular to the working surface (5) and comprising at least two toothed racks (8,8′) which extend at an axial direction adjacent to each other in the Z-direction at an axial distance (6) and are provided for receiving an object (2) to be moved each; with said toothed racks (8,8′) being provided with a movable arrangement over a Z-displacement path (9), such that they are in engagement with a pinion (10,10′) of a Z-drive (11) which is each motively driven in an individual fashion and exerts a pressing force on the respective toothed rack (8,8′), with the toothed racks (8,8′) comprising two Z-rails (15,15′) which project laterally in the Y-direction and ex