Abstract: Assays (100) may be performed with a luminometer (400) having a chassis (405) that may include a reaction vessel chamber (610). The luminometer (400) may also include a light passage (640) that intersects the reaction vessel chamber (610). The luminometer (400) may also include a cap (415) that, when in a closed configuration, prevents light emitted by external sources from entering the reaction vessel chamber (610) and from entering the light passage (640). The cap (415) may provide access to the reaction vessel chamber (610) when in an open configuration. The luminometer (400) may also include a calibration light source (460) optically coupled to one end of the light passage (640) and a light detector (630) optically coupled to another end of the light passage (640). The light detector (630) may include a sensing element for receiving light from the light passage (640).

Abstract: Assays (100) may be performed with a luminometer (400) having a chassis (405) that may include a reaction vessel chamber (610). The luminometer (400) may also include a light passage (640) that intersects the reaction vessel chamber (610). The luminometer (400) may also include a cap (415) that, when in a closed configuration, prevents light emitted by external sources from entering the reaction vessel chamber (610) and from entering the light passage (640). The cap (415) may provide access to the reaction vessel chamber (610) when in an open configuration. The luminometer (400) may also include a calibration light source (460) optically coupled to one end of the light passage (640) and a light detector (630) optically coupled to another end of the light passage (640). The light detector (630) may include a sensing element for receiving light from the light passage (640).

Abstract: A gripper assembly (20) includes a cylinder (22), a deformable gripping portion (210), a piston (24), and an ejector (260). The gripper assembly is suitable for picking and placing a vessel (10) by gripping a gripped portion (102) of the vessel. The gripping portion extends from adjacent an end of the cylinder. The gripping portion has a spring-like property that allows deformation as the vessel is engaged thereby holding the vessel. The piston is slidably disposed inside the cylinder. The ejector includes a head portion (270) adjacent a first end of the ejector and a plunger portion (26) adjacent a second end of the ejector. The head portion of the ejector is slidably disposed inside the cylinder separately from the piston. The plunger of the ejector is partially disposed within the deformable gripping portion for engaging the vessel. The gripper assembly may be used to align an analyzer instrument (800).

Abstract: A self-aligning dynamic clearance seal assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a stationary casing, a moving member, a housing member circumferentially disposed between the stationary casing and the moving member, a sealing member circumferentially disposed between the housing member and the moving member, and two elastomeric seals. The first elastomeric seal prevents the flow of a fluid into a gap between the sealing member and the stationary casing. The second elastomeric seal, when compressed, prevents the housing member from biasing against the sealing member. The sealing member and the moving member define a continuous and uniform gap having a size that allows the fluid to fill the gap but prevents the fluid from flowing through the gap from the first side to the second side of the opening under an operating pressure differential between the first and the second side. A pump utilizing the self-aligning seal assembly is also provided.