Abstract: A cartridge for use in an electrowetting sample processing system, the cartridge having one or more inlet ports for introducing an input liquid into an internal gap of the cartridge, which has at least one hydrophobic surface for enabling an electrowetting induced movement of multiple microfluidic droplets separated from the input liquid. The cartridge further has at least one outlet port that is operably connected to the inlet port for providing a liquid flow through the cartridge, if a liquid driving force, in particular an electrowetting force or a pressure force, is applied to at least a part of the input liquid.

Abstract: A cartridge, in particular a disposable cartridge, for use in an electrowetting sample processing system. The cartridge has a liquid input port for introducing an input liquid into an internal gap of the cartridge, the input liquid providing for at least one droplet, directly or via a liquid separation process within the internal gap, and the internal gap having at least one hydrophobic surface, at least one processing zone for processing samples located in the processing zone, and a delivery zone for delivering the at least one droplet from the liquid input port to the at least one processing zone. The delivery zone is configured to provide a repeating pattern of interacting electrowetting force for simultaneously transporting the at least one droplet within the delivery zone.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in an electrowetting sample processing system, the cartridge having at least one inlet port for introducing an input liquid in an internal gap of the cartridge, wherein the gap has at least one hydrophobic surface and is configured to provide an electrowetting induced movement of a microfluidic droplet of input liquid, wherein the input liquid has a carrier liquid and a processing liquid and the gap has a capture zone that is configured to capture at least a part of the processing liquid as a microfluidic droplet by use of electrowetting force and the gap further has a transfer zone that is configured to provide a passage for the carrier liquid next to the microfluidic droplet, while processing liquid is captured in the capture zone.

Abstract: A robotic sample handling system (100) may be provided for performing sample handling tasks in a laboratory environment. The system may comprise at least one robotic arm (140), (142) which is controllable to be positioned in a plane parallel to a work area and along a Z-axis perpendicular to the work area, and a controller (180) configured to control the robotic arm to position and operate the robotic arm as part of a sample handling task. The work area may comprise a module (204) for use with one or more of the samples, wherein the module comprises a mechanism which is actuatable by downward force, and wherein the controller is configured to control the robotic arm to actuate the mechanism by pushing downward in Z-direction. For example, the module may be a stand (204) for a sample container which comprise a push-push mechanism which may be operated by the robotic arm to bring the sample in the sample container in a vicinity of an effector, such as a magnet or a heat source.

Abstract: A cartridge, in particular a disposable cartridge, for use in an electrowetting sample processing system. The cartridge contains an internal gap with at least one hydrophobic surface for enabling an electrowetting induced movement of a microfluidic droplet that has magnetic beads and further has a bead accumulation zone, into which the microfluidic droplet is transferable by electrowetting force and the magnetic beads are exposable to a magnetic force of a bead manipulation magnet. The internal gap has a bead extraction opening adjacent to the bead accumulation zone. The bead extraction opening provides a passage from the gap to an exterior space of the cartridge and is configured to removably receive the bead manipulation magnet for enabling an extraction of the magnetic beads from the microfluidic droplet by a removal of the bead manipulation magnet.

Abstract: A cartridge, in particular a disposable cartridge, for use in an electrowetting sample processing system. The cartridge contains an internal gap with at least one hydrophobic surface for enabling an electrowetting induced movement of a microfluidic droplet that has magnetic beads and further has a bead accumulation zone, into which the microfluidic droplet is transferable by electrowetting force and the magnetic beads are exposable to a magnetic force of a bead manipulation magnet. The internal gap has a bead extraction opening adjacent to the bead accumulation zone. The bead extraction opening provides a passage from the gap to an exterior space of the cartridge and is configured to removably receive the bead manipulation magnet for enabling an extraction of the magnetic beads from the microfluidic droplet by a removal of the bead manipulation magnet.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in an electrowetting sample processing system, the cartridge having at least one inlet port for introducing an input liquid in an internal gap of the cartridge, wherein the gap has at least one hydrophobic surface and is configured to provide an electrowetting induced movement of a microfluidic droplet of input liquid, wherein the input liquid has a carrier liquid and a processing liquid and the gap has a capture zone that is configured to capture at least a part of the processing liquid as a microfluidic droplet by use of electrowetting force and the gap further has a transfer zone that is configured to provide a passage for the carrier liquid next to the microfluidic droplet, while processing liquid is captured in the capture zone.

Abstract: A method for aspirating a first liquid medium of two liquid media of different density from a sample container comprises: lowering a pipette of the laboratory automation device into the sample container until a pipette tip of the pipette has passed a lowering distance from the surface of the first liquid medium in the sample container, wherein the lowering distance is chosen, such that the pipette tip passes at least an aspiration volume in the sample container; aspirating liquid from the sample container during the lowering of the pipette by generating an underpressure in the pipette, wherein the first liquid medium is aspirated, and after the interface and the pipette tip pass each other, the second liquid medium of the two liquid media is aspirated; measuring a pressure in the pipette during the lowering of the pipette and detecting a position of the interface, when a slope of the pressure changes; when the lowering distance has been passed and no interface is detected, aspirating the aspiration volume fro

Abstract: A cartridge, in particular a disposable cartridge, for use in an electrowetting sample processing system. The cartridge has a liquid input port for introducing an input liquid into an internal gap of the cartridge, the input liquid providing for at least one droplet, directly or via a liquid separation process within the internal gap, and the internal gap having at least one hydrophobic surface, at least one processing zone for processing samples located in the processing zone, and a delivery zone for delivering the at least one droplet from the liquid input port to the at least one processing zone. The delivery zone is configured to provide a repeating pattern of interacting electrowetting force for simultaneously transporting the at least one droplet within the delivery zone.

Abstract: A method of treating an isolated area of a sample with a liquid is disclosed. The method has the steps of generating an isolated area of a sample by a first fluid reservoir where the first fluid reservoir enclosing a distal end of a second fluid reservoir and the isolated area of the sample being sealed towards the remaining area of the sample, bringing the isolated area of the sample into fluid connection with the second fluid reservoir, dispensing a fluid from the second fluid reservoir into the first fluid reservoir thereby generating a fluid flow on the sample at the isolated area in a first direction, and aspirating the fluid from the first fluid reservoir into the second fluid reservoir thereby generating a fluid flow on the sample at the isolated area in a second direction.

Abstract: A pipette tip extension attachable to a pipette tip having a proximal end, a distal end, and an exterior wall extending between the proximal end and the distal end is disclosed. The exterior wall has an outer side and an inner side and forms at the proximal end a reception aperture for inserting a pipette tip, and at the distal end a dispense aperture. The pipette tip extension further has an inner cavity, a distance element connected to the inner side of the exterior wall, and a constriction element.

Abstract: A pipette tip extension having a proximal end, a distal end, and an exterior wall extending between the proximal end and the distal end is disclosed. The exterior wall has an outer side and an inner side and encloses an inner cavity which is delimited by the inner side of the exterior wall. The exterior wall forms at the proximal end a reception aperture. The pipette tip extension further has one or more distance elements arranged at the inner side of the exterior wall and protruding into the inner cavity.

Abstract: A cartridge, in particular a disposable cartridge, for use in an electrowetting sample processing system. The cartridge contains an internal gap with at least one hydrophobic surface for enabling an electrowetting induced movement of a microfluidic droplet that has magnetic beads and further has a bead accumulation zone, into which the microfluidic droplet is transferable by electrowetting force and the magnetic beads are exposable to a magnetic force of a bead manipulation magnet. The internal gap has a bead extraction opening adjacent to the bead accumulation zone. The bead extraction opening provides a passage from the gap to an exterior space of the cartridge and is configured to removably receive the bead manipulation magnet for enabling an extraction of the magnetic beads from the microfluidic droplet by a removal of the bead manipulation magnet.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in an electrowetting sample processing system, the cartridge having at least one inlet port for introducing an input liquid in an internal gap of the cartridge, wherein the gap has at least one hydrophobic surface and is configured to provide an electrowetting induced movement of a microfluidic droplet of input liquid, wherein the input liquid has a carrier liquid and a processing liquid and the gap has a capture zone that is configured to capture at least a part of the processing liquid as a microfluidic droplet by use of electrowetting force and the gap further has a transfer zone that is configured to provide a passage for the carrier liquid next to the microfluidic droplet, while processing liquid is captured in the capture zone.

Abstract: A cartridge, in particular a disposable cartridge, for use in an electrowetting sample processing system. The cartridge has a liquid input port for introducing an input liquid into an internal gap of the cartridge, the input liquid providing for at least one droplet, directly or via a liquid separation process within the internal gap, and the internal gap having at least one hydrophobic surface, at least one processing zone for processing samples located in the processing zone, and a delivery zone for delivering the at least one droplet from the liquid input port to the at least one processing zone. The delivery zone is configured to provide a repeating pattern of interacting electrowetting force for simultaneously transporting the at least one droplet within the delivery zone.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in an electrowetting sample processing system, the cartridge having one or more inlet ports for introducing an input liquid into an internal gap of the cartridge, which has at least one hydrophobic surface for enabling an electrowetting induced movement of multiple microfluidic droplets separated from the input liquid. The cartridge further has at least one outlet port that is operably connected to the inlet port for providing a liquid flow through the cartridge, if a liquid driving force, in particular an electrowetting force or a pressure force, is applied to at least a part of the input liquid.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a sequencing system capable of rapidly imaging samples at multiple wavelengths are provided herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a fast-indexing filter wheel having a plurality of excitation and emission filters capable of being rapidly rotated into and out of communication with an excitation source (e.g., an arc lamp, a laser. For example, the filter wheel can be configured to index in an amount of time falling within a range of about 40 ms to about 60 ms, preferably 50 ms. The system can also be configured to account for vibrations resulting from the quick starts and stops of the fast-indexing filter wheel as well as vibrations resulting from other sources. Various methods of rapidly imaging a sample at multiple wavelengths are also provided herein.

Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising a support base and a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The microplate is positioned adjacent the support base and comprises a plurality of wells formed in the first surface thereof. Each of the plurality of wells is sized to receive an assay therein. A sapphire crystalline transparent window is positioned adjacent the microplate opposing the support base. A heating device heats the transparent window in response to a control system.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a sequencing system capable of rapidly imaging samples at multiple wavelengths are provided herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a fast-indexing filter wheel having a plurality of excitation and emission filters capable of being rapidly rotated into and out of communication with an excitation source (e.g., an arc lamp, a laser. For example, the filter wheel can be configured to index in an amount of time falling within a range of about 40 ms to about 60 ms, preferably 50 ms. The system can also be configured to account for vibrations resulting from the quick starts and stops of the fast-indexing filter wheel as well as vibrations resulting from other sources. Various methods of rapidly imaging a sample at multiple wavelengths are also provided herein.

Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising a support base and a microplate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The microplate is positioned adjacent the support base and comprises a plurality of wells formed in the first surface thereof. Each of the plurality of wells is sized to receive an assay therein. A sapphire crystalline transparent window is positioned adjacent the microplate opposing the support base. A heating device heats the transparent window in response to a control system.