Abstract: Disclosed is an automated analyzer intended for qualitative/quantitative analysis of blood, urine, and other biological samples, and including a reagent disk for mounting a plurality of reagent containers thereon, wherein any errors in liquid-level measurement due to oscillation of a reagent liquid surface during rotation of the reagent disk are minimized, even when reagent containers of a large capacity are mounted. If a predetermined constant cycle time is defined as one unit, the reagent disk with reagent containers mounted thereon is transported to a liquid-level detection position using at least two units when a liquid level of a reagent is measured.

Abstract: A hematology analyzer is provided. In certain embodiments, the hematology analyzer comprises: a) a flow cell; b) a light source for directing light to the flow cell; c) a plurality of detectors for detecting a plurality of optical characteristics of a blood cell passing through the flow cell; and d) a data analysis workstation programmed to: i. enumerate test blood cells passing through the flow cell; and ii. flag a blood sample as containing lysis-resistant red blood cells or fragile white blood cells.

Abstract: A reagent kit comprising: a reagent container assembly with at least one reagent container, wherein the reagent container has at least one container body and at least one closure which can be mounted or provided on the container body. The closure comprises a closure base member and a lid which is mounted movably on the base member for movement at least between a closed lid position and another lid position, and an in-transit securing means mountable in a locking position on the reagent container and which is movable relative to the reagent container from the locking position into a release position. The in-transit securing means, when in the locking position, secures the lid in the closed lid position. By moving the in-transit securing means from the locking position into the release position, the lid is moved from the closed lid position into the other lid position.

Abstract: Reaction containers (110) each comprising a plurality of treatment parts (wells) (501-506) are placed side by side in a reaction container set so as to be movable independently of each other in the direction of arrangement of the treatment parts (wells). A plurality of stems (401) correspond to the respective reaction containers (110) and are disposed above the reaction containers to be vertically movable and disposed in the direction crossing the direction of movement of the reaction containers. Control is performed so that when the reaction containers (110) and a stem mechanism (111) are operated together and one of the treatment parts (501-506) of each of the reaction containers (110) comes immediately below the stem mechanism (111) in accordance with a treatment procedure, a stem (401) corresponding thereto, a magnetic chip (402) attached thereto, or the cover (405) thereof can go into and out of the treatment part.

Abstract: An automatic inoculating system for depositing a sample on a substrate in a predetermined pattern. A turret is rotatable about a vertical axis, and an arm retained by the turret is pivotable about a horizontal axis. A stylus retained at a distal portion of the arm sucks up and dispenses the sample, such as by use of a pumping system in fluidic communication with the stylus. A support rotatably retains the substrate. The arm can be raised and lowered, such as by a cylinder on which the arm rests without a retaining mechanical connection therebetween. The arm can thus freely lift off the cylinder as when the stylus contacts the surface of the substrate. The sample can thus be deposited on the substrate in a predetermined pattern by a dispensing from the stylus in combination with rotation of the turret and the substrate and a pivoting of the arm.

Abstract: The invention discloses a blood analyzing device (100) comprising a holder (110) arranged for carrying a container (10) having a cuvette (20) containing a blood sample (30). The container (10) is positioned in the holder (110) so that a longitudinal axis (60) of the cuvette (20) is angled relative a horizontal axis (70). A light source (120) provides light (40) into the sample (30) and a detector (130) detects the output light (50) from a sub-portion of the blood sample (30). Kinetic information indicative of the change in hemoglobin concentration in a measuring volume (32, 34) is determined by a Hb processor (145) from the detected output light (50). An ESR processor (140) determines the erythrocyte sedimentation rate of the sample (30) based on the kinetic information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosensing device, comprising an input unit, an analysis unit, a process unit, and a set unit for storing resulting data values as the basis for calibrating the biosensing device, to set up the calibration parameters of a strip of the biosensing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for manually metering liquids, for example a pipette or a metering button. The device comprises a joint forming a seal between a hollow cylinder and a piston housed inside the cylinder, the piston being moved vertically so as to suck in or expel the liquid. During the metering operation, the joint remains fixed with respect to the movement of the piston and comprises parts formed by portions having dedicated geometric and mechanical characteristics which make it possible to locally optimize the functions of sliding, sealing and fastening in the cylinder.

Abstract: A method for assessing a corrosion inhibitor in a coolant, comprises providing a test kit comprising a first chamber containing an acid buffer and a solvent immiscible therein and a second chamber containing an indicator, the second chamber being in fluid communication with the first chamber and being configured such that retraction of the second chamber draws fluid into the first chamber and advancement forces fluid into the second chamber; drawing a coolant sample into the first chamber; contacting the coolant sample with the acid buffer and solvent in the first chamber and extracting the corrosion inhibitor into the solvent; allowing the solvent and buffer to separate in the first chamber; forcing a portion of the separated solvent into the second chamber; contacting the separated solvent with the indicator in the second chamber, and obtaining a visual indication of the presence of corrosion inhibitor in the coolant sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-volume liquid ejection system, including an air pressure module, a micro-ejection unit which is connected with the air pressure module by a conduit, and a control circuit which is connected with the air pressure module and the micro-ejection unit respectively. The air is used as the pressure medium, resulting in improved cleaning process and reduced sample waste. The present invention includes an electric control circuit to pick up sample, eject sample and clean the conduits automatically, and enables handling of a multiplicity of samples. The present invention can be used for transferring or dispensing micro volume liquid including biological liquid on a nL and ?L scale.

Abstract: A pipetting device is described comprising more than one pipetting unit, wherein said pipetting units are independently movable in Y and Z direction and comprise at least one module arranged in a staggered manner compared to the adjacent pipetting unit.

Abstract: A pipetting device having a modular pipetting unit including a pipetting tip for pipetting of fluid samples and a pump conduit for transferring a negative or positive pressure to the pipetting tip is disclosed. The pipetting tip and a portion of the pump conduit adjoining the pipetting tip mutually define a fluid sample conduit for receiving the fluid samples. The modular pipetting unit is detachably attached to an automated positioning device for positioning the modular pipetting unit. A system and method for pipetting of fluid samples using such a pipetting device are also disclosed wherein pipetting of the fluid samples is performed in such a manner that each pipetted fluid sample volume is smaller than a volume of the fluid sample conduit.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for acquiring and/or dispensing a sample without introducing a gas into a microfluidic system, such as a liquid bridge system. An exemplary embodiment provides a sampling device including an outer sheath; a plurality of tubes within the sheath, in which at least one of the tubes acquires a sample, and at least one of the tubes expels a fluid that is immiscible with the sample, in which the at least one tube that acquires the sample is extendable beyond a distal end of the sheath and retractable to within the sheath; and a valve connected to a distal portion of the sheath, in which the valve opens when the tube extends beyond the distal end and closes when the tube retracts to within the sheath.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip device (MCD) and its use for performing miniaturized assays on magnetic microbeads (MMs) are described. The MCD is particularly useful for carrying out miniaturized transcript analysis by aiding affinity capturing (TRAC) assays, including PCR. The MCD comprises at least one reaction chamber with sealable liquid connections and at least one fluidic pillar filter in each chamber. The fluidic pillar filter comprises rods with spacings allowing MMs to pass. The sealable liquid connections feed liquid to the reaction chamber, wherein air bubbles are removed. The liquid stream contacts the MMs, which are manipulated with a magnetic rod. The liquid connections enable trapping of the MMs behind the pillar filters or in the channel, while the liquid is changed.

Abstract: A mechanically-actuated vacuum-controlled fluid collection system includes a mechanically-actuated vacuum controller (MAVC) to draw fluid into a chamber through the opening to the chamber. The system may include a releasable seal to seal the opening, and the MAVC may include a spring-loaded plunger to create a vacuum within the chamber when sealed. The system includes multiple fluid chambers, and may further include a single actuator or multiple corresponding actuators. The system may be configured to add a pre-loadable reagent to fluid drawn into the one or more chambers, and may be configured to add the reagent in proportion to a volume of the fluid. The system may be controllable to release collected fluid to another device, such as for assay and/or transport. The system may be configured to draw a liquid biological sample such as urine, and may include a fluid interface to draw fluid from a biological sample container.

Abstract: To provide a protective coat on a refrigerated sample collector for a corrosive environment a unitary frame includes a support unit with condenser and evaporator coils mounted to the support unit and an orifice connecting the condenser and evaporator coils. The evaporator coils, condenser coils and a restrictor are powder coated after being connected, whereby an effective seal is provided for the restrictor, condenser coils and evaporator coils after they are assembled to the support. The unitary frame can be easily removed or connected as a unit to the sample collector. The bottle rack for the sample collector is made by injection molding two halves of the rack each of which has a matching surface and a bottle positioning surface. The matching surfaces are fastened together by placing the matching surfaces together back to back whereby locating members are spaced apart a sufficient distance.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic device containing a micro-fluidic inlet channel to convey a process flow, a plurality of micro-fluidic focusing channels to each convey one of a plurality of focusing flows, a focusing manifold coupled with the inlet channel at an inlet port thereof and with the plurality of focusing channels at a plurality of focusing channel ports thereof to focus the process flow by contacting and hydrodynamically impacting at least three sides of the process flow with the focusing flows, and a micro-fluidic outlet channel coupled with the focusing manifold at an outlet channel port to convey the combined focused process flow and focusing flow from the focusing manifold.

Abstract: A water-quality monitoring system for an aquatic environment that includes a monitoring unit and a chemical indicator wheel designed and configured to be submerged in the water being monitored. The chemical indicator wheel includes a holder that supports a number of chemical indicators selected for use in measuring levels of constituents of the water. When in use, the wheel is drivingly engaged with a monitoring/measuring unit that includes at least one reader for reading the chemical indicators. In some embodiments, each apparatus includes a plurality of immobilized-dye-based chemical indicators that undergo an optically detectable physical change as levels of one or more constituents of the water change. Also disclosed are a variety of features that can be used to provide the monitoring system with additional functionalities.

Abstract: The pipetting method is directed to mounting and ejecting a disposable pipette tip. The pipetting system has one or more tip mounting shafts with an upper locking section and a lower sealing section. The upper locking section has outwardly extending lobes spaced around the mounting shaft and located above a stop member. The lower sealing section on the tip mounting shaft is located below the stop. As the mounting shaft is inserted into the collar of the disposable pipette, the collar distorts out of round and engages the lobes on the upper locking section of the tip mounting shaft. Contemporaneously, the lower sealing section of the mounting shaft seals against the barrel of the disposable pipette tip.

Abstract: A device for generating a drop of a primary liquid is described, including: a reservoir fillable with the primary liquid, a pressure generation device for generating a hydraulic pressure on the primary liquid, at least one inlet channel for introducing a secondary fluid, and a channel having a flow cross-section transverse to a main flow direction, wherein the flow cross-section includes a main region and at least one sub-region extending from the main region, designed such that the primary liquid can be held in the main region by capillary forces, and the secondary fluid can be held in the sub-region by capillary forces, wherein the reservoir is fluidically connected to a first end of the channel via an output opening, and the at least one inlet channel is also fluidically connected to the channel, and wherein the pressure generation device is implemented to apply a hydraulic pressure to the primary liquid, whereby the same is moved along the channel and output at a second end of the channel as free-flying d

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a clinical instrument analyzer system for the automatic analysis of patient samples. In one embodiment, the analyzer may be used to analyze bodily fluid samples, such as blood, plasma, serum, urine or cerebrospinal fluid, for example. Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and method, for example, an immunoassay method, for separating out target molecules in a magnetic field and then analyzing those target molecules with a luminometer.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte in a fluid sample and method thereof, comprises a sample collector and a receiving cup for receiving and holding the sample collector within the receiving cup. The sample collector contains a compressible absorbent member for collecting the fluid sample, and has a first position and a second, locked position within the receiving cup. The absorbent member is uncompressed in the first position and is compressed in the second, locked position. The sample collector or the receiving cup has at least one test element having reagents for detecting the presence or amount of the analyte in the fluid sample.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a device for transferring an analyte from a reaction chamber to a detector, which detector is capable of detecting said analyte. The device comprises a tubular member having a first end adapted to receive a sample containing said analyte within said reaction chamber and a second end adapted to communicate with a sample inlet of said detector; and a jacket for regulating the temperature of sample passing through the tubular member, wherein said jacket is disposed about at least a portion of the tubular member. Methods of using the device, and apparatus comprising the device, are also provided. The device may be used to transfer an analyte from a reaction chamber to a detector during the course of a chemical reaction, such that the reaction can be monitored in situ.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection device that is adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample having a cellular portion and a plasma portion is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the biological fluid collection device is able to separate the plasma portion from the cellular portion. After separation, the biological fluid collection device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid collection device also provides a closed sampling and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with an anticoagulant. The biological fluid collection device is engageable with a testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the biological fluid collection device to the testing device. The testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.

Abstract: A sterilization indicator system and method of using the system to determine efficacy of a sterilization process. The system includes a vial having a first compartment containing spores of one or more species of microorganism; a second compartment containing a growth medium with a disaccharide, an oligosaccharide or a polysaccharide in which the vial is free of monosaccharide; an enzyme, capable of acting upon the monosaccharide to yield reaction products and electron transfer, disposed on two or more electrodes adapted to carry an electrical signal resulting from the electron transfer, the pair of electrodes positioned to contact the combined contents of the first compartment and the second compartment during incubation; and an apparatus linked or linkable to the electrodes and adapted to detect and measure the electrical signal resulting from electron transfer when the enzyme acts upon the monosaccharide.

Abstract: A various-substance holder, a various-substance holder treating apparatus, and a various-substance holder treating method are provided which enable the mutual identification of particulate carriers to which various substances are or can be immobilized without the need to arrange the particulate carriers at predetermined positions or in a predetermined order, eliminating the need for time and effort to arrange the various substances at predetermined positions or in a predetermined order to allow treatments to be quickly and easily achieved. The various-substance holder has a plurality of particulate carriers or plural sets of particulate carriers to which plural types of chemical substances are or can be immobilized and a carrier holding portion holding the plurality of particulate carriers or the plural sets of particulate carriers in a substantially stationary state such that the plurality of particulate carriers or the plural sets of particulate carriers can be externally measured.

Abstract: A device for volumetric metering a liquid biologic sample is provided. The device includes an initial chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber, a first valve, a second valve and a third valve. The chambers are each configured so that liquid sample disposed in the respective chamber is subject to capillary forces. Each chamber has a volume, and the volume of the initial chamber is greater than the volume of either the second or the third chambers. The valves each have a burst pressure. The burst pressure of the first valve is greater than the third burst pressure. The first valve is in fluid communication with the second chamber. The second valve is disposed between, and is in fluid communication with, the initial chamber and the third chamber. The third valve is in fluid communication with the third chamber.

Abstract: A device for collecting, treating and dispensing a biological sample is described. Use of the device permits integration of sample collection, sample treatment, and sample dispensing.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods for sample multiplexing. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention obtaining a plurality of different reactant molecules, attaching a unique identifier to the reactant molecules, and forming a droplet including the reactant molecules.

Abstract: A syringe for use with a dosing device with a receiver for a syringe cylinder and an axially displaceable plunger receiver for a syringe plunger with a syringe cylinder, which has a floor with an outlet on the bottom, a cylindrical plunger run area on the inside and has means for being held in the receiver on the top, a syringe plunger, which has a circumferential plunger seal for sealing on the plunger run area on the perimeter and a coupling piece for insertion into the plunger receiver on the top and stop means between the syringe cylinder and the syringe plunger, which restrict the displacement of the syringe plunger towards the floor so that the syringe plunger with the plunger seal can only approach to a certain distance from the floor.

Abstract: A microreactor with at least one cavity, which comprises a bottom, a side wall and an opening disposed opposite the bottom, has a cross-section intersecting the side wall parallel to the bottom, the cross-section having a shape diverging from a round, square or rectangular shape.

Abstract: A various-substance holder, a various-substance holder treating apparatus, and a various-substance holder treating method are provided which enable the mutual identification of particulate carriers to which various substances are or can be immobilized without the need to arrange the particulate carriers at predetermined positions or in a predetermined order, eliminating the need for time and effort to arrange the various substances at predetermined positions or in a predetermined order to allow treatments to be quickly and easily achieved. The various-substance holder has a plurality of particulate carriers or plural sets of particulate carriers to which plural types of chemical substances are or can be immobilized and a carrier holding portion holding the plurality of particulate carriers or the plural sets of particulate carriers in a substantially stationary state such that the plurality of particulate carriers or the plural sets of particulate carriers can be externally measured.

Abstract: A microfluidic device including a platform and a cartridge is disclosed. The platform includes a chamber containing a fluid. The reagent cartridge is mounted to the platform. and contains a solid reagent for detecting material contained in the fluid.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for sensing molecules. A twin-nanopore probe includes a first channel and a second channel. A first pressure-controlled reservoir is connected to the first channel to generate a positive pressure. A second pressure-controlled reservoir is connected to the second channel to generate a negative pressure. A container includes ionic solvent with molecules, and a tip of the twin-nanopore probe is submerged in the container of the ionic fluid with the molecules. The first channel, the second channel, the first pressure-controlled reservoir, and the second pressure-controlled reservoir are filled with the ionic fluid. The first pressure-controlled reservoir drives the ionic fluid out of the first channel and the second pressure-controlled reservoir draws in the ionic fluid with the molecules and solvent through the second channel. A flow of ionic current in the twin-nanopore probe is measured to differentiate the molecules that flow through the second channel.

Abstract: Provided herein are substrates for matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric analysis. Each spot includes 3-hydroxypicolinic acid matrix and no analyte.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for non-invasive detection of an analyte in a fluid sample. In one embodiment, the device comprises: a collection chamber containing an absorbent hydrogel material; a fluidic channel connected to the collection chamber; a sensing chamber connected to the fluidic channel, wherein the device is comprised of a compressible housing that allows transfer of fluid collected by the collection chamber to be transferred to be extracted and withdrawn to the sensing chamber upon compression of the device, wherein the sensing chamber contains a material that specifically detects the analyte and wherein the sensing chamber is operably linked to a processor containing a potentiostat that allows detection of the analyte using electrochemical sensing.

Abstract: A holding unit pivotally holds a plurality of reagent bottles which store reagents. A reagent case houses the holding unit and has an edge higher than at least the housed holding unit. The reagent cover is a cover for closing the reagent case. A cooling unit is mounted on one outer surface of the reagent case and cools air in the reagent case closed by the reagent cover through one outer surface. A circulating unit is mounted on the holding portion and circulates the cooled air in the reagent case closed by the reagent cover.

Abstract: In a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid, such as a sample solution, on a substrate, such as a glass slide, the dispensing apparatus includes a capillary provided with a distal end and a proximal end, a pump unit configured to pump an operating liquid into the capillary and to pump the operating liquid out of the capillary, and a controller configured to control the pump unit so as to change a position of a liquid surface of the operating liquid in the capillary so that a predetermined volume of liquid is suctioned from the distal end into the capillary and the liquid suctioned in the capillary is discharged from the distal end. As a result, it is possible to precisely dispense extremely small volume amounts of liquids such as a nanoliter.

Abstract: In a microfluidic assembly, a microfluidic device is provided with a body in which at least a first inlet for loading a fluid for analysis, and a buried area in fluid communication with the first inlet are defined. An analysis chamber is in fluid communication with the buried area and an interface cover is coupled in a fluid-tight manner above the microfluidic device. The interface cover is provided with a sealing portion in correspondence to the analysis chamber, operable to assume a first configuration, in which it leaves the analysis chamber open, and a second configuration, in which it closes the analysis chamber in a fluid-tight manner.

Abstract: Herein provided are fluidics platform and method for sample preparation and analysis. The fluidics platform is capable of analyzing DNA from blood samples using amplification assays such as polymerase-chain-reaction assays and loop-mediated-isothermal-amplification assays. The fluidics platform can also be used for other types of assays and analyzes. In some embodiments, a sample in a sealed tube can be inserted directly. The following isolation, detection, and analyzes can be performed without a user's intervention. The disclosed platform may also comprises a sample preparation system with a magnetic actuator, a heater, and an air-drying mechanism, and fluid manipulation processes for extraction, washing, elution, assay assembly, assay detection, and cleaning after reactions and between samples.

Abstract: A dispensing method which dispenses a first liquid contained in a first vessel which stores the first liquid and a second liquid to introduce the first liquid into a second vessel by using a tube.

Abstract: A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem including an actuation substrate, and a set of pins interacting with the actuation substrate, and a spring plate configured to bias at least one pin in a configurations, the valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; and a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device comprising a hollow body having an opening in a lower end thereof for receiving liquid, and an integrated cap member arranged to sealingly close the body, said cap member comprising a resilient diaphragm which is deformable in a downwards direction. The device is suitable for use in automated apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved system for efficiently and accurately performing immunoassays, such as ELISAs. The invention provides an immunoassay assembly which includes a flow-through unit and an aspiration pump. The immunoassay flow-through unit includes an outer seal; at least one bed support; an inner seal; and a packed non-porous bed. The unit is releasably attached to an aspiration pump which enables the controlled flow rate of liquid passing through the packed bed of the flow-through unit. The invention also provides a method of using the immunoassay assembly to identify analytical targets of interest.

Abstract: A capillary dispenser includes at least one plunger-cylinder unit having a cylinder module and a plunger module disposed together on an axis. The cylinder module has an inner cylinder that is pneumatically connected to at least one capillary. The plunger module includes a hollow plunger that is closable on one side and is movable in the inner cylinder along the axis between an upper end position and a lower end position of the plunger module.

Abstract: This invention provides an analyzer that has a liquid dispense pipette dispensing liquids with higher accuracy and precision at higher speeds. The analyzer includes a drive mechanism having a stepping motor as a power source. The drive mechanism transmits power from a rotation output shaft of the stepping motor to a moving unit for executing a target motion via at least one power transmission unit. The amount of idling of the moving unit stemming from the stepping motor getting driven in reverse is calculated from the amount of movement of the moving unit, from the amount of pulses fed to the stepping motor, and from the amount of remaining pulses so as to perform motion control of the drive mechanism accordingly.

Abstract: A flow cell unit to be docked against a flat lid surface to form a closed flow cell arrangement, the flow cell unit comprising a top surface with protruding walls of elastic material defining three or more adjacent elongated flow channels, each flow channel comprises a first fluid port and a second fluid port, wherein the walls separating adjacent flow channels comprises a valve section of reduced height, thereby allowing selective opening and closing of a flow path transverse to the elongated flow channels by controlling the docking force between flow cell and the lid surface to an open docking state and a closed docking state respectively.

Abstract: Devices for magnetic 3d culture are described including magnetic lids/bases for single Petri plates, adjustable height cap for same, as well similar devices for multi-magnet culture plates. A pen-like device for sterilely lifting and moving cells is also described, and this magnetic pipettor can also exist in multi-well magnetic pipettor formats.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing ratios of analytes within a flowing sample are provided. The flowing sample can be processed in real-time to determine a time interval over which a predetermined amount of a group of analytes passes by a fixed point in a flow cell. The predetermined amount can be routed to a sample container for future processing. The sample can comprise diluted blood and the analytes can comprise a component of hemoglobin, such as A1c, and the total amount of hemoglobin, of which the predetermined amount is metered.

Abstract: A structure for holding sample-containing receptacles includes a cover with holes formed therein through which the receptacles can be accessed with a substance transfer mechanism, such as a robotic pipettor. When the transfer mechanism is inserted into and then withdrawn from a receptacle, a string of viscous material may be suspended from the mechanism. A viscous string removal element adjacent each opening engages the string of viscous material and dislodges the string from the mechanism when the mechanism moves in a prescribed path with respect to the removal element.