Abstract: A liquid handling system includes a deck housed within an enclosed space of the liquid handling system. The deck may include a plurality of deck slots configured to receive liquid handling modules of different types. A liquid handling module may be coupled to a cradle configured to receive the module. Cradles and modules of a same size as a deck slot may be interchangeably coupled to the deck slot. Each deck slot may include mounting apertures for securely coupling the cradle to the deck. Each mounting aperture may be configured to receive a fastener. The fastener may include a mounting header, a header fastener, and a mounting base removably coupled to the mounting header via the header fastener. The cradle may be securely coupled to the deck slot via inserting and securing the fastener through the mounting aperture.

Abstract: Calibration of components of a liquid handling system are provided. As the accuracy of the components of the liquid handling system enable operations of such components, each of a moveable stage and associated attachments (e.g., pipette) and a material handling gripper system are calibrated from time-to-time. In the case of the moveable stage and associated attachments, an affixed calibration probe may be used to locate a particular spatial location at a calibration target slot. In the case of the material handling gripper system, an affixed calibration pin similarly may be used to locate a particular spatial location at a calibration target slot. Based on the movements of the moveable stage and associated attachments and the material handling gripper system to move to and find the particular spatial location, each of these systems may be calibrated.

Abstract: Systems and methods applicable, for instance, to pipette robots. A pipette robot can perform one or more operations regarding deck calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip/probe calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip pick up, and/or one or more operations regarding tip ejection.

Abstract: Systems and methods applicable, for instance, to pipette robots. A pipette robot can perform one or more tip presence check operations, one or more tip seal check operations, and/or one or more distance sensing operations, including distance sensing operations which regard determining the height of the surface of a liquid.

Abstract: Systems and methods applicable, for instance, to pipette robots. A pipette robot can perform one or more operations regarding deck calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip/probe calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip pick up, and/or one or more operations regarding tip ejection.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for diagnosing a disease or an infection in a high throughput manner. Also provided herein are methods and compositions for diagnosing a disease or an infection with high specificity and high sensitivity.

Abstract: Systems and methods applicable, for instance, to pipette robots. A pipette robot can perform one or more operations regarding deck calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip/probe calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip pick up, and/or one or more operations regarding tip ejection.

Abstract: A vibration mount having a body for coupling to an object to be supported by the vibration mount, a flexible member forming a foot on the body and together with the body, forming a chamber therein, a center member within the chamber and coupled to move in unison with the body, a valve having a first valve member coupled to move in unison with the central member and a second valve member coupled to move in unison with the flexible member, a connection for coupling air under pressure to the chamber through the valve member, and a vent for venting the chamber though the valve.

Abstract: Shakers and methods of testing suitable for various applications, including those presenting adverse test environments. The shakers have a permanent magnet assembly mounted in a sealed housing for vibration along a shaker axis. The permanent magnet assembly is double ended, and includes at least one shorting ring to hold down the inductance of the driving coils at higher frequencies. Fluid cooling (or heating) of both the shaker housing and the permanent magnet assembly allows placement of the shakers inside a temperature test chamber. The shakers may be coupled directly to the article to be tested, or coupled singularly or in a plurality to a test table to which an article to be tested is coupled. Various embodiments and methods of testing are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved mail sorting computer keyboard, having a plurality of keys arranged in first and second groups for rotational movement, is provided. A first rod is disposed through apertures of each key of the first group of keys while a second rod is disposed through apertures of each key the second group of keys. A third rod extending transversely across the keyboard and under a front portion of the first group of keys and a fourth rod extending above the first group of keys define the rotational arch for the first group of keys. A fifth rod transversely disposed under a front portion of the second group of keys and a sixth rod transversely disposed under the rearward portion of the second group of keys defines the rotational arch for the second group of keys. Each key of the keyboard actuates a corresponding electrical switch for sending impulses to a mail sorting computer.

Abstract: An optical switch for use as a modular keyboard switch designed to provide tactile and audible feedback to the keyboard operator. The switch includes an opaque housing in which a light emitting device and a light activated detector are mounted. A "U" shaped spring shutter rests within the housing between the emitter and detector and has an aperture through which light from the emitter may illuminate the detector. A spring loaded key stem moves longitudinally within the housing and is designed to penetrate the open end of the shutter. The key stem and shutter are shaped such that as the key stem is depressed the upwardly extending arms of the shutter are at first forced outward by projecting shoulders on the key stem and then snap back along upwardly sloping surfaces of the shoulder, thereby causing the shutter to spring upwards and block the optical path between the emitter and detector. The snap action of the shutter causes an audible "click" and also provides tactile feedback to the operator.