Abstract: Provided is a pipette head assembly and tip holder apparatus for use in an automated liquid handling device, which apparatus comprises a pipette head assembly mountable in the device and a pipette tip holder comprising locations for holding pipette tips for the pipette head assembly; wherein the pipette head assembly comprises at least one pipette head cone for liquid delivery to at least one pipette tip, each cone fitting tightly into an opening at the top of the pipette tip, and a plate locating means positioned precisely in relation to the at least one head cone; wherein the pipette tip holder comprises a plate for aligning the at least one pipette tip for fitting onto the at least one pipette head cone and a support for supporting the plate, which plate is laterally movable on the support and comprises head assembly locating means positioned precisely in relation to the position of location of the at least one pipette tip; and wherein the head assembly locating means and plate locating means interact t

Abstract: Provided is a pipette head assembly for use in an automated liquid handling device, which assembly comprises a pipette head holder for mounting in the device and a pipette head for locating in the holder, which comprises one or more pipette barrels and associated plungers, wherein the pipette head further comprises a shaped member, the configuration of which uniquely identifies the pipette head, and the holder includes an array of sensors positioned to cooperate with the shaped member when the pipette head is located in the holder so as to detect the configuration of the shaped member for identification of the pipette head by the device.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for automated separation of a target component from a sample using magnetic particles, which apparatus comprises a reagent delivery device and a vial holder for holding one or more vials in position, in which the reagent delivery device is alignable with the one or more vials for reagent delivery thereto; wherein means are provided to vary the angle of incidence of reagent delivery relative to an internal wall of the one or more vials.