Abstract: An improved multi-well synthesis and filtration apparatus (10) includes a deep-well synthesis block (12) having a plurality of flowthrough wells (24) optionally fitted with filter disks (48) each of the wells (24) being integrally formed in the synthesis block (12), such that any material placed in the wells (24) is in immediate contact with the material of the synthesis block (12), an upper cover (14), a lower cover (16), and a pair of first and second sheet gaskets (18, 20). The first and second sheet gaskets (18, 20) are interposed between the upper and lower covers (14, 16) to seal inlet portions (38) and outlet spouts (40) of the wells (24). The upper and lower covers (14, 16) are independently releasable, and, with the gaskets (18, 20) form a gas tight seal, so that material is retained in the wells (24) when the lower cover (16) is removed, but the upper seal maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for multiple simultaneous synthesis (110), having a number of vials (28), each vial (28) having an upper end (31), a lower end (30), and a barrel (29), the upper end (31) opening into a mouth (32). It also includes a lower frame assembly (180) having a number of holes (101, 103, 105) for receiving the vials (28), and an upper frame assembly (180), which includes inner side-walls (195) and a ceiling portion (190). A gas-tight seal (197) surrounds a plenum (85), the plenum (85) being formed between the ceiling portion (190) of the upper frame assembly (180) and the lower frame assembly (181). The plenum (85) is adjustable in volume by the positioning of the upper frame assembly (180) in variable relation to the lower frame assembly (181), while maintaining the gas-tight seal (197). The volume of the plenum (85) is adjustable to a minimum whereby the mouths (32) of the vials (28) are sealed by the ceiling (190) of the gas-tight seal (197), which is optionally an upper gasket (90).

Abstract: A syringe with replaceable needle assembly (10), having a syringe barrel (18) with a proximal end (14), a distal end (16), and an outer surface (87). The syringe barrel (18) surrounds an internal bore (20). A plunger assembly (60) is inserted into the syringe barrel internal bore (20). A needle assembly (80) has a sealing portion (72), which is configured to be removably insertable into the internal bore (20). The sealing portion (72) forms a fluid-tight seal with the internal bore (20). The needle assembly (80) further includes a releasable locking mechanism (79), which includes a collar (76) having a locking flange (86). Also disclosed is a replaceable needle assembly (80), which releasably locks onto the outer surface (87) of the proximal end (14) of a syringe barrel (18).

Abstract: A syringe array (10) for holding a plurality of syringes (12), each syringe having a barrel (14), a plunger (18) and a needle (16), the syringe array (10) including a distal assembly (50) which holds the plungers (18) of the plurality of syringes (12) and by which all of the plurality of plungers (18) are urged to move in unison, a pivot assembly (52) wherein a portion of each the barrels (14) of the plurality of syringes (12) is pivotally attached to a pivot (92, 94) and a proximal assembly (48) wherein each needle (16) of the plurality of syringes (12) is positioned with a controlled center-to-center spacing (100, 102) from each other. An adjusting portion (62, 64, 70) of the syringe array (10) is adjustable to controllably change the needle center-to-center spacing from a first spacing (100) to at least a second spacing (102) as the barrel portions (14) are allowed to rotate about the pivots (92, 94).

Abstract: A multi-well synthesis and filtration apparatus (10) dimensionally arrayed in a standard multi-well format for performing multiple chemical reactions includes a deep-well synthesis block (12) with flowthrough wells (24) fitted with filter disks (48), an upper cover (14), and a lower cover (16). First and second sheet gaskets (18 and 20) seal inlet portions (38) and outlet spouts (40) of the wells (24). An optional skirt (26) provides a site for the independently releasable attachment of the upper and lower covers (14 and 16) to the block (12) while maintaining the seal on the unreleased cover. An alternative synthesis apparatus (310) additionally includes a reinforcement assembly (372) to improve the clamping action of the covers (14 and 16) upon the synthesis block (12). A rotating carrier apparatus (200) and a modified oven assembly (202) are provided to enable agitation and heating of multiple synthesis blocks (12) simultaneously.

Abstract: A multi-well container (10) is provided in which a greater number of wells may exist than heretofore possible while still maintaining a standard multi-well plate tube array format and footprint. The multi-well container (10) is comprised of a rectangular array of tubes (12) in standard tube format held together by an integrally fashioned plate portion (16). The tubes (12) are subdivided by partitions or septa (14) which extend the height of the tubes (12). Each septum (14) may constitute a single wall or may be comprised of any number of fins (32) which are integral with internal tube surfaces (28). In a symmetrical design with four such fins (32), the fins (32) radiate at angular intervals of 90 degrees from a common central axis (34) with which all four fins (32) are integral. Thus, the septa (14) serve to compartmentalize each tube (12) into symmetrical quadrants of four smaller wells or sub-tubes (30).

Abstract: A bath shaker (10) is provided for agitating liquid baths. The bath shaker (10) incorporates a "flexible parallelogram" mode of movement wherein a bath shelf (20) is attached to and supported by two, parallel opposing flexible arms (112). Present on each flexible arm (112) is a first attachment portion (124) sandwichedly held by an upright extension (120) and a first hold plate (110), the arrangement causing the first attachment portion (124) to serve as a flexible hinge. A drive mechanism (16) produces a reciprocating action of the bath shelf (20) through the use of an eccentric (80) and a pivoting lever (46) attached to both the eccentric (80) and the bath shelf (20). The flexible parallelogram arrangement defines the reciprocating motion to be substantially rectilinear and makes for an entirely noiseless mode of travel, while producing an extremely smooth transition between reciprocations.

Abstract: A hybridization incubator assembly (10) is provided for incubation of samples contained in elongated sample bottles (16) and short sample bottles (60). The incubator (10) includes and oven body (18) which encloses a rotisserie assembly (14) adapted for carrying and agitating the sample bottles. The rotisserie assembly (14) includes a pair of bottle support wheels (43) mounted eccentrically on a drive shaft (40). The first wheel (44) and the second wheel (46) are mounted at different degrees of eccentricity and are axially separated on the drive shaft (40) by a distance slightly less than the length of the elongated bottles (16). Each support wheel (43) includes a plurality of grasping clamps (60) affixed about the rim portion (56) for holding the bottles (16), with each the grasping clamps (60) being paired with another on the opposing wheel (43) such that a bottle (16) may be supported by both wheels (43). The perimeter surface (58) of each wheel is beveled to facilitate agitation.

Abstract: A locking microcentrifuge tube (10) is provided which is capable of being sealed in either of two manners, one being a friction-fit seal which is easily opened and the other being a "locked" seal for higher stress applications. The tube body (12) is adapted to mate with the cap (14) at an aperture (24) such that the plug portion (36) of the cap (14) and the aperture (24) form the friction-fit seal at the early stages of insertion. A collar (26) is provided about the aperture (24) on the tube body (12). The collar (26) is formed to include one or more circumferential projections (28, 30). The cap (14) is formed to include depressions (32, 34) adapted to mate with the projections (28, 30) upon full insertion of the plug portion (36) to create the "locked" seal. The cap (14) is secured to the tube body (12) by a hinge (38) and a tab (40). The primary usage of the locking microcentrifuge tube (10) is in biomedical laboratory analysis.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved sealable vial for storage of materials. The vial includes a tubular body portion sealed at one end and provided with an aperture at the opposite end. The tubular body is further provided with a male spiral thread about the aperture end and a tapered section extending inward from the aperture. A sealing insert is attached to the body for positioning in either a closed position wherein it seals the aperture or an open position wherein the aperture is open. A cap fits over the sealing insert in the closed position and seals the vial. The cap includes female threads which mate with the male threads of the tubular body to secure the closure.The vial is particularly adapted for cryogenic storage of organic samples. The vial is also adaptable to other applications wherein complete sealing is required under wide temperature and pressure range conditions.