Abstract: A method for preparing an aliquot of solution is disclosed. The method includes agitating the solution with a baffle at a predetermined mixing speed to suspend the plurality of particles in the solution, wherein the baffle positioned at least partially within a vessel containing the solution, and wherein the vessel is engaged with a vessel receptacle configured to hold the vessel. The method also includes withdrawing, during the agitating, the aliquot of solution from the vessel with a pipette, such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned within the vessel.

Abstract: A device comprising a base and a support structure is disclosed. The base includes a vial receptacle for holding a vial. The support structure is coupled to an upper portion of the base and is configured to align a pipette comprising a pipette tip vertically over the vial receptacle. The support structure is configured to support a pipette such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned one or more predetermined depths within a vial in the vial receptacle.

Abstract: Methods and devices for determining pancreatic lipase in an animal sample are provided. In one aspect, the device includes a basic buffer layer comprising one or more bile salts and calcium; an isolation layer comprising colipase; an indicator layer comprising a chromogenic substrate such as DGGR. The device may also include and a system for optically determining the amount of a development of a color change. The methods include the use of the device to detect pancreatic lipase in animal samples.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aliquot of solution comprising a plurality of particles is disclosed. The method includes agitating the solution with a baffle at a predetermined mixing speed to suspend the plurality of particles in the solution, wherein the baffle positioned at least partially within a vessel containing the solution, and wherein the vessel is engaged with a vessel receptacle configured to hold the vessel. The method also includes withdrawing, during the agitating, the aliquot of solution from the vessel with a pipette, such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned within the vessel.

Abstract: A method for preparing for preparing a solution comprising a plurality of particles in a vial is disclosed. The method includes agitating the vial at a first predetermined mixing speed. The method also includes dispersing, into the vial, during the agitating, a first volume of buffer solution at a first predetermined dispensing rate to suspend the plurality of particles in the solution, wherein particles of the plurality of particles comprise a unique identifying feature.

Abstract: A method for withdrawing a solution comprising a plurality of particles from a vial is disclosed. The method includes agitating the vial at a first predetermined mixing speed to suspend the plurality of particles in the solution. The method also includes withdrawing, during the agitating, a first volume of the solution from the vial with a pipette, such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned at a first predetermined depth within the vial.

Abstract: A device comprising a base and a support structure is disclosed. The base includes a vial receptacle for holding a vial. The support structure is coupled to an upper portion of the base and is configured to align a pipette comprising a pipette tip vertically over the vial receptacle. The support structure is configured to support a pipette such that an end of a pipette tip is positioned one or more predetermined depths within a vial in the vial receptacle.