Abstract: A device and method are provided to facilitate the handling of a volume or fluid. The device includes an elongated tube having an open first end and a second end. The tube defines a reservoir for receiving the volume or fluid. A stanchion has a first end received within the reservoir of the tube and a second end projecting from the open end of the elongated tube. In operation, the elongated tube is deposited in a first capsule having fluid therein. The first capsule is centrifuged such that the volume of fluid is received in a reservoir in the tube through the open end. The tube is removed from the first capsule and positioned in a second capsule such that the open end of the tube is spaced from a closed end of the second capsule. The second capsule is centrifuged such that the volume of fluid is expelled from the reservoir of the tube.

Abstract: A non-displasive pipette is provided. The non-displasive pipette is configured for connection to a tip having a fluid therein. The tip includes an orifice to allow for the discharge of the fluid therefrom. The non-displasive pipette includes a body defining a chamber therethrough and having first and second opposite ends. The second end of the body is configured for connection to the tip. A plunger is slidably received in the chamber at the first end of the body. The plunger is moveable in the chamber between an extended position and a discharge position wherein the fluid is urged from tip through the orifice. An air discharge arrangement is configured to allow air from the chamber to escape therefrom and to maintain the fluid in the tip in response to connection of the second end of the body to the tip.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for facilitating the disaggregation of a plurality of solid phase substrate as the plurality of solid phase substrate are transferred from a first location to a second location. A plurality of solid phase substrate are deposited at the first location and a plurality of particles are added to the plurality of solid phase substrate. A force is generated to draw the plurality of solid phase substrate from the first location to a second location. The plurality of particles causes clumps of the plurality of solid phase substrate to break apart as the plurality of solid phase substrate are moved in response to the force.

Abstract: A platform and method for conducting multi-variable combinational interactions are provided. An array of multiplexing chambers in formed in a body. The body also includes a common well communicating with each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers and a plurality of variable wells. Each of variable wells communicates with at least one multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers. The common well is loaded with a first variable and different variables are loaded in each of the plurality of variable wells. The interaction of the first variable with at least one of the different variables in each multiplexing chamber of the array of multiplexing chambers is observed.

Abstract: A platform and method for testing antibiotic sensitivity of a polymicrobial infection is provided. The platform includes a body defining a plurality of sets of chambers and a plurality of wells. Each set of chambers has a plurality of chambers adapted for culturing microbes of the polymicrobial infection therein. Each well is associated with a corresponding set of chambers and has an input in fluidic o communication with the outlets of the plurality of chambers in the corresponding set of chambers. Selected antibiotic therapies may be received in the wells which fluidically connect the plurality of chambers in a corresponding set of chambers such that microbes cultured in the plurality of chambers in the corresponding set of chambers are in soluble factor contact.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for facilitating the disaggregation of a plurality of solid phase substrate as the plurality of solid phase substrate are transferred from a first location to a second location. A plurality of solid phase substrate are deposited at the first location and a plurality of particles are added to the plurality of solid phase substrate. A force is generated to draw the plurality of solid phase substrate from the first location to a second location. The plurality of particles causes clumps of the plurality of solid phase substrate to break apart as the plurality of solid phase substrate are moved in response to the force.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided for isolating a fraction in a biological sample. The fraction is bound to solid phase substrate to define a fraction-bound solid phase substrate. The device includes an input zone for receiving the biological sample therein to capture a desired fraction of the biological sample. A force is provided that is generally perpendicular to gravity. The force is movable between a first position adjacent the input zone multiple other positions adjacent various purification, protein analysis, separation and extraction zones. The force captures the fraction-bound solid phase substrate and the fraction-bound solid phase substrate moves from the input zone to the other zones to perform a multi-step assay on the isolated fraction within the device.

Abstract: A device and method are proved for transferring a target from a first location to a second location. The target is bound to solid phase substrate to form a target bound solid phase substrate. The device includes transfer surface for receiving the target bound solid phase substrate thereon for transfer. The transfer surface movable between a first position wherein the transfer surface is aligned with the first location and spaced therefrom by a distance and a second position wherein the transfer surface is aligned with the second location. An alignment structure aligns the transfer surface with respect to the second location, with the transfer surface in the second position. A force is movable between an attraction position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate are drawn toward the transfer surface and a discharge position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate are free of the force.

Abstract: A method and microfluidic device are provided for containing a droplet having an outer surface at a predetermined location. The microfluidic device includes a plate having an upper surface and a central region communicating with the upper surface. The central region is adapted for receiving a droplet of fluid thereon. The central region includes an outer periphery that defines a first fluid constraint configured for discouraging fluid on the central region from flowing therepast. A second fluid constraint extends about the first fluid constraint. The second fluid constraint is configured for discouraging fluid flowing therepast. A third fluid constraint extends about the second fluid constraint. The third fluid constraint configured for discouraging fluid flowing therepast.

Abstract: A deformable well structure for a microtiter plate and method are provided. The deformable well structure includes a sample container defining a well for receiving a sample therein. The sample received in the well has a concave meniscus. A deformation tool is engageable with the sample container and is moveable between a first disengaged position wherein the deformation tool is spaced from the sample container and a second, engaged position wherein the deformation tool engages and deforms at least a portion of the sample container such that the meniscus of the sample in the well is converted from concave to convex.

Abstract: A non-displasive pipette is provided. The non-displasive pipette is configured for connection to a tip having a fluid therein. The tip includes an orifice to allow for the discharge of the fluid therefrom. The non-displasive pipette includes a body defining a chamber therethrough and having first and second opposite ends. The second end of the body is configured for connection to the tip. A plunger is slidably received in the chamber at the first end of the body. The plunger is moveable in the chamber between an extended position and a discharge position wherein the fluid is urged from tip through the orifice. An air discharge arrangement is configured to allow air from the chamber to escape therefrom and to maintain the fluid in the tip in response to connection of the second end of the body to the tip.

Abstract: A non-displasive pipette is provided. The non-displasive pipette is configured for connection to a tip having a fluid therein. The tip includes an orifice to allow for the discharge of the fluid therefrom. The non-displasive pipette includes a body defining a chamber therethrough and having first and second opposite ends. The second end of the body is configured for connection to the tip. A plunger is slidably received in the chamber at the first end of the body. The plunger is moveable in the chamber between an extended position and a discharge position wherein the fluid is urged from tip through the orifice. An air discharge arrangement is configured to allow air from the chamber to escape therefrom and to maintain the fluid in the tip in response to connection of the second end of the body to the tip.

Abstract: A device and method are proved for transferring a target from a first location to a second location. The target is bound to solid phase substrate to form a target bound solid phase substrate. The device includes transfer surface for receiving the target bound solid phase substrate thereon for transfer. The transfer surface movable between a first position wherein the transfer surface is aligned with the first location and spaced therefrom by a distance and a second position wherein the transfer surface is aligned with the second location. An alignment structure aligns the transfer surface with respect to the second location, with the transfer surface in the second position. A force is movable between an attraction position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate are drawn toward the transfer surface and a discharge position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate are free of the force.

Abstract: A device and method are proved for transferring a target from a first location to a second location. The target is bound to solid phase substrate to form a target bound solid phase substrate. The device includes transfer surface for receiving the target bound solid phase substrate thereon for transfer. The transfer surface movable between a first position wherein the transfer surface is aligned with the first location and spaced therefrom by a distance and a second position wherein the transfer surface is aligned with the second location. An alignment structure aligns the transfer surface with respect to the second location, with the transfer surface in the second position. A force is movable between an attraction position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate are drawn toward the transfer surface and a discharge position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate are free of the force.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for facilitating the disaggregation of a plurality of solid phase substrate as the plurality of solid phase substrate are transferred from a first location to a second location. A plurality of solid phase substrate are deposited at the first location and a plurality of particles are added to the plurality of solid phase substrate. A force is generated to draw the plurality of solid phase substrate from the first location to a second location. The plurality of particles causes clumps of the plurality of solid phase substrate to break apart as the plurality of solid phase substrate are moved in response to the force.

Abstract: A device and a method for isolating a target from a biological sample are provided. The target is bound to solid phase substrate to form target bound solid phase substrate. The device includes a lower plate with an upper surface having a plurality of regions. The biological sample is receivable on a first of the regions. An upper plate has a lower surface directed to the upper surface of the lower plate. A force is positioned adjacent the upper plate and attracts the target bound solid phase substrate toward the lower surface of the upper plate. At least one of the upper plate and the lower plate is movable from a first position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate in the biological sample are drawn to the lower surface of the upper plate and a second position wherein the target bound solid phase substrate are isolated from the biological sample.

Abstract: A device and method are provided to facilitate the handling of a volume or fluid. The device includes an elongated tube having an open first end and a second end. The tube defines a reservoir for receiving the volume or fluid. A stanchion has a first end received within the reservoir of the tube and a second end projecting from the open end of the elongated tube. In operation, the elongated tube is deposited in a first capsule having fluid therein. The first capsule is centrifuged such that the volume of fluid is received in a reservoir in the tube through the open end. The tube is removed from the first capsule and positioned in a second capsule such that the open end of the tube is spaced from a closed end of the second capsule. The second capsule is centrifuged such that the volume of fluid is expelled from the reservoir of the tube.

Abstract: A deformable well structure for a microtiter plate and method are provided. The deformable well structure includes a sample container defining a well for receiving a sample therein. The sample received in the well has a concave meniscus. A deformation tool is engageable with the sample container and is moveable between a first disengaged position wherein the deformation tool is spaced from the sample container and a second, engaged position wherein the deformation tool engages and deforms at least a portion of the sample container such that the meniscus of the sample in the well is converted from concave to convex.

Abstract: A device is provided for the administration of a compound in a body. The device includes a capsule having a reservoir therein for receiving the compound therein and a delivery instrument for positioning the capsule within the body. The delivery instrument includes a barrel having an interior adapted to receive the capsule therein and a dispersal element interacting with the barrel to selectively expel the capsule therefrom and into the body. A diffusion regulator communicates with the reservoir and controls the diffusion of the compound from the reservoir into the body. A retention structure projects from capsule and is configured to retain the capsule at a desired location within the body. Multiple devices may be used in conjunction to provide a multiplexed point source to administer multiple compounds simultaneously in vivo.

Abstract: A method and microfluidic device are provided for containing a droplet having an outer surface at a predetermined location. The microfluidic device includes a plate having an upper surface and a central region communicating with the upper surface. The central region is adapted for receiving a droplet of fluid thereon. The central region includes an outer periphery that defines a first fluid constraint configured for discouraging fluid on the central region from flowing therepast. A second fluid constraint extends about the first fluid constraint. The second fluid constraint is configured for discouraging fluid flowing therepast. A third fluid constraint extends about the second fluid constraint. The third fluid constraint configured for discouraging fluid flowing therepast.