Abstract: The present invention provides a system and process providing variable access to, as well as quick and accurate dispensing of, numerous selected reagents from a mass storage arrangement. According to one embodiment, an array of reagent dispensers is supported over a movable platform assembly. The platform assembly aligns a designated receiving receptacle under a selected dispenser of the array so that a respective reagent can be dispensed therein. Advantageously, the apparatus and process can be carried out under the control of a programmed computer.

Abstract: A combination is provided that includes a microfluidic device and a pivoting actuator. Methods of using the combination are also provided. The microfluidic device can include deformable valves that can be opened, for example, by the pivoting actuator.

Abstract: A microfluidic manipulation system is provided that includes a blade for manipulating deformable material and at least one movable support that is capable of moving the blade into contact with a microfluidic device including a deformable feature. When the microfluidic device is operatively held by a holder, a movable support can position the distal end of the blade relative to the microfluidic device and move the contact tip surface of the blade such that it deforms the deformable feature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and process providing variable access to, as well as quick and accurate dispensing of, numerous selected reagents from a mass storage arrangement. According to one embodiment, an array of reagent dispensers is supported over a movable platform assembly. The platform assembly aligns a designated receiving receptacle under a selected dispenser of the array so that a respective reagent can be dispensed therein. Advantageously, the apparatus and process can be carried out under the control of a programmed computer.

Abstract: A microfluidic device that includes a microball valve is provided. The microball valve is capable of preventing or interrupting fluid flow through the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can include a substrate layer, and a microfluidic pathway that includes the microball valve. Methods are provided for manipulating fluids using the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a device and method for accurately locating a multi-well plate at a plate-support location, e.g., a work surface, of an automated laboratory machine, such that one or more acting members of the machine, such as an array of pipette tips, optical sensors, or the like, can accurately address and operate on the individual wells. Interior and/or exterior surface regions of one or more wells of a multi-well plate are used as the primary plate features engaged by locating structure of the machine. In one particular embodiment one or more upwardly tapered projections extend from a plate-support surface of a plate-handling machine for mating engagement with the exterior surface regions of one or more wells. In another embodiment, the exterior surface regions along one or more well bottoms are engagingly received within bores, or other receiving structure, formed on the place-support surface of a machine.

Abstract: A microfluidic manipulation system is provided that includes a blade for manipulating deformable material and at least one movable support that is capable of moving the blade into contact with a microfluidic device including a deformable feature. When the microfluidic device is operatively held by a holder, a movable support can position the distal end of the blade relative to the microfluidic device and move the contact tip surface of the blade such that it deforms the deformable feature.

Abstract: A microfluidic device that includes a micro ball valve is provided. The microball valve is capable of preventing or interrupting fluid flow through the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can include a substrate layer, and a microfluidic pathway that includes the microball valve. Methods are provided for manipulating fluids using the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided that can include at least one trap for receiving displaceable adhesion material displaced during a closing operation of a deformable valve. The trap can be formed as a recess or chamber in a substrate of the microfluidic device. A system including a deformer for opening such a valve is also provided as are methods of opening such a valve.

Abstract: A combination is provided that includes a microfluidic device and a pivoting actuator. Methods of using the combination are also provided. The microfluidic device can include deformable valves that can be opened, for example, by the pivoting actuator.

Abstract: A microfluidic device that includes a micro ball valve is provided. The microball valve is capable of preventing or interrupting fluid flow through the microfluidic device. The microfluidic device can include a substrate layer, and a microfluidic pathway that includes the microball valve. Methods are provided for manipulating fluids using the microfluidic device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and process providing variable access to, as well as quick and accurate dispensing of, numerous selected reagents from a mass storage arrangement. According to one embodiment, an array of reagent dispensers is supported over a movable platform assembly. The platform assembly aligns a designated receiving receptacle under a selected dispenser of the array so that a respective reagent can be dispensed therein. Advantageously, the apparatus and process can be carried out under the control of a programmed computer.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a device and method for accurately locating a multi-well plate at a plate-support location, e.g., a work surface, of an automated laboratory machine, such that one or more acting members of the machine, such as an array of pipette tips, optical sensors, or the like, can accurately address and operate on the individual wells. Interior and/or exterior surface regions of one or more wells of a multi-well plate are used as the primary plate features engaged by locating structure of the machine. In one particular embodiment one or more upwardly tapered projections extend from a plate-support surface of a plate-handling machine for mating engagement with the exterior surface regions of one or more wells. In another embodiment, the exterior surface regions along one or more well bottoms are engagingly received within bores, or other receiving structure, formed on the plate-support surface of a machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and process providing variable access to, as well as quick and accurate dispensing of, numerous selected reagents from a mass storage arrangement. According to one embodiment, an array of reagent dispensers is supported over a movable platform assembly. The platform assembly aligns a designated receiving receptacle under a selected dispenser of the array so that a respective reagent can be dispensed therein. Advantageously, the apparatus and process can be carried out under the control of a programmed computer.

Abstract: A drill bit for directional boring of all earth formations such as dirt, sand, rock and/or any type combination of formations, utilizing a bit body containing fixed and semi-floating cutting points and one or more fluid channels for the purpose of lubricating and dispersing cut and/or fractured formations.

Abstract: An integrated software architecture for a highly parallel multiprocessor system having multiple tightly-coupled processors that share a common memory efficiently controls the interface with and execution of programs on such a multiprocessor system. The software architecture combines a symmetrically integrated multithreaded operating system and an integrated parallel user environment. The operating system distributively implements an anarchy-based scheduling model for the scheduling of processes and resources by allowing each processor to access a single image of the operating system stored in the common memory that operates on a common set of operating system shared resources. The user environment provides a common visual representation for a plurality of program development tools that provide compilation, execution and debugging capabilities for multithreaded user programs and assumes parallelism as the standard mode of operation.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer program products are disclosed that enable a compiler to generate efficient code to access stack registers on a register stack. The invention operates by transforming a three-operand instruction, within a compiler's intermediate representation, to one or more fewer-than-three-operand instructions. The invention also transforms the instruction's operand addressing from an access to a pseudo-named register to an access to a stack register through stack offset into a register stack. The invention also determines the register stack state at each instruction responsive to register stack permutations and maps the stack offset accordingly for each subsequent access to a stack register.

Abstract: A method for directional boring of all earth formations such as dirt, sand, rock and/or any type combination of formations, utilizing a bit body containing fixed and semi-floating cutting points and one or more fluid channels for the purpose of lubricating and dispersing cut and/or fractured formations.

Abstract: A sonde housing for horizontal directional drilling includes a cylindrical housing body with walls defining a longitudinal cavity, a cover for the cavity, and a hold-down means for attaching the cover to the housing body.

Abstract: A method for directional boring of all earth formations such as dirt, sand, rock and/or any type combination of formations, utilizing a bit body containing fixed and semi-floating cutting points and one or more fluid channels for the purpose of lubricating and dispersing cut and/or fractured formations.