Abstract: A liquid handling system that is configured to receive an interchangeable pipetting head that is selected from a plurality of interchangeable pipetting heads for automated liquid handling flexibility and scalability. The system includes a housing and at least one pipetting head disposed within that housing for aspirating and dispensing a liquid. A locking mechanism interchangeably receives the at least one pipetting head and includes an adaptor plate and a support block. The adaptor plate is operably coupled to the housing and the support block is operably coupled to the at least one pipetting head. The support block is then, in turn, is configured to be operably coupled to the adaptor plate.

Abstract: A liquid handling system that is configured to receive an interchangeable pipetting head that is selected from a plurality of interchangeable pipetting heads for automated liquid handling flexibility and scalability. The system includes a housing and at least one pipetting head disposed within that housing for aspirating and dispensing a liquid. A locking mechanism interchangeably receives the at least one pipetting head and includes an adaptor plate and a support block. The adaptor plate is operably coupled to the housing and the support block is operably coupled to the at least one pipetting head. The support block is then, in turn, is configured to be operably coupled to the adaptor plate.

Abstract: A method of sealing the open mouths of an array of test tubes comprises providing a plurality of plugs with upwardly facing recesses, and a flexible carrier sheet having the same array of mutually spaced downwardly projecting pegs inserted into and frictionally retained within the recesses of respective ones of the plugs. Sealing is effected by aligning the plugs with the open mouths of the test tubes, pressing the carrier sheet towards the test tubes to seat the plugs in the open tube mouths, and peeling the carrier sheet away from the test tubes to extract the pegs from the plug recesses while allowing the plugs to remain seated in the tube mouths.

Abstract: A method of sealing the open mouths of an array of test tubes comprises providing a plurality of plugs with upwardly facing recesses, and a flexible carrier sheet having the same array of mutually spaced downwardly projecting pegs inserted into and frictionally retained within the recesses of respective ones of the plugs. Sealing is effected by aligning the plugs with the open mouths of the test tubes, pressing the carrier sheet towards the test tubes to seat the plugs in the open tube mouths, and peeling the carrier sheet away from the test tubes to extract the pegs from the plug recesses while allowing the plugs to remain seated in the tube mouths.

Abstract: A sealing mat for sealing the open mouths of an array of test tubes. The mat includes a flexible carrier sheet having an array of mutually spaced pegs projecting downwardly therefrom and a plurality of plugs. The plugs are externally configured and dimensioned to be inserted in and to seal the open mouths of the test tubes. Each of the plugs has an upwardly facing recess internally configured and dimensioned to receive and coact in frictional engagement with a respective one of the pegs to thereby releasably secure the plugs to the carrier sheet. The carrier sheet is separable from the thus inserted plugs by flexure to extract the pegs from the recesses.

Abstract: A sealing mat for sealing the open mouths of an array of test tubes. The mat includes a flexible carrier sheet having an array of mutually spaced pegs projecting downwardly therefrom and a plurality of plugs. The plugs are externally configured and dimensioned to be inserted in and to seal the open mouths of the test tubes. Each of the plugs has an upwardly facing recess internally configured and dimensioned to receive and coact in frictional engagement with a respective one of the pegs to thereby releasably secure the plugs to the carrier sheet. The carrier sheet is separable from the thus inserted plugs by flexure to extract the pegs from the recesses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for growing tissue culture in vitro. The apparatus features a housing which fits into a well containing media. A bottom membrane surface is maintained at a depth within the well, and the housing centered in the well by a flange and rim which cooperate with the well.

Abstract: A tissue or cell growth device is described for placement within a well of a cluster dish. The device has a cell or tissue retention element detachably attached to a hanger. The hanger preferably has openings allowing access to the well without removal of the member and is capable of positioning the cell or tissue retention element a preselected distance relative to the hanger. Also described are various embodiments of the device having differently shaped hangers and the combination of the device and a cluster dish.

Abstract: Apparatus for growing tissue cultures in vitro, which permits a concentration gradient of nutrients to develop through a permeable membrane to which a sample of tissue is attached. The permeable membrane is attached to the bottom end of a tubular support that in turn hangs by a flange connected to its upper end on the top of a well containing the nutrients. Typically, the well is part of a tissue culture cluster dish. The flange of the support positions the support and membrane centrally in the well so as to avoid capillary action in the space between the well and support. The configuration of the support and its cooperation with the lid of the cluster dish also prevents the support and membrane from floating in the nutrient solution in the well. Openings in the support provide access for a pipette to add and withdraw fluid from the space between the well and membrane support and from the space below the membrane.

Abstract: A tissue or cell growth device is described for placement within a well of a cluster dish. The device has a cell or tissue retention element detachably attached to a hanger. The hanger preferably has openings allowing access to the well without removal of the member and is capable of positioning the cell or tissue retention element a preselected distance relative to the hanger. Also described are various embodiments of the device having differently shaped hangers and the combination of the device and a cluster dish.

Abstract: A multi-well test plate which includes a base and a plurality of well strips. The well strips are removable from the base and the individual wells of each strip are separable. The wells in each strip are joined by T-shaped connecting members which hold the wells in a flat linear array when the well strips are either held in or removed from the base and the T-shaped members are readily severable to permit easy separation of individual wells. The bottom wall of each well is a microporous membrane.

Abstract: A multi-well test plate which includes a base and a plurality of well strips. The well strips are removable from the base and the individual wells of each strip are separable. The wells in each strip are joined by T-shaped connecting members which hold the wells in a flat linear array when the well strips are either held in or removed from the base and the T-shaped members are readily severable to permit easy separation of individual wells.

Abstract: Apparatus for growing tissue cultures in vitro, which permits a concentration gradient of nutrients to develop through a permeable membrane to which a sample of tissue is attached. The permeable membrane is attached to the bottom end of a tubular support that in turn hangs by a flange connected to its upper end on the top of a well containing the nutrients. Typically, the well is part of a tissue culture cluster dish. The flange of the support positions the support and membrane centrally in the well so as to avoid capillary action in the space between the well and support. The configuration of the support and its cooperation with the lid of the cluster dish also prevents the support and membrane from floating in the nutrient solution in the well. Openings in the support provide access for a pipette to add and withdraw fluid from the space between the well and membrane support and from the space below the membrane.

Abstract: A filter strip and composite assemblies for filtering microliter quantities of fluids. A linear array of wells having open top and bottom ends are connected by frangible webs in spaced-apart relation with discrete filter membranes closing the bottom ends of each well. Tabs are provided on the ends of the filter strip for holding the same and supporting the strip in a rectangular holder having alpha-numeric designations for identifying each well in a plurality of such filter strips contained within the holder. The filter strip may be used in a vacuum manifold for applying a pressure differential across the filter membrane and directing the filtrate into an aligned aperture of a closed bottom well of an array of wells held within the manifold. Alternatively, the filter strip may be used with a transfer plate for directing the filtrate from each well of the filter strip to an aligned well of a closed bottom array of wells.

Abstract: A tissue culture flask having a flat bottom wall with optical properties on the inner surface of which cells are grown. A top wall opposite the bottom wall has a large opening therethrough which provides access to the growing surface for the removal of cells growing on the surface. The opening is closed by a flexible transparent film which is sealed to the top wall and which may be peeled off the top wall to provide access to the flask interior.

Abstract: A filtration system for handling an array of filter wells which are open at the top and closed by a filter membrane at the bottom. The system includes a manifold chamber defined by side and bottom walls and having a support for the wells which carries the filter membranes above the bottom walls so that filtrate may be drawn through the membranes. A vacuum fitting is connected to the chamber so that a low pressure source may be applied thereto, and a sealing sheet extends over the wells and having holes aligned with the open tops of the wells so that when the low pressure is applied to the chamber, filtrate may be drawn through the membrane.

Abstract: A filter strip and composite assemblies for filtering microliter quantities of fluids wherein a linear array of wells having open top and bottom ends are connected by frangible webs in spaced-apart relation with discrete filter membranes closing the bottom ends of each well. Tabs are provided on the ends of the filter strip for holding the same and supporting the strip in a rectangular holder having alphanumeric designations for identifying each well in a plurality of such filter strips contained within the holder. The filter strip may be used in a vacuum manifold for applying a pressure differential across the filter membrane and directing the filtrate into an aligned aperture of a closed bottom well of an array of wells held within the manifold. Alternatively, the filter strip may be used with a transfer plate for directing the filtrate from each well of the filter strip to an aligned well of a closed bottom array of wells.

Abstract: A multi-channel pipetter has a U-shaped housing with horizontal upper and lower arms and an interconnecting hand grip portion. A plurality of nozzles that serve to support replaceable tips are mounted on the lower arm in a vertical orientation and are connected by a flexible tubing that extends upwardly through the grip portion to a circular array of cylinders disposed horizontally in the upper arm. A piston-cylinder-volume setting mechanism is horizontally disposed in the upper arm. The mechanism is actuated by a trigger on the hand grip portion and the volume is controlled by a micrometer head which operates a stop within the upper arm. A tip ejector is mounted in the lower arm which provides substantial mechanical advantage for stripping the tips from the nozzles.

Abstract: A small volume laboratory filter having a thin rectangular body and coaxial inlet and outlet sleeves connected to opposite ends thereof. A very thin filter cavity is formed in the body and lies in a plane inclined slightly to the common axis of the inlet and outlet sleeves. The cavity is divided by a filter membrane into extremely thin chambers, one communicating with the inlet sleeve and the other with the outlet sleeve. A rigid package for the filter is sealed across one end by a flexible cover which when stripped from the package exposes the inlet sleeve so that it may be readily engaged by a syringe nipple or other fluid source without the user having to touch the filter. When the inlet sleeve is engaged, the filter may be withdrawn from the package.

Abstract: The controller attaches to a milling machine such as the well-known Bridgeport miller so as to adapt the machine to programmed automatic operation. Controls are associated with all axes of operation, however, the control is described herein with regard to X and Y axis control. A control panel for all operations is physically mounted in association with the X axis table. The basic components of the system include power motors for respectively controlling lead screws associated with X and Y axis control, electrical relays which in turn control the power motors, optical encoders which essentially read lead screw rotation, and a microprocessor. The electrical relays are used to start, stop, and set the directional rotation of the power motors upon commands from the microprocessor. The microprocessor has two basic modes of operation including a program mode in which the steps performed by the machinist are recorded for subsequent repeatability.