Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a volume of liquid includes a support for receiving an at least partially transparent receptacle having at least one cavity for holding a liquid; a plenoptic camera facing the support; a pattern provided so as to be viewable through the receptacle by the plenoptic camera; and a control unit communicating with at least the camera and adapted to carry out the steps of: making at least one plenoptic image of the surface of the liquid by the plenoptic camera, determining a surface topography of the liquid on the basis of the at least one image, the surface topography of the liquid being measured at least partially based on distortion of the pattern, and calculating the volume of liquid based on the measured surface topography and at least one known dimension and/or position of at least part of the cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring a volume of a liquid provided in at least one receptacle, including the steps of: providing a receptacle having at least one cavity for holding a liquid; providing a plenoptic camera positioned so as to be able to image the surface of the liquid; positioning the receptacle such that the liquid surface faces an objective lens of the plenoptic camera; making at least one plenoptic image of the surface of the liquid by way of the plenoptic camera; determining a surface topography of the liquid on the basis of the at least one image; calculating the volume of liquid based on the measured surface topography and at least one known dimension and/or position of the cavity.

Abstract: A method dispenses and/or aspirates a predetermined volume of fluid from a chamber. The chamber includes a lower portion containing fluid and an upper portion containing gas. The method includes measuring an initial pressure in the upper portion and introducing or evacuating a known quantity of gas into or out of the upper portion. The volume of gas in the upper portion is determined based on the volume of gas introduced or evacuated from the upper portion and a measured change in pressure in the upper portion. An upper portion target pressure that will dispense or aspirate a predetermined volume of fluid is determined. A controllable valve is opened while the pressure in the upper portion of the chamber is monitored. Once the target pressure is reached, the predetermined volume of fluid has been dispensed or aspirated, and the controllable valve is then closed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring a volume of a liquid provided in at least one receptacle, including the steps of: providing a receptacle having at least one cavity for holding a liquid; providing a plenoptic camera positioned so as to be able to image the surface of the liquid; positioning the receptacle such that the liquid surface faces an objective lens of the plenoptic camera; making at least one plenoptic image of the surface of the liquid by way of the plenoptic camera; determining a surface topography of the liquid on the basis of the at least one image; calculating the volume of liquid based on the measured surface topography and at least one known dimension and/or position of the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for precisely dispensing liquid fluid from a container are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a metering unit having a gas feedthrough channel with a first end extending in a gas containing part of the chamber and a second end opposite the first end extending outside the chamber, the metering unit further comprising a flow sensing assembly configured to measure a gas pressure differential ?p and/or gas flow V{dot over ( )} within the gas feedthrough channel and to introduce or release a determined volume of gas in the chamber to dispense a controlled volume of liquid from the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus dispenses and/or aspirates a predetermined volume of fluid from a chamber. The chamber includes a lower portion for containing fluid and an upper portion for containing gas. The apparatus includes a controllable valve arranged to be in fluid communication with the lower portion of the chamber, a pressure sensor arranged to be in fluid communication with the upper portion of the chamber, a pump configured to be in fluid communication between a source of gas and the upper portion of the chamber, and a controller in operative connection with the controllable valve, the pressure sensor, and the pump. The controller is configured to receive signals from the pressure sensor and to control operation of the pump and operation of the controllable valve based on said signals from the pressure sensor. A method for dispensing and/or aspirating a predetermined volume of fluid utilizes this apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sample sorter system adapted to receive and sort samples according to predetermined criteria. The sample sorter system comprises a receptacle that is adapted to receive and retain fluid and samples. The receptacle is operatively coupled with a drive and with a power source such that actuation of the drive causes the rotation of at least one circular component, which in turn causes the development of a flow regime in the receptacle such that the samples suspended in the fluid are conveyable along a closed path to at least one sample handling site that are positioned along said closed path.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a microinjection apparatus (100) for microinjection of substances into individual substances comprising at least one carrier (120, 130) on which at least one sample is immobilizable. In embodiments, the apparatus comprises at drivable support (110) on which at least one carrier is positioned, wherein the support drives the at least one carrier in a closed loop to a respective plurality of stations along the loop. The plurality of stations constitutes at least one sample-substance-providing station (141), at least one sample-substance microinjection station (142) and at least one sample-extraction station (143).

Abstract: A pipette device including a metering liquid receptacle designed to be filled, at least in part, with working fluid and which has a pipette opening as a first tapering of cross-section of flow, a pressure change device which is designed to change the pressure of the working fluid in the metering liquid receptacle, and a throttle point in a pipette duct designed to be filled with working fluid as a further tapering of cross-section of flow. The throttle point is arranged fluid-mechanically between the metering liquid receptacle and the pressure change device and is dimensioned in such a way that a ratio of a flow resistance of the pipette opening for dispensed metering liquid to a flow resistance of the throttle point for working fluid, which flows through the throttle point when the metering fluid is dispensed, is less than 0.5.

Abstract: Pipette device (10), at least for dispensing metering liquid by increasing the pressure of a working fluid, comprising a metering liquid receptacle (38) which is filled, at least in part, with working fluid and has a pipette opening (36) as a first tapering of cross-section of flow, through which metering liquid can be dispensed from the metering liquid receptacle (38) as a function of the pressure of the working fluid, and comprising a pressure change device (40) which is designed to change the pressure of the working fluid in the metering liquid receptacle (38), wherein the pipette device (10) comprises a throttle point (42) in a pipette duct (12) filled with working fluid during normal operation as a further tapering of cross-section of flow, said throttle point being arranged fluid-mechanically between the metering liquid receptacle (38) and the pressure change device (40) and being dimensioned in such a way that a ratio of a flow resistance (R1) of the pipette opening (36) for dispensed metering liquid t

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for calibrating a pipette or a dispensing system comprising a plate (2), said plate (2) comprising at least one channel (3) with a loading port (4) for receiving a test volume of a fluid at one end of the at least one channel and an opening (5) at the other end of the at least one channel, wherein the at least one channel (3) is constructed as a capillary.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a microinjection apparatus (100) for microinjection of substances into individual substances comprising at least one carrier (120, 130) on which at least one sample is immobilizable. In embodiments, the apparatus comprises at drivable support (110) on which at least one carrier is positioned, wherein the support drives the at least one carrier in a closed loop to a respective plurality of stations along the loop. The plurality of stations constitutes at least one sample-substance-providing station (141), at least one sample-substance microinjection station (142) and at least one sample-extraction station (143).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pressure measurement device comprising: a substrate that includes at least one pressure sensing module and at least one fluid-conductive channel, wherein each channel has a first aperture and a second aperture. The substrate is flexible such that the pressure measurement device is conformably adjustable onto an object's surface. The first aperture is located on the substrate such that when the substrate is suitably adjusted onto the object's surface, the first aperture is open to the exterior of the object's surface. The pressure sensors module is operatively connected to at least one of the second apertures, such that the at least one pressure sensing module is generally being subjected to the pressure being present at the first aperture.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sample sorter system adapted to receive and sort samples according to predetermined criteria. The sample sorter system comprises a receptacle that is adapted to receive and retain fluid and samples. The receptacle is operatively coupled with a drive and with a power source such that actuation of the drive causes the rotation of at least one circular component, which in turn causes the development of a flow regime in the receptacle such that the samples suspended in the fluid are conveyable along a closed path to at least one sample handling site that are positioned along said closed path.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pressure measurement device comprising: a substrate that includes at least one pressure sensing module and at least one fluid-conductive channel, wherein each channel has a first aperture and a second aperture. The substrate is flexible such that the pressure measurement device is conformably adjustable onto an object's surface. The first aperture is located on the substrate such that when the substrate is suitably adjusted onto the object's surface, the first aperture is open to the exterior of the object's surface. The pressure sensors module is operatively connected to at least one of the second apertures, such that the at least one pressure sensing module is generally being subjected to the pressure being present at the first aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for calibrating a pipette or a dispensing system comprising a plate (2), said plate (2) comprising at least one channel (3) with a loading port (4) for receiving a test volume of a fluid at one end of the at least one channel and an opening (5) at the other end of the at least one channel, wherein the at least one channel (3) is constructed as a capillary.

Abstract: A fluidic system for analysing biomolecules in solution comprises a microchannel (21) having a inlet port (22) and an outlet port (23) across which extends a set of interdigitated electrodes (24) to which an AC voltage source having a voltage of 0-20V and a frequency of 100 Hz to 20 MHz. A fluid flow (25) through the microchannel (21) carries functionalised microbeads (26) and by applying the appropriate AC voltage and frequency to the electrodes (24) the microbeads (26) can be retained at the site of the electrodes (24) to form a packed bed (27). The packed bed (27) of microbeads is then subsequently perfused with a sample containing the analyte (28) specifically bound by the ligand immobilised on the microbeads. The analyte is separated and concentrated by the packed microbeads and can be detected directly or indirectly by further perfusion of labelled reagent molecules.

Abstract: A still camera with a fold up cover, a retracting objective and a drive connection between these components acting within the light tight camera space on the objective mount so that the objective is advanced when the cover is opened and retracted when the cover is shut.The camera has the following features:(a) the drive connection is divided into outer drive links (4-5, 6, 7) and inner drive links (10, 11);(b) the outer drive links (4-5, 6, 7) are connected with the cover (3) so as to positively control the cover;(c) the inner drive links (10, 11) are connected with the objective mount (2) so as to positively control the mount; and(d) the connection between the outer and inner drive links consists of a round shaft (8) supported in a bore (9) of the housing (1) with a light tight snug fit.

Abstract: A camera has a telescoping housing and an optical viewfinder. A pivotable or sliding member indicates certain data which may be in the nature of exposure information. The member for setting the data is operatively connected to the indicating member in such a manner that the indicating member is additionally pivoted or slid upon telescoping of the housing and the indicating means returns to its previous indicating position upon extension of the telescoped housing.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated semiconductor matrix circuit arrangement comprising switching elements which are connected in pairs at one terminal. This common terminal of the pair of switching elements is connected to an input (or output) circuit path and other terminal of each switching element is connected individually to an output (or input) circuit path respectively.