Abstract: A liquid dispenser for a microfluidic assay system is described. The dispenser includes at least one transfer pin for transferring a microfluidic sample of liquid to a target receptacle. A pin tip at one end of the transfer pin is structured to cooperate with an opening in the target receptacle. The tip uses a high voltage potential to transfer the sample from the pin to the receptacle.

Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

Abstract: A system and method for high throughput screening of fluid samples. A reduced pressure is applied, via an injection valve, to a sample aspiration tube. A first fluid and a second fluid are alternatively aspirated, via the sample aspiration tube, the first fluid for filling a sample loop with samples, the second fluid for flushing the sample aspiration tube. Excess fluid aspirated from the first fluid source and all fluid aspirated from the second fluid source is captured in an inline trap.

Abstract: A method and system for vending products from a defined area, such as a micro-warehouse with a door. The method includes fitting each product with a radio frequency identification tag, positioning the plurality of products in a micro-warehouse, sensing opening and closing of the micro-warehouse door, scanning the plurality of products in the micro-warehouse upon sensing closing of the door to determine the number and type of products in the micro-warehouse, generating a message based on the number and type of products in the micro-warehouse, transmitting the message to a remote processor or server, and maintaining an inventory in the remote processor based on the message.

Abstract: A system and method high throughput sample preparation and analysis using column chromatography. Each port in a plurality of ports has a port input that interfaces with a first fluid source and a port output. A fluidic circuit is coupled to each port output and to a second fluid source, the fluidic circuit for controlling fluid flow from the plurality of ports and the second fluid source. The fluidic circuit is also coupled to a plurality of chromatography columns. An interface to an analyzer receives output from at least one of the plurality of chromatography columns. The plurality of chromatography columns is moved relative to the analyzer via a translation stage, such that sample output from one of the plurality of chromatography columns can be selectively presented to the analyzer.

Abstract: The invention features methods of making devices, or “platens”, having a high-density array of through-holes, as well as methods of cleaning and refurbishing the surfaces of the platens. The invention further features methods of making high-density arrays of chemical, biochemical, and biological compounds, having many advantages over conventional, lower-density arrays. The invention includes methods by which many physical, chemical or biological transformations can be implemented in serial or in parallel within each addressable through-hole of the devices. Additionally, the invention includes methods of analyzing the contents of the array, including assaying of physical properties of the samples.

Abstract: A method for high throughput processing of a plurality of droplets. The droplets are dispensed onto a moving surface and delayed in a delay line in which the droplets hang from the moving surface for at least a specified minimum period of time. A laminate may be spooled onto the moving surface and each droplet may be dispensed onto the laminate. At least one operation is performed on each droplet from the group of operations consisting of mixing, diluting, concentration, heating, cooling, humidifying, filtering, and analyzing. The laminate may then, in certain embodiments, be spooled off the moving surface, processed, and reused.