Abstract: A pipetting head apparatus includes a pipetting system, and a gripper system, and which includes a floating gripper carriage, which is configured to move independently from said pipetting system. The pipetting system and said gripper system are configured to utilize a common motor. In alternative embodiment, a pipetting head apparatus includes a pipetting system, and a stripper assembly. The pipetting system and the stripper assembly are configured to utilize a common motor. In another alternative embodiment, a pipetting head apparatus includes a pipetting system, which includes a stripper assembly, a main carriage assembly, and a gripper assembly, where the stripper assembly and gripper assembly are both configured to move independently from the main carriage assembly. Also a method is disclosed for distributing material samples for laboratory processing.

Abstract: A system for processing laboratory materials is presented which includes a heating apparatus having a heated base portion, a heated lid portion and a cavity. One or more chambers are included which are configured to fit within the cavity of the heating apparatus. Each chamber includes an enclosure, one or more slide racks for holding multiple microscope slides, and an absorbent pad for providing humidity. A solution bath and a micro-tube block are configured to fit within the cavity. A handle is included for attachment to one or more of the racks for transporting the racks from the chamber to the solution bath.

Abstract: A syringe array (10) for holding a plurality of syringes (12), each syringe having a barrel (14), a plunger (18) and a needle (16), the syringe array (10) including a distal assembly (50) which holds the plungers (18) of the plurality of syringes (12) and by which all of the plurality of plungers (18) are urged to move in unison, a pivot assembly (52) wherein a portion of each the barrels (14) of the plurality of syringes (12) is pivotally attached to a pivot (92, 94) and a proximal assembly (48) wherein each needle (16) of the plurality of syringes (12) is positioned with a controlled center-to-center spacing (100, 102) from each other. An adjusting portion (62, 64, 70) of the syringe array (10) is adjustable to controllably change the needle center-to-center spacing from a first spacing (100) to at least a second spacing (102) as the barrel portions (14) are allowed to rotate about the pivots (92, 94).

Abstract: An arcade game including an inclined playing surface and a coin directing mechanism. A coin hopper forces multiple coins through the coin directing mechanism and onto the playing surface for each activation of a button by the player. The player can direct the multiple coins in a desired direction down the playing surface using the directing mechanism. The coins roll toward one or more targets on the playing surface, and a game score is adjusted based on the targets that receive the coins. Indicators for the targets can highlight specific targets and goals during game play. A progressive bonus score can also be added to the game score when a progressive goal is achieved by the player. After the game is over, a tilting mechanism tilts the playing surface to clear the playing surface of coins that have not rolled into apertures and are resting on the playing surface.

Abstract: An arcade game apparatus of the present invention includes a display face having indicia provided thereon and multiple pointers rotatable in opposite directions about a single axis on the display face. Control mechanisms allow a player to start and stop the rotation of the pointers. A game score is calculated based on the indicia that the pointers are pointing to after they have stopped rotating. The game score is calculated in a described embodiment by summing numeral indicia pointed to by the pointers. An award dispenser dispenses an award based upon the game score. Multiple arcade game apparatus of the present invention can also be connected to a progressive bonus apparatus that accumulates a progressive score contributed to by each individual game apparatus. A player of an individual game apparatus may win an award based on the progressive score by achieving a progressive goal on the individual game apparatus.