Abstract: A degassing apparatus (27) for degassing a liquid (240) comprises a vacuum chamber (200), a liquid conveyance member (210) disposed in the vacuum chamber (200) and adapted for transporting the liquid (240), and a pump (220) adapted to evacuate the vacuum chamber (200). The vacuum chamber (200) comprises a vent (270) adapted for venting the vacuum chamber (200).

Abstract: A microfluidic assembly (1;57) has at least one microfluidic flow path (17,27,29,35,38;82,85,95) and at least one inlet port (11,13,15;81,97,101) coupled to the flow path (17,27,29,35,38;82,85,95). The microfluidic assembly (1;57) has a first microfluidic device (7;63) that executes a microfluidic process and has a second microfluidic device (9;61). The microfluidic assembly (1;57) has an interface (5;65). The interface (5;65) couples the first microfluidic device (7;63) and the second microfluidic device (9;61).

Abstract: A fluidic device comprising a capillary for conducting a fluid and a pivot arm configured for being pivoted, wherein the pivot arm supports at least a portion of the capillary, and a part of the capillary is coiled to at least partially compensate stress resulting from pivoting of the pivot arm.

Abstract: A pump unit comprises a primary piston pump, a secondary piston pump, and a flow path adapted for fluidically connecting in series the primary piston pump and the secondary piston pump. The pump unit's duty cycle comprises a delivery-and-fill phase, in which the primary piston pump supplies a flow of liquid to the secondary piston pump, and during the delivery-and-fill phase, the flow of liquid supplied by the primary piston pump is partly used for filling up the secondary piston pump and partly used for maintaining another flow of liquid dispensed across the secondary piston pump. The flow path comprises a heat exchanger, wherein liquid supplied by the primary piston pump passes through the heat exchanger before being supplied to the secondary piston pump.

Abstract: A shear valve for use in a high performance liquid chromatography system, the shear valve comprising a first shear valve member and a second shear valve member, wherein at least one of the first and second shear valve members is adapted to be moved with respect to the other, one of the first and second shear valve members comprises a plurality of ports, and the other comprises at least one fluid path for fluidly coupling respective ones of the ports in dependency on a relative movement position of the first and second shear valve members with respect to each other, wherein the first shear valve member is at least partially coated with an adhesion-promoting layer and a diamond like carbon layer on the adhesion-promoting layer.

Abstract: A fluidic device comprising a capillary for conducting a fluid and a pivot arm configured for being pivoted, wherein the pivot arm supports at least a portion of the capillary, and a part of the capillary is coiled to at least partially compensate stress resulting from pivoting of the pivot arm.

Abstract: A shear valve, for use in a high performance liquid chromatography system, comprises a first shear valve member and a second shear valve member. At least one of the first and second shear valve members is adapted to be moved with respect to the other. One of the first and second shear valve members comprises a plurality of ports, and the other comprises at least one fluid path for fluidly coupling respective ones of the ports in dependency on a relative movement position of the first and second shear valve members with respect to each other. The first shear valve member is at least partially coated with or comprised of silicon carbide.

Abstract: In a system for operation or handling of a laboratory microchip (41) for chemical processing or analysis, the microchip (41) is mounted in a first physical unit (42). The microchip (41) is arranged on a mounting plate, such that it is readily accessible from the top and thus the fitting and removal of the microchip is considerably simplified. Furthermore, the first physical unit (42) comprises an optical device (43) for contactless detection of the results of the chemical processes conducted on the microchip. The supply systems necessary for the operation of the microchip are arranged in a module unit that has a separable connection with a second physical unit. The proposed modular layout enables ease of interchangeability of the required supply systems and thus, overall, ease of adaptability of the proposed system for various types of microchips.

Abstract: In a device to operate and handle a laboratory microchip to chemically process or analyze substances, the microchip is on a chip holder (41) that is part of a first assembly (42). The first assembly (42) also has an optical device (43) for contactless detection of the results of the chemical processes carried out on the microchip. A supply device (56) required to operate the microchip is in a module releasably connected to a second assembly (44, 55). In particular, the second assembly (44, 55) has an intermediate carrier (57) that is releasably connected to the supply device (56). The intermediate carrier has continuous electrical paths (60) or connecting channels that can bridge electrodes (58) or supply channels of the supply device (56) and the assigned counterelectrodes (53) of the microchip. There are correspondingly connecting lines (61) to bridge the supply of materials.

Abstract: A cover for sealing a container and preferably containers for a well plate. The cover is comprised of at least a top layer and a bottom layer structured in a way to form a recloseable aperture. Preferably, each of the layers comprise a recloseable aperture structured as flap, damper, baffle or butterfly valve respectively, wherein the recloseable apertures are arranged on top of each other. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a third movable layer is arranged between the top and the bottom layer. By moving the middle layer, the aperture in the cover can be closed.

Abstract: US 2004/0119070A1 (D1) discloses an integrated microchip design, wherein glass microchips can be linearly moved against one another, in order to connect or disconnect capillary channels in the microchips. In contrast thereto, the invention provides a plastic material microfluidic device having an interface for coupling and flow controlling a flow path between the plastic and a second microfluidic device, which can be made e.g. of glass. This allows coupling e.g. different material microfluidic devices e.g. in order to make use of advantages of different material type microfluidic devices.

Abstract: A tri-axial handling apparatus, in particular for fluid analysis devices, for example for micro-fluid analysis. The handling apparatus comprises at least three axle bodies, each exhibiting a guide component and a carrier component, which by means of a drive is translationally movable on the guide component in the direction of an axis of movement. A guide component of a first axial body is secured to the carrier component of a second axial body, whose guide component is secured to the carrier component of a third axial body. Preferably, each drive for the respective carrier component is a linear motor, which is secured to the respective axle body.

Abstract: A supply element for a laboratory microchip includes a sealed substance source. A seal in the substance source is opened in response to the supply element and the microchip being joined together. While the seal is open, the substance is transferred from the substance source to a supplier in the microchip. The substance is moved from the supplier in the microchip to the microfluid structure by applying a potential to the microchip. The supply element is releasably attached to the supply equipment by releasably attaching the supply element with a bayonet lock.

Abstract: A supply element for a microfluid microchip that can be used for chemical analysis has supply lines or reservoirs that serve to supply the microchip with substances or reagents. Both ends of the supply lines are sealed to prevent the substances from leaving the supply element or contaminating the contained substances before an experiment. In addition, supply lines are provided that are designed as contact pins to transfer electrical voltage from the supply device to the microchip and serve to offer the required electrical potential for moving the substances corresponding to the microfluid structure of the microchip. The supply element permits the microchip to be easily supplied according to the cited requirements with the required substances for a respective experiment and, in particular, has the advantage that only the supply element itself directly contacts the microchip and can be soiled or worn.

Abstract: In a system for operation or handling of a laboratory microchip (41) for chemical processing or analysis, the microchip (41) is mounted in a first physical unit (42). The microchip (41) is arranged on a mounting plate, such that it is readily accessible from the top and thus the fitting and removal of the microchip is considerably simplified. Furthermore, the first physical unit (42) comprises an optical device (43) for contactless detection of the results of the chemical processes conducted on the microchip. The supply systems necessary for the operation of the microchip are arranged in a module unit that has a separable connection with a second physical unit. The proposed modular layout enables ease of interchangeability of the required supply systems and thus, overall, ease of adaptability of the proposed system for various types of microchips.

Abstract: In a device to operate and handle a laboratory microchip to chemically process or analyze substances, the microchip is on a chip holder (41) that is part of a first assembly (42). The first assembly (42) also has an optical device (43) for contactless detection of the results of the chemical processes carried out on the microchip. A supply device (56) required to operate the microchip is in a module releasably connected to a second assembly (44, 55). In particular, the second assembly (44, 55) has an intermediate carrier (57) that is releasably connected to the supply device (56). The intermediate carrier has continuous electrical paths (60) or connecting channels that can bridge electrodes (58) or supply channels of the supply device (56) and the assigned counterelectrodes (53) of the microchip. There are correspondingly connecting lines (61) to bridge the supply of materials.

Abstract: In a system for operation or handling of a laboratory microchip (41) for chemical processing or analysis, the microchip (41) is mounted in a first physical unit (42). The microchip (41) is arranged on a mounting plate, such that it is readily accessible from the top and thus the fitting and removal of the microchip is considerably simplified. Furthermore, the first physical unit (42) comprises an optical device (43) for contactless detection of the results of the chemical processes conducted on the microchip. The supply systems necessary for the operation of the microchip are arranged in a module unit that has a separable connection with a second physical unit. The proposed modular layout enables ease of interchangeability of the required supply systems and thus, overall, ease of adaptability of the proposed system for various types of microchips.

Abstract: In a device to operate and handle a laboratory microchip to chemically process or analyze substances, the microchip is on a chip holder (41) that is part of a first assembly (42). The first assembly (42) also has an optical device (43) for contactless detection of the results of the chemical processes carried out on the microchip. A supply device (56) required to operate the microchip is in a module releasably connected to a second assembly (44, 55). In particular, the second assembly (44, 55) has an intermediate carrier (57) that is releasably connected to the supply device (56). The intermediate carrier has continuous electrical paths (60) or connecting channels that can bridge electrodes (58) or supply channels of the supply device (56) and the assigned counterelectrodes (53) of the microchip. There are correspondingly connecting lines (61) to bridge the supply of materials.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and systems that include keying, registration or indication elements that communicate a functionality of the microfluidic device to the instrumentation which is used in conjunction with these devices. Indicator elements include structural indicators, electrical indicators, optical indicators and chemical indicators. Different indicator elements are indicative of different functionalities, e.g., applications, new vs. used, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid analyzer 20, in particular, a fluid analyzer for use in microfluid analysis, preferably for use in bioanalysis. The fluid analyzer 20 comprises a sturdy base on which instrumentation modules are rigidly mounted, said instrumentation modules include an analysis device for conducting fluid analyses which is preferably configured in the form of a microfluidic chip, and a handling device 32, by means of which a storage device, in particular, a well plate 43, incorporating wells for accommodating fluids may be repositioned from a first position to a second position, in which a transport of the fluids from the wells to the analysis device is possible. Another instrumentation module 24 in the form of a device that is also rigidly attached to the base 28 is provided for the purpose of adding fluids to, and/or extracting fluids from, the wells of the storage device 33 and/or adding fluids to, and/or extracting fluids from, the analysis device.