Abstract: There is provided a method for distributing power in an electrophoresis system from a power supply to each channel of an interfaced cassette connected to a pedestal located on the electrophoresis system, the method comprising: receiving a power signal from the power supply at the pedestal; receiving at least one externally generated control signal; and, modulating the power signal at a processor electrically coupled to the pedestal in dependence upon the control signal to generate a modulated power signal defined for each said cassette channel of the pedestal.

Abstract: A cassette for use in parallel electrophoretic assays and methods of manufacture and use of same are provided. The cassette comprises assay channels suitable for carrying out electrophoresis and sample ports for introducing samples into the assay channels. Each sample port comprises one or more tip registration features for guiding a pipette tip to a desired location, which corresponds to the position of a well for receiving the sample. The cassette is particularly suited for use with automated liquid handling systems.

Abstract: A method for visualizing and discriminating between DNA/RNA fragment(s) of unknown length(s) and an internal marker(s) of known length in a sample that is disposed in a common electrophoresis gel laneway. The method comprises labeling the DNA/RNA fragment(s) with a first dye and labeling the internal marker(s) with a second dye. The first and second dyes have discrete fluorescent emission spectra, which may be used to visually discriminate the DNA/RNA fragment(s) and the internal marker(s).

Abstract: A Venturi air flow sensor and control system includes a Venturi housing comprising with an inlet section, an outlet section, and a reduced diameter horn shaped center section connecting the inlet section to the outlet section with a damper. A high pressure sensor tube with downstream openings extends across the inlet section on the outlet section and a low pressure sensor tube with downstream openings extends across the reduced diameter horn shaped section. The pressure from the low pressure sensor tube and the pressure from the high pressure sensor tube are connected to a controller. From the high pressure and the low pressure the controller determines the air flow and based on air flow operates the damper.

Abstract: A Venturi air flow sensor and control system includes a Venturi housing comprising with an inlet section, an outlet section, and a reduced diameter horn shaped center section connecting the inlet section to the outlet section with a damper. A high pressure sensor tube with downstream openings extends across the inlet section on the outlet section and a low pressure sensor tube with downstream openings extends across the reduced diameter horn shaped section. The pressure from the low pressure sensor tube and the pressure from the high pressure sensor tube are connected to a controller. From the high pressure and the low pressure the controller determines the air flow and based on air flow operates the damper.

Abstract: There is provided a method for distributing power in an electrophoresis system from a power supply to each channel of an interfaced cassette connected to a pedestal located on the electrophoresis system, the method comprising: receiving a power signal from the power supply at the pedestal; receiving at least one externally generated control signal; and, modulating the power signal at a processor electrically coupled to the pedestal in dependence upon the control signal to generate a modulated power signal defined for each said cassette channel of the pedestal.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes an annular target body disposed about a rotatable member outer surface and an annular angular position indicator with at least one angular position index corresponding to an angular position of the member. Radial displacement sensors are spaced circumferentially about the axis and radially outwardly from the target body outer surface. A reference sensor is disposed circumferentially between two of the radial displacement sensors, has an inner end spaced outwardly from the target body surface by a first spacing distance, and is configured to detect the target body. An angular displacement sensor is spaced axially from the reference sensor and has an inner end spaced outwardly from the position indicator surface by a second spacing distance. The angular sensor is located such that the second spacing distance is generally equal to the first spacing distance and such that the position index passes the sensor inner end.

Abstract: A cassette for use in parallel electrophoretic assays and methods of manufacture and use of same are provided. The cassette comprises assay channels suitable for carrying out electrophoresis and sample ports for introducing samples into the assay channels. Each sample port comprises one or more tip registration features for guiding a pipette tip to a desired location, which corresponds to the position of a well for receiving the sample. The cassette is particularly suited for use with automated liquid handling systems.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes an annular target body disposed about a rotatable member outer surface and an annular angular position indicator with at least one angular position index corresponding to an angular position of the member. Radial displacement sensors are spaced circumferentially about the axis and radially outwardly from the target body outer surface. A reference sensor is disposed circumferentially between two of the radial displacement sensors, has an inner end spaced outwardly from the target body surface by a first spacing distance, and is configured to detect the target body. An angular displacement sensor is spaced axially from the reference sensor and has an inner end spaced outwardly from the position indicator surface by a second spacing distance. The angular sensor is located such that the second spacing distance is generally equal to the first spacing distance and such that the position index passes the sensor inner end.

Abstract: A method for visualizing and discriminating between DNA/RNA fragment(s) of unknown length(s) and an internal marker(s) of known length in a sample that is disposed in a common electrophoresis gel laneway. The method comprises labeling the DNA/RNA fragment(s) with a first dye and labeling the internal marker(s) with a second dye. The first and second dyes have discrete fluorescent emission spectra, which may be used to visually discriminate the DNA/RNA fragment(s) and the internal marker(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods to safely and economically deliver infusion fluid to a patient during a medical procedure. The infusion fluid may be a sedative, analgesic, amnestic or other pharmaceutical agent (drug) for alleviating a patient's pain and anxiety before, during and/or after a medical or surgical procedure. In general the apparatus comprises a microprocessor-based controller that receives inputs from a plurality of physiological monitors attached to a patient. The system controller processes the data from the physiological monitors and based upon a fluid infusion algorithm delivers infusion fluid to a patient. The physiological monitors monitor the patient throughout the course of the procedure and depending upon the health of the patient, drug delivery may be adjusted to optimize the procedure while ensuring the patient's health is maintained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a patient monitoring and drug delivery system and associated methods for use during diagnostic, surgical or other medical procedures. The functionality of the invention enables many time consuming and laborious activities to be minimized or moved to a part in the procedure where time is not as critical. The invention is capable of increasing practice efficiency in patient care facilities through system architecture and design into two separate units. A patient unit receives input signals from patient monitoring connections and outputs the signals to a procedure unit. The procedure unit is operational during the medical procedure and controls the delivery of drugs to the patient.