Abstract: A method of detecting an original arrangement of laboratory articles of a laboratory work station records reference digital images with a digital camera. An image is displayed and visible regions with characteristic features are selected by a user within an input device. Reference image sections and corresponding reference image parameter files are produced and stored. A current arrangement of laboratory articles is compared with a previously recorded original arrangement. Detection of the current arrangement occurred by recording current digital images with a digital camera and creating current image sections defined by X/Y parameters of the reference image parameter files from the current digital images. A computer-based comparison of the processed current image sections with the processed reference image sections occurred and an analysis of this comparison and the display of agreements, deviations and errors is found.

Abstract: A method of detecting an original arrangement of laboratory articles of a laboratory work station records reference digital images with a digital camera. An image is displayed and visible regions with characteristic features are selected by a user within an input device. Reference image sections and corresponding reference image parameter files are produced and stored. A current arrangement of laboratory articles is compared with a previously recorded original arrangement. Detection of the current arrangement occurred by recording current digital images with a digital camera and creating current image sections defined by X/Y parameters of the reference image parameter files from the current digital images. A computer-based comparison of the processed current image sections with the processed reference image sections occurred and an analysis of this comparison and the display of agreements, deviations and errors is found.

Abstract: A method of selecting pipetting parameters of a pipetting device for dispensing or pipetting a specific volume of a liquid sample, includes a fluid column of a fluid chamber of the pipetting device set into oscillation at the beginning of the aspiration, the pressure is monitored with the pressure transducer in the fluid chamber, and the pressure changes generated during aspiration into measuring signals are recorded. These measuring signals are processed by a computer or micro-processor and reproduced as a pressure curve, which is characteristic for the fluid column with the aspirated liquid sample, and which is compared with known pressure curves. Based on this comparison, pipetting parameters of the pipetting device are selected for the dispense or for pipetting a specific volume of the liquid sample. Selectable pipetting parameters include a speed of a movement of a pump piston of the pipetting device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for classifying a liquid (1) in a known pipetting system for this liquid (1), the method being characterized in that the changes of a selected, measurable, and physically founded virtual parameter are detected as a data set typical for this liquid (1); this typical data set of the selected virtual parameter is compared to corresponding data sets of known liquids, and the liquid (1) is classified on the basis of this comparison. An especially preferred method and a device for classifying a liquid (1) relate to a device which comprises a fluid chamber (2), to which a measuring chamber (3) is connected, whose internal pressure is monitored using a pressure transducer (4). At least a first part (5) of this fluid chamber (2) may be brought into fluid connection with a sample (6) of this liquid (1).

Abstract: The invention concerns a system (1) to locate or track objects (2) that can be positioned on the work table (3) of a laboratory apparatus (4).

Abstract: A device for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples comprising a pump that comprises a cylindrical chamber, a piston movable in this cylindrical chamber, and a piston drive that engages the piston. The device further comprises a tip connected to the cylindrical chamber with a line, and a channel system that discharges into the cylindrical chamber for flushing or rinsing the latter. The device is characterized in that the piston entirely seals this cylindrical chamber from the channel system, if the piston is positioned in the cylindrical chamber in such a way that a free piston end comes to rest between the channel system and the line. Preferably, the cylindrical chamber is located in a cylinder block, which comprises two parts that are separated by and enclosing an intermediate channel system. The channel system most preferably is implemented as a coherent cavity. According to a first embodiment, the cylindrical chamber is implemented as a sleeve that is inserted in a boring located in a cylinder block.

Abstract: A plate and method for positioning functional elements in a system for working with fluid-containing samples includes a horizontal work field having a lengthwise dimension and a perpendicularly extending transverse dimension, as well as a robot arm with a functional element, aligned essentially perpendicularly to the work field in a Z direction. The robot arm can move the functional element in at least a partial region of the work field in the X and/or Y direction. The plate includes two light barriers which intersect inside the partial region, each having a transmitter and receiver whose scanning or detection beams each extend in a direction deviating from the X direction and/or from the Y direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for processing samples (2), comprising a body (3) with a collecting chamber (4), which can be connected with a pump (5) for aspirating, or dispensing fluids and that acts on this collecting chamber, a separating chamber (6) adjoining the collecting chamber (4) for the solid phase extraction and elution of organic, or inorganic particles (7) separated from these samples (2), and an opening (8) for releasing these particles (7). The device in accordance with the invention relates to individual pipette tips, as well as to SPE microplates, and is distinguished in that the device (1) comprises a capillary (9), which is connected with the collecting chamber (4), or with the body (8), and has a packing (10) for the solid phase extraction of organic, or inorganic particles (7) separated from these samples (2) and is used as a separating chamber (6).

Abstract: A method, a device, and a test kit for performing this method for determining the volume of a sample of the liquid. In the method, a specific concentration of a chromophoric indicator is provided in this liquid, a sample is separated from the liquid, the optical absorption of the separated sample is measured, and the volume of the separated sample is determined by correlation of the measured optical absorption with the concentration of indicator in this liquid. Ions that generate a color in the sample by complexing with a specific ligand are used as the indicator to stain the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for classifying a liquid (1) in a known pipetting system for this liquid (1), the method being characterized in that the changes of a selected, measurable, and physically founded virtual parameter are detected as a data set typical for this liquid (1); this typical data set of the selected virtual parameter is compared to corresponding data sets of known liquids, and the liquid (1) is classified on the basis of this comparison. An especially preferred method and a device for classifying a liquid (1) relate to a device which comprises a fluid chamber (2), to which a measuring chamber (3) is connected, whose internal pressure is monitored using a pressure transducer (4). At least a first part (5) of this fluid chamber (2) may be brought into fluid connection with a sample (6) of this liquid (1).

Abstract: A gel electrophoresis cassette (33) is disclosed which includes two plates (34, 35) and at least one seal (36) which separates these plates. The seal (36) is annular; it may be positioned essentially in the region of the outer edge of the plates (34, 35). For performing an electrophoresis in a second dimension following an isoelectric focusing in an first dimension, one of the plates (34, 35) includes a recess (37) for inserting a strip holder (1) having a base plate (4), which has a carrier surface (2) on which an IEF strip (3) is accommodated. The base plate (4) includes at least one stop (5) offset to a lower level in relation to the carrier surface (2) and a sealing surface (6). The strip holder (1) is insertable into this recess (37) in such a way that the stop (5) of the base plate (4) is applied to the outer surface of the plate (34, 35) and the sealing surface (6) presses tightly against the inner surface (38) of the recess (37).

Abstract: A strip holder (1) is disclosed for accommodating a gel strip (3) for separating molecules using gel electrophoresis. The strip holder (1) disclosed is distinguished by including a baseplate (4), at least one stop (5), which is offset to a lower level in relation to the carrier surface (2), and at least one sealing surface (6), this stop (5) being implemented to be applied to counter surfaces (7) of an electrophoresis chamber, through which offset to a lower level of the stop (5) the installation depth of the strip holder (1) carrying a gel strip (3) into this electrophoresis chamber is determined and the sealing surface (6) ensuring a sealing installation of the strip holder (1) carrying a gel strip (3) into this electrophoresis chamber. Such a chamber (15) for isoelectric focusing of molecules in gel strips (3) is distinguished by including such a strip holder (1), a frame (16), and a cover (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for dispensing or aspirating/dispensing liquid samples, including a pump (2) and a micro-ejection device (3), the micro-ejection device (3) having a pulse generator (4) with a chamber (5). The pulse generator (4) is used to produce pressure waves in the liquid in order to cause the samples of a liquid to be dispensed. The micro-ejection device (3) also comprises an end piece (6) and a liquid line (7) which connects the pulse generator (4) to the end piece (6) the pulse generator comprises a micro-actuator (10) which is configured to function in the same direction as that in which the pressure wave leaves the chamber (5). The inventive devices are characterised in that the chamber (5), in the area of the end facing away from the end piece (6), or the corresponding connecting element (14) has a narrowed section (16) which restricts any expansion of the pressure waves in the direction of the pump (2). The invention also relates to systems with multiple devices of this type.

Abstract: Apparatuses for and a method of transferring an assay protocol developed with an operator carried, hand held sample transfer tool to a robotic sample processor of a laboratory workstation are disclosed. The method comprises the execution of an assay protocol with a sample transfer apparatus (1), comprising a laboratory working area (2) with a first position retrieval system (3); a hand held sample transfer tool (10) with an active tool piece (5), which is manually carried by an operator (11); and a data processing unit (6) comprising a calculator (7), a memory (8), and a display (9); the data processing unit (6), and the first position retrieval system (3) being in communication connection with each other.

Abstract: A device for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples comprising a pump that comprises a cylindrical chamber, a piston movable in this cylindrical chamber, and a piston drive that engages the piston. The device further comprises a tip connected to the cylindrical chamber with a line, and a channel system that discharges into the cylindrical chamber for flushing or rinsing the latter. The device is characterized in that the piston entirely seals this cylindrical chamber from the channel system, if the piston is positioned in the cylindrical chamber in such a way that a free piston end comes to rest between the channel system and the line. Preferably, the cylindrical chamber is located in a cylinder block, which comprises two parts that are separated by and enclosing an intermediate channel system. The channel system most preferably is implemented as a coherent cavity. According to a first embodiment, the cylindrical chamber is implemented as a sleeve that is inserted in a boring located in a cylinder block.

Abstract: System, method, and computer program product for synchronizing a system for aspirating and/or dispensing of liquid samples that includes a microejection device and a pump, which are connected with one another via tubing, wherein a computer is capable of being loaded with an activatable computer program product for synchronizing operation of the microejection device and the pump. Embodiments are characterized in that the loaded and activated computer program product, directs the computer to control and synchronize the system: (a) to actively define a sample volume and dispense the defined sample volume using the microejection device, which is filled with sample liquid; and (b) to track a part of the pump that conveys liquid around a value, dependent on the sample volume, which is defined and is actively dispensed only by the microejection device, to prevent excessive pressure differences in the microejection device, tubing, and pump.

Abstract: A device (1) for aspirating and dispensing liquid samples having a pump (2), which comprises a cylindrical chamber (3), a piston (4) movable in this cylindrical chamber, and a piston drive (5) engaging on the piston. The device additionally comprises a pulse generator (6), which effects dispensing of samples from a liquid by generating pressure waves in this liquid and a tip (8) connected via a line (7) with the cylindrical chamber (3), with the piston drive (5) comprising a first drive (9) and a second drive (10), implemented as a pulse generator (6). Such a device comprises a channel (27) for rinsing or flushing the cylindrical chamber (3), with the channel (27) discharging into the cylindrical chamber (3). Furthermore, the invention also concerns systems with, for example, 384 or more such devices that are arranged in an array.

Abstract: A device (1) and method for positioning functional elements (2) and/or containers (3) in a system (4) for working with fluid-containing samples (5), the system (4) including an essentially horizontal work field (6) having a lengthwise dimension (X) and a transverse dimension (Y) extending essentially perpendicularly thereto, as well as at least one robot arm (7) having at least one functional element (2), aligned essentially perpendicularly to the work field (6) in a Z direction, the robot arm (7) being able to move the functional element (2) in at least a partial region (8) of the work field (6) in the X and/or Y direction.

Abstract: A device for aspirating and/or dispensing liquid samples has a hollow body with a cavity for the liquid. A movement element for aspirating and/or dispensing the liquid is moved by a movement unit having a first drive element driven by a first drive. A pipette tip or adapter therefor, receives liquid from the cavity over a line, and a flush line discharges into the cavity. A carrier unit movably carries the movement unit in at least one spatial axis and includes at least one second drive element driven by a second drive. The movement unit includes the hollow body, the movement element, the first drive element, the second drive element and the pipette tip or adapter, as well as a pulse generator for generating pressure waves in the liquid in the cavity during dispensing, all these elements being movable together with respect to the carrier unit.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for positioning objects (2) relative to a substantially horizontal working surface (5) having a longitudinal extension (3) in the X-direction and a transversal extension (4) in the Y-direction; with the apparatus (1) for moving objects (2) being arranged at least in a Z-direction standing substantially perpendicular to the working surface (5) and comprising at least two toothed racks (8,8′) which extend at an axial direction adjacent to each other in the Z-direction at an axial distance (6) and are provided for receiving an object (2) to be moved each; with said toothed racks (8,8′) being provided with a movable arrangement over a Z-displacement path (9), such that they are in engagement with a pinion (10,10′) of a Z-drive (11) which is each motively driven in an individual fashion and exerts a pressing force on the respective toothed rack (8,8′), with the toothed racks (8,8′) comprising two Z-rails (15,15′) which project laterally in the Y-direction and ex