Abstract: A liquid deposition system comprises a liquid delivery assembly including a dispensing probe having a sidewall including a first end having a liquid port and a second end having a tip, and a flow path opening at the tip and fluidly connected with the liquid port. The system includes a gas injection assembly with a manifold having a gas nozzle, a nozzle opening, and a gas port, the gas nozzle configured to eject a substantially laminar gas stream so that the gas stream travels through a travel path, the tip of the dispensing probe extending into the travel path. The liquid port is fluidly connectable with a liquid source and the gas port is fluidly connectable with a pressurized gas source, so that a liquid micro droplet is formed at the tip. The laminar gas stream separates the micro droplet from the tip and carries it through the travel path.

Abstract: A sample analyzer has an illuminator for illuminating an assay sample to cause luminescence, and a support for a sample vessel containing the assay sample. The support is adapted to position the assay sample proximate the illuminator. A detector is positioned along an optical axis extending from the illuminator, through the positioned assay sample, to the detector, so as to detect the luminescence from the assay sample. A reflector is removably disposed between the illuminator and the assay sample so as to reflect a portion of the luminescence back through the positioned assay sample toward the detector.

Abstract: A liquid deposition system comprises a liquid delivery assembly including a dispensing probe having a sidewall including a first end having a liquid port and a second end having a tip, and a flow path opening at the tip and fluidly connected with the liquid port. The system includes a gas injection assembly with a manifold having a gas nozzle, a nozzle opening, and a gas port, the gas nozzle configured to eject a substantially laminar gas stream so that the gas stream travels through a travel path, the tip of the dispensing probe extending into the travel path. The liquid port is fluidly connectable with a liquid source and the gas port is fluidly connectable with a pressurized gas source, so that a liquid micro droplet is formed at the tip. The laminar gas stream separates the micro droplet from the tip and carries it through the travel path.

Abstract: A sample analyzer has an illuminator for illuminating an assay sample to cause luminescence, and a support for a sample vessel containing the assay sample. The support is adapted to position the assay sample proximate the illuminator. A detector is positioned along an optical axis extending from the illuminator, through the positioned assay sample, to the detector, so as to detect the luminescence from the assay sample. A reflector is removably disposed between the illuminator and the assay sample so as to reflect a portion of the luminescence back through the positioned assay sample toward the detector.