Abstract: A hand-held electronic pipettor is designed particularly to be programmed and operated with one hand for the convenience of the user. It uses a capacitance touchpad control for programming, and a separate run button for the operating mode. Internal components are located so that the center of gravity of the pipettor is located within the palm of the user. Flash memory stores an empirically derived table that correlates aspiration volume to motor steps and a separate empirically derived table the correlates dispensing volumes to motor steps.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic pipettor is designed particularly to be programmed and operated with one hand for the convenience of the user. It uses a capacitance touchpad control for programming, and a separate run button for the operating mode. Internal components are located so that the center of gravity of the pipettor is located within the palm of the user. Flash memory stores an empirically derived table that correlates aspiration volume to motor steps and a separate empirically derived table the correlates dispensing volumes to motor steps.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic pipettor is designed particularly to be programmed and operated with one hand for the convenience of the user. It uses a capacitance touchpad control for programming, and a separate run button for the operating mode. Internal components are located so that the center of gravity of the pipettor is located within the palm of the user. Flash memory stores an empirically derived table that correlates aspiration volume to motor steps and a separate empirically derived table the correlates dispensing volumes to motor steps.

Abstract: A method of uniquely identifying a plurality of discrete test tubes. The method includes providing a rack having an array of wells located at the intersections of mutually perpendicular columns and rows. The rack is marked to orient the rack from top to bottom and left to right. Each well is identifiable by reference to a sequence of letters and numbers identifying its respective intersecting column and row. A plurality of test tubes are positioned in the wells. The test tubes have open tops and closed lower ends protruding through the open bottoms of the wells. Indicia are applied to the respective closed lower ends of the test tubes positioned in the wells. The application of the indicia is performed in situ and simultaneously as a single step to all of the test tubes in the wells, thereby resulting in each test tube being uniquely identified with reference to its respective well.

Abstract: A method of identifying and arranging test tubes, which includes providing a rack having an array of wells located at the intersection of mutually perpendicular columns and rows. The columns and rows are aligned on perpendicular edges of the rack. The test tubes are positioned in the wells and then marked with indicia to correspond to the location of the respective wells.

Abstract: A pipetting system having a plurality of fittings whose spacing can be individually adjusted by sliding the fittings along a track. Changing the spacing is accomplished by releasing a clamping plate which secures the fittings to the track. The fittings are then slid into the desired position and reclamped. In addition, there is a stripper mechanism for removing disposable tips attached to the fittings. The release mechanism can be operated in any positioning of the fittings. The mechanism is trigger actuated.

Abstract: A computer controlled pipetting system with a hand held pipettor and a control assembly. The pipettor has a motor driven pump for aspirating and dispensing liquid through a pipette which is inserted to the pipettor. The control assembly has a keyboard for controlling operation of the pipetting system. A calibration pipette is inserted into the pipettor for establishing reference signals corresponding to a selected density and temperature of a liquid which is aspirated into the calibration pipette by the pump. The reference signals are stored in a memory and subsequently used for aspirating selected quantities of liquid into a laboratory pipette which is inserted into the pipettor in place of the calibration pipette.