Abstract: An apparatus for assaying biofluid includes a receptacle for removably housing a set of cuvettes of a biofluid sample dispensing apparatus, each cuvette of the set of cuvettes containing an assay sample having a reagent and a sample of the biofluid; a receptacle sealing element disposed around the receptacle for providing sealing engagement between the receptacle and the biofluid sample dispensing apparatus for sealing the set of cuvettes within the receptacle; a vacuum source for evacuating the receptacle; and an automated assay system connected to the receptacle for performing an assay process on the assay samples in the set of cuvettes, while maintaining the set of cuvettes within the receptacle.

Abstract: A system for assaying biofluid samples including an assay apparatus and a dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus includes cuvettes that contain reagents and the biofluid samples to form assay samples, and the assay apparatus has a receptable for receiving and sealing the cuvettes inside. Once the cuvettes are sealed in the receptable, the assay apparatus performs assay processes on the assay samples in the cuvettes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus for dispensing or assaying biofluid samples as well as a system for dispensing and assaying biofluid. One embodiment of the biofluid sample dispensing apparatus comprises a set of reservoirs and cavities, each reservoir comprising an inlet for receiving biofluid, an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet, a peripheral barrier surrounding the outlet for containing the biofluid sample within a cavity residing within said reservoir, a valve disposed at the outlet for releasably sealing the biofluid sample, as well as an overflow outlet to limit the predetermined volume of biofluid sample. An apparatus for assaying biofluid comprises a receptacle for housing cuvettes, a receptacle sealing element for sealing engagement between the receptacle and a biofluid sample dispensing apparatus for sealing the cuvettes and an automated system connected to receptacle for performing an assay process.

Abstract: A method of monitoring activity of an animal, the method comprising the steps of: retaining the animal in an enclosed chamber; controlling a food supply to the animal in the enclosed chamber as a first stimulus; and monitoring the activity of the animal in response to the first stimulus, wherein monitoring the activity of the animal comprises analysing change in a volume of food in the food supply and location of the animal in the enclosed chamber over a predetermined period of time.