Abstract: A method and apparatus for freezing a liquid droplet includes dispensing, by a liquid dispenser, a droplet of liquid into a fluid chamber containing a freezing fluid. The droplet of liquid is allowed to dwell in the freezing fluid for at least a predetermined dwell time so that the droplet of liquid freezes to a frozen droplet. The method and apparatus further includes injecting, by a gas injector, a stream of gas transversely to a surface of the freezing fluid at about where the frozen droplet is located along the surface of the freezing fluid contained in the fluid chamber so that the frozen droplet sinks in the freezing fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for freezing a liquid droplet includes dispensing, by a liquid dispenser (14), a droplet (13) of liquid into a fluid chamber (10) containing a freezing fluid (12). The droplet of liquid is allowed to dwell in the freezing fluid for at least a predetermined dwell time so that the droplet of liquid freezes to a frozen droplet. The method and apparatus further includes injecting, by a gas injector (17), a stream (16) of gas transversely to a surface of the freezing fluid at about where the frozen droplet is located along the surface of the freezing fluid contained in the fluid chamber so that the frozen droplet sinks in the freezing fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for freezing a liquid droplet includes dispensing, by a liquid dispenser, a droplet of liquid into a fluid chamber containing a freezing liquid. The droplet of liquid is allowed to dwell in the freezing liquid for at least a predetermined dwell time so that the droplet of liquid freezes to a frozen droplet. The method and apparatus further includes injecting, by a gas injector, a stream of gas transversely to a surface of the freezing liquid at about where the frozen droplet is located along the surface of the freezing liquid contained in the fluid chamber so that the frozen droplet sinks in the freezing liquid.

Abstract: A tray for transferring a plurality of solid reagents to a multi-well cartridge, the tray including a top surface having a plurality of depressions formed therein, each depression being configured to receive and hold a single one of the solid reagents, and a barrier wall projecting above and substantially surrounding the top surface, where the barrier wall is discontinuous at a first end of the tray.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for freezing a liquid droplet includes dispensing, by a liquid dispenser (14), a droplet (13) of liquid into a fluid chamber (10) containing a freezing fluid (12). The droplet of liquid is allowed to dwell in the freezing fluid for at least a predetermined dwell time so that the droplet of liquid freezes to a frozen droplet. The method and apparatus further includes injecting, by a gas injector (17), a stream (16) of gas transversely to a surface of the freezing fluid at about where the frozen droplet is located along the surface of the freezing fluid contained in the fluid chamber so that the frozen droplet sinks in the freezing fluid.

Abstract: A device for applying an axial compressive force to a fluid contamination detection system comprising a cup joined by a frangible connection to a filter ring, the force being sufficient to break the frangible connection and collapse a portion of the ring into the cup without damaging the ring. The device includes a stop element and a platform and an actuating mechanism for reciprocally moving the platform relative to the stop element. In a first position, the distance between the platform and the stop element is greater than the axial length of the detection system when the cup and the filter ring of the funnel are connected to each other, and in a second position, the distance between the platform and the stop element is less than the axial length of the detection system when the cup and the filter ring of the funnel are connected to each other.

Abstract: A device for applying an axial compressive force to a fluid contamination detection system comprising a cup joined by a frangible connection to a filter ring, the force being sufficient to break the frangible connection and collapse a portion of the ring into the cup without damaging the ring. The device includes a stop element and a platform and an actuating mechanism for reciprocally moving the platform relative to the stop element. In a first position, the distance between the platform and the stop element is greater than the axial length of the detection system when the cup and the filter ring of the funnel are connected to each other, and in a second position, the distance between the platform and the stop element is less than the axial length of the detection system when the cup and the filter ring of the funnel are connected to each other.

Abstract: A device for applying an axial compressive force to a fluid contamination detection system comprising a cup joined by a frangible connection to a filter ring, the force being sufficient to break the frangible connection and collapse a portion of the ring into the cup without damaging the ring. The device includes a stop element and a platform and an actuating mechanism for reciprocally moving the platform relative to the stop element. In a first position, the distance between the platform and the stop element is greater than the axial length of the detection system when the cup and the filter ring of the funnel are connected to each other, and in a second position, the distance between the platform and the stop element is less than the axial length of the detection system when the cup and the filter ring of the funnel are connected to each other.

Abstract: A device for applying an axial compressive force to a fluid contamination detection system comprising a funnel having a reservoir-defining cup joined by a frangible connection to a filter ring, the force being sufficient to break the frangible connection and to collapse a portion of the ring into the cup without damaging the ring. The device includes a stop element and a platform operably mounted on a base, the stop element and base being in fixed relationship to each other. The device further includes an actuating mechanism for reciprocally moving the platform between first and second positions relative to the stop element, the platform and the stop element being disposed in an opposed, space-apart relation relative to each other.