Abstract: A method for aspirating and/or dispensing liquids. The method includes preselecting a volume of liquid to be aspirated and/or dispensed; aspirating and/or dispensing the liquid through an actuator by extruding tubing in a spool included in a cartridge inside of a housing and aligning the extruded tubing with a fixed tip protruding partially out of the housing such that liquid can be aspirated and/or dispensed by a pump included in the actuator.

Abstract: A method for aspirating and/or dispensing liquids. The method includes preselecting a volume of liquid to be aspirated and/or dispensed; aspirating and/or dispensing the liquid through an actuator by extruding tubing in a spool included in a cartridge inside of a housing and aligning the extruded tubing with a fixed tip protruding partially out of the housing such that liquid can be aspirated and/or dispensed by a pump included in the actuator.

Abstract: A device for automatically aspirating and/or dispensing liquids with precision, comprising a housing having an opening at a lower end with a fixed tip protruding out of the lower end; an interchangeable cartridge disposed inside the housing, the cartridge having a holding frame and a spool of tubing provided in the frame such that one end of the tubing is aligned with the tip; and an actuator enabled to automatically extrude part of the tubing so as to accommodate a preselected volume of liquid, aspirate and/or dispense the liquid through the extruded tubing, and disconnect the extruded tubing from the device.

Abstract: A device for automatically aspirating and/or dispensing liquids with precision, comprising a housing having an opening at a lower end with a fixed tip protruding out of the lower end; an interchangeable cartridge disposed inside the housing, the cartridge having a holding frame and a spool of tubing provided in the frame such that one end of the tubing is aligned with the tip; and an actuator enabled to automatically extrude part of the tubing so as to accommodate a preselected volume of liquid, aspirate and/or dispense the liquid through the extruded tubing, and disconnect the extruded tubing from the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently observing protein crystals for use in X-ray analysis is provided. This apparatus includes an ultra-compact proximity imaging unit and a three-dimensional observation adaptor (4) attached thereto. The imaging unit includes a CCD camera (2) and a lens system (3) and an illumination system in front of the CCD camera (2). The lens system (3) includes a variable or fixed magnification lens. The three-dimensional observation adaptor (4) has an optical-axis reflective surface (4c) disposed between the frontmost lens of the lens system (3) and a production container (100) containing protein crystals in the optical axis a of the lens system (3) and a revolving reflective surface (4d) disposed opposite the optical-axis reflective surface (4c) revolvably about the optical axis to three-dimensionally observe the crystals contained in the production container (100) in an oblique or lateral direction.