Abstract: Pipetting device for pipetting a liquid driven by a gaseous working medium, the pipetting device having at least one pipette connector adapted to attach a pipette at a connection opening at least one pressurizing and/or suctioning pressure source, a gas flow connection between said connection opening and at least one pressure source, a flow restriction defining at least a section of said gas flow connection, a first sensor configured to measure a quantity indicative of the temperature of the flow restriction. The invention is further directed to a gas flow connection element for a pipetting device and to a method of pipetting a liquid volume.

Abstract: A method for aspirating a liquid with a laboratory automation device comprises: lowering a pipette of the laboratory automation device into a vessel containing the liquid; during lowering, generating an underpressure or overpressure in the pipette with a pressure generating device of the laboratory automation device and measuring a pressure in a pressure distribution system interconnecting the pressure generating device with the pipette; detecting a liquid surface of the liquid in the vessel by evaluating a pressure change of the pressure; calculating a compensation volume from compartment volumes of compartments of the pressure distribution system and/or of the pipette and from pressure losses between the compartments; and aspirating the liquid from the vessel into the pipette by controlling the pressure generating device to aspirate a specific volume altered by the compensation volume.

Abstract: A displacement device for displacing a displacement volume is disclosed. The device has a first fluid space and a second fluid space. A first piston is arranged in a movable manner within the first fluid space. The first fluid space is connectable to a pipetting device. The first piston is actuatable by an actuation volume of air or of liquid provided by the pipetting device. A second piston is arranged in a movable manner within the second fluid space. The second piston is constructed to displace a displacement volume of a fluid located within the second fluid space when the second piston is actuated. The second piston is actuated in dependence on the first piston that is actuated by the actuation volume. The actuation volume is different from the displacement volume, and a pipetting system has a displacement device and a method of displacing a displacement volume.

Abstract: A method for determining physical parameters of an unknown liquid to be aspirated and/or dispensed by a laboratory automation device comprises: determining physical parameters of a pipette, the physical parameters including geometric parameters of the pipette, which at least include a tip radius of an orifice of the pipette; aspirating and/or dispensing the unknown liquid with a pipette of the laboratory automation device and measuring a measured pressure curve in the pipette during aspirating and/or dispensing; determining the physical parameters of the unknown liquid by minimizing an objective function depending on a difference between a simulated pressure curve and the measured pressure curve, wherein the simulated pressure curve simulates a pressure in the pipette during aspirating and/or dispensing and is calculated based on a physical model of the laboratory automation device including the physical parameters of the pipette.

Abstract: A method for determining physical parameters of a liquid to be aspirated and/or dispensed by a laboratory automation device comprises: picking up of a pipette with the laboratory automation device; lowering the pipette into a sample container with the laboratory automation device, the sample container containing the liquid; aspirating and dispensing air and liquid with the laboratory automation device in such a way, that a liquid level in the pipette solely rises in a first step and solely lowers in a second step, such that an interior surface of the pipette is wetted with liquid solely one time; and during aspirating and dispensing air and liquid, measuring a pressure curve in the pipette and determining the physical parameters from the pressure curve, the physical parameters comprising at least one of a surface tension, a wetting angle and a viscosity.

Abstract: A robotic arm of an automated pipetting system has a pipetting tip adapter and a slide switch to detect the presence of pipetting tips on the pipetting tip adapter is disclosed. The slide switch has first support member and second support member configured to slide relative to one another between first and second positions along a movement axis, an electrically conducting contact pad arranged on the first support member, an electrically conducting terminal physically attached to second support member in physical contact with the contact pad when support members are in first position, where the terminal is a first resilient wiping member expanding along the movement axis, first wiping member is not in physical contact with the contact pad when support members are in second position, and an electric current can flow between first wiping member and the contact pad when support members are in first position.

Abstract: A displacement device for displacing a displacement volume is disclosed. The device has a first fluid space and a second fluid space. A first piston is arranged in a movable manner within the first fluid space. The first fluid space is connectable to a pipetting device. The first piston is actuatable by an actuation volume of air or of liquid provided by the pipetting device. A second piston is arranged in a movable manner within the second fluid space. The second piston is constructed to displace a displacement volume of a fluid located within the second fluid space when the second piston is actuated. The second piston is actuated in dependence on the first piston that is actuated by the actuation volume. The actuation volume is different from the displacement volume, and a pipetting system has a displacement device and a method of displacing a displacement volume.

Abstract: A method for aspirating a first liquid medium of two liquid media of different density from a sample container comprises: lowering a pipette of the laboratory automation device into the sample container until a pipette tip of the pipette has passed a lowering distance from the surface of the first liquid medium in the sample container, wherein the lowering distance is chosen, such that the pipette tip passes at least an aspiration volume in the sample container; aspirating liquid from the sample container during the lowering of the pipette by generating an underpressure in the pipette, wherein the first liquid medium is aspirated, and after the interface and the pipette tip pass each other, the second liquid medium of the two liquid media is aspirated; measuring a pressure in the pipette during the lowering of the pipette and detecting a position of the interface, when a slope of the pressure changes; when the lowering distance has been passed and no interface is detected, aspirating the aspiration volume fro

Abstract: A robotic arm of an automated pipetting system has a pipetting tip adapter and a slide switch to detect the presence of pipetting tips on the pipetting tip adapter is disclosed. The slide switch has first support member and second support member configured to slide relative to one another between first and second positions along a movement axis, an electrically conducting contact pad arranged on the first support member, an electrically conducting terminal physically attached to second support member in physical contact with the contact pad when support members are in first position, where the terminal is a first resilient and inherently stable wiping member expanding along the movement axis, first wiping member is not in physical contact with the contact pad when support members are in second position, and an electric current can flow between first wiping member and the contact pad when support members are in first position.

Abstract: Pipetting device for pipetting a liquid driven by a gaseous working medium, the pipetting device having at least one pipette connector adapted to attach a pipette at a connection opening at least one pressurizing and/or suctioning pressure source, a gas flow connection between said connection opening and at least one pressure source, a flow restriction defining at least a section of said gas flow connection, a first sensor configured to measure a quantity indicative of the temperature of the flow restriction. The invention is further directed to a gas flow connection element for a pipetting device and to a method of pipetting a liquid volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipetting device having an exchangeable pipette tip for suctioning and discharging fluid volumes for use in automated laboratory systems. The invention relates to a pipetting device having a pipette tip detection unit and for detecting a pipette tip on a pipette device of this type. A detection unit detects whether a pipette tip is connected to the pipette tube or determines a characteristic feature of the connected pipette tip. The pipette tip forms at least one portion of a first electrode when the pipette tip is in electrical operative contact with the pipette tube and, e.g., a pipette tip holder, a contact for setting down the pipette tip holder or a working table over which the pipette tube can be moved forms at least one portion of a second electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipetting device having an exchangeable pipette tip for suctioning and discharging fluid volumes for use in automated laboratory systems. The invention relates to a pipetting device having a pipette tip detection unit and for detecting a pipette tip on a pipette device of this type. A detection unit detects whether a pipette tip is connected to the pipette tube or determines a characteristic feature of the connected pipette tip. The pipette tip forms at least one portion of a first electrode when the pipette tip is in electrical operative contact with the pipette tube and, e.g., a pipette tip holder, a contact for setting down the pipette tip holder or a working table over which the pipette tube can be moved forms at least one portion of a second electrode.

Abstract: An optical measuring apparatus and method for analysis of samples contained in liquid drops provided by a liquid handling system has a liquid handling tip. A light source irradiates the liquid drop; a detector measures sample light; and an optics system with first optical elements transmits irradiation light, and a processor processes the measurement signals. The liquid drop is suspended at the liquid handling orifice of the liquid handling tip in a position where the liquid drop is penetrated by a first optical axis defined by the light source and the first optical elements. The liquid drop is physically touched only by the liquid handling tip and the liquid sample inside the liquid handling tip. A mutual adaption of the size and position of the liquid drop with respect to the first optical elements is achieved.

Abstract: Optical measuring apparatus for analysis of samples contained in liquid drops includes a liquid handling system with at least one liquid handling tip. The apparatus has a light source for irradiating the drop, a detector for measuring sample light, an optics system with first optical elements for transmitting irradiation light, and a processor for processing measurement signals. The drop is suspended at the liquid handling orifice of the tip in a position where the drop is penetrated by a first optical axis defined by the light source and the first optical elements. The drop is physically touched only by the liquid handling tip and the liquid sample inside the tip. The tip is attached to a robot arm which adjusts the position of the liquid drop with respect to at least one optical element of the optics system.

Abstract: An optical measuring apparatus and method for analysis of samples contained in liquid drops provided by a liquid handling system has a liquid handling tip. A light source irradiates the liquid drop; a detector measures sample light; and an optics system with first optical elements transmits irradiation light, and a processor processes the measurement signals. The liquid drop is suspended at the liquid handling orifice of the liquid handling tip in a position where the liquid drop is penetrated by a first optical axis defined by the light source and the first optical elements. The liquid drop is physically touched only by the liquid handling tip and the liquid sample inside the liquid handling tip. A mutual adaption of the size and position of the liquid drop with respect to the first optical elements is achieved.

Abstract: A device for mixing liquids in a container having an inner chamber with an enclosing wall and a bottom, an external encasement, an interspace and a transfer opening on top of the inner chamber. A mixing body located in the inner chamber comprises magnetizable material or a permanent magnet spaced from the wall. A coupling body movable in the interspace along a longitudinal axis and wall has magnetic working connection with the mixing body. The wall and the external encasement are transparent to magnetic fields. An acting permanent magnet or magnetizable material outside the external encasement, is in magnetic working connection with the coupling body. Moving the acting magnet or magnetizable material parallel to the longitudinal axis induces movement of the coupling body inside the interspace and moving the mixing body in the inner chamber, mixes liquids present in the inner chamber.

Abstract: Optical measuring apparatus configured for analysis of samples contained in liquid drops provided by a liquid handling system that comprises at least one liquid handling tip. The apparatus comprises a light source for irradiating the drop; a detector for measuring sample light; an optics system with first optical elements for transmitting irradiation light, and a processor for accepting and processing measurement signals. The drop is suspended at the liquid handling orifice of the tip in a position where the drop is penetrated by a first optical axis defined by the light source and the first optical elements. The drop is physically touched only by the tip and the liquid sample inside the tip. A robot arm to which the tip is attached is configured as a mechanism for adapting the position of the liquid drop with respect to at least one optical element of the optics system.

Abstract: An optical measuring apparatus and method for analysis of samples contained in liquid drops provided by a liquid handling system has a liquid handling tip. A light source irradiates the liquid drop; a detector measures sample light; and an optics system with first optical elements transmits irradiation light, and a processor processes the measurement signals. The liquid drop is suspended at the liquid handling orifice of the liquid handling tip in a position where the liquid drop is penetrated by a first optical axis defined by the light source and the first optical elements. The liquid drop is physically touched only by the liquid handling tip and the liquid sample inside the liquid handling tip. A mutual adaption of the size and position of the liquid drop with respect to the first optical elements is achieved.

Abstract: An optical measuring apparatus and method for analysis of samples contained in liquid drops provided by a liquid handling system has a liquid handling tip. A light source irradiates the liquid drop; a detector measures sample light; and an optics system with first optical elements transmits irradiation light, and a processor processes the measurement signals. The liquid drop is suspended at the liquid handling orifice of the liquid handling tip in a position where the liquid drop is penetrated by a first optical axis defined by the light source and the first optical elements. The liquid drop is physically touched only by the liquid handling tip and the liquid sample inside the liquid handling tip. A mutual adaption of the size and position of the liquid drop with respect to the first optical elements is achieved.

Abstract: An optical measuring apparatus and method for analysis of samples contained in liquid drops provided by a liquid handling system has a liquid handling tip. A light source irradiates the liquid drop; a detector measures sample light; and an optics system with first optical elements transmits irradiation light, and a processor processes the measurement signals. The liquid drop is suspended at the liquid handling orifice of the liquid handling tip in a position where the liquid drop is penetrated by a first optical axis defined by the light source and the first optical elements. The liquid drop is physically touched only by the liquid handling tip and the liquid sample inside the liquid handling tip. A mutual adaption of the size and position of the liquid drop with respect to the first optical elements is achieved.