Abstract: In a method for picking up cell material from a culture dish a picking tool is displaced towards the cell material. Contact between the tool and the cell material is determined by carrying out capacitive measurements. After contact the tool is removed from the cell material. In an assembly for performing said method a support made of electrically conducting material supports the dish. A measurement device determines the start electrical capacity of the system composed of picking tool and support in a starting position of the tool, and determines the electrical capacity of the system when lowering the tool towards the dish. The measurement device provides signals representing the electrical capacity to a controller, which comprises a comparator for performing a comparison of the electrical capacity during lowering of the tool with the start electrical capacity. The controller controls the positioning of the tool at least based on this comparison.

Abstract: A well casing or liner shoe (10) comprises a partially of fully openable central fluid channel (13) which is connected to at least one small width nozzle (46) and an additional large width fluid outlet (49), which is closed by a thin walled closure device arranged to open at a selected fluid overpressure in the fluid channel (13), and which has a flow area larger than each nozzle (46) to permit fluid circulation when the nozzles (46) are clogged and clearance of clogging debris through the additional large width additional fluid outlet (49).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: The present invention describes an automated platform for inoculating a variety of receptacles with biological samples for testing and analysis. The lab automation system includes a plurality of modules used to automate the inoculation of media for subsequent analysis. In this regard, the lab automation system has one module to enter specimen/order information and store an inventory of petri dishes. Another module is used to label the sample receptacles with a unique identifier that associates the receptacles with the sample. Yet another module includes a robot for retrieving sample and inoculating the receptacles. The sample inoculation module also includes an apparatus that will receive slides, inoculate those slides, and further process the slides for analysis. Finally, the lab automation system includes a module that streaks the culture media with the sample. Thus, the automated lab system described herein provides consistent samples with minimal input from a lab operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and identifying microorganisms in said selected colony using MALDI. The method comprises the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of said selected colony of microorganisms; depositing at least some of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms on a target plate; and transferring said target plate with said sample in an apparatus for performing MALDI for identification of said sample of said selected colony of microorganisms. A sample of a colony of microorganisms is automatically deposited on a depositing spot such that the sample covers at most approximately half of said one of the depositing spots of the target plate.

Abstract: In a method for picking up cell material from a culture dish a picking tool is displaced towards the cell material. Contact between the tool and the cell material is determined by carrying out capacitive measurements. After contact the tool is removed from the cell material. In an assembly for performing said method a support made of electrically conducting material supports the dish. A measurement device determines the start electrical capacity of the system composed of picking tool and support in a starting position of the tool, and determines the electrical capacity of the system when lowering the tool towards the dish. The measurement device provides signals representing the electrical capacity to a controller, which comprises a comparator for performing a comparison of the electrical capacity during lowering of the tool with the start electrical capacity. The controller controls the positioning of the tool at least based on this comparison.