Abstract: A microfluidic analytical apparatus (10) comprising a microfluidic card pairing (12) with a corresponding circuit card (14) and the circuit card pairing (12) with corresponding conductive fingers (16). The microfluidic card (12) has a plurality of channels (32) and ports (54) on a top surface of the card in a desired configuration, the ports (54) in fluid communication with the channels (32). The circuit card (14) has a plurality of conductive pins (60) projecting from a bottom surface of the card and having a configuration that corresponds to the particular configuration of the ports (54) of the microfluidic card (12) that is paired with. The circuit card (14) is received within a holder (20) that provides that provides multiple functions.

Abstract: A photoactivation apparatus (200) separately delivers light to a plurality of wells of a multiwell plate (110). The device-includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (210) attached to a first surface of a substrate (220) such that when the photoactivation apparatus is positioned on the multiwell plate each of the light emitting diodes delivers light to one corresponding well. The light emitting diodes (210) may extend at least partially into the wells of the multiwell plate. A heat sink (250) and fan may be provided on the device to dissipate heat generated by the light emitting diodes. The components are preferably enclosed in a conveniently-sized housing (270). The housing may include one or more grips and air vents. The apparatus includes an interlocking lip (230) defining a recess which is sized to receive at least a portion of the multiwell plate. A power supply connected to the apparatus and configured to provide an equal voltage across each of the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A microfluidic analytical apparatus (10) comprising a microfluidic card pairing (12) with a corresponding circuit card (14) and the circuit card pairing (12) with corresponding conductive fingers (16). The microfluidic card (12) has a plurality of channels (32) and ports (54) on a top surface of the card in a desired configuration, the ports (54) in fluid communication with the channels (32). The circuit card (14) has a plurality of conductive pins (60) projecting from a bottom surface of the card and having a configuration that corresponds to the particular configuration of the ports (54) of the microfluidic card (12) that is paired with. The circuit card (14) is received within a holder (20) that provides that provides multiple functions.

Abstract: A pipetting apparatus (1) comprises a fluidic space (7), to which a pressure transducer (11) with a pressure sensor (12) is attached with a gas filled space (15). The fluidic space (7) is defined by a pipette tip (2), a first tubing (5) that connects the pipette tip (2) to a pump (4), and an active part (6) of the pump (4). The pipetting apparatus (1) according to the present invention is characterized in that the pipetting apparatus (1) further comprises an impulse generating means (16,18,19) that is in operative contact with a column (10) of system liquid (8) inside the fluidic space (7). The impulse generating means (16,18,19) is designed to induce a vertical movement in this system liquid column (10), which results in a pressure variation in the gas filled space (15) that is pneumatically connected with the fluidic space (7).

Abstract: Apparatuses for and a method of transferring an assay protocol developed with an operator carried, hand held sample transfer tool to a robotic sample processor of a laboratory workstation are disclosed. The method comprises the execution of an assay protocol with a sample transfer apparatus (1), comprising a laboratory working area (2) with a first position retrieval system (3); a hand held sample transfer tool (10) with an active tool piece (5), which is manually carried by an operator (11); and a data processing unit (6) comprising a calculator (7), a memory (8), and a display (9); the data processing unit (6), and the first position retrieval system (3) being in communication connection with each other.

Abstract: A method for performing an electrophoretic separation on a microfluidic device includes applying an electric field to electrokinetically move a sample along a channel towards a location. The sample may be concentrated by application of the electric field. The method further comprises optically monitoring the location for at least a portion of the sample. Once the sample is detected, the electric field is automatically changed to further manipulate the sample. The sample may be spatially separated along a separation channel or channel portion. The closed-loop control of electric fields may be performed using a control unit adapted to apply a voltage potential between electrodes and an optical detector such as an LIF detector.

Abstract: A photoactivation apparatus (200) separately delivers light to a plurality of wells of a multiwell plate (110). The device-includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (210) attached to a first surface of a substrate (220) such that when the photoactivation apparatus is positioned on the multiwell plate each of the light emitting diodes delivers light to one corresponding well. The light emitting diodes (210) may extend at least partially into the wells of the multiwell plate. A heat sink (250) and fan may be provided on the device to dissipate heat generated by the light emitting diodes. The components are preferably enclosed in a conveniently-sized housing (270). The housing may include one or more grips and air vents. The apparatus includes an interlocking lip (230) defining a recess which is sized to receive at least a portion of the multiwell plate. A power supply connected to the apparatus and configured to provide an equal voltage across each of the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A microfluidic analytical apparatus (10) comprising a microfluidic card pairing (12) with a corresponding circuit card (14) and the circuit card pairing (12) with corresponding conductive fingers (16). The microfluidic card (12) has a plurality of channels (32) and ports (54) on a top surface of the card in a desired configuration, the ports (54) in fluid communication with the channels (32). The circuit card (14) has a plurality of conductive pins (60) projecting from a bottom surface of the card and having a configuration that corresponds to the particular configuration of the ports (54) of the microfluidic card (12) that is paired with. The circuit card (14) is received within a holder (20) that provides that provides multiple functions.

Abstract: A method for performing an electrophoretic separation on a microfluidic device includes applying an electric field to electrokinetically move a sample along a channel towards a location. The sample may be concentrated by application of the electric field. The method further comprises optically monitoring the location for at least a portion of the sample. Once the sample is detected, the electric field is automatically changed to further manipulate the sample. The sample may be spatially separated along a separation channel or channel portion. The closed-loop control of electric fields may be performed using a control unit adapted to apply a voltage potential between electrodes and an optical detector such as an LIF detector.