Abstract: A method adapted to allow aspiration verification of a liquid such as a biological liquid or liquid reagent at low aspiration volumes (e.g., less than 25 ?L). The method includes attempting to aspirate a volume of a liquid into a probe at an aspiration frequency, measuring an aspiration pressure associated with the attempted aspiration of the liquid and providing a measured pressure signal, and filtering the measured pressure signal with a filter. The filter has a passband frequency containing the aspiration frequency and excluding the frequencies of a disturbance causing noise in the measured pressure signal. Apparatus for carrying out the method are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and apparatus adapted to control a temperature of a process fluid in an instrument. In one aspect, the systems and apparatus are adapted to control fluid temperature provided to a feed tank. The feed tank may feed a metering system and metering line of an instrument such as a clinical analyzer. The fluid temperature control system includes a process fluid inflow, a process fluid outflow, a first fluid path fluidly coupled to the process fluid inflow and outflow, and at least one heat exchanger thermally coupled to the first fluid path, wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to extract heat for at least one heat-generating component of the instrument. Controlling a temperature of the process fluid at the feed tank improves metering accuracy. Methods of operating the system are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A method adapted to allow aspiration verification of a liquid such as a biological liquid or liquid reagent at low aspiration volumes (e.g., less than 25 ?L). The method includes attempting to aspirate a volume of a liquid into a probe at an aspiration frequency, measuring an aspiration pressure associated with the attempted aspiration of the liquid and providing a measured pressure signal, and filtering the measured pressure signal with a filter. The filter has a passband frequency containing the aspiration frequency and excluding the frequencies of a disturbance causing noise in the measured pressure signal. Apparatus for carrying out the method are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Compositions include an aqueous solution of an organic dye of molecular weight in the range of about 300 to about 1,000 and a density-enhancing material. An amount of the density-enhancing material in the aqueous solution is sufficient to achieve a density of about 1.0 to about 1.3 g/mL. The composition has a viscosity of about 3.5 to about 5.0 centipoise. The compositions are useful in assessing the adequacy of a liquid handling mixing device to mix a reaction mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and apparatus adapted to control a temperature of a process fluid in an instrument. In one aspect, the systems and apparatus are adapted to control fluid temperature provided to a feed tank. The feed tank may feed a metering system and metering line of an instrument such as a clinical analyzer. The fluid temperature control system includes a process fluid inflow, a process fluid outflow, a first fluid path fluidly coupled to the process fluid inflow and outflow, and at least one heat exchanger thermally coupled to the first fluid path, wherein the heat exchanger is adapted to extract heat for at least one heat-generating component of the instrument. Controlling a temperature of the process fluid at the feed tank improves metering accuracy. Methods of operating the system are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: An improved energy tube-cable-router for securing flat cables and fluid carrying tubes and adapted to eliminate an undesirable pumping action of the fluid within the tubes by maintaining the longitudinal axis of tubes in a plane containing the central radius of curvature of tube-cable-router.

Abstract: An improved mounting clamp adapted to simultaneously secure flat ribbon cables and a number of fluid tubes to a surface and having a locking feature to facilitate assembly and release.

Abstract: A magnetic sample rack adapted to support liquid containers is urged along a surface by means of a magnetic conveyor system located beneath the surface. The magnetic conveyor system comprises a plurality of magnetic housings driven by a belt, the magnetic housings including a magnet slideably contained in a closed upper cavity. Magnetic forces emanating from the magnet overcome frictional resistive forces between the sample racks and the operating surface and move the sample racks along input and output lanes defined in the operating surface. Abrupt movements of the sample racks are eliminated because the housing magnet slides smoothly towards the sample rack, secures the sample rack, and pulls the rack along the operating surface as the housings are moved at a steady rate by the belt.

Abstract: A magnetic sample rack adapted to support liquid containers is urged along a surface by means of a magnetic conveyor system located beneath the surface. The magnetic conveyor system comprises a plurality of magnetic housings driven by a belt, the magnetic housings including a magnet slideably contained in a closed upper cavity. Magnetic forces emanating from the magnet overcome frictional resistive forces between the sample racks and the operating surface and move the sample racks along input and output lanes defined in the operating surface. Abrupt movements of the sample racks are eliminated because the housing magnet slides smoothly towards the sample rack, secures the sample rack, and pulls the rack along the operating surface as the housings are moved at a steady rate by the belt.

Abstract: A dispersion apparatus for microgravity experiments comprises two blocks in face to face relationships, each having an array of wells for containing liquids and being relatively slidable so that the wells in one of the blocks can be brought into communication with corresponding wells in the other block. The blocks are held together by a retention mechanism which imparts a substantially constant pressure at the interface between the blocks. The retention mechanism comprises rails situated in grooves in the outside surfaces of the blocks and a series of coiled tension springs connected to the rails. The springs, acting through the rails, apply pressure to the blocks, but impart almost no force tending to cause the blocks to slide relative to each other. The blocks are guided by guide plates which cooperate with grooves in the mating faces of the blocks. An embodiment in which one of the blocks has a row of wells with optical windows, utilizes a guided camera to observe the interior of the wells.

Abstract: A magnetic sample rack adapted to support liquid containers is urged along a surface by means of a magnetic conveyor system located beneath the surface. The magnetic conveyor system comprises a plurality of magnetic housings driven by a belt, the magnetic housings including a magnet slideably contained in a closed upper cavity. Magnetic forces emanating from the magnet overcome frictional resistive forces between the sample racks and the operating surface and move the sample racks along input and output lanes defined in the operating surface. Abrupt movements of the sample racks are eliminated because the housing magnet slides smoothly towards the sample rack, secures the sample rack, and pulls the rack along the operating surface as the housings are moved at a steady rate by the belt.