Abstract: The invention is based on the realization that feedback control for the vertical drive of a pin head becomes unnecessary if one instead prealigns the relative heights of the spotting surface and the well plates such that the pins in the pin head are lowered to the same absolute height both for picking up liquid from the well plates and depositing it onto the spotting surface. By aligning the heights of the well plates and spotting surfaces, the vertical drive of the pin head needs only to be able to reproducibly and accurately arrive at a single lowered position. A pin head can provide this functionality by having a mechanically defined bottom point, obviating the need for a complex and costly feedback control system for height determination of the pins. A simple, low-cost micro-arrayer can thus be provided.

Abstract: A multi-channel fluid dispenser includes a reservoir with multiple internal chambers, a multi-channel liquid dispensing head, a plurality of fluid-delivery conduits, and support and positioning elements. The fluid-delivery conduits receive liquid from the chambers in the reservoir and deliver it to the dispensing head. The support and positioning elements are operable to support and position the dispensing head so that it can deliver the liquid from the reservoir to an underlying receiver. The fluid-delivery conduits include one or more optional flow control features that improve the accuracy of the dispensing operation. The multi-channel liquid dispensing head, which includes a valve-support member, a plurality of valves and a plurality of nozzles, is advantageously movable in three directions to facilitate alignment with an underlying receiver.

Abstract: An airbag cover is defined by a predetermined breaking line which is introduced into a shaped flat material in a recessed manner. The recesses are achieved by removing material by means of laser radiation. According to the invention, the flat material is provided with a barrier layer. The barrier layer, by reason of its material properties, has greater resistance to removal of material by laser action than the material of the rest of the flat material. The recesses made by removing material extend along the predetermined breaking line in the flat material up to the barrier layer. The barrier layer makes it possible to produce a predetermined breaking line by means of laser machining which allows an exact residual wall thickness of the airbag cover in the area of the predetermined breaking line, so that the tearing strength can be adjusted very accurately, which is critically important for a reliable deployment of an airbag.

Abstract: An object is to provide a container transfer and processing system which can simplify total construction and control, does not increase time and cost in manufacturing and use, which is easy to use, and which runs efficiently, and for which processing of large quantities of containers can be performed rapidly and easily.

Abstract: A multi-channel fluid dispenser includes a reservoir (106) with multiple internal chambers (844) with ports (850) to fill each chamber (844), a multi-channel liquid dispensing head, a plurality of fluid-delivery conduits, and support and positioning elements.

Abstract: A robotically manipulable sample handling tool, such as a colony picking head or robotic pipetting tool, includes needles arranged on the tool. Actuators may be associated with each needle to control flow for the needle, e.g., to move the needle and/or draw fluid into/expel fluid from the needle. The actuators may be arranged so that needles are individually controlled by a controller that outputs a number of control signals that is less than the total number of needles. The actuators may be membrane valves that receive two signals from a controller; a first signal that opens or closes the valve, and a second signal that causes fluid flow through the valve to actuate a needle.

Abstract: A device and method for the automated storage and retrieval of trays holding subject matter. A plurality of trays is inserted into an access device. A computer system is programmed to control a storage gantry to move the trays between the access device, a storage rack and a work cell gantry. The computer system is also programmed to control the work cell gantry to move the subject matter to and from an automated receiving machine. In a preferred embodiment, the subject matter in the trays is a plurality of micro-well plates in which microscopic crystals may be growing and the automated receiving machine is configured to inspect and classify microscopic crystals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for dispensing a volume of fluids from a reservoir, through a fluid outlet in fluid communication with said reservoir, into each well of at least a series of wells, whereby the method comprises a dispensing mode and a non-dispensing mode, whereby the fluid is dispensed into said series of wells at a continuous uninterrupted flow.

Abstract: A bank section (112a, 112b) are formed between a plurality of electrodes (111) which are formed on the base body (2). A functional layer is formed on each electrode (111) by injecting a composition from a plurality of nozzles. A display device is manufactured which is provided bank sections (112a, 112b) between the functional layers formed on the electrode (111). A nozzle array in which a plurality of nozzles are disposed to be inclined in a main scanning direction scans on the base body (2). A liquid drop (110c1) of the composition which is injected initially for each functional layer is injected so as to contact at least a part of the bank sections (112a, 112b).

Abstract: Device for filling, with a liquid medium (1), an analysis card (2) comprising a body (3) in which at least one reading cavity (3a) is formed, and an orifice (4) communicating with the cavity via at least one internal channel (7), with an external conduit (9) communicating with the orifice, this device comprising an evacuation device (50). It comprises: a connecting device (11) including on one side a joining piece (12) for leaktight and removable coupling to the free end (9a) of the open external conduit, and communicating directly on the other side with the evacuation device (50); a device (34) for closing and re-opening the external conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated preparation of solutions with combined metering system is provided with a structure with a platform (1) upon which it is possible to position one or more containers for solid products, one or more bottle-like containers for liquid products, one or more containers for solutions and one or more empty and clean bottle-like containers. A carriage (2) is movable onto the platform (1). An apparatus is associated with the carriage (2), for the removal and handling of the bottles and for the removal, handling and actuation of at least the containers for solid products. An apparatus (6) is provided for preparing solutions and/or mixtures starting from the solid substances.

Abstract: A proportioning head comprising a head plate, a multiplicity of pipette tips in plastic in a matrix array the tip apertures of which are disposed below the head plate and which are mounted at top of the head plate wherein the upper apertures of the pipette tips are accessible from the upper surface of the head plate, and a centering plate which has a multiplicity of centering holes in the same matrix array as have the pipette tips the inner diameter of which is tailored to the outer diameters of centering portions of the pipette tips disposed below the head plate in such a way that the centering plate is adapted to the pushed onto the centering portions while aligning the centering portions of the pipette tips onto the matrix array of the centering holes.

Abstract: A device and method for the automated storage and retrieval of trays holding subject matter. A plurality of trays is inserted into an access device. A computer system is programmed to control a storage gantry to move the trays between the access device, a storage rack and a work cell gantry. The computer system is also programmed to control the work cell gantry to move the subject matter to and from an automated receiving machine. In a preferred embodiment, the subject matter in the trays is a plurality of micro-well plates in which microscopic crystals may be growing and the automated receiving machine is configured to inspect and classify microscopic crystals.

Abstract: A method for reducing carryover of and delivering liquid taken from a source container by a dispensing means to a target container by spinning the target container so that any liquid within the target container is removed from the dispensing means prior to dispensing liquid into the target container.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dispersing and feeding dry powders without using pressurized air are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sample holder, a suction probe, a vacuum means and a positional means. The suction probe is positioned above dry powders in the sample holder, a space between the suction probe and the sample holder is substantially small that allows non-pressurized ambient air to form an high velocity downward air flow when a vacuum is applied to the suction probe. A change of air flow direction at an orifice of the suction probe generates a high shear force above the dry powders, which disperses the dry powders into an airstream. The apparatus feeds the dry powder airstream to a particle analyzer with a controlled rate. The apparatus and method are particularly useful in sizing particles using laser diffraction or image analysis techniques.

Abstract: An apparatus for the gravimetric calibration of multi-channel pipettes contains a balance (37) that has a load receiver (38) configured to support receptacles (13) containing a substance to be weighed. The apparatus has a holder device (10) to support a certain number of the receptacles (13) into which a test liquid is dispensed from the multi-channel pipette. The apparatus further has a transport device (1) for advancing the holder device (10) towards the load receiver (38). The receptacles (13) are seated in the holder device (10) at equally spaced positions and are one by one delivered to and subsequently removed from the measuring device.

Abstract: A valve assembly for filling containers with metered quantities of materials includes a valve body having a chamber therein, the valve body having open-top and bottom ends with substantially smooth interior sidewalls defining the chamber. A valve element for opening and closing the openable bottom end of the valve body is disposed in the chamber adjacent to the openable bottom end. An actuator device, including a pair of air cylinders, provides for relative movement between a lower portion of the valve body in which the openable bottom end is disposed and the valve element in order to open and close the openable bottom end. A concentric sleeve is telescopically connected to the bottom portion of the main valve body, and is reciprocably movable in response to actuation of the air cylinders to open and close the valve.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cassette chemical immobilization and treatment system and method for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns (“mini-columns”), reagent wells containeing pre-packaged reagents including powdered, micoencapsulated, liquid or lyophillized reagents, analyte loading funnels, alignment means for the analyte sample columns, and, a machine readable instruction code Bet for identifying a chemical treatment protocol. The mini-columns are improved columns having high pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis.

Abstract: An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support supporting a plurality of slide supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel slide support for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support having a plurality of reagent container supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator means positioned for engaging a reagent container positioned on a container support in the reagent delivery zone and initiating reagent delivery from the reagent container to a slide supported on a slide support in the reagent receiving zone.

Abstract: A proportioning head comprising a head plate, a multiplicity of pipette tips in plastic in a matrix array the tip apertures of which are disposed below the head plate and which are mounted at top of the head plate wherein the upper apertures of the pipette tips are accessible from the upper surface of the head plate, and a centering plate which has a multiplicity of centering holes in the same matrix array as have the pipette tips the inner diameter of which is tailored to the outer diameters of centering portions of the pipette tips disposed below the head plate in such a way that the centering plate is adapted to the pushed onto the centering portions while aligning the centering portions of the pipette tips onto the matrix array of the centering holes.

Abstract: A device for filling and suction of filter plates in a microtitration plate format which is comprised of a simultaneously working multipipette, two stacking elements, a plate transfer car with a suction station, four lifting drives, and an electric plate holder. The plates emanating from the dispensing stacking elements are filled by the pipettes or the pipette automatic machine and can be deposited on the suction station afterwards with the aid of the plate holder and the lifter. The plates are then lifted together with the weight such that the plate is sufficiently pressed hard on the seal in the suction station. As a result, a corresponding low pressure can be generated in the vacuum station.

Abstract: An automated machine for filling a plurality of microplates. The automated machine includes at least one input stacking chamber for stacking empty microplates, at least one output stacking chamber for stacking filled microplates, and a microplate filling assembly disposed between the at least one input stacking chamber and the at least one output stacking chamber. The microplate filling assembly has a walking beam indexer, a lid lifter for lifting the lid off each microplate to permit the microplate to be filled, and after filling to replace the lid, and a fill mechanism in communication with a media source and positioned to fill the empty microplates after their lids have been lifted off.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a fluid into a container has a carriage movably associated with a holding mechanism along an axis. A piston is attached to the carriage and a cylinder is slidably attached to the piston along the axis. The cylinder has a hole formed therein that extends along the axis. A needle extending along the axis is attached to the piston and passes through the cylinder hole. The needle has a first operative position relative to the piston when the needle is retracted within the cylinder and a second operative position relative to the piston when the needle extends from the cylinder.

Abstract: To pump fluid into sample containers, a distributor arm of a sample collector is calibrated as to position in a computer memory and is moved from position to position over different containers while a counter in computer memory keeps track of its position. When the distributor arm is over the designated container, samples are pumped into the container. To pump the fluid into the container, the rollers of a peristaltic pump are supported to prevent the rollers from compressing the tube more than the thickness of the walls of the tube. A tube holder rotates along with the roller assembly of the peristaltic pump and keeps the tube in line with the rollers.

Abstract: An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support supporting a plurality of slide supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel slide support for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support having a plurality of reagent container supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator means positioned for engaging a reagent container positioned on a container support in the reagent delivery zone and initiating reagent delivery from the reagent container to a slide supported on a slide support in the reagent receiving zone.

Abstract: A gas cushion proportioning microsystem to proportion liquid volumes in the microlitre and sub-microlitre ranges, comprising a liquid reservoir including a storage space for the liquid being proportioned the boundary line of which is broken through by an outwardly leading liquid passage and a gas passage, a gas displacement system which has a micropump to pump a gas and a connection to the gas passage, and a proportioning control in an operative communication with the micropump to generate a negative pressure or positive pressure by actuating the micropump and to apply the negative pressure or positive pressure to the liquid reservoir in order to receive liquid in the storage space through the liquid passage or to deliver it from said space.

Abstract: A pipette station is described for use in the field of sample analysis. The pipette station increases the rate and ease with which a liquid may be manipulated into and out of sample carriers such as microwell plates. The pipette station includes shafts in the X, Y, and Z direction which possess ball screws which are integrated with motor shafts thus improving accuracy and eliminating the need for a coupling apparatus thereby reducing the space required for the pipette station. The pipette station may be interfaced with an automated laboratory system.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing apparatus comprises a support member which supports a movably mounted dispensing member. The support member is movable between first and second positions. A single drive system causes the dispensing member to move relative to the support member to a number of dispense positions while the support member is in its first position and causes the support member to move to the second position.

Abstract: A manual microarrayer apparatus is disclosed which includes an integral visual magnification system alphanumeric counter and LED display for tracking samples in a microtitre plate. The apparatus is preferably reversible so as to provide left and right handed user formats.

Abstract: An automated precision liquid metering apparatus using injectors as metering devices is provided. The apparatus mainly includes a plurality of storage containers uniformly spaced on a plane in multiple rows. Each storage container is sealed with a cap and has a loadstone disposed therein. A stirring means is located below the storage containers to cause the loadstones rotate and thereby evenly stir liquid in the storage containers. The cap of each storage container has at least one injector extended therethrough. A liquid sucking-releasing means mounted on a traveling means could be shifted to locate above a selected storage container under control of a control means. When the liquid sucking-releasing means is descended, it grabs the injector on the selected storage container, and when the same means is ascended, it causes the injector to suck in an amount of liquid from the selected storage container while extracting the same injector from the selected storage container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for chemical processing of multiple mixtures is disclosed. The apparatus provides selective purging of a liquid-phase of the mixtures. The apparatus can be used for processing many different types of mixtures under a wide variety of processing conditions, including but not limited to protein digestions, and is particularly well suited for processes requiring solid-liquid contacting. The apparatus includes an array of vessels or wells for containing the mixtures. The wells have openings that generally define a surface. A perforated plate and a film are disposed above the openings of the wells. The film is sandwiched between the perforated plate and the surface defined by the openings of the vessels, covering and sealing the vessels. A probe is used to perforate the film and to pressurize the vessels, which drives liquid out of the wells via through-holes formed in their bottoms.

Abstract: A fully automatic apparatus and process for aliquotting liquid samples from a sample container is provided which includes the steps of creating an opening in the sample container, transferring an aliquot of the sample liquid into an aliquot tube, sealing the container and conveying the aliquot tube to a location for conducting the desired tests on the sample aliquot.

Abstract: An automated liquid handler includes a probe assembly with a probe foot that can be moved down against the top of sample containers of a variety of sizes and shapes defined by racks, tubes or plates. A seal at the bottom of the foot provides a seal between the foot and the containers making it possible to prepare a SPE sample by using positive, probe introduced pressure within the containers to force liquid samples out through media at the bottom of the container. The foot seal is self sealing without the need for adhesives or other potential contaminates, and is removeably mounted to the probe foot.

Abstract: Substrate beads for combinatorial synthesis are selected individually from a mixture by suspending the mixture in an electrically conductive liquid, in a bead selection vessel, causing the liquid to flow at a controlled rate through an aperture in the side wall of a pipette extending through the vessel, and detecting the passage of a bead through the aperture by monitoring an electrical resistance across the aperture. In an alternative embodiment, beads are passed through a tube into a collection passage in which a continuous laminar flow takes place. Detection takes place at the tip of the tube, and, in response to the detection of a bead, the flow through the collection passage is diverted to cause the bead to be deposited. In both cases, the selected bead is deposited into a well of a plate having rows and columns of wells in a rectangular array, while a vacuum is drawn through a filter in the bottom of the well.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is which, even when a small amount of a medium is to be dispensed, can satisfactorily dispense the medium.

Abstract: A distribution apparatus for distributing liquid samples using distribution tips, which distribution tips are held in a tip rack placed in a feeder section and fitted relative to a distribution head. The distribution apparatus has a fitting stage, provided in a space between the feeder section and a distribution stage, for supporting the tip rack and fitting the distribution tips. A distribution tip alignment device is provided in the fitting stage, which aligns dislocated distribution tips at the bottom ends to a correct formation by making contact with the side wall surfaces of the distribution tips. The tip ends of the distribution tips, which are attached to nozzles of the distribution head, are aligned by the distribution tip alignment device at a certain specific pitch, at the time when the distribution tips are attached to the nozzles, or after they are attached to the nozzles. By so doing, a liquid sample can be distributed to small diameter wells without having a dislocation problem.

Abstract: To sample liquids containing volatile materials, the liquid is pumped through a syringe needle into a container until the container overflows. The needle is removed slowly and the container is automatically closed as the needle is withdrawn, wherein liquid flows upwardly continuously as the needle is withdrawn through an opening. The cap for the container includes a closure having a valve opening extending upwardly and sized to narrowly receive a syringe in a perpendicular valve member opening. The valve member includes a flat member on one end adapted to be gripped by a cam follower for opening and closing of the valve opening in coordination with the movement of the syringe.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an equipment for portioning of liquid consignments of specific amounts and to the packaging of these small liquid consignments in mass production. The portioning is executed with a bellows, which defines an air space of varying volume, that the air stream caused by the bellows establishes the injection and suction of a liquid. According to the invention the air space is connected to the suction tip (4), which holds a liquid space confined by a filter permeable to air stream but impermeable to liquid. When in the suction phase the liquid is sucked into the suction tip (4) by the motion of the liquid, and in the injection phase the reverse motion of the bellows is used in injecting the liquid consignment from the suction tip, and the injection of the liquid consignment of certain volume is based on a corresponding volume change in the air space of the bellows established by an equipment controlling the bellows.

Abstract: An automated machine for filling a plurality of microplates. The automated machine includes at least one input stacking chamber for stacking empty microplates, at least one output stacking chamber for stacking filled microplates, and a microplate filling assembly disposed between the at least one input stacking chamber and the at least one output stacking chamber.

Abstract: The invention concerns a hollow needle axially mobile so as to pierce a container stopper. Said needle comprises a pointed end with a cutting edge tangent to the needle cylindrical body generatrix, an oblique shape linking the edge to said cylindrical body and a side outlet orifice of the channel centred on said generatrix and a site spaced from the edge, said orifice being centred perpendicular to the needle longitudinal axis. This invention is applicable to automatic and semiautomatic analytical equipment.

Abstract: A method for safely, reliably and continuously feeding a liquid specimen such as human blood in one container on a centrifugal rotor into another container on the same rotor without the need to touch the specimen as well as any part of the device while completely preventing contamination due to mixing of microorganisms. A liquid is injected into a pressurizing or a depressurizing container on a rotor from outside to pressurize or depressurize a first container on the rotor, thereby feeding under pressure a specimen in the first container into a second container on the same rotor, or sucking a specimen in the second container into the first container.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides an improved liquid dispenser suitable for dispensing a small volume of liquid. The liquid dispenser has a capillary channel suitable for aspirating and retaining a predetermined and repeatable volume of liquid via capillary action. To dispense retained liquid, the capillary channel is accelerated and then abruptly decelerated. Liquid is supplied to the capillary channel via a liquid-supply conduit that is in fluid communication therewith. When the capillary channel is abruptly decelerated during the dispensing operation, liquid within the capillary channel is momentarily "sheared" or separated from liquid within liquid-supply conduit. After such "shearing," liquid flow is reestablished under capillary action, and the emptied capillary channel is thereby refilled. The refilling operation occurs "automatically" and without the need for a repositioning operation (i.e.

Abstract: Apparatus for the controlled withdrawal and delivery of volumetrically metered liquids of a type comprising a support structure able to receive a first series of vessels or bottles which contain substances in a liquid phase, and a second series of vessels or glasses able to receive one or more said substances in preset doses, means being provided for withdrawing and feeding said substances in preset doses and able to withdraw said substances individually from said bottles and discharge them into said glasses, apparatus characterized in that said withdrawal and delivery means comprise a series of single withdrawal and delivery members (7) able to be positioned in correspondence of each of said bottles and resolvably matchable with an actuation and driving head (6).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cassette chemical immobilization and treatment system and method for enabling the performance of various complex chemistries with minimal human intervention, near-zero dead volume, and flow-through protocols pursuant to a predetermined instruction set encoded on a multiple-address chemical treatment cassette assembly. The cassette assembly comprises a plurality of analyte sample columns ("mini-columns"), reagent wells containeing pre-packaged reagents including powdered, micoencapsulated, liquid or lyophillized reagents, analyte loading funnels, alignment means for the analyte sample columns, and a machine readable instruction code set for identifying a chemical treatment protocol. The mini-columns are improved columns having high pressure interface capability to permit direct insertion of the mini-column into a high-pressure solvent line for use as a support column for HPLC analysis.

Abstract: An automated dispensing device is provided that dispenses a calibrated quantity of a fluid into a receptacle having a plurality of spaced-apart rows of receiving wells. The calibrated quantity of fluid is determined based upon a dispensing time and a dispensing scale factor that accounts for the viscosity of the fluid to be dispensed. The automated dispensing device can be configured with independently controllable nozzles for selective delivery of fluid. The automated dispensing device is particularly suitable for dispensing a calibrated quantity of ammonium hydroxide into the receiving wells of each row of a microtiter plate for oligonucleotide cleavage.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods, and apparatus for dispensing liquids. According to one method, a plate is provided having a plurality of wells. At least one marker is also provided and is associated with at least some of the wells. The plate and marker are moved relative to a plurality of liquid dispensing elements, and the presence of the marker is sensed with a sensor that is disposed at a known location relative to the dispensing elements. The sensing of the marker indicates that at least some of the wells are aligned with the dispensing elements. As such, liquid is dispensed from the dispensing elements and into the aligned wells after sensing the presence of the marker.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an automatic machine for metering and filling, for example volumes of animal semen, in any packaging member, regardless of its diameter and the material from which it is made (straws, glass or plastics material catheters, all types of flask, etc). Essentially intended for artificial insemination of poultry, for example turkeys, this device nevertheless has an extremely wide range of application. For example, using a peristaltic cassette (12) (described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,679 filed by MALBEC), under the control of a digital controller, the machine enables small volumes of liquid to be dispensed with the greatest possible accuracy and very high rates of artificial insemination to be maintained. The objectives of the invention include a device for precise and fast metering of any fluid, primarily for use in animal husbandry and research laboratories.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic distribution includes a frame (1) having at least a bottom frame portion (1a) and a side frame portion (1b), a tip holding rack (2) and at least one micro plate (4, 5) which are disposed on the bottom frame (1a). A pipette unit (21) is supported by the side frame portion (1b) and adapted to support a plurality of pipettes (43), each of which includes a plunger (41) fitted into a cylinder (35) for movement relative thereto in a vertical direction. In this apparatus the bottom frame portion (1a) is kept stationary and the entire pipette unit (21) can be reciprocally moved in a horizontal direction so that, while the entire pipette unit (21) is being moved reciprocally in the horizontal direction, the pipette unit picks up a plurality of tips (44) from the tip holding rack (2) in order to distribute liquid with respect to a plurality of wells (4a-4h) of the micro plate.

Abstract: A multiple probe liquid handler includes a syringe pump assembly with multiple syringe pumps communicating with the probes. A carriage movable with respect to a fixed support base carries syringe pump pistons moving within syringe pump cylinders secured to the base. A drive system including a single drive motor has a single drive point connection to the carriage for moving the carriage and operating the syringe pumps in order to draw fluid into or discharge fluid from the multiple probes. A linear motion support assembly includes spaced rails attached to the support base and slides attached to the carriage and riding along the rails. The assembly includes two parallel rails and three slides, one riding along one rail and two riding along the other rail, providing an inexpensive yet imbalance tolerant three point support.

Abstract: A method for handling and dispensing small volumes of liquid, and apparatus for carrying out the method, are disclosed. A small volume of liquid, which is retained within a fluid-dispensing member, is dispensed therefrom by accelerating, and then abruptly decelerating, the member. The abrupt deceleration causes the retained liquid to discharge. The discharged liquid may be directed toward a receiver. A micro volume liquid dispenser for practicing the method includes a plurality of fluid-dispensing members configured for aspiring and retaining a small liquid volume via capillary action. The dispenser further includes an actuator for moving/accelerating the fluid-dispensing members and for stopping/abruptly decelerating the fluid-dispensing members.