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: Disclosed herein are methods for identifying a subject as having NSCLC that is predicted or is likely to respond to treatment with an ALK inhibitor, for example crizotinib. The methods include identifying a sample including NSCLC tumor cells as ALK-positive or ALK-negative using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and scoring methods disclosed herein. A subject is identified as having NSCLC likely to respond to treatment with an ALK inhibitor if the sample is identified as ALK-positive and is identified as having NSCLC not likely to respond to treatment with an ALK inhibitor if the sample is identified as ALK-negative. According to certain embodiments of the methods, subjects predicted to respond to an ALK inhibitor may then be treated with an ALK inhibitor such as crizotinib.

Abstract: A device for cultivating tissue sections, in particular for testing active ingredients and/or medications, includes a frame, at least one carrier component designed to hold a tissue section, and at least one liquid-absorbing strip element. The frame is designed to hold the at least one carrier component and the at least one strip element. A cultivation system includes the device for cultivating tissue sections and a holding vessel. The device can be used for testing active ingredients or medications on a tissue (section).

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an optimizable cellular growth chamber, where growth conditions are optimized by adjusting gas pressures through a gas permeable membrane. In an illustrative example, an apparatus may provide a volume to contain growth medium and the cells under propagation, where the volume has limited but non-zero pneumatic communication with a pressure-controlled chamber via a gas-permeable membrane. Associated apparatus and methods are proposed to manage desired growth conditions via deliberate control of parameters, such as partial pressures, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to an incubation tray having a depression formed by the walls of the incubation tray and having a base, wherein the incubation tray has a means for drawing off liquid on at least one longitudinal end of the depression, preferably an opening which opens into an outlet channel on the longitudinal end of the depression, particularly preferably in a wall of the incubation tray, wherein the opening and the outlet channel are designed such that negative pressure can be applied, wherein the incubation tray is pivotable about the transverse axis of the incubation tray, and wherein the incubation tray can be equipped with a support.

Abstract: Cradles for draining liquid from containers are described herein. An example apparatus includes a housing having a bottom wall, a side wall and an open top. The housing is to receive a container having liquid. The example apparatus includes a probe extending upward from the bottom wall toward the open top and is to drain the liquid from the container when the probe is inserted into the container. The example apparatus also includes a sliding lock slidably disposed within the housing that receives a cap or top of the container when the container is inserted into the housing. The sliding lock includes a key slot. The sliding lock is movable when a cap or top of the container has a matching key that engages the key slot, which enables the sliding lock to move downward to expose the probe and drain the liquid from the container.

Abstract: An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological specimen on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. The reaction conditions for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.

Abstract: A liquid handling system that is configured to receive an interchangeable pipetting head that is selected from a plurality of interchangeable pipetting heads for automated liquid handling flexibility and scalability. The system includes a housing and at least one pipetting head disposed within that housing for aspirating and dispensing a liquid. A locking mechanism interchangeably receives the at least one pipetting head and includes an adaptor plate and a support block. The adaptor plate is operably coupled to the housing and the support block is operably coupled to the at least one pipetting head. The support block is then, in turn, is configured to be operably coupled to the adaptor plate.

Abstract: A temperature cycling system (10, 110) is provided for repeatedly heating and cooling a reaction mixture (16). The system (10, 110) includes a first heater (27) and a second heater (28) each movable between a first orientation in which the first or second heater (27, 28) affects the temperature of the reaction mixture (16) and a second orientation in which the first or second heater (27, 28) does not substantially affect the temperature of the reaction mixture (16). During temperature cycling, the second heater (28) is in the second orientation when the first heater (27) is in the first orientation, and the second heater (28) is in the first orientation when the first heater (27) is in the second orientation.

Abstract: A specimen processing system is capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing system can sequentially deliver slides and opposables to specimen processing stations. The specimen processing stations can use the opposables to apply a series of liquids to the specimens. The applied liquid can be moved along the slide using capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the processing temperatures. The applied liquid can be in a fluid-carrying gap. The opposable can contact the slide to vary a cross section of the fluid-carrying gap.

Abstract: An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. The reaction conditions for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.

Abstract: A method and kit for assaying a cell sample for the presence of at least a threshold number of cells of a given type are disclosed. The kit includes an assay device having a sample chamber for receiving the cell sample and an elongate collection chamber containing a selected-density and/or viscosity medium and having along its length, a plurality of cell-collection regions, and particles which are capable of specific attachment to cells of the selected cell type, and which are effective, when attached to the cells, to increase the density or magnetic susceptibility of the cells. In operation, particle-bound cells and particles in the cell sample are drawn through the elongate collection chamber under the influence of a gravitational or selected centrifugal or magnetic-field force until the particle-bound cells and particles completely fill successive cell-collection regions in the collection chamber.

Abstract: A clinical diagnostic sample analyzer for analyzing a sample of a patient is disclosed. The analyzer includes a telescoping closed-tube sampling assembly with a sample probe concentrically housed within a piercing probe and a venting mechanism. The closed-tube sampling assembly is used for aspirating a sample from a sample tube for analysis by a clinical diagnostic sample analyzer.

Abstract: A gravity flow device for dispensing a fluid may include a gravity flow body to retain the fluid, a valve body to control the flow of the fluid, and a detachable stem to connect to the valve body. The gravity flow device may be formed from glass, and the detachable stem may be formed from plastic. The gravity flow device may be a burette, and the removable stem may decrease in diameter. The gravity flow body may include a central passageway, and the valve body may include a central passageway to cooperate with the central passageway of the gravity flow body. The detachable stem may include a central passageway to cooperate with the central passageway of the valve body.

Abstract: An enhancement water system to produce a serving of enhanced filtered water is described. The present system describes a faucet mount water enhancement system that includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a source of water at the inlet, and a filter component within the housing. Source water is converted into treated water as it flows through the filter component under the influence of pressure. The housing further includes an outlet for outflow of treated water. A first enhancement module is disposed outside the housing adjacent the outlet and the first enhancement module is effective to dispense a desired amount of a first enhancement for use in combining with treated water dispensed from the outlet.

Abstract: An enhancement control system that can be used as part of an enhanced water system to produce enhanced filtered water is described. The enhancement control system includes at least one enhancement delivery element that can dispense an enhancement(s) into filtered water in response to an enhancement delivery instruction(s). The enhancement control system can also include an input element that can enable transmittal of the enhancement delivery instruction(s) from a user to the enhancement delivery element(s). The control system can also include a memory element that can store information about the user and the user's preferences and information about the enhanced water system. The control system can also include a communication element that can provide information from the enhanced water system to the user.

Abstract: A method and kit for assaying a cell sample for the presence of at least a threshold number of cells of a given type are disclosed. The kit includes an assay device having a sample chamber for receiving the cell sample and an elongate collection chamber containing a selected-density and/or viscosity medium and having along its length, a plurality of cell-collection regions, and particles which are capable of specific attachment to cells of the selected cell type, and which are effective, when attached to the cells, to increase the density or magnetic susceptibility of the cells. In operation, particle-bound cells and particles in the cell sample are drawn through the elongate collection chamber under the influence of a gravitational or selected centrifugal or magnetic-field force until the particle-bound cells and particles completely fill successive cell-collection regions in the collection chamber.

Abstract: In the present invention cells are placed in a multiwell plate and grown. When the assay is to be performed, one uses gravity to wash away any unbound ligands rather than vacuum or centrifugation. The cells are then examined to detect the bound ligand. To perform the washing step(s) the plate is placed into a carrier plate having open wells in register with the wells of the filter plate or one may use a wicking device or an underdrain attached to the bottom of the filter plate. Sufficient wash liquid is added to allow for filtration by the effect of gravity to occur. Cells are retained within the wells at a rate of 4 times that of other rapid methods.

Abstract: An enhancement control system that can be used as part of an enhanced water system to produce enhanced filtered water is described. The enhancement control system includes at least one enhancement delivery element that can dispense an enhancement(s) into filtered water in response to an enhancement delivery instruction(s). The enhancement control system can also include an input element that can enable transmittal of the enhancement delivery instruction(s) from a user to the enhancement delivery element(s). The control system can also include a memory element that can store information about the user and the user's preferences and information about the enhanced water system. The control system can also include a communication element that can provide information from the enhanced water system to the user.

Abstract: Methods and devices for a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in a fast, efficient and compact manner are disclosed. In particular, the various embodiments of the present invention provide an automated, stand-alone, hands-free operation of the entire radiosynthesis cycle on a microfluidic device with unrestricted gas flow through the reactor, starting with target water and yielding purified PET radiotracer within a period of time shorter than conventional chemistry systems. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is related to a microfluidic chip for radiosynthesis of a radiolabeled compound, comprising a reaction chamber, one or more flow channels connected to the reaction chamber, one or more vents connected to said reaction chamber, and one or more integrated valves to effect flow control in and out of said reaction chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for efficiently transporting or dispensing transport objects including not only particles but also liquid samples. A liquid in a first liquid transport pipe (3) is fed at a liquid feed velocity (V1), and a liquid droplet is formed toward an open end of a second liquid transport pipe (4) disposed with an air gap (11) in between. The particle is released into the liquid droplet, so that the particle is enclosed in the liquid droplet. Suction with a liquid feed velocity (V2) is applied to the inside of the second liquid transport pipe. Since the relationship between V1 and V2 is V1<V2, the liquid droplet, after reaching the open end (10) of the second liquid transport pipe, is sheared off by suction, thereby forming a liquid section in the second liquid transport pipe.

Abstract: A method and kit for assaying a cell sample for the presence of at least a threshold number of cells of a given type are disclosed. The kit includes an assay device having a sample chamber for receiving the cell sample and an elongate collection chamber containing a selected-density and/or viscosity medium and having along its length, a plurality of cell-collection regions, and particles which are capable of specific attachment to cells of the selected cell type, and which are effective, when attached to the cells, to increase the density or magnetic susceptibility of the cells. In operation, particle-bound cells and particles in the cell sample are drawn through the elongate collection chamber under the influence of a gravitational or selected centrifugal or magnetic-field force until the particle-bound cells and particles completely fill successive cell-collection regions in the collection chamber.

Abstract: A solution for providing an improved fading margin environment for in-building wireless coverage. An optical fiber or other available broadband signal distribution network is used to distribute signals between centrally located base transceiver station (BTS) equipment and remotely located transceiver equipment referred to herein as a cable microcell integrator (CMI). The CMIs are deployed in a configuration to provide radio frequency coverage in a desired microcell area such as a building floor. In a preferred embodiment, a leaky coaxial cable is used as a radiating element within the microcell.