Abstract: Described herein are embossing methods for forming pico liter well arrays (and other structures), arrangements of such pico liter well arrays, for example, in arrays of pico liter well areas, and methods of forming templates for such embossing. Also described as wells with a refractive index similar to that of an aqueous medium used for supporting cells in the wells.

Abstract: A droplet actuator comprising: (a) a base substrate comprising electrodes configured for conducting droplet operations on a droplet operations surface thereof; (b) a droplet comprising one or more beads situated on the droplet operations surface; (c) a barrier arranged in relation to the droplet and the electrodes such that a droplet may be transported away from the beads using one or more droplet operations mediated by one or more of the electrodes while transport of the beads is restrained by a barrier. Related methods and kits are also provided.

Abstract: A cover for a biological sample well tray, comprising a cap for sealing a sample well. The cap comprises a well lens for focusing light into the sample well and collecting light from the sample. In another aspect, the cap comprises an elongate portion configured to permit incoming light to pass into the sample well and out of the sample well. Various other aspects comprise a microcard for biological material, and an apparatus for a plurality of sample well strips. A method for testing a biological sample is also provided.

Abstract: Actuator units, arrangements of actuator units and methods for manufacturing and using actuator units are provided. The actuator includes a core having a shell at least partially surrounding the core. The core is able to be stimulated to expand through at least one opening of the shell to provide a lifting action. This lifting action can be applied to harvest target cells.

Abstract: A covered sample plate with wells holding samples to be dried. The cover has through holes that communicate with only a portion of each well. The covered plate is inserted into a cradle of an assembly of cradles that is rotated. The cradle assembly fits into a tub and when rotated the cradles present a sold wall that functions as a centrifugal fan that drives air out through an opening in the tub. The air is dried of solvent and re-circulated back through the through holes in the cover to the sample wells.

Abstract: A sensor substrate includes a base and fibrous projections on an upper surface of the base. The fibrous projections have fixed ends fixed to the upper surface of the base and free ends opposite to the fixed ends, respectively. The fibrous projections provide a fixed end-side region including the fixed ends and a free end-side region including the free ends. The total surface area at which the fibrous projections in the fixed end-side region is larger than that in the free end-side region.

Abstract: A reagent container having a plurality of open holding sections, each holding a reagent and into which a probe is inserted to suck the reagent. An opening of each of the holding sections is sealed with at least one sheet-like seal member. The reagent container includes a container body and a lid having a plurality of hollow piercing sections, formed on a lower surface of the lid, protruding downward for piercing the seal member at each of the openings, and openings, formed in an upper surface of the lid, communicating with piercing sections respectively to allow the probe to be inserted therethrough or withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved microplate which is constructed of at least one frame part and at least one bottom part, where the bottom part has a maximum thickness of 500 ?m.

Abstract: A magnetic separation plate for use in methods employing magnetic particles, said magnetic separation plate comprising a support plate and magnetic pins in a predetermined geometrical arrangement, said magnetic pins having a fastening portion, an intermediate portion and a separation portion and being fastened to said support plate at their fastening portion, wherein said magnetic pins are individually displaceable at their separation portion. The invention further provides a method for the separation of magnetic particles using the separation plate.

Abstract: A method includes incubating at least a first and a second sample of the substance or of the substance mixture with the target immobilized on a solid carrier. Incubation is in each case effected in a sample container. The first and the second sample are incubated with different amounts of the target, whereas all sample containers include the same amount of buffer solution during incubation. After incubation, the solid carrier is separated from the buffer solutions together with the target immobilized thereon as well as, if applicable, substance bound thereon. The concentration of the substance or of the substance mixture is then measured in the respective supernatant.

Abstract: The invention provides sensor plates, particularly plates having a plurality of sensors, and related methods for assembling such plates. The sensors can be arrays of probes, such as microarrays, including high density oligonucleotide microarrays. The methods include the steps of selecting a substrate having a plurality of sensors, aligning the substrate to a support plate, and attaching the substrate to the support plate. Moduled sensor plates, and methods of assembling such plates, are also provided. The moduled sensor plates can include a plurality of sensor plates, such as sensor or microarray strip plates, with each strip plate having an attachment feature that is used to attach the strip plate to a frame. The sensor plates and moduled sensor plates can be inserted into processing plates, including hybridization plates, washing plates, staining plates, and detection plates.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus consists of a vessel or array of vessels, each comprising a substantially flat bottom and substantially vertical sides, and composed of a substantially gas permeable material. The inner bottom surface of the vessel is commonly textured to provide the cells with adequate features for attachment and spreading. The vessel may include an integral annular flange which can be used to suspend the vessel from a suspensory element of a rack structure. To promote cell attachment and growth, the inner surfaces of the vessel bottom and sides may be coated with commonly available bio-active materials. Cells cultured in the system commonly grow in three dimensions for extended periods of time, and often produce significantly higher quantities of cellular products than cells grown in conventional labware.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the consistency of performance of assays, such as multiplexed assays, by printing features in a particular pattern, such that the outer edge of the pattern has a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the test well. For example, the pattern is a circular or oval pattern along the bottom of multiplexed wells. The assay substrates prepared according to the methods described result in more accurate, precise, and sensitive chemical and/or biological analyses.

Abstract: A piston nest (10) is provided that includes a plurality of spaced apart single nesting units (12) interconnected by a web (13). Each of the single nesting units is configured a hollow cylindrical body having a first open end about a distal end of the body and a second open end about the proximal end. The hollow cylindrical body also includes a first (24) and a second (26) retention member for retaining a piston within the single nesting unit. The first and the second retention members are spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical body.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention relates to a removable grid insertable into an apparatus comprising a plate comprising a number of elements having a first surface energy arranged in an array with an overlay having a second surface energy and a wall circumferential to the plate, said grid comprising dividers enclosing a number of through-holes, said through-holes spaced in the grid to allow alignment of the through- holes of the grid over the elements in the plate when said grid is inserted into the apparatus, wherein said dividers of the grid inserted into the apparatus form sides of wells bottomed by the plate and at least one element on said plate.

Abstract: A flexible instrument control and data storage/management system and method for representing and processing assay plates having one or more predefined plate locations is disclosed. The system utilizes a graph data structure, layer objects and data objects. The layer objects map the graph data structure to the data objects. The graph data structure can comprise one node for each of the one or more predefined plate locations, wherein the nodes can be hierarchically defined according to a predefined plate location hierarchy. Each node can be given a unique node identifier, a node type and a node association that implements the predefined plate location hierarchy. The layer objects can include an index that maps the node identifiers to the data objects.

Abstract: Described herein are polymer low profile microtiter plates suitable for use in a variety of laboratory and clinical settings. The microtiter plates described herein also are compatible with automated or manual liquid dispensing devices and high throughput robotic biological work stations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a modular test tube rack. The rack contains multiple sub-racks that can be coupled together to form the test tube rack. The sub-rack can be designed to fit into a variety of scientific instrumentation including a fixed rotor centrifuge. The assembled test tube rack can be of a format and size that allows use of standard array pipetters. Thus, a system is provided allowing use of standard array pipetters and high g centrifugation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low bed-volume spin column system and methods of use. The system includes various combinations of spin columns with packed beds, a rack for holding the spin columns, a receiver plate that attaches to the rack and that has wells in registration with the spin columns held in the rack, a lid that attaches to the receiver plate and seals the spin columns, and an incubator block configured for accepting the wells of the receiver plate and for incubating the packed bed. The lid, spin columns, rack, receiver plate, and incubator block are preferably capable of being assembled in a nested configuration. In preferred versions of the invention, the rack is compatible with and attachable to conventional 96-well microplates. Further provided are methods of using the spin column system that include quantitatively purifying and analyzing an analyte, removing and preventing air entrainment within the packed bed, and incubating the packed bed while preventing drying thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving fluid exchange across a microplate. A microplate having one or more internal modifications which aid the introduction and removal of fluids from the wells of the plate and minimize the damage caused to biological matter located therein upon introduction or removal of a pipette tip and/or fluids, and/or an apparatus for inclining the microplate at an angle from the horizontal and retaining the microplate in the inclined position, to facilitate fluid introduction and aspiration from the wells of the microplate.

Abstract: A sample block for use in the polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, and other procedures that involve the performance of simultaneous reactions in multiple samples with temperature control by heating or cooling elements contacting the bottom surface of the block is improved by the inclusion of hollows in the block that are positioned to decrease the mass of the block in the immediate vicinity of the wells.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a closure for a container comprises at least two closure members. The relative position of the closure members with respect to each other is altered upon mating of the closure and container. The alteration of the relative position of the closure members may result in one or more of the members approaching the container more closely. The alteration may result in one or more of the members pressing against the container. The pressing may take place in such a way that exit paths for vapor from fluid in the container would require passage through the pressed surfaces.

Abstract: A samples storage system for pharmaceutical development in which the usable volumes of ultramicrotubes (384 tubes) are increased and smooth insertion and extraction of ultramicrotubes is possible irrespective of the positions of the ultramicrotubes. The samples storage system includes tubes in which samples are sealed and a storage rack for vertically accommodating a plurality of the tubes in a grid pattern. Each tube is of a rectangular hollow tubular cross-section and the intersect is tapered toward the bottom portion of the tube. Corner portions of the outer four side surfaces of the tubes are chamfered. The storage rack has engagement partition walls forming open-ended sections in a grid pattern inside the rack frame. The height of the walls is smaller than the length of the tube, and tube-supporting pins project vertically from the intersections of the grid.

Abstract: A device (1) for housing a scientific sample comprising at least one sample well (2) and an on-board buffering substance (3) wherein the onboard buffering substance (3) at least partly surrounds the sample well (2). The on-board buffering substance (3) may be in the form of a matrix, such as a gel-like matrix. The device (1) may further comprise an insulating means. Also described is a substance for use in culturing and/or assaying a sample whereby the substance provides atmospheric and thermal buffering. The invention further provides a lid for a single-well or multi-well sample plate, the lid being configured to facilitate delivery of a sample through the lid into a well, and for sealing the well. The lid comprises moveable portions (52, 53) that have at least one orifice (54, 57) formed through the moveable portions (52, 53) such that a conduit is formed by alignment of the orifices (54, 57) of both the lid portions (52, 53).

Abstract: Methods and systems for venting a well that receives a liquid. The method includes providing a microplate including a well that has a cavity with an open inlet and a closed end. The cavity extends between the open inlet and the closed end. The cavity is defined by a wall surface having a cross-sectional contour that includes at least one continuous section and at least one discontinuity section. The method also includes depositing a liquid into the open inlet of the well. The liquid enters the cavity and flows toward the closed end to at least partially fill the well. The liquid flows along the continuous section of the wall surface and remains separated from the discontinuity section of the wall surface, thereby maintaining a gas exhaust path along a spacing between the liquid and the discontinuity section as the liquid flows toward the closed end.

Abstract: A workstation for pipetting provides for an ergonomic pipetting environment. Test tubes, centrifuge tubes, micro tubes and micro plates are inserted into a top plate, which is designed to hold such devices in a desired configuration. The top plate is adjustable with respect to height and planar angle, so that extensive pipetting efforts are less likely to result in repetitive stress related injuries.

Abstract: Device for the separation of magnetic particles from a liquid, comprising a first vessel (10), a second vessel (20), a connecting surface (11, 21, 30; 200) that runs from the interior of the first vessel (10) to the interior of the second vessel (20), at least one magnet (40) for the provision of a magnetic field, and a guide element (50) by means of which the magnetic field can be guided along one side of the connecting surface (11, 21, 30; 200).

Abstract: A microtiter plate (1), which can be used in a device G, comprises a plurality of receptacles (2) disposed next to one another for a substance or fluid to be stirred and analyzed, wherein stirring rods (3) are provided for stirring. So as to drive these stirring rods, it is provided that the bottoms (4) of the individual receptacles (2) are displaceable and deflectable and that a stirring rod (3) penetrates each of them centrally, the rod being seized by a drive on an outer section (3b) protruding downward beyond the bottom (4) such that it can be set into a back and forth motion or a gyrating or rotary motion and thus continues the desired stirring motion on the inside of the receptacle (2).

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) prefilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: The invention provides a method in which an annular or spiral droplet holder formed of wire is used to hold a droplet in a state of being hung therefrom or being contained therein. A means for moving the droplet holder is added to the droplet holder to enable droplet transfer. To merge two droplets, they are brought into contact. To drip the droplet held by a droplet holder formed of wire, the droplet holder is deformed using an external force. A light path which passes through a droplet is set to enable optical measurement. The present invention enables inexpensive, simple droplet transfer. An inexpensive, simple configuration for handling droplets in the fields of chemical analysis, biochemical analysis, and automatic blood analysis can be realized according to the present invention.

Abstract: A reaction surface array diagnostic apparatus and method of making the same includes a substrate carrying a plurality of reaction surfaces, a plate and a gasket, each having a plurality of through bores, alignable with one of the reaction surfaces and forming a fluid tight well about each reaction surface when the gasket and the plate are sealingly affixed to the substrate to form a stack. Clamp members engage opposite side edges of a stack to compress the gasket. A plurality of side-by-side disposed clamped stacks of plates, gaskets and substrates are mounted in a tray in the standard footprint of a microtitre plate. Alternately, the plate and the gasket are combined into a single plate formed of a flexible material having an adhesive on one surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing analyte using a portable incubator apparatus. The incubator apparatus 10 has a plurality of cavities 20 each configured to receive analyte to be incubated. The method comprises: receiving analyte in each of the plurality of cavities; incubating the analyte in the plurality of cavities, the incubator apparatus being operable to control temperatures of analyte contained in the plurality of cavities independently of each other; and moving the incubator apparatus from a first location to a second location while the analyte is being incubated, the incubator apparatus being configured to maintain desired incubation conditions independently of a supply of electrical power and apparatus external to the incubator apparatus as the incubator apparatus is being moved.

Abstract: The present invention teaches apparatus (511) and methods for screening the effect of test formulations on the barrier properties of a membrane (212), that are especially beneficial when skin is used as the test membrane (212). The apparatus (511) and methods enable more efficient measurements of skin permeabilization, of the permeation of molecular or particulate entities through skin, and of the absorption and adsorption by skin of ingredients in fluid formulations, together with screening of exfoliation of material from the exterior of the stratum corneum. The apparatus (511) provide for fluid contact to the skin from both donor and receptor sides, for measurements of skin electrical response in the presence of test formulations, of permeation and permeation enhancement, for the depth profiling of test formulation constituents through the skin, of stratum corneum component disruption, and of loss of material from the stratum corneum.

Abstract: A two colour fluorescent assay and a kit are described that permit the determination of live and dead parasitic or non-parasitic worms, for example helminths. The assay permits screening for the effect of one or more agents or an event on the viability of a parasitic or non-parasitic worm. In one example, the assay comprises (a) providing a sample comprising one or more parasitic or non-parasitic worms; (b) contacting the parasitic or non-parasitic worms with a concentration of fluorescein diacetate sufficient to yield detectable green fluorescence in any live parasitic or non-parasitic worms present in the sample and a concentration of propidium iodide sufficient to yield detectable red fluorescence in any dead parasitic or non-parasitic worms present in the sample; and (c) detecting the red and green fluorescence of the parasitic or non-parasitic worms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting or diagnosing a neurodegenerative disease or condition in a subject. Further aspects of the invention provide a method of monitoring a subject over a period of time to detect the development or progress of a neurodegenerative disease or condition. Methods of treating, detecting or diagnosing a neurodegenerative disease or condition in a subject are also provided.

Abstract: Fluid containers are disclosed which have fluid reservoirs in their closures. These reservoirs are advantageous to hold sacrificial fluid which lessens the loss of the fluid of interest to the outside through evaporation. The reservoirs may have openings to the inside or outside of the container, or to both. Reservoirs with openings to the outside serve to reduce evaporative loss by raising the partial pressure of fluid in the vicinity of the contact between the closure and the remainder of the container. The reservoirs may be refillable without opening the container. In one embodiment a fluid reservoir allows the zone of contact between the closure and the remainder of the container to be immersed in fluid, so that gases seeking to escape the interior of the container must pass through fluid.

Abstract: Polymer compositions and articles formed therefrom are described herein. The compositions include a random copolymer and a radiation additive, wherein the random copolymer includes propylene and less than 2 wt. % ethylene and exhibits a melt flow rate of from about 30 to 100 dg/min., the polymer composition exhibits a flexural modulus of from about 160 kpsi to about 200 kpsi and the polymer composition is adapted to produce a polymer article exhibiting low plate out, a haze at 20 mils of no greater than 15%, radiation stability and autoclavability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a modular test tube rack. The rack contains multiple sub-racks that can be coupled together to form the test tube rack. The sub-rack can be designed to fit into a variety of scientific instrumentation including a fixed rotor centrifuge. The assembled test tube rack can be of a format and size that allows use of standard array pipetters. Thus, a system is provided allowing use of standard array pipetters and high g centrifugation.

Abstract: A liquid delivery apparatus is provided for depositing liquid materials onto prescribed areas. The apparatus includes a sensing and delivery pin and a photo sensor. The apparatus is sized to deliver a droplet of liquid material to the surface of a target area without coming into contact with the target surface. The apparatus is also capable of drawing geometric features, such as lines and grids of liquid material. The photo sensor measures the intensity of light during a processing cycle. Measured reflected-light intensity can be compared in real-time to a reference curve which is based on test process cycles representing the light intensity expected when the process proceeds in the preferred fashion to produce a normal spot having an expected droplet size. The light intensity measurements can also be fitted with a mathematical function such as an asymmetric double sigmoidal curve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microplate, or microtitration plate, having an invagination consisting of a continuous peripheral channel making it possible to add thereto, in a single introduction step, a liquid acting as an “evaporation curtain”. The invention is also directed to a device comprising such a microplate, to a manufacturing method and to use of such a microplate.

Abstract: Electrochemical devices, methods, and systems for detecting and quantifying analytes are disclosed. A chemical detection reagent is locally generated in a test solution by electrochemical reaction of a precursor compound caused to migrate into the test solution from a precursor solution separated from the test solution by a cell separator. This approach provides precise metering of the reagent, via the charge passed, and avoids the need to store a reagent solution that may be chemically unstable. In one embodiment, the starch concentration in a colloidal solution can be measured via spectroscopic detection of a blue complex formed by the interaction of starch with iodine produced, on demand, by electrochemical oxidation of iodide ion. The approach may also be used to characterize certain types of analytes. The invention is amenable to automation and is particularly useful for on-line monitoring of production processes, including the inclusion of feed back loop mechanisms for process control.

Abstract: A microwell including a plurality of MRI-readable indicia. The indicia indicate the identification or location of at least one predefined well or a plurality of wells. The indicia are selected from a mark, figure, number, text, code, barcode, readable texture or indication thereof.

Abstract: An analyte testing/observing apparatus includes a microplate mounting stand 10 which supports at least one of microplates 27 having a plurality of wells 27a for accommodating an analyte and microplates 28 each having a plurality of wells 28a for accommodating a reagent, and which includes a retractable shutter 20 for covering a surface of the at least one microplate mounted on the mounting stand 10. When the dispensing work is stopped, the shutter 20 is closed and lowered, so that the shutter 20 comes into contact with the surfaces of the microplates, to thereby prevent evaporation and drying of the analyte and the reagent accommodated within the wells before being dispensed.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an analytical element comprising at least one test field for analyzing a liquid sample, wherein provision is made for a carrier on which a polymer fabric is arranged. At least one portion of the polymer fabric is irradiated with UV laser light and thereby hydrophobized.

Abstract: A mounting media device for application of mounting media to a specimen positioned on a slide before placement of a cover slip. The mounting media device includes a housing, a tray component, a mounting media transfer component, a dispenser component, and a control element. The mounting media transfer component provides mounting media to the dispenser component. In an automatic mode, a sensor may provide a signal to the control element to cause mounting media to be transferred from the mounting media transfer component to the dispenser component automatically. The dispenser component may dispense the mounting media to the tray component and onto a specimen positioned on a slide before placement of a cover slip. In a manual mode, a trigger element may be depressed so that the mounting media device may be manually controlled and release mounting media from the dispenser component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning objects using plasma are disclosed. The apparatus provides a plurality of elongated dielectric barrier members arranged adjacent each other, a plurality of electrodes each contained within, and extending substantially along the length of, the plurality of elongated dielectric barrier members, and at least one buss bar for electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to a voltage source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning and surface conditioning objects using plasma are disclosed. One embodiment of the method discloses providing a plurality of elongated dielectric barrier members arranged adjacent each other, the elongated dielectric barrier members having electrodes coupled therein, providing a ground plane, introducing the objects proximate the elongated dielectric barrier members and the ground plane, and producing a dielectric barrier discharge to form plasma between the ground plane and the elongated dielectric barrier members for cleaning the objects. One embodiment of the apparatus for cleaning objects using plasma discloses a plurality of elongated dielectric barrier members arranged adjacent each other, a plurality of electrodes, each contained within, and extending substantially along the length of, respective ones of the elongated dielectric barrier members, and a ground plane proximate the plurality of elongated dielectric barrier members.

Abstract: An apparatus for penetrating a cover over a multi-well sample plate containing at least one individual sample well includes a cutting head, a cutter extending from the cutting head, and a robot. The cutting head is connected to the robot wherein the robot moves the cutting head and cutter so that the cutter penetrates the cover over the multi-well sample plate providing access to the individual sample well. When the cutting head is moved downward the foil is pierced by the cutter that splits, opens, and folds the foil inward toward the well. The well is then open for sample aspiration but has been protected from cross contamination.

Abstract: A microplate assembly for performing an analytical method on an assay, comprising a microplate base structure having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, and a plurality of well inserts coupled to the microplate base structure adjacent the apertures. Each of the plurality of well inserts has an open top portion and is adapted to receive an assay. The microplate base structure and the plurality of well inserts can comprise different materials. Methods of manufacturing the microplate assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A mechanism for positionally restraining a microplate is disclosed. The mechanism is defined by a base having at least one surface with a receptacle for the insertion of a microplate into the base. Supports and/or positioning structures on a surface of the base have point contacts to restrain movement of the microplate in a stable position for repeatable optical detection measurements. The supports and/or positioning structures permit insertion of the microplate for an initial measurement, removal of the microplate for analytical manipulation, and re-insertion of the microplate to an exact position so as to allow analysis of precise comparative measurements by an optical reader.