Abstract: An analysis unit for performing a polymerase chain reaction includes a cover element, a bottom element, at least one fluid channel, at least one pressure channel, and a film. The bottom element has at least one bottom hollow that defines a fluid-accommodating surface and an arrangement of microcavities, and that faces toward the cover element. The fluid channel is formed between the cover element and the bottom element in order to conduct a fluid onto the fluid-accommodating surface. The pressure channel is formed in the cover element in order to conduct a pressure into a region of the fluid-accommodating surface. The film is positioned between the cover element and the bottom element in a region of the bottom hollow, and is configured to deform in response to the pressure conducted through the pressure channel such that the fluid is moved through the fluid-accommodating surface into the arrangement of microcavities.

Abstract: Provided is a masking system of masks for use with multiwell plates such as microtiter plates to facilitate sample dispensing and assay accuracy, especially when dispensing more than one solution into the wells. One or more masks, adapted in size to fit snugly over a multiwell plate and the mask formed with openings each aligned with a subset of one or more wells of the plate beneath, aids the user in sample and/or reagent administration. Advantageously, the masks contain registration aids so that proper orientation with respect to the plate below is achieved; the registration aid may be a cut corner, registration peg or mark, or visual marking or stamping.

Abstract: A vessel holder assembly is provided. A vessel holder, for receiving one or more vessels, includes a first set of attachment features. A cap assembly, for covering the vessel(s) includes a second set of attachment features. Respective attachment features of the vessel holder and the cap assembly may be complementary, such that engagement between complementary attachment members results in an attachment between the cap assembly and the vessel holder. Such an attachment may be manually removable, or may be locked so as to require a tool, or other suitable method, for detaching the cap assembly from the vessel holder.

Abstract: A testing device uses a selectively deformable substrate to capture and retain spherical beads for genetic experimentation. A method of fabricating the device is described in which a silicon substrate can be coated with a photosensitive, bio-compatible polymer for photolithographic patterning using a single mask exposure. The polymer is patterned with a matrix of wells, each well capable of expansion to accept placement of a bead in the well, and contraction to secure the bead in the well. The polymer can exhibit piezoelectric properties that cause it to respond mechanically to a selected electrical excitation.

Abstract: Covers for microwells, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the liquids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.

Abstract: A blister package for a plurality of pipette tips comprises a support block with a plurality of molded pockets that extends into the support block from a first wall. The plurality of pockets is configured to receive the plurality of pipette tips. At least one reservoir located within the support block at a distal end of and in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of pockets. A closure member configured to close the plurality of pockets within the support block.

Abstract: Provided is a biomaterial detecting device for confirming or detecting a biomaterial reaction, and more particularly to a biomaterial detecting device, which is formed in a stick type to thereby be immersed in a tube containing a biomaterial solution to be tested; has an upper portion with a cap structure to thereby induce reaction with a biomaterial, and thus facilitate confirmation and detection of the biomaterial; and is formed in a cap structure to thereby prevent evaporation of a sample and infiltration of an external material at the time of a biomaterial reaction in the tube, and thus improve reliability in analysis.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lid for a sample tube and a sample tube enabling ventilation or sealing depending on the closing position of the lid. Furthermore, a method for drying a sample and a use of the above lid or of the above sample tube for storing or drying a sample are subjects of the present invention.

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) pretilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: Automated apparatus and methods for dispensing fluids into microplates utilizing microwell covers, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the fluids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.

Abstract: A thermal cycling instrument for PCR and other reactions performed on multiple samples with temperature changes between sequential stages in the reaction procedure is supplied with a thermal block to provide rapid changes and close control over the temperature in each sample vessel and a pressure plate incorporated into a motorized lid that detects anomalies in the reaction vessels or in their positioning over the thermal block, and automatically adjusts the plate position to achieve an even force distribution over the sample vessels.

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: Disclosed is an apparatus that is used for detecting liquids or substances from liquids and includes a plunger that has a porous plunger layer which is pressed onto a sensor array. Each sensor of the sensor array is surrounded by elevations which spatially separate the sensors from each other like walls. In at least one embodiment, when the plunger layer is pressed onto the sensor array, the walls are pressed into the pores of the plunger layer. Liquid-tight connections are created between the walls and the plunger layer while liquid remains over the sensors. The liquid can be measured. In at least one embodiment, when there is direct mechanical contact between the plunger layer and the sensors, the liquid over the sensors is located in open pores on the surface of the plunger layer. No liquid flows between the pores and across the walls when pressure is applied to the plunger layer such that closed reaction chambers are created.

Abstract: Covers for microwells, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the liquids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.

Abstract: A cover for covering an array of sample tubes during an incubation process. The cover has an upper panel and protrusions extending downward from the upper panel. Each protrusion has an upper seal and a lower seal. The upper seal includes a first conical section that tapers from a first diameter that is larger than the inside diameter of a corresponding sample tube to a second diameter that is smaller than the inside diameter of the corresponding sample tube. The lower seal includes a cylindrical section extending downward from the bottom of the first conical section. The cylindrical section has a diameter selected to create a capillary seal, in the presence of a liquid, between the cylindrical section and an adjacent portion of an inner wall of the corresponding sample tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a station for uncovering a receptacle comprising a body in which a plurality of adjacent holes, initially sealed by a cover, are formed. The station comprises at least one cutting member for making at least one cut in the cover between two adjacent holes, so as to form at least one cover portion closing off at least one of the holes of the receptacle, i.e., the selected hole; and at least one heating gripping device which is arranged so as to heat and remove said cover portion, thereby opening the selected hole.

Abstract: An insert for a sample chamber of a multi-well plate, which delimits the sample chamber upwardly, so as to form a measurement space, when the insert is in the state in which it is fitted into the sample chamber. The insert has at least two portions with outer contours differing from one another, one of the portions being a sealing portion with a continuous sealing surface, which sealing portion is adapted to a corresponding, in particular hollow-cylindrical sealing portion, with a likewise continuous sealing surface, of the sample chamber, in such a way that the insert sealing portion and the sample chamber sealing portion can be connected to one another releasably and in a liquid-tight manner by means of a press fit.

Abstract: A reagent container set is disclosed which comprises: a first reagent container for accommodating a first reagent to be used in a sample analyzer, the top part of the first reagent container having a first aspiration opening for inserting a first reagent aspirating tube to aspirate the first reagent; a waste fluid container for accommodating the first reagent used in the sample analyzer as a waste fluid, the top of the waste fluid container having a discharge opening for inserting a waste fluid discharging tube to discharge the waste fluid into the waste fluid container; a box for accommodating the first reagent container and the waste fluid container; and a container holding member for holding the first reagent container and the waste fluid container so that the first aspiration opening and the discharge opening are disposed at predetermined positions, the container holding member being maintained at a predetermined position within the box.

Abstract: Covers for microwells, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the liquids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.

Abstract: A test tube insert includes a flange having a width greater than a width of a mouth of a larger test tube into which the insert is to be inserted. The flange defines a first central opening. An annulus extends integrally downward from the flange. The annulus includes a fenestrated wall and a floor defining a second central opening. A small test tube body, smaller than the larger test tube, extends integrally downward from the floor of the annulus with the second central opening forming a mouth of the small test tube body. The test tube insert is disposed in the mouth of the larger test tube. Fluid is transferred through the central opening and the fluid fills the small test tube body of the test tube insert and flows through the fenestrated wall once the small test tube body is full into the larger test tube.

Abstract: A reagent container system for a reagent analyzer, in particular an automatic reagent analyzer, is disclosed. The system includes a first reagent container cassette provided with a first set of openings each being capable of containing a reagent therein, and a second reagent container cassette provided with a second set of openings each being capable of containing a reagent therein. The system provides the first and second reagent container cassettes at least in a storage configuration in which the container cassettes are joined together such that a longitudinal side of the first reagent container cassette is facing a longitudinal side of the second reagent container cassette. Wherein, by relative displacement, the first and second reagent container cassettes are displaceable between the storage configuration and a use configuration in which a transverse side of the first reagent container cassette is facing a transverse side of the second reagent container cassette.

Abstract: An interface cartridge for a microfluidic chip, with microfluidic process channels and fluidic connection holes at opposed ends of the process channels, provides ancillary fluid structure, including fluid flow channels and input and/or waste wells, which mix and/or convey reaction fluids to the fluidic connection holes and into the process channels of the microfluidic chip.

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: The present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating a drug effect enabling on-chip evaluation of the effect of a drug while the drug is acting on hERG-expressing cells. The present invention also provides a myocardial toxicity test apparatus and method therefor enabling in vitro myocardial toxicity testing that has previously been performed in vivo. A pulsating cell population and hERG-expressing cells (target model cells) are suitably isolated and arranged on a transparent substrate so that the two form gap junctions. The hERG-expressing cells are arranged on transparent electrodes provided on the transparent substrate. The hERG-expressing cells are exposed to a flow of a liquid containing a drug such that the drug acts thereon. The difference between the normal pulsation of hERG-expressing cells and the pulsation when a drug is acting thereon is captured via electric signals obtained from electrodes, and the properties of the change in potential are evaluated.

Abstract: A lid element array and a micro tube array set for sealing the opening of each micro tube in an array quickly at low cost. A lid element array 100 comprises a lid element sheet 120 comprising a plurality of lid element 121 arrayed corresponding to the number and the arrangement of a plurality of said micro tubes 210; a release sheet 140; a first adhesive 110 applied to each said lid element in said lid element sheet 120; a second adhesive 130 applied between said lid element sheet 120 and said release sheet 140; wherein, each said lid element in said lid element sheet is supported by said release sheet with a cut-line cut around the edge of each said lid element for separation from said lid element sheet, each said lid element moves to a corresponding opening of each said micro tube and seals the same by pressing said lid element to the surface of said micro tube array for facing the surface applied with said first adhesive and the surface of said micro tube array.

Abstract: Liquid receptacle with an opening for receiving liquid dispensed at a distance there above, wherein the receptacle comprises a liquid receiving member arranged in the vicinity of the opening and at an angle with respect to the motion of dispensed liquid to receive and direct dispensed liquid into the receptacle.

Abstract: A lid element array and a micro tube array set for sealing the opening of each micro tube in an array quickly at low cost. A lid element array 100 comprises a lid element sheet 120 comprising a plurality of lid element 121 arrayed corresponding to the number and the arrangement of a plurality of said micro tubes 210; a release sheet 140; a first adhesive 110 applied to each said lid element in said lid element sheet 120; a second adhesive 130 applied between said lid element sheet 120 and said release sheet 140; wherein, each said lid element in said lid element sheet is supported by said release sheet with a cut-line cut around the edge of each said lid element for separation from said lid element sheet, each said lid element moves to a corresponding opening of each said micro tube and seals the same by pressing said lid element to the surface of said micro tube array for facing the surface applied with said first adhesive and the surface of said micro tube array.

Abstract: A diagnostic device is provided that includes a plurality of retainment regions, with the retainment regions that are separated by at least one dissolvable barrier. The retainment regions can be interconnected through at least one fluid processing passageway. A retainment region can include a container such as a retainment region, well, chamber, or other receptacle, or a retainment region such as a surface on which the material is retained. The retainment regions can include a reaction retainment region, one or more reagent retainment regions, each containing unreacted reagents, and a sample retainment region. A pressure-actuated valve can be positioned in each fluid processing passageway interconnecting the one or more reagent retainment regions with the respective intermediate retainment regions interposed between each of the one or more reagent retainment regions and the reaction retainment region. The dissolvable barrier can be a fluid flow modulator in the at least one fluid processing passageway.

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: The present invention relates to a heat sealable member comprising a sheet of heat sealable material to a multiwell plate, wherein the sheet is mounted in a frame, and wherein said frame is sized to fit over a multiwell plate so that the sheet is contacted with at least one of the rims of the top of the plate and the individual wells; as well as to the use of the heat sealable member with automatic plate handling apparatus, especially in PCR processes. The present invention further relates to a method for sealing multiwell plates.

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: The present teachings are methods and apparatuses for improving the flatness of high density microwell plates. The flattening devices impart a level of flatness that is equal to or better than a predetermined value thereby enabling the microwells to be precisely located and easily accessed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reaction vessel for crystallization of a sample from a solution and a covering foil and an arrangement for mounting the covering foil (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A histological specimen cassette for use in connection with a larger histological specimen cassette, wherein each histological specimen cassette has an internal chamber that includes a receptacle and a lid, the receptacle having a bottom wall, opposite side walls, opposite front and back walls, and an internal chamber or cavity, where the internal chamber or cavity is positioned between the sidewalls, the front and back walls and partially bound by the bottom wall, having a plurality of apertures that extend through the bottom wall and that create fluid passageways into the cavity, the lid having a plurality of apertures that extend through the lid and that create additional fluid passageways into the cavity, the histological specimen cassette being dimensioned such that the histological specimen cassette can fit entirely within the void of the larger histological specimen cassette when the lid is in the closed position.