Abstract: A pipetting device is disclosed. The pipetting device can include a piston with a stepped profile. The piston can be inserted into a barrel and can have at least two seal elements. The pipetting device can operate in a low volume dispense mode and a high volume dispense mode. The pipetting device can allow for high volumes of liquids to be transferred and also provide for the ability to transfer low volumes of liquids with high precision and accuracy without the need for two or more separate pipettor devices.

Abstract: The pipetting method is directed to mounting and ejecting a disposable pipette tip. The pipetting system has one or more tip mounting shafts with an upper locking section and a lower sealing section. The upper locking section has outwardly extending lobes spaced around the mounting shaft and located above a stop member. The lower sealing section on the tip mounting shaft is located below the stop. As the mounting shaft is inserted into the collar of the disposable pipette, the collar distorts out of round and engages the lobes on the upper locking section of the tip mounting shaft. Contemporaneously, the lower sealing section of the mounting shaft seals against the barrel of the disposable pipette tip.

Abstract: An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next.

Abstract: A sealing pipette tip includes features to seal the tip directly against the piston in an air displacement pipette, avoiding the need for a piston seal within the pipette. This configuration reduces potential points of failure, allows the pipette-tip interface to be optimized, and improves liquid handling characteristics of the pipette.

Abstract: A disposable pipette tip having that is configured to mount on a tip mounting shaft having a locking section and a separate sealing section. The locking section has outwardly extending locking lobes circumferentially spaced around the mounting shaft and located above a stop member that separates the lower sealing section from the upper locking section. The collar flexes out of round when it is mounted over the locking lobes on the mounting shaft. The circumferential shelf on the tip isolates the tip barrel from distortion to enable robust sealing in the barrel below the shelf.

Abstract: A method of pipetting comprises (a) providing a pipette tip holder having a plurality of segregated compartments and a tip support member for supporting a plurality of pipette tips in the pipette tip holder, the tip support member configured to support a single pipette in tip each segregated compartment; (b providing a plurality of pipette tips in the tip support member; (c) removing a first pipette tip from a first segregated compartment; (d) using the first pipette tip to complete a pipetting operation and placing the first pipette tip into a segregated compartment that has not contained a used pipette tip; (e) subsequently removing the first pipette tip from the segregated compartment and using the first pipette tip to complete another pipetting operation; and, (f) replacing the first pipette tip into the pipette tip holder, whereby the first pipette tip, when placed in the segregated compartment, is segregated in the pipette tip holder to reduce the possibility of a fluid from the first pipette tip contac

Abstract: An ergonomically designed pipette tip that can be securely mounted to a barrel of a pipetter yet is designed to substantially reduce the axial force necessary to install and eject the pipette tip from the pipetter. An improved pipette tip that includes the addition of an elastomeric material and cooperative means for insuring uniform interference and depth of penetration of the pipetter barrel as successive barrels are inserted and ejected. Also disclosed is an improved multiple-tip configuration with similar features that can be mounted to multiple barrels of a multi-pipetter as one tip instead of 8 or 12 individual tips. The addition of the elastomeric material allows for better sealing and eliminates alignment issues, high installation and ejection requirements while reducing the hand and thumb forces that due to repeated use will sometimes result in repetitive stress injury.

Abstract: A sample storage, in which barcodes and two-dimensional codes written on the outer surface of the sample storage can be read correctly without false recognition. A storage tube 110 is made of transparent material, comprising a top opening. An externally equipped opaque writable element 120 is assembled outside by covering storage tube 110 throughout from the bottom surface to the side surface. An externally equipped opaque writable element 120 is to be used as a medium to which coded information that can be read by means of optical reading is written. The top opening of the storage container 110 is sealed by the lid element screwed into or fitted into the externally equipped opaque writable element 120 not to the storage container 110. At least one window 125 is provided, which enables a sample 200 contained to be observed, with the externally equipped opaque writable element 120 assembled outside.

Abstract: An air displacement pipette has a tubular pipette tip with an upper section surrounding a locking chamber, and a body section leading from the upper section and tapering downwardly to a reduced diameter end. A tubular mounting shaft on the pipette has a distal end configured and dimensioned for axial insertion into the locking chamber of the pipette tip. Coacting surfaces on the distal end of the mounting shaft and the upper section of the pipette tip establish an axially interengaged relationship between the pipette tip and the mounting shaft in response to insertion of the distal end of the mounting shaft into the locking chamber. A sleeve is axially shiftable on the mounting shaft between a retracted position accommodating the establishment of the axially interengaged relationship, and an advanced position disrupting the axially interengaged relationship to thereby accommodate axial ejection of the pipette tip from the mounting shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device that comprises a tool holder that can be adjusted in an x-axis, a y-axis which is perpendicular thereto, and a z-axis that is perpendicular both to the x-axis and the y-axis and that can be pivoted about the z-axis. A dispense head for solid material is mounted on the tool holder as the tool. Two scales are disposed on the dispense head for solid material, said scales weighing the material which is or is to be delivered by the dispense head for solid material. The inventive design with two scales directly mounted on the dispense head for solid material allows for weighing of the material without the dispense head for solid material or the material having to be placed on separate scales.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipette tip mounting shaft configuration and a disposable pipette tip having a matching configuration. The mounting shaft includes a locking section located above a lower sealing section. The locking section has outwardly extending locking lobes circumferentially spaced around the mounting shaft and located above a stop member that separates the lower sealing section from the upper locking section. When the mounting shaft is fully inserted into the collar of the mating disposable pipette tip, the tip locks onto the mounting shaft. The bore of the pipette tip includes a circumferential shelf separating its upper collar from the tip sealing area which is located below the circumferential shelf. The locking lobes gently flexes and distorts the pipette tip collar out of round as the mounting shaft is inserted in the pipette tip, rather than stretching the tip collar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipette tip mounting shaft configuration and a disposable pipette tip having a matching configuration. The mounting shaft includes a locking section located above a lower sealing section. The locking section has outwardly extending locking lobes circumferentially spaced around the mounting shaft and located above a stop member that separates the lower sealing section from the upper locking section. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the mounting shaft below the stop member is reduced in order to lessen insertion and ejection forces, which is particularly helpful for hand-held multi-channel pipettors. In these embodiments, the lower sealing section contains either a frustoconical sealing section, or an annular groove and a sealing ring, such as a flouroelastomeric O-ring seal.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser includes a dispensing head, a transporter, a controller, sensors, and an adjustor. The dispensing head accommodates a plurality of dispensing tips and draws liquid into and ejects liquid from the dispensing tips. The transporter moves the dispensing head within an XYZ space. The controller controls drawing and ejecting of liquid by the dispensing head and movement of the dispensing head by the transporter. The sensors detect whether dispensing tips are mounted in the dispensing head. The adjustor aligns the reference positions of the dispensing head and the sensors in the XY plane.

Abstract: A nozzle device, comprising a nozzle body, a ball provided in the nozzle body and elastically deformable by compression, an aliquoting/dispensing tip having a barrel portion in which the nozzle body including the ball is inserted, and a ball compressing mechanism which is provided in the nozzle body, configured elastically to deform the ball by compression so that the diameter of the ball increases with the nozzle body including the ball inserted in the barrel portion of the aliquoting/dispensing tip, thereby pressing the ball airtightly against an inner peripheral surface of the barrel portion of the tip, when the tip is attached to the nozzle body, and configured to remove a compressive force from the ball so that the diameter of the ball is reduced, thereby separating the ball from the inner peripheral surface of the barrel portion of the tip, when the tip is detached from the nozzle body.

Abstract: Pipette tip made from plastics with an elongate, tubular body which comprises at a lower end a pipetting aperture, at an upper end a placement aperture (6) for placement on a receiving shank of a pipetting device, in the vicinity of the upper end a circumferential rib along a closed curve comprising different spacings from the lower end in different contour positions, a circumferential contact region on a surface of revolution on the inner face of the circumferential rib and at least one further rib extended from at least one position of the circumferential rib at a maximum distance from the lower end as far as the upper end.

Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Durable, weatherable and scratch-resistant coatings are provided by compositions comprising a fluorinated component and an adhesion promoter compound. The adhesion promoter compound can include an alkoxy group, a furfuryl-containing ring structure, and a reactive group.

Abstract: A pipette device has a coupling stud on which a pipette tip can be stuck in a slipping-on direction for coupling. The coupling stud has an adjustable pre-stress member that can be adjusted into a prestress state and a release state via an actuation device which is provided in the coupling stud. The pipette tip has an axial stop which interacts with a counter-stop of the coupling stud in an axial coupling position of the pipette tip. The prestress member in its prestress state acts upon a working surface of the stuck-on pipette tip having a surface component of the pipette tip, which extends radially inward, turned away from the stuck on direction, in such a way that it abuts sealingly on the working surface, and prestresses the pipette tip on the pipette unit into the axial coupling position. The prestress member, in its releasing state, substantially releases the working surface of the pipette tip (101).

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for automatically removing tips from a pipette nozzle and/or for detecting the type of tip mounted to the nozzle. For detipping, mechanical energy is stored when the tip is mounted to the nozzle and is released when the tip is to be removed to facilitate removal thereof. A mechanism is preferably provided which limits the force with which the tip is mounted to the nozzle and an overforce mechanism may be provided to facilitate removal of a stuck tip. For detecting tip type, each tip type has a different base configuration which results in a different relative displacement between the nozzle and a surrounding component as a result of the tip contacting both during tip mounting, the difference in relative displacement being detected to identify tip type.

Abstract: A method and a multichannel pipetting apparatus (40) for simultaneous pipetting of a plurality of sample wells (44) or containers. The pipetting channels (12) of the apparatus have been divided into groups, which are connected via an adapter (30) containing a plurality of channels (31) to pipetting tips (20) of a known type. By changing the adapter or the adapter zone (22), a suitable configuration for different sample plates (42) or containers is selected.

Abstract: A pipette has a tip having at the front end thereof an inlet/outlet hole through which a liquid is sucked up and delivered. The pipette is fitted at an opening formed therein with an air passage through which air is sucked out from inside the pipette tip or supplied into the pipette tip. The pipette includes an inflatable member secured to the pipette body and which can be inflated with a fluid charged therein. The pipette body has formed therein separately from the air passage a fluid passage through which a fluid is charged and discharged. The inflatable member when charged with the fluid through the fluid passage in the pipette body and thus inflated closely adheres to the inner wall or outer surface of the top end portion of the pipette tip where the opening is formed, to thereby securely catch the pipette tip.