Abstract: The present invention provides for a single-use, disposable container and methods and apparatuses for testing liquid samples in a non-destructive fashion using the single-use, disposable container within a liquid sample analyzer. The single-use, disposable container reduces the overall sample volume contact within a flow path of the liquid sample analyzer, decreases the cleaning solution and drying time needed between sample analyses, and minimizes formation of particles during use of the container.

Abstract: A pipette for sampling an extended range of volumes of liquid includes a fixed pipette body. An operating rod is movable in translation relative to the pipette body, along a longitudinal axis of the pipette. The pipette includes a suction chamber and a set of N concentric pistons, wherein N corresponds to an integer greater than or equal to 2. Each of the pistons contributes to delimiting the suction chamber. A coupling module couples the operating rod with the set of N concentric pistons. The module is configured in such a way as to be able to be brought into N distinct configurations in which it respectively couples the operating rod with 1, 2, . . . , N pistons.

Abstract: A measurement device containing one or more capillaries to measure the volume of a dispensed fluid and determine the volumetric accuracy of the dispensing device. The measurement device can contain a reservoir containing the fluid to be measured and there may be an additional reservoir for a secondary fluid. A viewing window is necessary to complete a manual measurement and may include a magnifying lens. The liquid well by the capillary inlet may be shaped such that the measurement fluid is directed toward the capillary. The well may have features designed to position the dispensing device toward the capillary, or to position the well proximal to the capillary after it is filled. The well may also have surfaces or coatings which attract or do not attract various types of substances. The measurement device may interface with sensors to output measurement data.

Abstract: A blood sampler device includes a blood collector and a sampler body. The blood collector is designed to collect a sample of a fluid, such as blood, from a user and to be inserted into the sampler body, such that the collected blood can be discharged into a liquid chamber in the sampler body to mix with a liquid stored in the liquid chamber for testing. The blood collector includes vents that are designed to facilitate the flow of air out of the liquid chamber during this insertion, such that a lower and more consistent pressurization can be achieved within the liquid chamber. This design may also increase user comfort and enhance the accuracy of testing performed on the collected fluid.

Abstract: Novel and improved systems and methods for high speed arraying, hybridization, quantitative development and/or assaying are provided. Some embodiments provide a web based arraying format. Some other embodiments provide a sheet based arraying format. Some embodiments use a drop on drop assaying or hybridization mode. In some embodiments, a substantially inert substrate is utilized. In some other embodiments, an interactive substrate is utilized.

Abstract: A capillary dispenser includes at least one plunger-cylinder unit having a cylinder module and a plunger module disposed together on an axis. The cylinder module has an inner cylinder that is pneumatically connected to at least one capillary. The plunger module includes a hollow plunger that is closable on one side and is movable in the inner cylinder along the axis between an upper end position and a lower end position of the plunger module.

Abstract: A dispensing device and an analyzer capable of improving dispensing accuracy as well as improving jamming detection accuracy can be realized by having a short distance between a syringe and a suction tip. The dispensing device 10 includes an upper fixed unit 10A, a lower movable unit 10B which is connected to the upper fixed unit 10A, the movable unit being relatively movable with respect to the upper fixed unit 10A, and a Z-axis movement mechanism 55Z which moves the upper fixed unit to and fro. A syringe 4 and a plunger 13 are held by the upper fixed unit 10A. A tip nozzle 8 is attached to the lower movable unit 10B. An interior space of the syringe 4 and an interior space of the tip nozzle 8 are connected with each other by a connection tube 1 having flexibility.

Abstract: A sample treatment apparatus is designed to directly monitor a pressure signal from a pressure sensor to examine pressure fluctuations resulting from a sample's sway before a discharge of the sample, so that the discharge is performed after the confirmation of the absence of pressure changes. The apparatus has a detection function that allows a discharge to be started even before a pressure fluctuation vanishes completely, by allowing the operator to set a desired number of pressure monitorings, monitoring time, or pressure amplitude. The detection function also allows an alarm to be raised when a pressure fluctuation has not fallen within a given range. The sample treatment apparatus therefore allows discharge of more accurate amounts of samples.

Abstract: Provided is a droplet discharging device that can precisely dispense large flow rate of droplets and small flow rate of droplets selectively. The droplet discharging device according to the present invention includes a pneumatic discharger for discharging a droplet having a first flow rate, and an electronic pipette for discharging or sucking a droplet having a second flow rate equal to or smaller than the first flow rate. The pneumatic discharger includes, i) a storage chamber for storing a liquid, ii) an air tank connected to the storage chamber through a first air pipe and supplying compressed air to the storage chamber to push the liquid of the storage chamber outside, and iii) a first nozzle connected to the storage chamber through the liquid pipe and receiving the liquid pushed out of the storage chamber to discharge droplets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microdispenser (1) for dispensing a liquid sample in a dispensing device, with a sample container (2) for receiving the liquid sample, and with a nozzle (7) for dispensing the sample located in the sample container (2). The microdispenser (1) with the filled sample container (2) can in this case be stored independently of and fluidically separately from the dispensing device, without the sample escaping from the sample container (2) during storage.

Abstract: A metering capillary and method for providing at least one defined volume of a target constituent of a sample is provided, the method comprising providing at least one metering capillary having at least two openings; at least partly filling the metering capillary with the sample; carrying out a constituent separation for the at least partial separation of at least two constituents of the sample inside the metering capillary; and dividing the metering capillary into at least two partial pieces, wherein at least one of the partial pieces contains the defined volume of the target constituent.

Abstract: A liquid transporting device capable of transporting a liquid, such as dispensing or distributing a liquid, to microplates in number larger than a value mountable on a table. The liquid transporting device comprises a table on an upper surface of which a storing member and a discharge receiving member are detachably mounted, sucking/discharger means, a control unit for transporting a liquid in accordance with a previously incorporate program while relatively moving the sucking/discharger means and the table, an input device, and an alarm signal notifier. The control unit has a function of determining whether ID information of the storing member and/or the discharge receiving member, which is a work target of the previously incorporate program, is identical to ID information of the storing member and/or the discharge receiving member mounted on the table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic tip and a random access print head for the transfer of microfluidic quantities of fluid. The print head can randomly collect and deposit fluid samples to transfer the samples from a source plate to a target. The print head can also be programmed to create a direct map of the fluid samples from the source plate on the target or to create any desired pattern or print on the target. The tip and print head can be used for a wide variety of applications such as DNA microarraying and compound reformatting. In one preferred embodiment, the tip is used as a capillary or “gravity” pin to draw or collect source fluid and “spot” or deposit the fluid onto the target via physical contact (touch-off). In another preferred embodiment, the tip is used in conjunction with an aspirate-dispense system to actively aspirate source fluid and deposit the fluid via a contact or non-contact approach. The tip provides improved, accurate and repeatable microfluidic transfer.

Abstract: This invention provides a method to protect an analytical sample from being diluted or otherwise contaminated during the analytical procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric pipette (1) comprising a body (2), a tip part (4), a hook part (5), a push-button part (6) and a display part (7), said body (1) having a vertical axis (3) and at least one of the parts selected from the group consisting of the hook part (5), the push-button part (6) and the display part (7) is rotatable about the vertical axis (3) of the electric pipette (1) correspondingly by an angle ?1, ?2 or ?3.

Abstract: Aspirator systems include an aspirator body member having a fluid passageway extending therein and a first and second optical conductor configured to receive and/or transmit light therethrough. A drive mechanism may be coupled to the aspirator body member and configured to move the aspirator body member between an advanced position and a retracted position. An aspirator tip is coupled to the aspirator body member at an end of the fluid passageway and having a fluid passageway therein extending from the end of the fluid passageway of the aspirator body member when coupled to the aspirator body member, the aspirator tip being coupled to the first and second optical conductors and comprising an optically transmissive material.

Abstract: This invention provides a method to protect an analytical sample from being diluted or otherwise contaminated during the analytical procedure.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device includes a body and a sample holding reservoir formed in the body. The sample holding reservoir is capable of imbibing a fixed and very small quantity of fluid from a fluid source and dispensing the fixed quantity of fluid therefrom at a destination. The fluid transfer device may be manufactured from various materials including semiconductor materials such as silicon, polymer materials, ceramic material, and metal or metallic materials. The fluid transfer device may be used to puncture a closure covering the fluid source or the destination.

Abstract: A microproportioning system includes a reservoir, a micro-diaphragm pump the entrance of which is connected to the reservoir, an open-jet proportioner the entrance of which is connected to the exit of the micro-diaphragm pump, a proportioning port connected to the exit of the open-jet proportioner, and a proportioning control which is in an operative communication with the micro-diaphragm pump and the open-jet proportioner

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for liquid droplets that includes a dispenser connected to a liquid carrying pipe which in turn is connected to a source of pressurized liquid. The dispenser has an elongated body member having a main bore connected to the liquid carrying pipe. At the other end, the main bore has a valve seat that is connected to a nozzle having a nozzle bore terminating in a dispensing tip. An elongated valve boss of ferromagnetic material covered with a soft polymer is mounted in the main bore and has a cross-sectional area less than that of the main bore. A separate valve boss actuating coil assembly has upper and lower coils that are separate from the main body that can be unplugged from both coils and from the liquid carrying pipe. As such, the main body can be a disposable member.

Abstract: A spotting device for manufacturing a DNA microarray and a spotting method using the same are provided.

Abstract: A level sensor apparatus is disclosed for detecting contact of a pipetting needle with a liquid contained in a vessel. The apparatus includes a sensor head made up of a pipetting needle, a needle holder, and an electromechanical transducer. The sensor head also has an associated mechanical resonance frequency. An electrical signal generator is used to generate a driving signal which when applied to the electromechanical transducer causes vibration of the pipetting needle at the resonance frequency. A measurement device is used to measure a parameter of a vibration signal indicative of the mechanical vibration of the pipetting needle when it is driven by the driving signal. An electronic circuit and associated computer software is provided to evaluate variation of the vibration signal with time and thus detect contact of the pipetting needle with a liquid contained in the vessel.

Abstract: A device for receiving a sample of liquid, such as a sample of bodily liquid which is to be subjected to further analysis, may include a body having at least a major surface and a minor surface. A sample-receiving chamber may be located in the body and may have an inlet end which opens into the major and minor surfaces of the body. A conduit may be located in the body, extending from the outlet end of the chamber, and may be arranged so as to allow the liquid to pass from the outlet end into the conduit by capillary action.

Abstract: A device, process and system are provided for collecting and releasing a liquid sample, especially saliva. A defined saliva sample, i.e., a filtered, approximately homogeneously mixed saliva sample of a predetermined volume is made available in the simplest possible manner. A sampling tip (2) is provided made of a dimensionally stable and porous material, which is moved with its mouthpiece (4) in the mouth of a test subject for one to two minutes and takes up saliva based on the capillary action. A reagent liquid enters the pores of the sampling tip (2), mixes with the saliva there and is subsequently fed from a reagent depot by the action of pressure. The saliva and the reagent liquid are finally discharged as a droplet (40) in the filtered and mixed state, either into the cavity (10) of the sample collector or into a filter mixer.

Abstract: A device for receiving a sample of liquid, such as a sample of bodily liquid which is to be subjected to further analysis, may include a body having at least a major surface and a minor surface. A sample-receiving chamber may be located in the body and may have an inlet end which opens into the major and minor surfaces of the body. A conduit may be located in the body, extending from the outlet end of the chamber, and may be arranged so as to allow the liquid to pass from the outlet end into the conduit by capillary action.

Abstract: A straw (1) for the conservation of small quantities of substances, in particular biological substances, having a segment of tube provided inside one end with a stopper including gel powder, characterized in that a proportion of the gel powder is replaced with dispersed nonabsorbent material, the stopper thus having a mixture of gel powder and dispersed nonabsorbent material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample dispenser, for the application of liquid samples on to a sample absorbing area, with a sample dispenser body (1) having at its end a sample pick-up surface (5) bounded by a continuous edge (6), wherein the sample pick-up surface (5) is provided with a recess (7) such that, when the sample pick-up surface (5) is dipped into a sample reservoir, a droplet of liquid sample of predetermined size adheres to the sample pick-up surface (5) and by placing of the sample pick-up surface (5) on the sample absorbing area is completely dispensed, and wherein the recess (7) is in the form of a flat recess (7), that is to say, it has a depth which is less than its width. The sample dispenser according to the invention is of very simple design. In using it, the desired sample amount to be transferred is determined by the flat recess of the sample pick-up surface and can be reproduced very precisely.

Abstract: A proportioning device, comprising a manually operable actuating device, a sensor associated with the actuating device for detecting a force manually exerted on the actuating device, an electric driving motor, an electric control connected to the sensor and electric driving motor for controlling the driving motor during the detection by the sensor of a force exerted on the actuating device, an electric voltage supply connected to the sensor, electric driving motor, and electronic control, and a displacement device coupled to the actuating device and electric driving motor for proportioning a liquid.

Abstract: A material handling tool includes a piezoelectric motor that causes actuation of a needle. Actuation of the needle may include aspiration and/or dispensing of a fluid sample and/or movement of the needle to pick or place a material sample.

Abstract: A pipette includes a housing defining a suction chamber. A piston is configured to move in the suction chamber. A first retainer mechanism includes a first threading configured to limit a motion of the piston in the suction chamber. A second retainer mechanism includes a second threading configured to limit the motion of the piston in the suction chamber, the second threading having a pitch less than a pitch of the first threading.

Abstract: A straw (1) for the conservation of small quantities of substances, in particular biological substances, the straw having a segment of tube (2) provided, inside one end, with a stopper (3) including gel powder, characterized in that the straw stopper includes a thermoplastics material core (4) sheathed with filaments constituting a sheath (5). The straw of the invention absorbs only a very small amount of the liquid contained therein.

Abstract: A capillary 1 is moved to a position above a vessel 17 having a solution 15 stored therein. Then, the vessel 17 is raised while the inside of a tube 5 is opened to an ambient pressure until one end 1a of the capillary 1 is dipped into the solution 15. The solution 15 is introduced into the capillary 1 by means of capillarity. Next, the vessel 17 is lowered, to thereby removing the end 1a of the capillary 1 from the solution 15 stored in the vessel 17. Subsequently, the capillary 1 is moved to a position above a vessel 19 to which the solution 15 is to be transferred. Then, the tube 5 is connected to a pressure mechanism, thereby pressurizing the inside of the capillary 1 from another end 1b thereof. The solution 15 in the capillary 1 is then discharged to the vessel 19.

Abstract: A hand-held pipettor comprising a piston received in one end of a cylinder, a pipettor tip removably secured to an opposite end of said cylinder, means for reciprocating said piston through a selected stroke to aspirate fluid into and to expel the thus aspirated fluid from said pipettor tip, mutually spaced stop members operatively associated with said manually driven means for defining the range of said stroke and motor driven means for varying the spacing between said stop members to thereby vary the volume of fluid being aspirated into and expelled from said pipettor tip.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing and/or aspirating device to be operated manually repeatedly, having a controlling device, a motor drive, control electronics, a manually actuatable actuating element, and a programming element, where the quantity of liquid which is conveyed by motor on actuation of the actuating element is adjusted in the control electronics by the programming element. A process interval (tp) for a plurality of process steps to be carried out in succession is stored in the control electronics. A first type of actuation of the actuating element triggers an individual process step, while a second type of actuation automatically results in repeated successive triggering of process steps, each in the process interval (tp). Handling of the device in practice is greatly improved by the fact that the process interval (tp) is automatically determined by the control electronics by analyzing the interval(s) occurring between the individual actuations of the actuating element.

Abstract: A spotting pin 10 capable of spotting equal amounts of a solution in a sequential manner comprises a first member 11 having a solution holding portion 13 formed at the tip thereof for holding a predetermined amount of solution, and a second member 12 having a solution supply portion 14 for holding the solution by a capillary action, the second member adapted to slide along the first member. As the solution supply portion 14 is brought into contact with the solution holding portion 13, the solution enters the solution holding portion 13 from the solution supply portion 14 by a capillary action. As the solution supply portion 14 and the solution holding portion 13 are separated from each other, a predetermined amount of the solution can be carried in the solution holding portion 13. Then, as the solution holding portion 13 is brought into contact with a water-absorbing support 21, a spot 22 of a predetermined amount of the solution can be formed thereon.

Abstract: A position of a piston fluid-tightly sliding along an inner surface of a pipette is instantaneously changed by a short distance to jet a portion of a liquid in the pipette through the nozzle of the pipette as a drop. The instantaneously changed position is provided by a motor which is commonly used for moderately changing the position of the piston to taking-in and taking-out the liquid. The instantaneous minute position changing may be provided with a piezoelectric actuator. An attachable nozzle cap having a nozzle-cap nozzle (through hole) of which diameter is smaller than that of the nozzle of the pipette may be used. The portion of the liquid jetted from the pipette may be detected. The instantaneous changing may be repeated to jet a desired amount of said liquid. The short distance may be adjusted in accordance with the desired amount.

Abstract: A dropping tool for transferring drops of a liquid onto a substrate wherein a surface of the dropping tool for contact with the liquid has a first region which exhibits an affinity to the liquid to be transferred directly surrounded by a second region which exhibits a lower affinity to the liquid to be transferred than the first region; the topography of the first and second regions and the relative affinities of the first and second regions for the liquid to be transferred being selected such that when the dropping tool is dipped into and then removed from a source of the liquid to be transferred, the liquid adheres to the first region without substantially any adherence of the liquid to the second region. A dropping tool for transferring drops of liquid onto a substrate, the dropping tool comprising a tip, at least one surface tapered towards the tip, and a capillary channel which leads from a position of the tapered surface remote from the tip to a reservoir located within the dropping tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with a vessel capable of receiving fluid specimens for clinical analysis and diagnosis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between the fluid specimen and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device, and may include a plurality of striations which were discovered to further improve penetrability of the cap. In this way, substances can be dispensed into or withdrawn from the vessel without having to physically separate the cap from the vessel. Also featured are fluid transfer devices and caps having surface ribs and/or grooves which aid in creating passageways for venting displaced air from a penetrated collection device.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly for liquid droplets that includes a dispenser connected to a liquid carrying pipe which in turn is connected to a source of pressurized liquid. The dispenser has an elongated body member having a main bore connected to the liquid carrying pipe. At the other end, the main bore has a valve seat that is connected to a nozzle having a nozzle bore terminating in a dispensing tip. A valve boss of ferromagnetic material covered with a soft polymer is mounted in the main bore and has a cross-sectional area less than that of the main bore. A separate valve boss actuating coil assembly has upper and lower coils that are separate from the main body that can be unplugged from both coils and from the liquid carrying pipe. As such, the main body can be a disposable member.

Abstract: A dispenser (1) for liquid droplets of the order of 30 &mgr;l or less in volume. The dispenser (1) comprises a metering valve body (2) having a main bore (3) connected by a pipe (4) to a pressurised liquid delivery source (not shown). The body (2) comprises a base (5) from which is mounted a nozzle (6) projecting above the base (5) to form a valve seat (7). An actuating coil assembly (11) is mounted on the exterior of the body (2) for moving a floating valve boss (15) of a ferromagnetic material. Sensing coils (20, 21) are mounted around and spaced-apart along the body (2) forming part of a valve boss detector. The valve boss detector acts as a positional movement detector so that the opening and closing of the valve can be accurately controlled and bouncing of the valve boss (15) either against an end stop (9) or on the valve seat (7) can be greatly minimized, if not prevented fully, by careful operation of the actuating coil assembly (11).

Abstract: A dual-manifold assembly is provided for the rapid, parallel transfer of liquid reagents from a microtiter plate to a solid state microelectronic device having biological sensors integrated thereon. The assembly includes aspiration and dispense manifolds connected by a plurality of conduits. In operation, the aspiration manifold is actuated such that the aspiration manifold is seated onto an array of reagent-filled wells of the microtiter plate. The wells are pressurized to force reagent through conduits toward the dispense manifold. A pressure pulse provided by a standard ink-jet printhead ejects nanoliter-to-picoliter droplets of reagent through an array of printhead orifices and onto test sites on the surface of the microelectronic device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one-piece pipette/dropper assembly that includes a pipette portion, a threaded cap portion, and bulb portion. The cap potion has a top wall including a top and bottom surface and the bulb portion has a first end integrally formed with the top wall of the cap on the top surface. The pipette portion has a first end integrally formed with the top wall of the cap on the bottom surface thereof. The bulb potion communicates with the pipette potion through the first end of the pipette portion and the pipette portion has an opening in a second end for receiving and discharging a fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to gas- or liquid permeable materials that seal when exposed to water, and to methods of making such materials. In general, materials of the invention comprise super-absorbent fibers. The invention further relates to devices comprising self-sealing media including, but not limited to, pipette tips.

Abstract: A dual-manifold assembly is provided for the rapid, parallel transfer of liquid reagents from a microtiter plate to a solid state microelectronic device having biological sensors integrated thereon. The assembly includes aspiration and dispense manifolds connected by a plurality of conduits. In operation, the aspiration manifold is actuated such that the aspiration manifold is seated onto an array of reagent-filled wells of the microtiter plate. The wells are pressurized to force reagent through conduits toward the dispense manifold. A pressure pulse provided by a standard ink-jet printhead ejects nanoliter-to-picoliter droplets of reagent through an array of printhead orifices and onto test sites on the surface of the microelectronic device.

Abstract: An automatic sample analyzer includes: a pipette, a pipette driving device which moves the pipette to a sample vessel present in a predetermined position to cause the pipette to suck up a sample from the sample vessel, and then moves the pipette to an open vessel provided in another predetermined position to cause the pipette to discharge the sample into the open vessel, and an analyzing section for analyzing the discharged sample, the pipette driving device comprising a vertically movable main arm and an elongated guide arm cantilevered by the main arm and extending horizontally, the guide arm having a smaller flexural rigidity than the main arm, wherein the main arm vertically moves the pipette when the sample is to be sucked up from the sample vessel, and the guide arm guides the pipette to the open vessel and then vertically moves the pipette when the sample is to be discharged into the open vessel.

Abstract: A micro perfusion device including a casing, a perfusate supply, an inner cannula forming an inner lumen between a front cannula opening which is distal when the device is subcutaneously positioned and a rear cannula opening, the inner lumen being connected or connectable to the perfusate supply via the rear cannula opening, a perfusion cannula projecting from a lower side of the casing and surrounding the inner cannula, an outer lumen between the inner cannula and the perfusion cannula, a collecting container for the perfusate, and a perfusate outlet connecting the outer lumen to the collecting container, wherein the collecting container has a variable volume and a partial vacuum with respect to a pressure prevailing in the perfusate supply may be generated in the collecting container.

Abstract: A rinsing tray system for pipette tips or transfer needles, arranged in the form of a matrix and having a bottom tray and a top tray, protrusions which have through-apertures arranged perpendicular to the base of the top tray and at the same grid spacing from one another as the pipette tips or transfer needles, projecting into the interior of the top tray, wherein the bottom tray having at least one inlet in order to be continuously filled with rinsing liquid and at least one outlet being present on the top tray.

Abstract: It has been hard to suck the high viscosity sample by using the syringe and to stop the suction of the sample. A sample sucking-discharging device in the invention comprises an injector provided with a cylinder and a piston installed in the cylinder so as to move up and down; a main body for holding the cylinder of the injector; a gear or a pair of gears held in the main body so as to rotate on an axis right-angled to the moving direction of the piston; a first rack, of which one end is connected with the piston, for moving with meshing to the gear or the pair of gears; and, a second rack held in the main body so as to move in the direction opposite to or crossing with the moving direction of the first rack.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for introducing large numbers of different materials into a microfluidic analytical device rapidly, efficiently and reproducibly. In particular, improved integrated pipettor chip configurations, e.g. sippers or electropipettors, are described which are capable of sampling extremely small amounts of material for which analysis is desired, transporting material into a microfluidic analytical channel network, and performing the desired analysis on the material.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprises a fluid chamber having two actuators coupled thereto. One of the actuators damps a fluid response of the other. The fluid chamber may comprises a cylindrical capillary, and the actuators may comprise spaced cylindrical piezoelectric elements.