Abstract: The present invention discloses devices configured to perform a cryoprocedure on at least one biological sample and methods for using the devices. The disclosed devices comprise a straw and a pod. The straw comprises a straw space, configured to draw liquid from a distal end of the straw space towards a proximal end of the straw space. The pod is coupled to a distal end of the straw and comprises a perforated member comprises at least one orifice whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the at least one biological sample, wherein the perforated element is configured to allow inflow of liquids into the preparation space and outflow of liquids from the preparation space. The holding space is configured to form, together with the straw space, a preparation space wherein the at least one biological sample can undergo the cryoprocedure.

Abstract: A pipette tip extension attachable to a pipette tip is disclosed. The pipette tip extension has a proximal end, a distal end, and an exterior wall extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The exterior wall has an outer side and an inner side and forms at the proximal end a reception aperture for inserting a pipette tip. The pipette tip extension further has a bottom at the distal end, an inner cavity enclosed by the inner side of the exterior wall and the bottom, one or more distance elements arranged at the inner side of the exterior wall and protruding into the inner cavity, and a coating for interacting with a fluid present in a fluid uptake area.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting an array of pipette tips having through bores with conical upper ends to a multichannel air displacement pipettor having a plurality of ports with compliant internal sealing surfaces. The adapter comprises a planar base with an array of openings extending between its top and bottom surfaces. Sealing tubes project upwardly from the top surface, and tip mounting tubes project downwardly from the bottom surface, with pairs of sealing tubes and tip mounting tubes being arranged coaxially and in communication with respective ones of the openings in the base. The tip mounting tubes are externally dimensioned and configured for insertion into the conical upper ends of the pipette tips, and the sealing tubes are externally configured and dimensioned for insertion into the ports of the pipettor and into sealing interengagement with their compliant internal sealing surfaces.

Abstract: An assay apparatus comprising: i) an assay cartridge (52, 53) comprising at least one well (57-62) and a pipette (50) positionable in at least one said well; ii) a holder arranged to received said cartridge; iii) drive means operable to position said pipette in selected wells of said cartridge; iv) a gas pressure applicator couplable to said pipette whereby to cause liquid flow through said membrane; and v) a radiation detector operable to detect radiation from a well of said cartridge of said cartridge or from said pipette.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser useful in automated biological reaction systems comprising a barrel having a reservoir chamber, the barrel having an upper portion and a lower portion, a cap located on top of the upper portion of the barrel and connected to the reservoir chamber, the cap having an external surface with at least one hole therethrough, a valve comprising a biasing member and a hole sealer, the valve being located in the hole in the cap at the point where a downward force is applied against the cap, a coupler having a dispense chamber, the coupler being coaxial with the barrel and wherein the barrel lower portion moves into the dispense chamber during dispensing of fluid, and a vent located between the cap and the reservoir chamber, the vent including a vent opening and a vent material composed of oliophobic material.

Abstract: An injection molded assembly forming a Membrane Pipette Tip having at least one bottom portion including a apex end for receiving a calibrated first volume of fluid, a cavity for holding said volume of fluid and a opening with shoulder for receiving the filter membrane. The pipette tip includes at least one upper body having a first opening for communication to a pipetter and a second opening for receiving the shoulder of the bottom portion. The bottom portion fused at the shoulder to the second opening of the upper body with the membrane therebetween to permanently attach the membrane filter to the pipette tip. The 2 part Membrane Pipette Tip can be constructed as a single tip or a plurality of upper and bottom portions with optional tubular members that can include overflow wells for containing fluid in excess of the first volume of fluid drawn into the Membrane Pipette Tip cavity.

Abstract: Sample pipettes used in particular for injecting samples into high pressure liquid chromatography apparatuses, which are provided with a hollow needle for drawing a sample and expelling same into a container or into a sample receiving device of the apparatus. An interchangeable cannula is mounted on the hollow needle of such a pipette, said cannula being capable of containing additional functional elements such as filters, chemically active phases and the like.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus comprises a liquid reservoir (32), an outlet port (6; 36) and driving means for forcing liquid (4) through the outlet port (6, 36). The driving means generates a pulse of gas which impinges upon the liquid (4) in the reservoir (32) so as to force liquid (4) through the outlet port (6, 36). Also disclosed is a cassette comprising a plurality of cartridges for dispensing liquid therefrom. Each cartridge comprises a liquid reservoir (32) and an outlet member (36) mounted so as to close an opening (34) in the liquid reservoir (32). The outlet member (36) provides an outlet port through which the liquid can be forced by a pulse of pressurised gas.

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: 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: An apparatus and method of manufacture for a pipette tip having a membrane filter includes a pipette tip having an interior annulus for receiving an exterior perimeter of the membrane filter. A shear plate overlying the pipette tip defines an aperture having a dimension equal to the exterior perimeter of the membrane filter. A cylindrical punch has a path of motion for passing through the aperture in the shear plate to the interior annulus of the pipette tip. Membrane filter material is placed over the shear plate in the path of motion of the cylindrical punch. By the expedient of moving the cylindrical punch through the membrane filter material, the aperture in the shear plate, to the interior annulus of the pipette tip to place sheared filter material over the annulus of the pipette tip. Specific embodiments of pipette tips are illustrated including tips having a first filter for filtering material drawn into the pipette tip and second filters from preventing contamination of the pipette.