Abstract: An apparatus is provided for identifying trace amounts of substances of interest in an air flow. The apparatus includes an inlet for receiving the air flow and an outlet for exhausting major portions of the air flow. The outlet is offset from the inlet. A porous impactor is disposed in alignment with the inlet and is impacted by particles entrained in the air flow. The porous impactor is heated sufficiently to vaporize particles impinging thereon. A detector communicates with the porous impactor and is operative for identifying substances of interest in the vaporized particles.

Abstract: A removable secondary liquid dispensing module for use with an existing, automated liquid handling system that defines a work area having a plurality of discrete work stations. Each of the work stations of the automated liquid handling system includes a lab ware site and alignment structure enabling the removable securing standardized microtiter-plates at respective lab ware site. A plate positioning mechanism is configured to move and position the microtiter plates to and from the lab ware sites of the respective work stations thereof and into engagement with the respective carrier alignment structure thereof. Further, a primary liquid dispensing device is configured for selective contact-type dispensing of discrete quantities of fluid, in the range of about one (1) microliter to about ten (10) milliliters, into the test sites of the microtiter plates secured in the respective alignment structure of the respective work station.

Abstract: A method of unblinding an alignment mark comprising the following steps. A substrate having a cell area and an alignment mark within an alignment area is provided. An STI trench is formed into the substrate within the cell area. A silicon oxide layer is formed over the substrate, filling the STI trench and the alignment mark. The silicon oxide layer is planarized to form a planarized STI within the STI trench and leaving silicon oxide within the alignment mark to form a blinded alignment mark. A wet chemical etchant is applied within the alignment mark area over the blinded alignment mark to at least partially remove the silicon oxide within the alignment mark. The remaining silicon oxide is removed from within the blinded alignment mark to unblind the alignment mark. A drop etcher apparatus is also disclosed.

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: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a system for obtaining a fluidic sample from a container is presented. The container defines a volume for holding the sample, the volume being closed by a seal. An outer tube has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end shaped to permit piercing the seal. An inner tube has an end region axially movable within the outer tube between a piercing position, wherein an end of the inner tube in the end region is retracted from the proximal end of the outer tube, and a transmission position, wherein the end of the inner tube extends axially beyond the proximal end of the outer tube. The outer tube and the inner tube form a tube assembly. At least one of the tube assembly and the container can be moved to cause the outer tube to pierce the seal and, after the seal is pierced, the inner tube can be used in the transmission position to permit fluid transfer with respect to the volume.

Abstract: A volume displacement pipette that includes a channel within the piston. The channel allows for cleaning fluids to be continuously run through the pipette tip for cleaning the tip. One end of the channel may be closed during normal operation of the pipette. Multiple pipettes may be combined into an array pipetter.

Abstract: A method for sampling reaction products includes delivering a reactant through a sampling probe to contact a substance deposited on a substrate and reacting the reactant to form a reaction product. At least a portion of the reaction product is withdrawn through the sampling probe and analyzed. The sampling probe is contacted with the substrate during at least a portion of the delivering, reacting and withdrawing steps.

Abstract: A microarrayer for spotting solution onto a receiving surface in an automated microarray dispensing device. Elements of the present invention include: at least one dispense head for spotting the receiving surface, at least one light source capable of illuminating the receiving surface, at least one camera operating in conjunction with the at least one light source. The at least one camera is capable of acquiring and transmitting surface image data to a computer. The computer is programmed to receive the surface image data and analyze it. The computer will then generate post analysis data based on the analysis of the surface image data. The post analysis data is available for improving the spotting of the solution onto the receiving surface. In a preferred embodiment, the surface image data includes information relating to receiving surface alignment, information relating to spot quality, and receiving surface identification information.

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 highly automated, high volume multichannel pipetting system which transfers liquid from mother plates to daughter plates, or from a fill station to daughter plates. The mother plates are stacked in one set of stacker assemblies, while the empty daughter plates are stacked in another stacker assembly. A plate handling assembly which is capable of moving the plates in three orthogonal directions retrieves the plates from the stacker assemblies, carries them to the pipetting head, and returns them to other stacker assemblies. The pipetting head is removable for replacement or repair thereof, or for insertion of another head assembly having a different number of pipetting channels. The head slides into the housing on slideways, and is retained in place by manually operable, threaded knobs mounted on shafts. The stacker assemblies include a chimney which is removable from a base. The plates may be stacked in the chimney and then inserted on the base.

Abstract: A high capacity microarrayer for spotting solution onto slides in an automated microarray dispensing device. A microplate indexing device automatically moves, in sequence, a plurality of microplates to a solution removal area. A dispense head accesses each microplate at the solution removal area to remove solution from the microplate. The dispense head then moves to a slide positioning station to spot slides at the slide positioning station. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microplate indexing station has at least one input stacking chamber for stacking microplates, and at least one output stacking chamber for stacking microplates. A walking beam indexer is disposed between the at least one input stacking chamber and the at least one output stacking chamber. The walking beam indexer is for moving microplates from said at least one input stacking chamber to said at least one output stacking chamber.

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 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 method for improving the fluid dispense rate in a metering system utilizing speed includes the steps of modifying the fluid flow rate profile during a portion thereof so as substantially increase or decrease the speed of the motor during certain portions of a metering cycle in order to improve the efficiency of the metering system. For a variable speed pump producing a sinusoidal speed profile, the pump motor speed can be increased to increase the dispense velocity during the beginning and end of the dispense phase to reduce perfusion and improve metered volume precision or a motor speed profile can be applied which is inverted relative to that of the variable speed pump to produce a constant velocity flow. Alternately or in addition to the above, the home position of the variable speed pump can be shifted to produce fluid velocity during the entirety of a dispense portion of a metering system cycle.

Abstract: In a liquid handling system including a liquid handling substrate having a plurality of channels for conducting a liquid sample in said substrate, where the channels terminate in a plurality of exit ports in an outer surface of the substrate for transfer of a quantity of the liquid sample. The handling system also includes a liquid storage and dispensing substrate having a plurality of separable cartridges corresponding to the channels, with each cartridge terminating at a microelectro mechanical system (MEMS) comprising a laminate of glass, silicon and a piezoelectric substance. The handling system further includes a liquid detecting system comprising a light emitting diode and a photo-detector, where each channel includes a reservoir in communication with a corresponding cartridge creating an interface therebetween.

Abstract: An injection pump assembly 10 in a chemical delivery system for simultaneously delivering reagents into a combinatorial reactor system having multiple injectors. The assembly 10 has a plurality of injectors 12, each injector 12 being in fluid communication with one of the multiple reactors. Each injector 12 has (1) a pump 14 in which a plunger 18 sealingly moves to ingest, store and discharge a flushing solvent 20; (2) a pipette assembly 22 for loading, storing, and discharging one or more reagents into one of the reactors in the combinatorial reactor system, first and second reservoirs for retaining some of the reagents; (3) one or more hollow needles 32, each for selectively delivering a reagent 24 to the first 28 or the second 24 reservoir; (4) a first valve 34 positioned downstream of the first 28 reservoir; and (5) a second valve 36 positioned downstream of the second 30 reservoir. When each valve 34, 36 is in a closed position, the reagents 24, 48 can be stored in isolation from each other.

Abstract: A micropipette usable for producing a biochip inclusive of DNA micro arrays capable of arraying and fixing droplets of a micro-volume on a substrate in a high density includes a main body, at least one cavity for storing a sample, at least one ejection port, a piezoelectic/electrostrictive element mounted on the outer surface of the main body, and at least one sample inlet port for supplying sample from the outside. A sample that is temporarily stored in the cavity is discharged from at least one ejection port, by virtue of the movement of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element, to outside of the micropipette via a through hole in a nozzle portion formed in the pipette main body. The nozzle portion through hole has three or more projection radially protruding from the center of the through hole and having a specific shape.

Abstract: A sampling probe for delivering a reactant to a substance deposited on a substrate to form a reaction product and for transporting the reaction product to a product analyzer for analysis. The probe includes a tip positionable over the substance on the substrate. The probe has a recess in the tip sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the reaction product. The probe has a product sampling passage extending from the recess adapted for connection to the product analyzer for transporting the portion of the reaction product to the product analyzer. Further, a reactant delivery passage extends to an outlet at the recess for delivering reactant to the substance on the substrate to form the reaction product.

Abstract: A work station for simultaneously performing multiple assays includes a base structure, a receptacle rack assembly received within a receptacle rack well formed in the base structure, a pipette tip rack assembly received within a pipette tip rack well formed in the base structure, a multiple conduit substance transfer device, and substance transfer device positioning structure. The receptacle rack assembly holds a plurality of receptacles in which a plurality of individual assays are performed, and the pipette tip rack assembly holds a plurality of contamination limiting pipette tips. The substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles or simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles. Alternatively, the substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles, and, at about the same time, simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles.

Abstract: In an aspirating and dispensing/spraying device, a holder is screwed onto a tube, connected to a liquid supply line, in such a way that it is displaceable along the tube by rotation. The tube is surrounded at a distance by a coaxial sleeve, which is solidly anchored in the holder, having a discharge opening on its front end, which is conically narrowed, whose edge surrounds the front end of the tube, which carries a outlet opening, separated by a narrow annular gap from the tube. The sleeve carries a connecting piece laterally, to which a pressurized gas supply line is connected and which discharges eccentrically into the space between the sleeve and the tube, so that pressurized gas flowing in receives angular momentum. When the gas flows out of the annular gap, it mixes intensively with the liquid coming out of the outlet opening and forms a discharge cone made of a fine, symmetrical aerosol with the liquid.

Abstract: A work station for simultaneously performing multiple assays includes a base structure, a receptacle rack assembly received within a receptacle rack well formed in the base structure, a pipette tip rack assembly received within a pipette tip rack well formed in the base structure, a multiple conduit substance transfer device, and substance transfer device positioning structure. The receptacle rack assembly holds a plurality of receptacles in which a plurality of individual assays are performed, and the pipette tip rack assembly holds a plurality of contamination limiting pipette tips. The substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles or simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles. Alternatively, the substance transfer device is capable of simultaneously dispensing substances into two or more receptacles, and, at about the same time, simultaneously removing substances from two or more receptacles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipette for transferring liquids, comprising the following: at least one piston-cylinder arrangement (3, 4), in which the cylinder (4) is arranged in such a way that it can be provided with a replaceable tip (8) for containing the liquid to be transferred; a piston actuating device (5) for drawing up and discharging the liquid; and a tip ejector device (6). Said ejector device comprises an ejection mechanism (16, 16′) which can be displaced along the cylinder in order to eject a tip (8) from the end of said 24 cylinder. A device (17) for actuating the ejection mechanism is also provided. The invention is characterized in that the ejector device (6) comprises a device for adjusting position (24, 24′, 33, 33′, 39, 39′), which is arranged in such a way that it is possible to modify the limit position reached by an ejection end (22, 22′) of the ejector device at the end of a stroke.

Abstract: A sample suction apparatus includes: first through third members; a drive source; and a suction needle provided on the third member. The drive source reduces a distance between the first member and the third member to perform: a first action of shifting the first member toward the third member to contact the first member with a portion of a specimen vessel; a second action of shifting the second member together with the third member toward the first member to contact the second member with another portion of the specimen vessel so that the specimen vessel is sandwiched between the first and second members; and a third action of shifting the third member toward the first member to bring the third member close to the second member so that the suction needle is inserted in the specimen vessel.

Abstract: A pipette assembly (10) having a suction device (12 or 52) and a small volume disposable tip (14) having a capacity with a range of 0.1 &mgr;l to 2.0 &mgr;l, the disposable tip being removably secured to the suction device. The suction device is provided with a female tip receiver (38.2 or 78.1) which receives a disposable male tip (14). The tip is in the form of a short piece of extruded tubing. The tubing has a very small i.d., for example 0.3 mm. It is preferably formed of Teflon®, or another hydrophobic material.

Abstract: A pipettor uses no pistons in order to provide highly automated, precise and accurate pipetting operations. Additionally, a self-aligning pipette tip enables better engagement of such pipette tips by the pipettor. The pipette tips may be automatically engaged and locked into place by the pipettor and may be automatically disengaged to enable highly-automated pipetting processes for industrial and laboratory purposes. Open proximal ends of the pipette tips are engaged by a pipette block, which then forms a temporary seal with the individual pipette tips. Displacement of the pipette block with respect to the pipette tips increased or decreases the effective volume of the pipette tip allowing it to aspirate or expel fluids in a precise, accurate, and predictable way. Additionally, seals may be seated in grooves engraved in either the pipette tip or the pipette block to provide a sliding seal between the pipette block and pipette tip.

Abstract: A method for detaching a barrier means adapted to the end part of the suction device for closing an opening in the end part by the movement of a plunger intended for changing the volume of a cylindrical space provided in the end part whereby the barrier means is removed by bringing means for limiting the movement of the plunger in the cylindrical space, e.g. means intended for removing the disposable tip, in such a position that the plunger can be brought into contact with the barrier means for detaching the barrier means from the end part of the suction device.

Abstract: A method comprises positively displacing a first candidate luminescence material precursor from a dispenser to a first position of an array, displacing a second candidate luminescence material precursor from a dispenser mechanism to a second position of an array and simultaneously reacting the first and second candidates to produce a library of luminescence materials. A combinatorial high throughput screening liquid dispenser assembly comprises a battery of positive displacement driven dispensers for dispensing solutions of precursor luminescence materials, an array plate with wells to receive dispensed solution from the dispenser, a robotic positioning table supporting the array plate to position wells beneath respective dispensers and a controller to control dispensing of the solutions and positioning of the plate.

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 liquid proportioning method using a chamber for a gas and a reception volume connectable thereto for a liquid with an aperture to the environment, wherein a desired volume is predetermined for the liquid to be taken up by the reception volume, a chamber negative pressure is determined which has to exist in the chamber to cause the desired liquid volume to be taken up in the reception volume after the aperture is dipped into the liquid and the chamber is connected to the reception volume, the chamber negative pressure is produced in the chamber, the reception volume dips its aperture into the liquid, and the chamber is connected to the reception volume and the desired volume of the liquid is taken up in the reception volume.

Abstract: A method for detecting the type of replaceable piston-cylinder unit mounted in pipetting or dosing apparatus with the help of a code marking on the piston rod head, so as to eliminate the influence of the chain of tolerances piston rod head/piston rod/piston/cylinder bottom/cylinder flange so that, to a certain extent, larger tolerances may be tolerated for the parts of the piston-cylinder units involves generating relative movement between the piston rod head and a detection device, and thereby detecting a reference point on the piston head with the detection device from laterally of the piston head, and generating relative movement between the piston rod head and the detection device and thereby detecting a code marking of the piston rod head in order to determine the type of piston-cylinder unit mounted.

Abstract: A pipette gun and holster apparatus having a remote source of positive and negative air pressure. The holster supports the pipette gun above a work table with the pipette connector oriented generally, vertically downwardly. The holster has a base which may be fastened to a vertical wall. A mounting bracket is fixed to and extends transverse to the base. The bracket has a bottomless socket constructed and arranged to receive and removably hold the pipette gun by inserting the pipette connector into the socket. A switch deactivates the remote air pressure source when the pipette gun is parked in the holster and energizes the remote air pressure source when the pipette gun is removed from the holster. A method of metering fluid using a pipette gun and holster apparatus. The holster is removable fastened to a vertical surface next to or proximate a horizontal work table top.

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: There is provided a method and apparatus for aspirating a volume of liquid into a syringe from a sample of the liquid. A substantial portion of the liquid in the syringe is subsequently dispensed from the syringe and returned to the sample. Accordingly, a small portion of the aspirated liquid is retained in the syringe. One or more nanoliter volumes of the liquid retained in the syringe are then dispensed from the syringe to a container for further use or analysis. It will be understood, therefore, that the volume of the originally aspirated liquid is substantially larger than the volume of liquid dispensed for further use or analysis. The invention also includes a method and apparatus for aspirating and dispensing a plurality of liquids by using a plurality of syringes, and also can be used to dispense liquids onto microplates.

Abstract: A three stage needle for use with a sampling station of an autosampler to facilitate gas and liquid extractions and injections. The needle includes a bottom stage, a middle stage, and a top stage. Each of the stages of the needle includes at least one aperture used to extract gas or liquid from a specimen or perform an injection. In addition, each of the stages can be placed in fluidic communication with the sampling station to facilitate the desired extraction or injection.

Abstract: An object is to provide a container transfer and processing system which can simplify total construction and control, does not increase time and cost in manufacturing and use, which is easy to use, and which runs efficiently, and for which processing of large quantities of containers can be performed rapidly and easily.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device includes a cylinder and a displacement rod. The cylinder is fabricated rigid enough to minimize distortion of volume yet compliant enough to create a seal between itself and the surface of the displacement rod. The cylinder is constructed with a bore hole through its central portion running from end to end. The diameter of the bore hole is larger than the diameter of the displacement rod. The displacement rod is constructed of a rigid material. At least one end of the cylinder has a diameter reduced so the diameter of the bore hole and the diameter of the displacement rod are substantially the same to form a seal with each other. As the displacement rod is withdrawn from the bore hole, a sample is drawn into the bore hole. The volume of the sample drawn into the bore hole is a function of the volume of the displacement rod withdrawn from the bore hole. A cross hole, for venting undesired fluid such as gas bubbles or previous sample(s), is located on the displacement rod.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for automatically transferring and weighing a powder material. The apparatus comprises a weigh station including a device for weighing the powder material in a container. A transfer device for collecting and dispensing the powder material is provided in which the device has a hollow body having a first end and a second end. The first end being operatively connected to a vacuum source so that a vacuum is selectively formed in the body. A collecting/dispensing tip is detachably coupled to the second end of the body. The tip is a hollow member with a tip orifice at one end so that a vacuum is formed in the tip upon actuation of the vacuum source. A controller for causing the selective actuation of the vacuum source and movement of at least one of the transfer device and the container is provided.

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: Apparatus and a method for mixing a liquid within a disposable aspirating probe tip so that most of the liquid is forced to move past a transition zone between two different inside diameters to cause rotational mixing. The apparatus and method can be used to provide agglutination of blood, which in turn can be used for blood typing. The probe tip can comprise a single integral piece, or two separate portions. The transition zone can comprise a sharp demarcation between inside diameters, or a smooth one.

Abstract: A multiple channel pipetting device and pipette shaft, in which each pipette shaft has a circumferential seal receptacle inside, at its upper end in which the circumferential plunger seal is positioned and in which the circumferential plunger seal, at least in the case of a pulled back pipette plunger, definitely remains in the seal receptacle when the pipetted shaft is removed from the shaft carrier.

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 drop-by-drop evaporation of a liquid or solution is controlled by monitoring the disappearance of each successive droplet and by actuating the deposition of the next droplet until the desired volume is deposited. In the case of a solution, non-volatile residue (NVR) is collected on a deposition surface plate as a relatively small mound. One of a variety of methods may be employed to measure the evaporative behavior of each droplet and to key the deposition procedure. The process is preferably carried out employing a clean deposition surface plate that is maintained at or below the boiling point of the particular liquid or solvent being deposited. The environment is preferably controlled so that inadvertent contamination is precluded from interfering, and thus the method permits the automatic, micro-processor controlled evaporation of liquids with the resultant deposition of non-volatile residues from solutions within relatively short periods of time.

Abstract: A present micro array manufacturing apparatus includes a substrate placement portion 11 on which a plurality of substrates can be arranged, a tighter plate 12 for storing a solution including a living body sample, a solution storing member 52 for taking in the solution from the tighter plate 12 and storing the solution therein, and a needle 51 which can be inserted into the solution storing member 52 to allow the solution stored in the solution storing member 52 to adhere onto each of the substrates by a given quantity, wherein the solution storing member 52 and needle 51 are moved in directions where they approach and part away from the substrates to thereby form spots on the substrates. And, the individual operations of the solution storing member 52 and needle 51 are carried out by single drive means 32.

Abstract: A multi-channel dispensing head including a plurality of micropipettes, each micropipette having an electrically actuatable trigger device with a ground and signal terminal; and a shared carrier having a plurality of receptacles located in a one- or two-dimensional arrangement and sized and shaped to receive said micropipettes, each receptacle having a ground and signal contact, wherein the ground and signal contacts on the carrier are spaced apart in the direction of a longitudinal axis extending through the respective micropipettes and each of the ground and signal contacts on the carrier contacting the ground and signal terminals of the trigger devices, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of depositing small amounts of liquid on a substrate (13) by using a pipette tip (1), which is connected to a flexible delivery line (2). Liquid is taken up by expanding the volume in the delivery line (2), and liquid is ejected by exposing the line to an impulse that is transmitted to the liquid contained in it.

Abstract: A microvolume liquid handling system includes a microdispenser employing a piezoelectric transducer attached to a glass capillary, a positive displacement pump for priming and aspirating transfer liquid into the microdispenser, controlling the pressure of the liquid system, and washing the microdispenser between liquid transfers, and a pressure sensor to measure the liquid system pressure and produce a corresponding electrical signal. Dispensing of a single sub-nanoliter drop can be detected in real time. As the result of dispensing the liquid in sub-nanoliter droplets, the dispensed volume can be precisely controlled. The dispenser automatically detects the liquid surface of the transfer liquid, automatically aspirate, analyze desired volume of the transfer liquid, dispense the transfer liquid without contacting the destination vessel or its contents, and automatically wash off the transfer liquid from dispensing system after each transfer.

Abstract: A dosing device is provided and comprises a withdrawal container and a dosing means comprising at least one dosing unit which is a piston-cylinder unit designed as a disposable member. The piston-cylinder unit discharges into a receiving container and valve means is provided to control flow into and out of the piston-cylinder unit.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser characterized by a dispensing head which is movable upward and downward as a whole and comprises a plurality of plungers supported by a plunger plate, drive means for moving the plunger plate upward and downward, a plurality of cylinders in which the plungers slidably fit, and a plurality of nozzles arranged at the lower ends of the cylinders and having configurations adapted to engage airtightly with holes for holding specific dispensing tips, the plurality of nozzles being supported by a single nozzle holder, which is built to be detachable from said dispensing head. According to the invention, only the nozzle holder that support nozzles has to be replaced with another holder conforming to dispensing tips of different dimensions. The arrangement facilitates the replacement and make the dispenser available at lower cost.