Abstract: A method for determining a sulfur trioxide content in a gas. A sample of the gas is taken, and a gas pressure of the sample is reduced. A wave number-resolved transmission measurement is carried out on the sample using a wave number-tunable monochrome light source, and a sulfur trioxide content is derived from the measurement. The measurement is carried out in the sulfur trioxide absorption band between 1360 and 1410 cm?1, in particular in a window around the sulfur trioxide absorption at 1365.49 cm?1. A method for operating a power plant, a measuring system for determining a sulfur trioxide content in a gas, and a power plant are adapted to determine a sulfur trioxide content in a gas.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods and devices for rapidly detecting a biological or other residue in a liquid sample. In some embodiments of the instant invention, a single electrode is employed to contact a flowing aqueous solution, with electrical outputs being recorded by an electrical metering device. Injection or flow of sample leads to changes in solution electrostatic behavior; those changes are recorded in the metering device, with absence of predetermined residues or targets yielding the highest signals. General and specific target detection may be performed with various embodiments of the instant invention.

Abstract: A system for insitu dilution of a sample followed by volume reduction prior to introduction to a quantitative analysis apparatus. The system includes a first inlet for introducing the sample to the system, a second inlet for flow of a diluent introduced into the system separate of the sample, a mixing chamber in fluid connection with the first and second inlets for receiving and mixing the sample and the diluent in a common flow path to provide a solution, and a separator to accomplish volume reduction and for separating a portion of the solution for introduction into the analysis apparatus from a remainder of the solution.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively measuring error causing physical parameters in a fluid handling system, includes: measuring the pressure of air between a piston of a pump and a liquid being handled; detecting a pressure abnormality; determining the time at which the pressure abnormality begins to occur; and based on the time of the pressure abnormality determining the magnitude of the physical parameter causing the pressure abnormality. In a preferred embodiment, the error causing physical parameter is a bubble and the fluid handling is an aspirate operation in a diagnostic analyzer.

Abstract: While a large primary stream (24) of analytes flow from a chromatographic column (20) to containers of a receiver (108), small samples of the analytes are diverted for flow to a mass spectrometer (54) for analysis, by use of a transfer module (102). The transfer module includes a stator (110) and a rotor or shuttle (114). The shuttle has an aliquot passage (120) that initially lies in a first position where the primary stream flows through it so the aliquot passage receives a small sample. The shuttle then moves to a second position where the aliquot passage (at 122) is aligned with a pump (134) that pumps fluid out of the aliquot passage to the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An HPLC injection valve is mounted to a probe drive system close to the probe axis to minimize probe movements required for sample injections into a mobile phase column. The probe is directly connected by a short conduit to the injection valve, eliminating the need to dispense aspirated samples from the probe into a remote injection port.

Abstract: While a large primary stream (24) of analytes flow from a chromatographic column (20) to containers of a receiver (108), small samples of the analytes are diverted for flow to a mass spectrometer (54) for analysis, by use of a transfer module (102). The transfer module includes a stator (110) and a rotor or shuttle (114). The shuttle has an aliquot passage (120) that initially lies in a first position where the primary stream flows through it so the aliquot passage receives a small sample. The shuttle then moves to a second position where the aliquot passage (at 122) is aligned with a pump (134) that pumps fluid out of the aliquot passage to the mass spectrometer.

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: In an automatic metal solution dilutor according to the present invention, a densitometer (absorptiometer) measures absorbance of a diluted solution in a metering hopper. An electronic balance meters the diluted solution in the metering hopper so that a dilution magnification obtained from the absorbance reaches a prescribed value. A control part monitors the value measured by the densitometer and the value metered by the electronic balance for operating and controlling the quantity of a stock solution/diluent liquid fed to the metering hopper so that the dilution magnification reaches the prescribed value on the basis of the absorbance measured by the densitometer. Thus obtained is an automatic metal solution dilutor capable of diluting a concentrated liquid of the order of percentage to a metal solution of the order of ppm having a required quantity and a required concentration and correctly feeding the same to a feeder while performing in-line concentration control.

Abstract: The invention features pipets for fast and efficient liquid exchange, pipet controllers for use with such pipets, and pipetting systems utilizing pipets and/or pipet controllers of the invention.

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 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: 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 shear valve assembly comprises a pair of valve pads having opposing planar surfaces supported for relative sliding engagement. Each valve pad defines a plurality of liquid pathways by which a liquid can be passed from one pad to the other. The planar surface of one of the valve pads has an open channel formed therein, such channel having dimensions to accommodate a prescribed volume of liquid. Liquid is introduced into such channel via a first pair of pathways formed in the other valve pad, and liquid is dispensed from the open channel by a second pair of pathways that are brought into alignment with the channel during sliding movement between the valve pads. The valve assembly is particularly useful in blood-analyzing instruments for isolating and dispensing relatively minute volumes (of the order of microliters) of whole blood for analysis.

Abstract: A multichannel pipette has downwardly depending tip cones to receive disposable tips which have free ends. Adjacent tip cones, and thus the disposable tips, are spaced apart a first distance, which is referred to as the intra-channel spacing. An adapter changes the intra-channel spacing of the free ends of the pipette tips. The adapter has a series of apertures therethrough, and the distance (center-to-center) between adjacent apertures differs from the first distance. The disposable tips are inserted through the adapter to change the intra-channel spacing between the free ends of the tips, either by spreading out or contracting the spacing between the free ends of the tips.

Abstract: The sample dilution module includes an oil filled aspiration probe and mixing chamber that communicate with each other while the mixing chamber is maintained at an angle of approximately 5 to 45 degrees below a horizontal axis. The aspiration probe is maintained in a vertical orientation. A micro-bubble is aspirated between separate aspirations of test sample and diluent to prevent contact between the sample and diluent in the aspiration probe. The test sample and diluent are then drawn from the vertically oriented aspiration probe into the mixing chamber. After the sample and diluent are in the mixing chamber the micro-bubble of air can migrate away from the test sample and diluent to enable the test sample and diluent to contact each other. Mixing of the test sample and diluent is accomplished by moving the test sample and diluent back and forth in the mixing chamber without physical agitation of the mixing chamber and without any mixing element in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for aspirating and dispensing reagents are provided. Aspirating of reagents is accomplished by a probe, a vial insert and reagent vial according to the present invention wherein a seal is formed between the probe and the vial insert when the probe engages the vial insert. Dispensing of reagents is accomplished by a probe and a probe dispense and wash station according to the present invention wherein a seal is formed between the probe and the vial insert when the probe engages the probe dispense and wash station.

Abstract: The sample dilution module includes an oil filled aspiration probe and mixing chamber that communicate with each other while the mixing chamber is maintained at an angle of approximately 5 to 45 degrees below a horizontal axis. The aspiration probe is maintained in a vertical orientation. A micro-bubble is aspirated between separate aspirations of test sample and diluent to prevent contact between the sample and diluent in the aspiration probe. The test sample and diluent are then drawn from the vertically oriented aspiration probe into the mixing chamber. After the sample and diluent are in the mixing chamber the micro-bubble of air can migrate away from the test sample and diluent to enable the test sample and diluent to contact each other. Mixing of the test sample and diluent is accomplished by moving the test sample and diluent back and forth in the mixing chamber without physical agitation of the mixing chamber and without any mixing element in the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A magnetic material attracting/releasing control method makes use of a pipette device sucking a liquid from or discharging a liquid into a container. A magnet body or bodies are provided in a liquid suction line of the pipette device, and any magnetic material contained in liquid sucked into the liquid suction line by magnetic force are deposited on the internal surface of the line. The magnetic material is released and discharged together with liquid from the liquid suction line to a state where the effect of the magnetic force generated by the magnet body is cut off.