Abstract: Systems and methods allowing for the automatic control and scheduling of a staining apparatus for biological samples on slides present within the apparatus are provided. In some embodiments, the actions of a robot coupled to the staining apparatus, which performs some of the staining tasks on the individual slides in accordance with their respective protocols, may be prioritized and scheduled. In some embodiments, the scheduling may result in increasing or maximizing the throughput of slides. In some embodiments, robot scheduling ensures that the individual slides are processed substantially within the tolerances specified by their respective protocols. In some embodiments, the robot scheduler may respond to spontaneous user actions and adaptively schedule or re-schedule robot actions.

Abstract: A kit of component parts for forming at least first and second grease sampling devices includes a number of housings, piston bodies, and piston shafts. A first grease sampling device has a piston movable in the barrel and vent holes that resists the buildup of back pressure when the device is filled with a grease sample. A second grease sampling device includes a push rod extending from the piston that enables a representative grease sample to be obtained from a bearing, gear or other lubricated part that is not easily accessible.

Abstract: A self-contained sampling probe characterized by a drive module and a syringe module removably coupled coaxially to the drive module to allow for different syringe modules to be interchangeably coupled to the drive module. The coupling is effected by quick connect and disconnect devices, and the syringe module may carry an identifier. The probe is engageable by a gripper or insertable in an interface device, both of which provide for communication of the probe with other system components.

Abstract: Provided is a pipette head assembly for use in an automated liquid handling device, which assembly comprises a pipette head holder for mounting in the device and a pipette head for locating in the holder, which comprises one or more pipette barrels and associated plungers, wherein the pipette head further comprises a shaped member, the configuration of which uniquely identifies the pipette head, and the holder includes an array of sensors positioned to cooperate with the shaped member when the pipette head is located in the holder so as to detect the configuration of the shaped member for identification of the pipette head by the device.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for pipetting a liquid, comprising a pipette body enclosing a pipette volume, into which a fluid medium can be placed and in which an actuator that controllably displaces the medium in the pipette volume is provided, as well as a pipette tip, which can be connected to the pipette volume in a fluid-tight manner. The present invention is distinguished by the pipette volume and the pipette tip being connected via a fluid-tight connecting means directly or indirectly to each other in such a manner that the pipette tip is moveable relative to the pipette volume.

Abstract: An ejection mechanism for a hand-held pipettor provides for varying degrees of mechanical advantage along the stroke of the ejector button. The ejection mechanism can be used for either hand-held single channel pipettors or hand-held multi-channel pipettors having manually actuated ejection mechanisms.

Abstract: A pipette nozzle is provided for use on a movable arm on an automated pipette machine. The pipette nozzle includes a body defining a passage therethrough. At least two seating surfaces are provided on the body, including a first seating surface and a second seating surface. The first seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a first size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the first size of pipette tip. The second seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a second size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the second size of pipette tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for lumping together a plurality of pipette tips using a collar that will provide structural rigidity to the loose plurality of pipette tips; and the method of incorporating such an apparatus. Such rigidity created by the collar apparatus will allow for an innovative method of connecting the plurality of pipette tips to their respective pipettors that will reduce the amount of downward axial force required to impinge a plurality of pipette tips using the traditional connection method.

Abstract: A pipette nozzle is provided for use on a movable arm on an automated pipette machine. The pipette nozzle includes a body defining a passage therethrough. At least two seating surfaces are provided on the body, including a first seating surface and a second seating surface. The first seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a first size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the first size of pipette tip. The second seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a second size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the second size of pipette tip.

Abstract: An automated metered fluid dispensing and aspirating apparatus comprising a combination delivery/removal fluid head with upper shuttle and lower reservoir assemblies is disclosed. A covered, variably positionable well table allows for mounting sample wells and automatically presenting at least one array of sample or reaction wells to the delivery/removal fluid head at a time. A fluid handling system of inter-connected tubing, pumps and valves interfaces with the delivery/removal fluid head. The fluid handling system provides reagents to and removes waste from the delivery/removal fluid head and sample wells. A control assembly, including a central processing unit and hardware, software and gas pressure sources, provides for time responsive operation and control of the delivery/removal fluid head, drive mechanisms for the table and fluid head, fluid handling system and well table. The entire apparatus is mounted on its own platform and includes separate housings for control and sample handling sections.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for correcting a requested volume of liquid to aspirate/dispense by a liquid-handling pipette based on the requested volume and/or a physical condition at the pipene. The pipette includes a piston drive mechanism configured to contact a piston assembly and move a piston rod of the piston assembly within a tip holder thereby causing regulation of an amount of liquid in the tip holder. The method includes selecting a requested volume at a pipette, the requested volume representing the amount of liquid to regulate, calculating a correction volume using a volume characterization, wherein the volume characterization characterizes a difference in the amount of the liquid regulated in the tip holder as a function of the requested volume, and displaying the correction volume to a user of the pipette thereby regulating the requested volume of liquid in the tip holder. The volume characterization is determined using a calibration process.

Abstract: A pipetting device comprises a housing (1) with a handle (2) and a pipette (4) holder assembly (3), wherein the housing (1) end portion (7) incorporates a spherical raceway (16) to which the pipette (4) holding assembly (3) in mounted by the means of a connecting assembly (17) capable of sliding on the spherical raceway (16) at the housing (1) end portion (7) to facilitate the change of orientation angle of the pipette (4) axle in every plane with respect to the handle (2). The connecting assembly (17) comprises a first slider (18) slidably set in a rectangular opening (19) in the spherical raceway (16) at the housing (1) end portion (7), and a second slider (20) slidably set in a rectangular opening (21) in the first slider (18).

Abstract: A pipette nozzle is provided for use on a movable arm on an automated pipette machine. The pipette nozzle includes a body defining a passage therethrough. At least two seating surfaces are provided on the body, including a first seating surface and a second seating surface. The first seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a first size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the first size of pipette tip. The second seating surface is configured to receive and sealingly mate with a second size of pipette tip in a manner such that the first end of the passage is in fluid communication with the second size of pipette tip.

Abstract: There is provided a device and a method capable of simply manipulating a sample, without the need for an expensive device. A device of the present invention comprises a pipette 4, and vibration section 5, a control section 7 and a storage section 8. At least part of the pipette 4 will be disposed within a liquid 2. The control section 5 causes the pipette 4 to vibrate. The control section 7 supplies vibration signals to the vibration section 5. The storage section 8 stores parameters for generating vibration signals. These parameters include information for generating a first vibrating wave causing a wave motion for drawing a particular sample 3 being within a specified distance from a tip of the pipette 4 to occur within a liquid 2, and information for generating a second vibrating wave causing a wave motion for rotating the drawn in sample 3 to occur.

Abstract: Pipetting device with a base body, at least one attachment protruding from the base body mounted axially movably on the base body for mounting a pipette tip, a spring via which the attachment is supported on the base, a stop associated with the attachment, beyond which the attachment protrudes axially, when it is not loaded toward the spring and a throw-off device to release the pipette tip from the attachment which comprises a throw-off device associated with the attachment, the attachment and throw-off device being movable relative to one another and which comprises a drive device cooperating with the throw-off device and/or the attachment for the relative movement of the throw-off device and attachment.

Abstract: This invention relates to plunger operated liquid dispensers, such as hand held pipettors, which are used to portion liquids. Specifically the invention relates to a reliable removal of a liquid from the liquid dispenser. According to the invention the plunger of the liquid dispenser is arranged into a speeded up movement while removing the liquid. This change in speed is preferably sudden.

Abstract: The present invention is to present a liquid dispensing apparatus which is capable of preventing contamination by previously aspirated liquid, even when residual liquid in a pipette tip separated from the dispensing apparatus is scattered. The liquid dispensing apparatus includes: sample dispensing arm 5 which comprises a dispensing nozzle 54b for aspirating and discharging sample on which a pipette tip 200 is attached; tip separating section 140 for separating the pipette tip 200 from the dispensing nozzle 54b; and nozzle wiping section 16 for cleaning a tip of the dispensing nozzle 54b.

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: Disclosed is a device for pipetting a liquid, comprising a pipette body enclosing a pipette volume, into which a fluid medium can be placed and in which an actuator that controllably displaces the medium in the pipette volume is provided, as well as a pipette tip, which can be connected to the pipette volume in an fluid-tight manner.

Abstract: A sample dispensing apparatus dispenses a sample from a container accommodating a sample such as blood or urea sampled for checking. This sample dispensing apparatus can prevent internal contamination of the apparatus due to dripping of the sample and abnormal sucking operations caused by drainage, condensation and fixing of the sample. The sample dispensing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a dispensing device for dispensing a sucked sample, a dispensing head provided in the dispensing device, and a disposable nozzle chip dismountably set on the dispensing head. In this apparatus, dispensing of a sample to child sample containers is performed exchanging the child sample containers with new ones. When the state, in which dispensing to the child container cannot be carried out, is continued for a prespecified period of time, the nozzle chip is automatically released from the dispensing head.

Abstract: A self-contained sampling probe characterized by a drive module and a syringe module removably coupled coaxially to the drive module to allow for different syringe modules to be interchangeably coupled to the drive module. The coupling is effected by quick connect and disconnect devices, and the syringe module may carry an identifier. The probe is engageable by a gripper or insertable in an interface device, both of which provide for communication of the probe with other system components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a small volume, liquid dispenser having particular application in the analytical fields. The liquid dispensers can be quickly and reliably filled to a predetermined volume without monitoring liquid flows or volumes or filling times. Various versions of the dispenser and systems utilizing one or more of the dispensers are disclosed.

Abstract: A pipetting system including a pipet (8) which can be hooked up to pressurizing source (9), the pipet being fitted with a discharge aperture (10) and having an inside volume sufficient to receive the full quantity of liquid (7) to be discharged is characterized in that the discharge aperture (10) is situated at one end part (16) of the pipet (8), the end part being connectable to a connector aperture (19) of a main part (15) of the pipet, the main part receiving all the liquid (7) that shall be discharged, the connector part aperture (19) being larger than the discharge aperture (10).

Abstract: A pipette has a preferably thermoplastic pipette shaft, for slipping on a likewise preferably thermoplastic pipette tip, has a slip-on section which opens at least slightly conically, and an attachment section which is formed on the lower end of the pipette shaft and onto which the slip-on section of the pipette tip is slipped. A sealing section which is made of an elastically-flexible plastic material which seals well with low withdrawal forces is provided on the attachment section. Furthermore, preferably, a fixing section is formed on the plastic material of the attachment section of the pipette shaft at a location that is axially offset relative to the sealing section. The sealing section of elastic-flexible plastic material is molded directly, retentively, on the preferably thermoplastic material of the pipette shaft.

Abstract: Pipetting device with a displacement device with a displacement chamber with a displaceable limiter, a attachment for connecting to a pipette tip and a connecting channel between the displacement chamber and the free end of the attachment, a drive device for driving the displaceable limiter of the displacement device with a drive member, which has a releasable cooperation with the displaceable limiter, and a bayonet connection between the drive device and the displacement device which can be established by creating the cooperation between the drive member and the displaceable limiter and can be released by releasing the cooperation between the drive member and the displaceable limiter.

Abstract: A liquid aspirating and dispensing apparatus and method of using the apparatus. Among other elements, the apparatus includes a liquid handling device having one or more channel members, each of which has a removable liquid holding tip attached, and a signal transmitting device. A signal transmitted from the signal transmitting device may be used in a variety of ways to yield information regarding the performance of the apparatus. This information may be provided via direct detection of the signal by an operator of the apparatus. Alternatively, the signal may be detected by a programmable signal detecting device, interpreted by the apparatus, and then displayed in a form that is understandable to the operator. Furthermore, the liquid holding tip may be modified to enable different forms of signal transmission.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for loading tips onto a pipettor. A means for applying removal force on the pipette tip box is provided so as to ensure that the box is dislodged from the pipette tips after the pipette tips have been forced onto the dispense head mandrels. In the preferred embodiment, the shuck arms are modified to incorporate springs such that when the engagement force is removed from the pipette tip box, the shuck arms are forced by the springs against the pipette tip box thereby displacing the pipette tip box from the pipette tips.

Abstract: The sampling pipette includes an ejector arm for separating from the pipette a cone that is fixed to the pipette. The pipette includes adjustment means enabling the length of the arm to be varied continuously over a range of values.

Abstract: A combinatorial pipettor device for the collection of a sample adapted for use with different size microtiter plates. The device comprises an upper plate having first and second halves, each half independently movable between an upper and a lower position, and a lower plate having tip connectors for the attachment of collecting tips. Also included are sample collector members having proximal ends and distal ends and a mechanism for moving at least one half of the upper plate between the upper and lower positions. Proximal ends of the sample collector members are held by the upper plate and distal ends of the sample collector members are engagable with the lower plate such that when at least one half of the upper plate is moved from the upper to the lower position, the corresponding sample collector members are lowered, thereby facilitating collection of a sample into a tip attached to one of the connectors.

Abstract: A volume adjustable pipette, comprising a plunger mounted for movement in a housing to and from a stop to aspirate a fluid into and dispense the fluid from a tip extending from the housing. An axially moveable volume setting member in the housing defines the stop and a volume setting for the pipette and is axially moveable by a user turnable volume setting member. Turning of the volume adjusting member also controls a coarse volume setting means and a fine volume setting means, the course volume setting means being responsive to a relatively small turning of the volume adjusting member for moving the volume setting member a relatively large axial distance and the fine volume setting means being responsive to a relatively large turning of the volume adjusting member for moving the volume setting member a relatively small axial distance.

Abstract: A transfer unit for transferring members such as reaction vessels having an upper end opening or dispensing tips or the like includes at least one arm pivotally movable about a shaft and a holder mounted on the arm for detachably supporting the member to be transferred. The holder is provided with a rod portion having a distal end adapted to be fitted in the upper end opening of the member to be transferred, a rod holding portion slidably and elastically supporting the rod portion and a guide portion surrounding the rod portion thereabout and sliding along the axis of the rod portion to release the fitting of the member from the distal end of the rod portion. The guide portion is formed with at least two elongated apertures extending in parallel with the axis of the rod portion, and the rod portion is provided with protrusions fixed thereto and extending through the elongated apertures to regulate the movement of the guide portion.

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 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: A pipette dispenser unit having a hand-held pipette dispenser having a pipette connector and a handle, a source of positive and negative air pressure in fluid connection with said pipette connector, and a foot-operated controller for regulating the flow of air between said air pressure source and said pipette connector. A method of metering fluid through a pipette by connecting the pipette to the pipette dispenser, holding the dispenser with one hand, and controlling fluid flow through the pipette by operating the controller with at least one foot.

Abstract: The sampling pipette comprises a body and an arm movable relative to the body to eject a cone fixed to the pipette, ejection taking place in a longitudinal direction of the pipette, the arm having both a first portion suitable for coming into contact with the cone, and a second portion. The two portions are engaged one in the other and, starting from an operating position, they enable the first portion to be separated from the body by means of an initial movement in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The sampling pipette comprises a body; an arm movable relative to the body parallel to a longitudinal direction of the pipette in order to eject a cone fixed to the body; and a button for controlling movement of the arm. The pipette is arranged in such a manner that the button applies sliding thrust on the arm while the arm is moving relative to the body.

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 self contained dispensing head apparatus wherein a modified pipette tip box tray carrier is utilized to furnish pipette tips, carried in a standard pipette tip box, by a pipette tip box tray carrier to the head apparatus and wherein means are provided to engage the pipette tip box tray carrier in a manner whereby the pipette tips are loaded into corresponding internal cylinders formed in the dispense block head. The dispense block head comprises a solid block of material having a plurality of internal cylinders to engage the pipette tips in a sealing arrangement. The pipette tips are modified from the conventional design in that a disk-shaped ring portion is interposed adjacent one end of the pipette tip, a tapered end of the tip allowing a seal to be formed with the dispense block head internal cylinders.

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 pipette assembly for automatic pipetting machines including a stepped mandrel and tip for providing a minimum contact seal between the pipette tip and mandrel. The mandrel includes a first cylindrical portion with a first exterior diameter and a second cylindrical portion with a second exterior diameter. Raised bands on the first and second cylindrical portions contact the interior wall of the pipette tip to form seals. Because only a portion of the mandrel, specifically the seal portions, contacts the pipette tip, lower forces are required to insert the tip onto the mandrel.

Abstract: A pipette tip and mounting shaft combination in an air displacement pipette, the combination comprising a pipette tip mounting shaft having a radially stepped exterior comprising adjacent substantially cylindrical portions of different diameter and an annular sealing zone including an annular edge seal at an outermost edge of a radially extending shaft transition, a pipette tip including an annular sealing region having an inner sealing surface on a sidewall of the tip which in the sealing region is sufficiently thin as to expand slightly and form an interference fit and air tight seal between the sealing surface and the sealing zone when the sealing zone penetrates the sealing region, and axial penetration limiting means for limiting penetration of the shaft into the tip to limit axial contact between the sealing region and the sealing zone to a narrow annular band comprising the annular edge seal.

Abstract: A sample processing device [700] comprises an elongated body [101] with a septum seal [109] on one end and a drip tube [731] on the second end. A small-diameter through-chamber [103] in the body provides a receiving and alignment chamber for a hypodermic needle [109] inserted into the septum. A sample processing chamber [709] provides a location for processing elements such as filters and adsorption or absorption frits [135,137]. Sample fluid injected into, or withdrawn from, the device by the hypodermic needle communicates with a bottom opening [701] of the drip tube via a drip tube nozzle [705], the sample processing chamber and the small-diameter chamber. The device is particularly useful in automated testing where the device is moved to various processing locations by the hypodermic needle.

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 pipetting device for detachably mountable pipette tips, comprising a moving device, a piston movable by the moving device in a cylinder to displace a column of air, an attachment stem for mounting a pipette tip, with an aperture having a connection to the cylinder at the free end, two stops limiting the movement of the piston during the displacement of the column of air, one of which is dislocatable, a precise adjustment device for dislocating the dislocatable stop in parallel with the piston for a precise adjustment of the piston stroke, a coupling device which puts the precise adjustment device into function, when coupled, and puts it out of function, when uncoupled, a rough adjustment device for dislocating the dislocatable stop when the precise adjustment device is uncoupled, for a rough adjustment of the piston stroke, and a measuring and indicating device coupled to the dislocatable stop for measuring the position set for the dislocatable stop and indicating the proportioning volume that matches the p

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: A pipet device (A) includes a pipet nozzle (1) formed with an internal passage (10) and a hollow pipet tip (4) removably attached to the nozzle (1). The tip (4) is movable between a normal fixed position and a completely detached position relative to the nozzle (1). The nozzle (1) is formed with an external-air intake groove (16). The intake groove (16) is closed by the tip (4) when the tip (4) is at the normal fixed position. The intake groove (16) is exposed from the tip (4) when the tip (4) is moved from the normal fixed position toward the completely detached position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid handling system capable of automated dispensing and reformatting operations by virtue of a quick-release cannula array mounting system that permits cannula arrays to be changed automatically by the system or manually by a user. Automated changing of the cannula array is carried out by relative movement of the dispensing head and the sample support surface to deliver the attached cannula array to a storage location, releasing the array from the dispensing head, and attaching a new cannula array. Relative movement between the dispensing head and sample support surface in at least two dimensions increases flexibility of the system and makes self-loading of the cannula array practical. The system provides advantages in time and accuracy of cannula array changeover procedures. The automated cannula array changeover capability permits automated wellplate reformatting procedures, which can be performed quickly and accurately.

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: An air-filled pipette for accurately metering small and large volumes of fluid samples is provided. The pipette has dual resolution capability such that the pipette can accurately aspirate a wide range of sample volumes and deliver them contact-free (touchless). The pipette may include an extension mandrel that reduces air space in a disposable tip within the pipette. The dual resolution capability and/or the extension mandrel a minimize errors associated with the compressibility of air. Multiple pipettes may also be arranged to form a pipetting module for the metering of multiple sample volumes simultaneously and automatically. The pipette includes a channel block having at least one cylindrical passage, that slides up and down over a rod, and a cylinder, with an axially extending passage therethrough, that is sized, shaped and aligned to fit into the cylindrical passage in a dynamic sealing relationship. A method for mixing multiple fluid samples within a pipette tip is also provided.

Abstract: A pipette control arrangement consists of a housing assembly adapted for operatively housing a pump assembly and for operatively connecting a pipette to the pump assembly via a flexible air tube. The pump assembly is adapted to independently accommodate a plurality of volume specific removable cylinder-plunger systems. The pipette control arrangement may further include a quick release trigger operated mechanism for rapidly and or in large volumes dispensing liquid from an attached pipette.