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 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: Devices and methods for integrated packaging, shipping, storage and precise dispensing of extremely small volumes of liquids such as aqueous solutions and compounds dissolved in organic solvents are disclosed. Devices of the invention include a sealed reservoir with an integrated metering tap. The tap includes a metering tube, which is translatable between a fill position inside the reservoir and an expel position outside the reservoir. The metering tube includes: (1) a tube end closure in a lower portion of the tube, (2) a port above the tube end closure, and (3) a piston in an upper portion of the tube. The piston is movable between a down position that seals the side port and an up position above the port. Movement of the piston from the up position to the down position can displace from 10 nanoliters to 20 microliters, e.g., from 20 nanoliters to 2 microliters, or 50 nanoliters to 500 nanoliters.

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: The present invention provides an apparatus for purifying nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA or proteins such as enzymes and antibodies from microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria or animal and plant tissues, the apparatus being capable of fast processing of a plurality of samples.

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: An air displacement pipette having axially spaced annular sealing and substantially cylindrical lateral support zones and regions on the pipette's mounting shaft and tip, respectively, in combination with means for insuring uniform depth of mounting shaft penetration into the pipette tip to maintain uniform tip interference with the mounting shaft as successive tips are mounted on and ejected from the mounting shaft whereby the pipette tip is easily and firmly mountable on and easily ejectable from the pipette tip mounting shaft by the application of axial mounting and ejection forces of about two pounds and one pound, respectively.

Abstract: A head apparatus for attachment, in use, to a robot head. The head apparatus comprises: a drive motor and a plunger assembly arranged to be driven, in use, by the drive motor such that, in use, the plunger assembly moves within a cylinder to generate a pressure differential therein with respect to the exterior of the cylinder. A clamp assembly for removably clamping, in use, a pipetting head to the cylinder, the clamp assembly and plunger assembly are arranged such that, in use, the plunger assembly can be driven by the drive motor to a position in which it engages with the clamping assembly to detach the pipetting head therefrom.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a small volume pipettor, including: a plurality of pistons; a plurality of liquid delivery needles; motive means to cause one of the pistons to move axially within one of the needles to cause a liquid to be selectively drawn into and discharged from the needle; sealing apparatus disposed around the pistons to effect sealing of upper ends of the needles; assembly apparatus in which the needles and the sealing apparatus are disposed; and apparatus to permit the assembly apparatus to be removed from the pipettor as a one-piece unit. Further provided are novel apparatus to seal upper ends of the needles around the pistons.

Abstract: A pipette for the handling of a syringe. The pipette has jaw chucks which are adjustably arranged with respect to the plunger receptacle, being pivotably mounted on a plunger-gripping device. The syringe is insertable with opened jaw chucks with the plunger head only partially contacting the jaw chucks. The jaw chucks are laterally engageable on the plunger head upon insertion of the syringe. The engaging movement of the jaw chucks on the plunger head is regulated according to the invention so that the engaging movement has a substantially tangential component with respect to the surface of the plunger head. As a result, a desired and form-locking connection to the plunger head of the syringe results that requires a small amount of force.

Abstract: A reagent dispensing valve particularly adapted for dispensing precise microfluidic quantities of fluids. The valve includes a valve portion and a solenoid actuator that are in fluid isolation from one another. The valve portion includes a plunger and seat combination and the actuator is substantially decoupled from the fluid path through the valve. The fluid path through the valve is substantially non-tortuous, thereby minimizing localized fluid pressure drops, and hence undesirable gaseous bubble precipitation within the fluid. The valve is also configured to substantially prevent bubble accumulation. The valve can further include a bubble trap for trapping and removing bubbles.

Abstract: An electronic metering device with a drive comprising an electric drive motor, at least one displacement device comprising a piston fixed to an axle drivable by the drive, for metering the fluid, and an electronic control for the drive motor, with a transducer which converts a feed voltage delivered by an electrical voltage source into a supply voltage for the drive, the supply voltage being matched in size to the respective load of the drive.

Abstract: A top with a mantle wall defining a sample space, for receiving a liquid sample, the tip having first open end to be inserted into a liquid and a second open end for attaching the top to a suction device intended for dispensing, which tip is provided with a membrane device closing the gas and liquid passage in a gas and liquid tight manner from the first end of the tip to the suction device, when the tip is attached to the suction device, the membrane of the membrane device being made of a gas and liquid impermeable, flexible, reversibly deformable material.

Abstract: A nozzle 33 is formed on a distal end side of a cylinder 3. The nozzle 33 has an intermediate portion 3b formed such that a tip 7 is freely attachable thereto and detachable therefrom. The intermediate portion 3b of the nozzle 33 is formed with an annular projection 3e for retaining the tip 7. The tip 7 has a thick portion 7a provided in a root portion thereof and formed larger in diameter than a root portion 3a of the nozzle 33 to be abuttable against a tip releasing member 11. Along an inner periphery of the root portion of the tip 7, an annular projection 7b is formed to contact with the annular projection 3e of the nozzle 33 thereby providing a seal with the nozzle 33. Both the annular projections 3e and 7b of the nozzle 33 and the tip 7 are arranged to reach a position where a sound of abutment is produced between the root end surface of the tip 7 and the shoulder of the nozzle 33 at the completion of fitting of the tip 7 onto the nozzle 33.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device in which at least two liquid or semi-liquid reagents can be stored separately. When used, the inventive device enables precise, chronologically defined, sequential reagent discharge in a reaction chamber by means of a linear movement without any prior mixing of said reagents.

Abstract: A hand-held syringe-like device has needle containing a trap with a barrel and plunger to draw air into and out of the needle through the trap. In a method of operating the device, particulate matter in air is retained in the trap and subsequently analytes from the trap are desorbed in an analytical instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to a probe device for determining the concentration of highly volatile components in liquids and/or gases, with a probe body (1) comprising a probe core (2) and a probe finger (3) being permeable for the highly volatile components, in the area of probe core (2) or of probe finger (3) a sensor (4) for the highly volatile components being provided, and comprising a protective tube (5) enclosing probe finger (3) and having passage openings (7). The invention teaches that protective tube (5) is configured as a piston (5) of a sluice device (6) having a measuring position and a servicing position of piston (5), and that passage openings (7) of piston (5) are disposed such that piston (5) has in addition the function of a slider valve sleeve, with probe finger (3) being connected over passage openings (7) in the measuring position to a measuring space (8) and in the servicing position to a servicing space (9) separated from measuring space (8).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, and an apparatus, for forming a prescribed concentration of a substance in a mixture with a fluid, from a comparatively dilute mixture. The mixture is most preferably a solution of a solute in a solvent. The following summary and description generally discuss the invention in terms of a particularly preferred solution and a preferred use for that solution; however, in its broadest embodiments, the invention encompasses both the use for other solutions, and the use for a suspension of a solid substance in a fluid to form a mixture (which can also be referred to as a slurry). The invention provides for significant economic, safety and quality benefits over conventional evaporative systems.

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

Abstract: A pipetting system including a syringe (2), a working piston (5) connectable with the syringe piston (24) and extending into a working chamber (3), an actuating piston (7) extending into the working chamber, and a storage chamber (4) connected with the working chamber (3) by a valve (12) that provides for flow of the hydraulic liquid, which fills both chambers, from the working chamber (3) into the storage chamber when the working piston (5) is displaced into the working chamber (3), for flow of the hydraulic fluid from the storage chamber (4) into the working chamber (3) when the actuating piston is displaced out of the working chamber, and that separates the storage and working chambers (3, 4) when the actuating piston (7) is advanced into the working chamber.

Abstract: A volume adjustable manual pipette having a hand-holdable housing supporting (i) an electronic digital display and associated position sensing and control circuitry, (ii) a plunger unit and (iii) a quick set volume adjustment mechanism for simultaneously controlling the volume setting of the pipette and the electronic display, the quick set volume adjustment mechanism comprising a pipette volume setting member for limiting upward movement of the plunger unit within the housing to define the volume setting for the pipette and the volume setting member being supported for axial movement on the plunger unit and releasably secured relative to the housing by a pipette user operable locking mechanism. When released from the housing, the volume setting member is axially moveable on and with the plunger unit to quickly set the volume for the pipette.

Abstract: An ergonomic, manually precisely controllable return springless air displacement pipette relying upon the friction of a piston seal to maintain a plunger unit of the pipette in any axial location established by a user of the pipette.

Abstract: The invention provides multichannel pipette heads and autopipettors for loading, measuring, transporting and dispensing, particularly from one micro-plate to another. An exemplary multichannel pipette head comprises a pump housing, pistons, a drive plate, an aspiration drive and bearing rails, wherein the pump housing comprises chambers adapted to receive the pistons, the pistons each comprise a shaft, the drive plate retains the pistons and translocates the piston shafts through chambers, the aspiration drive translocates the drive plate along the bearing rails which pass through the drive plate and attach to the pump housing.

Abstract: A method and device for storing and dispensing specified subsets from a collection of tens, hundreds or thousands of different reagents to specified locations within microtitre trays or microarray substrates or the like. The reagents of interest are stored in racks of syringe-like dispensers. These dispensers and/or substrates and/or actuators are controllably moved by automated means to a dispensing position where a single action, vibration and weighing system transfers a controlled quantity to a specified location in a microtitre tray or the like. Deficits of the prior art, such as evaporation, cross-contamination, oxidation, waste of reagents and lab-ware, and human operator non-reliability are overcome.

Abstract: A blowout springless manual air displacement pipette including a mechanical assist for generating a mechanical force opposing a return spring force on a plunger unit to aid a pipette user in locating and maintaining the plunger unit at a “home” position within a pipette body and ready for immersion of a pipette tip in a liquid to be drawn into the tip.

Abstract: An ergonomic, manually precisely controllable return springless air displacement pipette relying on the friction of a piston seal to maintain a plunger unit of the pipette in any axial location established by a user of the pipette.

Abstract: A hybrid pipette including a pipette casing (11) and a slide shaft (22) vertically movable in response to the operation of a pushbutton (23). A plunger (31) is disposed below the slide shaft and urged upwardly by a spring (33, 34). An engagement member (41) is coaxially and movably fitted on the slide shaft (22) and extends through a hole (12a1) in a casing member (11) so as to be movable at least vertically. An electric motor (51) is provided on an axis different from the axis of the slide shaft and operatively engaged with the engagement member (41). In a manual operation mode, the slide shaft (22) and the plunger (31) move vertically in response to the operation of the pushbutton (23) to perform suction and discharge of a liquid. In a motor-driven operation mode, the engagement member (41) is driven to move vertically by the electric motor (51), whereby the plunger (31) is moved vertically to perform suction and discharge of a liquid.

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

Abstract: This invention provides a hand held pipette which is ergonomically designed to reduce user fatigue and injury. The pipette preferably includes a nozzle extending downward at a selected angle from a point near the top of a base portion of the pipette, the base portion being grasped by the operator's hand, and may also include a hook extending from a second point near the top of the body portion which is angularly spaced from the first point, which hook extends over a portion of a user's hand to support the pipette thereon. The pipette is also designed to permits operation with the user's wrist and arm in a neutral position and minimizes local pressure points on the operator's hand.

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 bilaterally symmetrical lightweight hand holdable battery powered microprocessor controlled electronic pipette including an axially elongated hollow housing having a vertically extending longitudinal axis. An upper portion of the housing includes a forward compartment containing a forwardly facing electronic display, a plurality of forwardly facing control keys and at least one forwardly facing trigger switch arranged in a vertically spaced pattern such that a pipette user in gripping a lower handle portion of the housing in either his or her right or left hand can easily reach with his thumb the control keys, trigger switch(es) as well as a push button of a pipette tip ejector.

Abstract: A bilaterally symmetrical lightweight hand holdable battery powered microprocessor controlled electronic pipette including an axially elongated hollow housing having a vertically extending longitudinal axis. An upper portion of the housing includes a forward compartment containing a forwardly facing alpha-numeric display, a plurality of columns of forwardly facing control keys and plurality of forwardly facing trigger switches arranged in a vertically spaced pattern such that a user in gripping a lower handle portion of the housing in either his or her right or left hand can easily reach with his thumb the control keys, trigger switches as well as a push button of a pipette tip ejector.

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 pipette dispensing block has an improved piston seal and lift plate engagement/disengagement means. In a pipette dispensing block where a piston is used to create a pressure differential to aspirate or extract and dispense or eject fluid material, the maintenance of a vacuum or increased pressure is enhanced by a pair of O-ring seals engaging the piston. A reservoir separates the O-rings and is filled with a low vapor pressure lubricant such as silicone oil or grease. The lubricant is maintained in the reservoir by the O-rings and serves to enhance the vacuum seal while maintaining the O-rings in a pliable and resilient manner. The heads of the pistons are engraved or grooved to leave a circular central pillar surrounded above and below by the piston head and a lower intermediate piston pillar section.

Abstract: The disclosed syringe pump and valve assembly utilizes a cylindrical housing having a piston axially moved therein for defining a pump chamber, where the housing is mounted to rotate about its longitudinal axis. A port seat is disposed concentrically of this axis spaced from one housing end, and a seal/valving member has one face seated slidably on the port seat and has its opposite face exposed to the pump chamber. Connectors serve to communicate separate liquid lines to separate respective ports on the port seat, which the seal/valving member first face overlies. The seal/valving member has through opening and/or radial or arcuate channels operable in different rotational member positions to selectively isolate or communicate the lines relative to one another and/or the pump chamber. The seal/valving member is designed to rotate in unison with the housing, and mechanism rotates the housing to locate the seal/valving member as required.

Abstract: A battery powered, microprocessor controlled portable electronic pipette, comprising a hand holdable housing supporting a battery, a linear actuator for driving a plunger lengthwise in a cylinder to aspirate and dispense fluid into and from a pipette tip extending from the housing and a control circuit for the linear actuator. The linear actuator is powered by the battery and comprises a stepper motor with current receiving windings for electromagnetically driving a rotor to impart the lengthwise movement to the plunger.

Abstract: A fluid metering and measuring device is provided and which is particularly adapted to regulate ratios of oil and gasoline in a mixture of oil and gasoline used, for example, in a two-stroke engine. The device has a filling chamber with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. One-way check valves are disposed in both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet to prevent backflow. A plunger stem comprising a piston disposed within the chamber. When the stem and attached piston are pulled upwardly, a vacuum is created in the chamber to cause a fluid, e.g. oil to flow into chamber and when depressed causes outflow. Gradations or indicia indicate the amount of oil drawn into the chamber to ensure proper fluid ratios. The metering device may be incorporated into any suitable container including a two compartment container wherein the compartments are in fluid communication.

Abstract: A two-piece handle assembly (10, 10a) including a plunger (12, 12a) and a body (24, 24a) having an axial bore (50, 50a) in which plunger (12, 12a) can move between retracted and extended positions. The upper end (28) of body (24, 24a) includes a pair of opposed longitudinal slots (32) that permit radially outward resilient movement of the upper end (28) to enlarge a bore (52), defined by a neck portion (54) of the body, to permit insertion of plunger (12) into body (24, 24a). A plunger shoulder (44) is designed to engage a body shoulder (55) to limit movement of the plunger in the direction of retraction, and a finger pad (13) is provided to limit movement of the plunger in the direction of extension.

Abstract: The piston burette for storing and dispensing a reagent used in analytical or metering work includes a calibrated burette cylinder (11) and a piston (13) slidably mounted in it.