Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic tip and a random access print head for the transfer of microfluidic quantities of fluid. The print head can randomly collect and deposit fluid samples to transfer the samples from a source plate to a target. The print head can also be programmed to create a direct map of the fluid samples from the source plate on the target or to create any desired pattern or print on the target. The tip and print head can be used for a wide variety of applications such as DNA microarraying and compound reformatting. In one preferred embodiment, the tip is used as a capillary or “gravity” pin to draw or collect source fluid and “spot” or deposit the fluid onto the target via physical contact (touch-off). In another preferred embodiment, the tip is used in conjunction with an aspirate-dispense system to actively aspirate source fluid and deposit the fluid via a contact or non-contact approach.

Abstract: A freely traversable metering head with numerous metering devices, wherein the metering devices are each provided individually or block-by-block with an activating device, and wherein a controller traversable with the metering head is designed for the independent operation of one or more activating devices. Metering devices for such a metering head and procedures for their use are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for techniques for transporting materials using electrokinetic forces through the channels of a microfluidic system. The subject materials are transported in regions of high ionic concentration, next to spacer material regions of high ionic concentration, which are separated by spacer material regions of low ionic concentration. Such arrangements allow the materials to remain localized for the transport transit time to avoid mixing of the materials. Using these techniques, an electropipettor which is compatible with the microfluidic system is created so that materials can be easily introduced into the microfluidic system. The present invention also compensates for electrophoretic bias as materials are transported through the channels of the microfluidic system by splitting a channel into portions with positive and negative surface charges and a third electrode between the two portions, or by diffusion of the electrophoresing materials after transport along a channel.

Abstract: A modular automated diagnostic analyzer having a fluid entry module for sample aspiration, a valve module for selecting fluids and a pump module for fluidic movement. so that a biological sample does not come into contact with the valve system through which calibrants and air are introduced to the fluid path. The fluid entry module encloses an aspiration tube rotatably and slidably engaged with the analysis mechanism chassis to move to different positions for the introduction of fluids into the analysis apparatus from different types of sample containers. A wiping seal removes residues of aspirated fluids from the exterior surfaces of the aspiration tube with the residue being aspirated into the analysis apparatus for disposal. Sensor modules mounted in a sensor chamber are structured to mechanically stack and interlock and include film sensors with use life record memories and each sensor module includes a fluid tight sealed passage and a sensor element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing or limiting damage to capillaries used to dispense microdrops measures the voltage produced by a piezoelectric transducer when the capillary contacts a solid surface or the phase shift occurring when the piezoelectric transducer is operated at its resonant frequency. After distinguishing the voltage created from such contact from the voltage produced from unrelated random sources, corrective action is taken, in one aspect by stopping the relative movement of the capillary and the surface being contacted. The method and apparatus may also be employed to determine the position of a solid or liquid surface.

Abstract: A modular automated diagnostic analyzer having a fluid entry module for sample aspiration, a valve module for selecting fluids and a pump module for fluidic movement, so that a biological sample does not come into contact with the valve system through which calibrants and air are introduced to the fluid path. The fluid entry module encloses an aspiration tube rotatably and slidably engaged with the analysis mechanism chassis to move to different positions for the introduction of calibration and cleaning fluids and the aspiration of fluids into the analysis apparatus from different types of sample containers. A wiping seal removes residues of aspirated fluids from the exterior surfaces of the aspiration tube with the residue being aspirated into the analysis apparatus for disposal. Sensor modules mounted in a sensor chamber are structured to mechanically stack and interlock and each sensor module includes a fluid tight sealed passage and a sensor element.

Abstract: A pipetting station having a bottom sensing device is provided in conjunction with one of any known liquid level sensing devices. The bottom sensing device includes a pipetting probe spring mounted to a pipetting arm of the pipetting station. The bottom sensing device also includes a sensor for determining when a pipetting tip of the pipetting probe is in contact with a bottom of a tube. The bottom sensing device permits the pipetting probe to measure an exact volume of fluid in the tube by allowing the pipetting tip to be lowered to the bottom of the tube beyond the sensed fluid level.

Abstract: An automatic analysis apparatus with a liquid level detection function includes a pipetting device for pipetting a liquid sample from a sample cup to a reaction container by using a pipetting probe that serves as a first capacitor electrode. A sample cup holding means serves as a second capacitor electrode having a ground potential. The conductor material is arranged along a direction in which the pipetting probe moves down for pipetting and is separate from the pipetting device. The conductor material has the same ground potential as that of the sample cup holding means and also serves as a second electrode whereby at any one time either of the sample cup holding means and the conductive material serves as a second capacitor electrode in combination with the first capacitor electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus for precisely aspirating small volumes of liquid, e.g., a blood sample, contained in a vessel, e.g., a test tube or vial, includes a mechanism for sensing that the tip of an aspirating probe is contacting the bottom of the vessel during the aspiration process. Such a bottom-sensing mechanism is adapted to sense a predetermined forcible interaction between the probe tip and the vessel bottom. In a preferred embodiment, such forcible interaction is sensed by detecting movement of a movably mounted platform that supports the vessel during aspiration. In a second embodiment, the forcible interaction is sensed by detecting the back-emf in a motor winding used to advance the aspiration probe.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a fluid into a container has a carriage movably associated with a holding mechanism along an axis. A piston is attached to the carriage and a cylinder is slidably attached to the piston along the axis. The cylinder has a hole formed therein that extends along the axis. A needle extending along the axis is attached to the piston and passes through the cylinder hole. The needle has a first operative position relative to the piston when the needle is retracted within the cylinder and a second operative position relative to the piston when the needle extends from the cylinder.

Abstract: In order to surely and correctly detect the liquid level of the sample even if the sample cup (5) is not directly set on the sample disk (105), the cup (5) is mounted on the test tube (6) set on the sample disk (105) and moved to a sample pipetting position. A conductive material served as a liquid level detecting electrode is provided between the sample pipetting probe and said sample disk (105). The sample pipetting probe start to move down, and when tip of the sample pipetting probe contact with the liquid level, and change of an electrostatic capacitance between the conductive material and the sample pipetting probe is detected, the moving down motion of the sample pipetting probe is stopped.

Abstract: In order to provide an automatic testing apparatus with improved reliability of test results, capable of conducting automatically such operations as sterile testing, microorganism limit testing, insoluble particulate measurement testing, divided portion testing for chemical analysis and chemical reaction testing, etc., and capable of accommodating changes in the specimen or the test container with each sample as well as changes in operating procedures with each sample so as to eliminate the possibility of human error and prevent contamination of the operating environment by human hands, the automatic testing apparatus of the present invention prepares a sample by mounting a set of various pieces of equipment including the specimen or test containers required to be changed with every sample atop a same work base and providing that work base as a unit to within the operating range of a robot, with the robot then handling the various pieces of equipment atop the work base to prepare the sample.

Abstract: A pipette station is described for use in the field of sample analysis. The pipette station increases the rate and ease with which a liquid may be manipulated into and out of sample carriers such as microwell plates. The pipette station includes shafts in the X, Y, and Z direction which possess ball screws which are integrated with motor shafts thus improving accuracy and eliminating the need for a coupling apparatus thereby reducing the space required for the pipette station. The pipette station may be interfaced with an automated laboratory system.

Abstract: A method for taking a sample from a closed test tube without removing the stopper of the test tube. According to the method, the stopper of the test tube is pierced with a disposable piercing needle through which the sample is taken to the sample receptacle of the sampling device. From there the sample is dispensed with a dispenser needle. The sampling device comprises an adapting element for fitting the test tube, with the piercing needle first, to the sampling device, a cup-like sample receptacle and a suction device for drawing the sample that is in the test tube into the sample receptacle.

Abstract: A pipetting station having a bottom sensing device is provided in conjunction with one of any known liquid level sensing devices. The bottom sensing device includes a pipetting probe spring mounted to a pipetting arm of the pipetting station. The bottom sensing device also includes a sensor for determining when a pipetting tip of the pipetting probe is in contact with a bottom of a tube. The bottom sensing device permits the pipetting probe to measure an exact volume of fluid in the tube by allowing the pipetting tip to be lowered to the bottom of the tube beyond the sensed fluid level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diagnostic medical device, and in particular to a blood cell analyzer which by manual or automatic operation withdraws and analyzes a minimal amount of blood that is stored in open or sealed vials. The analyzer includes a manually operated self cleaning sampling device for open vials and an automated self cleaning sampling device for sealed vials fitted with a pierceable cap.

Abstract: A pipetting station having a bottom sensing device is provided in conjunction with one of any known liquid level sensing devices. The bottom sensing device includes a pipetting probe spring mounted to a pipetting arm of the pipetting station. The bottom sensing device also includes a sensor for determining when a pipetting tip of the pipetting probe is in contact with a bottom of a tube. The bottom sensing device permits the pipetting probe to measure an exact volume of fluid in the tube by allowing the pipetting tip to be lowered to the bottom of the tube beyond the sensed fluid level.

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 a method for distributing liquids, in which a distribution tip attached detachably to the lower end of a distribution nozzle can be replaced at any time necessary, a tip rack having a plurality of unused distribution tips lined up thereon is placed on a fitting stage to have the distribution tips fitted with a distribution nozzles. Then, the existence, or non-existence, of a distribution tip left behind on the tip rack without being attached to a distribution nozzle after the fitting operation is finished is detected by a detection section formed of an interrupting-type light sensor, the targeted place of detection by the light sensor being the lower end of the distribution tip. Under the above-described structure, misfitting of a distribution tip can be detected with a high certainty at an early stage before an operation for sucking/discharging liquids is started.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuated device for acquiring and dispensing fluid samples is described. Fluid samples are acquired or drawn up into the device by dipping the tip into a fluid and applying an alternating current electrical signal to the piezoelectric element. Removing the tip from the fluid and applying another electrical signal causes drops of fluid to be ejected for non-contact dispensing. The device optionally incorporates a second piezoelectric element functioning as a sensor to detect if it is empty, plugged or working properly. An optional heater, temperature sensor and feedback circuitry regulate the temperature of the device.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a plurality of arrays of reagent regions is disclosed. A dispensing assembly in the apparatus has a plurality of heads which are spaced for depositing reagents at selected positions in different array areas in a substrate. As the heads in the assembly are advanced along array area, the regions in a row in that array are successively filled, allowing parallel deposition in several array areas at reagent regions which are closely spaced relative to the spacing between deposition heads in the assembly. Also disclosed is a method for producing a plurality of arrays using the apparatus.