Abstract:
A drip shield includes cover members that define a protective canopy over sample receptacles to prevent unwanted material from being deposited into the receptacles. The cover members cooperate to define at least one access hole through the drip shield to permit access to a sample receptacle by a pipette tip through the access hole. One of the cover members is moveable with respect to another cover member between a closed stated defining the access hole and an open state permitting a pipette tip extending through the access hole to be laterally conveyed relative to the drip shield and out of the access hole. In a preferred embodiment, a system control feature automatically determines if a pipette tip might have been left in a sample receptacle and extending through the access hole of the drip shield and thereby cause the sample receptacle and pipette tip to be conveyed laterally relative to the drip shield while the one cover member moves from the closed to the open state to permit the pipette tip to be conveyed out of the access hole.
Abstract:
A superfusion apparatus (30) for the controlled reaction of a sample within a test chamber (44) through controlled exposure to a series of reagents (38) in a set test sequence is provided for electrical or chemical stimulation to determine if a receptor binding compound is an agonist or antagonist. The superfusion apparatus (30) provides a mass production but meticulously controlled sample environment for controlling temperature, quantity and arrangement of reagents and wash fluids to provide a high reproducibility of results which may be computer assisted. The device has a fully automated mode or a manually operated mode. The fully automated mode allows for the storage and execution of a number of different tests to be performed on the samples due to the provision of desired sequences of test parameters.
Abstract:
A fraction collector comprising a liquid holding means (31) wherein it further comprises a fluid front control arrangement (43) arranged for locating the fluid front at a dispensing nozzle (5) and to control the liquid holding means (31) to keep the fluid front at a predetermined position.
Abstract:
A heater module is described that includes a heat distribution plate including a bottom portion having first and second sides and a plurality of projections extending away from one of the sides. A heat source is provided for heating the heat distribution plate, and, optionally, a heating tray can be used to receive the heat source and heat distribution plate. The heater module is adapted to engage a sample purification tray having a plurality of purification and/or discharge columns which can extend through openings in the heater module and direct a sample into a sample receiving tray. Methods of heating samples using the heater module are also described.
Abstract:
Methods of fluid handling are disclosed. In one method, a nozzle is moved adjacent a container for a fluid. A pump fluidly associated with the nozzle is energized to move fluid with respect to the nozzle. A pressure transducer fluidly associated with the nozzle is energized to monitor transient pressure fluidly associated with the nozzle. The transient pressure fluidly associated with the nozzle is substantially continuously monitored with the pressure transducer at least during operation of the pump. It is determined whether movement of fluid with respect to the nozzle is intended or unintended based on the substantially continuously monitored pressure fluidly associated with the nozzle.
Abstract:
A liquid-handling instrument (11) has a worksurface (22) with registration for modular stations to support containers of liquid, pipette apparatus with a pipette tip (33) coupled to a sensing circuit, a robotic translation system (31) for moving the pipette tip, and a control system with an iconic user interface for programming and editing. A gauge block (24) registered on the worksurface provides for calibration using the sensing tip, and register cavities on the worksurface provide for modular stations. There is a wash station (25) for the pipette tip on the worksurface. An automated laboratory based on the liquid-handling system has heating and cooling and a sealable incubation station (21) as well as a magnetic separation station (26 and 29). Methods are disclosed using the apparatus to convey droplets of liquid, to aspirate with minimum tip contamination, to mix liquids in containers, and to validate the worksurface. A duck-billed closure (253) is disclosed for minimizing evaporation and cross-contamination during processing, and is a part of a container disclosed for storing and transporting liquids.
Abstract:
The present invention pertains to a pipetting apparatus and method capable of detecting a liquid (9, 9') within an intermediate section (4) of a pipette tube (1) of the pipetting apparatus. The intermediate section (4) is located between an upper section (2) of the pipette tube (1) at which a first electrode (10) is arranged and a lower section (3) at which a second electrode (11) is arranged. The first and second electrodes (10, 11) form a measurement capacitor and are operationally connected to an impedance measurement unit (13), which is adapted to detect whether liquid (9, 9'), such as a portion of a sample liquid (9) or system liquid (9'), is present within the intermediate section (4) based on the measured impedance or change of impedance, e.g. an increase of the capacitance and/or a decrease of the resistance, of the measurement capacitor caused by a presence of the liquid (9, 9') within the intermediate section (4).
Abstract:
A drip shield includes cover members that define a protective canopy over sample receptacles to prevent unwanted material from being deposited into the receptacles. The cover members cooperate to define at least one access hole through the drip shield to permit access to a sample receptacle by a pipette tip through the access hole. One of the cover members is moveable with respect to another cover member between a closed stated defining the access hole and an open state permitting a pipette tip extending through the access hole to be laterally conveyed relative to the drip shield and out of the access hole. In a preferred embodiment, a system control feature automatically determines if a pipette tip might have been left in a sample receptacle and extending through the access hole of the drip shield and thereby cause the sample receptacle and pipette tip to be conveyed laterally relative to the drip shield while the one cover member moves from the closed to the open state to permit the pipette tip to be conveyed out of the access hole.