Abstract:
A frame-shaped, essentially rectangular spacer for pipette tip carriers stacked one on top of another includes a horizontal base surface, a peripheral side wall, which stands essentially perpendicular to the base surface and forms two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides, and an upper surface. Each longitudinal side and transverse side includes an inner side. The upper surface is arranged at an upper end of the side wall and essentially horizontally. The spacer is implemented to form a stabilizing support connection with an essentially rectangular pipette tip carrier positioned on the spacer. In addition, the spacer includes centering spring elements, which are arranged on the inner side of all longitudinal sides and transverse sides, having a springy part spaced apart in relation to the inner side of the respective side wall.
Abstract:
Laboratory table has a frame with front and rear frame parts, at least one detent element, at least one detent extension and at least one replaceable tabletop element on the frame. Each tabletop element has at least one fixing mechanism for interacting with the frame parts and for holding a corresponding detent element and detent extension in fixing positions. A detent element or detent extension in each case is spaced apart from the fixing mechanism. The frame part opposite to the frame part the fixing mechanism is interacting with comprises a detent element or a detent extension that in each case is brought into a mutual fixing position with a corresponding detent extension or detent element of the corresponding tabletop element. The corresponding detent extension is thus guided in a detent element parallel to a tabletop axis of the corresponding tabletop element.
Abstract:
An optical measuring apparatus and method for analysis of samples contained in liquid drops provided by a liquid handling system has a liquid handling tip. A light source irradiates the liquid drop; a detector measures sample light; and an optics system with first optical elements transmits irradiation light, and a processor processes the measurement signals. The liquid drop is suspended at the liquid handling orifice of the liquid handling tip in a position where the liquid drop is penetrated by a first optical axis defined by the light source and the first optical elements. The liquid drop is physically touched only by the liquid handling tip and the liquid sample inside the liquid handling tip. A mutual adaption of the size and position of the liquid drop with respect to the first optical elements is achieved.
Abstract:
Liquid droplet manipulation instrument has electrode array for inducing movement of a droplet by electrowetting, substrate supporting the array and control with electrode selector connected to a voltage control. The selector selects each electrode and provides each with a controlled voltage. The control includes central processing unit for providing the selected electrode with an individual voltage pulse which is a drive voltage or a ground voltage or a stop voltage. The control defines a path for movement of a liquid portion of a larger volume that covers more than one electrode by the simultaneous selection of a group of two or more subsequent drive electrodes and to provide each selected drive electrode with a drive voltage pulse along the path. The control simultaneously provides a group of two or more electrodes adjacent to or identical with the pulsed drive electrodes, with a ground or stop voltage pulse.
Abstract:
A digital microfluidics system for manipulating samples in liquid droplets within a gap between a first hydrophobic surface of a bottom layer and a second hydrophobic surface of at least one disposable cartridge. Disposable cartridges comprise a body and/or a rigid cover plate. The bottom layer of each disposable cartridge is a flexible film that is sealingly attached to the body or plate. The cartridge has no spacer between the first and second hydrophobic surfaces. When using these cartridges, the bottom layers configured as a working film for manipulating samples in liquid droplets thereon, is placed on an electrode array of a digital microfluidics system. The array has individual electrodes. The digital microfluidics system also comprises a central control unit for controlling the selection of the individual electrodes of the electrode array and for providing these electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting.
Abstract:
A control method for a computer-controlled liquid handling workstation which comprises a work surface, a motorized liquid handling robot with at least two pipettes each having a cone, and a control computer, to which the liquid handling robot is connected. A control program, activated in the control computer, enables the pipetting robot to position the pipette at specific positions on the work surface. The pipettes and at least one position are visualized as icons, using a visualization device. Upon selecting at least one pipette and designating a position, using an input mechanism, the selected pipette is moved down and up immediately after its selection, and moved to the designated position immediately after designating the position. These movements are carried out prior to selecting at least one action and its execution, enabling the operator to confirm the selection of the pipette and the designation of the position.
Abstract:
A method for investigating biological cells or cell cultures in a microplate reader receives at least one microplate with wells containing biological cells or cell cultures by a receiving device; positions the wells with respect to measuring devices of the microplate reader and detects integral measurement signals by at least one of the measuring devices. The biological cells or cell cultures in the specific wells of the microplate(s) are transilluminated by an illumination source of the microplate reader and imaged by an imaging camera. Each of the detected integral signals is compared with the image of the biological cells or cell cultures in the corresponding wells of the microplate(s) by a processor and is related to the imaged number, adherence, confluence or morphology of these biological cells or cell cultures.
Abstract:
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. The invention provides a microsystem platform and a micromanipulation device for manipulating the platform that utilizes the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels. These assays may be performed for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to screening of drug candidate compounds, life sciences research, and clinical and molecular diagnostics. Methods specific for the apparatus of the invention for performing any of a wide variety of microanalytical or microsynthetic processes are provided.
Abstract:
Pipetting device for pipetting a liquid driven by a gaseous working medium, the pipetting device having at least one pipette connector adapted to attach a pipette at a connection opening at least one pressurizing and/or suctioning pressure source, a gas flow connection between said connection opening and at least one pressure source, a flow restriction defining at least a section of said gas flow connection, a first sensor configured to measure a quantity indicative of the temperature of the flow restriction. The invention is further directed to a gas flow connection element for a pipetting device and to a method of pipetting a liquid volume.
Abstract:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipetting tip showing my new design; FIG. 2 is a front view thereof; FIG. 3 is a rear view thereof; FIG. 4 is a left-side view thereof; FIG. 5 is a right-side view thereof; FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof; and, FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view thereof. The broken lines depict portions of the pipetting tip that form no part of the claimed design. The dot-dash broken lines depict the boundaries of the claim and form no part thereof.