A waste disposal system for the disposal of consumables through a waste chute into a waste container includes a waste chute having a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening is situated outside the waste container and the second opening opens toward the waste container. The first opening and the second opening are arranged at a first distance from one another, wherein the waste chute includes a plurality of self-resetting lamellae for the partial or complete closure of the openings. The lamellae form at least two lamella annuli arranged at a second distance above one another, wherein at least one first lamella annulus closes the first opening and at least one second lamella annulus closes the second opening, and the second distance between the lamella annuli is at least one third, preferably at least half and particularly preferably at least three quarters of the first distance.

An apparatus for performing a thermocyclic process, such as amplifying DNA, includes a microfluidic chip with a channel formed therein and one or more thermal distribution elements disposed over portions of the chip. Each thermal distribution element is configured to distribute thermal energy from an external thermal energy source substantially uniformly over the portion of the chip covered by the thermal distribution element. The portion of the chip covered by the thermal distribution element thereby comprises a discrete temperature zone. Other temperature zones can be defined by other thermal distribution elements or by portions of the chip not covered by a thermal distribution element. The channel is configured so that a fluid flowing through the channel would enter and exit the different temperature zones a plurality of times, thereby alternately exposing the fluid to the temperature of each zone for a period of time required for the fluid to traverse the zone.

The present invention relates to a feedback mechanism for a biological safety cabinet comprising a glass window and a cover plate in front of the glass window, the feedback mechanism comprises a monitor control component comprising a roller element being fixedly disposed with respect to the cover plate and comprising a rollable roller, and a contact component being fixedly disposed relative to the glass window so that the contact component can move relative to the roller with movement of the glass window, the contact component comprising a recess for receiving the roller, wherein the contact component moves with the glass window to a position corresponding to the roller when the glass window moves relative to the cover plate, such that the roller rolls into the recess, allowing the feedback mechanism to generate tactile feedback.

The present invention relates to a feedback mechanism for a biological safety cabinet comprising a glass window and a cover plate in front of the glass window, the feedback mechanism comprises a monitor control component comprising a roller element being fixedly disposed with respect to the cover plate and comprising a rollable roller, and a contact component being fixedly disposed relative to the glass window so that the contact component can move relative to the roller with movement of the glass window, the contact component comprising a recess for receiving the roller, wherein the contact component moves with the glass window to a position corresponding to the roller when the glass window moves relative to the cover plate, such that the roller rolls into the recess, allowing the feedback mechanism to generate tactile feedback.

Methods and apparatus for use in connection with the performance of the polymerase chain reaction are provided. An exemplary sample processing module is described that includes a sample assembly and a PCR assembly, the sample processing module being configured to hold the sample therein at a pressure higher than ambient pressure. A sample is added to the sample assembly at the time of use, which is then connected to the PCR assembly. Embodiments of the cartridge include a flow restriction device that enables or aids in creating a higher pressure within the reaction vial. The sample is introduced into a PCR reaction vial, which contains all of the constituents of a PCR reaction mixture that are necessary to process the sample and provide amplified DNA of interest, if that DNA was present in the sample.

Disclosed subject matter relates to laboratory instrument to prevent information exposure from at least one image capturing device coupled to the laboratory instrument, that captures at least one of images and videos during operations of the laboratory instrument, a transparent member coupled to the laboratory instrument, that enables an internal view into the laboratory instrument from outside the laboratory instrument, and one or more optical means coupled to the transparent member in a predefined manner that obstructs a Field of View (FOV) of the at least one image capturing device beyond the transparent member and prevents exposure of any external information present proximate to the laboratory instrument, which helps in maintaining data privacy.

Enclosures and corresponding magnetic joints. An apparatus includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes a magnetic panel joint formed by: a first panel carrying a magnet and comprising a first pocket; a second panel including a second pocket; and a ferromagnetic shield coupled within the second pocket and couplable within the first pocket via the magnet.

Enclosures and corresponding magnetic joints. An apparatus includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes a magnetic panel joint formed by: a first panel carrying a magnet and comprising a first pocket; a second panel including a second pocket; and a ferromagnetic shield coupled within the second pocket and couplable within the first pocket via the magnet.

Methods for separating cells from a sample (e.g., separating fetal red blood cells from maternal blood) include introducing a sample including cells into one or more microfluidic channels. In one embodiment, the device includes at least two processing steps. For example, a mixture of cells is introduced into a microfluidic channel that selectively allows the passage of a desired type of cell, and the population of cells enriched in the desired type is then introduced into a second microfluidic channel that allows the passage of the desired cell to produce a population of cells further enriched in the desired type. The selection of cells is based on a property of the cells in the mixture, for example, size, shape, deformability, surface characteristics (e.g., cell surface receptors or antigens and membrane permeability), or intracellular properties (e.g., expression of a particular enzyme).

A door for a laboratory workstation is disclosed. The laboratory workstation has a horizontally extending work surface for providing a working area. The door is movable in relation to the work surface in a vertical direction perpendicular to the work surface between a safety position, in which the door closes the working area for manual access of a user, an access position in which the working area is open for manual access of a user, and a loading position.