An automatic analysis apparatus is capable of stirring a reagent without reducing the analysis processing capacity. The automatic analysis apparatus includes a reagent table that is rotatable and that holds reagent vessels, and a plurality of magnets are disposed below the reagent table, with orientations of magnetic poles of the magnets fixed, along a movement path of the reagent vessels moving on a circumference when the reagent table is rotationally driven. The plurality of magnets is disposed such that the fixed orientations of the magnetic poles of the magnets vary along the movement path, and act a magnetic force on a stirring bar in each of the reagent vessels. When the reagent table is rotated and the reagent vessels pass above the magnets, the stirring bar in each of the reagent vessels is rotated or oscillated by the magnetic force received from the magnets, to stir the reagent.

A composite analysis device, configured to perform a plurality of types of analyses, which prevent a shortage of a volume of a specimen. The analysis device can execute a plurality of measurement processing steps for a biological sample based on order information. The analysis device includes: a pierce nozzle unit which pierces a hole in a sealed sample container in which the biological sample is contained, collects the biological sample, and discharges the biological sample into a predetermined containing unit; a sample nozzle unit which dispenses the biological sample contained in the containing unit into one or more cuvettes; and a control device which control operations of the pierce nozzle unit and the sample nozzle unit based on the order information.

A field apparatus (also referred to as a “biosampler”) is configured to automatically capture multiple samples of an aqueous medium (for example, water from a lake) and process same to preserve unstable analytes in the field. In this way, a set of samples from the aqueous medium can, for example, be captured at multiple points in time, processed with a biopreservative to preserve unstable analytes (for example, RNA) and then later collected for further analysis. Alternatively, multiple samples of the aqueous medium can be collected and preserved at one moment.

Valve assemblies and related systems are disclosed. An apparatus includes or comprises a system including or comprising an imaging system, a flow cell interface having a corresponding flow cell receptacle, a stage assembly, and a valve assembly including or comprising a valve and a valve drive assembly. The stage assembly moves the flow cell interface relative to the imaging system and the valve drive assembly is to drive the valve using shaped input signals to reduce vibration imposed on at least one of the stage assembly or another component of the apparatus based on movement of the valve.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to systems, devices, and methods for the transfer of fluid to fluidic receptacles. In some embodiments, the fluid contains one or more molecules (e.g., one or more peptides, proteins, and/or nucleic acids) of interest, and the fluidic receptacle includes an integrated device. In certain embodiments, the one or more molecules can be immobilized on the integrated device for subsequent analysis (e.g., sequencing). Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards systems and methods that can, in some instances, enhance the immobilization of the one or more molecules on the integrated device, e.g., by improving a rate of sample interaction with the integrated device. Through the use of systems, devices, and methods of the instant disclosure, target molecules may be more readily sequenced or prepared for sequencing. For example, in some embodiments, systems, devices, and methods of the instant disclosure allow automated loading of the fluidic receptacle using a fluidic device.

The present invention is an automated separation system comprised of a liquid handling device and one or more pipette tip columns, wherein the liquid handling device is equipped with two or more nozzles arranged to respectively receive a pipette tip column comprising separation media. Further, the system includes means for applying either high positive or negative pressure to the column inside chamber above the column bed, enabling aspiration and dispensing into and out of each pipette tip column. To enable sealing to the pressures used to move liquid through the column bed without inadvertently ejecting the column from the nozzle during the separation process, each nozzle has been provided with at least one annular protrusion arranged to engage with the inside of a substantially evenly tapered pipette tip column, without any corresponding recess. Each nozzle may be provided with slide ejector to enable the removal of a pipette tip column.

An intermediate storage dosing unit for taking samples of a fluid. The intermediate storage dosing unit includes a container with an inlet and a two-way outlet. The two-way outlet has a riser as a first outlet and a drain as a second outlet. A system and a method for taking samples of a fluid. In particular, the system includes a sample acquisition unit and at least one sample vessel, the sample acquisition unit is configured to provide a fluid and the at least one sample vessel is configured to receive and store a fluid. A fluid transfer is also possible between the sample acquisition unit and the at least one sample vessel. The intermediate storage dosing unit of the type mentioned is connected between the sample acquisition unit and the at least one sample vessel.

Rotary valve systems with integrated sensors are described that facilitate stabilizing electrical connection from a valve actuator. A valve system includes a rotary valve comprising one or more ports configured to receive one or more fluids. The valve system further includes an actuator attached to the rotary valve, wherein the actuator comprises a power connection fed from electronics associated with the actuator. The valve system further includes an actuator cap attached to the actuator, the actuator cap configured to allow the power connection to pass through, wherein the actuator cap comprises one or more apertures, a valve collar with an integrated press-on connector configured to be attached to the actuator cap, wherein the valve collar comprises an electronic feedthrough passage for the power connection, a retainer portion comprising one or more retainer pins, wherein the one or more retainer pins are configured to mate with the one or more apertures on the actuator cap, the retainer portion configured to allow electrical connection between the power connector and a sensor connector when the one or more retainer pins fit within the one or more apertures on the actuator cap, and a sensor housing adjacent to the rotary valve and configured to support one or more sensors disposed with respect to one or more fluid lines coupled to the one or more ports of the rotary valve, the sensor connector configured to transmit signals from the one or more sensors to the actuator.

A pipetting apparatus and method capable of detecting a liquid within an intermediate section of a pipette tube of the pipetting apparatus. The intermediate section is located between an upper section of the pipette tube at which a first electrode is arranged and a lower section at which a second electrode is arranged. The first and second electrodes form a measurement capacitor and are operationally connected to an impedance measurement unit, which is adapted to detect whether liquid, such as a portion of a sample liquid or system liquid, is present within the intermediate section 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 within the intermediate section.

A processing method for a volatile liquid using a pipette includes a low-volatility liquid suction step of sucking a low-volatility liquid that is less volatile than the volatile liquid through the suction/ejection port, an air suction step of sucking air through the suction/ejection port after the low-volatility liquid suction step, and a volatile liquid suction step of sucking the volatile liquid through the suction/ejection port after the air suction step.