Multi-stage sample-recovery systems, including automated 2-stage and 3-stage sample-recovery systems, are provided. Such systems enable the rapid screening and recovery of samples, including viable cell-based samples, from high-throughput screening systems, including systems utilizing large-scale arrays of microcapillaries. In specific screening systems, each microcapillary comprises a solution containing a variant protein, an immobilized target molecule, and a reporter element. Immobilized target molecules may include any molecule of interest, including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and other biomolecules. The association of a variant protein with a molecular target is assessed by measuring a signal from the reporter element. The contents of microcapillaries identified in the assays as containing variant proteins of interest can be identified and recovered using the multi-stage systems disclosed herein.

A pipette-fillable fluid reservoir body. The fluid reservoir body includes two or more discrete fluid chambers therein. At least one of the fluid chambers contains a pressure compensation device and at least another one of the fluid chambers is devoid of a pressure compensation device. Each of the fluid chambers is in fluid flow communication with a fluid supply via, and each of the fluid chambers have sidewalls and a bottom wall attached to the side walls, wherein the bottom wall slopes toward the fluid supply via. The fluid reservoir body also includes an ejection head support face in fluid flow communication with the fluid chambers for attachment of a fluid ejection device to the ejection head support face for ejecting fluid from the fluid chambers.

An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device that can inhibit a dead volume from occurring and can dispense a liquid of a small quantity with a high degree of accuracy while reducing the variation of dispensing quantities. A dispensing device according to the present invention has a detachable dispensing tip and the dispensing tip has a configuration of arranging a plunger in a hollow part of a metal pipe (refer to FIG. 2).

In a capillary of a pipette, first and second ends in a longitudinal direction are opened. A pressure chamber communicates through the second end with an internal portion of the capillary. A driving part changes a volume of the pressure chamber. A control part outputs a first signal driving the driving part so that the volume of the pressure chamber increases and liquid is suctioned from the first end. A suction signal in the first signal drives the driving part so that the volume of the pressure chamber increases from a volume before suction of the liquid by a first increase amount to become a post-suction volume. A brake signal is output following the suction signal and drives the driving part so that the volume of the pressure chamber is reduced from the post-suction volume by an amount which is smaller in absolute value than the first increase amount.

A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.

A micro-syringe for inserting into a sample matrix. The micro-syringe includes a micro-syringe body having an orifice at an insertion end; and a plunger at least partially coated with a solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) coating. The plunger is longitudinally movable between an internal position and an extended position. When the syringe is inserted into the sample matrix, the extraction phase is shielded from the sample matrix by the micro-syringe body when the plunger is in the internal position, and at least a portion of the extraction phase extends past the orifice and is exposed to the sample matrix when the plunger is in the extended position. The plunger is sized to fit the internal diameter of the micro-syringe body to draw a liquid into the micro-syringe body when the plunger is moved from the extended position to the internal position.

Apparatus and methods for more efficiently micro-positioning a micropipette with respect to an egg and/or injecting fluid into a plurality of eggs using a micropipette are provided. Various approaches described herein comprise use of automated and/or robotic systems to direct a micropipette to and inject the micropipette in eggs mounted on a sample holder.

Provided are methods and devices for automated analysis of one or more samples in single or multi-well plates or vessels, wherein the process of automated analysis comprises flow and hydrodynamic, electrokinetic, and optical forces for the analysis and sorting of samples, wherein the samples comprise liquid or particles in microfluidic channels, and wherein the devices comprise an assembly of components that enable processing of a said samples for analytical assessment by fluidic and/or particle based instruments. Microfluidic structures (channels, “T's”, “Y's”, branched “Y's”, wells, and weirs) are described for facilitating sample interaction and observation, sample analysis, sorting, or isolation. Detection can be accomplished using spectroscopic methods including, but not limited to, Raman spectroscopy of single cells and bulk cellular samples (collections of cells; several individuals to hundreds or thousands of cells).

A system and method for isolating and analyzing single cells, including: a substrate having a broad surface; a set of wells defined at the broad surface of the substrate, and a set of channels, defined by the wall, that fluidly couple each well to at least one adjacent well in the set of wells; and fluid delivery module defining an inlet and comprising a plate, removably coupled to the substrate, the plate defining a recessed region fluidly connected to the inlet and facing the broad surface of the substrate, the fluid delivery module comprising a cell capture mode.

Provided herein are systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for automated antimicrobial testing. In particular, the systems and methods provided herein are directed to automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing platforms and methods for identification of synergistic antimicrobials that are faster, more precise, and less expensive than gold standard susceptibility methodologies.