A computer-implemented control device for controlling an automated pipetting system. The control device is designed to control at least one actuator for moving a pipetting apparatus between receptacle devices for liquids that are to be pipetted. The control device is designed, so as, before the execution of multiple specified transfer steps by the pipetting apparatus and the actuator, to analyze the specified order of execution of these transfer steps and the liquid to be pipetted in these transfer steps and, after the analysis, to alter the order of execution of these transfer steps and/or to combine multiple instances of these transfer steps automatically. Additionally, an automated pipetting system has such a control device, and a method for controlling the automated pipetting system are provided.

Manually operated pipettors, widely used in clinical, forensics, pharmaceutical research, hospital and biotech laboratories to transfer small volumes of liquid, may be subject to positional errors, operator use errors and hidden performance degradation. Manual pipette performance cannot be accepted without monitoring and reporting. This invention concerns a computer controlled vision tracking and lighting system working in conjunction with a sensor controlled fluid dispensing device and controller to confirm pipette tip positional locations during aspiration and dispensing operations with automatic monitoring of liquids entering and leaving a pipette apparatus to digitally track a manual pipetting operation with a digital output file of validated liquid transfer results. The invention may also monitor possible error conditions and prevent improper liquid transfers during the manual process.

A system and method provides a supply of consumables to a processing instrument that uses one or more of the consumables for each of a plurality of processes performed by the instrument. The system includes a loading drawer holding a carrier for receiving a plurality of consumables and an input module for holding a carrier supporting a plurality of consumables thereon and presenting the consumables for access by the instrument. A transporter includes a vertical elevator and a lateral actuator for moving a lift platform vertically and laterally and for transporting carriers on the lift platform with or without consumables supported thereon between the loading drawer and the input module, between the loading drawer and one or more holding shelves, or between the input module and one or more holding shelves. A carrier includes parallel support rails for holding multiple receptacle units and retainer tabs for retaining the units on the support rails.

A manual-electronic pipetting device for pipetting a medium is provided. The pipetting device comprises a controller, a manually displaceable actuating element, at least one piston for aspirating and discharging the medium, a motor for driving the at least one piston in response to an actuation and/or displacement of the actuating element, at least one sensor for determining a displacement of the actuating element, and a data storage. The controller is configured to determine a pipetting protocol based on at least one sensor signal of the at least one sensor during a displacement of the actuating element, wherein the controller is further configured to store the pipetting protocol in the data storage, the pipetting protocol comprising data records indicative of a position and a speed of the at least one piston during the displacement of the actuating element.

Luminescence test measurements are conducted using an assay module having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.

Automated apparatus and methods for dispensing fluids into microplates utilizing microwell covers, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the fluids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.

This disclosure provides a sample rack, a sample access kit and a sample access system. The sample rack comprises: a rack body for placing a sample container; a position collector configured to acquire a position of the sample container placed on the rack body; and a communicator configured to transmit identification information of the sample rack and the acquired position of the sample container on the rack body. The sample access kit comprises the above-described sample rack and a sample container having an identification disposed thereon. The sample access system comprises the above-described sample access kit and a mobile terminal.

Systems and methods provide for detection and controlled interaction with one or more objects. The system can include an imaging subsystem (20), a tool subsystem (26) containing one or more tools, a stage subsystem (16) and a control system (40). The control system (40) can integrate controls for each of the other subsystems, which controls can be implement desired functions over a variety of process parameters to perform the controlled interaction.

The invention relates to a pipette auxiliary system for supporting manual pipetting or dispensing of a plurality of samples of a sample-holding arrangement, in particular a microtiter plate. The pipette auxiliary system according to the invention supports the manual pipetting or dispensing of a plurality of samples in a working position of a sample-holding arrangement, the pipette auxiliary system comprising: a base apparatus comprising a positioning device which is designed to position the sample-holding arrangement in the working position inside a positioning space of the base apparatus, said positioning space being opened at least along a plane for the pipetting; the sample-holding arrangement which has a plurality of sample holders; a measurement arrangement comprising a plurality of measurement elements which are positioned at least in the working position underneath this plane and using which the occupancy state of at least one sample holder can be detected in the working position; and an output device or a light arrangement using which the sample-holding arrangement can be illuminated in accordance with this occupancy state of this at least one sample holder.

A gel electrophoresis apparatus for single cell gel electrophoresis, including a chamber for receiving a gel electrophoresis buffer, a functional cover for closing the chamber, at least one pair of electrodes for generating a homogeneous electric field in the chamber and at least one retaining element for receiving and positioning at least one support plate. The at least one retaining element positions the at least one support plate in the homogeneous electric field generated by the at least one pair of electrodes.