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.

A slide tray slot is provided. The slide tray slot includes a slot body; a light source generator provided on one inner surface of the slot body; a light source detection sensor capable of detecting a light source emitted from the light source generator; and a plurality of slide tray compartment parts arranged in a vertical stack between the light source generator and the light source detection sensor. The light source generator emits the light source in the direction of the vertical stack in which the plurality of slide tray compartment parts are arranged.

An embodiment of the invention relates to systems and methods for detecting the orientation of sample carriers using two or more RFID tags. One or two dimensional matrix of equally spaced RFID reader antennas may be positioned beneath or within an area on which racks are placed. The first RFID tag defines the origin of the sample carrier and its geometry. The second and additional RFID tags define the orientations of the sample carrier relative to the matrix of the RFID reader antennas. At least two of the tag antennas on the rack align uniquely with two antennas on the reader matrix. The system energizes each reader antenna and associates the RFID tags aligned with them to the RFID reader antenna's physical position.

A well tracking device includes a rectangular frame including four sidewalls. The sidewalls define sets of opposing grooves, and the well tracking device is configured to receive or fit on top of a multi-well plate. The well tracking device also includes a well coordinate indicator positioned on an upper portion of the rectangular frame, that includes labels associated with columns and/or rows of the multi-well plate. The well tracking device also includes at least one slider that is configured to interface with a set of opposing grooves and slide along a width or length of the rectangular frame. The slider includes a plurality of openings disposed along the elongated shape of the slider.

An optical positioning code disk, device and method for a microfluidic chip are provided. A cross section of an outer contour of the code disk is circular. N light transmissive openings are arranged uniformly around the code disk. The device includes: the code disk, a positioning pin, a rotating shaft, a motor, an internal photoelectric switch and an external photoelectric switch. A positioning surface is provided on the rotating shaft. The motor is fixedly connected with an end of the rotating shaft, and the other end of the rotating shaft passes through a center of the cross section of the code disk. The internal and external photoelectric switches are configured to identify the light transmissive openings on the code disk.

The invention features devices, systems, and methods for introducing a sample (e.g., a biological sample, e.g., a blood sample) into a reaction vessel to maximize the effectiveness and/or reproducibility of introducing the sample (e.g., a biological sample, e.g., a blood sample).

A sample holder with a broad base that is resistant to spills is provided. The sample holder can hold specimen containers that allows for easy analysis of multiple samples while also decreasing the risk of spilling said samples. The sample holder also provides for easy analysis for multiple samples at the same time.

The invention relates to a method for checking pipette tips comprising the following steps: a) providing pipette tips in a first carrier; b) receiving pipette tips from the first carrier via a holder device; c) capturing first image data using a first image-capturing device, which has an optical axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipette tips and directed towards the respective outlet opening of the pipette tips; d) capturing second image data using a second image-capturing device, which has an optical axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pipette tips and directed towards the sub-segments of the pipette tip casing surfaces facing the second image-capturing device; e) determining whether the image data lies within predefined acceptability limits; f) discarding the pipette tips, for which the image data falls outside the acceptability limits, in a waste container; g) transferring the pipette tips, for which the image data lies within the acceptability limits, into a second carrier; wherein the second image data of multiple pipette tips is simultaneously captured in step d).

A scissors actuator is configured to translate a support platform in either of opposed lateral directions with respect to a base frame and includes a first arm, a second arm, wherein the first and second arms are rotatably connected at intermediate positions between their respective first and second ends, the first arm is pivotably attached at its first end to the base frame, and the second arm and is pivotably attached at its second end to the support platform. A first slide is disposed within a first linear track formed in the support platform and includes a bearing protruding from a side of the first slide for rolling contact with a side of the first linear track formed in the support platform. The first arm is pivotably and translatably attached at its second end to the support platform by the first slide. A second slide is disposed within a second linear track formed in the base frame and includes a bearing protruding from a side of the second slide for rolling contact with a side of the second linear track formed in the base frame. The second arm is pivotably and translatably attached at its first end to the base frame by the second slide.

Covers for microwells, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the liquids 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 and comprise alignment adjusting members for adjusting the alignment of the cover with a 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.