An insert for a liquid-holding container may include a body comprising a wall, open first and second ends, and a lumen extending from the open first end to the open second end. The insert also may include a plurality of first openings formed in the wall, the first openings being situated between the first and second ends, and each of the first openings defining an area, and one or more second openings formed in the wall, the one or more second openings being situated between the first and second ends, each of the one or more second openings defining an area that is greater than the area defined by any of the first openings, where at least one of the one or more second openings is situated closer to the first end than any of the first openings, and wherein each of the first and second openings is sized to permit the passage of a liquid.

An apparatus, a method and a system for the parallelized recording of at least one variable during a biological/chemical process are disclosed. A matrix, which has at least one container and which can be positioned on a measurement carrier, is provided to accommodate the liquid samples. A measuring unit, which comprises a controllable radiation source for electromagnetic radiation and at least one sensor for detecting electromagnetic radiation, is fixedly disposed in or on the measurement carrier. When at least one matrix with the containers is placed onto the measurement carrier, the respective measuring unit is assigned to the base of each container from the outside. During the measurement by the measuring unit, a movement device is used to move the measurement carrier with a defined radial movement about a fixed axis orthogonal to the gravitational force.

A method for mixing fluids in containers may include performing a mixing procedure on a plurality of containers on a container support, at least a portion of the plurality of containers being differently sized. The mixing procedure may include a plurality of mixing phases, wherein in each mixing phase the container support may be subjected to a mixing motion at a single rate for a period of time of about 5 seconds or longer, and wherein the single rate for at least one mixing phase of the plurality of mixing phases may differ from the single rate for at least one other mixing phase of the plurality of mixing phases. The mixing procedure also may include at least one non-mixing phase, wherein the container support may not be subjected to the mixing motion.

A mechanism for generating an orbital motion for mixing a fluidic sample. The mechanism may comprise a first and second cogwheel each having a through hole and a plurality of cogs. A drive shaft having a concentric first section and an eccentric second section is guided through a respective through hole of the first and second cogwheel. A coupling body engages part of the cogs to thereby generate the orbital motion of the second cogwheel and a sample holder to be mounted so as to follow a motion of the second cogwheel upon rotating the first section of the drive shaft.

A unit for mixing and dispensing an aerosol precursor composition, and containers to be dispensed therefrom. The unit includes a plurality of bulk material filling stations, the plurality of bulk material filling stations have at least one first filling station with aerosol former and at least one second filling station with a flavor material for creating the aerosol precursor. The unit also includes a bulk consumable pack staging a plurality of containers configured to receive the aerosol precursor, and a robot configured to retrieve a container from the bulk consumable pack and move the container through at least two dimensions to stop at least two of the plurality of bulk material filling stations.

The invention discloses an analytical sample preparation device and an analytical sample preparation method, which comprises a base (1), an elastic connection body (5), a group of a synchronous unidirectional bearing inner ring (41) and a synchronous unidirectional bearing outer ring (42), a group of an eccentric unidirectional bearing inner ring (61) and an eccentric unidirectional bearing outer ring (62), and a synchronous fixed ring (2) and a motor (31) on the base (1). The eccentric unidirectional bearing inner ring (61) is connected with an eccentric shaft (32) extending from a motor (31). The eccentric unidirectional bearing outer ring (62) is fixed to an eccentric shaft sleeve (9). The eccentric shaft sleeve (9), the eccentric shaft (32), the eccentric unidirectional bearing inner ring (61), and the eccentric unidirectional bearing outer ring (62) have their center of mass disposed on a line extending from the center line of the motor (31). The eccentric unidirectional bearing inner ring (61) and the eccentric unidirectional bearing outer ring (62) can only rotate in direction A, while the synchronous unidirectional bearing outer ring (41) and the synchronous unidirectional bearing outer ring (42) can only rotate in a direction opposite to direction A.

The disclosure is directed to a sample preparation apparatus for grinding or homogenizing test samples. More specifically, the disclosure relates to grinding samples using rotational and linear motion. Grinding samples can be accomplished with an apparatus with a slider-crank mechanism that is attached to an oscillating connecting linkage. The amplitude of oscillatory motion can be greater than or equal to a length of a sample processing chamber.

The disclosure is directed to a sample preparation apparatus for grinding or homogenizing test samples. More specifically, the disclosure relates to grinding samples using rotational and linear motion. Grinding samples can be accomplished with an apparatus with a slider-crank mechanism that is attached to an oscillating connecting linkage. The amplitude of oscillatory motion can be greater than or equal to a length of a sample processing chamber.

The present invention relates to a system for performing assays on a solid phase to measure the level of analyte in a sample. Such a system may perform immunoassays using electrochemiluminescence (ECL) including a counterbalanced orbital shaking apparatus for assay consumables.

The present invention relates to a system for performing assays on a solid phase to measure the level of analyte in a sample. Such a system may perform immunoassays using electrochemiluminescence (ECL) including a counterbalanced orbital shaking apparatus for assay consumables.