A liquid contact step including injection of liquid into a flow path using a pipette chip and suction of liquid from the flow channel is performed multiple times, and a predetermined reaction is thereby performed inside the flow channel. In at least one liquid contact step, a first suction is performed in which liquid is suctioned in a state in which the pipette chip and the bottom of a liquid injection section are in contact or in close to each other. Meanwhile, in at least one liquid contact step, a second suction is performed in which the liquid is suctioned in a state in which the pipette chip and the bottom of the liquid injection section are more separated than in the first suction.

In order to improve the ergonomics of a sampling pipette, the invention provides a control member intended to occupy a nominal central position in which a spring brings a locking member into the locking position thereof of the system for adjustment of the volume to be sampled, the member being able to be axially displaced towards each of the two following positions: a low position for ejecting a cone, in which the control member presses on the cone ejector, the movement from the nominal central position to the low position being carried out against the springs; and a high position for unlocking the braking ring, the movement of the control member from the nominal central position to the high position driving a disengagement element to move the locking member against the spring, until release of the braking ring.

A cartridge for dispensing a fluid is presented. The cartridge comprises a reservoir chamber for receiving the fluid. The reservoir chamber has a fluid outlet. The cartridge further comprises a controllable dispenser component for dispensing a dispensing volume of the fluid from the reservoir chamber. The dispenser component is connected to the fluid outlet of the reservoir. The cartridge further comprises a single compressible fluid pump with a single elastic pumping element and a conduit extending from the fluid pump towards the fluid outlet. The fluid pump discharges a mixing volume of the fluid from the conduit into the reservoir chamber upon compression of the elastic pumping element. The mixing volume depends on the degree of compression of the elastic pumping element. The fluid pump sucks in the mixing volume from the reservoir into the conduit upon decompression of the elastic pumping element.

A control button (12) for a manually actuated sampling pipette, the button including lower and upper parts (24a, 24b), one of which is equipped with a force sensor (31) and the other with an actuating member (30). In the vertical position of the button, in a state not subjected to a force, not only does the member (30) ensure that the upper part is retained axially on the lower part (24a), but these parts also define a circular axially retaining connection (42) therebetween, the circular connection exhibiting an axial clearance (47) configured such that, when a pressure is exerted on an off-centre action zone (102a) by the thumb of an operator, the axial clearance (47) is taken up in this zone (102a), while the connection (42) retains a reaction zone (102b), arranged diametrically opposite the action zone (102a), axially and locally relative to the lower part (24a).

A pipetting system including a positive displacement sampling pipette as well as a capillary-piston assembly, the piston of which has a top end intended to be held by a gripping device equipping the pipette, the device including a plurality of gripping tongs. The system is designed so that, when the capillary is fitted on the pipette tip and the gripping device is remote from the piston upwards, this device can be displaced downwards with its tongs in an open configuration, up to a determined position in which the tongs, arranged around the top end of the piston, automatically switch into a closed configuration in which they provide a holding of the top end of the piston.

A multiple-antenna positioning system with a single drive element, providing reduced weight and complexity over systems that have a drive element for each antenna. In certain examples, each antenna can be coupled with a rotating spindle, with each antenna spindle being coupled with a pair of link arms. By driving a single drive spindle, each of the antenna spindles in the system can be rotated by the associated pair of link arms. The link arms can have an adjustable length, such as through a turnbuckle mechanism, to reduce backlash in the system, and in some examples can apply a preload to the system. By reducing backlash, the multiple antenna positioning system can have improved responsiveness to a rotation of the single drive element, as well as improved stability of the positioning of each antenna when the drive element is held in a fixed position.

A multiple-antenna positioning system with a single drive element, providing reduced weight and complexity over systems that have a drive element for each antenna. In certain examples, each antenna can be coupled with a rotating spindle, with each antenna spindle being coupled with a pair of link arms. By driving a single drive spindle, each of the antenna spindles in the system can be rotated by the associated pair of link arms. The link arms can have an adjustable length, such as through a turnbuckle mechanism, to reduce backlash in the system, and in some examples can apply a preload to the system. By reducing backlash, the multiple antenna positioning system can have improved responsiveness to a rotation of the single drive element, as well as improved stability of the positioning of each antenna when the drive element is held in a fixed position.

A pipette is described which includes a piston for aspirating liquid into and dispensing out of a container in the pipette. The pipette is provided with at least one tracking element which is able to count the magnitude of some variable or variables relating to the amount of use of the pipette, at least one operating device for creating a limit magnitude for each variable, and for giving information when the limit value is exceeded. Thus, the user may, for instance, be warned when he may be exposed to high workload stress possibly causing injuries.

To provide an electric pipette in which the impact resistance against the dropping of the electric pipette is elevated, the external breakage of the device and the damage of operation performances are reduced, and the discharging performance of the device is maintained and ensured. An electric pipette 100 including a main casing 1, an operation switch 14, a hand grip 15, a display-operation section 9, a release switch 12 and a finger rest 16, in which at least one shock absorber 201 to 206 disposed on at least one apex of at least one line among a line LF, a line LB, a line LL, a line LR and a line LU, which are prepared by drawing lines between two or more projecting sites in each of a front surface 100F, a back surface 100B, a left side surface 100L, a right side surface 100R and an upper surface 100U.