Systems and methods for processing samples in a multi-well reaction vessel can include inserting a multi-well reaction vessel into a heating chamber of a thermal cycler, enclosing the multi-well reaction vessel in the heating chamber, and compressing a bottom surface of the multi-well reaction vessel into a compliant thermally conductive insert to increase a thermal contact area between the bottom surface and the compliant thermally conductive insert. The compliant thermally conductive insert can be placed between the multi-well reaction vessel and a heating element of the thermal cycler, where heat flux from the heating element passes through the compliant thermally conductive insert to the reaction vessel. The compliant thermally conductive insert can include an elastically deformable creped graphite sheet that can reversibly deform according to different compression profiles depending on the topography or flexure of the reaction vessel and/or heating element.

The invention relates to a multi-channel head (100) of a liquid handling apparatus for aspirating and dispensing a metered amount of liquid, comprising: an array of connectors (130) for picking up an array of disposable tips, whereby a peripheral end of each connector is provided with an elastomeric seal (140); an alignment plate (150) that is moveable in a z-direction and has a plurality of openings through which the connectors (130) extend, a linear displacement mechanism (170b, 175), driven by a motor (180), for moving the alignment plate (150) in z-direction relative to the connectors, and a controller for controlling the motor. The multi-channel head is configured to attach the array of disposable tips in a pick-up action, in which the multi-channel head (100) is lowered relative to the disposable tips so as to insert each connector into an internal passageway of a corresponding disposable tip by an amount sufficient to bring an upper collar of the disposable tips into contact with an underside (150s) of the alignment plate. This insertion deforms the elastomeric seal against the tip internal passageway so as to form a sealing contact therewith. The controller of the multi-channel head (100) is programmed such that once the pick-up action is complete, an alignment action is performed in which the alignment plate (150) is moved relative to connectors (130) by an amount sufficient to close any gap between the underside (150s) of the alignment plate and the upper surface of the tip collars that arises due to e.g. relaxation of the deformed seals (140).

A sample vial for delivery of fluid sample to a flow cytometer includes a fluid-containment cavity with a tapered portion in which the cavity cross-section tapers in a distal direction toward the bottom of the cavity, and the sample vial has a ribbed exterior portion with longitudinally extending ribs and recesses between the ribs. An array of the sample vials can be retained in receptacles of a processing tray and are limited in rotation relative to the tray by a rotational stop feature in the receptacles that engages with the ribbed exterior portion.

A metering head for a metering machine having a carrier having parallel attachments for picking up pipette tips, wherein each attachment has: a tube having a supporting protrusion at the bottom end, at least one sleeve which surrounds the tube and can be axially shifted on the tube, and at least one elastomer O-ring which surrounds the tube, a pressure plate above the sleeves having a plurality of first holes through which the tubes extend, wherein the pressure plate can be shifted along the tubes from a release position into a clamping position where the sleeves are pressed, at the bottom ends, against the adjacent O-rings, and the O-rings are expanded to clamp pipette tips; and a first shifting apparatus connected to the pressure plate moving the pressure plate between the release position and clamping position.

The invention relates to a collection assembly (1) for small amounts of body fluids, comprising a sample container (2) and an extender element (3). The sample container (2) has a base (13) and a container wall (5) with a first container wall section (6) and a second container wall section (7) adjoining same. The second container wall section (7) is formed hollow-conically and projects into the extender element (3). Moreover, a coupling device (25) with a first coupling element (26) and a second coupling element (27) is provided. When the coupling elements (26, 27) are in coupled engagement, the extender element (3) is coupled to the sample container (2) in a positively locked manner in the form of a snap connection establishing the collection assembly (1).

A configurable port fitting for a container, such as a bioprocess bag, has one or more O-ring grooves and two opposing locking arms (e.g., 604). The port fitting is mounted onto the container by (i) inserting one end of the port fitting into a port in the container such that O-ring(s) form seals between the O-ring grooves and the container and (ii) rotating the port fitting to engage the locking arms with two opposing retention clips (e.g., 506) of the container. Some port fittings are fixed port fittings that provide a fixed opening into the container. Other port fittings are port sizers that receive a valve connector that enables flow control between closed and open positions. Port fittings of different sizes enable different flow rates. Some port fittings (and other connectors) have a threaded tube barb that receives a threaded tube retainer that secures tubing in place over the barb.

A laboratory sample container carrier cleaning apparatus is provided comprising a revolving device, being adapted to move a sample container carrier supplied to the revolving device along a circular path, and a cleaning device, being adapted to clean the sample container carrier being moved along the circular path.

A pipette tip extension attachable to a pipette tip is disclosed. The pipette tip extension has a proximal end, a distal end, and an exterior wall extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The exterior wall has an outer side and an inner side and forms at the proximal end a reception aperture for inserting a pipette tip. The pipette tip extension further has a bottom at the distal end, an inner cavity enclosed by the inner side of the exterior wall and the bottom, one or more distance elements arranged at the inner side of the exterior wall and protruding into the inner cavity, and a coating for interacting with a fluid present in a fluid uptake area.

Pipette tip couplers, pipette tips, coupler and tip combinations, and methods for coupling and decoupling a pipette tip to or from, respectively, a pipette tip coupler mounted on a pipette device, are disclosed. The pipette tip couplers include an elastomeric element and an annular ring shaped raceway. When the pipette tip is mounted on the pipette tip coupler, the annular ring shaped raceway abuts a first portion of the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall of the pipette tip, and the elastomeric element abuts a second portion of the interior surface of the circumscribing sidewall of the pipette tip.

A reaction vessel for a diagnostic analyzer comprising a plurality of processing stations. The reaction vessel comprises at least one sensor configured to measure at least one physical parameter associated with at least one of the processing stations of the diagnostic analyzer when disposed at the at least one of the processing stations, a memory configured to at least temporarily store at least one measurement value indicating the physical parameter provided by the sensor, a processing unit configured to control the sensor and to output measurement data including the measurement value from the memory, an interface configured to provide communication of the processing unit with an external electronic device, a power source configured to supply electric power to the sensor, the processing unit and the memory. The reaction vessel defines an internal volume. The sensor, the processing unit, the memory and the interface are arranged within the internal volume.