This application relates to a sample analyzing apparatus. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a base, a connector arranged at an end of the base, and a temperature controlling member mounted on the base and configured to adjust a temperature of the connector. The apparatus may also include a controller configured to adjust heat generation of the temperature controlling member to adjust a bonding force of a pipette tip attached to a surface of the connector.

A telescoping electric pipette controller has a handle, a head end portion, an outer shell and a manual retainer. One end of the head end portion is arranged in an end portion of the handle in a penetrating manner, the outer shell is sheathed over an outer surface of the end portion of the handle, and one end portion of the manual retainer is rotatably connected to the outer shell. By means of opening or fastening the manual retainer, one end portion of the manual retainer is released outwards or pressed inwards against the head end portion, allowing extension and retraction of the head end portion relative to the handle. The extension and retraction, as well as the locking of part of a grip structure, are controlled by means of a switch, allowing the grip to change the length within a specific range.

A dispensing robot of an assay robot system includes a first contact surface oriented in a downward direction or an obliquely downward direction in a vertical direction and dispenses when the dispensing robot operates a pipette that allows a tip to be attached to a lower end of the pipette and the attached tip to be detached by pressing a tip ejector, the dispensing robot comprising: a robot arm having a hand to hold a pipette holding piece attached thereto; and a controller controls the robot arm such that the robot arm holds the pipette with the tip attached thereto by causing the hand to hold the pipette holding piece and that the robot arm is elevated and the tip ejector is pressed by bringing an upper end portion of the tip ejector of the held pipette into contact with the first contact surface from the downward direction.

Described are exemplary embodiments of a handheld, powered positive displacement pipette assembly, including a plurality of syringes of different volumes and a powered positive displacement pipette having unique mechanisms for the retention, identification and ejection of said syringes.

An integrated microfluidic unit with pipette adaptation. The integrated microfluidic unit may be accommodated within a pipette tip rack for storage prior to use and may be received by a translating pipette head during use. The number of components required within the laboratory instrument is reduced compared to processes employing discrete microfluidic chips and pipette tips. Processes involving microfluidic devices integrated into the presently disclosed unit are streamlined at least by the elimination of discrete manipulation steps associated with aspirating sample fluid into a pipette tip, then using a discrete chip feeder or manipulator to bring the chip and pipette tip into fluidic communication for transfer of the sample to the chip. The number of consumables is also reduced by the integration of microfluidics with physical features enabling fluid aspiration and unit conveyance. A variety of microfluidic devices and channel configurations may be accommodated.

Disclosed here are pipetting system devices useful for acquiring or dispelling liquids from an automated fluid dispensing device.

The present invention defines a positioning assembly including a base part (110) and a holder part (120) for holding a device, whereby the assembly further includes a motor (160) for driving a displacement mechanism (150) mounted to the base part. The base part and the holder part are arranged parallel to each other and are connected via a displaceable slide link (140), which is configured to slide on a first guide rail (111) provided on the base part and on a second guide rail (122) provided on the holder part, whereby each guide rail extends in longitudinal direction (z). The slide link (140) is coupled to the displacement mechanism (150), which causes displacement of the slide link relative to the base part in longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the holder part (120) is moveably coupled to the base part (110) via a coupling arrangement which has a first element (115) provided on the base part, a second element (125) provided on the holder part and a third element provided on the slide link (140). The first, second and third elements of the coupling arrangement are configured to engage with each other such that linear displacement of the slide link (140) relative to the base part (110) in one direction causes linear displacement of the holder part (120) relative to the slide link in the same linear direction.

A robotic arm of an automated pipetting system has a pipetting tip adapter and a slide switch to detect the presence of pipetting tips on the pipetting tip adapter is disclosed. The slide switch has first support member and second support member configured to slide relative to one another between first and second positions along a movement axis, an electrically conducting contact pad arranged on the first support member, an electrically conducting terminal physically attached to second support member in physical contact with the contact pad when support members are in first position, where the terminal is a first resilient and inherently stable wiping member expanding along the movement axis, first wiping member is not in physical contact with the contact pad when support members are in second position, and an electric current can flow between first wiping member and the contact pad when support members are in first position.

An auto-pipetting apparatus includes a dispensing head with at least one pipetting tip mandrel having an elongated stud body with an insertion end. The at least one pipetting tip mandrel mates with a pipetting tip. A first adjustable seal, disposed on the elongated stud body, and a second adjustable seal, disposed on the elongated stud body, seal the pipetting tip mated to the at least one pipetting tip mandrel. The first adjustable seal defines a snub surface. The snub surface effects a substantially continuous circumferential contact seal with radially impinging contact between the pipetting tip and the at least one pipetting tip mandrel. The second adjustable seal is adjustable between a disengaged position and an engaged position and effects a releasable grip and another substantially continuous circumferential contact seal between the pipetting tip and the at least one pipetting tip mandrel around the pipetting tip.

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).