Multivolume liquid pipettes with nested plunger and vacuum chamber configurations and methods of using such pipettes are disclosed herein. These pipettes typically include a body and a fluid displacement assembly with a small plunger element slideably received within a larger plunger element, each movable within a vacuum chamber for the precise and accurate control of the displacement of fluid, such as air. In turn, this allows for a single device to aspirate and dispense a broad range of liquids in a dynamic, accurate, and precise manner. In addition, the devices disclosed herein may also include a multi-tiered spring-loaded ejection mechanism to allow the user to use and eject pipette tips of different sizes.

Pipette tip coupler and a disposable pipette tip for a pipette device comprises a stepped coupler shoulder complementary to an axially stepped pipette tip shoulder; a plurality of circumferentially disposed elements or segments carried by the coupler at a location superior to the coupler shoulder; and a distal elastomeric element carried by the coupler at a location distal to the coupler shoulder wherein the plurality of elements or segments have a circumferential, radially translated state that provides an abutment with a first working surface formed in the interior surface of the tip while compressing the distal elastomeric element into sealing abutment with a second working surface formed in the interior surface of the tip and while abutting the proximally facing axial stop surface of the tip with the distally facing axial stop surface of the coupler to define an axial coupling position of the pipette tip on the pipette device.

Systems and methods for performing a plurality of nucleic acid amplification assays in an automated analyzer. A first nucleic acid amplification assay of the plurality is performed in accordance with a first set of assay parameters which consist of system-defined parameters. And a second nucleic acid amplification assay of the plurality is performed in accordance with a second set of assay parameters which includes one or more user-defined parameters.

Automated diagnostic analysis apparatus for analyzing patient specimens may include a probe to aspirate and dispense a bio-liquid. A probe tip on the probe may require replacement after contact with each bio-liquid. The automated diagnostic analysis apparatus may include a probe tip eject device and a waste chute for controlled removal and disposal of the probe tip to mitigate splattering or splashing of any residual bio-liquid in the probe tip as it is removed from the probe. A sloped ramp in the probe tip eject device may engage and remove the probe tip as it rotates through the probe tip eject device. The waste chute may include guides to transfer a removed probe tip directly into a waste bin without any surface contact by the probe tip. Methods of removing and disposing of a probe tip in an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus are described, as are other aspects.

Pipette assembly that includes a pipette device, a pipette tip, and a leaf spring coupling device coupling the tip to the pipette device, the coupling device includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed elements or segments in the form of flexible leaf springs with stabilizer plateaus used to retain a pipette tip to the coupler and prevent the pipette tip from rocking on the coupler and a distal elastomeric element, such as an O-ring, and the pipette tip includes dual complemental working surfaces in the pipette tip to provide precise control of an axial coupled position defined as an axial distance from a distally facing axial stop surface of the pipette tip coupler to the end of the pipette tip that contacts liquid when the pipette tip coupler and disposable pipette tip are in a coupled configuration.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

A system for ejecting tips of sampling pipettes, the system comprising: —a button for ejecting a tip which is intended to be moved in translation by an operator's thumb; —a tip ejection device; and —return spring for returning the tip ejection device to a raised position. According to the invention, the system also comprises a lever for controlling the ejection device, the control lever comprising: —a first end which is intended to be fitted onto a part of the pipette; —a second end cooperating with the eject button so as to be acted upon by the latter; and —an intermediate portion for actuating the ejection device.

A photometric dispensing nozzle unit, a photometric dispensing apparatus, and a photometric dispensing method are for preventing an increase in apparatus scale and have a simple structure to be easily handled. A nozzle performs suction/discharge of gas through a distal end opening and can have a dispensing tip attached thereto. A light guide end portion is provided in the nozzle and can receive or irradiate light at a distal end of the nozzle. A dispensing cylinder has a cylinder having a cavity therein, a plunger that is slidable in the cavity, and a suction/discharge port that performs suction/discharge of gas. A suction/discharge flow path passes through the nozzle and communicates with the suction/discharge port and the distal end opening of the nozzle. A light guide path is optically connected to the light guide end portion through the nozzle but not through the dispensing cylinder.

Pipette assembly comprising a pipette device, a pipette tip, and a leaf spring coupling device coupling the tip to the pipette device, the coupling device comprising a plurality of circumferentially disposed elements or segments in the form of flexible leaf springs with stabilizer plateaus used to retain a pipette tip to the coupler and prevent the pipette tip from rocking on the coupler and a distal elastomeric element, such as an O-ring, and the pipette tip comprising dual complemental working surfaces in the pipette tip to provide precise control of an axial coupled position defined as an axial distance from a distally facing axial stop surface of the pipette tip coupler to the end of the pipette tip that contacts liquid when the pipette tip coupler and disposable pipette tip are in a coupled configuration.

Described are exemplary embodiments of a handheld, powered positive displacement pipette having unique mechanisms for the retention, identification and ejection of associated pipette syringes.