A system includes a reagent selector valve controllable to select a reagent flow path from a plurality of reagent flow paths, and a pump coupled to the reagent flow path to draw a liquid through the reagent flow path in accordance with a prescribed test protocol. The system includes a discharge flow path to expel the drawn liquid, and a flow meter to measure liquid displaced by the pump and that outputs data representative of the measured flow. The system also includes a processor to access the data and to determine a volume of the liquid displaced by the pump.

A device for automated characterization of radioactive analytes that provides an integrated system with liquid handling and plate reading components. The device can be further configured to include a chromatographic subsystem. Also provided is a method of using such a device, providing addition of a radioactive sample and a sequence of operations involving the abovementioned components of the system. The system is configured with radiation shielding in such a way that manipulations of radioactive samples do not interfere with concurrent radioactive measurements.

A first container for housing a reagent and a second container for housing the first container inside are provided. The pressurization mechanism pressurizes a pressurization space formed outside the first container in the second container to pressurize the inside of the first container communicating with the pressurization space. The reagent is drawn out from the pressurized inside of the first container through a pipe.

Disclosed is an apparatus for quantitively supplying a high-viscosity fluid sample, the apparatus including a cylinder body in which a high-viscosity fluid is to be stored, a cylinder head detachably attached to the cylinder body, a piston configured to slide in a longitudinal direction of the cylinder body, and a cutter disposed below the cylinder head and configured to cut a high-viscosity fluid discharged from the cylinder head.

A system for collecting and separating biological material includes a centrifuge tube, a separation tube having an open bottom, a cap, a plug for temporarily sealing the open bottom of the separation tube, and a separation medium disposable within the centrifuge tube. The centrifuge tube and the separation tube sealingly and releasably couple to the cap, such that, when coupled, the separation tube is positioned within the centrifuge tube. The cap is configured to facilitate and/or regulate the introduction of air, gas, or other matter into the separation tube. When fully sealed, the separation tube may be placed under a vacuum condition, whereby a needle apparatus is used to facilitate introduction of matter into the separation tube. When the separation tube is positioned within the centrifuge tube, the bottom portion of the separation tube is submersed in the separation medium.

Microfluidic probe head for processing a sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers. The microfluidic probe head includes: an inlet, an outlet, a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel and a fluid bypass connecting the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel. The first fluid channel delivers the sequence of separate liquid volumes from the inlet toward a deposition area, the fluid bypass allows the spacers to be removed from the first fluid channel obtaining a free sequence of separate liquid volumes without spacers, the first fluid channel delivers the free sequence of separate liquid volumes to the deposition area, and the second fluid channel delivers the removed spacers from the fluid bypass to the outlet. The present invention also provides a microfluidic probe and method for processing a sequence of separate liquid volumes.

A microreactor array platform and method for sealing a reagent in microreactors of an array of microreactors are provided. The microreactor array platform includes an array of microreactors, and a sealing film having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the sealing film configured to movably seal the array of microreactors. The microreactor array platform also includes an injector for delivering a reagent into the array of microreactors via a fluid path between the array and the second surface of the sealing film, and an applicator for directing a sealing liquid against the first surface of the sealing film. The microreactor array platform further includes a system for creating a pressure differential between the reagent in the injector and a space between the array of microreactors and the second surface of the sealing film.

A handheld dispensing device has a first dispensing element configured to dispense a structural material and a second dispensing element configured to dispense a biological material. The second dispensing element is single-use and sterilizable. The first dispensing element is connectable to the second dispensing element. A dispensing system also is provided and has a sterilizable chamber; at least one robotic arm assembly and a dispensing device within the sterilizable chamber. The at least one robotic assembly is configured to move the dispensing device that has a first dispensing element and a second dispensing element. The first dispensing element is releasably connectable to the second dispensing element. An external control is device connected to the robotic arm assembly and controls the at least one robotic arm assembly. The first dispensing element dispenses a structural material and the second dispensing element dispenses a biological material.

A dispensing system has a sterilizable chamber. At least one robotic arm assembly and a dispensing device are within the sterilizable chamber. The dispensing device comprising a first dispensing element and a second dispensing element. The first dispensing element is connectable to the second dispensing element The at least one robotic assembly is configured to move the dispensing device. An external control device is connected to the at least one robotic arm assembly and is configured to control the at least one robotic arm assembly. The first dispensing element is configured to dispense a structural material and the second dispensing element is configured to dispense a biological material.

According to the present invention there is provided various methods for screening a plurality of sample fluids for molecules which can bind to predefined ligands, using the assembly comprising, a sample delivery unit which can receive sample fluids to be screened, and a plurality of groups of flow cells, each group having at least two flow cells, and a means for selectively fluidly connecting the sample delivery unit to any one of said groups of flow cells, the method comprising the steps of, selecting one of said plurality of flow cell groups by fluidly connecting said flow cell group to the need unit; carrying out an injection step which comprises injecting a sample fluid to be screened from the sample delivery unit into the flow cells in the selected flow cell group; for each flow cell in the flow cell group, recording a signal using a sensor which represent the binding of molecules of the sample fluid to ligands on the test surface of that flow cell and/or the dissociation of molecules from ligands on the test surface of that flow cell; carrying out a damage assessment step, using said recorded signals, to determine if the test surface of a flow cell in the selected flow cell group is damaged; if it is determined from the damage assessment step that the test surface of a flow cell in the selected flow cell group is damaged, then selecting another one of said plurality of flow cell groups by fluidly connecting said other flow cell group to the need unit; injecting the next sample fluid to be screened from the sample delivery unit into the flow cells in said other flow cell unit. There is further provided assemblies which can be used to implement the afore-mentioned methods.