An automated pipetting system includes a pipettor. The pipettor includes a pipetting channel, a first plunger mechanism operable to change a pressure in the pipetting channel to aspirate or dispense a liquid, and a second plunger mechanism operable to change the pressure in the pipetting channel to aspirate or dispense the liquid.

A method for assigning a pipette tip to a certain class of pipette tips from a plurality of different pipette tip classes, the method including the following steps: coupling the pipette tip to a gas displacement device such that a device-side volume formed in the gas displacement device and a tip-side volume formed by the pipette tip communicate with each other, and thereby forming a measuring volume including the communicating volumes of the device-side volume and the tip-side volume; operating the gas displacement device and thereby changing the gas pressure in the measuring volume; detecting the gas pressure in the measuring volume over a detection time period; determining at least one absolute value of at least one characteristic variable characterizing the detected gas pressure; comparing the at least one determined absolute value with at least one predetermined calibration value; and, depending on the comparison result, assigning the pipette tip to a pipette tip class and outputting an item of class assignment information representing the assigned pipette tip class.

Systems and methods for analysis of samples, and in certain embodiments, microfluidic sample analyzers configured to receive a cassette containing a sample therein to perform an analysis of the sample are described. The microfluidic sample analyzers may be used to control fluid flow, mixing, and sample analysis in a variety of microfluidic systems such as microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic platforms. Advantageously, the microfluidic sample analyzers may be, in some embodiments, inexpensive, reduced in size compared to conventional bench top systems, and simple to use. Cassettes that can operate with the sample analyzers are also described.

An incubator for cell and tissue culture under controlled atmospheric conditions has a primary air flow control device that forms a primary, preferably laminar flow, air veil across an opening that allows access to the cells or tissue cultures disposed within the incubator. Preferably, most if not all of the air in the primary (laminar flow) air veil is recirculated, and a secondary air flow control device is used that forms a secondary, preferably laminar flow, air veil between the primary (laminar flow) air veil and a user of the incubator.

An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel. More specifically, air compressed within the blood clot detection instrument, the at least one test channel of the cuvette, and the section of the sampling channel extending beyond the vent opening of the cuvette, coacts with the waste channel to cause a leading edge of the blood sample drawn into the sampling channel from the blood receptor-inlet, to pull back within the sampling channel and uncover an optical sensor in of the blood clot detection instrument. The uncovering of the optical sensor activates a pump module of the blood clot detection instrument, which draws the requisite volume of the blood sample into the at least one test channel.

Instrument for performing a diagnostic test on a fluidic cartridge A cartridge reader is for carrying out a diagnostic test on a sample contained in a fluidic cartridge inserted into the reader. The fluidic cartridge comprises a fluidic layer comprising at least one sample processing region, at least one collapsible blister containing a liquid reagent, a pneumatic interface, an electrical interface and at least one mechanical valve. The reader comprises a housing; an upper clamp occupying a fixed position relative to the reader, and a lower clamp, movable relative to the first clamp, wherein the upper clamp and the lower clamp define a cartridge receiving region therebetween. The reader comprises a thermal module comprised in the lower clamp, wherein the thermal module comprises at least one thermal stack for heating the at least one sample processing region of the cartridge inserted into the reader. The reader comprises at least one mechanical actuator for actuating the mechanical valve comprised in the cartridge inserted into the reader.

The disclosure provides a chip substrate and a digital micro-fluidic chip and belongs to the field of digital micro-fluidic technology. The chip substrate provided by the disclosure has a plurality of control regions spaced apart from each other, the chip substrate including: a first base substrate; a driving electrode disposed in each control region over the first base substrate, the driving electrode being configured to drive a droplet to move, wherein the chip substrate further comprises a pressure detecting element provided in each control region over the first base substrate, and configured to detect a pressure from the droplet, so that the chip substrate determines a position of the droplet according to the pressure.

Digital microfluidic (DMF) methods and apparatuses (including devices, systems, cartridges, DMF readers, etc.), and in particular DMF apparatuses and methods that may be used to safely manually add or remove fluid within a cartridge while it is actively applying DMF. Also described herein are DMF readers for use with a DMF cartridges, including those including multiple and/or redundant safety interlocks. Also described herein are DMF reader devices having a cover with active control of microfluidics on the cover while actively controlling DMF on the reader base.

A mobile processing laboratory (MPL) is provided, configured for facilitating performing therewithin a cell therapy process. The MPL comprises a portable enclosure; one or more pieces of laboratory equipment for carrying out the cell therapy process and being housed within the enclosure; a plurality of sensors, each configured to measure information regarding the environment, cellular material of the process, and/or one of the pieces of laboratory equipment; and a computer system configured for management of the cell therapy process. The computer system is configured to facilitate collecting data from the sensors, and to optimize one or more activities associated with performance of the cell therapy process based on data collected from one or more other MPLs configured for performing therewithin substantially the same cell therapy process.

A sample loading mechanism and method applicable to a smear apparatus, and a smear apparatus are provided. The sample loading mechanism includes: a blood dripping needle, a transfer device and a control device. The blood dripping needle is connected with the transfer device which is configured to drive the blood dripping needle to move relative to a slide. When the blood dripping needle is in contact with the slide, the control device is configured to control the transfer device to stop the blood dripping needle from moving towards the slide, and to control the blood dripping needle to drip a blood sample onto the slide.