Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
  • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
  • G01N1/286—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q involving mechanical work, e.g. chopping, disintegrating, compacting, homogenising
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
  • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
  • B01L3/021—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
  • B01L3/0217—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids of the plunger pump type
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
  • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
  • B01L3/0286—Ergonomic aspects, e.g. form or arrangement of controls
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
  • C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
  • C12M23/54—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges hand portable
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
  • C12M33/00—Means for introduction, transport, positioning, extraction, harvesting, peeling or sampling of biological material in or from the apparatus
  • C12M33/04—Means for introduction, transport, positioning, extraction, harvesting, peeling or sampling of biological material in or from the apparatus by injection or suction, e.g. using pipettes, syringes, needles
  • C12M33/06—Means for introduction, transport, positioning, extraction, harvesting, peeling or sampling of biological material in or from the apparatus by injection or suction, e.g. using pipettes, syringes, needles for multiple inoculation or multiple collection of samples
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
  • C12M33/00—Means for introduction, transport, positioning, extraction, harvesting, peeling or sampling of biological material in or from the apparatus
  • C12M33/04—Means for introduction, transport, positioning, extraction, harvesting, peeling or sampling of biological material in or from the apparatus by injection or suction, e.g. using pipettes, syringes, needles
  • C12M33/07—Dosage or metering devices therefore
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
  • B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
  • B01L2200/025—Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
  • B01L2200/06—Fluid handling related problems
  • B01L2200/0642—Filling fluids into wells by specific techniques
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
  • B01L2200/08—Ergonomic or safety aspects of handling devices
  • B01L2200/087—Ergonomic aspects
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
  • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
  • B01L3/508—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above
  • B01L3/5085—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
  • B01L3/50853—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes rigid containers not provided for above for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates with covers or lids
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
  • B01L9/00—Supporting devices; Holding devices
  • B01L9/54—Supports specially adapted for pipettes and burettes

Definitions

• a manual pipetter that rehydrates and/or inoculates microdilution panels.
• conventional dry panels or designated rapid panels may be rehydrated/inoculated.
• the manual pipetter device may be used in conjunction with a transfer lid and a seed trough.
• Traditional manual pipetter devices position the user's hand in a pronated position, which may lead to carpel tunnel syndrome or other nerve issues.
• FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of an exemplary rehydrator/inoculator device
• FIG. 2 A depicts a front perspective view of a hand of a user in a neutral position and oriented to grasp the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 2B depicts a front perspective view of a hand of a user in a pronated position
• FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary seed trough for use with the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary transfer lid for use with the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary test panel for use with the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1 and with an exemplary piston in a first position;
• FIG. 7 depicts the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 with the piston in a second position
• FIG. 8 depicts an exploded view of an exemplary center lever assembly of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 9A depicts a top perspective view of an exemplary center lever button and exemplary release button of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 9B depicts another top perspective view of the center lever button and release button of FIG. 9A;
• FIG. 10A depicts an enlarged cross-sectional view of an exemplary pickup button of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1 depressed in a first direction with the center lever button locked in an undepressed state;
• FIG. 10B depicts an enlarged cross- sectional view of the center lever button of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1 depressed in the first direction with the pickup button locked in an undepressed state;
• FIG. 11A depicts a bottom perspective view of an exemplary base of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1 with an exemplary pair of prongs in a closed orientation;
• FIG. 1 IB depicts a bottom perspective view of the base of FIG. 11 A with the pair of prongs in an open orientation
• FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart depicting a method of using the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of the seed trough of FIG. 3 receiving an exemplary liquid therein;
• FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of the transfer lid of FIG. 4 being lowered onto the seed trough of FIG. 13;
• FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1 being lowered onto the combined transfer lid and seed trough of FIG. 14 with the pickup button depressed in the first direction;
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 15 disposed on the combined transfer lid and seed trough and with the center lever button depressed in the first direction;
• FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 16 with the transfer lid connected thereto and being lowered onto the test panel of FIG. 5 and with the center lever button depressed in the first direction;
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 17 with the release button depressed and the center lever button moving in a second direction;
• FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 18 with the center lever button in an undepressed state;
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 19 with the pickup button depressed in the first direction to release the transfer lid;
• FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the seed trough of FIG. 3 and the transfer lid of
• FIG. 4 being deposited in a waste container
• FIG. 22 depicts a flowchart depicting a method of using the rehydrator/inoculator device of FIG. 1.
• a rehydrator/inoculator device (1) is configured to be grasped by a hand (3) of a user in a neutral position (FIG. 2A) rather than a pronated position (FIG. 2B).
• hand (3) in the neutral position orients a palm (4), a thumb (5), an index finger (7), a middle finger (9), a ring finger (11), and a pinky finger (13) generally vertically, with the fingers actuating buttons in a horizontal movement.
• FIG. 2A hand (3) in the neutral position orients a palm (4), a thumb (5), an index finger (7), a middle finger (9), a ring finger (11), and a pinky finger (13) generally vertically, with the fingers actuating buttons in a horizontal movement.
• hand (3) in the pronated position orients palm (4), thumb (5), index finger (7), middle finger (9), ring finger (11), and pinky finger (13) generally horizontally, with the fingers actuating buttons in a vertical movement.
• the horizontal orientation of hand (3) in the pronated position increases stress and pressure on the tendons and other connective tissue of hand (3), particularly when repetitively performing a task or tasks, such as the tasks involved in using rehydrator/inoculator device (1).
• rehydrator/inoculator device (1) includes a housing (15) extending from a top end (17) to a bottom end (19).
• a base (21) is disposed at bottom end (19) and a release button (23) is disposed at top end (17) of housing (15).
• a pickup button (25) is disposed between release button (23) and base (21) and is configured to be depressed in a first direction, as indicated by Arrow A.
• a center lever button (27) is disposed between pickup button (25) and base (21) and is configured to be depressed in the first direction, as indicated by Arrow A.
• a piston enclosure (29), forming part of housing (15) is disposed generally between center lever button (27) and base (21).
• thumb (5) is disposed proximate release button (23)
• index finger (7) is disposed proximate pickup button (25)
• middle finger (9) ring finger (11), and pinky finger (13) are disposed proximate center lever button (27).
• release button (23) may define a thumb contour (31) sized to receive a portion of thumb (5) therein, as shown in FIG. 9.
• pickup button (25) may define an index finger contour (33) sized to receive a portion of index finger (7) therein and center lever button (27) may define a plurality of finger contours (35), with each finger contour (35) sized to receive one of the middle finger (9), ring finger (11), and pinky finger (13).
• a palm portion (37), formed as part of housing (15), is sized to abut palm (4) thereon as hand (3) grasps rehydrator/inoculator device (1) in the neutral position (FIG. 2A).
• rehydrator/inoculator device (1) is configured to utilize a seed trough (39), a transfer lid (41), and a test panel (43). As will be discussed in greater detail below, rehydrator/inoculator device (1) generally operates to grasp transfer lid (41) by a pair of prong openings (46) and transfer an inoculum from seed trough (39) into a plurality of individual pipets (45) defined by transfer lid (41).
• rehydrator/inoculator device (1) generally operates to facilitate depositing the inoculum in each pipet (45) of transfer lid (41) into a plurality of individual wells (47) defined by test panel (43) in order to rehydrate and/or inoculate each well (47).
• the rehydrated/inoculated test panel (43) thereafter continues on in the microorganism testing procedure.
• rehydrator/inoculator device (1) generally includes a center lever assembly (49), a release button assembly (51), a pickup button assembly (53). Each assembly is directed to a particular task used in the rehydration/inoculation process. In some versions of rehydrator/inoculator device (1), each assembly includes features to prevent engagement of the remaining assemblies when the initial assembly is engaged.
• Center lever assembly (49) includes center lever button (27) is generally directed to actuating a piston (55) disposed between center lever button (27) and base (21).
• Piston (55) is configured to move in a fluid pulling direction to displace a volume of air into a vacuum cylinder (57) of center lever assembly (49) through a piston channel (86).
• the fluid pulling direction and the first direction are identical, as depicted generally by Arrow A (FIG. 6).
• Piston (55) is further configured to move in a fluid pushing direction to displace a volume of air out of vacuum cylinder (57) of center lever assembly (49).
• the fluid pushing direction is depicted generally by Arrow B (FIG. 6).
• Piston (55) is actuated to move in the fluid pulling direction and the fluid pushing direction via movement from center lever button (27).
• Center lever button (27) of center lever assembly (49) includes a yoke bracket (59) for attachment to piston (55).
• Yoke bracket (59) includes a pair of yoke arms (61), whereby each yoke arm (61) is positioned and configured to extend around one side of piston (55).
• Each yoke arm (61) defines a yoke hole (63) sized to receive a dowel pin (65) therethrough.
• Piston (55) defines a complementary sized and positioned opening (67) whereby dowel pin (65) extends through yoke holes (63) and opening (67) to connect center lever button (27) to piston (55).
• Vacuum cylinder (57) defines a track (69) sized to slidably receive a portion of dowel pin (65) therein to allow movement of piston (55) between the fluid pulling direction and the fluid pushing direction. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 11 A, vacuum cylinder (57) is connected to piston channel (86) which extends into base (21). Piston channel (86) fluidly connects vacuum cylinder (57) and base (21) to allow fluid such as air to move therebetween in response to the movement of piston (55) within vacuum cylinder (57).
• piston (55) is biased in the fluid pushing direction by a pair of piston compression springs (71) extending from a first end (73) to a second end (75).
• First end (73) of each compression spring (71) is received in a spring chamber (77) defined by piston (55).
• Second end (75) of each compression spring (71) is received by a spring guide (79) extending from a barrel cap (81).
• Barrel cap (81) is secured to vacuum cylinder (57) by a plurality of fasteners (83) received in a corresponding fastener receiver (85) of vacuum cylinder (57).
• An inner seal (137) and a retaining ring (139) are provided in conjunction with vacuum cylinder and piston (55).
• Center lever assembly (49) further includes an upper element (87) and a lower element (89) extending from vacuum cylinder (57).
• Lower element (89) is configured to act as a brace against base (21) and to orient piston (55) to move in the first direction, as shown as Arrow A in FIG. 1.
• Upper element (87) defines a spring chamber (91) sized to receive a first end (93) of a center lever compression spring (95) therein.
• Center lever button (27) includes a boss (99) extending outwardly away therefrom and sized to receive a bushing (101) thereon.
• Bushing (101) is sized to receive a second end (103) of center lever compression spring (95) to bias center lever button (27) away from upper element (87) via center lever compression spring (95).
• Release button assembly (51) is generally directed to locking center lever button
• Release button assembly (51) is configured to release the locked center lever button (27) when release button (23) is depressed.
• release button (23) is configured to be depressed in a release direction, wherein the release direction is different from the first direction.
• release button (23) is attached to upper element (87) of center lever assembly (49) by a dowel pin (103) extending through a yoke bracket (105) and through release button (23) to hold release button (23) thereon as well as allow for release button (23) to pivot about dowel pin (103).
• release button (23) includes a platform (107) extending outwardly away from yoke bracket (105).
• a release button compression spring (109) is disposed between platform (107) and upper element (87), with an indent (111), shown in FIG. 8, disposed on upper element (87) and sized to receive an end of release button compression spring (109) thereon.
• a release button compression spring (119) is provided between the opposite end of release button (23) and a portion of housing (15). Release button (23) is biased to the undepressed orientation by release button compression springs (109, 119). When depressed, release button (23) pivots about dowel pin (103) to compress release button compression springs (109, 119) and move platform (107) downwardly towards upper element (87).
• a pair of lock arm (113) extend downwardly from platform (107) of release button assembly (51).
• Each lock arm (113) extends from a top end (115) to a bottom end (117).
• Lock arm (113) is connected to platform (107) at top end (115).
• Lock arm (113) includes a flange (121) disposed at bottom end (117), extending outwardly away therefrom.
• a pair of notches (123) are defined on the interior of center lever button (27).
• Flanges (121) and notches (123) include complementary profiles, whereby flanges (121) fit inside notches (123).
• Lock arms (113) are disposed at the rear of center lever button (27) when center lever button (27) is in the undepressed or default state. As center lever button (27) is depressed in the first direction, notches (123) move toward flanges (121). Once center lever button (27) is depressed beyond a particular threshold, flanges (121) press into notches (123) and lock center lever button (27).
• flanges (121) and notches (123) prevent movement of center lever button (27) while flanges (121) are disposed in notches (123).
• Each notch (123) includes a cam ramp (125) extending downwardly out of notches (123).
• release button (23) may be depressed in the direction of Arrow C (FIG. 6) to cam flanges (121) out of notches (123) by way of cam ramps (125).
• center lever button (27) is unlocked and the bias from center lever compression springs (95) press center lever button (27) in the direction of Arrow B (FIG. 6) to prevent flanges (121) from moving back into notches (123) when the user releases release button (23).
• Pickup button assembly (53) is generally directed to actuating a pair of prongs
• Prongs (127) extending through base (21), as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.
• Prongs (127) are configured to open and close in response to movement of pickup button (25).
• prongs (127) are configured to open and close in response to movement of a single button, namely, pickup button (25).
• FIG. 11A illustrates prongs (127) in the closed orientation
• FIG. 11B illustrates prongs (127) in the open orientation.
• Prongs (127) are biased to the closed orientation (FIG. 11 A) by way of a biasing member (not shown), such as a spring, an elastic element, or a wire. Biasing member is operably connected to pickup button (25).
• pickup button (25) As pickup button (25) is depressed in the first direction (Arrow A), the bias is overcome and prongs (127) move from the closed orientation (FIG. 11 A) to the open orientation (FIG. 11B).
• depressing pickup button (25) provides slack in a biased element, which overcomes the bias and allows prongs (127) to move from the closed orientation to the open orientation.
• the bias of biasing member moves prongs (127) from the open orientation (FIG. 11B) to the closed orientation (FIG. 11 A).
• pickup button assembly (53) includes a sliding lock (129) generally disposed between pickup button (25) and center lever button (27).
• Sliding lock (129) is configured to prevent the depression of pickup button (25) when center lever button (27) is depressed. This in turn prevents the movement of prongs (127) from the closed orientation to the open orientation and thus prevents transfer lid (41) from being prematurely released from base (21).
• sliding lock (129) is configured to prevent the depression of center lever button (27) when pickup button (25) is depressed and prongs are in the open orientation. This in turn prevents the drawing of fluid into transfer lid (41) while transfer lid (41) is not fully locked into base (21).
• sliding lock (129) acts as a gatekeeper or check element to prevent simultaneous depression of pickup button (25) and center lever button (27).
• Sliding lock (129) includes a first portion (131) and a second portion (133).
• the depression of pickup button (25) orients sliding lock (129) to block any movement of center lever button (27).
• Pickup button (25) is free to slide over second portion (133), but the profile of sliding lock (129) prevents the depression of center lever button (27) while pickup button (25) is depressed due to first portion (131) firmly abutting center lever button (27).
• the depression of center lever button (27) orients second portion (133) of sliding lock (129) into an abutting relationship with pickup button (25).
• Center lever button (27) is free to slide over first portion (131), but the profile of sliding lock (129) prevents the depression of pickup button (25) while center lever button (27) is depressed.
• FIGS. 12-22 illustrate a method of using rehydrator/inoculator device (1) to rehydrate or inoculate pipets (45) of test panel (43) with an inoculum and/or a hydration fluid, referred to herein after as method (201).
• step (203) begins with a step (203), whereby a user deposits an inoculum and/or hydration fluid into seed trough (39).
• the inoculum and/or hydration fluid will be referred to hereinafter generally as "fluid.”
• FIG. 13 depicts a user pouring the fluid from a container (135) into seed trough (39).
• the particular fluid deposited in seed trough (39) is selected by the user for use in conjunction with the particular test procedure or test panel (43) being used in method (201).
• the user may rock seed trough (39) or otherwise ensure the fluid is distributed evenly throughout seed trough (39).
• step (203) proceeds to a step (205).
• step (205) the user places transfer lid (41) over seed trough (39). The user then taps transfer lid (41) on each of the four corners to ensure the absence of bubbles and then allow transfer lid (41) to equilibrate for a time in seed trough (39). Thereafter, step (205) proceeds to a step (207).
• step (207) rehydrator/inoculator device (1) is coupled to transfer lid (41).
• step (207) the user picks up rehydrator/inoculator device (1) and depresses pickup button (25) in the first direction (Arrow A).
• depressing pickup button (25) moves prongs (127) from the default closed orientation (FIG. 11A) to the open orientation (FIG. 11B).
• Depressing pickup button (25) also locks center lever button (27) from being able to be depressed in the direction of Arrow A.
• the user lowers rehydrator/inoculator device (1) onto transfer lid (41).
• prongs (127) are positioned to enter into prong openings (46) as rehydrator/inoculator device (1) is lowered onto transfer lid (41).
• the user then releases pickup button (25) to move prongs from the open configuration to the closed configuration and thereby lock rehydrator/inoculator device (1) to transfer lid (41).
• step (207) proceeds to a step (209).
• step (209) fluid is drawn and held in transfer lid
• step (209) the user depresses center lever button (27) in the first direction (Arrow A). As described above, depressing center lever button (27) locks pickup button (25) from moving in the first direction. Depressing center lever button (27) further moves yoke bracket (59) inside housing (15) in the first direction. Inasmuch as yoke bracket (59) is connected to piston (55) via dowel pin (65), piston (55) is similarly moved in the first direction, also referred to as the fluid pulling direction. The movement of piston (55) displaces a portion of the air within base (21) through piston channel (86) and into vacuum cylinder (57).
• center lever button (27) As center lever button (27) is depressed in the first direction beyond a threshold, center lever button (27) is locked into place via flanges (121) of release button assembly (51) locking into notches (123) of center lever button (27). The locking of center lever button (27) prevents the fluid from being accidentally released before the user is ready.
• center lever button (27) hydraulically holds the fluid in transfer lid (41) while the user moves rehydrator/inoculator device (1) as desired. Hand pressure on finger contours (35) may be released by the user in order to manipulate other elements or prepare and position test panel (43) for receiving the fluid. Thereafter, step (209) proceeds to a step (211).
• step (211) rehydrator/inoculator device (1) is placed onto test panel (43) with transfer lid (41) therebetween and containing the fluid held therein. This generally aligns each pipet (45) of transfer lid (41) with a corresponding well (47) of test panel (43). Thereafter, step (211) proceeds to a step (213).
• step (213) As shown in FIGS. 12 and 18, in step (213), the user presses release button (23) to unlock center lever button (27). The pressing of release button (23) pivots release button (23) about dowel pin (103) to overcome the bias of compression spring (109) pushing against platform (107), as shown in FIG. 7.
• center lever button (27) moves in the direction of Arrow B of FIG. 6, generally opposite to the first direction.
• the movement of center lever button (27) moves yoke bracket (59) inside housing (15) in the direction of Arrow B.
• piston (55) is moved in the fluid pushing direction within vacuum cylinder (57). This movement of piston (55) expels the air within vacuum cylinder (57) out through piston channel (86).
• release button (23) is depressed and the user waits for center lever button (27) to return to the original undepressed state before lifting rehydrator/inoculator device (1) off test panel (43).
• Test panel (43) is thereafter inoculated/hydrated and the user may proceed to use test panel (43) in the testing process. Thereafter, step (213) proceeds to a step (215).
• transfer lid (41) is released and decoupled from rehydrator/inoculator device (1).
• the user depresses pickup button (27) in the first direction.
• the depression of pickup button (27) opens prongs (127) and allows prongs (127) to move out of prong openings (46) defined by transfer lid (41), releasing rehydrator/inoculator device (1) from transfer lid (41).
• the used transfer lid (41) and seed trough (39) may thereafter be disposed of in a waste container and method (201) ends.
• rehydrator/inoculator device (1) may perform a method (301), whereby pickup button (25) and center lever button (27) are both depressed in the first direction, depicted by Arrow A in FIG. 1.
• Method (301) begins with a step (303), whereby pickup button (25) is depressed in the first direction to actuate prongs (127) to move from the closed orientation to the open orientation.
• Step (303) thereafter moves to a step (305).
• step (305) pickup button (25) is released and moves in the direction of Arrow B to actuate prongs (127) to move from the open orientation to the closed orientation and lock transfer lid (41) to base (21). Thereafter, step (303) moves to a step (305).
• step (305) center lever button (27) is depressed in the first direction, depicted as Arrow A of FIG. 1.
• depressing center lever button (27) in the first direction actuates piston (55) to move in the fluid pulling direction to populate pipets (45) of transfer lid (41) with fluid.
• method (301) ends.
• An apparatus configured to be grasped in a neutral hand position, the apparatus comprising a housing extending from a top end and a bottom end; a base disposed at the bottom end; a release button disposed at the top end; a pickup button disposed between the release button and the base, wherein the pickup button is configured to be depressed in a first direction; a center lever button disposed between the pickup button and the base, wherein the center lever button is configured to be depressed in the first direction; and a piston disposed between the center lever button and the base, wherein the piston is operably connected to the center lever button.
• Example 7 The apparatus of any of the previous or subsequent Examples, further comprising a plurality of finger slots defined by the center level button.
• a method of preparing test panels with a hand of a user in a neutral position comprising grasping a test panel preparation device with a hand of a user in a neutral position, wherein the test panel preparation device extends from a top end to a bottom end, wherein a release button of the test panel preparation device is disposed proximate the top end, wherein a base of the test panel preparation device is disposed proximate the bottom end.
• the grasping comprises locating a thumb finger of the hand proximate the release button; locating an index finger of the hand proximate a pickup button disposed between the release button and the base; locating one or more of a middle finger, a ring finger, and a pinky finger proximate a center lever button disposed between the pickup button and the base.
• the method further comprising depressing the center lever button in a first direction via one or more of the middle finger, the ring finger, and the pinky finger while grasping the test panel preparation device; in response to depressing the center lever button in the first direction, actuating a piston disposed between the center lever button and the base to move in a fluid pulling direction; and in response to actuating the piston in the fluid pulling direction, displacing a volume of air into the piston.
• Example 12 [00089] The method of any of the previous or subsequent Examples, further comprising depressing the center lever button beyond a threshold; and in response to depressing the center lever button beyond the threshold, locking the center lever button.
• Example 18 [000101] The method of any of the previous or subsequent Examples, further comprising drawing a fluid into the transfer lid in response to displacing the volume of air into the piston.
• An apparatus comprising a first actuation element disposed at a first end of the apparatus, wherein the first actuation element is configured to be depressed in a first direction; a base disposed at a second end of the apparatus; a second actuation element disposed between the first actuation element and the base, wherein the second actuation element is configured to be depressed in a second direction; a third actuation element disposed between the second actuation element and the base, wherein the third actuation element is configured to be depressed in the second direction; and a piston operably connected to one of the first actuation element, the second actuation element, and the third actuation element.
• any of the examples described herein may include various other features in addition to or in lieu of those described above.
• any of the examples described herein may also include one or more of the various features disclosed in any of the various references that are incorporated by reference herein.

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