Abstract: A storage module for a laboratory automation system, a method of operating a laboratory automation system, and a laboratory automation system are presented. Items used by laboratory stations are stored centrally in a storage module and can be transported to the laboratory stations using a laboratory sample distribution system.

Abstract: A laboratory distribution system is presented. The system comprises diagnostic laboratory container carriers and a conveyor. The conveyor comprises an endless drive defining a closed-loop conveyor pathway. The system comprises supporting elements attached to the endless drive. The supporting elements receive a container carrier and transport the container carrier in an upright position along a pathway section. The supporting elements are mounted pivotally about a horizontal pivot axis to the drive and structured such that a center of gravity of the supporting element with or without an empty or loaded container carrier is arranged below and vertically aligned with the pivot axis when the supporting element is in an upright position such that each supporting element is free to pivot about the associated pivot axis under the effect of gravitational forces acting on the supporting element for maintaining the supporting elements in an upright position while travelling along the path.

Abstract: A system for dispensing vessels to an analyzer is disclosed. The system comprises a disc rotatable about an axis and comprising a groove, a drum arranged above and coupled to the disc to rotatable together about the axis, the drum comprising slots arranged along and around the axis, each slot comprising an input interface for stacking vessels in the slot and an output interface for dispensing the vessels, the output interface comprising a retainer, a crank translatable in a linear forwards and backwards direction orthogonal to the axis between a first, second, and third position. The crank comprises a pin for rotating the disc and bringing a slot into a dispensing position upon translation between the first and second position, the crank comprising an actuator pin for actuating the retainer in the dispensing position upon translation of the crank between the second and third position to dispense the vessels.

Abstract: A sample handling device for a laboratory automation system comprising a first carousel with a disc supported on a first axis, a second carousel with a disc supported on a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a transfer element between the first and second carousels is presented. Each disc has recesses distributed radially about the disc perimeter. Each recess receives a tube carrier. The first carousel and the second carousel connect via a passage for transferring sample tube carriers between the first and second carousels. The transfer element is a track switch which when in a rest position partly closes the passage to separate the first carousel from the second carousel. The track switch is swiveled and/or rotated about a third axis parallel to the first axis out of the rest position for transferring a tube carrier from the first carousel to the second carousel via the passage.

Abstract: A tube rack transfer device for transferring racks is presented. A first rail extends in a first horizontal direction and a second rail extends in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second rail moves along the first rail and comprising a transfer head movable along the second rail. The transfer head comprises a control pin to be coupled with one of: an input pusher, translatable in the second direction, for transferring a rack from a carrier to a sampling area of an analyzer; an output pusher for transferring a rack from the sampling area to a carrier; a rack for transferring the rack between different carriers and/or between different positions of the same carrier. An in-vitro diagnostic instrument comprises an analyzer for carrying out tests on biological samples, a sample unit for inputting/outputting racks, a sampling area for withdrawing samples from tubes, and a transfer device.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively.

Abstract: A system for dispensing vessels to an analyzer is disclosed. The system comprises a disc rotatable about an axis and comprising a groove, a drum arranged above and coupled to the disc to rotatable together about the axis, the drum comprising slots arranged along and around the axis, each slot comprising an input interface for stacking vessels in the slot and an output interface for dispensing the vessels, the output interface comprising a retainer, a crank translatable in a linear forwards and backwards direction orthogonal to the axis between a first, second, and third position. The crank comprises a pin for rotating the disc and bringing a slot into a dispensing position upon translation between the first and second position, the crank comprising an actuator pin for actuating the retainer in the dispensing position upon translation of the crank between the second and third position to dispense the vessels.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively.

Abstract: A laboratory distribution system is presented. The system comprises diagnostic laboratory container carriers and a conveyor. The conveyor comprises an endless drive defining a closed-loop conveyor pathway. The system comprises supporting elements attached to the endless drive. The supporting elements receive a container carrier and transport the container carrier in an upright position along a pathway section. The supporting elements are mounted pivotally about a horizontal pivot axis to the drive and structured such that a center of gravity of the supporting element with or without an empty or loaded container carrier is arranged below and vertically aligned with the pivot axis when the supporting element is in an upright position such that each supporting element is free to pivot about the associated pivot axis under the effect of gravitational forces acting on the supporting element for maintaining the supporting elements in an upright position while travelling along the path.

Abstract: A device for repositioning tubes in a tube rack is presented. The device comprises a base; a mount movable relative to the base in a first and second direction; an actuator for moving the mount; grippers coupled to and movable with the mount, each gripper comprising arms with portions for gripping a tube; a biasing element coupled to the mount and to the arms to be movable relative to the mount and to move the portions towards/away from each other; a blocking element coupled to the base to engage the biasing element and to block movement of the biasing element with respect to the mount against a force where the mount is moved in the first direction to move the portions towards each other and to disengage from the biasing element when the mount is moved in the second direction to allow the portions to be moved apart.

Abstract: A method and a device for transferring tubes between a laboratory automation system and a sample archiving system are presented. When transferring a tube from the laboratory automation system to the sample archiving system, a tube carrier carrying a tube is conveyed to a first take-over module via a first conveyor. At the first take-over module, the tube is removed from the tube carrier and the empty tube carrier is conveyed away from the first take-over module via a second conveyor. When transferring a tube from the sample archiving system to the laboratory automation system, an empty tube carrier is conveyed to a second take-over module via a third conveyor. At the second take-over module, at least one tube is inserted into the tube carrier and the tube carrier carrying the at least one tube is conveyed away from the second take-over module via a fourth conveyor.

Abstract: A method for processing sample tubes comprising biological samples is presented. The method comprises transporting a sample tube closed by a closure to a first work cell, removing the closure with a first decapping/recapping device; withdrawing from the sample tube a sample aliquot with a pipetting unit for processing by the first work cell and/or dispensing liquid into the sample tube and/or determining a sample parameter with an analytical unit, reclosing the sample tube with a closure with the first decapping/recapping device, transporting the sample tube to a second work cell, removing the closure with a second decapping/recapping device, and withdrawing from the sample tube a sample aliquot with a pipetting unit for processing by the second work cell and/or dispensing a volume of liquid into the sample tube and/or determining a sample parameter of the sample with of an analytical unit.

Abstract: A sample handling device for a laboratory automation system comprising a first carousel with a disc supported on a first axis, a second carousel with a disc supported on a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a transfer element between the first and second carousels is presented. Each disc has recesses distributed radially about the disc perimeter. Each recess receives a tube carrier. The first carousel and the second carousel connect via a passage for transferring sample tube carriers between the first and second carousels. The transfer element is a track switch which when in a rest position partly closes the passage to separate the first carousel from the second carousel. The track switch is swiveled and/or rotated about a third axis parallel to the first axis out of the rest position for transferring a tube carrier from the first carousel to the second carousel via the passage.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively.

Abstract: A tube rack transfer device for transferring racks is presented. A first rail extends in a first horizontal direction and a second rail extends in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second rail moves along the first rail and comprising a transfer head movable along the second rail. The transfer head comprises a control pin to be coupled with one of: an input pusher, translatable in the second direction, for transferring a rack from a carrier to a sampling area of an analyzer; an output pusher for transferring a rack from the sampling area to a carrier; a rack for transferring the rack between different carriers and/or between different positions of the same carrier. An in-vitro diagnostic instrument comprises an analyzer for carrying out tests on biological samples, a sample unit for inputting/outputting racks, a sampling area for withdrawing samples from tubes, and a transfer device.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively.

Abstract: A conveyor device for conveying test tube holders in a laboratory distribution system is presented. The conveyor device is a screw conveyor device comprising a helical track having a helix axis and a drive shaft having an axis of rotation parallel or coaxial to the helix axis, which drive shaft is adapted to be driven to rotate about the axis of rotation for causing a movement of one test tube holder or a plurality of test tube holders contacting the helical track between an entry region and an exit region. The entry region and the exit region are spaced in a direction of the helix axis. A laboratory distribution system for conveying test tube holders and a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: A storage module for a laboratory automation system, a method of operating a laboratory automation system, and a laboratory automation system are presented. Items used by laboratory stations are stored centrally in a storage module and can be transported to the laboratory stations using a laboratory sample distribution system.

Abstract: A tube rack transfer device for transferring racks is presented. A first rail extends in a first horizontal direction and a second rail extends in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second rail moves along the first rail and comprising a transfer head movable along the second rail. The transfer head comprises a control pin to be coupled with one of: an input pusher, translatable in the second direction, for transferring a rack from a carrier to a sampling area of an analyzer; an output pusher for transferring a rack from the sampling area to a carrier; a rack for transferring the rack between different carriers and/or between different positions of the same carrier. An in-vitro diagnostic instrument comprises an analyzer for carrying out tests on biological samples, a sample unit for inputting/outputting racks, a sampling area for withdrawing samples from tubes, and a transfer device.