Abstract: A device for gripping vessels is presented. The device comprises a mount, a support having a longitudinal axis coupled to the mount so to be rotatable relative to the mount around the longitudinal axis, a rotating mechanism for rotating the support, a gripper coupled to the support so to be translatable relative to the support along the longitudinal axis. The gripper has jaws for gripping a vessel, a translating mechanism for translating the gripper, at least one actuator for driving the translating mechanism and/or rotating mechanism and at least two reference elements fixed to the mount in at least two different stop positions. The jaws are passively biasable towards each other for holding a vessel in positions other than the at least two stop positions. The jaws are actively biasable away from each other by pushing the gripper against a reference element in one of the stop positions.

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: An apparatus, system for analyzing, and process for separating cuvettes supplied in bulk form are presented. The apparatus comprises a reservoir with an inlet for supplying cuvettes in bulk form to a reservoir space, a separator with an outlet for outputting separated cuvettes from a separator space communicating with the reservoir space, a reservoir spiral contained in the reservoir space to transport cuvettes to the separator space by rotating the reservoir spiral, and a separator spiral contained in the separator space to transport cuvettes to the outlet by rotating the separator spiral. Adjacent turns of the separator spiral have an inter-distance dimensioned such that a cuvette can be held in a holding position in which projections projecting outwards from a body for receiving liquid rest on adjacent turns, with the body dipping into a spiral groove between the adjacent turns.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated opening/closing of one or more fluid containers is presented. Each container comprises an opening and a cap for closing the opening. The cap is pivotable with respect to the container body so as to open or close the container. A mount and a carriage supported by the mount by a translating mechanism bidirectionally translate the carriage with respect to the mount. The carriage comprises a base portion and a pivoting portion supported by the base portion by a pivoting mechanism that bidirectionally pivots the pivoting portion with respect to the base portion. The pivoting portion has a contact member that contacts a projecting portion of the cap of each of the fluid containers while pivoting the pivoting portion so as to open and optionally close the opening. A drive is coupled to the carriage for translating the base portion and pivoting the pivoting portion.

Abstract: A method and an automated system for testing liquid samples comprising a reaction vessel transferring device are presented. A first analytical unit for running a first diagnostic test comprises a rotatable first vessel holder detachably holding reaction vessels. A second analytical unit for running a second diagnostic test comprises a stationary linear second vessel holder detachably holding reaction vessels. The transferring device comprises a gripper for gripping a reaction vessel and transfers reaction vessels from the first vessel holder to the second vessel holder and/or vice versa. The device is translatable parallel to the second vessel holder and the gripper moves along a curved path between a picking position and a reaction vessel seat of the second vessel holder.

Abstract: A junction for transporting sample racks in an analytical system having one or more work cells for processing samples are disclosed. In one embodiment, the junction may include a main transport line, a turntable having a rotatable transport line, and one or more bypass transport lines. The main transport line can transport first sample racks and second sample racks having different sizes via the turntable. The turntable further comprises a recess for diverting second sample racks from the main transport line to the bypass transport line or vice versa when rotated.

Abstract: A decapping/recapping device for removing closures from sample tubes and for reclosing sample tubes with the same closures is presented. The device comprises individual closure holders, each holder comprising a passive closure gripper for holding a closure, at least one actuator for actuating the passive closure gripper when removing a closure from a tube or reclosing a tube with its respective closure and at least one tube gripper cooperating with the at least one actuator for biasing a tube and its closure away from each other when removing the closure and for biasing the tube and its closure towards each other when reclosing the tube. One actuator is coupled to one passive closure gripper of a closure holder when removing a closure from a tube or when reclosing a tube with its respective closure and is decoupled from a passive closure gripper when the closure holder is holding a closure.

Abstract: A pipette tip and a method for pipetting a congealed blood sample utilizing the pipette tip are disclosed. The pipette tip includes an attachment section configured to be attached to a dispensing device, a liquid containing section configured to receive at least part of an aspired liquid sample, and a liquid aspiration section that is connected to the liquid containing section. The liquid aspiration section has a distal end aspiration opening and at least one further aspiration opening in a side wall.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically processing of liquid samples involving mixing of the samples with fluids are disclosed. The system includes a storing and handling device for storing and handling of fluid containers, which includes: a storing member provided with a plurality of storing positions, adapted for accommodating the fluid containers, the storing member having at least two storing levels, each of which extending in a plane, which are being stacked in a direction orthogonally aligned to the plane; and a handler, adapted for automatically transferring the fluid containers at least with respect to the storing positions. A method for operating such storing and handling device is also disclosed, wherein individual fluid containers are transferred between storing positions of a same or different storing levels in accordance with processing of the liquid samples.

Abstract: An automated instrument and process for processing samples is presented. The instrument comprises a sampling area for receiving samples and reaction vessels; an analytical area with a first device resource comprising at least one analyzer; a reaction area comprising a conveyor for reagent containers; an incubator; a second device resource comprising first functional devices, the first functional devices having access to the sampling area and the incubator such as to transfer reaction vessels from the sampling area to the incubator and/or to pipette samples and/or reagents into the reaction vessels; a third device resource comprising second functional devices, the second functional devices having access to the incubator and the analytical area such as to transfer the reaction vessels from the incubator to the analytical area and/or to dispense liquids or withdraw liquids from the reaction vessels.

Abstract: A decapping/recapping device for removing closures from sample tubes and for reclosing sample tubes with the same closures is presented. The device comprises individual closure holders, each holder comprising a passive closure gripper for holding a closure, at least one actuator for actuating the passive closure gripper when removing a closure from a tube or reclosing a tube with its respective closure and at least one tube gripper cooperating with the at least one actuator for biasing a tube and its closure away from each other when removing the closure and for biasing the tube and its closure towards each other when reclosing the tube. One actuator is coupled to one passive closure gripper of a closure holder when removing a closure from a tube or when reclosing a tube with its respective closure and is decoupled from a passive closure gripper when the closure holder is holding a closure.

Abstract: A system for processing sample tubes comprising biological samples is presented. The system comprises two or more work cells for processing samples. In correspondence to at least two of the work cells, the system comprises one of the following units: a pipetting unit for withdrawing a volume of sample from a sample tube to be processed by the work cell and/or dispensing a volume of liquid into the sample tube, and an analytical unit for determining at least one sample parameter of a sample contained in a sample tube. The system further comprises a decapping/recapping device for each of the at least two work cells for removing a closure from a sample tube and for reclosing the sample tube before it is transported to another work cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated opening/closing of one or more fluid containers is presented. Each container comprises an opening and a cap for closing the opening. The cap is pivotable with respect to the container body so as to open or close the container. A mount and a carriage supported by the mount by a translating mechanism bidirectionally translate the carriage with respect to the mount. The carriage comprises a base portion and a pivoting portion supported by the base portion by a pivoting mechanism that bidirectionally pivots the pivoting portion with respect to the base portion. The pivoting portion has a contact member that contacts a projecting portion of the cap of each of the fluid containers while pivoting the pivoting portion so as to open and optionally close the opening. A drive is coupled to the carriage for translating the base portion and pivoting the pivoting portion.

Abstract: Embodiments directed to a device for analyzing samples administered from a sample vessel are disclosed. One embodiment may comprise a central unit having a supply of reaction vessels and a sampling unit by which at least part of a sample is transferred from one of the sample vessels into the reaction vessel; at least one analytical unit having a plurality of reagent vessels; a transport unit which transports at least part of the reaction vessels from the central unit to the analytical unit such that the analytical unit supplies the reagent from the reagent vessels into the reaction vessel for triggering a reaction between the sample and the reagent; and at least one measuring unit provided in the analytical unit which measures the physical property of the sample held in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A sample tube holder for receiving and holding a sample tube having a cylindrical shape, a length symmetry axis and an outer diameter lying in a predetermined range. The sample tube holder comprises a solid body comprising at least one elongated chamber adapted for receiving a longitudinal portion of a sample tube, and an elastic element associated with and located outside of said chamber. When a sample tube is arranged in the chamber there is a gap between the sample tube and the side walls of the chamber, and the elastic element is in direct contact with at least three points of the outer surface of the sample tube, the elastic element thereby holds the sample tube and brings the length symmetry axis of the sample tube into coincidence with the length symmetry axis of the chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments directed to a device for analyzing samples administered from a sample vessel are disclosed. One embodiment may comprise a central unit having a supply of reaction vessels and a sampling unit by which at least part of a sample is transferred from one of the sample vessels into the reaction vessel; at least one analytical unit having a plurality of reagent vessels; a transport unit which transports at least part of the reaction vessels from the central unit to the analytical unit such that the analytical unit supplies the reagent from the reagent vessels into the reaction vessel for triggering a reaction between the sample and the reagent; and at least one measuring unit provided in the analytical unit which measures the physical property of the sample held in the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A device for analyzing samples is disclosed, which are supplied in sample vessels (2), a central unit (1) with reaction vessels (2), a transport unit (6) for transporting the reaction vessels and at least one analytical unit (7, 8, 9) being provided. The central unit (1) contains a sampling unit (30), by which at least a part of the sample is transferred from the sample vessel (2) to a reaction vessel. At least a part of the reaction vessels is transferred via/by the transport unit (6) to at least one of the analytical units (7, 8, 9). Furthermore, at least one reagent vessel (20, . . . , 23) with at least one reagent is provided, which is supplied to the sample in the reaction vessel for a reaction between the sample and the reagent. Finally, at least one measuring device (5) or at least one measuring unit for the measuring of a physical property of the sample is provided. The device according to the invention works extremely efficiently, simultaneously a minimal effort of resources being required.

Abstract: A cuvette holder for holding a plurality of reaction cuvettes is disclosed. The cuvette holder includes a body made by injection molding of a plastic material. The body extends along a circular segment and defines an array of chambers arranged along a circular segment, each of the chambers is for receiving, retaining and loosely holding the upper end portion of a reaction cuvette.

Abstract: A reagent container assembly adapted for being installed in a cavity of an analyzer. The reagent container assembly comprises a housing having an upper opening and defining at least one circular array of chambers, each chamber being adapted for receiving a reagent container, a cover for closing the upper opening of the housing, and a locking mechanism arranged within the housing. The locking mechanism is adapted for locking the cover and for preventing rotation thereof. The locking mechanism is further adapted for locking the housing and thereby preventing rotation thereof when the reagent container assembly is removed from its position in the analyzer. The locking mechanism is further adapted for cooperating with a pin arranged at the bottom of the cavity of the analyzer when the reagent container assembly is installed in the analyzer, the housing being unlocked by the cooperation and thereby allowed to be rotated within the cavity of the analyzer.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically processing of liquid samples involving mixing of the samples with fluids are disclosed. The system includes a storing and handling device for storing and handling of fluid containers, which includes: a storing member provided with a plurality of storing positions, adapted for accommodating the fluid containers, the storing member having at least two storing levels, each of which extending in a plane, which are being stacked in a direction orthogonally aligned to the plane; and a handler, adapted for automatically transferring the fluid containers at least with respect to the storing positions. A method for operating such storing and handling device is also disclosed, wherein individual fluid containers are transferred between storing positions of a same or different storing levels in accordance with processing of the liquid samples.