Abstract: A plurality of analyzer units for serum, a plurality of analyzer units for blood plasma and a plurality of analyzer units for urine are arranged along a main transfer line for transferring a sample rack from a rack providing portion to a rack storage portion. A reagent bottle for inspecting liver function is contained in each reagent delivery mechanism of two analyzer units among the plurality of analyzer units for serum. When the reagent for inspecting liver function in one of the two analyzer units is to be short, analysis for the liver function analysis item to samples can be continued by transferring a sample rack from the rack providing portion to the other analyzer unit.

Abstract: Packaged fluid receptacles include: a plurality of fluid receptacles arranged one next to the other to form a composite structure having a top surface, bottom surface and end walls at a first end and a second end and having a longitudinal axis which extends through the end walls; and a removable support which contacts at least the top surface, bottom surface and end walls, the removable support including an attachment for applying a force to remove the support, preferably in a direction along the longitudinal axis. In a preferred embodiment, the support is one-piece and has a single attachment. Preferably, the packaged fluid receptacles are cuvettes usable in a clinical analyzer.

Abstract: A vessel arrangement having a base and multiple vessels suited for simultaneously conducting a plurality of isolated experimental reactions or treatments at atmospheric process conditions or elevated temperatures and pressure condition has been developed. A component of a first material is introduced into one independent vessel through an opening in its top of the first vessel and another component of a second material is introduced into a different independent vessel through its top. Both vessels are removably located about a base at different first locations. Transformation of the components in the vessels then occurs to produce different materials therein. After completion of the experiments a displacement medium simultaneously urges the vessels from their respective locations about the base for discard or reuse after any necessary cleaning. Typically at least one property of the materials from the vessels is determined either within the vessel or after recovery of the materials.

Abstract: A sensor which has high measuring sensitivity and is excellent in response is provided by forming a porous film in a sensitive section of a field-effect transistor. It comprises a porous body, which is formed on a sensitive section (here, a gate insulating film) of the field-effect transistor and has cylindrical pores which are formed almost perpendicularly to a substrate, and the field-effect transistor. It uses as a porous film a porous film which is made of a semiconductor material whose main component (except oxygen) is silicon, germanium, or a composite of silicon and germanium, or a porous film made of an insulation material whose main component is silicon oxide, which has pores perpendicular to the substrate.

Abstract: A blood sample sensing apparatus includes a moving device which moves a sample container containing a blood sample to a sensing position, a turning mechanism which is connected to the moving device and tilts the sample container such that a bottom of the sample container is directed upward when the sample container is located in the sensing position, and an optical sensor which is located in the sensing position and determines whether the blood sample in the sample container is coagulated.

Abstract: An incubator includes an incubator ring assembly having at least two concentric rings supported for rotation about a common axle defining an axis of rotation. Each concentric ring includes a plurality of circumferentially defined load positions, each load position being sized for accommodating a test sample. At least one test station is arranged in relation to the plurality of load positions to selectively test a test sample, the test samples being are sequentially shuttled into and out of load positions of at least one of the concentric rings to increase the overall throughput of the analyzer.

Abstract: When a dry analysis element contained in an element cartridge to be loaded in a sample tray of an automatic analysis apparatus projects from a take out port, the element is returned to its proper position, thereby preventing conveyance failure and information readout failure, with the result that higher operation reliability is ensured. An element mounting portion is equipped with a correcting means, such as a restricting projection. The correcting means contacts and pushes a dry analysis element which projects from an element cartridge back to its predetermined position therein, in association with a loading operation of the element cartridge.

Abstract: An automatic analyzing apparatus has an analysis section including an immunity analysis unit and a biochemical componential analysis unit. A sample rack which has undergone the immunity componential analysis is horizontally fed by a rack feeding mechanism from a position confronting the inlet of a rack stationing section to a position near the outlet of the rack stationing section, so that the sample rack is directly moved to a return line, while skipping over the rack stationing section, so as to be efficiently returned to the analysis section and subjected to a subsequent biochemical analysis. A sample rack that needs reexamination by an identical analysis unit is also returned in the same efficient way.

Abstract: Samples and dry chemical analysis elements necessary for analyses of the samples are loaded on a circular sampler tray. Each of the samples having been loaded on the sampler tray is sucked through a spotting nozzle and spotted onto one of the dry chemical analysis elements. A temperature of each of the dry chemical analysis elements having been spotted with the samples is kept at a constant temperature in an incubator. The sampler tray is provided with a circular rotating disk. Sample vessels, each of which accommodates one of the samples, the dry chemical analysis elements of kinds corresponding to types of the analyses of the samples, nozzle tips, each of which is to be fitted to the spotting nozzle, diluent liquid vessels accommodating a diluent liquid, and mixing cups for dilution are supported on the rotating disk.

Abstract: An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to by physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide. The reagents are preferably held in a reagent dispensing strip similar to a “blister pack”.

Abstract: A specimen centrifuge system includes a centrifuge unit including a plurality of specimen centrifuges which are stacked in a plurality of layers in a vertical direction, a rack conveyor which is provided along a horizontal conveyance line, and a rack elevator which is provided along a vertical conveyance line. The rack elevator has a robot arm device which moves the specimen-container rack from the rack conveyor to the rack elevator and from the rack elevator to the rack conveyor and moves the specimen-container rack from the rack elevator to one of the specimen centrifuges and from one of the specimen centrifuges to the rack elevator.

Abstract: An apparatus for synthesizing polymer chains includes a controller, a plurality of precision fit vials circularly arranged in multiple banks on a cartridge, a drain corresponding to each bank of vials, a chamber bowl, a plurality of valves for delivering reagents to selective vials, and a waste tube system for purging material from the vials. A purging operation can be selectively performed on one or more of the banks of vials. The multiple banks of valves provide an additional number of reagent choices while operating in a serial mode and faster reagent distribution while operating in a parallel mode. The plurality of vials are stored in the cartridge and are divided among individual banks wherein each bank of vials has a corresponding drain. There is at least one waste tube system for expelling the reagent solution from vials within a particular bank of vials when the waste tube system is coupled to the corresponding drain.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic chemical analyzer which is capable of conducting investigation of the influence of contamination regardless of the knowledge or technical skill of the user, and can prevent the occurrence of errors of determination by letting the user know that a problem has arisen in the function of inhibiting the generation of contamination. The combination of items which has been judged to involve contamination is extracted (step S7-1), and it is decided whether or not the result of judgement is the same as those of the previous judgements (step S7-2). In the step S7-2, if the results disagree, it is judged that trouble arises in the mechanism for preventing the generation of contamination, i.e., cleaning mechanism in this case, and an alarm of “trouble in cleaning mechanism” is given on the alarm display of a CRT.

Abstract: A system for a clinical lab that is capable of automatically processing, including sorting, of multiple specimen containers. The system comprises a central controller, a workstation, one or more analyzers, and an automated centrifuge. The workstation has automatic detectors for detecting the presence of a holder holding specimen containers. The workstation has a bar code reader for reading bar codes on the containers. The system has a transport subsystem, preferably a workstation robotic arm and an analyzer robotic arm for transporting the specimen containers, moving them to and from the workstation, to and from the analyzers, and to and from the centrifuge. The centrifuge is loaded with buckets containing specimen containers. The workstation can be provided with a balance system for balancing the weight of the buckets used. The workstation can also have a decapper for automatically removing caps from the specimen containers.

Abstract: A sample archive method and system implement a plurality of sample carriers configured to support a plurality of sample nodes in a predetermined spatial relationship, sample storage devices for selectively placing the plurality of sample carriers in an archive, and sample node removal apparatus for locating and removing selected ones of the plurality of sample nodes. Alternative embodiments are disclosed wherein the sample node removal apparatus comprises a laser and a mechanical clipping tool, which may be manually operated or automated. An optical component may be operative to detect the location of selected sample carriers in the archive, selected ones of the plurality of sample nodes, or both. A positioning component may position the sample node removal apparatus responsive to signals transmitted by the optical component. Various apparatus and methods of archiving samples and preparing the same for analysis are also disclosed.

Abstract: A specimen centrifuge apparatus includes a specimen container carry-in system and a specimen container carry-out system. The specimen container carry-in system has a specimen container carry-in conveyor for loading pre-processed specimen containers into specimen centrifuge units stacked one on another in a centrifuge device, a carry-in elevator, a carry-in transfer arm, and a loading arm. The specimen container carry-out system has a specimen container carry-out conveyor for unloading the processed specimen containers from the specimen centrifuges, a carry-out elevator, a carry-out transfer arm, and an unloading arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates mainly to reaction vessels, to sets of such vessels for automatic immunological assay apparatuses, to automatic immunological assay apparatuses making use of such sets of vessels, and to a method implementing sets of such vessels. According to the present invention, photometric detection is implemented of the luminescence of a reaction mixture found in a reaction vessel, the apparatus and/or the vessel guaranteeing light-tightness so as to prevent entry of external light falsifying the measurement. Advantageously, sets of vessels in accordance with the present invention are made out of a material that is opaque. The present invention is particularly applicable to detecting the presence of a chemical or a biological substance in a sample. The present invention applies mainly to medical analysis and research.

Abstract: A plurality of analyzer units for serum, a plurality of analyzer units for blood plasma and a plurality of analyzer units for urine are arranged along a main transfer line for transferring a sample rack from a rack providing portion to a rack storage portion. A reagent bottle for inspecting liver function is contained in each reagent delivery mechanism of two analyzer units among the plurality of analyzer units for serum. When the reagent for inspecting liver function in one of the two analyzer units is to be short, analysis for the liver function analysis item to samples can be continued by transferring a sample rack from the rack providing portion to the other analyzer unit.

Abstract: A method for automatically operating a sample handling system and associated analyzers to conduct assays on a number of patient samples by comparing the assays to be conducted with a set of assay defined rules, subdividing the analyzers into analyzers which are in compliance with the assay defined rules and analyzers not in compliance with the set of assay defined rules; thereafter, operating the system to supply patient samples to analyzers in compliance or operating the system so as to bring at least one analyzer into compliance with the assay defined rules and supplying patient samples to such an analyzer.

Abstract: An automated immunological assay apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame carrying device for supporting samples to be analyzed, a device for supporting reagents, and a device for displacing sets of reaction wells along a rectangular path. A cog belt extends along the long sides of the path and a mechanism for transverse displacement extends along the short sides of the path. A device is also provided at one end of the path for automatically feeding sets of reaction wells.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for simultaneously moving a first sample plate into an analytical apparatus and a second sample plate from the analytical apparatus. The first sample plate is moved on an entry path which is vertically spaced apart from an exit path for the second sample plate. The transfer mechanism is disclosed in operation with a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A front-end system accepts samples and selectively provides aliquots of those samples to selected clinical chemistry analyzers coupled to the front-end system. The front-end system is coupled to an assembly of one or more clinical chemistry analyzers that might, for example, provide complementary analytical tools so that the overall system of front-end system and clinical chemistry analyzers provides a predetermined broad range of clinical analytical testing. The testing protocols for samples input to the overall system can be independently determined. Any sample may undergo a test within one or more of the clinical chemistry analyzers or a series of tests within a single or more typically within plural ones of the analyzers, depending upon the testing sequence defined in for that sample. The front-end system automatically identifies samples, draws aliquots, and transports the aliquots to the one or more clinical chemistry analyzers coupled to the front-end system.

Abstract: A high throughput chemical handling system includes a chemical storage module, a transport module, and one or more liquid handling modules. The transport module may implement parallel chemical transport, and the system may include a plurality of asynchronously operable liquid handling modules coupled to the parallel transport module.

Abstract: A contaminant detection system for mail is provided. A mail piece enters the system according to the present invention and a probe is inserted into the mail piece. An extraction device, such as, for example, a vacuum system, extracts a sample of air, including any dust and other particles, from inside the mail piece. The extracted sample is provided to a sampling system that monitors for the presence of a possible contaminant. If any type of contaminant is found in the sampled air, dust and other particles, a signal can be provided to alert an operator of contaminant detection and the mail piece can be diverted and held for further investigation. If no contaminants are detected, the mail piece is accepted and delivered to a normal processing path.

Abstract: A dangerous substance detecting apparatus comprises an oven for accommodating a wiping member stuck with a sample derived from a dangerous substance, a light source for emitting infrared rays for heating the sample, an ion source for ionizing the sample evaporated in the oven, a mass analyzer for performing a mass analysis on ions, a data processing unit for processing an output signal from the mass analyzer to determine the presence or absence of a dangerous substance, an operation panel for displaying the result of the determination, an alarm unit for generating an alarm based on the result of the determination, and a control unit for controlling the respective components of the apparatus based on operating conditions entered from the operation panel and specified for the respective components of the apparatus.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a device and method for accurately locating a multi-well plate at a plate-support location, e.g., a work surface, of an automated laboratory machine, such that one or more acting members of the machine, such as an array of pipette tips, optical sensors, or the like, can accurately address and operate on the individual wells. Interior and/or exterior surface regions of one or more wells of a multi-well plate are used as the primary plate features engaged by locating structure of the machine. In one particular embodiment one or more upwardly tapered projections extend from a plate-support surface of a plate-handling machine for mating engagement with the exterior surface regions of one or more wells. In another embodiment, the exterior surface regions along one or more well bottoms are engagingly received within bores, or other receiving structure, formed on the place-support surface of a machine.

Abstract: Gimbaled bladder actuators and methods for their use in compressing bladders present on test strips are provided. The subject actuators are characterized by the presence of a gimbaled compression pad under movement control of an actuating means, preferably an automated actuating means. Also provided are meters for reading test strips that include bladders, where the meters include the subject gimbaled bladder actuators.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ injection of one or more chemical components into a reaction chamber is disclosed. The apparatus includes a reaction chamber for receiving one or more libraries, each of the libraries comprising two or more samples. The reaction chamber is configured to form a sealed enclosure. The apparatus further includes an injection manifold supporting injectors for in-situ injection of one or more chemical components onto respective samples of the one or more libraries in the pressurized sealed reaction chamber.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a small-sized automatic analyzer that is convenient in use, wherein an insertion of an urgent sample can be easily carried out, its safety in operation and operability can be improved and its erroneous operation can be prevented. In order to accomplish the object of the present invention, a top panel of a body is provided with a sample disk storing a plurality of sample cups, a reagent disk storing a plurality of reagent bottles, and a reaction disk storing a plurality of reaction cuvettes for reacting sample liquid in sample cups with the reagent in reagent bottles and there is arranged an indicator illuminated when the sample disk is stopped, and there is provided a cover for covering a part of the top panel of the body, and when the cover is closed, a part of the sample disk is exposed out of the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ injection of one or more chemical components into a reaction chamber, comprising a reaction chamber for receiving one or more libraries including two or more samples; an injection module in fluid communication with the reaction chamber for permitting in-situ injection of one or more chemical components into the reaction chamber; and a selectively movable transport assembly supported by at least a portion of the reaction chamber for transporting the one or more libraries to the injection module.

Abstract: The invention provides an integrated sample-processing system and components thereof for preparing and/or analyzing samples. The components may include a transport module, a fluidics module, and an analysis module, among others.

Abstract: An automated staining apparatus and a method for treating samples arranged on a carrier is disclosed, in which portions of two or more selected reagents from a first station containing the reagents are collected individually by a robot arm handling a probe and dispensed in a mixing station of the apparatus. After mixing the reagents in the mixing station, e.g. by shaking or rotating the mixing cup containing the reagents, the reagent mixture is applied to selected samples by the robot arm and a probe.

Abstract: A biochemical analyzer for automatically analyzing components of a specimen, in which a specimen rack conveying part, a specimen introducing part, and a specimen storage part are arranged, independent from one another. The specimen introducing part, the analyzing part and the specimen storage part are coupled to one another along the longitudinal direction of the specimen conveying part. The heights of these three parts measured from the floor are from 850 to 950 mm, their depths are from 750 to 800 mm and their widths are multiples of the dimension of the specimen rack. A uniform appearance is achieved by having standardized dimensions. Also a low height provides better viewing and a lighter environment.

Abstract: A microplate lid having a substantially flat, generally rectangular top with first and second pairs of opposite sides. A flange depends from the top of the first and second pairs of sides, the flange bearings at least one recess area along each side of the first pair of sides, the recessed area extended into the top.

Abstract: A workstation for integrating two or more automated analyzers. The workstation includes a sample rack handler assembly, having a single common sample rack input area for loading sample racks for the two or more automated analyzers, and a sample rack bypass area for passing sample racks to be processed by one of the two or more automated analyzers. The workstation also includes a sample aliquoting assembly, having a sample pipetter station for aliquoting samples into aliquot vessels for processing by another one of the two or more automated analyzers. The workstation further includes an internal shuttle for shuttling the sample racks between the sample rack input area, the sample rack bypass area, and the sample pipetter station, and an external shuttle for shuttling the sample racks between the sample rack input area, the sample rack bypass area, and the one of the two or more automated analyzers.

Abstract: A rack transportation assembly having a projecting member projecting forward is fixed onto a floor by a plurality of adjusters so that its rack transportation surface is brought to a desired level. The projecting member has a first reference surface facing upward. A treatment unit structure having a rack transferring area has a second reference surface in its lower surface. The treatment unit structure is pushed toward the rack transportation assembly under a condition that the second reference surface is lifted upward using height-adjustable casters so as to not become higher than the first reference surface. Then, the treatment unit structure is lowered so that the second reference surface is mounted onto the first reference surface, and a height in the front side of the treatment unit structure is adjusted using the plurality of adjusters.

Abstract: An element analyzer D comprises a combustion section 1 for burning a sample S, a sample injection member 2 for injecting the sample S into the combustion section 1, and a detection section 29 for measuring a gasified sample formed by burning the sample S in the combustion section 1. The element analyzer D further includes a cleaning-agent injection member 2 for injecting a cleaning agent W into the combustion section 1.

Abstract: An automatic analysis apparatus, in which analysis results of immunoassay analysis items are not influenced by carry-overs between samples even when the same sample container is conveyed both to a biochemical analysis unit and an immunoassay analysis unit to permit sample dispensing. The immunoassay and biochemical analysis units are arranged along a rack conveyor. A carry-over avoidance level is set on a screen every analysis item before start of an analyzing operation. When a sample given an instruction to analyze only analysis items having low carry-over avoidance levels is to be dispensed in the biochemical analysis unit, a dispenser nozzle is subjected to ordinary cleaning by water. When a sample given an instruction to analyze analysis items having high carry-over avoidance levels is to be dispensed in the biochemical analysis unit, a dispenser nozzle is cleaned with a detergent solution and water.

Abstract: A new method and system for transporting and sorting multiple reagent packs used in conjunction with an immunodiagnostic instrument is provided. The new system includes a multiplicity of reagent packs; a gantry movably mounted on a rack structure for carrying a gripper mechanism, wherein the gripper mechanism has gripping jaws for engagement with the reagent pack; a power assembly for actuating the respective movement of the gantry, the gripper mechanism and the gripping jaws; a storage nest having a multiplicity of compartments, each adapted for storing a one of the respective reagent packs; and a pipetting nest having a multiplicity of compartment, each adapted for retaining a respective one of the reagent packs for simultaneous pipetting. Methods of using the system and a novel reagent pack used in connection with the new system are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to microfluidic devices. In one embodiment, a microanalysis chip comprises a body having at least one transfer-separation channel with a channel bottom that has a bottom opening. The transfer-separation channel terminates in a discharge aperture.

Abstract: A multi-analyzer system where at least two automatic clinical analyzers are linked together by a bi-directional sample rack shuttle, both analyzers initially capable of performing a slightly different menu of assays. The bi-directional incoming and outgoing sample rack transport system of a first one of the two analyzers is automatically converted into a one-way incoming sample rack transport system adapted and the incoming sample tube transport system of a second of the two analyzers is automatically converted into a one-way outgoing transport system adapted to dispose of all sample racks having sample tubes with samples finally tested by either analyzer. In the event that one of the two analyzers experiences an operating failure, the analyzer system may automatically revert to a single analyzer system employing only the operational analyzer.

Abstract: An automatic analytical instrument comprising a plurality of specimen tubes to store specimens, a plurality of storage tubes to store a part of the specimens contained in the specimen tubes by dispensing, a first dispensing unit to dispense the specimens contained in the specimen tubes into the storage tubes, a first turning table to hold a plurality of the storage tubes and transfer them by revolution, a plurality of analytical tubes to store a part of the specimens contained in the storage tubes by dispensing, a second dispensing unit to dispense the specimens contained in the storage tubes into the analytical tubes, a second turning table to hold a plurality of the analytical tubes and transfer them by revolution, an analytical unit to analyze the specimens contained in the analytical tubes, a transfer unit to transfer the analytical tubes held in the second turning table to the analytical unit, an delivering unit to deliver the analytical tubes after analysis is completed, a tube supply unit to supply the

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved chemical synthesis apparatus for performing chemical synthesis such as nuclei acid synthesis in a plurality of reaction wells or cells in an efficient manner. The apparatus employs dispenser heads that each include a cluster of nozzles which are fluidicly coupled to a plurality of reagent sources for dispensing different reagents through the single dispenser head. Because each dispenser head is capable of dispensing a plurality of different reagents, the apparatus can perform simultaneous synthesis in a plurality of cells at a high throughput without complex and elaborate control of movement of the dispenser heads relative to the cells.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus to provide a dynamic matrix system for synthesizing a plurality of chemical compounds simultaneously, i.e. in parallel, and to synthesize a series of plurality of simultaneously synthesized chemical compounds sequentially, i.e. in series. The apparatus includes a base support structure, a physical chemistry teabag support structure, a plurality of physical chemistry teabags and a fixed-reactant/liquid reactant mixture shifting (changing) mechanism. The base support structure has a plurality of reaction vessels arranged in at least a two dimensional predetermined array. The physical chemistry teabag support structure is adapted to hold and support a plurality of physical chemistry teabags arranged in at least a two dimensional predetermined teabag array, at least partially coinciding with the base support structure reaction vessel array. The teabags have at least one predetermined fixed reactant thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides for systems and methods that utilize automated and integratable workstations for identifying chemicals having useful activity. The present invention is also directed to chemical entities and information (e.g., chemical or biological activities of chemicals) generated or discovered by operation of workstations of the present invention. The present invention includes automated workstations that are programmably controlled to minimize processing times at each workstation and that can be integrated to minimize the processing time of the liquid samples from the start to finish of the process.

Abstract: A liquid handling robot for handling well plates. The robot has a powered anvil which loads pipette tips from a tray onto the cones of a liquid handling head by first clamping the liquid handling head to the anvil and then ramming a movable plate carrying the pipette tips onto the cones. The robot also allows for fully automated swapping between different heads, such as liquid handling heads or pin heads. A head parking station is provided for parking heads when they are not being used. The robot has an automated pipette tip tray dispenser based on storage cassettes that store vertically stacked pipette tip trays.

Abstract: An automatic stainer for staining objects, arranged on slides for microscopic examination is described. The automatic stainer has multiple reagent containers arranged one behind another for treating the objects. The slides pass through the reagent containers in succession, a transport basket for receiving multiple slides being provided. Multiple transport baskets can be received simultaneously in respective different reagent containers, and are simultaneously lifted out of the respective reagent container by way of a motorized transport mechanism having a lifting device and are respectively transported on into an adjacent reagent container. A removal station that has a collecting reagent container for the simultaneous reception of multiple transport baskets is arranged at the end of the row of reagent containers.

Abstract: A combinatorial chemistry reactor system for the parallel processing of reaction mixtures. The system comprises a frame, a head mounted in fixed position on the frame, and a reactor block having a plurality of wells therein for containing reaction mixtures. The reactor block is movable with respect to the head between a first position in which the reactor block and head are assembled for conducting reactions in the wells and a second position in which the reactor block is removed from the head for providing access to the vessels. Gaps in the reactor block between the wells serve to thermally isolate the wells from one another. Other features relating to pressure relief, reactor block temperature control, and sensor mounting are also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices for containing at least one test strip and dispensing a single test strip at a time and methods of using the same are provided. The subject devices are characterized by having a housing that includes a slit configured to be permissive of a single test strip at a time and at least one planar surface to align a test strip with the slit when the device is appropriately agitated. In the subject methods, a subject device with at least one test strip therein is provided and agitated in a manner that causes the at least one test strip to be positioned in an appropriate orientation relative to the slit, wherein a single test strip is caused to exit the housing through the slit as a result of the agitation. Also provided are kits that include at least one subject device.

Abstract: Samples and dry chemical analysis elements, which are necessary for analyses of the samples, are loaded on a sample tray. Each sample is sucked with a spotting nozzle of a spotting unit and spotted onto one dry chemical analysis element. Analysis information, which contains information representing a type of analysis, is appended to each dry chemical analysis element. The analysis information is read with a reading device located such that, when a certain sample is located at a position for sample suction by an operation of the sample tray, the reading device reads the analysis information, which has been appended to a next dry chemical analysis element to be used for the analysis of the certain sample, at a position at which the next dry chemical analysis element is located.