Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having a pipetting chamber, a set of pipettor cartridges docked in the pipetting chamber, a gantry system mounted on a ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction, and a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track, and a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

Abstract: A laboratory system including a plurality of lab workstations distributed in a lab where each of the plurality of lab workstations is configured to run jobs of a work process, at least one auto-navigating robot processing vehicle that holds a sample holder, and a controller connected to the plurality of lab workstations and the at least one auto-navigating robot processing vehicle. The controller is configured to receive operational job data characterizing each of a number of different jobs that define the work process, receive system data from one or more of the plurality of lab workstations and the at least one auto-navigating robot processing vehicle, and based on the operational job data and the system data, schedule and coordinate each of the number of different jobs that define the work process.

Abstract: A selectably configurable modular labware transport system including a labware bulk overhead transport system module forming an overhead transport path. The labware bulk overhead transport system module has a labware support, with at least a movable part of the labware support being configured to support labware thereon, and move longitudinally defining the overhead transport path. The labware support has more than one labware holding stations for holding a labware piece, each of the labware holding stations having a different location along the labware support and overhead transport path. The labware bulk overhead transport system module is communicably couplable to another labware bulk overhead transport system module that forms another different overhead transport path, and effects undisrupted transport of the labware throughout the overhead transport path with the labware bulk overhead transport system module both coupled to and uncoupled from the other labware bulk overhead transport system module.

Abstract: A robotic transport system including a drive section connected to a frame. An articulated arm coupled to the drive section providing the arm with arm motion in a collaborative space, corresponding to the frame, from a first location, in which the arm has a first shape, to another different location of the arm in the collaborative space in which the arm has another different shape. An electromagnetic affection envelope borne by the arm so that the electromagnetic affection envelope is defined by the arm and is close coupled and substantially conformal to at least part of a dynamic contour of each different arm shape of the arm. A controller connected to the drive section and configured so that in response to detection of entry of a collaborative object into the electromagnetic affection envelope, the controller commands a change in at least one predetermined characteristic of the arm motion.

Abstract: A rolling cart configured at least for manual rolling across a facility floor to different locations of process stations with the rolling cart comprising a cart frame configured to traverse the cart, displacing the cart as a unit on and across the facility floor on which is disposed at least one of the process stations for processing laboratory samples and/or sample holders and a processing section with a number of different processing modules connected to and carried by the cart frame, each of the different processing modules having a different predetermined laboratory processing function with a different predetermined function characteristic corresponding to the processing module, each different processing module and corresponding predetermined function being automatically selectable in a predetermined sequence to effect automatically with the corresponding predetermined function, a predetermined series of preprocess or process conditions or steps of one or more of the laboratory samples and sample holders.

Abstract: An automated biological or chemical sample processing system includes a dock frame and at least one dock frame module. The dock frame includes at least one docking interface that operably couples and interfaces the dock frame with laboratory equipment. The dock frame defines a spine structure of the system alongside which a variable number of laboratory equipment are arrayed. The dock frame extends longitudinally and has a variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length. The at least one dock frame module includes the docking interface, where each module is interchangeable with another module, and has control features with a predetermined relationship to a reference datum of the dock frame module and with a reference datum of the dock frame so that the at least one dock frame module is interchangeably coupled in linear configuration with at least the other dock frame module to select the variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length.

Abstract: An automatic assaying system having a multiplex pipette cartridge section in which pipette cartridges are docked. At least one pipette cartridge has a different pipetting characteristic from another corresponding pipette cartridge, the different pipetting characteristic being selectable from a number of different pipetting characteristics. A multiplexing work item holder has an array of work item holder docks that dock corresponding work item holders selectable from pipette trays and pipette tip set racks that define the selectable different pipetting characteristic. One or more of the work item holder docks are indexed to selectably multiplex both the different interchangeable pipette trays and the at least one pipette set rack. A carrier moves the pipette cartridge or a work item holder carriage and a controller selects the at least one pipette tip set rack corresponding to a work item holder dock so as to effect automatic selection of the different pipetting characteristic.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having a pipetting chamber, a set of pipettor cartridges docked in the pipetting chamber, a gantry system mounted on a ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction, and a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track, and a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

Abstract: An auto-pipetting apparatus includes a dispensing head with at least one pipetting tip mandrel having an elongated stud body with an insertion end. The at least one pipetting tip mandrel mates with a pipetting tip. A first adjustable seal, disposed on the elongated stud body, and a second adjustable seal, disposed on the elongated stud body, seal the pipetting tip mated to the at least one pipetting tip mandrel. The first adjustable seal defines a snub surface. The snub surface effects a substantially continuous circumferential contact seal with radially impinging contact between the pipetting tip and the at least one pipetting tip mandrel. The second adjustable seal is adjustable between a disengaged position and an engaged position and effects a releasable grip and another substantially continuous circumferential contact seal between the pipetting tip and the at least one pipetting tip mandrel around the pipetting tip.

Abstract: A robotic transport system including a drive section connected to a frame, an articulated arm operably coupled to the drive section providing the articulated arm with arm motion in at least one axis of motion moving at least a portion of the articulated arm in a collaborative space, corresponding to the frame, from a first location to another different location in the collaborative space, the articulated arm having an end effector with a workpiece grip having workpiece engagement members engaging and holding a workpiece during workpiece transport, by the arm motion in the at least one axis of motion, wherein at least one of the workpiece engagement members is frangible compliant, having a frangible compliant coupling between a distal portion of the at least one of the workpiece engagement members and a base portion of the end effector from which the at least one of the workpiece engagement members depends.

Abstract: A robotic transport system including a drive section connected to a frame. An articulated arm coupled to the drive section providing the arm with arm motion in a collaborative space, corresponding to the frame, from a first location, in which the arm has a first shape, to another different location of the arm in the collaborative space in which the arm has another different shape. An electromagnetic affection envelope borne by the arm so that the electromagnetic affection envelope is defined by the arm and is close coupled and substantially conformal to at least part of a dynamic contour of each different arm shape of the arm. A controller connected to the drive section and configured so that in response to detection of entry of a collaborative object into the electromagnetic affection envelope, the controller commands a change in at least one predetermined characteristic of the arm motion.

Abstract: An automated biological or chemical sample processing system includes a dock frame and at least one dock frame module. The dock frame includes at least one docking interface that operably couples and interfaces the dock frame with laboratory equipment. The dock frame defines a spine structure of the system alongside which a variable number of laboratory equipment are arrayed. The dock frame extends longitudinally and has a variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length. The at least one dock frame module includes the docking interface, where each module is interchangeable with another module, and has control features with a predetermined relationship to a reference datum of the dock frame module and with a reference datum of the dock frame so that the at least one dock frame module is interchangeably coupled in linear configuration with at least the other dock frame module to select the variable elongated configuration and longitudinal length.

Abstract: An auto-navigating robotic processing vehicle including a carriage having a frame, an autonomous drive section configured to traverse the carriage effecting vehicle travel on a facility floor, and having an autonomous navigation section to effect autonomous navigation vehicle travel, a processing section with different processing modules connected to and carried by the frame, each of the different processing modules having a different predetermined laboratory processing function with a different predetermined function characteristic corresponding to the processing module and being automatically selectable to effect a preprocess or preprocess condition of laboratory samples and/or sample holders with respect to a process at a processing station, and a controller automatically selects at least one processing module and the corresponding predetermined function of the selected processing module effecting automatically the preprocess or preprocess condition based on an identification of a travel location for the v

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having a pipetting chamber, a set of pipettor cartridges docked in the pipetting chamber, a gantry system mounted on a ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction, and a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track, and a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

Abstract: An instrument turntable is presented which allows an instrument to be installed into an automated system, yet that will still allow an operator to use the instrument manually, even while the automated system is running, without ever removing the instrument from the automated system.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having a pipetting chamber, a set of pipettor cartridges docked in the pipetting chamber, a gantry system mounted on a ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction, and a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track, and a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a sample storage system having: a transport module; a storage module coupled with the transport module on at least one side of the transport module, the storage module for storing a plurality of specimen tubes or microtiter plates; a tube selector module coupled to an end of the transport module for selecting at least one of the plurality of specimen tubes or microtiter plates; and an input/output (I/O) module coupled with the transport module on a side of the transport module, wherein the transport module is configured to modularly couple with at least one additional storage module for storing a plurality of specimen tubes or microtiter plates.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having: a pipetting chamber; a set of pipettor cartridges docked in the pipetting chamber; a gantry system mounted on a ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including: at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction; and a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track; and a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system having: a pipetting chamber; a set of pipettor cartridges docked in the pipetting chamber; a gantry system mounted on a ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including: at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction; and a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track; and a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

Abstract: A housing for an automated centrifuge with side and top access is disclosed. The housing includes an inner housing (104) for enclosing at least one labware nest (108) of the automated centrifuge, the inner housing having a top and a substantially cylindrical body, wherein the inner housing includes an opening through both a portion of the top and a portion of the body; and a door (114) configured to move between an open position in which the door exposes the opening and a closed position in which the door blocks the opening.