Abstract: A receptacle holder having a base body, a first perimeter wall which at least partially protrudes from the base body, and a plurality of resilient elements, which are distributed about a first axis of the receptacle holder and are detachably connected with the first perimeter wall, and wherein each resilient element comprises a first end portion and a second end portion, and wherein each second end portion rests hooked over an edge of a portion of the first perimeter wall, and wherein the receptacle holder is configured to allow sliding of each second end portion in a direction perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: The present invention includes a novel method and system for identification of microorganisms in samples that proteins and other biological material from non-microorganism sources (e.g., proteins of mammalian origin) that can interfere with identification of the microorganisms. The methods and systems described herein include use of a single-use chromatography medium to purify intact proteins prior to mass spectrometry analysis. The chromatography medium and the methods described herein can rapidly and efficiently remove of a substantial portion of interfering biological material (e.g., mammalian proteins) from a crude cell lysate while preserving high signal strength and removing enough of the interfering protein(s) to allow for identification of the microorganism(s) by mass spectrometry analysis.

Abstract: A novel waste bin carrier (100) is proposed for carrying at least one waste bin (200). The waste bin carrier (100) includes a frame (110) having a base (130) for receiving thereon one waste bin (200) or more. The waste bin carrier (100) also has a locking mechanism (120) movably attached to the frame (110) for releasably securing at least one waste bin (200) to the waste bin carrier (100). The locking mechanism (120) has a pusher guide (121) that extends in a first horizontal Cartesian dimension (X) for lateral engagement with the waste bin (200). The locking mechanism also has at least one articulated arm (122) that connects the pusher guide (121) to the frame (110) of the waste bin carrier (100) for allowing movement of the pusher guide (121) in respect to the frame (110) between the deployed state and the released state.

Abstract: An electronic pipette comprising a piston actuated in a cylinder by a motor, a control system for carrying out pipette operations, and a user interface for operating the pipette, which user interface comprises a display, wherein the main menu of the user interface comprises a user defined shortcut to a specific pipetting application.

Abstract: A sample vessel (1, 11) for transferring and analyzing a sample with analyzer instrument, which sample vessel comprises an elongated vessel body (2, 12) for containing the sample and a hinged cap (3, 13) connected in top end area of the vessel body, and the cross-section of the vessel body (2, 12) on a transversal plane in relation to the lengthwise center axis of the vessel body the inner surface of the vessel body is rotationally asymmetrical in relation to the lengthwise center axis, wherein the sample vessel (1, 11) comprises a surface (5, 15) extending upwards from the vessel body, which surface partially surrounds the edge of the cap (3, 13), when the cap is in closed position.

Abstract: A sample vessel rack (1), which comprises a frame (2) with a plurality of openings (3) in the upper surface of the frame for sample vessels (9), and a locking plate member (5) movable in a plane parallel to the upper surface of the frame (2) of the rack from a releasing position to a locking position and back, wherein the removal of the sample vessels (9) from the rack is prevented when the locking plate member is in the locking position, the openings (3) of the upper surface of the frame (2) comprises slots (12) formed on their side, and in the locking position a part of the locking plate member (5) sets itself in the area of the slots. The invention also relates to such a method and a sample vessel rack system.

Abstract: An apparatus for pretreatment of a sample of whole blood in a discrete fluid analyzing instrument comprises automated means for handling and analyzing the sample and means for performing a pretreatment step on the sample or a sub-sample of the sample. The means for pretreatment are used for immobilizing at least one substance or analyte from the sample or sub-sample wherein the substance or analyte is reversibly immobilized. Usually, the apparatus further comprises means for eluting the substance or analyte from the capture means prior to analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for pretreatment of a desired sample in a discrete fluid analyzing instrument includes a frame rotatably mounted on or within the discrete fluid analyzing instrument with a column for immobilizing at least one substance or analyte from the sample. The substance or analyte is reversibly immobilized. A first fluid transport line is provided for aspirating the sample into the column and for ejecting the substance or analyte eluted from the column. A pump is provided for pumping the sample through the column with a second fluid transport line connecting the pump to the column. A member is providing to supply the eluted substance or analyte to the discrete fluid analyzing instrument for measurement of at least one property of the substance or analyte. A device is provided for simultaneously or consecutively directing any non-pretreated sample or any subsample directly to the discrete fluid analyzing instrument.

Abstract: A method of multiplexing the operation of a sample preparation and analysis system is disclosed. The system includes a sample preparation system capable of preparing a first sample in accordance with a first assay that is selected from a database containing a plurality of unique assays and preparing a second sample in accordance with a second, different assay. The method includes separately transporting the first and second prepared samples to an analysis station having first and second separation channels and an analyzer comprising a mass spectrometer. The method further includes simultaneously analyzing the first prepared sample with the analyzer in accordance with the first selected assay and separating the second prepared sample with the second separation channel in accordance with the second selected assay.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for optical measurement of a liquid sample placed in a sample well where the sample in the sample well is exposed to excitation light at first wavelength from an excitation light source, which excitation light generates a collection of singlet state oxygen molecules from donor molecules in the liquid sample, said singlet state oxygen molecules reacting with acceptor molecules in the liquid sample causing said acceptor molecules to emit chemiluminescence emission light at second wavelength, which second wavelength is shorter than said first wavelength, and where the emission light produced by the excitation light is measured with a detector, characterized in that the excitation light source is a LED.

Abstract: A sample preparation and analysis system. The system includes a sample preparation system and a sample analysis system. The sample preparation system prepares samples in accordance with an assay that is selected from a database containing a plurality of unique assays. The sample analysis system includes an analyzer that is dynamically reconfigurable based on the selected assay so as to analyze the prepared sample in accordance with that selected assay. A data communication link communicates data from the sample preparation system to the sample analysis system to reconfigure the analyzer in accordance with the selected assay.

Abstract: A gripper comprising an actuator and two fingers mounted parallel at a distance from each other on the actuator for movement perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the fingers, the fingers having a longitudinal body attached at one end to the actuator. The fingers having two longitudinal claws at the end opposite to the end attached to the actuator, the claws being spaced apart so that there is an elongated gap between the claws. At least one of the fingers having a groove for accommodating an optical fiber which extends partially into the elongated gap.

Abstract: A pipette comprising a cylinder with a piston movable inside the cylinder for aspiring and dispensing liquid, and a handle portion for gripping the pipette, wherein the pipette further comprises an imaging device element for obtaining images that assist the use of the pipette.

Abstract: A reagent bottle includes an outer cap and an inner closing cap. The inner closing cap has a recess for gripping the cap. In addition, a system for handling closures is provided wherein a method removes a closing cap from a reagent bottle and a related gripper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening a reaction vessel having a body forming a volume for liquid, and a lid. In the method at least one reaction vessel is placed on a transport vehicle and the reaction vessel is positioned on the vehicle so that the vessel's rotation about its own axis is prevented. Then, the at least one reaction vessel is transferred on the vehicle and a guide rod, attached to the lid that is attached by a hinge to the reaction vessel, is pushed by the movement of the vehicle against a guide surface that forces the lid to turn on the hinge so that the lid is at least partially opened.

Abstract: A pipette comprising a cylinder with a piston movable inside the cylinder for aspiring and dispensing liquid, and a handle portion for gripping the pipette, wherein the pipette further comprises an imaging device element for obtaining images that assist the use of the pipette.