Abstract: An automated analyzer system for biological samples is provided and includes a sample processing system and a controller configured to receive a selection of one of multiple workflows for determining a presence and/or concentration of an analyte in a biological sample and prompt the automated analyzer system to automatically carry out the selected workflow using the sample processing system and output a result classifying the biological sample.

Abstract: A method of identifying the presence of an analyte may include providing an in vitro test device and a test swab; obtaining a sample using the test swab; transitioning the locking member from the first configuration to the second configuration; advancing the plunger into the housing to pierce the one or more reagent pouches in the reagent region to cause reagent therein to be released and mix; inserting the test swab with obtained sample into the interior of the plunger; rotating the in vitro test device and disposing it on its plunger base; and determining whether the analyte is present. The in vitro test device may include a plunger, a housing, one or more reagent pouches disposed in the housing, a lateral flow test strip, and a locking member having configurations that either allow or prevent reagent in the one or more reagent pouches from being released.

Abstract: A dispensing robot of an assay robot system includes a first contact surface oriented in a downward direction or an obliquely downward direction in a vertical direction and dispenses when the dispensing robot operates a pipette that allows a tip to be attached to a lower end of the pipette and the attached tip to be detached by pressing a tip ejector, the dispensing robot comprising: a robot arm having a hand to hold a pipette holding piece attached thereto; and a controller controls the robot arm such that the robot arm holds the pipette with the tip attached thereto by causing the hand to hold the pipette holding piece and that the robot arm is elevated and the tip ejector is pressed by bringing an upper end portion of the tip ejector of the held pipette into contact with the first contact surface from the downward direction.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes a plurality of storage container holding units, a dispensing container holding unit, a plurality of dispensing devices, a dispensing abnormality detector, and a drive control unit. The plurality of dispensing devices each include a dispensing probe. The dispensing abnormality detector is provided in each dispensing device. The drive control unit is configured to control driving of each dispensing device based on a detection result of the dispensing abnormality detector. If a dispensing device in which an abnormality is detected is a first dispensing device, the drive control unit is configured to cause a dispensing process of a cycle in which the abnormality is detected to be performed again. If the dispensing device in which the abnormality is detected is not the first dispensing device, the drive control unit is configured to end the dispensing process of the cycle and start the next cycle.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to transferring and opening reagent containers for use in a clinical analyzer in an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment. Contents of a reagent container may be automatically recorded, and the container is positioned and opened, making available its contents to a transfer probe. A set of mechanical fingers open and close relative to one another, to release and grip the reagent container on opposite sides thereof for transferring the container. Once the container is positioned, the mechanical fingers raise and are positioned above a seal concealing the contents of the reagent container. The fingers are configured to close together and travel in a downward trajectory to pierce the seal. The reagent container is originally presented as an un-opened package to prevent spillage and to control reagent life expectancy. According to an embodiment, a method of performing a cycle unload, transfer, and load, without operator intervention, is provided.

Abstract: A biological analysis system comprising at least one inlet and one outlet, at least two biological analysis devices connected to one another by a conveyor defining a closed circuit, each biological analysis device comprising a region for the exchange of tube holding racks with the conveyor. The conveyor and the at least one inlet of the biological analysis system comprise a reader of an identifier of a tube holding rack which reader is designed to communicate an identifier it has read to a controller of the biological analysis system, which controller is designed to apply a specific treatment to a tube holding rack identified by the reader of the conveyor and the identifier of which has not previously been read by the reader of the at least one inlet of the biological analysis system.

Abstract: An cartridge is combined with a smart device which is capable of communicating with a network to perform a portable, fast, field assay of a small sample biological analyte. A closed microfluidic circuit for mixes the analyte with a buffer with functionalized magnetic beads capable of being specifically combined with the analyte. A detector communicates with the microfluidic circuit in which the mixed analyte, buffer and combined functionalized magnetic beads are sensed. A microcontroller is coupled to detector for controlling the detector and for data processing an output assay signal from the detector. A user interface communicates with the microcontroller for providing user input and for providing user output through the smart device to the network.

Abstract: Provided herein is a semen processing device. The device is a collection cup with a top portion encompassing a collection cavity into which the semen sample is deposited and a bottom portion encompassing a processing chamber and containing the processing unit for the collected semen. A flow control valve or a serpentine channel may be disposed as part of the processing unit to regulate the flow rate of semen from the collection cavity into the processing unit. A harvesting dock is disposed through the surface of the bottom portion. The semen flows from the collection cavity into the processing unit and is harvested through the harvesting dock.

Abstract: Disclosed are high-throughput vessel sorting systems and methods of sorting sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for sorting a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a sample rack, a sample access kit and a sample access system. The sample rack comprises: a rack body for placing a sample container; a position collector configured to acquire a position of the sample container placed on the rack body; and a communicator configured to transmit identification information of the sample rack and the acquired position of the sample container on the rack body. The sample access kit comprises the above-described sample rack and a sample container having an identification disposed thereon. The sample access system comprises the above-described sample access kit and a mobile terminal.

Abstract: An automated analyzer capable of continuously performing supply of consumables is realized while continuing measurement is performed, by a simple and small amount of mechanism. An automated analyzer includes a unit that executes processing necessary for sample analysis; a consumable supply unit that supplies consumables necessary for the sample analysis to the unit; and a control device that controls operations of the unit and the consumable supply unit, in which the consumable supply unit includes a consumable container holding portion that holds a consumable storage container in which consumables is aligned and accommodated, a preliminary storage portion that temporarily holds the consumables taken out from the consumable storage container, and a transport mechanism that transports the consumables to the unit, and in which the control device transports and stores at least a portion of the consumables taken out from the consumable storage container in the preliminary storage portion.

Abstract: Provided are a quality control method, a quality control system, a management apparatus, an analyzer, and a quality control abnormality determination method in which measurement results of both a quality control substance and a specimen are sufficiently utilized to improve the quality of quality control. The quality control method used in a management apparatus which is connected via a network to an analyzer installed in each of a plurality of facilities includes obtaining, from an analyzer in each facility via a network, first quality control information obtained by measuring an artificially generated quality control substance, and second quality control information obtained by measuring a plurality of specimens by the analyzer in each facility; and outputting information concerning quality control of an analyzer in at least one facility, based on the obtained first quality control information and second quality control information.

Abstract: An analytic plate or other substrate having a permanent etchable, laserable, and/or developable marking surface coating (referred to herein as an “etchable coating” or as a “developable coating”) that is present on at least a portion of any side or surface thereof and is used to deposit a permanent indicium thereon, and a method of using the analytic plate or substrate.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for sensing analytes comprises assembling a sensor of at least one polymer and at least one fluorophore by mixing the polymer with the fluorophore, exposing the sensor to an analyte, and identifying the presence of the analyte according to a change in fluorescence of the sensor. The sensor can comprise a non-covalent complex of the at least one fluorophore and the at least one polymer. The at least one polymer can comprise a polymer capable of binding a metal ion. The at least one polymer is capable of binding a metal ion comprising an imidazole-containing polymer such as an N-vinylimidazole homo polymer and/or an N-vinylimidazole co-polymer.

Abstract: A device (1; 2; 3; 4; 5) is provided for carrying out an integrity test on a sample of disposable components. The device has a medium chamber (10) with an inner chamber (11) that is bounded to the outside, for the purpose of receiving a culture medium. The device also has a sample holder (20) in which the sample (100) can be arranged in such a way that the sample (100) at least partially bounds the medium chamber (10) to the outside. The medium chamber (10) has a vent line (19) that is arranged on a side of the medium chamber (10) facing away from the sample holder (20).

Abstract: Embodiments of substrate-based devices disclosed herein comprise a polymeric substrate with a hydrophobic polymer coating that defines wells or openings on the polymeric substrate and/or serves as an adhesive agent between stacked substrates of the device. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of plate frames that can be used to align and hold well plate devices described herein. Methods of fabricating the disclosed devices also are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding apparatus (100) for sample carriers (200) for use in cryomicroscopy, encompassing: a body having at least one sample carrier receptacle that comprises at least one sample carrier support surface against which at least one sample carrier (200) is abuttable; at least one first sample carrier holding means (121); and at least one second sample carrier holding means (131) that is configured to impinge upon the sample carrier (200) with force against the first sample carrier holding means (121); and to an arrangement having a manipulation container and such a holding apparatus (100), and to methods for introducing and withdrawing a sample carrier (200).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a diagnostic system includes an instrument coupled to a client device and having at least one sample processing bay. The diagnostic system has a software architecture including instrument software (ISW) associated with the instrument. The ISW receives an assay definition file (ADF) that has a control file and an assay analysis module (AAM) file. The processing bay prepares and senses the sample according to parameters in the OPUS file and then generates sensor scan data. The diagnostic system then analyzes the sensor scan data and prepares a report according to the AAM file.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present application, a biosensor, the biosensor comprising: a reaction part including a magnetic nanoparticle complex, a first electrode, and a second electrode; and a sample introduction part forming a passage so that a sample can be introduced into the reaction part from an outside of the biosensor; wherein the magnetic nanoparticle complex includes a first capturing substance for capturing a first target substance, a magnetic nanoparticle, and a reaction substance that performs at least one of an oxidation reaction and a reduction reaction, wherein the magnetic nanoparticle complex has is magnetic in the reaction part, and has a property that mobility can be changed according to a change in a condition of the reaction part, wherein the first electrode, a second capturing substance for capturing a second target substance is fixed, wherein the second electrode is an electrode different from the first electrode, and characterized in that at least one of the first target subs

Abstract: A fully-automatic feces analyzer includes an automatic controller; at least one sample box for containing a feces sample; and a sample box support. A dilution and stirring unit is provided for adding diluent into the feces sample and stirring to obtain feces sample liquid. The analyzer has a physical detection unit for performing a physical detection on the feces sample liquid and at least one chemical detection unit for performing a chemical detection on the feces sample liquid. Each chemical detection unit includes a driving roller and a driven roller, a reagent strip roll wound on the driven roller, an end portion of the reagent strip roll fixed on the driving roller.