Abstract: In an automatic analyzer where a plurality of types of separation column are selectively used for performing a chromatographic analysis, an automatic analyzer configured to install a separation column of an intended type at an aimed position, and a method for installing the separation column in the automatic analyzer are provided. Identification mechanisms, a computer, and a display unit are included. The identification mechanisms read identifiers included in separation columns when the separation columns are installed at installation positions. The computer determines whether identification information of the identifiers read by the identification mechanisms matches an installation pattern registered in advance or not. The display unit notifies an alarm when the identification information is determined not to match the installation pattern by the computer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a specimen testing system that includes: a specimen rearrangement unit configured to transfer a specimen container held in a first rack to a second rack; a specimen processing unit configured to process a specimen in the specimen container held in the second rack; a specimen storage unit configured to transfer the specimen container having been processed by the specimen processing unit from the second rack to a specimen container storage instrument for storage; a transportation unit configured to transport the second rack among the specimen rearrangement unit, the specimen processing unit, and the specimen storage unit; and a transportation control unit programmed to control the transportation unit. The transportation control unit is programmed to control bidirectional transportation of the second rack between the specimen rearrangement unit and the specimen storage unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are flow devices and methods for electroporation, which allow controlling the throughput of electroporation, for example by operating the electroporation process at selected throughput or operating at an increased or decreased level of throughput compared to a reference level of throughput by scaling a subset of electroporation parameters, while allowing maintaining cell viability and transfection efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell cryopreservation device, and can comprise: a first housing for accommodating a plurality of test tubes; a second housing for covering the first housing; center support ribs extended upward from the inner bottom surface of the first housing to come in contact with and support the side surfaces of the surrounding test tubes; and side support ribs extended from the inner wall surface of the first housing toward the inner side of the first housing to come in contact with and support the side surfaces of the test tubes.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a device body defining a microfluidic pathway including a first channel, a second channel downstream of the first channel, and a junction including a transition between the first channel and the second channel. The transition is configured to inhibit fluid entering the transition from the first channel from forming a meniscus across the second channel, thereby inhibiting capillary-driven flow into the second channel. The microfluidic device further includes a valve that, when activated while capillary-driven flow of the fluid is inhibited at the transition, induces capillary-driven flow through the second channel by facilitating formation of the meniscus.

Abstract: A system for processing a plurality of sample containers, each containing sample with at least one open assay associated therewith, includes two or more analyzers, each configured to perform at least one functional assay in receptacle apparatuses including a process number of two or more receptacle vessels, a conveyance for transporting containers to the analyzers, a buffer queue associated with each analyzer for holding containers to be processed by the associated analyzer, and a scanner associated with each analyzer. Each scanner scans machine-readable identification information associated with each container transported by the conveyance past the scanner and the open assay(s) for that container are identified based on the scanned information. The sample container is diverted into the associated buffer queue only if at least one open assay for that container matches at least one functional assay of the associated analyzer.

Abstract: A sampling method includes: a sampling step of circulating a sample from a cell culture device to a sampling channel and measuring concentrations of predetermined components in the sample by a second sensor and a gas concentration sensor; a cleaning step of circulating a cleaning liquid through the sampling channel to circulate the cleaning liquid through the second sensor and the gas concentration sensor after the sampling step; and an air introduction step of replacing the cleaning liquid remaining in the gas concentration sensor with air after the cleaning step.

Abstract: A neural lattice device includes a substrate having formed therein one or more wells and one or more supply ducts. A channel network includes one or more channels configured to establish fluid communication among the at least one well and the at least one supply duct. A reservoir is coupled to the substrate and configured to hold a fluid, and a cover is disposed against an upper surface of the substrate and configured to hermetically seal the wells, the supply ducts and the channel network.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes automated systems and methods for handling objects, such as culture plates or dishes. For example, in one embodiment, the present disclosure describes an automated stacker and de-stacker comprising a clamping mechanism, a lift pad, a pair of pins, and a cabinet. A stack of culture plates may be stored in the cabinet. During a stacking operation, the pair of pins may be raised to stop a culture plate traveling along a conveyor track. Once stopped, the culture plate may be raised above the conveyor track by the lift pad and clamped by the clamping mechanism. During a de-stacking operation, the clamping mechanism may be opened, and the culture plate may be lowered onto the conveyor track by the lift pad.

Abstract: An apparatus for cell cultivation includes first reservoir structure, second reservoir structure and a membrane. The first reservoir structure has first matrix of pitted reservoirs and the second reservoir structure has second matrix of pitted reservoirs. The first reservoir structure, second reservoir structure and the membrane are arranged as a stack. The membrane is arranged between first reservoir structure and second reservoir structure, and the first matrix of pitted reservoirs is aligned with the second matrix of pitted reservoirs to couple pitted reservoirs of the first matrix of pitted reservoirs together with pitted reservoirs of the second matrix of pitted reservoirs via the membrane.

Abstract: To provide an automatic analyzer capable of relaxing the effect of a previously created mixed liquid when a new mixed liquid is created. An automatic analyzer according to the present disclosure: is configured so as to create a second mixed liquid after a first mixed liquid is created; and introduces a relaxation reagent to relax the effect of a first reagent remaining in a mixed liquid chamber when the second mixed liquid is created into the mixed liquid chamber on the basis of characteristics of the first mixed liquid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring, characterizing and controlling operation of LEDs are provided herein. Methods includes measuring a voltage across the LED, and correlating the voltage to a junction temperature of the LED. This correlation can be used to improve operation of the LED by increasing the signal to noise ratio of the LED signal, characterize the LED by comparing to an I-V curve, control LED operation to compensate for LED degradation and avoid crosstalk, and/or to generally improve performance and life expectancy of the LED. Improved performance of the LED can include stabilizing the photon output during performance of an assay to provide a desired dye reporter signal required for the assay and/or reducing an intra-shot during of the LED output during the assay. System and device with control units configured to perform these methods are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sensing target molecules in an analyte solution, a sensor for sensing target molecules in an analyte solution and a measurement system for sensing target molecules in an analyte solution. The method comprises providing a capture surface, wherein a plurality of capture molecules are arranged on the capture surface, each of the capture molecules being configured to bind to at least one of said target molecules. The method further comprises exposing the capture surface to the analyte solution to allow target molecules to bind to the capture molecules arranged on the capture surface.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining the vitality of an organ through negative pressure ventilation and perfusion. The system includes fluidically coupled components: an organ enclosure, a diaphragm enclosure, an actuator/pump, a perfusion system, and a reservoir. The actuator can displace a precise amount of a working fluid that displaces that precise amount of a sterile support fluid. The sterile fluid travels between the diaphragm enclosure and the organ enclosure, thereby ventilating the organ within the organ chamber. The perfusion system circulates a perfusate through the organ.

Abstract: An automatic analyzing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a specimen container, a piercer, a detector, and processing circuitry. The specimen container is a container in which a specimen is housed, an opening of the specimen container being sealed by a cap. The piercer pierces the cap by a distal end. The detector detects a blot on the cap. The processing circuitry controls a piercing operation of the piercer.

Abstract: A tube conveyance rack (10) comprises a rack body (14) having a tube insertion hole (12) that opens upward and is for accommodating a tube and a gripping member (16) disposed inside the tube insertion hole (12). The gripping member (16) has a frame-shaped base part (30) that has a frame shape and is provided horizontally, and a plurality of arm parts (32) that extend upward from the frame-shaped base part (30). The frame-shaped base part (30) has, at the parts joined to the arm parts (32), thick parts (30a) that are thick in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the frame-shaped base part (30).

Abstract: The present invention describes a secondary tube tray for use in an automated processing system, the tray comprising a base module and a secondary tube insert. Furthermore, the present invention describes a secondary tube handling module of an automated processing system for automatically processing biological sample, and a method of handling secondary tubes for use in automatically processing biological sample in an automated processing system.

Abstract: In some examples, a system for detecting inhibition of a biological assay includes a detection device configured to amplify and detect a target nucleic acid. The detection device is configured to receive a sample comprising a matrix and a quantity of the target nucleic acid and to amplify the target nucleic acid within the sample over a nucleic acid amplification cycle. The detection device is configured to capture a data set including measurements of the nucleic acid collected during the amplification cycle. The system further includes a computing device configured to receive the data set and to apply a machine-learning system to the data set to detect inhibited biological assays that tested negative for the target nucleic acid due to matrix inhibition.

Abstract: Identification information for identifying each analysis appliance and consumable information representing a usage state of a consumable included in each analysis appliance are acquired by an information acquirer from a control device. The identification information and the consumable information acquired by the information acquirer are held by an information holder. A display controller causes a display device to display a list screen of identification information held by the information holder. Further, the display controller causes a usage state of a consumable for each analysis appliance to be displayed on the list screen based on consumable information held by the information holder.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an imaging device adapted to characterize a feature of a sample container, such as a cap color or cap type. The method includes providing a calibration tube including an imaging surface at an imaging location of a first imaging apparatus; illuminating the imaging surface with light emitted from multiple front light sources; adjusting a drive current to each of the multiple front light sources to establish a substantially uniform intensity of the imaging surface; recording drive current values for the multiple front light sources; replacing the calibration tube with a calibration tool having a calibration surface of a known reflectance; and measuring target intensity values of the calibration tool at the respective drive current values. Calibration tools, imaging apparatus, quality check modules, and health check methods are provided, as are other aspects.