Abstract: We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.

Abstract: A device for managing a sample to be analyzed comprises magnetizing equipment (302) for producing magnetic field capable of interacting, when the sample is moving to or located in a sample well, with magnetically amplifying material attached to the sample, where the magnetically amplifying material has relative magnetic permeability constant greater than one. With the aid of the magnetizing element the movement of the sample to the sample well and/or the position of the sample in the sample well can be monitored and/or controlled. The device can be, for example but not necessarily, an instrument for dispensing samples to sample wells or an optical measurement instrument.

Abstract: A non-displasive pipette is provided. The non-displasive pipette is configured for connection to a tip having a fluid therein. The tip includes an orifice to allow for the discharge of the fluid therefrom. The non-displasive pipette includes a body defining a chamber therethrough and having first and second opposite ends. The second end of the body is configured for connection to the tip. A plunger is slidably received in the chamber at the first end of the body. The plunger is moveable in the chamber between an extended position and a discharge position wherein the fluid is urged from tip through the orifice. An air discharge arrangement is configured to allow air from the chamber to escape therefrom and to maintain the fluid in the tip in response to connection of the second end of the body to the tip.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer including a function for operating control materials and its operation method are provided. The analyzer is configured to start sampling by giving priority to an entirety of control materials corresponding to all assay items required for measurement. The analyzer is also configured to automatically start sampling of a patient specimen based on a preliminarily set sampling timing after completion of sampling of the entirety of control materials. The analyzer is also configured to stop, when an abnormality is present in a measurement result of at least any one of control materials in the group of control materials, sampling of a patient specimen corresponding to a control material in which the abnormality is found, and notify a tester of the abnormality.

Abstract: Example automated storage modules for analyzer liquids are described herein. An example apparatus includes a refrigerated storage module having a plurality of shelves (to store a plurality of carriers) and a loading bay having an array of slots to receive one or more of the carriers. The loading bay is accessible by a user for manual loading or unloading of the carriers. The example apparatus includes a first carrier transporter coupled to the storage module to transfer the carriers between the shelves and a first transfer location and a second carrier transporter movable along a track connecting the storage module to an automated diagnostic analyzer. The second carrier transporter is to transfer a first carrier between the first transfer location and a slot in the loading bay and a second carrier between the first transfer location and a second transfer location accessible by the automated diagnostic analyzer.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and their methods of use, for generating droplets are provided. One or more geometric parameters of a microfluidic channel can be selected to generate droplets of a desired and predictable droplet size.

Abstract: An adapter for a jar for use with a planetary mixer, the adapter securing a dispensing container having a body and a removable cap, the adapter having a central aperture through which a longitudinal axis of the jar passes when the adapter is inside the jar. When the dispensing container is secured to the adapter and the adapter is inside the jar: (i) the adapter maintains the container spaced from an inner wall and from a bottom of the jar; (ii) a gap is provided between a top of the jar and the container; (iii) a point on the cap of the container extends further from the bottom of the jar than does a point on the body of the container; (iv) the body of the container crosses the longitudinal axis of the jar; and (v) the container extends over more than half the diameter of the jar.

Abstract: When a sample of biological origin in an aqueous solution is used as the measurement medium in analysis using an electrochemical process, and a voltage of +1.2 V or greater (with saturated silver-silver chloride electrode potential as a reference) is applied, there are instances in which bubbles are observed to be produced within the flow cell, due to an electrolysis reaction deriving from the measurement buffer. There is a possibility that bubbles produced on the electrode will cover the electrode surface, reducing the effective surface area of the electrode. Also, the distribution of magnetic particles captured on the electrode will be disturbed by the gas produced thereby, lowering the reproducibility of the results of the analysis. Deaeration of the measurement medium prior to introduction of the measurement medium into the detector minimizes the effects of bubble production in degrading the analytical capability makes it possible to carry out highly sensitive electrochemical analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods analyzing body fluids contain cells including blood, bone marrow, urine, vaginal tissue, epithelial tissue, tumors, semen, and spittle are disclosed. The systems and methods utilize an improved technique for applying a monolayer of cells to a slide and generating a substantially uniform distribution of cells on the slide. Additionally aspects of the invention also relate to systems and method for utilizing multi-color microscopy for improving the quality of images captured by a light receiving device.

Abstract: Provided are an automated analyzer for analyzing a substance contained in an unknown sample and a liquid reservoir, the analyzer and the reservoir being capable of saving users' operation without remarkably increasing the number of components. A flow path outlet of an overflow portion of the liquid reservoirs projects closer to the inner circumferential side of a drain flow path than to an inner circumferential surface side of an outer wall of the drain flow path serving as a destination to which liquid overflows. In addition, the flow path outlet projects so as to come into contact with an outer wall of the inner pipe. The flow path outlet of the overflow portion projects into the drain flow path so as to be located below an upper end of the outer wall of the drain flow path.

Abstract: The present invention lies in the field of automated analyzers and relates to a method for mixing liquids in liquid containers. The arrangement for automated mixing comprises a shaking device and a gripper which is connected by way of a flexible connecting element to a transfer arm and which serves for receiving a liquid container. The coupling of gripper and shaking device is realized by way of an eccentrically movable coupling pin and a coupling hole provided for this purpose.

Abstract: A bridge (30) comprises a first inlet port (31) at the end of a capillary, a narrower second inlet port (32) which is an end of a capillary, an outlet port (33) which is an end of a capillary, and a chamber (34) for silicone oil. The oil is density-matched with the reactor droplets such that a neutrally buoyant environment is created within the chamber (34). The oil within the chamber is continuously replenished by the oil separating the reactor droplets. This causes the droplets to assume a stable capillary-suspended spherical form upon entering the chamber (34). The spherical shape grows until large enough to span the gap between the ports, forming an axisymmetric liquid bridge. The introduction of a second droplet from the second inlet port (32) causes the formation of an unstable funicular bridge that quickly ruptures from the, finer, second inlet port (32), and the droplets combine at the liquid bridge (30).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inspection apparatus includes a socket, a first arm, and a recognition device. The socket has at least one container holding part for holding a container containing an object. The first arm includes at least two links of which ends are connected. The first arm is able to install the container into the container holding part when the links are in a first posture and to reinstall the container into the container holding part when the links are in a second posture different from the first posture. The recognition device obtains at least recognition results indicating respective positions of the object when the container is installed into the container holding part in the first posture and the second posture.

Abstract: An analysis device includes a vapor phase decomposition unit, a heating unit, an evacuation unit, a recovery unit and an analysis unit. The vapor phase decomposition unit performs vapor phase decomposition of a first film on a substrate. The heating unit heats the substrate. The evacuation unit evacuates gas in the heating unit to an outside of the heating unit. The recovery unit supplies liquid on a front surface of the substrate, moves the liquid on the front surface of the substrate, and recovers the liquid. The analysis unit analyzes contents of the liquid.

Abstract: A flow cytometry system and method for quantification of fluorescently labeled virus particles smaller than 1 micron in size measures and controls sample fluid flow rate to an investigatory flow cell at a rate below 5000 nanoliters per minute and calculates in real time particle concentration in the sample fluid using measured flow rated data flow rate data and with correction for sample fluid flow rate fluctuations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid-liquid separation method including: sucking a suspension containing particles, through an opening formed at a leading end of a suction nozzle, into the suction nozzle; allowing at least a part of the particles contained in the sucked suspension, to sediment to be clogged in the suction nozzle; and ejecting a liquid inside the suction nozzle, through the opening of the suction nozzle clogged with the particles.

Abstract: A container management apparatus is provided with: a container storing unit that can store a plurality of tubular sample containers one by one separately, each of the plurality of tubular sample containers being provided with a two-dimensional bar code on the bottom surface thereof, and container-identifying information being coded in the two-dimensional bar code; and a reading unit that reads the two-dimensional bar code of each of the tubular sample containers stored in the container storing unit and retrieves the container identifying information. The reading unit has, in correspondence with each storing position, an LED that irradiates the two-dimensional bar code with irradiation light and an imaging unit that receives reflection light from the two-dimensional bar code.

Abstract: A microscope assembly for use in an automated microscope apparatus has a support frame; a cartridge magazine actuator assembly connected to the support frame; a subframe; a plurality of vibration isolators connecting the support frame to the subframe; an XYZ drive connected to the subframe; and an optical stage connected to the subframe. In some embodiments the assembly further includes a cartridge gripper connected to said XYZ drive. In some embodiments, the cartridge magazine actuator assembly includes an input element, an output element, and a transfer assembly interconnecting the input element and the output element, with the transfer assembly configured to linearly advance the output element upon linear depression of the input element.

Abstract: Provided are an automatic analyzer and an analysis method for the automatic analyzer, the analyzer including a dispensing mechanism having a nozzle part for dispensing a liquid; a liquid supply part for supplying the liquid to the dispensing mechanism; a temperature increasing part for increasing the temperature of liquid to be supplied from the liquid supply part to the dispensing mechanism; and a control part for controlling the dispensing mechanism, the temperature increasing part, and the liquid supply part. In accordance with information relating to whether a requested analysis is continually performed, the control unit controls the liquid supply part such that, if the analysis is not continually performed, the temperature of liquid supplied from the liquid supply part is increased by the temperature increasing part, and the liquid of the increased temperature is then supplied to the nozzle part of the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: A device for processing and cataloging of a sample, in a container having a label with identifying data, has a frame; a plurality of cameras mounted to the frame; and a controller system coupled to the cameras, the controller system including a controller and a non-transitory memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the controller, cause carrying out of computer processes that produce a catalog record output characterizing the sample, such record also including the identifying data.