Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices which deliver fluids from several reservoirs to a reaction vessel and eventually to a waste chamber in a predetermined schedule. The device provides improved simplicity while improving operational robustness and flexibility.

Abstract: A centrifugal smearing device including a sealed rotating container that houses a chamber with a slide glass removably attached for holding a liquid sample to smear cells with a centrifugal force onto the slide glass, and a base housing the sealed rotating container and including rotational driving means for rotating the sealed rotating container, the sealed rotating container includes a main body capable of housing the chamber and a lid for closing an upper surface opening portion of the main body, a seal portion for sealing a space between the main body and the end face of the upper face opening portion is provided on an outer circumferential edge of the lid, and a scattering protection wall is formed at an inside of the seal portion so as to protrude downward to hide the seal portion from inside so that a liquid does not scatter onto the seal portion.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analysis apparatus for inspecting blood coagulation, which is capable of miniaturizing device configuration and reducing device costs. The automatic analysis apparatus includes: a reaction container in which a specimen and a reagent are mixed with each other and the mixed solution is reacted; a sample dispensing mechanism which dispenses the specimen into the reaction container; a blood coagulation time measuring unit in which the reaction container is mounted to measure a coagulation time of the mixed solution within the reaction container; a reaction container accommodating unit which accommodates a plurality of reaction containers provided to the blood coagulation measuring unit; a reaction container transfer mechanism which grasps the reaction container and transfers the reaction container to the blood coagulation measuring unit; and a control unit which controls the reaction container transfer mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reagent preparation supporting device including: reagent kit information storing means that stores amounts of reagents required for one analysis and a composition of a reaction liquid to be prepared; an input unit that inputs the number of samples to be analyzed; reagent amount calculating means that calls up, from the reagent kit information storing means, the data regarding the reagent kit to calculate required amounts of the reagents included in the reagent kit and a composition of the reaction liquid according to the number of samples inputted through the input unit; and a display unit that displays, as a reagent preparation table, the required amounts of the reagents included in the reagent kit and the composition of the reaction liquid to be prepared based on results calculated by the reagent amount calculating means.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enable automated processing of specimens carried on microscope slides are described herein. Aspects of the technology are directed, for example, to automated specimen processing systems and methods for dispensing liquids onto slides. The system can concurrently or sequentially perform lock cycles. Each lock cycle can include lock steps for addressing respective slides to dispense liquid. The lock steps of different lock cycles can be synchronized to prevent any collision between dispensers.

Abstract: An method is offered which can clean the nozzles of a reaction cuvette wash unit. A first detergent is put in first reagent containers located on a first reagent turntable. A computer controller drives a first reagent pipette to aspirate the detergent from the first reagent containers and to deliver the detergent into reaction cuvettes. The controller drives a reaction turntable to bring each reaction cuvette holding the detergent therein to the reaction cuvette wash unit. The controller drives the reaction cuvette wash unit to aspirate the detergent from inside the reaction cuvettes using reaction cuvette wash nozzles to thereby clean the wash nozzles. A second detergent is then used to clean the nozzles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic analysis device in which a check item at a time of an analysis start can be set in accordance with a skill level of an operator, an analysis can be performed after the check item being displayed and confirmed, and erroneous measurement caused due to a missed check can be prevented. The check item such as checking the remaining quantity of a reagent or the like displayed in a check screen before the analysis start can be set for each type of operator, each day, each time. The set check item is configured to be displayed in a screen before the analysis start, and unless the operator confirms the check item, the analysis start is not allowed in principle. An automatic analysis device which can prevent erroneous measurement caused due to a missed check of the operator before the analysis start is realized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the position of a multiplicity of measurement locations in a measurement system of an automated analysis device, and a corresponding automated analysis device with an integrated circuit, which is configured as phase locked loop.

Abstract: An embodiment of the method of the invention is a method of automating information flow in a laboratory performing tissue staining comprising positioning a networked label printer adjacent to a cutting station, the printer configured to access patient data directly or indirectly from the hospital LIS, the printer being configured with a data element scanner in electronic communication with said printer; inputting data from a tissue cassette-associated data element at said printer, whereby inputting data comprises reading the data from the cassette-associated data element and uploading the cassette data to the LIS; identifying the corresponding test protocol identifier and then downloading the test protocol data to the printer; printing information on labels corresponding to each test specified in the LIS for the patient; attaching a single label to each slide; and cutting a tissue section for each labeled slide and mounting the section on the slide.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system and method to safely and efficiently store and transport process tubes in a carrier tray comprising prior to and during amplification of nucleotides in the process tubes. The process tube disclosed includes a securement region having an annular ledge, a neck, and a protrusion. The securement region of the process tube can secure the process tube in a port of the carrier tray, but still allows the process tube to adjust or float in order to align the process tube into a rigid heater well of a thermal cycler.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an automatic analyzer includes dispenser, measurer, thermostat, cooler and cleaner. Dispenser dispenses a specimen and a reagent into a reaction vessel. Measurer measures a solution mixture of the specimen and the reagent in the vessel. Thermostat heats the mixture to a first temperature at which thermoresponsive polymers contained in the reagent aggregate. Cooler cools a cleaning fluid used to clean the vessel to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, at which the polymers contained in the reagent disperse. Cleaner cleans the vessel from which the mixture has been drained, using the cooled fluid.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and apparatus for detecting sample defects in blood samples processed in automated processing systems are described herein. One aspect describes an automated blood sample processing apparatus having a pre-analytic specimen integrity monitoring device. Another aspect describes devices, systems, and methods for identifying blood components and properties in blood samples. Further aspects relate to systems and methods for setting reference ranges for sample defects and interference in blood samples. Additionally, devices, systems, and methods for identifying defective samples are described.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analysis device capable of reducing a reagent cost. In the present invention, in each mixed reagent preparation cycle, an amount of mixed reagent for N analyses is mixed and prepared, and an amount of mixed reagent for one analysis is dispensed from the amount of mixed reagent for N analyses and used to analyze one sample. Minimum (Nmin) and maximum (Nmax) values for N are determined for a control unit beforehand, and if the analysis of J samples is requested, the control unit sets the value of N at the time of a mixed reagent preparation cycle within a range from Nmin to Nmax so as to minimize the remaining mixed reagent.

Abstract: A method for determining a handover position of a gripping device and to a laboratory automation system being able to perform such a method are presented. A position determining device is used in order to determine a handover position based on magnetic forces of a handover electro-magnetic actuator that is part of a laboratory sample distribution system of the laboratory automation system.

Abstract: A method of setting a handover position of a gripping device at a laboratory automation system is presented. A position of a position determining device held by the gripping device is detected using position sensors in order to determine the handover position. A laboratory automation system configured to perform such a method is also presented.

Abstract: A sample processing system comprising: a plurality of sample processing units; and a transport apparatus for transporting a sample to any of the plurality of sample processing units, wherein the transport apparatus comprises a communication section for communicating with an apparatus external to the transport apparatus and a controlling section for setting the transport apparatus in a start-up state when the communication section have received a start-up command signal from the external apparatus.

Abstract: An automatic analyzing apparatus capable of eliminating static electricity charged in a specimen container at a specimen dispensing position provided. The automatic analyzing apparatus includes a dispensing mechanism having a probe that aspirates a liquid and an arm that holds the probe, and a static eliminator having a generation source of neutralizing ions and a neutralizing ion blowing mechanism for blowing the neutralizing ions generated in the generation source to a target, which are provided in the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides system, method and apparatus for creating an electric glow discharge that includes a first and second electrically conductive screens having substantially equidistant a gap between them, one or more insulators attached to the electrically conductive screens, and a non-conductive granular material disposed within the gap. The electric glow discharge is created whenever: (a) the first electrically conductive screen is connected to an electrical power source such that it is a cathode, the second electrically conductive screen is connected to the electrical power supply such that it is an anode, and the electrically conductive fluid is introduced into the gap, or (b) both electrically conductive screens are connected to the electrical power supply such they are the cathode, and the electrically conductive fluid is introduced between both electrically conductive screens and an external anode connected to the electrical power supply.

Abstract: A device for performing biological sample reactions may include a plurality of flow cells configured to be mounted to a common microscope translation stage, wherein each flow cell is configured to receive at least one sample holder containing biological sample. Each flow cell also may be configured to be selectively placed in an open position for positioning the at least one sample holder into the flow cell and a closed position for reacting biological sample contained in the at least one sample holder. The plurality of flow cells may be configured to be selectively placed in the open position and the closed position independently of each other.

Abstract: A column connection device for use in gas chromatography is disclosed. The column connection device includes a housing with a piston, a piston spring retainer, and disk springs composed of an austenite nickel-chromium-based superalloy (e.g. Special Metals Corp.'s Inconel family of metals). The piston has a ferrule on its exposed end. The disk springs urge the ferrule against the mating portion of an external device maintaining a seal with the external device and creating a seal radially around a column disposed within. The column connection device also includes a release slider and a column base with a column retainer, column tab, and wire springs composed of an austenite nickel-chromium-based superalloy. The wire springs urge the column tab to frictionally engage the column, thereby inhibiting column movement. Depressing the release slider flexes the wire springs, urging the column tab away from the column, removing the frictional inhibition.