Abstract: The present invention achieves an automatic analysis device which has a probe guard for which the range of motion for accessing a specimen container installation section is small and which can be moved without being removed from a specimen installation section. The directions of movement of a probe guard are the vertical direction of a specimen container erection mechanism and the horizontal direction within an upper region of the specimen container erection mechanism, and a specimen container can be accessed without the need to move the probe guard to outside the upper region of the specimen container erection mechanism. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve an automatic analysis device which has a probe guard for which the range of motion for accessing a specimen installation section is small and which can be moved without being removed from a specimen container erection mechanism.

Abstract: A device for loading an automated analysis system is presented. The device comprises a chassis, a movable loading element movably coupled to the chassis and configured to move between a first and a second position, a holding structure, the holding structure being floatingly coupled to the movable loading element, the holding structure being configured to hold a receptacle for material to be loaded into the automated analysis system, a first alignment element attached to the chassis and a second alignment element attached to the holding structure. The first alignment element is configured to engage with the second alignment element to align the holding structure in a predetermined position relative to the chassis when the movable loading element is in the second position.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer has a washing tank providing water for washing a reagent or sample probe is. The washing water from a washing nozzle spreads from a throttle portion and is divided into right and left flows after colliding with a vent plate provided in an overflow portion of the washing tank. The washing water flows between the vent plate and the inner wall of the overflow portion, and the flows join behind the vent plate. After joining, the washing water flows downward along the vent plate and the inner wall of the overflow portion and then is drained. Because a space is created between the washing water which has collided with the vent plate and the washing water joined behind the vent plate, the washing water is prevented from completely covering the overflow portion, and the airflow can be secured during the drainage.

Abstract: A sample analyzer and a method for obtaining reagent information are disclosed, wherein the sample analyzer analyzes a sample by using a reagent contained in a reagent container, comprising a first reagent container holder configured to hold a first reagent container containing a first reagent, a first electronic tag, on which a reagent information regarding the first reagent is recorded, attached to the first reagent container; a second reagent container holder configured to hold a second reagent container containing a second reagent, a second electronic tag, on which a reagent information regarding the second reagent is recorded, attached to the second reagent container; an antenna that is arranged between the first reagent container holder and the second reagent container holder, and is configured to receive a radio wave from each of the first and second electronic tags; and a reagent information obtainer unit configured to obtain the reagent information recorded on the first electronic tag based on a radi

Abstract: An analytical instrument architecture provides high analytical test throughput in a compact footprint. A dilution section creates dilutions of a sample, a reaction processing section contains containers for assay reaction and measurement, and a reagent storage section supports reagent storage and supply. Transfer probes move the dilution and reagents to reaction containers. The dilution processing section includes concentric, independently driven rings of dilution containers; the reaction processing section includes concentric rings of reaction containers driven by the same mechanism for parallel processing of assays.

Abstract: A sample analyzer is provided that does not require a plurality of reagent containers containing the same type of reagent to be connected, that can continue measurement even when a reagent container becomes empty, and that allows the timing of replacement of the reagent container to be recognized suitably. A reagent storage section is provided that is connected to a reagent container containing a reagent through a fluid channel and that stores the reagent transferred from the reagent container. A message for prompting replacement of the reagent container is outputted when it is detected that the remaining amount in the reagent container is a predetermined amount or less. A message for prompting to suspend sample measurement in the measurement section is outputted when it is detected that the remaining amount in the reagent storage section is a predetermined amount or less.

Abstract: A motorized latch assembly includes an electric motor, an eccentric cam attached via gears to a shaft of the motor and a latch plate configured to lock the reagent cartridge to the coupler. The eccentric cam is rotated when the shaft of the motor rotates. When the eccentric cam is rotated so that the eccentric cam presses down upon the latch plate, the latch plate moves a sufficient distance to permit the reagent cartridge to be disconnected from the coupler.

Abstract: Apparatus for automated venting and/or sampling of a specimen container having a closure sealing the interior of the specimen container from the environment is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rack holding the specimen container; a venting and/or sampling device having a needle, a chamber in fluid communication with the needle and a port in fluid communication with the chamber; a robotic transfer mechanism moveable relative to the rack; a sample removal apparatus attached to the robotic transfer mechanism having gripping features for gripping the venting device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods that enable improved accuracy for quantitative particle counting in a flowing liquid stream. The methods of the present invention utilize the real-time measurement of flow rates and flow rate control through feedback mechanisms to improve quantification, and this improved quantification translates to more accurate particle counting. In certain embodiments, particles being counted are biological particles in a liquid sample, such as viruses.

Abstract: Provided are an automatic analysis device and a maintenance support system which prevent a failure that occurs between regular inspection periods to thereby reduce the downtime of the automatic analysis device. A maintenance support system acquires, from each of a plurality of automatic analysis devices (100), pulse information transmitted from the automatic analysis device (100) provided with a mechanism which is driven by a pulse motor, and a transmission means which transmits pulse information including tow among a driving pulse value for driving the pulse motor, a consumed pulse amount that is a pulse amount consumed when the pulse motor has actually been driven, and a remaining pulse amount obtained by subtracting the consumed pulse amount from the driving pulse value, and stores at least the consumed pulse amount.

Abstract: A pressure sensor detects the inner pressure of a probe at the time of suction of a specimen and a memory stores therein a plurality of clogging detection parameters in accordance with pressure in the vacuum blood collection tube. The clogging detection parameter stored in the memory is selected in accordance with the pressure in the vacuum blood collection tube, and a determination of the clogging of the probe is performed based on the selected clogging detection parameter and the inner pressure at the time of suction of the specimen detected in the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reagent dispenser apparatus. The reagent dispenser apparatus has a reagent container having a dispense port operable to open and close to dispense reagent. Dispense port may include a valve operable to dispense reagent from a bottom of the reagent container. Reagent dispensing apparatus, immunoassay apparatus and methods of operating the reagent dispenser apparatus are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A display unit displays, on a single screen, a first display area configured from a first area corresponding to the position on a reagent disc at which a reagent container is disposed and a second display area configured from a second area corresponding to the position on a reagent loader at which a reagent container is disposed. A control unit changes the display state of the first area on the basis of whether a reagent container is placed at a position on the reagent disk corresponding to the first area and reagent information for the reagent accommodated in the placed reagent container and changes the display state of the second area on the basis of whether a reagent container is placed at a position on the reagent loader corresponding to the second area and reagent-container-conveyance-state information for the placed reagent container.

Abstract: A method and a device for handling test tubes in a laboratory automation system are presented. During the handling, an open end of the test tube is covered by a residue-free removable, flat cover element forced against the open end of the test tube.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer that dispenses a sample and a reagent in a reaction cuvette and measures the mixed solution, including a dispensing probe configured to suction the sample from the sample container and to discharge the sample into the reaction cuvette; a detecting unit configured to detect the sample in the sample container by the end part of the dispensing probe contacting the sample; and a washing unit configured to wash a wide range of the external surface containing a broad end part, rather than the end part of the dispensing probe, which keeps the suctioned sample in the sample container in a second downward suction position, rather than a first suction position detected by the detection unit, wherein the washing unit is configured to have a washing tube, wherein the dispensing probe enters into an upper part of the washing tube, and a pump that supplies the washing tube with cleaning liquid and makes the cleaning liquid flow up through the inside of the washing tube.

Abstract: This analysis device includes at least one rack intended to receive a plurality of containers containing samples of biological liquid to be analyzed, a loading module arranged to move the at least one rack between a loading position and a first intermediate position, a shaking module arranged to move the at least one rack between the first intermediate position and a second intermediate position and to shake the at least one rack, an unloading module arranged to move the at least one rack between the second intermediate position and an unloading position, where the loading and unloading modules are arranged to move the at least one rack respectively along a first and a second movement directions transverse to the plane of the at least one rack, and where the shaking module is arranged such that the at least one rack extends substantially along a same orientation in the first and second intermediate positions.

Abstract: Provided is a device for collecting biological material from a microbe, the device including: a collection container that is used to collect a microbe from a liquid sample containing the microbe and to extract the biological material from the microbe; and a temperature control mechanism that controls a temperature of the collection container. Herein, the temperature control mechanism controls a temperature of the collection container so that the microbe is collected at a first temperature and the biological material is extracted from the microbe at a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: An object moving device includes: a first drive mechanism configured to move a head unit in a first direction and in a second direction; a second drive mechanism configured to move an illumination unit in the first direction; and a third drive mechanism configured to move a camera unit in the first direction. A control unit controls the first drive mechanism to move the head unit on a first path. The control unit controls the second and third drive mechanisms to move the illumination unit and the camera unit on the first path between the first container and the second container. When the head unit and the illumination unit interfere with each other on the first path, the control unit implements control such that the head unit moves in the second direction and the head units moves in the first direction on a second path parallel to the first path.

Abstract: A system for transporting containers between different stations is presented. The containers are accommodated in container carriers. The system comprises a control unit for controlling the transport of the container carriers, a transport area divided into subareas and on which the container carriers can be movably arranged, and a drive. The drive is activated by the control unit and each subarea is assigned a respective drive. Each drive applies a drive force to an associated container carrier.

Abstract: If an air bubble is entrained when a reagent is added to a sample, disturbance caused by this air bubble may prevent accurate optical measurement, thereby reducing accuracy for measuring blood clotting ability. The position to dispense the reagent depends on accuracy of stopping a reagent dispensing mechanism and dimensional errors of individual detectors, and thus conventional reagent discharging method may entrain an air bubble because a distance between a nozzle for dispensing the reagent and an inner wall of a reaction vessel is not constant and conditions for dispensing the reagent to the sample vary. In the present invention, an automatic analyzer with a nozzle for sucking and discharging the reagent for blood clotting reaction is provided with a dispensing mechanism that keeps a constant position for the nozzle to discharge the reagent by pressing the nozzle against the inner wall of the reaction vessel within the elastic range.