Abstract: A method of washing an aspiration probe of an in-vitro diagnostic system is disclosed. The aspiration probe comprises an outer surface and an inner surface forming an inner space for receiving a fluid. The method comprises dipping the aspiration probe into a first wash fluid so that the outer surface is immersed at least in part into the first wash fluid, aspirating an amount of the first wash fluid into the inner space of the aspiration probe, propagating an ultrasonic vibration to the outer surface of the aspiration probe via the first wash fluid, and rinsing the outer surface and the inner surface of the aspiration probe with a second wash fluid. Further, an in-vitro diagnostic method and an in-vitro diagnostic system are disclosed.

Abstract: A pipetting device having a lube has an opening al one end for suctioning or discharging a sample fluid and can be operatively connected to a pressure generation device at the other end, a first electrode is formed on the pipetting device and forms a measuring capacitor together with a second electrode formed by at least one part of the sample fluid that can be received in the tube and that measuring capacitor is operatively connected to a measuring unit, and the measuring unit is designed to determine a volume of the suctioned or discharged sample fluid according to the capacity of the measuring capacitor, as well as having a first electrical contact that is designed to create an electrical connection with the working fluid, the first electrical contact can be electrically connected to the measuring unit via a low-resistance converter circuit.

Abstract: An automatic analysis device is provided with: a sample disk for holding a sample container that accommodates a sample; a reagent disk for holding a reagent container that accommodates a reagent; at least two different measuring units that respectively perform different types of analyses; a control part that controls the measuring units; and a display part that displays: a work flow area in which the flow of operation of the two or more measuring units is displayed; and an overview area in which the usable or unusable states of the respective measuring units are displayed, wherein the overview area has a unit necessity-of-use selection part that can select whether using each of the measuring units is necessary, and the control part controls the display part so as to change the display of the work flow area on the basis of the information set in the unit necessity-of-use selection part.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated cell processing of biological samples, such as cells for use in cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Systems for automated processing of batches derived from biological samples comprise: a closed and sterile enclosure; a plurality of reagent containers; at least one reagent dispenser; a quality control module for analyzing at least one characteristic of a batch; a harvesting module; a robotic module; and a control unit (CU) communicatively coupled to the at least one reagent dispenser, the quality control module, the harvesting module and the robotic module for controlling the automatic processing of batches. The automatic processing may be executable without handling by a human operator. The system may be configured to automatically process the plurality of batches without cross-contamination between batches, e.g., under GMP conditions.

Abstract: Enclosures and corresponding magnetic joints. An apparatus includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes a magnetic panel joint formed by: a first panel carrying a magnet and comprising a first pocket; a second panel including a second pocket; and a ferromagnetic shield coupled within the second pocket and couplable within the first pocket via the magnet.

Abstract: A sampler device for gas chromatography includes a first unit that supports and moves a second, single instrument holding unit carrying at least two instruments with respective control plungers for taking/inserting samples to be analyzed, and a third unit that actuates the plungers simultaneously. The first unit is mounted on a base and moves the second and third units along horizontal and vertical directions and between a first and a second station, at least one of which is defined beyond the plan encumbrance of the base. A control unit automatically controls the movement of the first unit between the first station, with the third unit controlled by the control unit to simultaneously take the samples to be analyzed by the two instruments, and the second station, with the third unit controlled by the control unit to simultaneously insert the previously taken samples within two distinct injectors of a gas chromatograph.

Abstract: There is provided a dispensing unit capable of alleviating the load on a dispensing unit and other components at the time of a collision while maintaining the vibration-suppressing function. Also, an automated analyzer having this dispensing unit is provided. The dispensing unit has a dispensing probe, a drive mechanism, an arm member, a first probe holder, a second probe holder, a first support spring, second support springs, and vibration dampers. The second probe holder is supported to the first probe holder so as to be movable vertically and holds the dispensing probe. The second support springs bias the second probe holder against the first probe holder and in combination have a spring constant smaller than that of the first support spring. The vibration dampers are bridged from the arm member to the second probe holder.

Abstract: A picktool manipulator device collects a specimen from a culture medium. In a first mode of operation, a picktool is allowed to move in an axial direction relative to support structure of the device. A detector may generate a signal in response to movement of the body in the axial direction so as to determine a height at which the picktool contacts the medium. The device may operate in the first mode when collecting a specimen from a culture medium. A second mode of operation constrains or precludes axial movement of the picktool. In some cases, the device may operate in the second mode when receiving a new picktool or discarding a used picktool.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a multi-channel pipettor, comprising: creating an access plan having a plurality of transfer blocks, each comprising a source access and a destination access, wherein the creating includes: reading of position lists which contain the positions of all source and destination containers and assigning source containers to destination containers; performing a transfer analysis in which the source or destination accesses and the movements of the pipetting head and/or the container holders are determined by forming the difference between the current channel position and the source position or the destination position on the two-dimensional plane; and performing a transfer optimization, whereby the source or destination accesses and the movements of the pipetting head respectively required for the source or destination accesses are sorted into the transfer blocks; and operating the multi-channel pipettor on the basis of the created access plan.

Abstract: A system for automated processing of a plurality of batches, each batch being derived from one biological sample, the system comprising an enclosure which can be closed and sterilized, each batch of the plurality of batches comprising one or more cell processing container; a plurality of reagent containers for holding reagents within the enclosure; at least one reagent dispenser within the enclosure for dispensing reagents during said automated processing; a quality control system within the enclosure for analyzing at least one characteristic of a batch during said automated processing; a harvester within the enclosure for harvesting batches; a robotic system within the enclosure, configured for transporting cell processing containers, decapping or otherwise opening cell processing containers, pipetting reagents or liquids from cell processing containers, and aspirating liquids from cell processing containers, during said automated processing; a tracker for electronically tracking the plurality of batches aft

Abstract: A positioning system for positioning a consumable rack in a diagnostic system is disclosed. The positioning system comprises a rack comprising an upper surface comprising holding positions and a receiving compartment comprising a rectangular chassis comprising front, rear, and two lateral sides. The receiving compartment comprises a holding structure coupled to the chassis to move between first and second positions. The rack comprises sidewalls. At least three sidewalls have a center alignment element. The chassis comprises three chassis alignment elements on the rear and two lateral sides. The holding structure comprises a corner push element between the chassis front and lateral sides to push against a side edge of the rack between two sidewalls when the holding structure is moved from the first position towards the second position forcing the three alignment elements against a chassis alignment element and laterally holding the rack in position by the chassis alignment elements.

Abstract: A processing module is configured to extend the capabilities of an analyzer configured to process substances within each of a plurality of receptacles. The module includes a container transport configured to transport a container from a location within the processing module to a location within the analyzer that is accessible to a substance transfer device of the analyzer. A receptacle distribution system is configured to receive a receptacle from the analyzer, transfer the receptacle into the processing module, and to move the receptacle between different locations within the analyzer. A substance transfer device of the module is configured to dispense substances into or remove substances from the receptacle within the processing module. A reagent card exchanger provides an input device for inserting reagent cards into and removing reagent cards from the module, stores reagent cards within the module, and transfers reagent cards to different location within the module.

Abstract: Provided are a pretreatment device capable of starting pretreatment in a simple operation, and an analysis system provided with the pretreatment device. A container holding unit 12 holds pretreatment containers into each of which a sample is injected, at a plurality of holding positions. A pretreatment unit sequentially performs pretreatment by using the pretreatment containers held at the holding positions of the container holding unit 12 in a specific order. A controller configured to receives a setting of the holding position of a pretreatment container to be used first among the plurality of holding positions in the case where a series of pretreatments using the plurality of pretreatment containers is started by the pretreatment unit.

Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes a sample storage section for accommodating a plurality of samples, a reagent storage section for accommodating a plurality of reagents, an analysis section for carrying out an analysis by reacting the sample with the reagent, a display, a storage section for storing a setting of an operation item to be automatically executed, which is effective only at restarting, and a control section which displays a screen for setting the operation item to be automatically executed upon acceptance of power shutdown operation by an operator during the analysis on the display to accept the setting from the operator, and automatically executes or omits execution of the operation item to be automatically executed, which has been set by the operator in accordance with the setting read from the storage section at the restarting.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analyzer that has a plurality of mechanisms including a mechanism that suctions reaction waste liquid and a mechanism that suctions cleaning liquid, etc. on a sample and a probe surface, the automatic analyzer reducing pressure in a vacuum tank using a pressure-reducing pump, etc., and suctioning waste liquid by negative pressure in the vacuum tank. A contact point of a vacuum switch that is provided in the vacuum tank is closed when the pressure in the vacuum tank reaches a specified negative pressure, and then the analyzer becomes ready for analysis. If any flow path portion of any mechanism that connects with the vacuum tank becomes clogged, suctioning operation cannot be performed properly and analysis performance is affected. The vacuum pump is switched off at a timing at which each solenoid valve connecting to the vacuum pump is individually opened, and the time that elapses before the pressure in the vacuum tank reaches the specified negative pressure is measured.

Abstract: To provide an inspection system capable of performing a target biological reaction under temperature conditions suitable for the reaction even with reciprocal liquid feeding. An inspection system including at least: a sensor chip with a flow path having a reaction site for performing biological reactions; a liquid feeder that causes reaction liquid to flow into and out of the flow path; and a first temperature adjuster that adjusts temperature of reaction liquid flowed in the flow path, where the system performs reciprocal liquid feeding by the liquid feeder where some of the reaction liquid flowed in the flow path is caused to flow out of the flow path and to flow in again. The inspection system includes a second temperature adjuster that, during reciprocal liquid feeding, adjusts temperature of the reaction liquid flowed outside the flow path through temperature adjustment of a liquid holding section of the liquid feeder.

Abstract: A tissue sample that has been removed from a subject can be properly fixed for evaluation using the disclosed transporter assembly for carrying a tissue sample and method for fixing an unfixed tissue sample. In one embodiment, the disclosed assembly includes a transport container, a fixative in the transport container, and a cooling device that reduces and/or maintains the temperature of the fixative to perform a pre-soaking process at a temperature of less than about 7° C. The pre-soaking process can, for example, be performed during sample transport or during extended periods of storage, such as over a weekend.

Abstract: An analysis device and method for testing a biological sample using a receivable cartridge having at least one actuator for actuating a valve of the cartridge. The actuator has a pneumatically loaded membrane and an actuation element that is coupled to the membrane, the return movement into an unactuated position being performed preferably as a result of restoring forces of the membrane.

Abstract: The automatic analyzer includes: a device state managing unit that manages a device state of the automatic analyzer; an abnormality detecting unit that detects abnormality of the automatic analyzer based on information of the device state managed by the device state managing unit and a predetermined reference; an alarm planning unit that plans at least two alarms including an abnormality occurrence alarm and an handling available alarm regarding each of abnormality items detected by the abnormality detecting unit, the abnormality occurrence alarm being planned for notification to a user in a case where the abnormality occurs, and the handling available alarm being planned for notification to the user in a case where the automatic analyzer is in a device state where the automatic analyzer is available for handling the abnormality; and a notifying unit that notifies the alarms planned by the alarm planning unit.

Abstract: An automatic analysis device is provided with a storage chamber for adjusting the temperature of and storing a container in which liquid is stored, an opening provided in a portion of the storage chamber, and a loader mechanism for bringing the container in and out of the storage chamber by moving the container through the opening, and is characterized in that the loader mechanism and storage chamber are closed by an elastic body. In the present invention, attaching a sealing member for sealing to an upper part from among overlapping parts makes it difficult for debris and dust to adhere to the sealing member and makes it possible to maintain the sealed state of a reagent storage chamber over a long period of time.