Abstract: An automated analyzer has a reaction disk on which a plurality of reaction vessels capable of holding sample and reagent mixtures can be placed, a first cover for covering at least a portion of the area above the reaction disk, a second cover that can be opened and closed independently from the first cover, at least one sensor for monitoring the opening and closing of the first cover, and a control unit for monitoring a signal from the sensor and carrying out control such that if the first cover has not been opened and closed during the period until a new analysis operation is started, a pre-analysis cleaning operation, blank measurement operation, or both, are skipped.

Abstract: An automated analysis device includes a reagent disc on which a plurality of reagent containers are loaded; a reagent loader that loads a reagent from the outside onto the reagent disc and carries a reagent to the outside; a display unit that displays the reagents in the plurality of reagent containers, so as to be paired with corresponding analysis items for which the reagents are used; and a control unit that causes the reagent loader to simultaneously carry, to the outside of the reagent disc, a reagent which is selected, on the display unit, by an operation device used for an operation input from an operator instructing the reagent loader to take out the reagent and simultaneously carry a reagent which is to be used for a different analysis item to be performed simultaneously with the analysis item for the selected reagent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, tools, pillar plates, and tool assemblies for biomolecular analysis using microarrays that reduces the likelihood of air bubbles being trapped by the microarrays. Embodiments of the tools include two clamps that have a tool mount portion and a grasping portion. The tool mount portion is configured to engage a lifting mechanism of a plate handling robot for moving a pillar plate that include microarrays. The grasping portion is configured to freely suspend the pillar plate at an inclination of a non-zero tilt angle relative to a plane normal to the tool mount portion. Embodiments of pillar plates include two protruding edges on opposite sides of the pillar plate and a plurality of pillars with one or more affixed microarrays. Embodiments of the tool assembly include the tool and the pillar plate, wherein the protruding edges are configured to engage with the gasping portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a sampling apparatus and a method for bodily fluids, and, more specifically, a blood sampling apparatus and a method for using the same. A blood collection system includes a housing having at least one open end, and an absorbent material positioned within the housing. The absorbent material has at least one end positioned proximate the at least one open end of the housing. A method of collecting blood samples includes positioning an absorbent material near a source of blood, holding the absorbent material with a housing, the absorbent material absorbing a volume of blood, and moving the housing and absorbent material to a position where the absorbent material can dry.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring chamber, a working method of the measuring chamber, a chemiluminescence measurement method of the measuring chamber and a chemiluminescence detector. The measuring chamber includes a dark chamber, a first substrate nozzle, a photomultiplier detection component, a waste liquor adsorption needle component, a reaction cup turntable and a plurality of reaction cup processing stations; the reaction cup turntable is provided in the measuring chamber rotationally; and the plurality of reaction cup processing stations are sealed in a mutually light-isolated manner. When the instrument works, reaction cups in the reaction cup turntable are moved in the dark chamber; and after the reaction cups are moved to corresponding processing stations for processing the reaction cups, the plurality of different processing stations for processing, the reaction cups may simultaneously process the reaction cups moved to the corresponding reaction cup processing stations.

Abstract: This automated analyzer comprises: a sample disk for mounting sample containers accommodating samples; a sample disk control unit for controlling the rotation of the sample disk; a sample dispensing probe for sucking the sample out of a sample container that has arrived at a prescribed suction position as a result of the rotation of the sample disk; a photometer for carrying out automatic biochemical analysis; a blood coagulation time detection unit for carrying out blood coagulation time analysis; a light-blocking cover that covers the photometer and blood coagulation time detection unit; and a sample information output unit for outputting sample information.

Abstract: A holder (10) receives and stores laboratory vessels for samples, microorganisms, cell cultures or the like, with a housing (14), and at least one receptacle (20) for the laboratory vessels. The receptacle (20) extends along a loading axis (L) in the housing (14) and is configured such that the laboratory vessels can be introduced into the receptacle (20) and can be stacked on top of each other therein, wherein the receptacle (20) in the housing (14) has a loading opening (20a) to permit loading. On an underside (18) arranged remote from the loading opening (20a), the receptacle (20) has an unloading opening (20b), which can be closed by means of a closure mechanism (38) arranged in the housing (14). The closure mechanism (38) is provided with a slide (40, 42), via which the slide (40, 42) is movable to the unloading opening (20b) to permit closure and is movable from the unloading opening (20b) to an opening position to permit opening.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system comprising a transport plane in which the transport plane is covered by an electrically conductive material is presented. A laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.

Abstract: A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The system comprises sample container carriers comprising a magnetically active device and configured to carry a sample container, interconnected transport plane modules configured to support carriers, and electro-magnetic actuators arranged in rows and columns below each transport plane module and configured to move a carrier on top of the transport plane modules by applying a magnetic force to the carrier. The method comprises assigning transport plane modules to a route category. At least two traffic lanes are formed on the route categorized transport plane module. The carriers are moved within each traffic lane in a transport direction. The transport directions are opposite to each other. The method also comprises assigning another transport plane module to a waypoint category. A change from one transport direction to the opposite transport direction is possible on the waypoint categorized transport plane module.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Abstract: An automated analysis device includes: a first measurement unit having a reaction disc for retaining a plurality of reaction cells containing a mixed solution of sample and reagent on a circumference, a light source for irradiating the mixed solution contained in the reaction cells with light, and a light-receiving unit for detecting the irradiated light; a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the reaction cells having undergone measurement; disposable reaction containers for containing the mixed solution of sample and reagent; a second measurement unit that has a plurality of measurement channels for retaining the disposable reaction containers, and includes a light source for irradiating the disposable reaction containers retained in each of the plurality of measurement channels with light; a read unit for reading identification information; and a control unit for controlling an analysis condition for the sample on the basis of the information that has been read.

Abstract: An analysis system and a method for testing a biological sample are proposed, wherein certain pieces of at least two different pieces of control information are selected and/or used to carry out the test using a cartridge and/or certain pieces of at least two different pieces of evaluation information are selected and/or used to evaluate the measurement results determined by the test.

Abstract: Maintenance time for an automated analysis device is reduced by executing a plurality of maintenance items in parallel. An automated analysis system 10 is provided with an automated analysis device 11 and a terminal device 38. The automated analysis system 11 measures a sample. The terminal device 38 includes a display unit 32, an operation unit 32, and a control unit provided in a computer 30. The display unit 32 displays maintenance items for maintaining the automated analysis device 11. The operation unit 31 selects one or more of the maintenance items displayed on the display unit 32. The control unit controls the automated analysis device 11 to execute in parallel all the maintenance items selected by the operation unit 31.

Abstract: An analysis pretreatment device according to an embodiment includes a chamber capable of containing an analysis object therein. A pressure reducer reduces pressure inside the chamber. An introducing part vaporizes a liquid and introduces the vaporized liquid into the chamber. A first supplier supplies water in a liquid state to the introducing part. A second supplier supplies hydrofluoric acid in a gas state to the introducing part. The introducing part introduces a mixed gas into the chamber. The mixed gas includes vaporized water, which is obtained by vaporizing water in a liquid state, and hydrofluoric acid in a gas state.

Abstract: A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The system comprises container carriers, a gateway having a network interface, and transport modules. Each module comprises a transport surface and are adjacent in a row-direction and column-direction to form a transport surface. The module comprises a driver arranged below the transport surface to move container carriers on the transport surface and left, right, upper and lower network interfaces. The left and right network interfaces connect modules in rows and the upper and lower network interfaces connect modules in columns. The network interface of the gateway is connected to a network interface of a first module. The method comprises sending an explore command from the gateway to the first module, propagating an initialization command from the first module to the remaining modules, storing addresses within the modules, and using the addresses by the gateway to address the modules.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for detecting a target substance, such as THC, in a breath constituent sample are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and imaging a microfluidic chip can comprise a housing having walls that define a vacuum chamber and a first receptacle disposed within the vacuum chamber, the first receptacle defining a space for receiving one or more microfluidic chips. The apparatus can also include a negative pressure source, a light source, and an optical sensor coupled to the housing. The negative pressure source can be configured to reduce pressure within the vacuum chamber, the light source can be positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the space for receiving the chip(s), and the optical sensor can be positioned to capture an image of at least a portion of the space for receiving the chip(s).

Abstract: A smear preparation apparatus comprises a blood processing unit, a washing unit, a controller, an information obtaining unit. The controller changes the washing condition for washing after processing a blood sample to a second washing condition which is stronger than the first washing condition when abnormal blood cells occur in the blood sample.

Abstract: An automated positive pressure solid phase extraction apparatus and method comprising two tiered lifts devices each individually controllable to individually vertically translate within an elevator framework between a base on which the elevator framework is mounted and a manifold plate supported by the framework in a substantially horizontal plane parallel with and vertically above the two tiered lifts devices; a rectilinearly translating shuttle assembly comprising a shuttle supporting labware for rectilinear travel into and out of the elevator framework to handoff the labware to one of the two tiered elevator lifts or both; and a reagent dispensing system comprising a reagent dispensing manifold for dispensing liquids into wells of each column of wells of a labware filter plate carried by the shuttle.

Abstract: A sample receiving assembly capable of receiving a fluid sample from sample containers having different sizes and shapes includes an arm, an arm holder, a sample probe, and a support member, the support member having a bore therethrough and a plurality of linear grooves. The arm is disposed within the arm holder and the sample probe is disposed within the arm. The arm holder includes a hollow pivot pin insertable through the bore in the support member. The sample probe has a first portion extendable through a distal end of the arm, and a second portion extending axially through the hollow pivot pin. The plurality of linear grooves in the support member are sized and positioned to receive a guide pin on the arm and guide retraction of the arm into the arm holder from an extended position to a retracted position.