Abstract: Decapping system and methods of performing a decapping process for screw cap test tubes. In an embodiment, a method comprises loading a test tube rack in a rack holder that holds the test tube rack stationary, where the test tube rack holds the screw cap test tubes aligned in a row. The method further comprises clamping the row of the screw cap test tubes between a pair of jaw members of a row clamp, where clamp surfaces of the jaw members apply a force to opposing sides of the row of the screw cap test tubes. The method further comprises successively contacting screw caps of the screw cap test tubes in the row with a rotating bit of a decapper tool to spin the screw caps in a loosening direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure also relates to systems and methods for quality control in histology systems. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes receiving a tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, imaging the tissue block to create a first imaging data of the tissue sample in a tissue section on the tissue block, removing the tissue section from the tissue block, the tissue section comprising a part of the tissue sample, imaging the tissue section to create a second imaging data of the tissue sample in the tissue section, and comparing the first imaging data to the second imaging data to confirm correspondence in the tissue sample in the first imaging data and the second imaging data based on one or more quality control parameters.

Abstract: A test tube rack dispatching method, a pipeline analysis system and a test tube rack. Said method is applied to a pipeline analysis system. The pipeline system comprises a sample conveying mechanism, at least two test devices and at least two test platforms corresponding to the at least two test devices, the sampling mechanism being connected to the at least two test platforms. Said method comprises: scanning a readable and writable label of a test tube rack placed in the pipeline system, so as to read test mode information corresponding to the test tube rack; and dispatching, by the sample conveying mechanism, the test tube rack to a test platform corresponding to the test mode information, so as to test samples on the test tube rack by a test device corresponding to the test platform.

Abstract: A container (30) includes a plurality of accommodation portions (310) accommodating the sample, and a lid portion (320) closing the plurality of accommodation portions (310). The treatment apparatus (6) includes a container support portion (41) configured to support the plurality of accommodation portions (310), and a container fixing portion (42) configured to overlap the lid portion (320). The container fixing portion (42) is configured to sandwich the container (30) together with the container support portion (41). The container fixing portion (42) is provided in a manner of being able to be opened and closed with respect to the container support portion (41). A plurality of hole portions (411) are provided in the container support portion (41). A plurality of hook portions (420) inserted into the plurality of hole portions (411) and engaging with edge portions (411a) of the plurality of hole portions (411) are provided in the container fixing portion (42).

Abstract: To provide an automatic analyzer and a sample aspiration method in an automatic analyzer capable of analyzing a sample of further minute amount compared than before. In aspirating the sample, a sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 is controlled so as to detect the liquid level L1, to thereafter allow a dispensing probe 13a, 14a of the sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 to be dropped and stopped below the liquid level L1, to thereafter allow the dispensing probe 13a, 14a of the sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 to be elevated and stopped, and to thereafter allow the dispensing probe 13a, 14a of the sample dispensing mechanism 13, 14 to be further dropped while aspirating the sample.

Abstract: An automated pipetting system includes a pipettor. The pipettor includes a pipetting channel, a first plunger mechanism operable to change a pressure in the pipetting channel to aspirate or dispense a liquid, and a second plunger mechanism operable to change the pressure in the pipetting channel to aspirate or dispense the liquid.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analyzer capable of reliably closing an openable lid provided in an opening for accessing a region covered by a cover. An automatic analyzer includes an incubator cover disposed to cover a preprocessing region provided on an operation surface on a housing, an openable lid disposed to openably cover an opening portion provided in the incubator cover in order to access the inside from the outside of the preprocessing region, and a safety cover disposed to cover upper portions of the operation surface and the preprocessing region, and the openable lid is moved to a closed position in association with movement of the safety cover from an opened position to the closed position in a case where the openable lid is at the opened position and the safety cover is at the opened position.

Abstract: Described are exemplary embodiments of a syringe identification system for use with a positive displacement pipette, such as a handheld powered positive displacement pipette. An exemplary syringe identification system may include a sensor, such as a color sensor, that is located at or near a distal end of the pipette and arranged such that the sensor is operative to read an identifying marking(s) on a syringe that has been installed to the pipette. The sensor may be a color sensor having an illumination source and configured to read a color code on the syringe. The color code may be usable to identify the syringe to the pipette.

Abstract: A method for generating a series of ultra-thin sections of a microscopic sample is provided. The method includes detaching the sections from the sample using an ultramicrotome. The sections detached from the sample are made to float on a liquid surface and thereafter are transferred onto a solid carrier element. The method also includes determining, for at least one of the sections detached from the sample, a position and an orientation on the solid carrier element by monitoring the placement of the sections onto the solid carrier element using a monitoring system comprising a camera, and obtaining monitoring data.

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: A gas sensor system includes a first pipe through which a specimen atmosphere is conveyed; a second pipe through which humidified air is conveyed, the humidified air being hotter and more humid than the specimen atmosphere, the humidified air having a lower water vapor pressure than a saturation water vapor pressure; a mixing device mixing the specimen atmosphere and the humidified air so that a water vapor pressure of mixed air of the specimen atmosphere and the humidified air is less than a saturation water vapor pressure; a third pipe connected with the mixing device; a cooling device cooling the mixed air conveyed through the third pipe so that the water vapor pressure of the mixed air becomes the saturation water vapor pressure; and a chemical sensor device including a sensor surface to which the mixed air cooled by the cooling device is supplied.

Abstract: A reagent container includes a base defining a plurality of wells having openings exposed at an upper surface of the base and a tube receptacle. The plurality of wells include a first set of wells and a second set of wells. Each well of the first set of wells has an opening to a well bore and a channel in communication with the well bore. The opening has a first portion disposed over the well bore and a second portion disposed over the channel. The first portion has a larger area than the second portion. An angle defined by tangents to the inner surface of the first and second portions at a junction between the first and second portions is at least 100° and not greater than 180°. The reagent container further includes a top coupled over the top surface of the base and defining windows providing access to the openings of the plurality of wells and the tube receptacle.

Abstract: Various examples of systems and methods are provided for slide processing. In one example, among others, a system for processing microscope slides includes a slide positioner that can adjust a position of a slide and a slide treatment system that can dispense a micro stream of a fluid at a location on the slide when the slide is positioned beneath a jet nozzle of the slide treatment system. The system can include a slide sled that can align a smearing slide with a surface of the slide including a fluid sample is disposed, and support the smearing slide at a predefined angle with respect to the surface of the slide. In another example, a method includes obtaining a slide including a sample disposed on a surface, positioning the slide below to a jet nozzle, and dispensing a micro stream of a fluid onto the sample using the jet nozzle.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes: a plurality of dispensing units; and a plurality of pump units connected to the respective dispensing units. Each of the plurality of pump units includes: a syringe tube that has a liquid port at one end and an opening at another end; a syringe base that is attached to the opening at the other end of the syringe tube; a plunger that penetrates the syringe base and whose tip end is inserted inside the syringe tube; a seal piece that is configured to seal a gap between the plunger and the syringe base; an actuator; and a power transmission mechanism that connects the actuator and the plunger. Each plunger of the plurality of pump units has an individually set diameter and a different thickness. At least one of the syringe base and the syringe tube represents the diameter of the corresponding plunger in appearance.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analyzer capable of appropriately controlling most of the temperature of an incubator even when local temperature fluctuation occurs. An automatic analyzer for analyzing a specimen includes an incubator for holding a plurality of vessels that store a mixed liquid of the specimen and a reagent, a heat source for heating or cooling the incubator, a plurality of temperature sensors provided at different positions of the incubator and measuring the temperature, and a control unit for controlling an output of the heat source based on a difference between a target temperature and the highest temperature or the lowest temperature among the measured temperatures of the temperature sensors.

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: Various examples of systems and methods are provided for slide processing. In one example, among others, a system for processing microscope slides includes a slide positioner that can adjust a position of a slide and a slide treatment system that can dispense a micro stream of a fluid at a location on the slide when the slide is positioned beneath a jet nozzle of the slide treatment system. The system can include a slide sled that can align a smearing slide with a surface of the slide including a fluid sample is disposed, and support the smearing slide at a predefined angle with respect to the surface of the slide. In another example, a method includes obtaining a slide including a sample disposed on a surface, positioning the slide below to a jet nozzle, and dispensing a micro stream of a fluid onto the sample using the jet nozzle.

Abstract: A point-of-care testing (POCT) fully-automatic chemiluminescence device based on a multi-channel parallel pretreatment technology includes a support. The support is provided thereon with a reaction chamber assembly, which reciprocates linearly relative to the support. A multi-channel parallel pretreatment assembly and a photomultiplier tube (PMT) assembly are arranged on the support and are located above the reaction chamber assembly. The multi-channel parallel pretreatment assembly is configured to transfer, clean, and separate reagents in reagent strips in the reaction chamber assembly. The PMT assembly is configured to detect a luminescence value of the cleaned and separated reagents.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for extracting target cells from a three dimensional biological specimen by the steps imaging the three dimensional specimen; identifying target cells; registering the spatial parameters (x,y,z coordinates) of the target cells; and extraction of target cells according to their spatial parameters

Abstract: A pipette assembly configured to aspirate liquid from a well having a cover includes: a pipette including a terminal end; a pipette tip detachably coupled to the terminal end; and a vibration inducer configured to vibrate the pipette tip when at least a portion of the pipette tip is located in the well thus reducing stiction between the cover and the pipette tip. This minimizes the pipette tip from getting detached from the pipette and stuck in the cover. Other systems and methods including vibrating a pipette tip are disclosed.