Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes a control unit that performs a process when a sample necessary to perform measurement for measurement content selected on an item selection screen is not arranged in a sample-container array unit. The process includes referring to the measurement content selected on the item selection screen and availability information that is information indicating whether each position in the sample-container array unit is available. A position in the sample-container array unit at which a container containing the sample necessary to perform measurement for the selected measurement content is to be arranged is specified in accordance with a specified arrangement rule, and information on the specified position in the sample-container array unit is displayed on a display unit.

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: Embodiments provide a method of using image-based tube top circle detection based on multiple candidate selection to localize the tube top circle region in input images. According to embodiments provided herein, the multi-candidate selection enhances the robustness of tube circle detection by making use of multiple views of the same tube to improve the robustness of tube top circle detection. With multiple candidates extracted from images under different viewpoints of the same tube, the multi-candidate selection algorithm selects an optimal combination among the candidates and provides more precise measurement of tube characteristics. This information is invaluable in an IVD environment in which a sample handler is processing the tubes and moving the tubes to analyzers for testing and analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an analyzer including an analysis unit configured to analyze a specimen; a first storage part capable of storing a container capable of containing the specimen, the first storage part including an outlet that allows the container to be discharged therethrough; a second storage part capable of storing the container having been discharged through the outlet of the first storage part; a transporter configured to send out, from the second storage part, the container stored in the second storage part; and a discharge controller capable of controlling discharge of the container through the outlet of the first storage part.

Abstract: An autoloader is disclosed for staging samples in vials to be loaded automatically into an analyzer such as a moisture analyzer for moisture analysis. The analyzer uses vials to hold small amounts of sample materials. The autoloader holds the vials in a horizontal orientation for delivery to and removal from the analyzer.

Abstract: A laboratory sample distribution system is provided comprising a number of sample container carriers and a number of transport modules, wherein each transport module comprises: a transport surface, wherein the transport modules are arrangeable adjacent to one another in a row-direction and in a column-direction such that the transport surfaces of the transport modules together form a common transport surface, and controllable drive means being arranged below the transport surface and being adapted to move sample container carriers on top of the transport surface, wherein at least some transport modules of the number of transport modules are movable transport modules being adapted to be moved during operation of the laboratory sample distribution system such that a gap is formed between transport modules arranged in row-direction and/or column-direction or that a gap is closed between transport modules arranged in row-direction and/or column-direction.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and an apparatus for capping blood sample tubes after they are processed in an automated blood sample analysis processing system are provided. One aspect describes an automated blood sample tube capping assembly configured to automatically cap a plurality of sample tubes after they are processed in an automated blood sample analysis processing system.

Abstract: A microfluidic channel backplane includes a base, and a plurality of microfluidic channels, a sample-adding channel and an enrichment channel that are disposed above the base. Each microfluidic channel of the plurality of microfluidic channels includes a first end and a second end. The sample-adding channel is communicated with first ends of the plurality of microfluidic channels. The enrichment channel includes a first enrichment sub-channel and a second enrichment sub-channel. The first enrichment sub-channel is communicated with second ends of the plurality of microfluidic channels, and one end of the second enrichment sub-channel is communicated with the first enrichment sub-channel.

Abstract: There is provided a sample ejection system for ejecting a sample from a flow of fluid, the system comprises: a fluid flow channel for receiving, in use, the flow of fluid; a fluid inlet channel connected to the flow channel and arranged to receive, in use, pressurised fluid; a fluid outlet channel connected to the flow channel at a location downstream in the flow direction of the flow of fluid and comprises an outlet. The system is arranged such that, in use, pressurised fluid is applied to the fluid flow channel via the fluid inlet channel to drive fluid from the region of the fluid flow channel between the fluid inlet and outlet channels through the fluid outlet channel and out of the outlet.

Abstract: A holding tool is configured to be used together with a container and a lid for the container to sandwich the container and the lid. The holding tool includes a base on which the container is placed, and a cover configured to cover the lid. The base and the cover each have an opening at a central portion and are configured to engage with each other to press and sandwich the container and the lid upward and downward.

Abstract: The drive device includes a guide element defining a guide track, the guide element being configured to receive and guide a cuvettes strip in translation along the guide track, and a drive belt configured to displace the cuvettes strip in translation along the guide track when the cuvettes strip is received in the guide element. The drive belt is disposed below the guide track and is configured to cooperate with lower portions of the cuvettes of the cuvettes strip when the cuvettes strip is received in the guide element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for sampling the headspace, comprising: a mobile station (2) provided with a plurality of housing seats (21) to house a plurality of containers (100) for sampling the headspace; an oven (3); a blocking device (4) comprising at least one first mobile element (41) that moves between a first position adapted to prevent a container (100) from passing from the mobile station (2) to the oven (3), and a second position adapted to allow a container (100) to pass from the mobile station (2) to the oven (3); at least one first sensor (5a) placed upstream of the first mobile element (41), to detect the presence of a container (100) in a housing seat (21); a movement element (6) moving between said mobile station (2) and the oven (3), the movement element being configured to move a container (100) from the mobile station (2) to the oven (3).

Abstract: An interlock unit for preventing rotation from a closed position of a cover to an open position thereof, includes: a hollow case having a rectangular parallelepiped shape disposed at a position adjacent to an inner side surface of a casing, below an end part opposite to a support shaft at the closed position of the cover; an action member that is provided on an upper surface of the case, supported to be movable between a non-operating position and an operating position, and engaged with a protruding part provided on the cover at the operating position to inhibit the cover from rotating toward the open position; electromagnetic drive means provided below the action member to drive the action member; and drive connecting means for driving the action member by connecting the action member and the electromagnetic drive means and transmitting an operation of the electromagnetic drive means to the action member.

Abstract: A microfluidic device may include: electrically conductive lower portions; electrically conductive first upper portions that are configured to receive an electrical signal; shielding portions opaque to an incident optical beam, wherein the shielding portions are between the lower portions and first upper portions, and wherein the shielding portions include through openings; and compartment(s) containing filler and markers dispersed in the filler. Each compartment may include lower chamber(s) and upper chamber(s) in fluid communication with each other via the through openings. Each lower chamber may extend between a respective through opening and the lower portions. Each upper chamber may extend between at least one respective through opening and the first upper portions. The markers may be configured to move between the upper chambers and the lower chambers in variable amounts, and may be configured to emit an optical emission beam when illuminated by the incident optical beam.

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: A wash station for use in a clinical analyzer of an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment for cleaning a probe comprises a basin, a vertically-elongated conduit, an inlet port, and a helix insert. The vertically-elongated conduit is attached to the interior of the basin. The inlet port is connected to a bottom portion of the basin. The inlet port is sized to receive and secure a wash feed line that propels a wash fluid upward through the vertically-elongated conduit. The helix insert is positioned within the vertically-elongated conduit and sized to allow insertion of the probe through a center portion of the helix insert for cleaning. The helix insert causes the wash fluid to flow in a helical shape around the probe as it is transported through the vertically-elongated conduit, thereby cleaning the probe.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and their methods of use, for generating droplets are provided. One or more geometric parameters of a microfluidic channel can be selected to generate droplets of a desired and predictable droplet size.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a single-use, disposable container and methods and apparatuses for testing liquid samples in a non-destructive fashion using the single-use, disposable container within a liquid sample analyzer. The single-use, disposable container reduces the overall sample volume contact within a flow path of the liquid sample analyzer, decreases the cleaning solution and drying time needed between sample analyses, and minimizes formation of particles during use of the container.

Abstract: A biomarker signal amplifier amplifies chemical analyte binding and includes: a surface strand disposed on an analysis substrate and including an exchange region; a particle strand hybridized to the surface strand in an absence of a chemical analyte that preferentially hybridizes to the exchange region as compared with the particle strand, and the particle strand is dissociated from the surface strand when the surface strand is in a presence of the chemical analyte; and a reporter particle attached to the particle strand and disposed proximate to the analysis substrate when the particle strand is hybridized to the surface strand in absence of the chemical analyte and that changes the electrical potential of the analysis substrate depending on whether the particle strand is hybridized to the surface strand.

Abstract: Disclosed is a specimen measurement apparatus that includes a measurement unit configured to measure a specimen; a detector configured to detect at least one of a container that can store the specimen or a cap of the container; and a movement mechanism configured to move at least one of the container or the detector. In the specimen measurement apparatus, the detector detects at least one of the container and the cap in a state where the movement mechanism is moving the container relative to the detector.