Abstract: A sterilizing storage device may include a housing defining an interior chamber and having an opening defined in the housing to enable access to the interior chamber, the interior chamber divided into a plurality of storage compartments, each storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments configured to slidably receive a carrier holding a plurality of laboratory consumables. A door may be affixed to the housing and selectively movable between a closed and opened position. A plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps may be positioned such that each storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments receives UV light from a UV lamp of the plurality of UV lamps. At least one fan may draw air into the housing. A plurality of carriers configured to hold the plurality of laboratory consumables suspended from an upper surface of the carrier such that a distal end of each laboratory consumable hangs down into an open interior portion of the carrier.

Abstract: A washing device comprises a manifold dispenser comprising at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack in the washing device. A number of the plurality of liquid outputs being at least equal to a number of the plurality of laboratory consumables such that each liquid output of the plurality of liquid outputs operably directs the liquid at a corresponding laboratory consumable of the plurality of laboratory consumables.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing and storing laboratory consumables comprises slidably receiving a carrier holding a plurality of laboratory consumables into each of one or more of a plurality of storage compartments within an interior chamber defined in a housing, exposing the plurality of laboratory consumables to ultraviolet (UV) light from a UV lamp positioned above each respective storage compartment and from a UV lamp positioned below each respective storage compartment, determining from which of the plurality of storage compartments a carrier should be removed based on for which carrier a longest period of time has elapsed since going through a predefined sterilization procedure, and indicating to a user into which of the plurality of storage compartments a carrier should be placed or indicating to a user from which of the plurality of storage compartments a carrier should be removed.

Abstract: A washing device comprises a manifold dispenser comprising at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack in the washing device, an ultra-violet (UV) light source, and a plurality of fiber optic channels coupled to the UV light source, each of the fiber optic channels extending into a corresponding one of the liquid outputs. The plurality of liquid outputs may each comprise a nozzle having an opening into which a respective one of the plurality of fiber optic channels extends.

Abstract: A device for cleaning items comprises an enclosure defining a wash chamber, a rotor positioned within the wash chamber and selectively rotatable about an axle, a motor for selectively rotating the axle, a dispenser, and a drain. The rotor comprises a plurality of holders spaced about the axle and adapted to selectively receive and hold a respective item to be cleaned. The dispenser at least one liquid input and at least one liquid output and is positioned such that the at least one liquid output directs cleaning fluid at one of the items to clean material out of the cavities. The drain is for draining the cleaning fluid out of the chamber. The rotor is selectively rotatable at a predefined rotational speed for a predefined amount of time to expel cleaning fluid from the cavities of each item to be cleaned.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing and storing laboratory consumables comprises slidably receiving a carrier holding a plurality of laboratory consumables into each of one or more of a plurality of storage compartments within an interior chamber defined in a housing, exposing the plurality of laboratory consumables to ultraviolet (UV) light from a UV lamp positioned above each respective storage compartment and from a UV lamp positioned below each respective storage compartment, determining from which of the plurality of storage compartments a carrier should be removed based on for which carrier a longest period of time has elapsed since going through a predefined sterilization procedure, and indicating to a user into which of the plurality of storage compartments a carrier should be placed or indicating to a user from which of the plurality of storage compartments a carrier should be removed.

Abstract: A sterilizing and storage device comprises a housing, a door, and a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps. The housing defines an interior chamber and has an opening defined in the housing to enable access to the interior chamber. The interior chamber is divided into a plurality of storage compartments. Each storage compartment is adapted to slidably receive a carrier holding a plurality of laboratory consumables. The door is affixed to the housing and selectively movable between a closed position closing off the opening and an open position enabling access to the interior chamber. The plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps is positioned such that each storage compartment receives UV light from a UV lamp positioned above the storage compartment and from a UV lamp positioned below the storage compartment.

Abstract: A washing device comprises a manifold dispenser comprising at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack in the washing device, an ultra-violet (UV) light source, and a plurality of fiber optic channels coupled to the UV light source, each of the fiber optic channels extending into a corresponding one of the liquid outputs. The plurality of liquid outputs may each comprise a nozzle having an opening into which a respective one of the plurality of fiber optic channels extends.

Abstract: A washing device comprises a manifold dispenser comprising at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack in the washing device. A number of liquid outputs is equal to a number of laboratory consumables such that each one of the fluid outputs operably directs fluid at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables.

Abstract: A method for washing laboratory consumables comprises receiving, in a drawer compartment of a washing device, a rack holding a plurality of laboratory consumables, the drawer compartment selectively movable out and in between, respectively, an open and a closed position, the receiving occurring when the drawer compartment is in its open position; moving the drawer compartment to its closed position; moving a manifold dispenser downward from a loading/unloading position to a washing position; the manifold dispenser in a top compartment of the washing device that is positioned above the drawer compartment when the drawer compartment is in its closed position, the manifold dispenser selectively movable up and down between, respectively its loading/unloading position and its washing position; and directing one or more fluid solutions to contact the plurality of laboratory consumables out of a plurality of liquid outputs of the manifold dispenser.

Abstract: A method for washing laboratory consumables comprises directing one or more liquid solutions to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack, draining the one or more liquid solutions via a waste drain disposed proximate to a washing chamber configured to receive the one or more directed liquid solutions following the contact by the one or more liquid solutions with the plurality of laboratory consumables, and exposing the plurality of laboratory consumables to light in an ultraviolet (UV) range. The directing comprises introducing the one or more liquid solutions into a fluid input and out of a plurality of fluid outputs of a manifold dispenser. The number of fluid outputs is equal to the number of laboratory consumables such that each one of the fluid outputs directs the one or more liquid solutions at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables.

Abstract: A method for washing laboratory consumables comprises receiving, in a drawer compartment of a washing device, a rack holding a plurality of laboratory consumables, the drawer compartment selectively movable out and in between, respectively, an open and a closed position, the receiving occurring when the drawer compartment is in its open position; moving the drawer compartment to its closed position; moving a manifold dispenser downward from a loading/unloading position to a washing position; the manifold dispenser in a top compartment of the washing device that is positioned above the drawer compartment when the drawer compartment is in its closed position, the manifold dispenser selectively movable up and down between, respectively its loading/unloading position and its washing position; and directing one or more fluid solutions to contact the plurality of laboratory consumables out of a plurality of liquid outputs of the manifold dispenser.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method comprising selecting a group of packets for at least one access category, determining a set of contention parameters based on the at least one access category, transmitting the selected group of packets by using the determined set of contention parameters, obtaining information about collision of the transmitted group of packets, and determining an updated set of contention parameters based on the obtained collision information and a predefined condition.

Abstract: A washing device comprises a drawer compartment and a top compartment. The drawer compartment is selectively movable out and in between, respectively, an open and a closed position. The drawer compartment receives a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack. The top compartment is positioned above the drawer compartment when the drawer compartment is in its closed position. The top compartment houses a manifold dispenser that is selectively movable up and down between, respectively a loading/unloading position and a washing position. The manifold dispenser comprises at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact the plurality of laboratory consumables held by the rack when the manifold dispenser is in its washing position and the drawer compartment is in its closed position.

Abstract: A method for washing laboratory consumables comprises directing one or more liquid solutions to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack, draining the one or more liquid solutions via a waste drain disposed proximate to a washing chamber configured to receive the one or more directed liquid solutions following the contact by the one or more liquid solutions with the plurality of laboratory consumables, and exposing the plurality of laboratory consumables to light in an ultraviolet (UV) range. The directing comprises introducing the one or more liquid solutions into a fluid input and out of a plurality of fluid outputs of a manifold dispenser. The number of fluid outputs is equal to the number of laboratory consumables such that each one of the fluid outputs directs the one or more liquid solutions at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables.

Abstract: A washing device comprises top, middle, and bottom compartments. The top compartment comprises a manifold dispenser that comprises at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by a rack. A number of liquid outputs is equal to a number of laboratory consumables such that each one of the fluid outputs operably directs fluid at a corresponding one of the laboratory consumables. The middle compartment is positioned below the top compartment and comprises a washing chamber capable of receiving fluid output by the plurality of liquid outputs. The washing chamber has a floor comprising a material transparent to ultraviolet light. The bottom compartment is positioned below the washing chamber and has a light source that is capable of outputting UV light in the direction of the washing chamber and through the floor of the washing chamber.

Abstract: A lab rack rotator includes a motor coupled to a shaft arranged to rotate in at least one direction in response to the motor. One or more mounts are located along the surface of the shaft and are configured to receive a lab sample rack which holds a plurality of lab samples contained in lab sample containers such as test tubes. Rotation of the shaft permits inversion of the plurality of lab samples, for instance whole blood samples. The lab rack rotator increases the number of lab samples that may be agitated in an automated process while decreasing the amount of time required for necessary pre-testing agitation of samples.

Abstract: A lab rack rotator includes a motor coupled to a shaft arranged to rotate in at least one direction in response to the motor. One or more mounts are located along the surface of the shaft and are configured to receive a lab sample rack which holds a plurality of lab samples contained in lab sample containers such as test tubes. Rotation of the shaft permits inversion of the plurality of lab samples, for instance whole blood samples. The lab rack rotator increases the number of lab samples that may be agitated in an automated process while decreasing the amount of time required for necessary pre-testing agitation of samples.

Abstract: A drying device includes a first compartment configured to removably receive a drying chamber. The drying chamber includes a tray capable of receiving one or more racks that are configured to hold a plurality of laboratory consumables. The first compartment includes one or more pistons capable of displacing the tray to agitate the laboratory consumables. A second compartment is attached to the first compartment. The second compartment includes one or more air flow sources for directing a flow of air to the plurality of laboratory consumables and an air filter located proximate to the one or more air flow sources. A method of drying laboratory consumables is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sterilizing and storage device comprises a housing, a door, and a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps. The housing defines an interior chamber and has an opening defined in the housing to enable access to the interior chamber. The interior chamber is divided into a plurality of storage compartments. Each storage compartment is adapted to slidably receive a carrier holding a plurality of laboratory consumables. The door is affixed to the housing and selectively movable between a closed position closing off the opening and an open position enabling access to the interior chamber. The plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lamps is positioned such that each storage compartment receives UV light from a UV lamp positioned above the storage compartment and from a UV lamp positioned below the storage compartment.