Abstract: Automated analyzer (2000) comprising a housing (2010, 3010), a robotic arm comprising an end effector (2360), the end effector (2360) comprising a body (2320) rotatably connected to an articulating arm and first (2363a) and second fingers (2363b) coupled to the body (2362) and being moveable relative to each other in a first direction, each of the fingers (2363a, b) having an engagement feature (2361) projecting inwardly from each of the first and second fingers (2363a, b) and toward the other of the first and second fingers (2363a, b). The automated analyzer (2000) further comprises a shuttle platform (2030) for receiving a shuttle (2030) carrying sample containers (03), the containers carrying sample (03) to be evaluated by the analyzer (2000) and the shuttle platform (2030) comprising a jaw assembly that engages the bottom portion of the sample containers when the jaw assembly is in the closed position.

Abstract: Automated analyzer (2000) comprising a housing (2010, 3010), a robotic arm comprising an end effector (2360), the end effector (2360) comprising a body (2320) rotatably connected to an articulating arm and first (2363a) and second fingers (2363b) coupled to the body (2362) and being moveable relative to each other in a first direction, each of the fingers (2363a, b) having an engagement feature (2361) projecting inwardly from each of the first and second fingers (2363a, b) and toward the other of the first and second fingers (2363a, b). The automated analyzer (2000) further comprises a shuttle platform (2030) for receiving a shuttle (2030) carrying sample containers (03), the containers carrying sample (03) to be evaluated by the analyzer (2000) and the shuttle platform (2030) comprising a jaw assembly that engages the bottom portion of the sample containers when the jaw assembly is in the closed position.

Abstract: Automated analyzer (2000) comprising a housing (2010, 3010), a robotic arm comprising an end effector (2360), the end effector (2360) comprising a body (2320) rotatably connected to an articulating arm and first (2363a) and second fingers (2363b) coupled to the body (2362) and being moveable relative to each other in a first direction, each of the fingers (2363a, b) having an engagement feature (2361) projecting inwardly from each of the first and second fingers (2363a, b) and toward the other of the first and second fingers (2363a, b). The automated analyzer (2000) further comprises a shuttle platform (2030) for receiving a shuttle (2030) carrying sample containers (03), the containers carrying sample (03) to be evaluated by the analyzer (2000) and the shuttle platform (2030) comprising a jaw assembly that engages the bottom portion of the sample containers when the jaw assembly is in the closed position.

Abstract: An automated sample processing system having a sample input adapted to simultaneously receive a number of sample containers, a reagent input adapted to receive one or more new reagent supplies, a consumable input adapted to receive one or more new consumable supplies, a solid waste output adapted to receive used consumable supplies, a liquid waste output adapted to receive one or more used reagent supplies, and a processing center. The processing center includes a decapper adapted to remove a lid from at least one sample container, an aspirator adapted to remove a specimen from the at least one sample container and transfer the specimen to an output vessel, and a capper adapted to replace the lid on the at least one sample container.

Abstract: An automated sample tube decanting system having one or more decanting grippers, a decant waste receptacle, a transporter, and means for rotating the decanting gripper. Each decanting gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip. The one or more decanting grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the one or more decanting grippers in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the decant waste receptacle.

Abstract: An automated sample tube decanting system having one or more decanting grippers, a decant waste receptacle, a transporter, and means for rotating the decanting gripper. Each decanting gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip. The one or more decanting grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the one or more decanting grippers in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the decant waste receptacle.

Abstract: An automated sample tube blotting system having one or more rotating grippers, a supply of absorbent material, a transporter, and an absorbent material removal mechanism. Each rotating gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip, and the one or more rotating grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the rotating gripper in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the absorbent material, and in a vertical direction towards and away from the absorbent material.

Abstract: A method for removing supernatant from a sample tube. The method includes providing a sample tube having a pellet at a bottom of the sample tube and a supernatant liquid above the pellet, visually inspecting the sample tube to determine one or more geometric properties of the pellet, and determining an expected height of a top surface of the pellet based on the one or more geometric properties determined in the visual inspection step. The method also includes inserting an aspirator into the supernatant liquid, moving the aspirator downwards towards the expected height of the top surface of the pellet, and aspirating the supernatant liquid through the aspirator.

Abstract: An automated sample processing system having a sample input adapted to simultaneously receive a number of sample containers, a reagent input adapted to receive one or more new reagent supplies, a consumable input adapted to receive one or more new consumable supplies, a solid waste output adapted to receive used consumable supplies, a liquid waste output adapted to receive one or more used reagent supplies, and a processing center. The processing center includes a decapper adapted to remove a lid from at least one sample container, an aspirator adapted to remove a specimen from the at least one sample container and transfer the specimen to an output vessel, and a capper adapted to replace the lid on the at least one sample container.

Abstract: An automated sample tube decanting system having one or more decanting grippers, a decant waste receptacle, a transporter, and means for rotating the decanting gripper. Each decanting gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip. The one or more decanting grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the one or more decanting grippers in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the decant waste receptacle.

Abstract: An automated sample tube blotting system having one or more rotating grippers, a supply of absorbent material, a transporter, and an absorbent material removal mechanism. Each rotating gripper has a respective holder configured to selectively mate with a respective interface on a tube strip, and the one or more rotating grippers are rotatable between a first position in which the tube strip is upright and a second position in which the tube strip is inverted. The transporter is configured to move the rotating gripper in a lateral direction from a starting location to a location above the absorbent material, and in a vertical direction towards and away from the absorbent material.

Abstract: An automated sample processing system having a sample input adapted to simultaneously receive a number of sample containers, a reagent input adapted to receive one or more new reagent supplies, a consumable input adapted to receive one or more new consumable supplies, a solid waste output adapted to receive used consumable supplies, a liquid waste output adapted to receive one or more used reagent supplies, and a processing center. The processing center includes a decapper adapted to remove a lid from at least one sample container, an aspirator adapted to remove a specimen from the at least one sample container and transfer the specimen to an output vessel, and a capper adapted to replace the lid on the at least one sample container.

Abstract: An automated assay processing method including transferring a first number of samples from respective sample containers to a first intermediary vessel, determining the testing adequacy of a second number of samples in a second intermediary vessel, preparing a third number of samples in a third intermediary vessel for downstream testing; and transferring a fourth number of samples from a fourth intermediary vessel to an output sample tray. These steps are all performed essentially simultaneously within the duration of a single clock cycle and are repeated during one or more subsequent clock cycles. The clock cycle may be relative to each intermediary vessel. The clock cycle also may be universal to the first, second, third and fourth intermediary vessels.

Abstract: A rack for an automated processing system. The rack includes a number of wells adapted to hold at least a first sample container having a first size, and a second sample container having a second size. The second size, which may be a diameter, a height, or both, is substantially different from the first size. A structure joins the wells. The rack is adapted to fit in an automated processing system that is adapted to remove both the first sample container and the second sample container from the rack.

Abstract: A closure having an operating member, a lower member having a near end connected to the operating member and a far end spaced along an axial direction from the proximal end. One or more sealing members extend from the lower member. A first bore extends along the axial direction through the operating member and into the lower member. Second bores extend along the axial direction into the operating member. The second bores are located around the first bore with dividers between adjacent bores. The dividers are arranged to increase the compression stiffness of the operating member.

Abstract: A rack for an automated processing system. The rack includes a number of wells adapted to hold at least a first sample container having a first size, and a second sample container having a second size. The second size, which may be a diameter, a height, or both, is substantially different from the first size. A structure joins the wells. The rack is adapted to fit in an automated processing system that is adapted to remove both the first sample container and the second sample container from the rack.

Abstract: An automated assay processing method including transferring a first number of samples from respective sample containers to a first intermediary vessel, determining the testing adequacy of a second number of samples in a second intermediary vessel, preparing a third number of samples in a third intermediary vessel for downstream testing; and transferring a fourth number of samples from a fourth intermediary vessel to an output sample tray. These steps are all performed essentially simultaneously within the duration of a single clock cycle and are repeated during one or more subsequent clock cycles. The clock cycle may be relative to each intermediary vessel. The clock cycle also may be universal to the first, second, third and fourth intermediary vessels.

Abstract: An automated sample processing system having a sample input adapted to simultaneously receive a number of sample containers, a reagent input adapted to receive one or more new reagent supplies, a consumable input adapted to receive one or more new consumable supplies, a solid waste output adapted to receive used consumable supplies, a liquid waste output adapted to receive one or more used reagent supplies, and a processing center. The processing center includes a decapper adapted to remove a lid from at least one sample container, an aspirator adapted to remove a specimen from the at least one sample container and transfer the specimen to an output vessel, and a capper adapted to replace the lid on the at least one sample container.