Abstract: A module for an automated laboratory system is disclosed. The module comprises a module connector configured to releasably connect to a component of the automated laboratory system, a detector at least configured to detect at least one component marker located at the component so as to obtain position data of the module indicating an actual position of the module, a processor configured to calculate a position deviation of the module from a target position defined by the component based on the position data and to calculate position alignment data based on the position deviation, and a alignment device configured to align the module to the target position based on the position alignment data. Further, an automated laboratory system and a method for aligning a module are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods, fluid delivery platforms, and apparatus for preparing a sample on a substrate that includes a substrate handler configured to move a substrate between a first position and a second position, and a platform positioned so that when the substrate is in the second position, the platform faces the substrate, where the platform includes a fluid delivery area having a second surface formed from a hydrophilic material for which a water contact angle is 40 degrees or less, and a first surface facing the substrate when the substrate is in the second position, formed from a hydrophobic material for which a water contact angle is 100 degrees or more.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile robot for a laboratory system, the mobile robot being adapted for transporting sample container carriers and for docking to at least one interface module of the laboratory system, the mobile robot comprising a driving base which is adapted to move the mobile robot over a laboratory floor on which the at least one interface module is to be placed, and a transport module mounted to the driving base, the transport module comprising a transport surface for carrying sample container carriers placed thereon, a sensor unit for detecting misalignment in positioning of the transport surface relative to the interface module upon docking, and an alignment drive unit for adjusting the transport surface relative to the driving base to compensate for detected misalignment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument for automatically removing sealing covers from sample vessels (and/or for automatically sealing or resealing sample vessels with sealing covers, the instrument comprising a vessel holder for holding a sample vessel, and a suction/induction device comprising a suction member for holding a sealing cover, and an induction member comprising at least one induction coil, with the suction/induction device and the vessel holder being arranged in an axially movable manner with regard to each other, and, in use, the at least one induction coil is arranged above a bottom of the suction member. In addition, the present invention relates to a laboratory automation system comprising such instrument as well as a plurality of pre-analytical, analytical and/or post-analytical stations, and also relates to a method of automatically removing sealing covers from sample vessels and a method of automatically sealing or resealing sample vessels with sealing covers.

Abstract: A bucket insert for use in a centrifuge is disclosed. The bucket insert comprises an insert body, the insert body comprising a plurality of elongated receptacles for receiving elongated sample vessels. The bucket insert is configured for orienting the elongated sample vessels in a tilted orientation. In the tilted orientation, at least some of the elongated sample vessels are oriented in a non-parallel fashion.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a system (1; 1?) for processing at least one substrate (2) containing a dried fluid sample (21) is provided, the system (1; 1?) comprising a support (12) configured to position the substrate (2), a laser device (3) for directing a laser beam (31) to the substrate (2), configured to cut at least one area of the substrate (2) containing the dried fluid sample (21) by means of the laser beam (31), a container holder (4; 4?) configured to hold and position a container (5) for receiving the cut area, the container holder (4; 4?) being arranged below the substrate (2), and an extraction subsystem (6) for extracting fume and/or dust generated when laser cutting the substrate (2), wherein the extraction subsystem (6) consists of at least two extraction components (61, 62) sandwiching the substrate (2) there between. Furthermore, a method for automated processing at least one substrate (2) containing a dried fluid (21) sample by means of such a system (1; 1?) is provided.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods, fluid delivery platforms, and apparatus for preparing a sample on a substrate that includes a substrate handler configured to move a substrate between a first position and a second position, and a platform positioned so that when the substrate is in the second position, the platform faces the substrate, where the platform includes a fluid delivery area having a second surface formed from a hydrophilic material for which a water contact angle is 40 degrees or less, and a first surface facing the substrate when the substrate is in the second position, formed from a hydrophobic material for which a water contact angle is 100 degrees or more.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods, fluid delivery platforms, and apparatus for preparing a sample on a substrate that includes a substrate handler configured to move a substrate between a first position and a second position, and a platform positioned so that when the substrate is in the second position, the platform faces the substrate, where the platform includes a fluid delivery area having a second surface formed from a hydrophilic material for which a water contact angle is 40 degrees or less, and a first surface facing the substrate when the substrate is in the second position, formed from a hydrophobic material for which a water contact angle is 100 degrees or more.

Abstract: A module for an automated laboratory system is disclosed. The module comprises a module connector configured to releasably connect to a component of the automated laboratory system, a detector at least configured to detect at least one component marker located at the component so as to obtain position data of the module indicating an actual position of the module, a processor configured to calculate a position deviation of the module from a target position defined by the component based on the position data and to calculate position alignment data based on the position deviation, and a alignment device configured to align the module to the target position based on the position alignment data. Further, an automated laboratory system and a method for aligning a module are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample is presented. The method uses a rotatable vessel for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample. The rotatable vessel has a longitudinal axis about which the vessel is rotatable, an upper portion having a top opening for receiving the liquid containing the particles, a lower portion for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is resting, the lower portion having a bottom, and an intermediate portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the intermediate portion having a lateral collection chamber for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is rotating. The method employs dedicated acceleration and deceleration profiles for sedimentation and re-suspension of the particles of interest.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a system (1; 1?) for processing at least one substrate (2) containing a dried fluid sample (21) is provided, the system (1; 1?) comprising a support (12) configured to position the substrate (2), a laser device (3) for directing a laser beam (31) to the substrate (2), configured to cut at least one area of the substrate (2) containing the dried fluid sample (21) by means of the laser beam (31), a container holder (4; 4?) configured to hold and position a container (5) for receiving the cut area, the container holder (4; 4?) being arranged below the substrate (2), and an extraction subsystem (6) for extracting fume and/or dust generated when laser cutting the substrate (2), wherein the extraction subsystem (6) consists of at least two extraction components (61, 62) sandwiching the substrate (2) there between. Furthermore, a method for automated processing at least one substrate (2) containing a dried fluid (21) sample by means of such a system (1; 1?) is provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a system (1; 1?) for processing at least one substrate (2) containing a dried fluid sample (21) is provided, the system (1; 1?) comprising a support (12) configured to position the substrate (2), a laser device (3) for directing a laser beam (31) to the substrate (2), configured to cut at least one area of the substrate (2) containing the dried fluid sample (21) by means of the laser beam (31), a container holder (4; 4?) configured to hold and position a container (5) for receiving the cut area, the container holder (4; 4?) being arranged below the substrate (2), and an extraction subsystem (6) for extracting fume and/or dust generated when laser cutting the substrate (2), wherein the extraction subsystem (6) consists of at least two extraction components (61, 62) sandwiching the substrate (2) there between. Furthermore, a method for automated processing at least one substrate (2) containing a dried fluid (21) sample by means of such a system (1; 1?) is provided.

Abstract: A bucket insert for use in a centrifuge is disclosed. The bucket insert comprises an insert body, the insert body comprising a plurality of elongated receptacles for receiving elongated sample vessels. The bucket insert is configured for orienting the elongated sample vessels in a tilted orientation. In the tilted orientation, at least some of the elongated sample vessels are oriented in a non-parallel fashion.

Abstract: A sensor (100) for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate (120) is disclosed. The sensor (100) comprises at least a first planar electrode (102) and a second planar electrode (104) arranged parallel to one another so as to form an electric capacitor (106). The first planar electrode (102) and the second planar electrode (104) are configured to generate an electric field (114) within the fluid, wherein the sensor (100) is configured to detect the state of the fluid by means of a capacitance of the electric capacitor (106). Further, a system (116) for controlling a preparation of a sample including a fluid is disclosed. Furthermore, a method for detecting a state of a fluid within a microfluidic plate (120) is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample is presented. The method uses a rotatable vessel for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample. The rotatable vessel has a longitudinal axis about which the vessel is rotatable, an upper portion having a top opening for receiving the liquid comprising the particles, a lower portion for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is resting, the lower portion having a bottom, and an intermediate portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the intermediate portion having a lateral collection chamber for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is rotating. The method employs dedicated acceleration and deceleration profiles for sedimentation and re-suspension of the particles of interest.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods, fluid delivery platforms, and apparatus for preparing a sample on a substrate that includes a substrate handler configured to move a substrate between a first position and a second position, and a platform positioned so that when the substrate is in the second position, the platform faces the substrate, where the platform includes a fluid delivery area having a second surface formed from a hydrophilic material for which a water contact angle is 40 degrees or less, and a first surface facing the substrate when the substrate is in the second position, formed from a hydrophobic material for which a water contact angle is 100 degrees or more.

Abstract: A method for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample is presented. The method uses a rotatable vessel for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample. The rotatable vessel has a longitudinal axis about which the vessel is rotatable, an upper portion having a top opening for receiving the liquid comprising the particles, a lower portion for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is resting, the lower portion having a bottom, and an intermediate portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the intermediate portion having a lateral collection chamber for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is rotating. The method employs dedicated acceleration and deceleration profiles for sedimentation and re-suspension of the particles of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for the thermally controlled processing of biological material in a liquid sample in a multiwell plate using magnetic particles. Also disclosed is a corresponding method for the thermally controlled processing of biological material in a liquid sample.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a system (1; 1?) for processing at least one substrate (2) containing a dried fluid sample (21) is provided, the system (1; 1?) comprising a support (12) configured to position the substrate (2), a laser device (3) for directing a laser beam (31) to the substrate (2), configured to cut at least one area of the substrate (2) containing the dried fluid sample (21) by means of the laser beam (31), a container holder (4; 4?) configured to hold and position a container (5) for receiving the cut area, the container holder (4; 4?) being arranged below the substrate (2), and an extraction subsystem (6) for extracting fume and/or dust generated when laser cutting the substrate (2), wherein the extraction subsystem (6) consists of at least two extraction components (61, 62) sandwiching the substrate (2) there between. Furthermore, a method for automated processing at least one substrate (2) containing a dried fluid (21) sample by means of such a system (1; 1?) is provided.

Abstract: An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the in-ter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.