Abstract: The invention relates to a test tube carrier (4) for transporting test tubes in a transport system, said carrier (4) comprising a base (8) having a recess made thereto for accommodating the bottom of a test tube/vial (1), and support members (9, 10) adapted to the carrier base (8) for clamping a test tube (1) inserted in said recess and supporting the same. The support members (9, 10) are permanently affixed to said carrier base (8) and comprise elongated portions with their free ends bent toward the vertical center axis of the carrier base and said upper ends providing a support surface (22) for making supportive contact to the test tube. The bottom of the carrier base recess for accommodating a test tube is advantageously made flat and the carrier base is provided with test tube support members whose support surfaces (22) extend to at least two different heights from the top level of the carrier base (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and method for transporting test tubes (1) automatically between different processing stages and equipment in laboratories. In the method, the test tubes (1) are placed on transport bases (3) for transportation within the system and the identification data of the test tube (1) is read to identify the sample, after which the transport bases (3) can be moved within the transportation system with the aid of conveyors (15-18)to operation stations, for operations to be carried out on the test tube (1) or sample. The data.