Abstract: A systems and method generate a progressively corrected scan signal, the progressively corrected scan signal having a magnitude independent of spectral reflectance from a background near a target. One of the methods involves generating a baseline signal by sampling light reflected from the target and background before transmitting a light scan at the target, generating a detected signal by receiving light reflected from the target and background while transmitting the light scan at the target, and subtracting the baseline signal from the detected signal to form the progressively corrected scan signal. One circuit embodiment produces an average level independent output signal from an input signal subject to fluctuations in average level.

Abstract: A method to discriminate between multiple types of objects presented to a scanner is discussed. The method includes illuminating an object in a scan using a light source, performing multiple analog to digital conversions of light magnitude reflected off the object producing a multitude of digital values and processing the digital values using changes in the digital values and the light source position. One embodiment is a system which identifies blood sample vials a for blood testing. The system includes an optical scanner producing an analog output of a scan of a blood sample vial, a digitizer sampling the analog output to produce digitized scan data, a data processor interpreting the digitized data providing vial type identification information to the blood tester. The scanner used may also incorporate a barcode scanner to read barcodes affixed to the blood sample vials.

Abstract: An adapter for holding a sample container includes a main body portion and a tapered body portion that forms a continuation of the main body portion. The tapered body portion includes a mouth opening that is of lesser diameter than the diameter of the main body portion. The mouth opening of the adapter is sized to provide direct support of a sample container which holds a liquid sample. During liquid level sensing ultrasonic waves from an ultrasound detector are reflected back to the sound detector as echoes from the lip flange of the sample container and from the liquid level within the sample container. The tapered surface of the adapter deflects sound echoes away from the sound detector. The adapter is thus invisible to the ultrasound detector. The echo from the liquid level is a variable duration echo and the echo from the lip flange of the sample container is a fixed duration echo that is always of lesser duration than the variable duration echo.

Abstract: An adapter for holding a sample container includes a main body portion and a tapered body portion that forms a continuation of the main body portion. The tapered body portion includes a mouth opening that is of lesser diameter than the diameter of the main body portion. The mouth opening of the adapter is sized to provide direct support of a sample container which holds a liquid sample. During liquid level sensing ultrasonic waves from an ultrasound detector are reflected back to the sound detector as echoes from the lip flange of the sample container and from the liquid level within the sample container. The tapered surface of the adapter deflects sound echoes away from the sound detector. The adapter is thus invisible to the ultrasound detector. The echo from the liquid level is a variable duration echo and the echo from the lip flange of the sample container is a fixed duration echo that is always of lesser duration than the variable duration echo.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for generating a progressively corrected scan signal, the progressively corrected scan signal having a magnitude independent of spectral reflectance from a background near a target. One of the methods disclosed comprises generating a baseline signal by sampling light reflected from the target and background before transmitting a light scan at the target, generating a detected signal by receiving light reflected from the target and background while transmitting the light scan at the target, and subtracting the baseline signal from the detected signal to form the progressively corrected scan signal. Also disclosed are circuits for producing an average level independent output signal from an input signal subject to fluctuations in average level.

Abstract: A method for feeding containers into an analytical instrument whereby a sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, into, within and out of the analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: Racks having sample containers mounted therein are transported within an analytical system so that a robotic arm can remove the sample containers and deliver them to a desired location within the system. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. Sample tube racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed comprises a movable track having a platform mounted thereto. The cross-feed moves the sample tube racks from a position behind the in-feed to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: An adapter for holding a sample container includes a main body portion and a tapered body portion that forms a continuation of the main body portion. The tapered body portion includes a mouth opening that is of lesser diameter than the diameter of the main body portion. The mouth opening of the adapter is sized to provide direct support of a sample container which holds a liquid sample. During liquid level sensing ultrasonic waves from an ultrasound detector are reflected back to the sound detector as echoes from the lip flange of the sample container and from the liquid level within the sample container. The tapered surface of the adapter deflects sound echoes away from the sound detector. The adapter is thus invisible to the ultrasound detector. The echo from the liquid level is a variable duration echo and the echo from the lip flange of the sample container is a fixed duration echo that is always of lesser duration than the variable duration echo.

Abstract: A method whereby a sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The racks and tubes contained thereon are moved past detection devices that identify the samples and measure various properties thereof. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A sample handler moves and positions sample tube racks in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. Sample tube racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed comprises a movable track having a platform mounted thereto. The platform includes spring loaded gripper fingers that engages and secures the sample tube rack to the platform. The cross-feed moves the sample tube racks to a point where they are accessed by the analytical instrument. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the sample tube racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The racks and tubes contained thereon are moved past detection devices that identify the samples and measure various properties thereof. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: Racks having sample containers mounted therein are transported within an analytical system so that a robotic arm can remove the sample containers and deliver them to a desired location within the system. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. Sample tube racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The cross-feed comprises a movable track having a platform mounted thereto. The cross-feed moves the sample tube racks from a position behind the in-feed to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A method whereby a sample handler moves and positions racks, containing sample tubes, in an analytical instrument. The sample handler has an in-feed and out-feed that advance sample tube racks using a walking beam mechanism. The racks are seated within the in-feed and are transported onto a cross-feed. The racks and tubes contained thereon are moved past detection devices that identify the samples and measure various properties thereof. Thereafter, the cross-feed moves the racks to a position behind the out-feed where the walking beam mechanism moves the tube racks out of the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A profile of a rack, that may have zero, one, or a plurality of containers may be obtained using an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor emits a plurality of ultrasonic bursts and the rack is transported under the sensor at a slew speed that allows the sensor to detect at least first and second echoes from each of the bursts. Data points, corresponding to each of the first and second echoes, are generated and the data points are captured in a memory device. The data points, generally reflecting the levels of the rack and any containers, are processed to dynamically and non-invasively (i.e., without physically contacting the liquid with a probe) determine information about the container types, whether any container is capped, and, if one or more containers are uncapped, the liquid level in the uncapped containers.

Abstract: An analytical instrument has a sample handler for inputting racks of containers, including various types and sizes of test tubes, both capped and uncapped, and inserts, into the instrument. The sample handler has an infeed, an outfeed and a cross-feed between the infeed and outfeed. The infeed and outfeed advance the racks of containers using walking beam mechanisms which lift the racks by tabs on the right and left sides of the rack, which are positioned at a substantially identical height. Racks input into the infeed are transferred by the walking beam mechanism to a track on the cross-feed. They are then pushed, by a transport subassembly having a platform with pivotable pusher fingers to cam the rack and to push it in only one direction, from behind the infeed to a fixed position behind the outfeed.

Abstract: An automatic decapper removes caps from capped test tubes by gripping the cap on a test tube with the upper grippers and holding the cap stationary while the test tube is rotated and translated downward with lower grippers. In a preferred embodiment, the upper grippers comprise three jaws coupled to a cam to be moved, as appropriate, from a first position in which a test tube cap may be inserted between the jaws to a second position in which the jaws grip the inserted cap. The upper grippers are mounted to a decapping arm that is pivotable between a first position above the lower grippers, in which the decapping takes place, to a second position above the exterior of the decapper, where it remains while the test tube is inserted into or removed from the lower grippers and where a removed cap may be released into a container for disposal or reuse. The lower grippers comprise a pair of lever arms for holding the test tube.

Abstract: A profile of a rack, that may have zero, one, or a plurality of containers may be obtained using an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor emits a plurality of ultrasonic bursts and the rack is transported under the sensor at a slew speed that allows the sensor to detect at least first and second echoes from each of the bursts. Data points, corresponding to each of the first and second echoes, are generated and the data points are captured in a memory device. The data points, generally reflecting the levels of the rack and any containers, are processed to dynamically and non-invasively (i.e., without physically contacting the liquid with a probe) determine information about the container types, whether any container is capped, and, if one or more containers are uncapped, the liquid level in the uncapped containers.