Abstract: The present invention provides for a fluid transfer device for interconnecting vessels, the fluid transfer device comprising a main body with a first body part providing a first hollow interior merging into a first open end for receiving a fluid obtaining vessel, and a second body part providing a second hollow interior merging into a second open end for receiving a fluid supplying vessel, a connection assembly with a double-ended cannula for connecting the first hollow interior with the second hollow interior, and a first encasing member encasing a first cannula part arranged within the first hollow interior, and an actuating member provided inside the first hollow interior, wherein the actuating member is movably arranged along a longitudinal axis of the first body part, and wherein the actuating member is in contact with the first encasing member for piercing the first encasing member by the cannula during a movement of the actuating member towards the second body part.

Abstract: A positioning system for positioning a consumable rack in a diagnostic system is disclosed. The positioning system comprises a rack comprising an upper surface comprising holding positions and a receiving compartment comprising a rectangular chassis comprising front, rear, and two lateral sides. The receiving compartment comprises a holding structure coupled to the chassis to move between first and second positions. The rack comprises sidewalls. At least three sidewalls have a center alignment element. The chassis comprises three chassis alignment elements on the rear and two lateral sides. The holding structure comprises a corner push element between the chassis front and lateral sides to push against a side edge of the rack between two sidewalls when the holding structure is moved from the first position towards the second position forcing the three alignment elements against a chassis alignment element and laterally holding the rack in position by the chassis alignment elements.

Abstract: A pipetting device comprising a head and a nozzle with a longitudinal axis mounted to the head is disclosed. An actuator member is arranged around and partially covering the nozzle and coupled to the head or to the nozzle. The actuator member and the nozzle move with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis. A contact member is coupled to and arranged around and partially covering the actuator member. The contact member and the actuator member move with respect to each other. The contact member comprises a rim for contacting a container. The actuator member comprises a rim for opening a cap of the container when the contact member is in contact with the container. The actuator member and the contact member move with respect to each other creating a passage through the cap when the nozzle and the actuator member move with respect to each other.

Abstract: A method of separating an analyte from a biological sample is described. The method comprises providing particles capable of binding said analyte when present in a solution in a container, said container comprising walls, wherein at least a part of said walls is flexible. The particles are suspended in the solution by exerting a force on the flexible part of the walls of the container more than one time. An aliquot of the suspended particles is then removed from the container. The removed aliquot is dispensed into a sample, and the sample is incubated under conditions suitable to immobilize said analyte on the particles. The particles with the bound analyte are then separated from other material and at least part of the biological sample is removed.

Abstract: A method of separating an analyte from a biological sample is described. The method comprises providing particles capable of binding said analyte when present in a solution in a container, said container comprising walls, wherein at least a part of said walls is flexible. The particles are suspended in the solution by exerting a force on the flexible part of the walls of the container more than one time. An aliquot of the suspended particles is then removed from the container. The removed aliquot is dispensed into a sample, and the sample is incubated under conditions suitable to immobilize said analyte on the particles. The particles with the bound analyte are then separated from other material and at least part of the biological sample is removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated analytical system and an automated method for separating and detecting an analyte, as well as an automated analytical instrument.

Abstract: A pipetting device comprising a head and a nozzle with a longitudinal axis mounted to the head is disclosed. An actuator member is arranged around and partially covering the nozzle and coupled to the head or to the nozzle. The actuator member and the nozzle move with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis. A contact member is coupled to and arranged around and partially covering the actuator member. The contact member and the actuator member move with respect to each other. The contact member comprises a rim for contacting a container. The actuator member comprises a rim for opening a cap of the container when the contact member is in contact with the container. The actuator member and the contact member move with respect to each other creating a passage through the cap when the nozzle and the actuator member move with respect to each other.

Abstract: A positioning system for positioning a consumable rack in a diagnostic system is disclosed. The positioning system comprises a rack comprising an upper surface comprising holding positions and a receiving compartment comprising a rectangular chassis comprising front, rear, and two lateral sides. The receiving compartment comprises a holding structure coupled to the chassis to move between first and second positions. The rack comprises sidewalls. At least three sidewalls have a center alignment element. The chassis comprises three chassis alignment elements on the rear and two lateral sides. The holding structure comprises a corner push element between the chassis front and lateral sides to push against a side edge of the rack between two sidewalls when the holding structure is moved from the first position towards the second position forcing the three alignment elements against a chassis alignment element and laterally holding the rack in position by the chassis alignment elements.

Abstract: A method is provided for disposing of a liquid within an automated analytical system for processing a fluid biological sample, wherein a contamination prevention shield including channels for pipets or pipet tips is reversibly docked to a container for liquid waste in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. A tip rack assembly is provided for processing a fluid sample, the assembly including a rack for pipet tips and the contamination prevention shield. An analytical system is provided using the tip rack assembly, wherein cross-contamination is avoided.

Abstract: An automated method of isolating and analyzing an analyte using a form-locking gripping mechanism. An analytical system comprising consumables and a handler, wherein the handler and consumable interact with a form-locking gripping mechanism are also included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated analytical system and an automated method for separating and detecting an analyte, as well as an automated analytical instrument.

Abstract: A cassette is described which can hold at least two multiwell plates. The cassette comprising the multiwell plates can be loaded into a stacker of an automated analytical apparatus. While the stacker holds down the cassette, a lift pushes the multiwell plates upwards to make them accessible to a handler which can engage and transport the multiwell plates to a plate holder in the working area of the analytical apparatus.

Abstract: An analytical system is disclosed which recognizes different types of consumables with an identical footprint based on a unique surface geometry of each consumable. The analytical system includes stackers into which the consumables can be loaded either automatically or by the user. The stacker for one specific type of consumable recognizes the type of consumable based on its unique surface geometry.

Abstract: A method is provided for disposing of a liquid within an automated analytical system for processing a fluid biological sample, wherein a contamination prevention shield including channels for pipets or pipet tips is reversibly docked to a container for liquid waste in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. A tip rack assembly is provided for processing a fluid sample, the assembly including a rack for pipet tips and the contamination prevention shield. An analytical system is provided using the tip rack assembly, wherein cross-contamination is avoided.

Abstract: A method is provided for disposing of a liquid within an automated analytical system for processing a fluid biological sample, wherein a contamination prevention shield including channels for pipets or pipet tips is reversibly docked to a container for liquid waste in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. A tip rack assembly is provided for processing a fluid sample, the assembly including a rack for pipet tips and the contamination prevention shield. An analytical system is provided using the tip rack assembly, wherein cross-contamination is avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating magnetic particles from a liquid which contains said particles, said liquid being contained in an elongated vessel (11) having a length axis (12), said vessel being arranged in a vessel holder (13) with its length axis (12) in a substantially vertical position, said vessel (11) having a bottom and a tapered cross-section that diminishes towards the bottom of the vessel and a side wall (14) which has an outer surface which forms an angle with the length axis (12) of said vessel (11).

Abstract: An automated method of isolating and analyzing an analyte using a form-locking gripping mechanism. An analytical system comprising consumables and a handler, wherein the handler and consumable interact with a form-locking gripping mechanism are also included.

Abstract: A method of separating an analyte from a biological sample is described. The method comprises providing particles capable of binding said analyte when present in a solution in a container, said container comprising walls, wherein at least a part of said walls is flexible. The particles are suspended in the solution by exerting a force on the flexible part of the walls of the container more than one time. An aliquot of the suspended particles is then removed from the container. The removed aliquot is dispensed into a sample, and the sample is incubated under conditions suitable to immobilize said analyte on the particles. The particles with the bound analyte are then separated from other material and at least part of the biological sample is removed.

Abstract: A method for separating and analyzing an analyte is provided which comprises, in a first position, transferring a liquid sample to a multiwell plate with a pipette tip, replacing the tips in the tip rack in the same position, and re-using the pipette tips for aspirating and dispensing liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a three-part rack for holding re-usable pipette tips. The rack comprises an upper, a lower and an insert rack. The rack is optimized for holding first and second types of pipette tips, and comprises contamination protection.