Abstract: A method for introducing a sample rack holding a plurality of sample receptacles into a receiving bay in a housing of an automated analytical system is disclosed. The method is carried out by manually moving the sample rack from a loading position towards a processing position along a lane in the receiving bay, pausing the movement when the rack reaches a focusing position, moving a reader to focuse onto the lane, resuming the movement of the sample rack and detecting features of the sample rack during the movement, positioning, detecting, and locking the sample rack in the processing position, and processing the content of the sample receptacles.

Abstract: A system for dispensing vessels to an analyzer is disclosed. The system comprises a disc rotatable about an axis and comprising a groove, a drum arranged above and coupled to the disc to rotatable together about the axis, the drum comprising slots arranged along and around the axis, each slot comprising an input interface for stacking vessels in the slot and an output interface for dispensing the vessels, the output interface comprising a retainer, a crank translatable in a linear forwards and backwards direction orthogonal to the axis between a first, second, and third position. The crank comprises a pin for rotating the disc and bringing a slot into a dispensing position upon translation between the first and second position, the crank comprising an actuator pin for actuating the retainer in the dispensing position upon translation of the crank between the second and third position to dispense the vessels.

Abstract: A system for dispensing vessels to an analyzer is disclosed. The system comprises a disc rotatable about an axis and comprising a groove, a drum arranged above and coupled to the disc to rotatable together about the axis, the drum comprising slots arranged along and around the axis, each slot comprising an input interface for stacking vessels in the slot and an output interface for dispensing the vessels, the output interface comprising a retainer, a crank translatable in a linear forwards and backwards direction orthogonal to the axis between a first, second, and third position. The crank comprises a pin for rotating the disc and bringing a slot into a dispensing position upon translation between the first and second position, the crank comprising an actuator pin for actuating the retainer in the dispensing position upon translation of the crank between the second and third position to dispense the vessels.

Abstract: A pipetting device (100) for an apparatus for processing a sample or reagent is disclosed. The pipetting device (100) comprises a coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises at least a first coupling unit (104) adapted to be coupled to a first pipetting tip (108) and a second coupling unit (106) adapted to be coupled to a second pipetting tip (110), and a selection element (138) for selectively allowing a coupling of the first coupling unit (104) to or releasing the first coupling unit (104) from the first pipetting tip (108) and for selectively allowing a coupling of the second coupling unit to or releasing the second coupling unit (106) from the second pipetting tip (110). The selection element (138) is mechanically coupled to the first coupling unit (104) and the second coupling unit (106). Further, an apparatus (198) for processing a sample or reagent and a method for pipetting a sample or reagent are disclosed.

Abstract: A pipetting device (100) for an apparatus (164) for processing a sample or reagent is disclosed. The pipetting device (100) comprises a coupling mechanism (102), wherein the coupling mechanism (102) comprises at least a first coupling unit (104) adapted to be coupled to a first pipetting tip and a second coupling unit (106) adapted to be coupled to a second pipetting tip, and a tilt mechanism (112) for moving the first coupling unit (104) between an untilted position, in which the first coupling unit (104) and the second coupling unit (106) are arranged parallel to one another, and a tilted position, in which the first coupling unit (104) is tilted relative to the second coupling unit (106).

Abstract: A device, method and system is provided for binding particles for the separation and/or isolation of biological materials. In particular, a container is provided including a suspension of binding particles for the isolation of biological material, inner walls forming an elongate groove at the bottom of said container, and a cover having openings and/or being penetrable for a linear arrangement of multiple pipets or pipet tips, said openings being located above and parallel to said elongate groove.

Abstract: A device, method and system is provided for binding particles for the separation and/or isolation of biological materials. In particular, a container is provided including a suspension of binding particles for the isolation of biological material, inner walls forming an elongate groove at the bottom of said container, and a cover having openings and/or being penetrable for a linear arrangement of multiple pipets or pipet tips, said openings being located above and parallel to said elongate groove.

Abstract: A pipetting device (100) for an apparatus for processing a sample or reagent is disclosed. The pipetting device (100) comprises a coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises at least a first coupling unit (104) adapted to be coupled to a first pipetting tip (108) and a second coupling unit (106) adapted to be coupled to a second pipetting tip (110), and a selection element (138) for selectively allowing a coupling of the first coupling unit (104) to or releasing the first coupling unit (104) from the first pipetting tip (108) and for selectively allowing a coupling of the second coupling unit to or releasing the second coupling unit (106) from the second pipetting tip (110). The selection element (138) is mechanically coupled to the first coupling unit (104) and the second coupling unit (106). Further, an apparatus (198) for processing a sample or reagent and a method for pipetting a sample or reagent are disclosed.

Abstract: A device, method and system is provided for binding particles for the separation and/or isolation of biological materials. In particular, a container is provided including a suspension of binding particles for the isolation of biological material, inner walls forming an elongate groove at the bottom of said container, and a cover having openings and/or being penetrable for a linear arrangement of multiple pipets or pipet tips, said openings being located above and parallel to said elongate groove.

Abstract: A pipetting device (100) for an apparatus (164) for processing a sample or reagent is disclosed. The pipetting device (100) comprises a coupling mechanism (102), wherein the coupling mechanism (102) comprises at least a first coupling unit (104) adapted to be coupled to a first pipetting tip and a second coupling unit (106) adapted to be coupled to a second pipetting tip, and a tilt mechanism (112) for moving the first coupling unit (104) between an untilted position, in which the first coupling unit (104) and the second coupling unit (106) are arranged parallel to one another, and a tilted position, in which the first coupling unit (104) is tilted relative to the second coupling unit (106).

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: The invention provides for a method of pipetting samples using a pipetting device including more than one pipetting unit. Each of the pipetting units are independently movable in Y and Z directions and includes an upper and a lower frame. Two adjacent pipetting units include a module arranged in a staggered manner in either of the respective upper and lower frames.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of pipetting samples using a pipetting device including more than one pipetting unit. Each of the pipetting units are independently movable in Y and Z directions and includes an upper and a lower frame. Two adjacent pipetting units include a module arranged in a staggered manner in either of the respective upper and lower frames.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of pipetting samples using a pipetting device including more than one pipetting unit. Each of the pipetting units are independently movable in Y and Z directions and includes an upper and a lower frame. Two adjacent pipetting units include a module arranged in a staggered manner in either of the respective upper and lower frames.

Abstract: A device, method and system is provided for binding particles for the separation and/or isolation of biological materials. In particular, a container is provided including a suspension of binding particles for the isolation of biological material, inner walls forming an elongate groove at the bottom of said container, and a cover having openings and/or being penetrable for a linear arrangement of multiple pipets or pipet tips, said openings being located above and parallel to said elongate groove.

Abstract: A method of pipetting samples is described using a pipetting device comprising more than one pipetting unit, wherein said pipetting units are independently movable in Y and Z direction and comprise at least one module arranged in a staggered manner compared to the adjacent pipetting unit.

Abstract: A sealing cap for a body fluid container, and a body fluid collection device and system are disclosed. The sealing cap includes an inner cap placeable on an opening in the body fluid container forming a mouth, the inner cap has a shielding member which seals the mouth of the body fluid container, an outer cap resting on the inner cap, the outer cap being movable relative to the inner cap, and a channel member, wherein by a rotational movement the outer cap is movable between an first position in which the channel member is located separated from the shielding member and a second position in which the channel member extends through the shielding member, thereby establishing an open state of the shielding member, and wherein the shielding member returns to a closed state when the outer cap is moved back from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A pipetting device is described comprising more than one pipetting unit, wherein said pipetting units are independently movable in Y and Z direction and comprise at least one module arranged in a staggered manner compared to the adjacent pipetting unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-invasive method for surveilling mixing and separation of a suspension in an analytical system using solid phase particles for separation of an analyte by measuring particle distribution with a camera attached to a pipetting device.

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).