Abstract: A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and a drip tray movable between a first position not under the capping/decapping mechanism and a second position under the capping/decamping mechanism.

Abstract: Systems for reading machine-readable labels, for example, two-dimensional barcodes, include a housing, a reader configured to read the machine-readable labels on sample receptacles as a sample rack holding the sample receptacles move between a first position and a second position within the housing. The system includes a processing and control unit configured to decode a read image of the machine-readable labels on each sample receptacle, and configured to associate a decoded read images with the corresponding sample receptacles based on measured positions of the sample rack when the machine-readable label was read.

Abstract: The present invention provides a processing station for automatically processing a biological sample, a system for automated real-time inventory control of consumables within a biological sample handling or assay instrument, a high throughput random access automated instrument for processing biological samples, an automated instrument for processing or analysis of a sample, and processes for automated mucoid detection and elimination. Methods of using the disclosed instruments, mucoid detection processes, and systems to process and/or analyze samples are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sample container of patient sample material includes a sample container barcode containing patient-identifying information. The sample container barcode on the sample container is read, and a tubular reaction vessel is provided to a printer module configured to print a barcode directly onto a surface of the tubular reaction vessel. The printer module prints a barcode on the surface of the reaction vessel by a thermal printing method, and the barcode printed onto the reaction vessel is associated with the sample container barcode.

Abstract: An automated instrument for processing a sample includes a first lock configured to move between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The first lock is configured to be engaged with a first movable holding structure in the locked configuration to secure the first holding structure within the automated instrument. The first lock is configured to be disengaged from the first holding structure in the unlocked configuration to allow movement of the first holding structure within the automated instrument. The automated instrument also includes a robotic arm movable within the automated instrument and configured to move the first lock between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration. The first holding structure is configured to hold a sample processing device and configured to move within the automated instrument when the first lock is in the unlocked configuration. The robotic arm can also be configured to move the sample processing device within the system.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods for conducting rapid, accurate, and consistent heated amplifications and/or thermal melt analyses.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods for conducting rapid, accurate, and consistent heated amplifications and/or thermal melt analyses.

Abstract: An automated instrument for processing a sample includes a first lock configured to move between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The first lock is configured to be engaged with a first movable holding structure in the locked configuration to secure the first holding structure within the automated instrument. The first lock is configured to be disengaged from the first holding structure in the unlocked configuration to allow movement of the first holding structure within the automated instrument. The automated instrument also includes a robotic arm movable within the automated instrument and configured to move the first lock between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration. The first holding structure is configured to hold a sample processing device and configured to move within the automated instrument when the first lock is in the unlocked configuration. The robotic arm can also be configured to move the sample processing device within the system.

Abstract: Systems for reading machine-readable labels, for example, two-dimensional barcodes, include a housing, a reader configured to read the machine-readable labels on sample receptacles as a sample rack holding the sample receptacles move between a first position and a second position within the housing. The system includes a processing and control unit configured to decode a read image of the machine-readable labels on each sample receptacle, and configured to associate a decoded read images with the corresponding sample receptacles based on measured positions of the sample rack when the machine-readable label was read.

Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.

Abstract: The present invention provides a processing station for automatically processing a biological sample, a system for automated real-time inventory control of consumables within a biological sample handling or assay instrument, a high throughput random access automated instrument for processing biological samples, an automated instrument for processing or analysis of a sample, and processes for automated mucoid detection and elimination. Methods of using the disclosed instruments, mucoid detection processes, and systems to process and/or analyze samples are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a processing station for automatically processing a biological sample, a system for automated real-time inventory control of consumables within a biological sample handling or assay instrument, a high throughput random access automated instrument for processing biological samples, an automated instrument for processing or analysis of a sample, and processes for automated mucoid detection and elimination. Methods of using the disclosed instruments, mucoid detection processes, and systems to process and/or analyze samples are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a processing station for automatically processing a biological sample, a system for automated real-time inventory control of consumables within a biological sample handling or assay instrument, a high throughput random access automated instrument for processing biological samples, an automated instrument for processing or analysis of a sample, and processes for automated mucoid detection and elimination. Methods of using the disclosed instruments, mucoid detection processes, and systems to process and/or analyze samples are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments include integrated robotic sample transfer devices and components thereof which are used for reliably and accurately transferring small samples of material from one registered position to another registered position. Such transfers of material may be carried out by a single pin tool or an array of pin tools of a pin tool head assembly of robotic sample transfer devices. Some embodiments also include automated cleaning of the pin tools used to transfer the sample material. Some embodiments are fully integrated units having internal fluid supply and waste tanks, vacuum source, fluid pumps, controllers and user interface devices.

Abstract: Embodiments include integrated robotic sample transfer devices and components thereof which are used for reliably and accurately transferring small samples of material from one registered position to another registered position. Such transfers of material may be carried out by a single pin tool or an array of pin tools of a pin tool head assembly of robotic sample transfer devices. Some embodiments also include automated cleaning of the pin tools used to transfer the sample material. Some embodiments are fully integrated units having internal fluid supply and waste tanks, vacuum source, fluid pumps, controllers and user interface devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods for conducting rapid, accurate, and consistent heated amplifications and/or thermal melt analyses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a processing station for automatically processing a biological sample, a system for automated real-time inventory control of consumables within a biological sample handling or assay instrument, a high throughput random access automated instrument for processing biological samples, an automated instrument for processing or analysis of a sample, and processes for automated mucoid detection and elimination. Methods of using the disclosed instruments, mucoid detection processes, and systems to process and/or analyze samples are also disclosed.