Abstract: A manually-operated mono-channel or multi-channel pipette for the sampling and dispensing of a liquid sample in accordance with a given protocol, comprising a control button equipped with an autonomous control device which can supply a user with information relating to a pipetting operation in real time during the pipetting operation.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods related to automated diagnostic analyzers having rear accessible track systems are described herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes an analyzer to perform a diagnostic test. The analyzer has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The example apparatus includes a loading bay disposed on the first side of the analyzer to receive a first carrier and a pipetting mechanism coupled to the analyzer adjacent the second side. The example apparatus also includes a first carrier shuttle to transport the first carrier from a first location adjacent the loading bay to a second location adjacent the pipetting mechanism and a track disposed adjacent the second side of the analyzer to transfer a second carrier to a third location adjacent the pipetting mechanism.

Abstract: An analyzer having an inner chassis surrounded by a housing includes sample and dilution probes, a mixing housing including first and second mixing chambers, a flow cytometer including a flow cell, and sample and sheath pumps configured to perform first and second pluralities of tasks, respectively. The first plurality of tasks includes: aspirating sample into the sample probe, dispensing sample from the sample probe into the first and second mixing chambers, delivering first sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell, and delivering second sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell. The second plurality of tasks includes: dispensing sheath to the flow cell in cooperation with the delivery of the first sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell, and dispensing sheath to the flow cell in cooperation with the delivery of the second sample-dilution fluid mixture to the flow cell.

Abstract: There is provided an automatic analysis device with a structure in which a measurement unit is less susceptible to disturbance as compared to a device in the related art, and a method of designing the automatic analysis device. A first rotation axis 301 of a reaction disk 1, a second rotation axis 302 of a reagent disk 9, and a measurement unit are arranged on the same straight line 311 when an automatic analysis device 100 is viewed from an upper surface side, the first rotation axis 301 of the reaction disk 1 is arranged between the second rotation axis 302 of the reagent disk 9 and the measurement unit, and the measurement unit is arranged on a front side to be accessed by a user of the automatic analysis device 100.

Abstract: A sample analysis substrate capable of holding a plurality of liquids. The sample analysis substrate has a microchannel structure for transferring a liquid through rotary motion, the sample analysis substrate including: a substrate body having a rotation axis; a first and a second container holding a first and a second liquid therein; a first and a second accommodating section accommodating the first and the second container; and a cap having a first and second projection and movably supported on the substrate body. As the cap moves, the first drive projection and the second drive projection move the first container and the second container with staggered timing, thereby releasing the first and the second liquid accommodated therein.

Abstract: The invention provides analyzers that improve tests for detecting specific cellular, viral, and molecular targets in clinical, industrial, or environmental samples. The invention permits efficient and specific selection and sensitive imaging detection of individual microscopic targets at low magnification. Automated embodiments allow efficient walk-away, on-demand, random-access high-throughput testing. The analyzers perform tests without requiring wash steps thus streamlining engineering and lowering costs. Thus, the invention provides analyzers that can deliver rapid, accurate, and quantitative, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tests for analytes.

Abstract: A sample analyzer includes: a reagent container holder including a reagent container holder body configured to hold a reagent container, and a tilt changing part configured to change a tilt of the reagent container holder body; a reagent dispenser configured to aspirate a reagent contained in the reagent container held in the reagent container holder body; a detector configured to detect a signal for analysis from a measurement specimen containing a sample and the reagent dispensed by the reagent dispenser; and a controller that analyzes the sample on the basis of the signal detected by the detector.

Abstract: A sample installation part in which a sample container accommodating a sample to be subjected to biochemical analysis is installed, and consumables installation parts in which consumables to be used for the biochemical analysis are installed are accommodated in an apparatus body of a biochemical analysis apparatus. The apparatus body is provided with an opening part that leads to a sample tray. An instruction receiving unit receives a movement instruction for moving the sample tray from a normal position where the sample installation part is disposed on the opening part side to a consumables replenishment position where the consumables installation parts are disposed on the opening part side. A driving control unit moves the sample tray from the normal position to the consumables replenishment position in a case where the movement instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit.

Abstract: An automatic sample injection system (1) includes at least an injector (2). The injector (2) includes a turret (10) comprising a plurality of vial receiving holes (30) that are corresponding to a plurality of types of vials having different sizes, the plurality of vial receiving holes (30) being provided on the same circumference on an upper surface of the turret, the turret being configured to rotate so that the plurality of the vial receiving holes (30) are each moved along a circumferential track, and a controller (22) configured, in a case where a sampler (4) for supplying a vial to the injector (2) is provided, to recognize a size of a target vial to be supplied at the time when the target vial is supplied from the sampler (4) and to arrange the vial receiving hole (30) corresponding to the target vial at a delivery position (P) set on the circumferential track.

Abstract: A specimen processing system 100 which performs preprocessing and analysis of a specimen includes sensors 5a, 5b, . . . each detecting a driving state of a driving device installed in the system, an abnormality detecting part 3a determining from signal waveforms detected by the sensors 5a, 5b, . . . whether an abnormality occurs in the driving device, and a recording device sequentially recording the signal waveforms detected by the sensors 5a, 5b, . . . and storing a sensor signal waveform before or after the occurrence of an operation abnormality into an unerasable area when the abnormality is determined to have occurred in the abnormality detection part 3a. Consequently, there is provided a specimen processing system capable of realizing restoration from the time of the occurrence of an abnormality faster than in the past.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid transport system for an automated slide treatment apparatus for treating one or more tissue samples disposed on slides, whereby the slide treatment apparatus includes a plurality of slide treatment modules arranged to receive ones of the slides, and the fluid transport system includes a fluid dispensing robot configured by a controller to dispense a plurality of reagents to said ones of the slides received in the slide treatment modules to treat said one or more tissue samples respectively.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes: a diluted sample holding unit configured to hold dilution containers into which a diluted sample is dispensed; a reaction container holding unit configured to hold reaction containers; a dispensing device configured to dispense the diluted sample from the dilution containers to the reaction containers; a measuring unit configured to perform optical measurement of the diluted sample reacted with reagents corresponding to test items in the reaction containers; a storage unit configured to store information on the diluted sample associated with each of the dilution containers; and a dispensing control unit. The dispensing control unit extracts a dilution container for collecting the diluted sample for retest by searching for the information on the diluted sample stored in the storage unit, and causes the dispensing device to perform a retest dispensing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for a lysis procedure, in particular for an automated and/or controlled lysis procedure of a sample, in particular a biological sample.

Abstract: An LED-driven optical cavity PCR system and method providing fast, accurate and reliable PCR based diagnostics. Thermal cycling for PCR takes place in an optical cavity formed in a microfluidic channel or chamber with thin light absorbing metal films disposed on at least two opposing walls that provide uniform heating between the walls by photothermal light to heat conversion. The opposing metal films may be sized for equal light absorption from a single light source orthogonal to the two opposing films to produce an even temperature elevation between the equally heating films upon a single light exposure. Uniform temperature elevation may also be achieved with films made from two different materials.

Abstract: Provided is a technique related to an automatic analyzer and capable of ensuring cleaning performance of a reaction container by a cleaning process including a tip suction step, and preventing decrease in analysis accuracy or improving the analysis accuracy. The automatic analyzer includes a control apparatus, a block suction mechanism that moves a suction nozzle and a suction block for suctioning a liquid in the reaction container up and down and suctions the liquid, and a block cleaning mechanism for cleaning the suction block.

Abstract: A method for coordinating data between a plurality of sample processing systems is disclosed. In some implementations, the method comprises providing, using a central control unit, data to a pre-analytical sample processing system identifying a sample undergoing pre-analytical processing, receiving data, at the central control unit, indicating the transfer of the sample to an analytical system, providing, from the central control unit (CCU), data associated with the sample to the analytical system, and receiving a result associated with the sample from the analytical system.

Abstract: A washing apparatus includes a stage, a suction nozzle, and a control unit. On the stage, an analytical unit is mounted. In the analytical unit, a well having a hole shape including a bottom surface and an inner peripheral surface is formed. The suction nozzle sucks a solution in the well. The control unit, after controlling the suction nozzle to sucks the solution in the well, controls the stage to rotate the stage on which the analytical unit is mounted at a predetermined speed of rotation, and controls the suction nozzle to suck a residue of the solution existing in the well.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus and a physical characteristic measuring device are provided. The measuring apparatus includes at least one first physical characteristic measuring device and a data processing device. The first physical characteristic measuring device includes a sensor, a signal processing circuit, and a transmission path. The sensor generates a measurement signal according to the physical characteristics of a location where the first physical characteristic measuring device is located. The signal processing circuit converts the measurement signal into a first processed signal. The transmission path is able to be electrically connected to a second physical characteristic measuring device. The transmission path passes a second processed signal of the second physical characteristic measuring device to the data processing device in response to the first physical characteristic measuring device and the second physical characteristic measuring device being electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the sealing member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the sealing member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus and a physical characteristic measuring device are provided. The measuring apparatus includes at least one first physical characteristic measuring device and a data processing device. The first physical characteristic measuring device includes a sensor, a signal processing circuit, and a transmission path. The sensor generates a measurement signal according to the physical characteristics of a location where the first physical characteristic measuring device is located. The signal processing circuit converts the measurement signal into a first processed signal. The transmission path is able to be electrically connected to a second physical characteristic measuring device. The transmission path passes a second processed signal of the second physical characteristic measuring device to the data processing device in response to the first physical characteristic measuring device and the second physical characteristic measuring device being electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: Devices, systems and apparatuses for the discretization and manipulation of sample volumes are provided. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A pipette tip leading end detection device for detecting that a leading end of a pipette tip is close to a reference surface set to a reaction vessel includes a pipette nozzle, pump, nozzle driver, pressure sensor that detects a pressure generated between the pipette tip and pump, and hardware processor. The hardware processor obtains a determination value using an AD conversion value obtained from the pressure while the pipette nozzle is being lowered, and detects that the leading end of the pipette tip is close to the reference surface on the basis that the determination value is a threshold value or more. The determination value is a calculation value indicating a pressure change speed calculated from AD conversion values within a past certain time and the threshold value is a value larger than maximum noise.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manually-operated mono-channel or multi-channel pipette for the sampling and dispensing of a liquid sample in accordance with a given protocol, comprising a control button equipped with an autonomous control device which can supply a user with information relating to a pipetting operation in real time during the pipetting operation.

Abstract: An automatic analysis device is provided with: a sample disk for holding a sample container that accommodates a sample; a reagent disk for holding a reagent container that accommodates a reagent; at least two different measuring units that respectively perform different types of analyses; a control part that controls the measuring units; and a display part that displays: a work flow area in which the flow of operation of the two or more measuring units is displayed; and an overview area in which the usable or unusable states of the respective measuring units are displayed, wherein the overview area has a unit necessity-of-use selection part that can select whether using each of the measuring units is necessary, and the control part controls the display part so as to change the display of the work flow area on the basis of the information set in the unit necessity-of-use selection part.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer includes a specimen holding section that holds a specimen container for containing a specimen; a specimen dispensing section that dispenses the specimen from the specimen container into a dilution container; a dilution container holding section that holds the dilution container for containing a diluted specimen, which is the specimen that has been diluted; a diluted specimen dispensing section that dispenses the diluted specimen from the dilution container into a reaction container; and a controlling section that, while the diluted specimen dispensing section dispenses the diluted specimen into the reaction container in accordance with a measurement item, causes the specimen dispensing section to perform a cleaning operation of the specimen dispensing section any number of times by using a cleaning liquid.

Abstract: A sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented.

Abstract: A cell capture system including an array, an inlet manifold, and an outlet manifold. The array includes a plurality of parallel pores, each pore including a chamber and a pore channel, an inlet channel fluidly connected to the chambers of the pores; an outlet channel fluidly connected to the pore channels of the pores. The inlet manifold is fluidly connected to the inlet channel, and the outlet channel is fluidly connected to the outlet channel. A cell removal tool is also disclosed, wherein the cell removal tool is configured to remove a captured cell from a pore chamber.

Abstract: A pretreatment device for food safety detection, including: a base; a vortex oscillator disposed on the base; and a container holding mechanism disposed on the base and configured to hold a container such that the container is positioned above the vortex oscillator, wherein the vortex oscillator is configured to cooperate with the container holding mechanism to treat materials contained in the container. The present disclosure further provides a pretreatment method for food safety detection. By means of the pretreatment device and the pretreatment method according to the present disclosure, it can perform pretreatment work of food safety detection efficiently and simply, and save labor costs.

Abstract: A container containing unit includes a housing and a lid member. The lid member has a probe insertion hole and a droplet guide portion. The droplet guide portion is formed at an edge of an opening end of the probe insertion hole and has a plurality of groove portions. The plurality of groove portions extend from the edge of the opening end to an outside of a locus through which the mouth of the container is moved.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for detecting and/or identifying one or more specific microorganisms in a culture sample. Indicator particles, such as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-active nanoparticles, each having associated therewith one or more specific binding members having an affinity for the one or more microorganisms of interest, can form a complex with specific microorganisms in the culture sample. Further, agitating magnetic capture particles also having associated therewith one or more specific binding members having an affinity for the one or more microorganisms of interest can be used to capture the microorganism-indicator particle complex and concentrate the complex in a localized area of an assay vessel for subsequent detection and identification. The complex can be dispersed, pelleted, and redispersed so that the culture sample can be retested a number of times during incubation so as to allow for real-time monitoring of the culture sample.

Abstract: In a medicament dispensing device (1), when a medicament preparation-containing syringe (11) is replaced, a microprocessor (23) detects the time at which the replacement is performed as the time of the start of use of the preparation, and counts the elapsed time after the use of the preparation has started. Then, the microprocessor (23) notifies the result of the counting by a LCD (10), etc. to the user. Also, the microprocessor (23) detects that a syringe needle for dispensing the preparation has been mounted, and after detecting the mounting of the syringe needle, the microprocessor (23) counts the elapsed time after the start of use of the preparation. When an effective use period has expired, the microprocessor (23) issues a message in a step S17 that the effective period of a medicament has expired.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an automatic analyzing apparatus includes a reagent depository, a reagent storage unit and a probe. The reagent depository stores a first reagent vessel. The reagent storage unit is provided separately from the reagent depository and in which a second reagent vessel is placeable. The probe suctions a reagent contained in the first reagent vessel at a first position which is located above the reagent depository, suctions a reagent contained in the second reagent vessel at a second position which is located above the reagent storage unit, and discharges the reagent suctioned from the first reagent vessel or the second reagent vessel into a reaction vessel at a third position.

Abstract: The automated analyzer equalizes the temperature inside a reagent container storage apparatus. The automated analyzer is provided with a reagent container storage apparatus that cools a reagent container, the reagent container storage apparatus being provided with: a reagent storage chamber for storing the reagent container, the reagent storage chamber having at least one of the bottom surface and the side surface thereof cooled by a first cooling source; and a transfer member which is arranged to cover the reagent container stored in the reagent storage chamber, and which is thermally connected to the reagent storage chamber.

Abstract: A nucleic acid analyzer according to one or more embodiments may include a container setting part that sets a second container, a rotation drive part that rotates the container setting part by applying a driving force to a surface of the container setting part, to supply the extraction liquid injected through the injection port to the storages through the flow path by a centrifugal force. A first temperature adjustment part that adjusts a temperature of the second container provided in the container setting part, such that a nucleic acid amplification reaction occurs in the storages, and a detector that detects a nucleic acid amplification reaction which occurs in the storages with the second container provided in the container setting part interposed between the first temperature adjustment part and the detector in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for evaluation of an organic/inorganic scale inhibitor is provided. The device comprises a substrate mountable to a disc for rotation about an axis. The device further comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The substrate defines a sample reservoir, a solvent reservoir, an inhibitor reservoir, and a precipitant reservoir at the proximal end and an analysis chamber at the distal end in fluid communication with the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant reservoirs. The substrate is constructed to direct one or more of fluids in the sample reservoir, solvent reservoir, inhibitor reservoir, and precipitant reservoir radially outwardly towards the analysis chamber under the influence of centrifugal force when the microfluidic device rotates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coating device which draws a pattern of a functional liquid on a substrate. The coating device includes: a substrate holding unit which holds the substrate; a droplet discharging unit which discharges a droplet of the functional liquid on the substrate held by the substrate holding unit; a moving unit which relatively moves the substrate holding unit and the droplet discharging unit in a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction on a base; a mass measuring unit including a cup which receives the droplet discharged by the droplet discharging unit and a mass measuring device which measures a mass of the functional liquid accumulated in the cup; and a liquid drain unit which drains the functional liquid accumulated in the cup.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for point-of-care nucleic acid amplification and detection. One embodiment of the point-of-care molecular diagnostic system includes a cartridge and an instrument. The cartridge can accept a biological sample, such as a urine or blood sample. The cartridge, which can comprise one or more of a loading module, lysis module, purification module and amplification module, is inserted into the instrument which acts upon the cartridge to facilitate various sample processing steps that occur in order to perform a molecular diagnostic test.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention is a versatile, automated system to allow researchers to continuously measure gas flux rates from multiple chambers over time without (or with reduced) need for personnel in the field. The invention is compatible with any high-frequency analyzer or vial filler and most chamber designs.

Abstract: A microscope slide staining system has a chamber, a plurality of slide support elements, a plurality of spreading devices positionable in association with microscope slides supported on the slide support elements so the spreading devices define a gap between the spreading device and the microscope slide and so the spreading device and the microscope slide are movable relative to one another to spread at least one reagent on the microscope slide independent of the other spreading devices and microscope slides.

Abstract: An LED-driven optical cavity PCR system and method is disclosed for fast, accurate and reliable PCR based diagnostics. An optical cavity comprising two thin light absorbing metal (AU) films is used for uniform light absorption and subsequent photo thermal light-to-heat conversion is employed for PCR thermal cycling.

Abstract: A machine for producing and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid consumer food products such as ice creams, whipped cream, yogurt and the like comprises a container for a basic product of the consumer food product, a feed and treatment circuit for the basic product, comprising a feed pump, dispensing means positioned at an outfeed end of the feed and treatment circuit, and a device for checking the bacterial load of the product during production/dispensing; an electronic control unit controlling and regulating the various steps for measuring the bacterial load.

Abstract: This liquid-sealed cartridge includes: a cartridge body including a plurality of liquid storage portions; a seal body configured to seal an opening of each of the plurality of liquid storage portions; and an elastic body disposed so as to be opposed to the plurality of liquid storage portions, the elastic body being configured to form a passage adjacent to the plurality of liquid storage portions. Each of the plurality of liquid storage portions and the passage are configured to be communicated with each other by the corresponding seal body being pushed to be opened through the elastic body.

Abstract: Particle detection cartridges are provided. Aspects of the particle detection cartridges according to certain embodiments include a sample input, a flow channel and a light channel, where the flow channel and light channel are coupled at a detection region such that only light from the detection region can propagate directly through the light channel to a detector. Systems including the cartridges, as well as methods for detecting particles in a sample with the subject particle detection cartridges/systems, are also described. Kits having one or more cartridges are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a microparticle measurement device that can deliver a liquid used in the analysis of microparticles in a stable manner. The microparticle measurement device includes a plurality of first tank units to which a liquid is supplied from the outside, and which are respectively connected in parallel, and a bulb unit that is connected to the plurality of first tank units, and which switches to a state in which it is possible to deliver the liquid to a flow channel through which microparticles flow. According to this microparticle measurement device, in addition to performing liquid delivery from a portion of the plurality of first tank units, in which the replenishment of liquid has been completed, to a flow channel, it is possible to supply liquid from the outside to the plurality of first tank units other than the plurality of first tank units that are delivering liquid.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices, assemblies, and systems are provided, as are methods of manipulating micro-sized samples of fluids. Microfluidic devices having a plurality of specialized processing features are also provided.

Abstract: One actuator (a gripper mechanism and reagent bottle lid opening mechanism drive unit 120) drives a gripper mechanism 106 that holds a reagent bottle 10 and a reagent bottle lid opening mechanism 104 that incises a lid of the reagent bottle 10. The gripper mechanism 106 operates to ascend when the reagent bottle lid opening mechanism 104 operates to descend in order to incise the reagent bottle lid 112, and the reagent bottle lid opening mechanism 104 operates to ascend when the gripper mechanism 106 operates to descend in order to hold the reagent bottle 10. The reagent bottle lid opening mechanism 104 and the gripper mechanism 106 operate without interfering with each other's functions.

Abstract: An instrument turntable is presented which allows an instrument to be installed into an automated system, yet that will still allow an operator to use the instrument manually, even while the automated system is running, without ever removing the instrument from the automated system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispersion tool (4) that can be cleaned more easily. For this purpose, the dispersion rotor (8) is arranged on the dispersion tool (4) axially moveable between the working position in the shaft tube (5) and the cleaning position outside the shaft tube (5), the dispersion rotor (8), in the cleaning position, being preferably completely arranged outside the shaft tube (5) and therefore being more easily cleanable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid support suitable for improving the detection of how different species interact with each other. The solid support has multiple defined areas divided by low dividers, and optionally independent containers divided by high dividers, each container having at least two defined areas. The solid support is typically used in measurements where the total amount of liquid is temporarily reduced during measurement. The solid support extends the possibilities of the measurement system.

Abstract: Provided is an automatic analysis device that enables a reagent to be reliably loaded in and loaded out within a stipulated amount of time, even during analysis and without stopping the analysis, and that enables a reagent to be exchanged without causing a long wait for the operator.