The present invention relates to an automatic in vitro diagnostic apparatus capable of automatically performing a series of examination processes including a pretreatment process for specific components included in a biological sample such as blood and urine. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a base frame 104; a cuvette tray 110 movable back and forth on the base frame 104, for mounting cuvette holders 10 accommodating a plurality of cuvettes arranged thereon alongside each other; a tube tray 120 movable back and forth on the base frame, for mounting tube holders 20 accommodating a plurality of sample tubes containing samples thereon; and a sampling operation unit 500 movable left and right on the base frame 104, for mixing a sample contained in the sample tube with a reagent, and dropping the mixed solution onto an analysis strip provided in the cuvette.

A miniaturized chromatographic inspection apparatus capable of optimal light emission and reading control according to the type of marker, and a control method thereof. The apparatus can comprise: a main body; a cartridge tray with a seated immunochromatographic test cartridge, configured to be accommodated in the main body or to be withdrawn to the outside of the main body; a tray driving unit for moving the cartridge tray; an image sensing unit for recognizing a code expression provided on a surface of the cartridge or excitation light generated from the cartridge; a first light source illuminating the code expression provided on the surface of the cartridge; a second light source illuminating a window of the cartridge to generate the excitation light in the cartridge; and a control unit for controlling the tray driving unit, the first and second light source, and processing information acquired from the image sensing unit.

Biological samples are prepared on a slide for physician or veterinarian interpretation in a case of a diagnosis for human or animal diseases. The biological samples are specimens taken from certain areas or body fluids of human or animal. The biological samples are placed on the slide and are made ready for an examination without any process or after physical processes. Physicians or veterinarians diagnose by interpreting the biological samples over a microscope. Digitizing data, usage of data processing techniques and automatic reporting are activities reducing a workforce of expert physicians or veterinarians with a developing technology by abandoning manual methods. As digital pathology and hematology are main technical fields, a system and integrated methods about digitizing, analyzing and storing biological samples are given.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of information transmission in a system comprising at least one liquid handling device and at least one external device, the method comprising: in one or more of said at least one liquid handling device, producing a machine-readable code that contains information that is derived from a status or properties of the respective liquid handling device or information that has been stored in the respective liquid handling device; in said one or more of said at least one liquid handling device, displaying the respective code on a display that is integrated to a structure of the respective liquid handling device; reading the displayed code or one or more of the displayed codes by an external device.

A method and system for analyzing a sample potentially comprising a target, comprising: (i) activating one or more components of the sample analysis system in preparation for a sample, wherein the sample analysis system comprises a heating element, a centrifuge, a thermocycler, an imager, a user interface, and a processor; (ii) obtaining a sample potentially comprising a target; (iii) adding the obtained sample to a sample preparation receptacle, the sample preparation receptacle comprising one or more reagents configured to maximize success of the sample analysis; (iv) heating the sample preparation receptacle, with the added sample, in the heating element of the sample analysis system at a first temperature for a first heating period of time; (v) centrifuging the sample preparation receptacle, after heating, for a first period of time using the centrifuge of the sample analysis system; (vi) transferring at least a portion of the sample, after centrifugation, from the sample preparation receptacle to a sample analysis receptacle, the sample analysis receptacle comprising one or more reagents configured for a qPCR reaction specific to a selected target; (vii) obtaining, via the thermocycler and imager of the sample analysis system, a fluorescence curve during a qPCR reaction; (viii) analyzing, by the process of the sample analysis system, the obtained fluorescence curve to determine a presence or absence of the selected target in the sample; and (ix) reporting, to a user by the user interface of the sample analysis system, the presence or absence of the selected target in the sample; wherein one or more steps of the method are guided by interactive instructions provided by the sample analysis system.

Method includes positioning a first carrier assembly on a system stage. The carrier assembly includes a support frame having an inner frame edge that defines a window of the support frame. The first carrier assembly includes a first substrate that is positioned within the window and surrounded by the inner frame edge. The first substrate has a sample thereon. The method includes detecting optical signals from the sample of the first substrate. The method also includes replacing the first carrier assembly on the system stage with a second carrier assembly on the system stage. The second carrier assembly includes the support frame and an adapter plate held by the support frame. The second carrier assembly has a second substrate held by the adapter plate that has a sample thereon. The method also includes detecting optical signals from the sample of the second substrate.

Systems and methods are provided for recognizing various sample containers carried in a rack. The systems and methods are performed to identify sample containers in the rack and detect various characteristics associated with the containers and/or the rack, which are evaluated to determine the validity and/or types of the containers in the rack.

In an automatic analyzer where a plurality of types of separation column are selectively used for performing a chromatographic analysis, an automatic analyzer configured to install a separation column of an intended type at an aimed position, and a method for installing the separation column in the automatic analyzer are provided. Identification mechanisms, a computer, and a display unit are included. The identification mechanisms read identifiers included in separation columns when the separation columns are installed at installation positions. The computer determines whether identification information of the identifiers read by the identification mechanisms matches an installation pattern registered in advance or not. The display unit notifies an alarm when the identification information is determined not to match the installation pattern by the computer.

A processor assembly including a core module operable to expose a sample on a slide; a staining module operable to apply a stain to the exposed sample; and a robotic transfer mechanism to transfer the slide from the core module to the staining module. Also, an apparatus including a rectangular body having an open rear end and an opposite front end; a flange having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the flange is coupled to the front end of the body; and a pair of legs extending from second side of the flange, wherein the pair of legs are operable to engage opposite side edges of a slide. A method comprising: exposing a sample on a slide in a core module of a processor assembly; robotically transferring the slide from the core module of the processor assembly to a staining module of the processor assembly; applying a reagent to the exposed sample in the staining module by a thermal inkjet printing process; and after applying the reagent, robotically transferring the slide back to the core module.

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 an elevator with a chuck guide that contact the container holder as the chuck is lowered by the elevator to position the chuck with respect to the cap of the container held in the holder and to hold jaws of the container holder in a closed position. In embodiment, the chuck guide includes a yoke with opposed arms and spindles located near distal ends of the arms that engage beveled shoulders of the container holder.