A system for monitoring tissue samples to be processed by a tissue processor for a histopathology workflow, the system including: a scanner associated with the tissue processor arranged to scan an electronic sample identifier of at least one tissue sample to be processed by the tissue processor; an input module arranged to receive tissue processor workflow data indicative of a tissue processor workflow for the at least one tissue sample to be processed by selected ones of a plurality of processing stations in the tissue processor used for processing the at least one tissue sample; a monitoring module arranged to monitor properties of the at least one tissue sample processed at each of the selected ones of the processing stations and to record the properties of the at least one tissue sample in association with the electronic sample identifier in a sample record for the tissue processor workflow; and an output module arranged to output the sample record to one or more laboratory instruments for further processing the at least one tissue sample in a histopathology workflow. A tissue processor for processing tissue samples for a histopathology workflow is also provided. A method of monitoring tissue samples to be processed by a tissue processor for a histopathology workflow is also provided.

A method of reading machine-readable marks on a movable support and object of a sample instrument. The method includes capturing a first image of the moveable support as the moveable support moves from a first position to a second position using an image capture device; determining whether a first fiducial machine-readable mark on the moveable support is in the first image; determining, when the first fiducial machine-readable mark is in the first image, whether a first machine-readable mark on a first object coupled to the moveable support is in the first image at a predetermined position relative to the first fiducial machine-readable mark; and associating information decoded from the first machine-readable mark on the first object with a first location on the moveable support associated with the first fiducial machine-readable mark.

The present invention is provided with a sample rack insertion unit 12 that is capable of holding one or more sample racks 5 having mounted therein one or more sample containers 6 accommodating a sample to be analyzed, one or more analysis devices 2, 3 for analyzing the sample accommodated in the sample containers 6, a sample rack conveyance unit 14 for conveying the sample racks 5 from the sample rack insertion unit 12 to the analysis devices 2, 3, and a control device 4 for acquiring, for each analysis device 2, 3, load information that is information expressing an operating condition of the analysis device 2, 3, and, if there is an analysis device 2, 3 for which the load information is larger than a predetermined conveyance permission value, carrying out control so as to stop the conveyance of the sample racks 5 from the sample rack insertion unit 12 to the analysis device(s) 2, 3. As a result of this configuration, it is possible to mitigate in-device sample conveyance congestion occurring as a result of the insertion of many samples and keep the sample environment and analysis processing power at high levels.

A receptacle delivery system includes a carriage configured to move from a first to a second location of an instrument. The carriage may be configured to removably support a receptacle and may include a receptacle clamping mechanism. The receptacle mechanism may be configured to apply a clamping force to the receptacle as the carriage moves from the first to the second location and release the clamping force as the carriage moves from the second to the first location.

A blood analyzer according to one or more embodiments may include: a specimen preparation part that prepares a measurement specimen by mixing a reagent into a blood preparation; a measurement part that measures the measurement specimen; a measurement mode selection unit that receives an input of a type of blood preparation as a measurement target selected from a plurality of types of blood preparations; and a controller. The controller may cause the specimen preparation part to prepare the measurement specimen depending on the selected type of blood preparation.

Provided herein, in some embodiments, are compositions and methods for producing a molecular expression map of a biological sample using Deterministic Barcoding in Tissue for spatial omics sequencing (DBiT-seq).

The 2D barcode at the base of a sample tube is protected from frosting by an air pocket within a wall of high thermal conductivity material that surrounds the barcode. The wall is of thermal conductivity greater than 14W/m K and preferably greater than 200W/m K. The wall may be formed as a skirt extending from the base of the sample tube or as a part of a supporting rack. The wall, cooled by the sample tube and the frozen sample within the tube, collects frost that would otherwise collect on the 2D barcode and deflects the flow of moist air that would otherwise flow against the barcode.

The present disclosure also relates to systems and methods for quality control in histology systems. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes receiving a tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, imaging the tissue block to create a first imaging data of the tissue sample in a tissue section on the tissue block, removing the tissue section from the tissue block, the tissue section comprising a part of the tissue sample, imaging the tissue section to create a second imaging data of the tissue sample in the tissue section, and comparing the first imaging data to the second imaging data to confirm correspondence in the tissue sample in the first imaging data and the second imaging data based on one or more quality control parameters.

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.

An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.