Provided is an automatic analysis device in which even an operator can easily identify the type of processing and the type of individual and erroneous setting hardly occurs.

A vessel holder for holding a sample vessel, a reading unit for reading an identification area formed in the vessel holder, and a control unit for performing processing based on information read by the reading unit are included, in which the control unit identifies the type of processing based on the type of color applied to the identification area, and identifies the type of individual in the sample

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 system is provided for transporting, handling and monitoring samples in a temperature-controlled storage environment. The system includes a handheld carrier configured to transfer samples to and from a temperature-controlled storage station and a temperature-controlled container for receiving and housing one or more carriers. The carrier includes an integrated sample identification and temperature sensing capability configured to monitor a thermal history of one or more samples during transport, handling and storage including as the samples are conveyed between the temperature-controlled storage environment and the temperature-controlled container. That is, the carrier is adapted to be held in the hand during use. A carrier for conveying and monitoring samples during transport, handling and storage is also provided.

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 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.

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.

A biological sample test system and method includes a remote sample delivery system, configured to secure a container for a biological sample, the container including a sample identifier. A sample receiving station is configured to receive the container from the remote sample delivery system based on the sample identifier. The remote sample delivery system is configured to automatically navigate to the sample receiving station upon the container being secured to the remote sample delivery system. A sample test track, comprising a plurality of test stations and a container conveyance system configured to sequentially deliver the container to individual ones of the plurality of test stations based, at least in part, on sample identifier.

This automated analysis device is provided with a plurality of analysis units for analyzing a specimen, a buffer portion which holds a plurality of specimen racks on which are placed specimen containers holding the specimen, a sampler portion which conveys the specimen racks held in the buffer portion to the analysis units, and a control portion which, when performing a process to deliver the specimen racks to the plurality of analysis units, outputs synchronization signals to all the plurality of analysis units, wherein the analysis unit performs a delivery process starting from the synchronization signal, and the analysis unit performs a delivery process starting from the synchronization signal.

A container carrier for carrying a sample container along a track is presented. The container carrier comprises a holding portion for receiving and holding a sample container and a base portion. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag containing identifying information is provided with an antenna for wireless communication of the RFID tag with a reader device of the diagnostics system to read the identifying information. The RFID tag is on the holding portion. An arrangement for a diagnostics system is provided comprising container carriers and a track with a transport mechanism for moving the container carriers along a transportation lane. The transport mechanism defines a transport plane along which the container carriers move. A reader device reads the identifying information from the RFID tags. The reader device comprising a reader antenna above the transport plane to generate and emit a reader field for wireless communication with the RFID tag's antenna.

The device for the storage and traceability of biological specimens placed in holders is provided with identification information in the form of encoded data. The device includes at least one tray provided with a plurality of cells for the storage of the holders provided with storage housings for the holders, at least one apparatus for reading encoded data and determining data relative to the location of each holder within the receptacle, and a computerized processor for the data read and determined by the apparatus. The is a device for recognizing an empty housing within the receptacle defined by a detector for a physical characteristic of the bottom of the cell or an element secured to this bottom.