Various embodiments are described herein for an apparatus and method for indicating at least one property related to an object. Detection data and optionally input data are received for the at least one property related to the object and at least one light property that corresponds to the at least one property related the object based on the detection signal is determined using a processing unit. A light is then generated and projected to illuminate and/or surround at least a portion of the object, the light being based on the at least one light property to indicate the at least one property related to the object.

Certain configurations described herein are directed to autosamplers. In some instances, the autosampler may include a support comprising a body configured to receive two or more articles at separate sites of the body. The autosampler may also include a first motor coupled to the support and configured to rotate the support in an x-y plane, and a second motor configured to move the support in a z-direction to load one of the at least two articles at the separate sites in the body of the support. An encoder may also be used with the autosampler if desired.

A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively.

An apparatus for cup loading and unloading and a thromboelastography machine are provided. The apparatus for cup loading and unloading includes a base, a shaft, a movable cover, and a cup holder. The shaft is rotatably connected to the base about an axis of the shaft and has an end configured to engage with an inner cup. The movable cover is disposed around the shaft and slidably connected to the base along the axis of the shaft. The movable cover is provided with an elastic member therein. The cup holder is slidably connected to the base along the axis of the shaft and disposed below the base and the shaft. The cup holder has a cavity configured to engage with an outer cup, and the cavity has an open directed upward.

A device for agitating and collecting biological liquid samples comprises an agitator of racks of tubes, a sampling apparatus capable of collecting a biological liquid sample in a tube, and a changer capable of gripping a tube on a rack received in the agitator and moving it to the sampling apparatus. The agitator is capable of agitating at least three racks simultaneously, and the device also comprises a scheduler capable of determining destination data for a tube and destination data for the rack which receives this tube, and of determining for each tube a final location based on the destination data of the tube and the destination data of the racks received in the device, which final location designates a rack, received on the agitator and a position on this rack and can be different from the location of the tube when the rack that received it has been introduced into the device, and arranged to control the changer in order to grip a tube, present it to the sampling apparatus and replace it after sampling at the final location.

An automatic analysis device has a structure that allows the operator to add or replace a reagent. A reagent container loading portion has an opening through which a reagent container is adapted to be introduced into the device. A reagent container transport tool has a plurality of reagent container insertion slots and is movable up and down. A refrigerator to cool a plurality of reagent containers has an opening that allows the reagent container transport tool to pass therethrough. An elevating and lowering mechanism is configured to elevate or lower the reagent container transport tool. A reagent container loading portion has a plurality of guide grooves arranged radially on its lower surface in front of the opening that are adapted to guide a reagent container. The guide grooves communicate with the respective reagent container insertion slots arranged radially on the reagent container transport tool at an elevated position.

Various embodiments include a sample storage system having: a transport module; a storage module coupled with the transport module on at least one side of the transport module, the storage module for storing a plurality of specimen tubes or microtiter plates; a tube selector module coupled to an end of the transport module for selecting at least one of the plurality of specimen tubes or microtiter plates; and an input/output (I/O) module coupled with the transport module on a side of the transport module, wherein the transport module is configured to modularly couple with at least one additional storage module for storing a plurality of specimen tubes or microtiter plates.

A specimen inspection automation system includes holder orientation adjustment mechanisms that adjust the orientations of specimen container holders that each holds one specimen container. The holder orientation adjustment mechanisms each includes: a stopper mechanism that is disposed above a conveyance line that conveys a specimen container holder and restricts the downstream movement of the specimen container holder by abutting, at the same height as a notched part provided on one side of a base of the specimen container holder, an outer circumferential part other than the notched part in the circumferential direction of the base; and a holder rotation mechanism that restricts the movement of the specimen container holder away from the stopper mechanism and rotates the specimen container holder in the circumferential direction. As a result, it is possible to appropriately adjust the orientation of a specimen container in which a specimen is accommodated and reduce work complexity.

A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively.

The automatic analysis system comprise a storage device configured to store a plurality of reaction cuvettes intended to contain biological liquids samples to analyze; at least one samples processing station, comprising at least one receiving cavity which is downwardly open and configured to receive and house at least partially one reaction cuvette; and a displacement device configured to displace a reaction cuvette, the displacement device being further configured to unload a reaction cuvette out of the storage device and to load and unload a reaction cuvette into and out of the at least one receiving cavity of the at least one samples processing station via the respective introduction opening.