A method for controlling the mixing of a plurality of samples subject to a chemical process, the method comprising computer executed steps, the steps comprising: for each one of the samples, receiving respective data on a result obtained for the sample using the chemical process, and for each one of at least two of the samples, further receiving respective data on classification of the sample into one of at least two classes, for each one of the samples, calculating a respective rank based on the result obtained for the sample using the chemical process, finding among the samples, at least one pair of samples classified into different ones of the classes, such that for each respective one of the found pairs, none of the samples having a calculated rank in between the ranks calculated for the two samples of the found pair are classified into one of the classes.

Disclosed is a specimen measurement method for measuring platelet aggregation of a specimen, and the specimen measurement method includes: automatically preparing a diluted reagent solution that contains a platelet-aggregating reagent diluted with a diluent; preparing a measurement sample that contains a predetermined concentration of the platelet-aggregating reagent, from the diluted reagent solution and the specimen; and performing optical measurement of the measurement sample.

A sample preparation cartridge for use with a sample preparation device, the cartridge includes a housing defining plural separate segments, at least one of said segments comprising a fixed section of a pipette component; and a moveable head comprising a pipette tip, the head being configured, in use, to be moved between a position in which the pipette tip is in sealed engagement with the fixed section of pipette component and a position in which pipette tip is positioned adjacent to another of said plural segments. With the present invention a disposable sample preparation cartridge and corresponding analytical reader can be provided in a very cost effective and simple manner whilst still ensuring high quality sample preparation for analysis.

Flash Photo-Oxidation Device and Higher Order Structural Analysis is employed for higher order structural analysis of biomolecules. Biomolecular higher order structure (HOS) results from the confounded superimposition of a biomolecule's secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure and defines the manner in which a biomolecule presents itself and interacts with other biomolecules in living systems. A rapidly growing class of therapeutic drugs, known as biotherapeutics, comprises a variety of proteins, whose therapeutic properties are inherently linked and dependent upon their HOS. As such, HOS analysis of biotherapeutics is an important analytical requirement in the biopharmaceutical industry. The present invention provides new means and methods for the determination of biopharmaceutical HOS and associated conformation using improved devices and methodologies for flash photo-oxidation of proteins to determine their higher order biomolecular structure, and such is responsive to the increased demand for new and improved HOS analytical means in the biopharmaceutical industry.

A method for controlling the mixing of a plurality of samples subject to a chemical process, the method comprising computer executed steps, the steps comprising: for each one of the samples, receiving respective data on a result obtained for the sample using the chemical process, and for each one of at least two of the samples, further receiving respective data on classification of the sample into one of at least two classes, for each one of the samples, calculating a respective rank based on the result obtained for the sample using the chemical process, finding among the samples, at least one pair of samples classified into different ones of the classes, such that for each respective one of the found pairs, none of the samples having a calculated rank in between the ranks calculated for the two samples of the found pair are classified into one of the classes.

A grease testing device for testing oil separation from a grease sample includes a container defining a grease compartment for holding the grease sample. A grease shearer is at least partially positioned in the grease compartment and moves in the grease compartment to shear the grease sample in the grease compartment. A motor is operatively connected to the grease shearer to move the grease shearer in the grease compartment to shear the grease sample. A drain is arranged with respect to the grease compartment to receive oil separated from the grease sample from the grease compartment.

Method and apparatus to agitate a liquid are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a carrier having a base that includes a ridge extending from the base and a collar extending from the base. The example apparatus also includes a container supported on the base, the container movable between (A) a locked positon in which the ridge fixedly engages the container to non-rotatably couple the container to the base and (B) an unlocked position in which the container is disengaged from the ridge and the container is rotatable about the collar.

The automatic analyzer includes: a sample dispensing unit that dispenses a sample into a reaction vessel; a reagent dispensing unit that dispenses a reagent into the reaction vessel; a control unit that controls the sample dispensing unit and the reagent dispensing unit; and a measurement unit that measures a mixed solution of the sample and the reagent mixed in the reaction vessel. The reagent includes three types of reagents of: a first reagent that specifically binds to an antigen in the sample; a second reagent that specifically binds to a site different from that to which the first reagent binds with respect to the antigen and has a label to be detected by the measurement unit; and a third reagent that specifically binds to a site different from the binding site of the first reagent and the antigen and contains insoluble carriers.

Disclosed herein are devices comprising: a sample conduit providing a path for fluid flow extending from a sample inlet to a sample outlet; a thermal housing enclosing the sample conduit, wherein the thermal housing comprises a plurality of measurement regions; and a motorized stage translatable along the thermal housing from a first location to a second location so as to align a detector with one or more of the plurality of measurement regions. Also disclosed are methods of use of the devices described herein.