A robotic sample handling system (100) may be provided for performing sample handling tasks in a laboratory environment. The system may comprise at least one robotic arm (140), (142) which is controllable to be positioned in a plane parallel to a work area and along a Z-axis perpendicular to the work area, and a controller (180) configured to control the robotic arm to position and operate the robotic arm as part of a sample handling task. The work area may comprise a module (204) for use with one or more of the samples, wherein the module comprises a mechanism which is actuatable by downward force, and wherein the controller is configured to control the robotic arm to actuate the mechanism by pushing downward in Z-direction. For example, the module may be a stand (204) for a sample container which comprise a push-push mechanism which may be operated by the robotic arm to bring the sample in the sample container in a vicinity of an effector, such as a magnet or a heat source.

An analysis device includes a guide-in section, a placement section, an illumination member, a pressing member, and a measurement member. The guide-in section is configured to guide a rectangular block shaped analysis kit containing a sample. The analysis kit is placed on the placement section in the guide-in section. The illumination member is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the analysis kit, contacts a bottom of the insertion hole, and illuminates light onto the sample. The pressing member is configured by a separate body to the illumination member and presses the analysis kit such that the analysis kit placed on the placement section is sandwiched between the pressing member and the placement section and retained at a predetermined position. The measurement section measures a component present in the sample using light illuminated from the illumination member onto the sample in the analysis kit placed on the placement section.

Micro-biological colony counters and more particularly, systems and methods for feeding, identifying, counting, classifying, segregating and collecting organic samples such as but not limited to micro-organisms. The system can classify colonies in different classes such as bacteria and fungus present in an organic sample and also gives a digital count on the number of colonies present in each of the classes separately. The system reduces the time in counting and classification of microbes in each class separately, eliminates manual errors and requires less manual intervention. The system is reliable and can perform the counting and classification of microbes in each class separately even in absence of well-trained technician. The system can count surface colonies in petri-dish and can count colonies in different size or diameter of petri-dish.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sample image photographing method and a corresponding sample image photographing apparatus. The method comprises: transporting a sample carrier to be tested to an imaging device; determining a focusing surface representation function of said current sample carrier according to a feature of a sample on said current sample carrier, the focusing surface representation function representing a relationship between horizontal position coordinates and a focusing parameter of each point to be photographed in a sample area of said current sample carrier: controlling a horizontal drive component of a driving device such that said current sample carrier moves continuously horizontally relative to the imaging device; and causing said current sample carrier to always satisfy the focusing surface representation function during the continuous horizontal motion, so that the imaging device continuously photographs an area of interest of said current sample carrier during the continuous horizontal motion.

Cell deposition and staining apparatuses and methods are disclosed herein. In particular, the deposition and staining apparatuses disclosed herein provide low-volume, automated bench top systems for depositing and staining cellular samples on a cytological slide. An example deposition and staining apparatus includes a housing having an access door; a substrate processing holder located within the housing configured to hold one or more substrates and/or one or more substrate cartridges, wherein the substrate processing holder is accessible when the access door is in an open configuration; at least one opening located at least partially above at least a portion of the substrate processing holder; a spray nozzle configured to dispense a gaseous substance into the substrate processing area; a user interface configured receive an input from a user, and in response to receiving the input, cause execution of a pre-programmed protocol; and a waste and/or reagent holder element.

The invention relates to a conveying device (IO) for positioning and providing laboratory vessels (12; 12a, 12b, 12c) for nutrient media, samples, microorganisms, cell cultures, or the like for analysis, sample preparation, and/or sample manipulation at an associated apparatus (64), comprising at least one first conveying unit (32) for conveying the laboratory vessels (12) between an initial region (30) and a provision region (60), where the laboratory vessel (12) is held for the analysis or preparation. According to the invention, a plurality of conveying units is present, which perform only a translational motion of the laboratory vessel (12) along an axis, wherein the first conveying unit (32) vertically conveys the laboratory vessel (12) from the initial region (30) to a predetermined height region (50) and vice versa, and a second conveying unit (56) is provided, which horizontally conveys the laboratory vessel (12) from the height region (50) to the provision region and vice versa.

A plate changer includes a plate storage that includes therein a plate setting base, and is provided with a transport window for retrieving, in one direction in a horizontal plane, a sample plate set on the plate setting base; and a transport mechanism that has at least a pair of holding portions holding both side surfaces of a sample plate, and holds and transports the sample plate by the holding portions. The plate storage has a plate guide that supports a side surface of the sample plate set on the plate setting base and guides the sample plate to a predetermined setting position. When the holding portion is inserted into the plate storage from the transport window, the plate guide is configured to move to a position not interfering with the action of the holding portion.

A slide rack inventory and reinsertion system for use with a digital slide scanning apparatus is provided that determines, prior to scanning of glass slides in a slide rack, a status of each slot in the slide rack as properly occupied, improperly occupied, or empty. The system also determines whether a slide that has been removed from the slide rack for processing has been properly reinserted into the slide rack.

An automated analyzer for reagent cards having a leading end, a trailing end and a length between the leading end and the trailing end comprises a travel surface assembly having a card travel surface and an edge. A test analyzing mechanism is adjacent to the travel surface, and a waste receptacle is adjacent to the edge below the travel surface. The waste receptacle has a side and a waste cavity. A ramp member positioned below the travel surface has an end and a sloped surface, and is movable between an extended position where the sloped surface extends into the waste cavity, and a retracted position where the end is spaced from the side a distance greater than the length of the reagent card. A moving mechanism operably coupled with the ramp member is configured to move the ramp member between the extended position and the retracted position.

A microscope slide staining system has a chamber, a plurality of slide support elements, a plurality of spreading devices positionable in association with microscope slides supported on the slide support elements so the spreading devices define a gap between the spreading device and the microscope slide and so the spreading device and the microscope slide are movable relative to one another to spread at least one reagent on the microscope slide independent of the other spreading devices and microscope slides.