An automatic analyzer which realizes stable reagent heating and high dispensing accuracy includes a thermostat bath for controlling a reagent or a reaction solution in reaction cells arranged on a circumference of a reaction disk to have a constant temperature; a first reagent dispensing mechanism dispenses a reagent into the reaction cells; a photometer detects transmitted light or scattered light in the reaction cell; and a disposable reaction container for allowing the sample and the reagent to mix and react with each other. The analyzer also includes a second reagent dispensing mechanism with a reagent heating function which dispenses the reagent into the disposable reaction container; a coagulation time detection section; a reaction container temperature control block; a reagent dispensing syringe which is connected to the second reagent dispensing mechanism; and a fluid temperature control mechanism which controls the temperature of an internal fluid of the reagent dispensing syringe.

The invention relates to a pipetting device for automatic analysis instruments and a method for heating a volume of liquid in a heated pipetting needle.

This disclosure provides a biological sample processing system and methods for processing biological samples. The processing may include one or both of removing wax from wax-embedded biological samples and applying a reagent to biological samples. Aspects of the dewaxing technique and the technique for applying the reagent may be combined to achieve energy efficiencies. Additional efficiency may be achieved by recirculating heated reagent. A hybrid power system may use a source of stored power to supplement external power at times of peak demand. Uniform distribution of liquids across a surface of the biological samples may be achieved by self-leveling using an inclinometer.

Point-of-care biomarker assay apparatus arranged for measuring a presence or concentration of a biomarker in a sample, said biomarker assay apparatus comprising cartridge receiving means arranged for receiving at least one cartridge having multiple chambers designed for receiving a plurality of liquid media comprising said sample, labelled binding reagent, magnetic beads reagent and wash buffer, a sample distribution unit arranged for processing pipetting steps with said chambers, thereby providing a liquid reactant mixture in one or more of said chambers, a magnetic coil assembly arranged for applying a magnetic field to said liquid reactant mixture for separating biomarkers bound to said magnetic beads and said labelled binding reagent, from said reactant mixture, a photo detector or assembly arranged for measuring said presence or concentration of said labelled binding reagent, a control unit arranged for controlling said processing pipetting steps with said chambers, and for controlling said sample distribution unit along said chambers according to a test protocol, wherein said test protocol comprises an order of subsequent processing steps performed in said plurality of chambers to be processed by said sample distribution unit, said processing steps comprising one or more processing pipetting steps by the sample distribution unit and one or more processing incubation steps of the reaction mixture within any of the chambers wherein the control unit being programmed for performing multiple, distinct test protocols.

The fluid temperature within piping of a sample dispensing system is stabilized in order to maintain stable dispensing performance with high precision in an automatic analyzer. A controller executes a first operation sequence to operate the sample dispensing system in a standby state continued until the sample is transported to the sample dispensing position, and executes a second operation sequence to operate the sample dispensing system in an analysis state in which the sample located in the sample dispensing position is dispensed. A time period during interior cleaning performed on the sample probe in a single cycle of the first operation sequence is set to be shorter than a time period during interior cleaning performed on the sample probe in a single cycle of the second operation sequence. Alternatively, the first operation sequence is configured to perform interior cleaning at a rate of once every multiple of cycles.

To clean a reagent probe 7a, 8a or a sample probe 11a, 12a with a heated cleaning solution, after a first cleaning solution is caused to overflow from a first cleaning container 23 or a second cleaning container 24, the first cleaning solution is temporarily drawn back into the cleaning-solution heating passage 125 to be heated by the heating mechanism 123. After the heating, the first cleaning solution thus heated is re-supplied to the first cleaning container 23 or the second cleaning container 24. As a result, the cleaning solution heated to clean a dispensing probe can be supplied to a cleaning bath with efficiency.

To enable efficient substance measurement, this invention is characterized in that the invention comprises a first hollow fiber (131) for allowing a first processing liquid to flow from a first introduction port (121a) to a first exit port (121b) and allowing the membrane permeation of gas in the processing liquid, a second hollow fiber (132) for allowing a second processing liquid to flow from a second introduction port (122a) to a second exit port (122b) and allowing the membrane permeation of gas in the processing liquid, a container (110) for accommodating the first hollow fiber (131) and second hollow fiber (132) therein, and a vacuum pump (201) connected to the space (S) inside the container (110), and inside the container (110), the hollow fibers (130) consisting of the first hollow fiber (131) and second hollow fiber (132) are in contact with each other across a prescribed length.

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.

This application relates to a sample analyzing apparatus. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a base, a connector arranged at an end of the base, and a temperature controlling member mounted on the base and configured to adjust a temperature of the connector. The apparatus may also include a controller configured to adjust heat generation of the temperature controlling member to adjust a bonding force of a pipette tip attached to a surface of the connector.

In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising analyte testing on one or more types of samples.