The invention provides a full-automatic erythrocyte sedimentation rate analyzer, which comprises a base as well as a blending device and a detecting device mounted on the base, wherein the blending device comprises a sample rack, a sample rack bracket and a rotating device; the sample rack bracket is arranged on the base, and is connected to the sample rack through a rotating shaft; more than one test tube rack is arranged on the sample rack; the rotating device is connected to the rotating shaft, and drives the rotating shaft to rotationally drive the sample rack to turn over up and down; a plurality of holes are arranged in each test tube rack; a fixing device is arranged in the hole, and used for placing and fixing a closed container containing samples; the detecting device comprises a guide device, a driving device, infrared transmitting and receiving devices having the same quantity as that of the test tube racks, and a mounting rack; the driving device drives the mounting rack to move up and down along the guide device; the mounting rack drives the infrared transmitting and receiving devices to move; the closed containers containing the samples are located on moving paths of the infrared transmitting and receiving devices; and infrared rays penetrate through the closed containers to realize detecting.

To minimize cross talk in systems and methods for detecting two or more different optical signals emitted from each of a plurality of reaction receptacles, an excitation signal associated with each of the optical signals has a known excitation frequency, and any detected signal having a frequency that is inconsistent with the excitation frequency is discarded. The receptacles are moved relative to optical sensors configured to detect each unique optical signal from an associated receptacle, and to further minimize cross talk, the optical sensors are arranged so that only one reaction receptacle at a time is in a signal detecting position with respect to one of its associated optical sensors, and the optical sensors are grouped by the optical signal they are configured to detect so that a first optical signal is detected from each of the reaction receptacles before a second optical signal is detected from the reaction receptacles.

The present disclosure provides improved methods for bead beating and a bead beating system useful therefor. The bead beating system comprises a sample tube, beads, and a dry blocking agent, and methods for using the bead beating system to extract nucleic acids from cells containing the nucleic acids.

A sample processing apparatus comprises a transporting section configured to transport a sample rack that is capable of holding a sample container at a plurality of holding positions, a detecting section that is configured to detect presence or absence of a rack distinction member at a holding position of the sample rack, an aspirating section that is configured to aspirate a sample in the sample container, and a control section that is configured to control an aspirating operation of the aspirating section. The control section changes an aspirating operation with respect to the sample container held in the sample rack based on the presence/absence of the rack distinction member at the holding position of the sample rack.

Aspects of the present disclosure include sample analysis methods and systems. According to certain embodiments, provided are methods of analyzing samples in an automated sample analysis system. The methods include introducing samples and sample preparation cartridges into the system, isolating and purifying an analyte (e.g., nucleic acids and/or proteins) present in the samples at a sample preparation station, and performing analyte detection assays in assay mixtures that include the purified analyte. Also provided are automated sample analysis systems that find use, e.g., in performing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the methods and systems provide for continuous operator access during replenishment or removal of one or any combination of samples, bulk fluids, reagents, commodities, waste, and/or the like.

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 present invention lies in the field of automated analyzers and relates to a method for mixing liquids in liquid containers. The arrangement for automated mixing comprises a shaking device and a gripper which is connected by way of a flexible connecting element to a transfer arm and which serves for receiving a liquid container. The coupling of gripper and shaking device is realized by way of an eccentrically movable coupling pin and a coupling hole provided for this purpose.

The present invention provides a device and a method for automated liquid exchange in a horizontally rotating container that may be applied in automated sample treatment by using chemical solutions, in sequential order. Such applications include biomolecule staining on solid support or fixed samples such as western blot or tissue slice processing. Such sequential chemical reactions are usually performed on flat surfaces. Alternatively, these reactions can be completed with much less volume of reagents in horizontally rotating containers. Yet, it is difficult to automate these processes in rotating containers since the required tubing would twist due to the continuous rotation of the container. The present invention solves the problem of twisting of tubing by leading them through a stationary tubing carrier that passes through the rotating container. Hence, the rotation of the tubing, and therefore twisting, is avoided, thus enabling automated liquid exchange of various chemical solutions in rotating containers.

A flow-based biological testing platform comprises a stationary base; a reciprocating base mounted on the stationary base, configured for reciprocating motion on the base; and at least one flexible tubular test loop coupled to both the stationary and the reciprocating base, wherein each test loop is configured to be selectively filled with a biologic fluid, and wherein each test loop includes at least one check valve mounted within the test loop allowing flow in a single flow direction within the test loop, and a fluid loading and removal system attached to the stationary base allowing fluid to be supplied to and withdrawn from the flexible tubular test loop; wherein reciprocation of the reciprocating base induces fluid flow in a single direction within each flexible test loop.

The present technology provides a technology that liquid in round-bottom vessels is efficiently agitated. There is provided a vessel rack at least including a holder having a plurality of through-holes into which round-bottom vessels each having a closed-bottom tube shape are inserted, and a support having a plurality of supporting holes that are arranged facing to the through-holes and support bottoms of the round-bottom vessels, the bottoms of the supporting holes each having a bulge such that liquid in the round-bottom vessels forms a vortex at a time of agitation of the liquid. Also, there is provided an agitator of agitating liquid in round-bottom vessels at least including the vessel rack, a mounting unit that mounts the vessel rack, and a rocking unit that rocks the mounting unit, and the like.