Disclosed are methods and systems for confirming the identification of samples processed by a high-throughput analytical technique. The method may include the steps of distributing a plurality of individual samples to individual predetermined positions of a multi-sample test unit and distributing an identifier material to at least one predetermined position of the multi-sample test unit. The method may also include determining the absence or presence of an analyte in the plurality of individual samples, and determining the absence or presence of the identifier material, wherein the presence of the identifier material at the predetermined position of the multi-sample test unit is used to confirm the identity of the plurality of individual samples positioned in the multi-sample test unit. Also disclosed are systems for performing the disclosed methods or any of the steps of the disclosed methods. The methods and systems may be applied to high-throughput LC-MS/MS or other analytical methods.

A smear system includes smear preparing apparatus that prepares a smear slide and a smear transporting apparatus that transports the smear slide to a smear-image capture apparatus. The smear preparing apparatus includes: a smear preparation part that smears a sample on a slide; and a smear arrangement part that places smear slides in a smear container. The smear transporting apparatus includes: a smear-container transport part that transports the smear container with the smear slides; an identification-information acquisition part that acquires identification information on whether image capturing by the smear-image capture apparatus is necessary, from each of the smear slides accommodated in the smear container positioned on a transport path of the smear-container transport part; and a smear transfer part that transfers the smear slide whose image is to be captured to the smear-image capture apparatus on the basis of the identification information acquired by the identification-information acquisition part.

Provided is an automatic analysis device that shortens the confirmation time for calibration or precision management. This automatic analysis system includes an analysis device configured to perform an analysis for deriving a property of a specimen on the basis of the relative relationship between a measured value of a standard specimen for which the property is known and a measured value of the specimen, and a display device that displays information about calibration or precision management carried out on the analysis device using the standard specimen, the system being characterized in that the display device displays: a request list including request information about request for the calibration and/or the precision management; and/or a preparation list that displays, in an empty manner, a field of the standard specimen that corresponds to an in-rack position number where the standard sample is not to be placed, as preparation information about preparation of the standard specimen to be used, in accordance with the request, in the calibration and/or the precision management.

When a user creates a template to be used for the creation of an analysis report, a check result record area can be set at an appropriate location in a basic template. The content of the information and other elements to be placed in the check result record area can also be set. With this function, the check result record area can be set for each report item to be checked, with the following elements arranged in the area: a dropdown list for selecting the check result which indicates acceptance/rejection of the content; a character string in which the date and time of checking and the checker's name are automatically inserted; and a text box for describing the reason for rejection (if rejected). In the checking process, the checker inputs those items of information, whereby the result of the check of the content is electronically recorded for each report item.

Provided is a sample processing apparatus management system, sample processing apparatuses and a management apparatus, and a management method that can accurately and easily adjust the respective sample processing apparatuses irrespective of their individual differences. When abnormality has occurred in a sample analyzer, the sample analyzer requests approval for self-adjustment from a management server. The management server determines whether to permit performance of the self-adjustment, and when having determined to permit the self-adjustment, notifies the sample analyzer of the approval for the self-adjustment. When the approval for the self-adjustment has been notified of, the sample analyzer performs the self-adjustment.

A viewer device for observing and recording images of materials, such as chemical and biological materials is described. The viewer device includes a housing that provides a chamber for receiving a sample or a sample container that contains a sample of a material (e.g., chemical or biological material). The housing includes a viewing window for observing the sample, a port through which the sample or the sample container can be introduced to or removed from the chamber, and a coupling mechanism configured to removably and replaceably couple the housing to an observational device, such as a camera equipped device.

A control section causes one dispensing mechanism of either a reagent dispensing mechanism or a sample dispensing mechanism to first discharge a predetermined amount of a liquid into the reaction container, and then, with respect to the cases where the amount of a liquid to be discharged by the other dispensing mechanism is larger or smaller than the amount of the liquid in the reaction container, causes the other dispensing mechanism to discharge the liquid such that the discharge speed in the case where the amount of the liquid to be discharged is larger is decreased relative to the discharge speed in the case where the amount of the liquid to be discharged is smaller.

The invention provides systems, compositions, kits and methods for automated processing of biological samples and analysis using a flow cytometer.

Methods for preparing a biological sample for testing by Maldi where such methods are selected based on sample parameters. Maldi scores are obtained for a range of sample parameters (e.g. McFarland, dispense volume and number of dispenses). From the data, sample preparation parameters can be selected for a biological sample being prepared for Maldi testing. One sample preparation strategy uses multiple dispenses of sample with an intervening drying step, which yields more accurate Maldi scores, particularly for samples at the low range of McFarland values (e.g. below about 2).

One variation of a method includes, during a test period: triggering release of a tracer test load into air in an environment, according to a set of release parameters, by a dispenser arranged within the environment, the first tracer test load comprising a first concentration of tracers of a first type in solution; and triggering an air sampler, located in the environment, to record a timeseries of aerosol data representing amounts of aerosol particles detected at the air sampler during the test period. The method further includes: deriving a tracer signal, representing changes in amounts of tracers in air detected at the air sampler during the test period, based on the timeseries of aerosol data and the set of release parameters; based on characteristics of the tracer signal, characterizing a set of aerosol flow metrics representing behavior of aerosols in the environment during the test period.