A sample carrier handling devices for manipulating a sample carrier is presented. The sample carrier carries a sample container containing a sample which is used in a diagnostics laboratory. The sample carrier handling device has a housing which is at least partially closed, defining a circumferential surface. A pull-push-element of the sample carrier handling device pulls, pushes, or pulls and pushes the sample carrier with an end-portion of the pull-push-element. The pull-push-element defines a central axis. The pull-push-element is arranged in the housing so that during a movement of the pull-push-element the central axis of the pull-push-element changes its direction while the end portion of the pull-push-element remains in an axis of motion.

An analysis system and a method for testing a biological sample is provided, wherein the sensitivity of the evaluation electronics of a fluid sensor is specified and/or changed depending on a phase of the test sequence and/or a cartridge identifier of the cartridge, and/or in that the fluid sensor comprises a sensor electrode that is intended for measuring electrical capacitance and is operated in a manner in which it is electrically connected to the evaluation electronics by a single pole and/or by means of a shielded sensor line.

An incubation system for use in an in vitro diagnostic analyzer utilizes a fixed base and a rotatable ring that holds reaction cuvettes. Thermal regulation is provided by directly mounting a heating element to the rotatable ring and controlling the temperature using a temperature controller and thermal sensor for detecting the temperature of the ring, either of which may be mounted to the ring.

Included are: a main body including an installation part in which a cartridge housing a liquid for treating a test substance contained in a specimen is installed and a detector configured to detect the test substance treated with the liquid within the cartridge installed in the installation part; a lid part arranged rotatably on the main body about a shaft so as to open and close the installation part; a biasing part biasing the lid part in an opening direction; and a plurality of regulators each generating resistance against a biasing force in the opening direction at different timing during an opening motion of the lid part.

A cassette (130) configured to enable measurement of at least one biomarker value of a milk sample of an animal (100). The cassette (130) includes a tape distributing spool (131); a tape (170) with a plurality of dry sticks (180a, 180b, 180c), configured to indicate the biomarker value of the milk sample, and a top film (310) arranged to protect the dry sticks (180a, 180b, 180c) while rolled up on the tape distributing spool (131); a tape collecting spool (132), configured to collect used dry sticks (180a, 180b, 180c); and a top film reel (330), arranged to peel off and collect the top film (310) of the tape (170).

A biological analysis system comprises at least two biological analysis devices connected to one another by a conveyor defining a closed circuit, each biological analysis device comprising at least one inlet and one outlet for racks of tubes, and at least one exchange region for exchanging racks of tubes with the conveyor, which exchange region is distinct from the inlet and from the outlet. The inlet of at least two biological analysis devices each form an inlet of the biological analysis system for racks of tubes, and the outlet of at least two biological analysis devices each form an outlet of the biological analysis system for racks of tubes. The biological analysis system further comprises a controller designed to command the transfer of a rack of tubes received in the biological analysis system via the conveyor to another biological analysis device according to the operations to be performed on the tubes in that rack and/or according to a respective workload status of the biological analysis devices.

A test tube rack of an analyzer pipeline includes multiple test tube holders for holding test tubes. The test tube rack of an analyzer pipeline comprises a light blocker configured at a side wall of the test tube rack and across multiple test tube holders. A second feature area is on the light blocker between two adjacent test tube holders, a first feature area is between two adjacent second feature areas and a step gap with a predetermined depth is between the first feature area and a second feature area.

Apparatus for robotic arm alignment in an automated sample analysis system includes a robotic arm, a sample tube carrier, a plurality of optical components (including, e.g., one or more cameras), and a controller. The controller is operative to process images received from the optical components to determine a first set of coordinates of a first marker relative to the sample tube carrier and determine a second set of coordinates of a second marker relative to the robotic arm. The controller is further operative to adjust the position of the robotic arm and/or the sample tube carrier in response to an excessive offset between the first and second sets of coordinates. In some embodiments, a positioning tool includes the first and second markers thereon. Methods of robotic arm alignment with a sample tube carrier in an automated sample analysis system are also provided, as are other aspects.

Systems and methods are provided for processing a biological sample. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a sample vessel containing the sample; retrieving information from an information storage unit associated with the sample; using said information for selecting at least one cartridge from at least two or more different cartridges, each configured for use with a sample processing device; loading at least one or more reagents onto the cartridge, wherein the one or more reagents to be added are selected based at least in part on the information or instructions derived from the information; and placing the sample vessel in the cartridge.

The present invention is provided with: an automatic analysis device 200 for performing an analysis process to analyze a specimen that is to be analyzed; a specimen pre-processing module 100 for performing pre-processing to cause the specimen to enter a state in which the analysis process can be performed; a main conveyance line 161 for conveying a specimen container carrier 10 which accommodates the specimen that is to be analyzed and in which at least one specimen container can be mounted; and annular conveyance lines 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 411 that are disposed adjacent to the main conveyance line 161 and that are moreover disposed so as to be capable of transferring the specimen container carrier 10 to and from the main conveyance line 161, the annular conveyance lines 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 411 being capable of circulating and conveying the specimen container carrier 10 separately without the use of another conveyance line (e.g., a return line 162). This makes it possible to maintain flexibility in conveyance of specimens while suppressing increases in device surface area.