A method for adaptive signal processing of each trace originating from the photosensor. The method comprises an automatic detection of the voltage level of the target signal and the background noise. Based on the determined voltages advantageous decision limits are calculated. Such decision limits can be used to detect, for example, the temporal length of the signal. Due to a dynamic calculation of the decision limits, these limits are optimal for each measured voltage curve. The system is also able to detect a measurement with only noise and mark it as incomplete.

A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and an elevator with a chuck guide that contact the container holder as the chuck is lowered by the elevator to position the chuck with respect to the cap of the container held in the holder and to hold jaws of the container holder in a closed position. In embodiment, the chuck guide includes a yoke with opposed arms and spindles located near distal ends of the arms that engage beveled shoulders of the container holder.

A cleaning device, and method of using the same, for cleaning a probe. The device includes a body defining an inner chamber. An air intake is connected to at least one air channel through the body, the at least one air channel configured to allow air from the air intake to flow into the inner chamber and towards the inner chamber. A liquid intake is connected to at least one liquid channel through the body, the at least one liquid channel configured to allow liquid from the liquid intake to flow into the inner chamber.

Disclosed are a water quality analyzer and a method for analyzing water quality. The water quality analyzer includes a first disc system, a second disc system, a colorimetric system, a cleaning system, a mechanical sampling system, an analysis system and a central control display. The first disc system and the second disc system are axially rotatable. A plurality of sample locating positions and a chemical locating positions are provided on the first disc system along a circumference of the first disc system. A plurality of colorimetric cuvette locating positions are provided on the second disc system, and the colorimetric system is arranged at a circumference edge of the second disc system. The cleaning system and the mechanical sampling system are provided between the first disc system and the second disc system. The method includes water sampling, water sample injection, cleaning, reagent extraction, reagent injection, cleaning and colorimetric analysis.

To provide an automated analyzer capable of shortening analysis time. The automated analyzer includes a vessel which contains a mixed solution of a specimen and a reagent; and a control unit which controls a first operation performed on the vessel, a second operation performed on the vessel after the first operation, and a third operation performed on a predetermined mechanism of the automated analyzer before the second operation, in which the control unit performs the first operation and the third operation in parallel. Alternatively, the automated analyzer includes a control unit which controls a first operation performed on the vessel, a second operation performed on the vessel after the first operation, and a third operation performed on a predetermined mechanism of the automated analyzer after the first operation, in which the control unit performs the second operation and the third operation in parallel.

A dispensing assembly and related methods to facilitate dispensing of a fluid sample from a sample cylinder may include a sensor connected to one or more of conduits of the dispensing assembly and configured to provide indication of a leak in the conduits. A cap assembly may include a cap body and one or more cap conduits positioned to engage with a flush fluid source and provide fluid flow between the flush fluid source and a flush conduit. The cap assembly further may include a first quick connect coupler for connection and disconnection to a second quick connect coupler connected to a flush conduit. A pressure control device may be provided to prevent damage resulting from pressure to containers containing flush fluid. Inlet and outlet conduits connecting to the sample cylinder may configured to be flexible and align with corresponding connectors on the sample cylinder.

Provided are handling systems and methods for sample processing. The systems can include a sample container and a probe. A system can be convertible between a loading state in which a user loads sample into the sample container, a sampling state in which relative motion between the sample container and the probe places the probe and sample container into fluid communication with one another so that the probe can aspirate sample from the sample container, and a washing state in which rinse fluid is expressed through the probe so as to remove unwanted material from within the probe, with the rinse fluid being collected by a wash manifold.

An automatic analyzer dispenses each specimen and reagent in a reaction vessel so as to make the specimen and the reagent react with each other and measures a liquid obtained by the reaction. The automatic analyzer includes a plurality of dispensing mechanisms; a controller which controls the plurality of dispensing mechanisms; a normal cleaning tank dedicated to each of the dispensing mechanisms, which is provided at a position where only one of the plurality of dispensing mechanisms accesses, and performs normal cleaning with respect to the dispensing mechanism that has accessed; and a special cleaning tank shared by each of the dispensing mechanisms, which is provided at a position where all of the plurality of dispensing mechanisms access, and performs cleaning different from the normal cleaning with respect to the dispensing mechanism that has accessed.

Provided is a sample pretreatment device configured to apply, to the surface of a sample, a solution in which a predetermined substance is dissolved or dispersed. In order to properly and efficiently unclog a nozzle due to the deposition of the crystal of a matrix substance, the device includes a spray unit (3) including a solution tube (32) for the solution to pass through, a gas tube (33) for a spray gas to pass through, and a nozzle part (30) configured to spray the solution arriving at the terminal end of the solution tube by ejection of the spray gas through the gas tube, as well as a cleaning liquid supplier (4, 41) configured to put a cleaning liquid on an opening of the nozzle part from outside the spray unit.

When the type is to be changed from serum (preceding sample) to urine (current sample), “serum” is set to a preceding type and “urine” is set to a measurement type at number 1 in a condition number. At condition number 1, the wash type is pattern 1, with washing performed once with detergent 1. Where the preceding sample is serum and the current sample is CSF, the condition number is 2 and the wash type is pattern 2, with washing performed twice using detergent 1 and once with detergent 2. Where the preceding sample is urine and the current sample is CSF, the condition number is 3 and the wash type is pattern 3, with washing performed once with detergent 1, once with detergent 2, and once with water. In the case of pattern 4, washing is performed three times with detergent 1.