An automatic chemical solution formulating device combines and mixes stored solids and liquids into user specified formulations and dispenses those formulations into containers. Chemical solids are stored in cartridges of material separated into predetermined dosages (for example in reeled blister packs), avoiding the need for weighing during formulation. Elements include user interface, computer-controlled automated loading and unloading port for reagent-containing cartridges, cartridge conveyor system, reader for identifying cartridges, blister-pack strip drive system, punching mechanism to release reagents, portioning chamber to mix solvent with solids or liquids with optional portioning, accommodating formulation delivery port, position sensors, liquid flow measuring devices, liquid and gas pumps and valves, and label printer. The combination of these elements allows high-speed formulation and dispensing of user-specified formulations.

Provided is a pipette device that achieves both suction and discharge of a large amount of fluid and high-precision discharge of a minute amount of fluid. The pipette device includes: a first syringe 30 that is capable of suctioning fluid and is capable of discharging fluid with a predetermined discharge precision; a second syringe 40 that is capable of suctioning fluid and is capable of discharging fluid with a higher precision than the first syringe; a nozzle 70 provided in common to the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40; a flow path 60 that causes the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40 to be in communication with each other, and is in communication with the nozzle 70; and driving units 80, 90 configured to drive the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40 such that the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40 suction and discharge fluid from the nozzle 70 individually or in cooperation with each other.

A switching valve includes a rotor having a pair of rollers rotatably mounted on both ends thereof, a rotor drive unit rotationally driving the rotor, a pair of pressing members, each being provided at a position where each of the pair of pressing members cooperates with each of the pair of rollers outside a revolution orbit of each of the pair of rollers revolving by rotation of the rotor, and a pair of tubes, each being disposed between the revolution orbit of each of the pair of rollers and each of the pair of pressing members. A rotation center axis of the rotor is disposed on a straight line connecting centers of rotation of the pair of rollers, and each pressing member has the pair of pressing areas symmetrical with respect to a straight line passing through the center of rotation of the rotor and extending a vertical direction.

The present technology is directed to extraction devices, systems, and methods for controllably withdrawing and transferring fluid samples, such as blood, from a sample collection container to a testing device. For example, some embodiments of the present technology provide fluid extraction devices that include a fluid control module, a housing containing a receiving element and a suction element, and an actuator. To transfer blood from a sample collection container to a testing device, a user places the sample collection container over the receiving element and inserts the testing device into an outlet of the fluid control module. The user then pushes a lever or otherwise actuates the actuator, which automatically withdraws a predetermined volume of blood from the sample collection container and transfers it to the testing device positioned at the outlet of the fluid control module.

The present teachings provide apparatuses and methods for automated handling of samples, e.g., biological or chemical samples. The apparatuses and the methods of the present teachings allow automated performance of various sample manipulation steps without manual intervention. In a preferred embodiment, the present teachings provide apparatuses and methods for automated enrichment of templated beads produced by PCR.

An apparatus, system, and method combining a liquid transfer device with a non-contact liquid fill height sensor to improve the reliability, accuracy, and precision of liquid transfers and to determine liquid fill height and liquid volume in a container before or after liquid transfers.

Some embodiments are directed to a method for tracking lysis progress in an automated lysing device. For example, the lysing device may be configured to execute multiple iterations of lysing at a defined location on the tissue section and imaging the defined location on the tissue section using a camera. From the images a lysing parameter may be determined to improve lysing.

An automatic analyzer 1 includes a reagent bottle installation unit 200 that installs a reagent bottle 301 containing a reagent used for analysis; a nozzle unit 210 that couples a supply flow path 220 that connects a location where the reagent is used and the inside of the reagent bottle 301 installed in the reagent bottle installation unit 200 to the reagent bottle 301; and a stopper 202 that is disposed on the movement path of a reagent aspiration nozzle 400 of the nozzle unit 210 and prevents the reagent aspiration nozzle 400 from being inserted into the reagent bottle 301. This automatic analyzer realizes the prevention of misplacement of reagent types and the prevention of removal of the reagents at the incorrect timing with less space and constituent components.

Liquid level sensing apparatus are disclosed. An example liquid level sensing apparatus includes a cannula defining a body having a tip and an access channel. The tip to pierce a container, where the cannula is to be at least partially positioned in the container when the tip pierces the container. A probe is to be positioned in the access channel. A signal source is to electrically energize the probe and the cannula to cause the probe to emit a first signal and cause the cannula to emit a second signal.

A maintenance method in an automatic analysis apparatus includes: a recognition step of recognizing an integrated rack 301A, 301B, 301C mounted with a cleaning solution container containing a cleaning solution, and a calibrator container containing a calibrator or a QC specimen container containing a QC specimen containing a sample having a known concentration; a cleaning solution supply step of aspirating a cleaning solution; and a supply step of aspirating the calibrator or aspirating the QC specimen, in which the cleaning solution supply step and the supply step are continuously performed from the cleaning solution container and the calibrator container or the QC specimen container mounted on the integrated rack 301A, 301B, 301C. Accordingly, an automatic analysis apparatus and a maintenance method in the automatic analysis apparatus that can reduce a burden on a user in calibration and the like during maintenance are provided.