A device for sealing a reagent container storing and providing liquids, in particular in an analyzer system. The invention also relates to a reagent container using such device for sealing, a cartridge for holding such reagent container, and a method for removing a liquid from such reagent container. The instant invention provides a device for sealing a reagent container comprising an annular member configured to be inserted into the reagent container, wherein the annular member is configured to being movably coupled to the reagent container relative to its longitudinal center axis; an opening passing from a top end of the annular member to a bottom end of the annular member; and a sealing element arranged between the top end and the bottom end of the annular member for sealing the opening.

A device for handling a sample containing liquid components comprises a housing, a retaining part-unit for holding a storage unit containing the sample, a drive unit for moving the retaining part-unit, and at least one sample-taking body located in the housing. The drive unit has a drive member and a movement-transfer part-unit connected tHereto, and the movement-transfer part-unit has at least one rotation axle. The drive member of the drive unit has a single drive motor, while the movement-transfer part-unit is adjacent to a carrying structure that rotates around the rotation axle(s) of the movement-transfer part-unit. A drive-transfer unit is inserted between the carrying structure and the drive motor, the carrying structure having first and second moving elements which have first and second control bodies, respectively, falling outside of first and second rotation axles, respectively. The first and second moving elements have a periodical, movement-transfer positive coupling link with each other.

A fluidic device holder configured to orient a fluidic device. The device holder includes a support structure configured to receive a fluidic device. The support structure includes a base surface that faces in a direction along the Z-axis and is configured to have the fluidic device positioned thereon. The device holder also includes a plurality of reference surfaces facing in respective directions along an XY-plane. The device holder also includes an alignment assembly having an actuator and a movable locator arm that is operatively coupled to the actuator. The locator arm has an engagement end. The actuator moves the locator arm between retracted and biased positions to move the engagement end away from and toward the reference surfaces. The locator arm is configured to hold the fluidic device against the reference surfaces when the locator arm is in the biased position.

An autosampler includes an injection port for supplying a sample to an analysis device, a needle that collects the sample stored in a vial and injects the sample into the injection port, a cleaning unit that cleans the needle and a gas exhaust fan. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning container which stores a cleaning liquid and into which the needle is inserted, and a unit main body that has a space for storing the cleaning container and receiving the cleaning liquid overflowing from the cleaning container, and a unit gas exhaust passage for exhausting gas in the space outwardly of the cleaning unit. The unit main body has a unit opening through which the needle passes when accessing the cleaning container. The autosampler includes a boundary portion that separates a first region in which the injection port, the needle and the unit opening are arranged from a second region in which the gas exhaust fan is arranged, and a gas exhaust region which is connected to the unit gas exhaust passage via a gas exhaust opening provided at the boundary portion and into which gas exhausted from the space flows due to a negative pressure generated by the gas exhaust fan.

An automated analyzer that receives samples prepared for analysis in an automated pre-analytical module and a method of operation of such automated analyzer. The automated analyzer includes a shuttle transfer station that receives a shuttle carrier from the automated pre-analytical system. The shuttle transfer station has a clamping assembly for the shuttle. The clamping assembly has jaws that advance engagement members into contact with a bottom portion of sample containers disposed in the shuttle. The clamping assembly secures the sample containers in the shuttle when sample is aspirated from the sample containers. The automated analyzer also has a multichannel puncture tool that is adapted to be carried by a robotic gripper mechanism. The multichannel puncture tool has multiple puncture members that each defines a channel. Each channel is in communication with a different trough in the consumable. A pipette can pass through the channel in the puncture tool.

The present invention relates to a biochemical assay apparatus in which a sample processing device is controlled by a detection instrument through a series of linear and rotary actuations to execute a biochemical assay on a biological fluid sample.

A cartridge capable of a centrifugation and an automatic analysis according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: at least two or more sample wells, a centrifugation well, a measuring well, and a tip receiving well, in which a container is formed into a lower portion along a circumference of a circular plate with a predetermined interval, wherein the centrifugation well is sealed with one lid paper along with at least two or more of the sample wells, a blood injection unit is further formed inside of a radius direction for the centrifugation well, the blood injection unit has an outer blood injection hole formed to be spaced inside the centrifugation well in the radius direction, an inclined passage that communicates with the centrifugation well from the outer blood injection hole, and a cover integrally attached to the outer blood injection hole to open and close the blood injection hole.

A sampling needle is provided for piercing a septum of a vial containing a sample and aspirating the sample from the vial. The needle may include: a tubular core having a lumen extending therethrough and a piercing end, wherein the tubular core is formed of a bioinert material; a hollow support encircling the tubular core with the piercing end extending outwardly from the support, wherein the support is formed of a rigid material; and a bioinert coating covering a portion of the support adjacent the piercing end, wherein the tubular core and the covering isolates the support from the sample.

Embodiments are directed to a transfer arm with a probe and a crash detection mechanism for use in a clinical analyzer in an in vitro diagnostics environment. The mechanism requires no user-intervention after a collision event, unless the automated inspection mechanism determines that damage to the probe requires probe replacement. Moreover, the mechanism is capable of protecting the probe, in some instances, from damage during a collision. The mechanism provides for automatic resetting after a collision, self-checking, and alignment correction. The mechanism includes a crash detection printed circuit assembly with a switch, and a spring-loaded contact sensor assembly configured to secure a probe within the transfer arm and allow for electrical connection between the switch and the probe during normal operation and electrical disconnection between the switch and the probe upon contact of the probe with an obstruction.

Embodiments are directed to transferring and opening reagent containers for use in a clinical analyzer in an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment. Contents of a reagent container may be automatically recorded, and the container is positioned and opened, making available its contents to a transfer probe. A set of mechanical fingers open and close relative to one another, to release and grip the reagent container on opposite sides thereof for transferring the container. Once the container is positioned, the mechanical fingers raise and are positioned above a seal concealing the contents of the reagent container. The fingers are configured to close together and travel in a downward trajectory to pierce the seal. The reagent container is originally presented as an un-opened package to prevent spillage and to control reagent life expectancy. According to an embodiment, a method of performing a cycle unload, transfer, and load, without operator intervention, is provided.