A self-adhesive layered septum is disclosed. In one example, the septum includes a first outer layer including a thermoplastic elastomer such as a styrenic block copolymer, containing styrene ethylene butylene styrene (TPE-SEBS) capable of closing at least partially an aperture formed when a needle is inserted through the layer; an adhesive second layer for adhering the septum to a mouth area of a well or container to which the septum is attachable; and a thermoplastic third layer between the first and second layers, thermobonded to the first layer and providing better adherence for the adhesive layer. The first layer includes a recess and a vent, which reduce pressure differentials in use, but together with the third layer minimize evaporation through the septum.

A biological sample processing apparatus, including: a pipette block with which a plurality of pipettes for sucking or discharging a biological sample in a multi-well plate in which wells are arranged in a matrix shape along row and column directions are detachably coupled; a pipette block forward and backward transfer unit configured to move the pipette block along a forward and backward direction along a process direction; a pipette block top and bottom transfer unit configured to move the pipette block along a vertical direction; a magnetic field applying unit disposed below the multi-well plate for applying a magnetic field to a well of the multi-well plate; and a heating unit disposed below the multi-well plate so as to be spaced apart from the magnetic field applying unit, for heating a well of the multi-well plate.

Provided are methods for the automated loading and/or automatic processing of one or more samples in an automated sample processing device. Also provided are automated sample loading systems and devices that include automated sample loading systems or devices that are utilized in such systems.

The present disclosure provides a microfluidic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer which includes a detection box body provided with a dark room; a detection platform arranged within the dark room and configured to place a microfluidic chip, wherein a magnetic bead and a magnetic bead channel for placing the magnetic bead are arranged on the microfluidic chip; a magnet module arranged above the detection platform and capable of automatically adjusting the height of the magnet, wherein the magnet module is configured to collect and drag the magnetic bead within the magnetic bead channel; a pressing module arranged on the detection box body and configured to press a plurality of to-be-pressed portions of the microfluidic chip in a one-to-one correspondence manner by means of a plurality of motors; and a positioning module, arranged on the detection platform and configured to fix the microfluidic chip.

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.

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.

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.

A sample analyzer includes a suction unit configured to suction a sample in a sample container through a stopper installed in an opening of the sample container; a rack transport unit configured to transport a sample rack holding a sample container along a transport path, and position the sample container held by the sample rack at a suction position by the suction unit; a sample transport unit in which a sample container other than the sample container transported by the rack transport unit is installed and which is configured to transport the installed sample container to the suction position provided on the transport path; a measurement unit configured to measure a sample suctioned by the suction unit from the sample container positioned at the suction position; and an analysis unit configured to analyze the sample based on the measurement result of the measurement unit.

A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a capture plate and a capture plate module configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within the set of biological samples to magnetic beads; a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols; and an assay strip configured to combine nucleic acid samples with molecular diagnostic reagents for analysis of nucleic acids.

A sample measurement method of performing first measurement for a blood coagulation test and second measurement for a test different from the blood coagulation test includes: dispensing a sample for use in the first measurement into a first container from a sample container; dispensing the sample for use in the second measurement into a second container different from the first container from the sample container from which the sample for use in the first measurement has been dispensed; performing the first measurement based on the sample dispensed into the first container; and performing the second measurement based on the sample dispensed into the second container.