A method for performing flexible liquid handling processes among a plurality of consumables includes moving consumables by at least one arm having a magnetic interface device, connecting the at least one arm from the consumables, based on magnetic attraction utilizing said magnetic interface device, and aspirating and dispensing liquids on the consumables by at least one static or quasi-static pipette. The aspiration and dispensing actions are performed without displacement of the pipettes. The method further includes sensing, by the at least one arm, magnetic presence of a matching consumable connector or magnetic vector field modified by a presence of a matching consumable connector. The method includes disconnecting the at least one arm from the consumables based on a repulsive magnetic force.

The present invention relates to a fluid transport system for an automated slide treatment apparatus for treating one or more tissue samples disposed on slides, whereby the slide treatment apparatus includes a plurality of slide treatment modules arranged to receive ones of the slides, and the fluid transport system includes a fluid dispensing robot configured by a controller to dispense a plurality of reagents to said ones of the slides received in the slide treatment modules to treat said one or more tissue samples respectively.

A detection system including an autonomous collection device that is capable of moving on a floor surface and for collecting an object on the floor surface, and a station device for detecting an analyte from the object collected from the floor surface by the autonomous collection device. The autonomous collection device includes a moving part for moving on the floor surface, a primary electric blower for sucking the object on the floor surface, and a dust container for storing the sucked object. The station device includes a transfer pipe fluidically connected to the dust container of the autonomous collection device when the autonomous collection device is positioned in a home position, and a virus detection part for detecting the analyte from the object transferred from the dust container through the transfer pipe.

The present disclosure provides a detection system whereby a virus or the like can be effectively detected in order to suppress the spread of infectious disease by the virus or the like. The detection system according to the present disclosure includes an autonomous collection device that is capable of moving on a floor surface and for collecting an object on the floor surface, and a station device for detecting an analyte from the object collected from the floor surface by the autonomous collection device. The autonomous collection device includes a moving part for moving on the floor surface, a primary electric blower for sucking the object on the floor surface, and a dust container for storing the sucked object. The station device includes a transfer pipe fluidically connected to the dust container of the autonomous collection device when the autonomous collection device is positioned in a home position, and a virus detection part for detecting the analyte from the object transferred from the dust container through the transfer pipe.

We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.

An autosampler for dispensing samples is provided. The autosampler comprises a sample tray for holding the samples to be dispensed. The sample tray is moveable between a plurality of dispensing positions. The autosampler also comprises a noncontact coupling configured to move the sample tray between the plurality of dispensing positions. An autosampler for dispensing samples is also provided, comprising: a sample tray for holding the samples to be dispensed, the sample tray being moveable between a plurality of dispensing positions, the sample tray and a body of the autosampler comprising respective contact surfaces that contact each other as the sample tray moves between the plurality of dispensing positions, wherein the contact surface of at least one of the sample tray and the body of the autosampler comprises a self-lubricating material.

There is provided an automated analysis device capable of transferring instruments to be used for an analysis process to a predetermined processing position efficiently and rapidly. In an automated analysis device of the invention, a transfer unit forming a transfer mechanism to transfer instruments to be used for analyte processing into an analyte processing space includes a holding portion to hold the instruments. The holding portion includes a first fitting attachment portion to be attachable to a first instrument in a fitted state, and a second fitting attachment portion to be attachable to a second instrument in a fitted state.

There is provided an automated analysis device capable of transferring a reagent for reagent dispensing efficiently and rapidly. An automated analysis device of the invention includes a reagent transfer unit to transfer a reagent suction nozzle between a reaction unit and a reagent supply unit. In a region of an analyte processing space where a tip supply unit, the reagent supply unit, a tip disposal unit, and the reaction unit are lined up along a straight line, the reagent transfer unit forms a uniaxial transfer line where the reagent suction nozzle is moved only in a uniaxial direction along the straight line for a reagent transfer.

An apparatus for limiting pipette motion, the apparatus comprising: (1) a stand for controlling spatial positions; (2) a mechanism for temporally coupling the pipette with the stand; the orientation or the movement of the pipette being restricted by the stand as predetermined for (a) limiting the insertion depth of the pipette tips into sample containers, (b) restricting unwanted movements or rotations of the pipette, or (c) maintaining the desired alignments of the pipette tips with the sample containers. Methods of limiting pipette motion or rotation are also provided.

The present invention generally involves an apparatus and method for grabbing a plurality of vials from a container. In particular embodiments, the present invention may provide a reliable apparatus that a vial inspector may use to pick up a plurality of vials from a container of vials so that the vials can be inspected wherein the apparatus tends to standardize inspection output across a variety of users making the task more productive and production goals easier to establish.