A cap having a lower portion, an upper portion with an opening formed therein, and a plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the cap. The inner surface of the cap is defined by the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap, and each rib is associated with a concave recess disposed directly opposite the rib on an outer surface of the upper portion of the cap. The recess extends along at least part of the length of the rib.

A microplate for containing a plurality of samples includes a plurality of sample cavities, each sample cavity including at least one dividing element which divides the sample cavity into at least a donor compartment and a receiver compartment. The dividing element is configured to contain one of the samples within one of the donor or receiver compartments when the microplate is in a first orientation. The dividing element is further configured to allow the sample to be transferred at least from the donor compartment to the receiver compartment of one of the sample cavities when the microplate is in a second orientation. A method for transferring a sample between compartments of the microplate is also disclosed.

An apparatus for separating an interlocked cap and receptacle comprises a top wall and a cap removal station. The cap removal station comprises an opening, a raised collar for engaging and releasing interlocking elements of the cap and receptacle, and tabs on a side of the top wall opposite the raised collar for retaining the receptacle within the opening when the cap is separated from the receptacle. A method for separating an interlocked cap and receptacle comprises moving the cap and receptacle in a first direction into a cap removal station, contacting interlocking elements of the cap and receptacle with a raised collar to thereby release the interlocking elements, retaining the receptacle within the cap removal station; and with the interlocking elements released and the receptacle retained within the cap removal station, moving the cap in a second direction opposite the first direction to separate the cap from the receptacle.

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.

A method for managing sample exposure to air on an automation system for performing clinical laboratory in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) includes receiving a sample in a capped container and loading the capped container onto a sample carrier. A plurality of test requests corresponding to the sample is received. Optionally, the capped container may be parked on a sample handler pending readiness of the system to process the test requests. Each test request is associated with one or more analytical modules included in an automated IVD system. In response to determining that the first analytical module is available to perform the first test request, the capped container is reloaded from the sample handler, if necessary, and decapped. Next the system performs prioritized delivery of the decapped container to the analytical modules in order to optimize performance of the assays with respect to the stability of the sample's analytes.

Described are systems, devices, and methods which related to various aspects of assays for detecting and/or determining a measure of the concentration of analyte molecules or particles in a sample fluid. In some cases, the systems employ an assay consumable comprising a plurality of assay sites. The systems, devices, and/or methods, in some cases, are automated. In some cases, the systems, devices, and/or methods relate to inserting a plurality of beads into assay sites, sealing assay sites, imaging assay sites, or the like.

The present invention describes an integrated incubator and image capture module that regulates the incubator atmosphere and obtains high-resolution digital images of sample specimens. The incubator has a cabinet type enclosure that enables the provision of a controlled environment to the contents of the incubator by having at least three ports on one face of the cabinet for the passage of sample containers. Additionally, an image capture module is located immediately adjacent to the incubator. In this regard, using at least three separate access/egress points for the sample containers streamlines operation of the system and enhances preservation of the incubator environment. Furthermore, locating the image capture module directly adjacent to the incubator reduces the amount of time a sample container is exposed to the external environment, thereby reducing the extent to which samples are exposed to potential contaminants and reducing the exchange of the lab and ambient atmospheres.

A reagent storage device of the present disclosure includes a shutter and a moving mechanism. The shutter is configured to open and close an opening in a reagent compartment for housing a reagent container, the reagent compartment being provided with the opening for insertion and removal of a probe used to extract a reagent from inside the reagent container housed in the reagent compartment. The moving mechanism is configured to move the shutter to an overlay position opposing the opening and separated from the opening before moving the shutter downward so as to close off the opening, and is also configured to move the shutter that is closing off the opening upward to open up the opening before withdrawing the shutter from the overlay position over the opening.

An automatic analysis device is provided with a storage chamber for adjusting the temperature of and storing a container in which liquid is stored, an opening provided in a portion of the storage chamber, and a loader mechanism for bringing the container in and out of the storage chamber by moving the container through the opening, and is characterized in that the loader mechanism and storage chamber are closed by an elastic body. In the present invention, attaching a sealing member for sealing to an upper part from among overlapping parts makes it difficult for debris and dust to adhere to the sealing member and makes it possible to maintain the sealed state of a reagent storage chamber over a long period of time.