Methods of pre-heating a test vessel prior to transfer of the test vessell to an incubator may shorten an incubation cycle, ensure proper temperature of a test specimen in the test vessel, and/or improve testing accuracy and/or throughput in a bio-liquid specimen testing apparatus. The methods include providing a test vessel pre-heating apparatus having a receptacle sized to receive a test vessel therein and having at least one heating unit configured to heat by direct conduction at least one side of the test vessel. The methods also include heating at least one side of the test vessel via direct contact using the at least one heating unit. Specimen testing apparatus and test vessel pre-heating apparatus configured to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

The present invention relates to a device which is easy to use and in which real-time reaction product detection through nucleic acid extraction from a biospecimen, a PCR reaction, and scanning of excitation light of various wavelengths and fluorescence corresponding thereto can be automated, and thus various tests can be carried out in a single operation, and in particular, accurate results can be obtained in a short amount of time.

A biological indicator reader system (100) may comprise a standalone computing device (110) comprising a standalone reading system (140) and a graphical user interface (112) (e.g., a graphical touchscreen interface) that communicates with at least one incubator unit (130). The at least one incubator unit (130) may comprise a plurality of wells (132) that accommodate vials (134) as well as a display (136). The display may display information (e.g., an identification of a number of wells connected to the standalone computing device) that is also displayed on the graphical user interface (112) of the standalone computing device (110). The display (136) may be configured to show which well (132) has a vial (134) inserted therein and, additionally or alternatively, to indicate a test result in front of each respective well (132) of a test performed on the vial (134). Further, the at least one incubator unit (130) may comprise plural incubator units, which themselves comprise modular components. The plural incubator units may be connected to each other, e.g., in a daisy chain configuration.

A sample analyzer is configured to execute a liquid surface detection of detecting a liquid surface in a container by a liquid surface detector prior to a lowering operation of an aspirating tube for aspirating the liquid if a liquid level information is not stored in a memory, and store a liquid level information of a container in the memory based on a detection result by the liquid surface detection. Also, a liquid aspirating method by a sample analyzer.

A heating device having a heating element patterned into a robust MEMs substrate, wherein the heating element is electrically isolated from a fluid reservoir or bulk conductive sample, but close enough in proximity to an imagable window/area having the fluid or sample thereon, such that the sample is heated through conduction. The heating device can be used in a microscope sample holder, e.g., for SEM, TEM, STEM, X-ray synchrotron, scanning probe microscopy, and optical microscopy.

A reaction container control system including a reaction container, a sealing lid, a temperature control block, and a heater. The reaction container includes a lower side wall section, an upper side wall section, and an aperture. The sealing lid seals the reaction container by fitting to the aperture of the reaction container. When the sealing lid is fitted to the aperture, light based on an optical state within the reaction container is receivable by a measuring device via the sealing lid. The temperature control block contacts or extends adjacent the lower side wall section, and includes a temperature source operable to increase or decrease a temperature inside the reaction container. The heater contacts or extends adjacent the upper side wall section, and includes a heat source operable to heat the reaction container to prevent condensation on the sealing lid fitted to the aperture.

An automatic analyzer which realizes stable reagent heating and high dispensing accuracy includes a thermostat bath for controlling a reagent or a reaction solution in reaction cells arranged on a circumference of a reaction disk to have a constant temperature; a first reagent dispensing mechanism dispenses a reagent into the reaction cells; a photometer detects transmitted light or scattered light in the reaction cell; and a disposable reaction container for allowing the sample and the reagent to mix and react with each other. The analyzer also includes a second reagent dispensing mechanism with a reagent heating function which dispenses the reagent into the disposable reaction container; a coagulation time detection section; a reaction container temperature control block; a reagent dispensing syringe which is connected to the second reagent dispensing mechanism; and a fluid temperature control mechanism which controls the temperature of an internal fluid of the reagent dispensing syringe.

An apparatus and related method to reliably prevent cross-contamination and to decrease working time or space involved with reaction treatment. The apparatus includes: a container group having one or more reaction containers and two or more liquid storage portions arranged in a linear shape; a dispensing head to which one or more dispensing tips insertable into the container group are detachably attached, the dispensing head being relatively movable with respect to the container group in a linear direction; a magnetic portion provided in the dispensing head and capable of: applying a magnetic field into each dispensing tip so that the magnetic particles are adsorbed to an inner wall of the dispensing tip, and removing the magnetic field so that the magnetic particles are resuspended in a solution; and an ultrasonic vibration device which applies ultrasonic vibration to a sample storage portion including at least one of the liquid storage portions.

A heating device having a heating element patterned into a robust MEMs substrate, wherein the heating element is electrically isolated from a fluid reservoir or bulk conductive sample, but close enough in proximity to an imagable window/area having the fluid or sample thereon, such that the sample is heated through conduction. The heating device can be used in a microscope sample holder, e.g., for SEM, TEM, STEM, X-ray synchrotron, scanning probe microscopy, and optical microscopy.

A specimen processing system is capable of processing specimens carried on slides. The specimen processing system can sequentially deliver slides and opposables to specimen processing stations. The specimen processing stations can use the opposables to apply a series of liquids to the specimens. The applied liquid can be moved along the slide using capillary action while the specimen processing stations control the processing temperatures. The applied liquid can be in a fluid-carrying gap. The opposable can contact the slide to vary a cross section of the fluid-carrying gap.