An instrument and a method for the automated thermal treatment of liquid samples are disclosed. An inter-distance between a temperature-controlled receptacle for loading with a plurality of vessels for containing the samples and end portions of optical fibers can be varied, wherein the receptacle is configured to form a thermal communication with the loaded vessels and wherein the optical fibers have first and second end portions. The first end portion and the second end portion of each optical fiber is fixed with respect to each other for transmitting light, wherein the variation of the in-ter-distance allows the vessels to be loaded to or unloaded from the receptacle and to enable detection of light from the samples contained in the one or more receptacle-loaded vessels.

In one embodiment, a diagnostic system includes an instrument coupled to a client device and having at least one sample processing bay. The diagnostic system has a software architecture including instrument software (ISW) associated with the instrument. The ISW receives an assay definition file (ADF) that has a control file and an assay analysis module (AAM) file. The processing bay prepares and senses the sample according to parameters in the OPUS file and then generates sensor scan data. The diagnostic system then analyzes the sensor scan data and prepares a report according to the AAM file.

A method of making an article includes coating an article formed using an additive manufacturing process technique, such as with laser sintering or a powder bed fusion technique. Pressure is thereafter applied to the coating and one or more surface-connected pores defined within the article are closed with the pressure. The coating is thereafter removed from the article.

There is provided a nucleic acid analysis apparatus including a heating unit configured to apply heat by contacting a microchip, and a chip holding unit configured to change a position between a first holding position that holds the microchip in midair and a second holding position that holds the microchip in contact with the heating unit.

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.

Methods, kits, and systems for clarifying obfuscating pigments in histology samples such as an automated method of treating a histology sample with a clarifying reagent so that the clarifying reagent, contacts the sample and the pigments within the sample are decolorized , thus alleviating staining obfuscations associated with pigments. Decolorizing the pigments within the sample enables the histology sample to be interpretable by a qualified reader. An antigen retrieval step is performed after the clarification step.

A sample processing system 101 that may be automated and methods are disclosed where a number of sample processing systems 101, such as stainer, may be connected to a number of separate full function computers 181 through a stainer network 183 that may be isolated from other communication traffic. A network configuration may permit scalability and addressability so that additional sample processing systems 101, additional separate full function computers 181, and additional other devices such as label printers 200 may be easily added to the system. One or more remote information links 171 may be provided so that information transfer on a continuous or perhaps constant basis can be accommodated.

Disclosed herein are high-throughput sample processing systems and waste management systems, and methods of using the same.

Disclosed herein are high-throughput sample processing systems and waste management systems, and methods of using the same.

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.