Disclosed herein is a preprocessing apparatus that makes it possible to highly efficiently analyze specimens held by solid media, such as dried blood spots to be used for newborn mass screening or the like. The preprocessing apparatus includes: a preprocessing container setting part in which a preprocessing container containing a solid sample including a specimen to be analyzed and a solid medium holding the specimen is to be set; a carrying mechanism that carries the preprocessing container set in the preprocessing container setting part; and a preprocessing part that has a port for setting the preprocessing container carried by the carrying mechanism and that is configured to perform preprocessing including extraction processing for extracting the specimen from the solid sample contained in the preprocessing container set in the port.

The invention relates to a gas in/outlet-adapter system for a container/rack assembly for a diagnostic robot comprising: —a receptacle (15) comprising a gas-inlet wherein the receptacle (15) is attached to a container (12), —a nozzle (16) comprising a gas-outlet wherein the nozzle (16) is attached to a rack to supply the container (12) via the receptacle (15) with a gas at a defined pressure level, wherein the receptacle (12) —provides one opening (24) —which provides for a fluidic contact to the interior of the container (12) —and a second opening (25) —which provides for a gas leak-proof connection to the nozzle (16) on the rack when the receptacle (15) is placed over the nozzle (16), and wherein the nozzle (16) —provides one opening (26) —which provides for a fluidic contact to a tubing system of the rack—and a second opening (27) —which provides for a fluidic contact to the nozzle (16) when the receptacle (15) is placed to cover the nozzle (15).

Disclosed herein is a preprocessing apparatus that makes it possible to highly efficiently analyze specimens held by solid media, such as dried blood spots to be used for newborn mass screening or the like. The preprocessing apparatus includes: a preprocessing container setting part in which a preprocessing container containing a solid sample including a specimen to be analyzed and a solid medium holding the specimen is to be set; a carrying mechanism that carries the preprocessing container set in the preprocessing container setting part; and a preprocessing part that has a port for setting the preprocessing container carried by the carrying mechanism and that is configured to perform preprocessing including extraction processing for extracting the specimen from the solid sample contained in the preprocessing container set in the port.

The culture medium processing system includes a controller (100) configured to control operation of a sample dispensing part (20), a reagent dispensing part (26) and a transport arm (24) to deproteinize a sample, wherein the controller (100) is configured to dispense a methanol solution into an empty filtration container (50) to perform a conditioning of a filtration filter (52) disposed in the filtration container (50), then dispense a sample into the filtration container (50), add an acetonitrile solution as a deproteinization agent to the sample in the filtration container (50), and then perform a filtration process in the filtration part (30).

Systems and methods for exchanging buffer solutions are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the methods and systems for buffer exchange may be automated and/or the methods and systems may include mixing during filtering operations.

The invention relates to a gas in/outlet-adapter system for a container/rack assembly for a diagnostic robot comprising: a receptacle (15) comprising a gas-inlet wherein the receptacle (15) is attached to a container (12), a nozzle (16) comprising a gas-outlet wherein the nozzle (16) is attached to a rack to supply the container (12) via the receptacle (15) with a gas at a defined pressure level, wherein the receptacle (12) provides one opening (24) which provides for a fluidic contact to the interior of the container (12) and a second opening (25) which provides for a gas leak-proof connection to the nozzle (16) on the rack when the receptacle (15) is placed over the nozzle (16), and wherein the nozzle (16) provides one opening (26)which provides for a fluidic contact to a tubing system of the rackand a second opening (27)which provides for a fluidic contact to the nozzle (16) when the receptacle (15) is placed to cover the nozzle (15).

Systems and methods for exchanging buffer solutions are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the methods and systems for buffer exchange may be automated and/or the methods and systems may include mixing during filtering operations.

In some aspects, automated rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems for performing a multi-assay testing sequence can include an automated incubation assembly having a nest assembly adapted to house at least one test panel having a plurality of wells for receiving a sample comprising microorganisms originating from a clinical sample, the incubation assembly facilitating incubation of one or more test panels in order to undergo the multi-assay testing sequence; a robotic handling assembly configured to accept one or more incoming test panels and move them to and from the incubation assembly for incubation between each assay of the multi-assay testing sequence; an automated liquid handling assembly configured to exchange one or more fluids in the plurality of wells of the test panels; and an optical assembly for interrogation and readout of each assay of the multi-assay testing sequence being performed in the plurality of wells.

The present invention provides a preprocessing device of a more compact structure, and an analysis system provided with the same. A preprocessing device (1) includes a container holding section (12), a filtration port (30), and a transport arm (24). The container holding section (12) holds a separation container (50) and a collection container (54). The filtration port (30) separates a sample by applying pressure to a sample in the separation container (50). The transport arm (24) transports the separation container (50) and the collection container (54) held by the container holding section (12) from a predetermined transport position. The container holding section (12) holds the separation container (50) and the collection container (54) in an annular or arch-shaped holding region formed on an outer circumference of the filtration port (30), and sequentially moves the separation container (50) and the collection container (54) to the transport position by shifting the separation container (50) and the collection container (54) in the circumferential direction of the holding region.

A preprocessing kit includes a separation device, a collecting container, and a skirt part. The skirt part is integrated with the separation device, and is provided to surround an outer circumferential surface of the separation device with a clearance being left from the outer circumferential surface so that a space having a closed upper side and an open lower side is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the separation device and the skirt part. The skirt part is provided in such a way that a lower end of the skirt part comes into intimate contact with a peripheral surface of an opening of the recess part when the collecting container containing the lower end of the separation device is fitted into the recess part.