Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Disclosed is a device of automatically detecting nucleic acid, including: a fixing frame; a cartridge positioning assembly having a cartridge loading position configured to position a cartridge; a lifting assembly including a lifting base configured to be controllably moved toward or away from the cartridge positioning assembly in a first direction; a rotating assembly including a rotating member capable of controllably rotating relative to the lifting base around a rotation axis parallel to the first direction; and a liquid transferring assembly including a connecting portion configured to connect to a tip. The liquid transferring assembly is capable of rotating with the rotating member to a position where the connecting portion is aligned with any liquid storing tank of the cartridge in the first direction, the liquid transferring assembly is capable of moving along with the lifting base to an inserting position or a disengaging position along the first direction.

A system for separating an analyte from other components of a sample includes a receptacle holding station and a magnetic separation station. The receptacle holding station includes one or more stationary, permanent magnets positioned to apply a magnetic field to the contents of a receptacle held stationary within the receptacle holding station. The magnetic separation station includes one or more permanent magnets and is configured to perform a magnetic separation procedure on the contents of a receptacle transported from the receptacle holding station to the magnetic separation station. The magnetic separation procedure includes isolating an analyte immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support within the receptacle and removing other components of the sample from the receptacle. The magnetic separation station is configured to provide relative movement between the receptacle and the one or more permanent magnets after the receptacle is transported to the magnetic separation station.

A container supply unit is provided with a container retaining unit, a container discharge unit, and a container alignment unit. The container alignment unit is provided with an alignment rail. The alignment rail includes a conveying speed ensuring area and an orientation stabilizing area. The conveying speed ensuring area is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction. The orientation stabilizing area is provided continuously on a downstream side in a conveying direction of the conveying speed ensuring area in which an inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction is set to be smaller than that in the conveying speed ensuring area. Then, the transfer position is provided on a downstream side in the conveying direction of the orientation stabilizing area, and is arranged so as to be parallel to the horizontal direction.

Automated isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system comprising a micro calorimeter with a sample cell and a reference cell, the sample cell is accessible via a sample cell stem and the reference cell is accessible via a reference cell stem. The system further comprises an automatic pipette assembly comprising a syringe with a titration needle arranged to be inserted into the sample cell for supplying titrant, the pipette assembly comprises an activator for driving a plunger in the syringe, a pipette translation unit supporting the pipette assembly and being arranged to place pipette in position for titration, washing and filling operations, a wash station for the titrant needle, and a cell preparation unit arranged to perform operations for replacing the sample liquid in the sample cell when the pipette is placed in another position than the position for titration.

A detector for a laboratory liquid distribution system is presented. A detector system for a laboratory liquid distribution system comprising such a detector, a laboratory liquid distribution system comprising such a detector and/or such a detector system, a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory liquid distribution system and a use of such a detector are also presented.

A glass slide supply storage unit 1 includes a supply portion 10 where a plurality of slide trays 2 are mountable such that the plurality of slide trays 2 are stacked in a z direction, and a moving mechanism TM1 configured to individually move the plurality of slide trays 2 mounted on the supply portion 10 in a X direction. A plurality of glass slides 3 on each of which a sample is placed are placeable on each of the plurality of slide trays 2.

A method for detecting a covering state of a laboratory sample container is presented. Light is injected into the laboratory sample container and an optical power is measured at a measuring location. A corresponding laboratory sample distribution system is also presented.

According to one embodiment, an automatic container processing apparatus includes a tube socket, an operation part, and a control device. The tube socket has a container holding part for holding a container. The operation part is capable of operating the container holding part of the tube socket. The control device controls the operation part. The container held by the container holding part is dropped by operating the operation part.

Automated isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system comprising a micro calorimeter with a sample cell and a reference cell, the sample cell is accessible via a sample cell stem and the reference cell is accessible via a reference cell stem. The system further comprises an automatic pipette assembly comprising a syringe with a titration needle arranged to be inserted into the sample cell for supplying titrant, the pipette assembly comprises an activator for driving a plunger in the syringe, a pipette translation unit supporting the pipette assembly and being arranged to place pipette in position for titration, washing and filling operations, a wash station for the titrant needle, and a cell preparation unit arranged to perform operations for replacing the sample liquid in the sample cell when the pipette is placed in another position than the position for titration.