A feature amount extraction unit outputs, as a data series, a feature amount of time-series data of an oscillation frequency of an AC signal of an oscillation circuit until a certain time elapses from when a dispensing probe starts to be lowered. Then, a bubble contact determination processing unit determines whether a liquid level has been normally detected based on a correlation between a waveform of the data series of the feature amount and an abnormal waveform model. Further, based on a determination result, a second controller determines a deviation between a tip portion of the dispensing probe and the liquid level in a container and a factor of the deviation.

An automated analysis device has a reaction container constructed on a reaction disc, a reaction tank for immersing the reaction container in water, a water level sensor, a reagent probe that suctions/discharges a reagent to the reaction container, and a controller. In the reagent probe, a water detection unit that detects the presence of water is provided at a prescribed site, the reagent probe being capable of detecting the water level in the reaction tank. The controller detects the water level in the reaction tank in at least three locations (e.g., a first water level confirmation part, a second water level confirmation part, and a third water level confirmation part) by using the water level sensor and the reagent probe, and has a function for confirming the levelness of the reaction tank or an apparatus on which the reaction tank is installed.

A sample installation part in which a sample container accommodating a sample to be subjected to biochemical analysis is installed, and consumables installation parts in which consumables to be used for the biochemical analysis are installed are accommodated in an apparatus body of a biochemical analysis apparatus. The apparatus body is provided with an opening part that leads to a sample tray. An instruction receiving unit receives a movement instruction for moving the sample tray from a normal position where the sample installation part is disposed on the opening part side to a consumables replenishment position where the consumables installation parts are disposed on the opening part side. A driving control unit moves the sample tray from the normal position to the consumables replenishment position in a case where the movement instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit.

An automatic analyzing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a specimen container, a piercer, a detector, and processing circuitry. The specimen container is a container in which a specimen is housed, an opening of the specimen container being sealed by a cap. The piercer pierces the cap by a distal end. The detector detects a blot on the cap. The processing circuitry controls a piercing operation of the piercer.

Provided is a pipette device that achieves both suction and discharge of a large amount of fluid and high-precision discharge of a minute amount of fluid. The pipette device includes: a first syringe 30 that is capable of suctioning fluid and is capable of discharging fluid with a predetermined discharge precision; a second syringe 40 that is capable of suctioning fluid and is capable of discharging fluid with a higher precision than the first syringe; a nozzle 70 provided in common to the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40; a flow path 60 that causes the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40 to be in communication with each other, and is in communication with the nozzle 70; and driving units 80, 90 configured to drive the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40 such that the first syringe 30 and the second syringe 40 suction and discharge fluid from the nozzle 70 individually or in cooperation with each other.

An apparatus, system, and method combining a liquid transfer device with a non-contact liquid fill height sensor to improve the reliability, accuracy, and precision of liquid transfers and to determine liquid fill height and liquid volume in a container before or after liquid transfers.

The invention relates to an arrangement for preparing a plurality of samples for an analytical method, comprising a carousel with a solid housing and moveable receiving parts for the sample containers; a control for controlling the receiving parts in the carousel; and a sample receiving device for providing the sample for the analytical method. Said arrangement is characterized in that one or more stations for preparing samples are provided on the carousel, the receiving parts for the sample containers of the carousel can be positioned on said stations. Said arrangement also comprises a centrifuge with pairs of opposite lying receiving parts provided for the sample containers, and said receiving parts are arranged such that they can move on the centrifuge for the sample holder such that a transfer of a sample holder between a receiving part in the carousel and a receiving part in the centrifuge can be carried out. The control takes place by the same control which is also provided for controlling the carousel.

A laboratory instrument for processing a sample and a method for automatic surveillance of at least one pipetting procedure of at least one laboratory instrument for processing a sample are disclosed. The laboratory instrument includes at least one pipetting device with at least one pipetting head configured for being coupled to a plurality of pipetting tips. The laboratory instrument further includes a compartment configured for receiving, storing, and/or releasing at least one sample holder. The pipetting device is configured for performing at least one pipetting procedure on the sample holder and the laboratory instrument includes at least one sensor unit configured for gravimetric measuring of the sample holder.

A method that enables handling whole blood for assays where the whole blood is directly taken from a patient without any prior treatment and being put in a collection tube or other container ready to use for further analysis. The method can enable simple processing of the whole blood while avoiding any clots or aggregates and without damaging white cells in a reproducible and automatable way. The method can furthermore enable an automatic and reproducible pipetting of whole blood cells inside several wells to be tested.

One aspect of the present invention provides a nucleic acid extraction device. The nucleic acid extraction device includes a container which stores each of a cleaning solution and an eluting solution, a water level sensor configured to detect amounts of the cleaning solution and the eluting solution which are stored in the container, a tube sensor configured to sense a sample tube disposed on a sample tube accommodation portion, and an operation initiation portion configured to determine whether the cleaning solution and the eluting solution which are necessary for a nucleic acid extraction operation are provided on the basis of the number of such sample tubes which is sensed by the tube sensor and the amounts of the cleaning solution and the eluting solution which are sensed by the water level sensor.