A method of automatically distinguishing absorption or non-absorption of whole blood or blood plasma by using a reflective photosensor in an automatic immunoassay device including a round cartridge which may simultaneously perform the centrifugation and automatic analysis of a blood sample and a tip which may be moved up, down, left and right based on the round cartridge, the method includes: installing the reflective photosensor below the round cartridge; mounting the tip above the round cartridge, and continuously measuring blood non-absorption data in a range including a position where the blood is absorbed by using the reflective photosensor, collecting the measured data and storing the collected data while the tip is raised; continuously measuring blood absorption data by using the reflective photosensor while the tip is lowered and absorbs the blood present in the range including the position where the blood is absorbed from the round cartridge; and determining whether a type of the blood is whole blood or blood plasma, or whether the whole blood or the blood plasma is not absorbed by comparing the blood non-absorption data with the blood absorption data.

Embodiments of lab automation workstations are disclosed in which the pod that performs pipetting operations is integrated with pipette tip-loading functionality. To generate the necessary tip-loading force, a dual drive system is used that is symmetric about the Y-axis to allow for offset or partial tip box loads by dynamically centering the drive force (e.g., the tip-loading force) over the reaction load. This minimizes the need for oversized linear motion components while still allowing for the generation of high tip-loading forces needed to properly load a large number of pipette tips simultaneously.

A tool for the distribution of a sample of biological or microbiological material, the tool including an elongated body, provided with a first portion and a second portion; a distributing element, the distributing element being configured at least for distributing a sample of biological or microbiological material on a culture medium; a connector being configured for allowing the joining of the tool with a supporting element of a machine configured for carrying out a distribution of a sample of biological or microbiological material, in particular of a pipetting machine; wherein the connector is adapted and specifically configured for being removably coupled to a supporting element in alternative to another tool, in particular to a tip or pipette for the collection and/or deposit of the sample of biological or microbiological material.

An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.

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.

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 of measuring the alignment of one or more pipetting tips in an automated pipetting system where the one or more pipetting tips are mounted on one or more adapters of a pipetting head approximately perpendicular to the pipetting head mounting surface is disclosed. The orifices at the end of the one or more pipetting tips are mapped with an image capture device having a sensor placed in face and distant of the orifices. The method sends the acquired data from mapping the orifices of the one or more pipetting tips to the data processor, generating an image of the orifices of the one or more pipetting tips, determining the center positions of orifices, and delivering alignment information for the one or more pipetting tips.

Pipette assembly comprising a pipette device, a pipette tip, and an expanding mandrel collet coupling device coupling the tip to the pipette device, the coupling device comprising: circumferentially spaced apart segments, an annular base disposed below the segments and comprising a distal portion, an elastomeric element circumscribing the distal portion, and upwardly extending circumferentially spaced apart arms attached at first ends to the annular base and having upper free ends each supporting a different one of the segments configured to expand between a first and a second greater circumference for engaging a first interior working surface of the tip in concurrence with the elastomeric element sealing against a second interior working surface below the first surface and in concurrence with an abutment between a disk exteriorly disposed about a medial portion of the arms and a stepped interior shoulder of the tip disposed between the first and second working surfaces.

End effector assemblies according to the present disclosure include a tool body mounted to a robotic arm and an impedance-measuring tip coupled to the tool body. The impedance-measuring tip defines a first volume to receive a fluid and a first dispensing outlet for dispensing the fluid. The impedance-measuring tip includes an impedance-measuring sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a change in impedance. A tip extension is fluidically coupled to the impedance-measuring tip that defines a second volume for receiving the fluid. A camera is coupled to the tool body and configured to capture image data of the second volume that captures at least a visual representation of a number of cells or other objects in the second volume. A pump is coupled to the impedance-measuring tip to dispense the fluid from the first volume into the second volume and from the second volume into a receptacle.