The invention relates to a sample processing system and method for processing biological samples, comprising a sample processing device having: a receiving plate, which is arranged substantially horizontally in a plane; a first and second working arm, which can move relative to the receiving plate and extend substantially parallel to each other in a second direction (Y) over the receiving plate; at least one pipetting device mounted on the first working arm, which is movable in a second direction (Y) and in a third direction (Z) orthogonal in relation to the first and second direction (X, Y); at least one gripping device, mounted on the second working arm, with grippers that can be rotated around a gripper axis of rotation (GA) parallel to the third direction (Z); and a control device for controlling the pipetting device and the gripping device.

Stepped portions of a flow channel are reduced by completely fixing the channel that extends to the measuring unit, and reducing connections in the channel, thereby to suppress a disturbance in the flow of the liquid suctioned into the measuring unit. A means is provided so that the reaction solution and reagent suctioned will move towards the channel through which the liquids are suctioned.

The present invention provides a disposable ultra-filtration system comprising a disposable pipetting tip and a disposable ultra-filtration cartridge, wherein the cartridge includes a membrane filtration chamber and a dead-end channel. In use, a piston in the pipette pressurizes air within the channel; the pressurized air can subsequently move the piston and cause a reverse flow back through the membrane of the cartridge, unplugging the pores thereof. Also disclosed is an automated workstation incorporating the disposable ultra-filtration system, and a system comprising the automated workstation, useful for measuring the free therapeutic drug concentration and free hormone concentration in a sample.

A pipetting device (100) for an apparatus (164) for processing a sample or reagent is disclosed. The pipetting device (100) comprises a coupling mechanism (102), wherein the coupling mechanism (102) comprises at least a first coupling unit (104) adapted to be coupled to a first pipetting tip and a second coupling unit (106) adapted to be coupled to a second pipetting tip, and a tilt mechanism (112) for moving the first coupling unit (104) between an untilted position, in which the first coupling unit (104) and the second coupling unit (106) are arranged parallel to one another, and a tilted position, in which the first coupling unit (104) is tilted relative to the second coupling unit (106).

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.

The present invention provides a pipetting workstation comprising a pipetting mechanism bracket and a plurality of pipetting mechanisms; wherein, the pipetting mechanism comprises a mobile seat, a mobile rod movably mounted on the mobile seat; a mobile rod drive mechanism; a linear rail fastening seat; and a pipette body disposed at the lower end of the mobile rod. The present invention further provides usage of the pipetting workstation in such aspects as liquid sampling and liquid transferring. The pipetting workstation provided by the present invention can effectively reduce the impact and vibration during the operation, has small noise and running in a stable and reliable manner. The pipetting mechanism of the workstation of the present invention can operate more flexibly and reach more positions of plate.

An automated nucleic acid extraction device includes a base body, a cassette, a driving unit, a moving frame and a syringe. The base body includes a sample accommodating area, a column accommodating area, a cassette accommodating area and a collection tube being arranged in a linear direction. The cassette is arranged in the cassette accommodating area and includes two parallel walls and at least four vertical walls. The parallel walls and the vertical walls jointly form a lysis buffer well, at least one wash buffer well and an elution buffer well. Each vertical wall includes a load-bearing abutment. The driving unit and the moving frame are arranged on the base body. The syringe is arranged on the moving frame and is driven by the driving unit to reciprocate along with the moving frame in the linear direction.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring the optical state on the inside of a reaction vessel. The apparatus includes: linking portions that optically connect with the interior of the reaction vessel that is linkable with reaction vessels, a connecting end arranging body having an arranging surface that arranges and supports along a predetermined path, connecting ends to which is provided back ends of the light guide portions, the front ends thereof being provided to the linking portions, the connecting ends being provided to the linking portions; a measurement device having measuring ends that are successively optically connectable with the connecting ends, and in which light based on the optical state is receivable by optical connections between the connecting ends and the measuring ends; and a light guide switching mechanism that successively optically connects the connecting ends and the measuring ends.

A soil fractionation system can include a plurality of sample racks propelled by a drive system. Each sample rack can include a sample tube for holding a soil sample and a filter cup for receiving an extracted fraction of the soil sample. An extractor module of the fractionation system can include an extractor assembly and a filter assembly. A control system can control the relative positioning of the plurality of sample racks via the drive system, the relative movement between the extractor assembly and the sample tube, and the relative movement between the filter assembly and the filter cup.

A first drive mechanism of a dispensing probe device moves a first support arm in a vertical direction and rotates the first support arm in a horizontal direction. The second drive mechanism moves a second support arm in the vertical direction and rotates the second support arm in the horizontal direction. A distance from a rotation center of the first support arm to a second dispensing probe in the horizontal direction is longer than a distance from a rotation center of the second support arm to the second dispensing probe in the horizontal direction. A fan shape having an arc formed by a trajectory of one end of the second support arm that is far from the rotation center of the second support arm is included in a fan shape having an arc formed by a trajectory of the second dispensing probe.