Patent classifications
G01N35/109
CLINICAL ANALYZER PROBE CRASH DETECTION MECHANISM AND PROCESS
Embodiments are directed to a transfer arm with a probe and a crash detection mechanism for use in a clinical analyzer in an in vitro diagnostics environment. The mechanism requires no user-intervention after a collision event, unless the automated inspection mechanism determines that damage to the probe requires probe replacement. Moreover, the mechanism is capable of protecting the probe, in some instances, from damage during a collision. The mechanism provides for automatic resetting after a collision, self-checking, and alignment correction. The mechanism includes a crash detection printed circuit assembly with a switch, and a spring-loaded contact sensor assembly configured to secure a probe within the transfer arm and allow for electrical connection between the switch and the probe during normal operation and electrical disconnection between the switch and the probe upon contact of the probe with an obstruction.
Sample distribution system and method for distributing samples
A sample distribution system 1 has a regulator 4 for receiving a pipetting unit 2 that has at least one exchangeable pipette tip 3, wherein the regulator 4 is configured to change the position of the pipetting unit 2 in relation to a base plate 5, and to detect the presence or absence of pipette tips 3 with a sensor unit 12. According to the invention, the sensor unit 12 is a photoelectric sensor, in particular a reflection photoelectric sensor, with a detection range. The sensor unit 12 and the pipetting unit 2 can also move in relation to one another, in order to determine the presence of a pipette tip 3, if the pipette tip is in the detection range of the sensor unit 12.
SAMPLE ANALYSIS SUPPORT APPARATUS
A sample analysis support apparatus includes a sample region in which a sample is to be disposed, a tip region in which a tip is to be disposed, a first operation unit capable of an operation on the sample using the tip, the tip being attachable to and detachable from the first operation unit, a second operation unit capable of an operation on the sample using the tip, the tip being attachable to and detachable from the second operation unit, a transport unit configured to support each of the first operation unit and the second operation unit moveably between the tip region and the sample region, and a movement controller capable of controlling the transport unit to move each of the first operation unit and the second operation unit between the tip region and the sample region.
MEASUREMENT APPARATUS
Disclosed is a measurement apparatus including: a first setting base capable of having set thereon a plurality of first storage portions arranged in a first direction; a second setting base capable of having set thereon a second storage portion, the second setting base being disposed in a second direction crossing the first direction with respect to the first setting base; a holding body configured to hold the first setting base and to hold the second setting base; a drive unit configured to move the holding body in the first direction; a dispenser configured to move along a movement axis thereof in the second direction, to suction a liquid in the second storage portion and dispense the liquid into each first storage portion; a measurement unit configured to measure a mixture dispensed in the first storage portion; and a movement stopping unit.
AUTOMATIC ANALYZER AND OPTICAL MEASUREMENT METHOD FOR OBTAINING MEASUREMENT SIGNALS FROM LIQUID MEDIA
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method and a device for carrying out chemical, biochemical and/or immunochemical analyses of liquid samples, which are present in a sample store of an automatic analyzer, with the aid of liquid reagents, which are present in at least one reagent store of the analyzer. In one embodiment, a analyzer is disclosed including cuvettes for holding the liquid samples and reagents, the cuvettes are arranged in at least one stationary, linear cuvette array. The analyzer further has an optical measurement unit with a stationary light-supplying unit which has at least one light distributor device that feeds the light from a plurality of LED light sources emitting in a spectrally different manner in the UV/VIS/NIR wavelength range into the inlet windows of the individual cuvettes of the cuvette array. The optical measurement unit further includes a stationary detection unit assigned to outlet windows of the cuvettes and further includes a plurality of photodiodes.
DISPENSER PLATFORMS
In one example, a dispenser platform can include an enclosure that includes a first actuator to move a support in a first plane, wherein a portion of the support extends outside the enclosure, and a second actuator coupled to the portion of the support that extends outside the enclosure to move a stage coupled to the support in a second plane.
AUTOSAMPLER
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to chemical analysis systems, including autosampler systems. In some embodiments, an autosampler system can analyze gas phase samples using a single inlet for better consistency. The autosampler system can move the sample container closer to the sample introduction/preconcentration system prior to accessing the contents of the container to reduce exposure of the sample to reactive surfaces. The autosampler system is able to couple the sample containers to a sampling wand automatically, thereby eliminating the need to pre-attach each container using a gas transfer line. The autosampler system can be disposed on top of a chemical analysis system (e.g., a GC or GCMS), thereby conserving laboratory bench space. In some embodiments, the modules (e.g., sample trays, thermal conditioning systems, support legs) of the autosampler system can be coupled to the autosampler system using clamps that include magnetic codes associated with autocalibration information.
MEDICAL TESTING DEVICE
A medical testing device is disclosed herein. The robotic unit of the medical testing device contains a hand and arm for handling a plurality of biological samples. The hand can move the plurality of biological samples in the x, y, z directions and rotate 360 degrees. The medical testing herein allows for uniform testing of the plurality of biological samples.
PIPETTING APPARATUS WITH A PIPETTE TUBE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A LIQUID WITHIN AN INTERMEDIATE SECTION OF A PIPETTE TUBE
A pipetting apparatus and method capable of detecting a liquid within an intermediate section of a pipette tube of the pipetting apparatus. The intermediate section is located between an upper section of the pipette tube at which a first electrode is arranged and a lower section at which a second electrode is arranged. The first and second electrodes form a measurement capacitor and are operationally connected to an impedance measurement unit, which is adapted to detect whether liquid, such as a portion of a sample liquid or system liquid, is present within the intermediate section based on the measured impedance or change of impedance, e.g. an increase of the capacitance and/or a decrease of the resistance, of the measurement capacitor caused by a presence of the liquid within the intermediate section.
Automatic analyzer
An automatic analyzer capable of controlling an interval between the tip of a sample nozzle and the bottom of a reaction container regardless of individual differences between reaction containers and sample nozzles and suppressing adhesion of a sample to the sample nozzle is disclosed. Sample nozzles 13a and 14a are moved toward the bottom surface of a reaction container 2, the movement of the sample nozzles is stopped at a point in time when a stop position detector 46 detects a stop position detection plate 45, the sample nozzles are ascended from the stop position to a position where the stop position detection plate 45 separates from a detection range of the stop position detector 46, and an arm 44 is moved upward by a moving distance stored in a memory.