A processing system includes a processing unit configured to process a cartridge, in particular a microfluidic cartridge, and is further configured to process a biological sample received in the cartridge. The processing unit includes a computing unit configured to compare input or read in sample data with input or read in first cartridge data in order to determine a compatibility of the sample with the cartridge. The computing unit is further configured to output a first error message in response to a determination of incompatibility between the sample and the cartridge. A method includes using the processing system to determine a compatibility between a sample and a cartridge.

Independent automatic analysis apparatuses include controllers for controlling an operation of each unit of the apparatus, reagent-related information input/output units for inputting and outputting reagent-related information I related to a reagent installed in a reagent supply portion including a reagent in use, reagent vessel detection units for detecting that a reagent vessel is taken in and/or taken out of the automatic analysis apparatus, and reagent-related information reading units for reading reagent-related information from the reagent and/or reagent vessel in use detected to be taken in by the reagent vessel detection unit. The controllers compare the reagent-related information read by the reagent-related information reading unit with the reagent-related information input to the reagent-related information input/output units, and control an operation of the reagent supply portion based on a comparison result thereof.

Systems and methods for using smart sample containers to manage complex sample evaluation workflows, are disclosed. An example method for using a smart sample container configured to manage a sample evaluation workflow according to the present invention comprises, obtaining a sample evaluation workflow for the one or more samples, receiving interactions with external devices, and based on the sample evaluation workflow, and causing the external devices to perform actions to advance the sample evaluation workflow. The smart sample container may further modify the sample evaluation workflow based on results of actions performed by the sample evaluation workflow and/or store information relating to the results of such actions. In this way, the smart sample containers are able to dynamically drive the evaluation of a sample through its sample evaluation workflow.

A management system including a processor, the processor is configured to acquire an image obtained by imaging an outer surface of each of plural sample containers and a boundary container, the sample container containing a sample and in which subject information of a subject from whom the sample is collected is given to the outer surface, the boundary container in which group boundary information indicating a boundary between plural groups of subjects is given to the outer surface, recognize the subject information and the group boundary information based on the image, and associate a test result related to the sample contained in each of the sample containers with a test order which includes the subject information and in which the group is divided corresponding to the group boundary information, based on a result of the recognition and the test order.

A test tube rack dispatching method, a pipeline analysis system and a test tube rack. Said method is applied to a pipeline analysis system. The pipeline system comprises a sample conveying mechanism, at least two test devices and at least two test platforms corresponding to the at least two test devices, the sampling mechanism being connected to the at least two test platforms. Said method comprises: scanning a readable and writable label of a test tube rack placed in the pipeline system, so as to read test mode information corresponding to the test tube rack; and dispatching, by the sample conveying mechanism, the test tube rack to a test platform corresponding to the test mode information, so as to test samples on the test tube rack by a test device corresponding to the test platform.

Provided is a device including at least one well and an amplifiable reagent contained in a specific copy number in the at least one well. In a preferable mode, the device includes information on the specific copy number of the amplifiable reagent. In a more preferable mode, the device includes information on uncertainty as the information on the specific copy number, and the information on uncertainty includes a coefficient of variation CV of the amplifiable reagent, and the coefficient of variation CV satisfies a relational expression: CV<1/Vx, where x represents an average specific copy number of the amplifiable reagent. In a particularly preferable mode, the device includes a plurality of wells in which the amplifiable reagent is contained, and the amplifiable reagent is contained in each of the wells in the same specific copy number. The invention may use microscopes to verify the number of cells comprising the amplifiable reagent, i.e. nucleic acid, in each of the wells. The device may be used for calibrating a PCR apparatus.

Provided is an automatic analysis device that can suppress concentration of a reagent made to react with a specimen. This automatic analysis device is provided with: a reagent container which accommodates a reagent and which has attached thereto a perforable lid; a perforation unit for perforating the lid; and a reagent suction nozzle that is inserted into a hole formed by perforation and that sucks up the reagent. The automatic analysis device is characterized by being further provided with a state storage unit that stores the state as to whether the reagent container is in an unused state or in a used state, and a state update unit that, when the lid is perforated by the perforation unit while the reagent container is in an unused state, updates the state stored in the state storage unit to the used state.

A system for conducting an assay comprises a power source (16), a controller (13) for controlling the assay and a plurality of assay units (14) operatively connected to one another such that the controller can communicate with the assay units and the system is capable of conducting the assay. An assay device comprises a substantially circular body (24) having a plurality of chambers in fluid connection such that fluid can pass between said chambers and a central hub (200) having a sample inlet (202) disposed therein for receiving a sample.

In order to easily identify a specimen to be extracted because, for example, an item remains uninspected, from a rack 31 collected in a storage part 13 or the rack 31 taken out from the storage part, a camera of a smart device takes an image of the rack; and a calculation unit included in the smart device provides a mark, by AR technology, at the position of a specimen to be extracted. For example, the item that remains uninspected is identified on the basis of information about a combination of a rack ID and an identifier and information, which is received from an operation unit about specimens at respective positions. Thus, irrespective of a place or whether the specimen to be extracted is inside or outside of the device, the specimen to be extracted can be reliably specified from a plurality of specimen containers provided on a holder.

An apparatus for characterizing a specimen and/or specimen container. The characterization apparatus includes an imaging location configured to receive a specimen container containing a specimen, a light source configured to provide lighting of the imaging location, and a hyperspectral image capture device. The hyperspectral image capture device is configured to generate and capture a spectrally-resolved image of a small portion of the specimen container and specimen at a spectral image capture device. The spectrally-resolved image data received at the spectral image capture device is processed by a computer to determine at least one of: segmentation of at least one of the specimen and/or specimen container, and determination of a presence or absence of an interferent, such as hemolysis, icterus, or lipemia. Methods of imaging a specimen and/or specimen container, and specimen testing apparatus including a characterization apparatus are described, as are other aspects.