A receptacle delivery system includes a carriage configured to move from a first to a second location of an instrument. The carriage may be configured to removably support a receptacle and may include a receptacle clamping mechanism. The receptacle mechanism may be configured to apply a clamping force to the receptacle as the carriage moves from the first to the second location and release the clamping force as the carriage moves from the second to the first location.

Provided are handling systems and methods for sample processing. The systems can include a sample container and a probe. A system can be convertible between a loading state in which a user loads sample into the sample container, a sampling state in which relative motion between the sample container and the probe places the probe and sample container into fluid communication with one another so that the probe can aspirate sample from the sample container, and a washing state in which rinse fluid is expressed through the probe so as to remove unwanted material from within the probe, with the rinse fluid being collected by a wash manifold.

The present disclosure is, in one aspect, directed to a locking assembly for securing a sample tube assembly to a sample manifold of a measurement system. The locking assembly includes a ramp block having one or more slots defined therein and configured to at least partially receive a portion of the sample tube assembly. The ramp block also includes a plurality of surface features defined therealong and configured to engage and move the sample tube assembly toward and into engagement with the sample manifold. The ramp block further is movable between a plurality of positions including an open position for allowing the sample tube assembly to be received through the one or more slots or openings, and a closed position substantially sealing the sample tube assembly against or within the sample manifold. Other aspects also are described.

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.

A sample transport system has a carrier configured to hold a sample tube for a sample to be transported and mixed, a transporter configured to support the carrier, a guide portion configured to impart motion to the carrier on the transporter and deliver the carrier to a destination location, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify instructions associated with the sample, the instructions including a movement profile configured to cause mixing of the sample, communicate with the guide portion to cause the carrier to follow the movement profile on the transporter to cause the mixing of the sample, and deliver the sample to the destination location.

A specimen transporting apparatus and method are provided, in which a specimen container having a non-printed region and a printed region on a side surface of the specimen container is rotated intermittently, each time through a certain angle, during a first rotation. Information printed on the printed region is read during the first rotation, and the location of the non-printed region is identified based on the success or failure of the reading. Next, a second rotation is performed, in which the specimen container is rotated continuously. The information printed on the printed region is read during the second rotation, and the location of the printed region is identified based on the success or failure of the reading. Accordingly, the location of an end portion of the printed region is identified, and the orientation of a specimen bar code is aligned relative to a transfer destination rack.

Methods and apparatus of inspection tools for inspecting impurities in vials are provided herein. In some embodiments, an inspection tool for inspecting impurities in vials includes: a table for inspecting a plurality of vials; one or more carts configured to move about the table to place the one or more carts in an inspection position, wherein each of the one or more carts includes a vial holder configured to hold a plurality of vials, and wherein each vial holder is configured to spin the plurality of vials on their own respective axes; and a camera configured to take images of the plurality of vials when the plurality of vials are disposed in the inspection position.

Provided is an automatic analyzer in which a lid of a reagent vessel does not hinder the dispensing of the reagent.

An automatic analyzer for analyzing a specimen includes a reagent dispensing unit for dispensing a reagent from a reagent bottle in which a plurality of reagent vessels storing reagents used for the analysis of the specimen are arranged in one direction, and a reagent rack in which reagent bottles are stored, in which the reagent rack includes a lid opening unit for opening a lid corresponding to an upward opening of the reagent vessel along an arrangement direction of the reagent vessels, and a lid fixing unit for fixing the lid to the outside of a path in which the reagent dispensing unit is inserted into the opening.

A distribution system comprising a transport plane configured for distributing a plurality of tube holders, wherein the transport plane comprises at least one transportation area and at least one queue area, wherein the queue area comprises queues of a plurality of different queue types differentiating between tube holder with a sample container, empty tube holder, input queue and output queue; a drive system configured for moving the tube holders on the transport plane; a control system configured to control movement of the tube holders on the transport plane, wherein the control system comprises a routing system configured for calculating routes for the tube holders on the transportation area of the transport plane, wherein the control system comprises a queue manager configured for calculating routes for the tube holders in the queue area considering the different queue types.

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.