The present invention is directed to a system and method for load balancing specimen containers between a plurality of automated detection apparatuses. The method may include receiving a specimen container at a container pick-up station in a first automated detection apparatus; determining loading ability, transfer status, and cell availability of the first automated detection apparatus and one or more downstream automated detection apparatuses; and transferring the specimen container from the first automated detection apparatus to a downstream automated detection apparatus when a first ratio of effective available cell count to effective capacity in the first automated detection apparatus is less than a second ratio of total effective available cell count to total effective capacity of a sum of the first automated detection apparatus and the one or more downstream automated detection apparatuses.

Methods and systems allow characterization of sample vessels and carriers in an automation system to determine any physical deviation from nominal positions. In response, an offset can be calculated and applied when positioning a carrier relative to a station, such as a testing or processing stations (or vice-versa). This may allow for precise operation of an instrument with a sample vessel on an automation track, while compensating for deviation in manufacturing and other tolerances.

A laboratory sample distribution system is provided comprising a number of sample container carriers and a number of transport modules, wherein each transport module comprises: a transport surface, wherein the transport modules are arrangeable adjacent to one another in a row-direction and in a column-direction such that the transport surfaces of the transport modules together form a common transport surface, and controllable drive means being arranged below the transport surface and being adapted to move sample container carriers on top of the transport surface, wherein at least some transport modules of the number of transport modules are movable transport modules being adapted to be moved during operation of the laboratory sample distribution system such that a gap is formed between transport modules arranged in row-direction and/or column-direction or that a gap is closed between transport modules arranged in row-direction and/or column-direction.

A conveying device includes a carrier which includes a holder side member; a conveying passage which guides conveyance of the carrier; a spirally-shaped spiral member which is arranged below the carrier and extends along the conveying passage, the spiral member causing between the spiral member and the holder side member a first force which acts in a direction away from the holder side member or a second force which acts to draw in the holder side member; a partition wall portion which is provided between the carrier and the spiral member and partitions the carrier and the spiral member; and a rotary unit which rotates the spiral member axis-wise thereof.

A sample container carrier for transporting sample containers, for example test tubes and/or vials, in a laboratory automation system is presented. The sample container carrier comprises a body having a hollow center with a central axis (A). The hollow center is adapted for receiving a lower end of a sample container. The sample container carrier also comprises at least three resiliently deformable and/or displaceable upper retaining elements. The upper retaining elements are distributed about the central axis (A) and adapted to clamp a sample container inserted in the hollow center of the body. The upper retaining elements are made of plastic. A method for manufacturing a sample container carrier is also presented. At least the upper retaining elements are formed by injection molding. A laboratory sample distribution system having a number of sample container carriers and a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system are also presented.

A sample container carrier for transporting sample containers, for example test tubes and/or vials, in a laboratory automation system is presented. The sample container carrier comprises a body having a hollow center with a central axis. The hollow center accommodates a lower end of a sample container. The sample container carrier also comprises three resiliently deformable and/or displaceable first retaining elements mounted to the body. The first retaining elements, distributed about the central axis, clamp a sample container inserted in the hollow center. The sample container carrier also comprises three resiliently deformable and/or displaceable second retaining elements mounted to the body. The second retaining elements, distributed about the central axis, clamp the sample container inserted in the hollow center underneath the three first retaining elements. The second retaining elements are arranged at least partly inside the hollow center.

A device for mounting a plurality of actuator modules in a grid pattern to a support frame with support bars is provided. Each actuator module has a regular polygonal basic shape with three, four or six corners. The device comprises a plurality of support brackets mountable to the support bars. Each support bracket is provided with a support structure arranged at a node of the grid pattern and having a cross element adapted to support corner regions of neighboring actuator modules at the node. A transport device comprising a plurality of actuator modules and a device for mounting the plurality of actuator modules in a grid pattern to a support frame is also provided. A laboratory sample distribution system and a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory sample distribution system are also provided.

A movable piece includes a front arm and a rear arm. In a first process, the front arm retreats from a conveying path to permit forward movement of an n-th holder, and in a second process advances into the conveying path to restrict forward movement of an n+1-th holder. In the first process, the rear arm advances into the conveying path to restrict forward movement of the n-th holder, and in the second process retreats from the conveying path 18 to permit forward movement of the n-th holder. Midway through the second process, the n-th holder 84 is positioned in a reference stopping position.

The invention relates to a device, a system and a method for transportation, separation and orientation in a head up position of cuvettes. The invention also relates to using the device or the system for transportation, separation and orientation in head up position of the cuvettes. The device comprises a pipe, a rotating auger, a motor, a guiding plate and a slide rail. The system further comprises at least one cuvette.

Disclosed is a gripping device for a container intended for a biological analysis, including an annular part of X axis, elastically deformable gripping fins extending radially inwardly from the annular part, the fins being capable of being deformed when a container is introduced into the annular part, the fins being evenly distributed over the circumference. Each fin has a so-called upper surface and an opposite so-called lower surface, the lower surface being intended to come into contact with the container, the lower surface having a concave zone, or vice versa.