First and second racks each has fixed positions to hold sample tubes. First and second drawers slide into and out of the case, and that support the first and second racks, respectively. A tube set unit is provided in an area close to the first rack in the case. A tube transfer unit removes sample tubes from the first and second racks in the case and a controller that controls a transfer operation of the tube transfer unit. The first rack is supported by the first drawer such that the first rack leaves a transit location in the case behind the first drawer in the direction of the first drawer movement into the case. The controller controls the tube transfer unit to remove at least one sample tube from the second rack and transfers the tube to the tube set unit via a path traversing the transit location.

Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a portion of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station.

An analysis tool for use mounted to an analysis device that automatically analyzes a specified component contained in a sample. The analysis tool includes a light measurement well to hold a measurement solution as a measurement subject, and to measure the measurement solution. The light measurement well includes an opening to dispense the measurement solution through, a measurement solution holder to hold the measurement solution dispensed through the opening, and an emission section that emits measurement light caused to be emitted from the measurement solution held in the measurement solution holder in a light receiving direction of the analysis device. The measurement light is fluorescent light or chemiluminescent light. The measurement solution holder has a flattened profile that is flattened in the light receiving direction.

Contemplated herein is an automated microscope slide antigen recovery and staining apparatus and method that features a plurality of individually operable miniaturized pressurizable reaction compartments for individually and independently processing a plurality of individual microscope slides. The apparatus preferably features independently movable slide support elements each having an individually heatable heating plate. Each slide support element may support a microscope slide. Each microscope slide can be enclosed within an individual pressurizable reaction compartment. Pressures exceeding 1 atm or below 1 atm can be created and maintained in the reaction compartment prior to, during or after heating of the slide begins. Because of the ability to pressurize and regulate pressure within the reaction compartment, and to individually heat each slide, each slide and a liquid solution or reagent thereon can be heated to temperatures that could not be obtained without the enclosed pressurized environment of the reaction compartment. A reagent dispensing strip having a plurality of reconfigurable reagent modules may also be used.

Systems and methods are provided for automatically tailoring treatment of samples in sample containers carried in a rack. The systems and methods may identify sample containers in the rack and/or detect various characteristics associated with the containers and/or the rack. This information may then be used to tailor their treatment, such as by aspirating and dispensing fluid from the sample containers in a way that accounts for the types of the samples/containers carrying them.

A fluid container holder includes a body having a receptacle configured to receive a container. The body has a conductive outer surface for connection to an electrical ground or voltage source, and the holder is not formed solely of an electrically conductive metal. A fluid container handling assembly includes a drawer having a holder supporting a fluid container, and a frame supporting the holder. The frame is movable between a first position providing access to the holder and a second position positioning the holder within the instrument. The assembly also includes a first lock securing the holder to the frame when the frame is at the first frame position and unlocking the holder from the frame when the frame is at the second frame position. The assembly also includes a holder transporter configured to move the holder between a first holder position and a second holder position within the instrument.

A transport device transports a container used in a sample measurement device or a rack housing the container. The transport device may include: a robotic arm configured to transport the container or the rack between a first sample measurement device and each of other sample measurement devices different from the first sample measurement device; and a controller that controls operation of the robotic arm.

A holding portion includes a first holding portion and a second holding portion that respectively hold a first cassette holder and a second cassette holder, a chemical liquid bottle holding portion including a first chemical liquid bottle holding portion and a second chemical liquid bottle holding portion, and a paraffin-filled bottle holding portion including a first paraffin-filled bottle holding portion and a second paraffin-filled bottle holding portion. The first cassette holder is inserted into the chemical liquid bottle provided to the first chemical liquid bottle holding portion and the paraffin-filled bottle provided to the first paraffin-filled bottle holding portion. Furthermore, the second cassette holder is inserted into the chemical liquid bottle provided to the second chemical liquid bottle holding portion and the paraffin-filled bottle provided to the second paraffin-filled bottle holding portion.

An automatic analyzer keeps the inside of a reagent cooler that stores a reagent vessel clean. The automatic analyzer includes: a reagent cooler that stores a reagent vessel containing a reagent to be reacted with a sample at a predetermined temperature. A reagent vessel replacement unit includes an opening configured to put the reagent vessel into and take the regent vessel out of the reagent cooler, wherein the opening is opened and closed to replace the reagent vessel. A positive pressure unit positively pressurizes the inside of the reagent cooler with respect to a periphery of the reagent cooler when the opening is opened.

A method for introducing a sample rack holding a plurality of sample receptacles into a receiving bay in a housing of an automated analytical system is disclosed. The method is carried out by manually moving the sample rack from a loading position towards a processing position along a lane in the receiving bay, pausing the movement when the rack reaches a focusing position, moving a reader to focuse onto the lane, resuming the movement of the sample rack and detecting features of the sample rack during the movement, positioning, detecting, and locking the sample rack in the processing position, and processing the content of the sample receptacles.