The present invention relates to an internal fixing device for an apparatus in a transport mode, an apparatus comprising said device, and a method for reducing the risk of damage to the apparatus during transport. The internal fixing device comprises a limiting device, eccentric roller transmission assemblies, a motor assembly, a motion guide assembly, etc. The two ends of a motor output shaft are fixedly disposed on eccentric roller transmission assemblies on two sides of the apparatus. By triggering a microswitch on the limiting device, eccentric rollers and rocking handles form self locking in a transport mode to stop motion. The present invention can effectively reduce the risk of damage to the apparatus during transport.

A rack for a diagnostic robot with at least one support for at least one container; at least one gas-outlet to supply the at least one container with a gas at a predefined but individually adjustable pressure level; a first gas pump to generate a gas at a predefined super-atmospheric pressure level; a second gas pump to generate a gas at a pre-defined sub-atmospheric pressure level; a first tubing system attached to the first gas pump and holding the gas generated by the first gas pump; a second tubing system attached to the second gas pump and holding the gas generated by the second gas pump; and at least one tube bridge, wherein one end of the bridge connects via a first valve into the first tubing system and the other end of the bridge connects via a second valve into the second tubing system, and wherein the at least one gas-outlet is connected to the center of the bridge.

A receptacle holder for supporting at least one fluid-containing receptacle includes a body and an RFID transponder. The body includes an electrically conductive portion defining a first recess configured to receive at least a first fluid-containing receptacle, and an electrically non-conductive portion attached to the electrically conductive portion. The RFID transponder is disposed on the electrically non-conductive portion of the body, and stores information about the receptacle holder. The receptacle holder can also include the first fluid-containing receptacle received within the first recess.

A measurement system according to one or more embodiments may include a measurement unit that measures a sample contained in a sample container; a transport unit including a first transporter that transports a rack holding sample containers in a longitudinal direction of the rack to the measurement unit, and a second transporter that transports the rack from the measurement unit; and a rack export-import unit that sets racks thereon, that is capable of transferring each of the set racks in a lateral direction of the rack, that exports the rack to the first transporter from one end side of the rack export-import unit, and that imports the rack transported by the second transporter from another end side of the rack export-import unit. The rack export-import unit includes a transfer prevention section that prevents the rack imported from the other end side from being transferred from the one end side.

The invention relates to a transport unit for sample containers which enclose samples to be analysed by an automatic diagnosis unit, the unit comprising: a transportation route (10) of racks (3) of samples, said route (10) extending according to a first direction (A), said route comprising a first end (102) adapted to receive a rack of samples from a first device and comprising a second end (101) adapted to transmit a rack of samples to a second device; a mobile platter (15) comprising a positioning surface extending in a plane; an analysis zone (13) arranged inside the positioning surface, and a waiting zone (12) arranged inside the positioning surface, the analysis zone (13) and the waiting zone (12) being both adapted to receive a rack (3) of samples and being both offset from the transportation route (10); a rack slider (14) configured to move a rack (3) of samples between the transportation route (10) and the waiting zone (12).

An automated analyzer includes a reagent container holder (2) including an openable and closable opening (23) and including a plurality of reagent container holding slots capable of holding reagent containers at internal predetermined positions, and loading assisting means (24) for executing a loading process of conveying the reagent container (3) from outside of the reagent container holder (2) into the reagent container holder (2) via the opening (23) to load the reagent container (3) into the reagent container holding slot (26) and a taking-out process of conveying the reagent container (3) from the reagent container holding slot (26) to outside of the reagent container holder (2) via the opening (23). The loading assisting means (24) is further provided with placing means (33) for the reagent container (3), and an operation handle (34) to be operated for driving the loading assisting means (24). Thus, an automated analyzer can be provided that allows a reagent replacing operation to be easily and reliably achieved.

Provided are methods for the automated loading and/or automatic processing of one or more samples in an automated sample processing device. Also provided are automated sample loading systems and devices that include automated sample loading systems or devices that are utilized in such systems.

An embodiment is a sample rack system. The sample rack system comprises a rack having a base, a top opposite the base along a vertical direction, a receptacle that extends from the top toward the base along the vertical direction, and a receiver element proximate the top. The receptacle is sized to receive a sample collection unit. The system also includes a retention clip for holding the sample collection unit in the receptacle. The retention clip includes an engagement head for attachment to the receiver element of the rack. The engagement head defines an outer surface. The retention clip also includes a curved tail that extends from the engagement head and contacts the sample collection unit when the sample collection unit is placed in the receptacle. The outer surface of the retention clip does not project outwardly from the rack when the retention clip is attached to the rack.

A tube conveyance rack (10) comprises a rack body (14) having a tube insertion hole (12) that opens upward and is for accommodating a tube and a gripping member (16) disposed inside the tube insertion hole (12). The gripping member (16) has a frame-shaped base part (30) that has a frame shape and is provided horizontally, and a plurality of arm parts (32) that extend upward from the frame-shaped base part (30). The frame-shaped base part (30) has, at the parts joined to the arm parts (32), thick parts (30a) that are thick in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the frame-shaped base part (30)

A sample feeding apparatus, a sample analyzing device, and a control method for a sample feeding apparatus are disclosed. At least two of a feeding unit, a temporary storage unit, and a recovery unit together form a vertical stack structure, and a dispatching manipulator transfers a sample vessel among the feeding unit, the temporary storage unit, the recovery unit, and a sample aspiration region. The space in a vertical direction can be reasonably utilized, superposition is performed in space to simplify the dispatching process, and the occupation of a horizontal space is reduced. As a result, the floor space is reduced, and the apparatus is further miniaturized.