A sample collection apparatus, being configured for preparing a plurality of liquid samples for a sample processing, includes a collection device including a plurality of collection vessels being configured for accommodating the liquid samples and for providing the liquid samples for the sample processing, wherein the sample collection apparatus is shaped for positioning the collection device directly in a carousel of an autosampler apparatus, in particular a liquid chromatography autosampler apparatus. Preferably, a holder device is provided which is configured for holding the collection device during collecting the liquid samples and during providing the liquid samples for the sample processing, and the holder device is shaped for positioning the holder device with the collection device directly in the carousel of the autosampler apparatus. Furthermore, a sample preparation apparatus including the sample collection apparatus and a sample collection method are described.

A clinical diagnostics system provides at least one biochemical analyzer and a track with one or more carriers for clinical samples, wherein the track and carriers are configured to effect carrier motion in a horizontal plane and the biochemical analyzer is arranged above the track and the one or more carriers.

A receptacle distribution system includes a rotary distributor and a receptacle handoff device. The rotary distributor includes a motorized turntable with an upright wall, a distributor head for holding a receptacle, a hook configured to engage a receptacle for moving the receptacle into or out of the distributor head, and an a system for powered elevation of the distributor head. The receptacle handoff device is configured to transfer a receptacle from a first receptacle distributor to the rotary distributor and includes a receptacle yoke configured to hold a receptacle placed in the receptacle yoke with the first receptacle distributor, the receptacle yoke being rotatable between a first position to receive the receptacle and a second position to present the receptacle to the rotary distributor to enable the hook of the rotary distributor to pull the receptacle from the receptacle yoke and into the distributor head.

An automated system for preparing a biological sample containing biological species, and including a support plate wherein one or more through-wells are made, each through-well having two opposite accesses, a first access and a second access, the first access being separated from the second access by a filter-forming porous wall against which the biological sample that is to undergo lysis may be placed, and, for each well: a first mobile member, that can be actuated to move translationally along the axis of the well so as to become inserted across the first access thereof, a second mobile member, that can be actuated to move translationally along the axis of the well so as to become inserted across the second access thereof, stimulation means of mechanical and/or thermal type for stimulating each first mobile member and/or each second mobile member and/or the support plate.

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 sample identification system for an automated sampling device is described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a sample holder having a plurality of apertures configured to receive a plurality of sample vessels therein, the sample holder having one or more corresponding sample holder identifiers positioned proximate to the sample holder; and an identifier capture device configured to detect the one or more sample holder identifiers positioned proximate to the sample holder and generate a data signal in response thereto, the data signal corresponding to at least an orientation of the sample holder relative to a surface on which the sample holder is positioned.

In one aspect of the present disclosure an optical measurement device includes a sample holder defining a sample plane, wherein the sample holder is configured to arrange a sample carrier including an array of measurement positions in the sample plane, an illumination unit configured to illuminate the sample plane, a detector and an optical imaging system configured to image the sample plane including the array of measurement positions onto the detector, the optical imaging system including two or more curved reflective elements adapted to image the sample plane onto the detector with a magnification of between 2:1 and 1:2 and the detector being configured to take an image of all measurement positions of the array of measurement positions at a time.

Apparatus to neutralize static electricity present on the surface of containers (100; 10′) and/or of nests (200; 300) comprising a plurality of seatings (212; 312) according to a positioning matrix (M1) and able to receive, resting on them, an ordered group of said containers (100; 100), wherein the apparatus comprises an extraction member (15) configured to engage at least one part of said ordered group of containers (100; 100′), in order to perform at least one relative lifting movement with respect to the nest (200; 300) so as to at least partly extract the containers (100; 100′) engaged from the respective seatings (212; 312), and at least one ionizing device (19) configured to be relatively mobile with respect to the extracted containers and/or with respect to the nest (200; 300), while said group of containers (100; 100′) extracted is in said raised condition, along a path that develops in the proximity of the containers (100; 100′) extracted and/or in the proximity of said nest (200; 300), so as to ionize the surrounding space and neutralize static electricity present on the surface of the containers (100; 100′) in the raised condition and/or of the nest (200; 300).

A sample carrier for assaying can include a plurality of pins having a surface that is capable of picking up at least one substance on the surface. The pins can be arranged such that one or more of the plurality of pins are introduced into a corresponding reaction vessel of a microplate. The sample carrier can be divided into a plurality of modules, with each of the plurality of modules comprising one or more pins of the plurality of pins. Methods of use include placing the sample carrier onto a microplate so that at least the one or more of the plurality of pins extend into the corresponding reaction vessel of the microplate.

A diagnostic system performs a first nucleic acid amplification reaction and a second, different nucleic acid amplification reaction. The diagnostic system includes a compartment configured to store at least a first bulk reagent container comprising a first bulk reagent for performing a sample preparation process, and a second bulk reagent container comprising a second bulk reagent for performing the first reaction. The system including a compartment configured to store at least one unit-dose pack comprising a plurality of unit-dose reagents for performing the second reaction. The diagnostic system is configured to perform the sample preparation process using the first bulk reagent on each of a plurality of samples provided to the diagnostic system. The system is configured to perform the first reaction using the second bulk reagent on a first sample subset, and perform the second reaction using the plurality of first unit-dose reagents on a second sample subset.