The present invention describes an integrated incubator and image capture module that regulates the incubator atmosphere and obtains high-resolution digital images of sample specimens. The incubator has a cabinet type enclosure that enables the provision of a controlled environment to the contents of the incubator by having at least three ports on one face of the cabinet for the passage of sample containers. Additionally, an image capture module is located immediately adjacent to the incubator. In this regard, using at least three separate access/egress points for the sample containers streamlines operation of the system and enhances preservation of the incubator environment. Furthermore, locating the image capture module directly adjacent to the incubator reduces the amount of time a sample container is exposed to the external environment, thereby reducing the extent to which samples are exposed to potential contaminants and reducing the exchange of the lab and ambient atmospheres.

A method and device for handling supports which support biological cell cultures or auxiliary agents for treatment of biological cell cultures, using one or more modules, at least one of which is a handling device. Each one of a plurality of supports rests with its edges on support elements, and, depending on the type of supports or the type of auxiliary means supported thereby, the supports require different storage heights, some of which are greater than one or more times a standardized vertical spacing of the support elements. The supports have an information carrier, the information of which can be read by a reading device and can be evaluated by a computing device. For optimal use of the compartments of the storage device, the information contains details about the storage height of the support in question and the handling of the supports is performed using these details.

A system and method for automatic closure of sample vessels such as vessels with medical laboratory samples, having a plurality of identically shaped, stackable closure caps with a convex outer face and concave inner face that are stacked in a closure cap stack such that an upper closure cap in the stack bears with its convex outer face on the concave inner face of a lower closure cap lying immediately below in the stack. The system includes a closure gripper for gripping an uppermost closure cap from the stack, for transferring the gripped closure cap to the sample vessel to be closed, and for introducing the gripped closure cap into an opening of the sample vessel in order to tightly close the opening. The closure gripper has a centering piece insertable into a closure cap such that it bears on the concave inner face of the closure cap.

A diagnostic analyzer includes a first sample process path, a second sample processing path, and a reaction vessel exchanger device. The first sample process path includes an incubation track operable to move reaction vessels along the first sample process path. The second sample process path includes a processing track, disposed below the first sample process path, which is operable to move reaction vessels along the second sample process path. The reaction vessel exchanger device is configured to transfer the reaction vessels from the first sample processing path to the second sample processing path.

A diagnostic analyzer includes a first sample process path, a second sample processing path, and a reaction vessel exchanger device. The first sample process path includes an incubation track operable to move reaction vessels along the first sample process path. The second sample process path includes a processing track, disposed below the first sample process path, which is operable to move reaction vessels along the second sample process path. The reaction vessel exchanger device is configured to transfer the reaction vessels from the first sample processing path to the second sample processing path.

An apparatus for cup loading and unloading and a thromboelastography machine are provided. The apparatus for cup loading and unloading includes a base, a shaft, a movable cover, and a cup holder. The shaft is rotatably connected to the base about an axis of the shaft and has an end configured to engage with an inner cup. The movable cover is disposed around the shaft and slidably connected to the base along the axis of the shaft. The movable cover is provided with an elastic member therein. The cup holder is slidably connected to the base along the axis of the shaft and disposed below the base and the shaft. The cup holder has a cavity configured to engage with an outer cup, and the cavity has an open directed upward.

The present invention relates to an extraction apparatus capable of simultaneously extracting target materials from multiple biological samples and, more particularly, to a target material extraction apparatus in which magnetic bar blocks can be replaced according to kinds of multi-well plates to be inserted into a cartridge. When used, the target material extraction apparatus of the present invention is operated in such a manner that among various plates multi-well having different numbers of wells, multi-well plates suitable for a use purpose are loaded into a cartridge within the apparatus and magnetic bar blocks equipped with magnetic bars suitable therefor are selected and loaded. Thus, the apparatus has the advantage of selectively applying various multi-well plates to one installment according to the number of samples from which a target material is extracted or to the amount of the target material to be extracted.

The invention relates to a conveying device (IO) for positioning and providing laboratory vessels (12; 12a, 12b, 12c) for nutrient media, samples, microorganisms, cell cultures, or the like for analysis, sample preparation, and/or sample manipulation at an associated apparatus (64), comprising at least one first conveying unit (32) for conveying the laboratory vessels (12) between an initial region (30) and a provision region (60), where the laboratory vessel (12) is held for the analysis or preparation. According to the invention, a plurality of conveying units is present, which perform only a translational motion of the laboratory vessel (12) along an axis, wherein the first conveying unit (32) vertically conveys the laboratory vessel (12) from the initial region (30) to a predetermined height region (50) and vice versa, and a second conveying unit (56) is provided, which horizontally conveys the laboratory vessel (12) from the height region (50) to the provision region and vice versa.

An automatic analyzer for analyzing samples includes a lift, a part take-out station and a rack recovery station. The lift is configured to raise and lower a plurality of stacked part racks to the part take-out station and to the rack recovery station while keeping the part racks together. The part take-out station comprises a first rack separator configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks from being lowered when the lift lowers, while allowing the other part racks to lower, so that the uppermost rack is separated from the other part racks so as to remain in the part take-out station. The rack recovery station comprises a second rack separator configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks from being lowered when said lift lowers, while allowing the other part racks to lower, so as to remain in the rack recovery station.

A positioning system for positioning a consumable rack in a diagnostic system is disclosed. The positioning system comprises a rack comprising an upper surface comprising holding positions and a receiving compartment comprising a rectangular chassis comprising front, rear, and two lateral sides. The receiving compartment comprises a holding structure coupled to the chassis to move between first and second positions. The rack comprises sidewalls. At least three sidewalls have a center alignment element. The chassis comprises three chassis alignment elements on the rear and two lateral sides. The holding structure comprises a corner push element between the chassis front and lateral sides to push against a side edge of the rack between two sidewalls when the holding structure is moved from the first position towards the second position forcing the three alignment elements against a chassis alignment element and laterally holding the rack in position by the chassis alignment elements.