An automated sample specimen storage system including a tube holding microplate including a plate frame, a predetermined array of tube holding receptacles formed in the plate frame, the receptacles having a SBS standard pitch corresponding to the predetermined array, and being configured for holding therein sample store and transport tubes, each disposed so as to contain sample specimen in a sample storage of the storage system and to effect, with the sample tube, delivery from the sample storage to a workstation, the predetermined array of receptacles defining a volume capacity of the tube holding microplate, and each of the receptacles being shaped to conformally engage walls of the sample tubes and hold a respective one of the sample store and transport tubes, wherein the receptacles are arranged so that the tube holding microplate volume capacity defined by the predetermined array is an under optimum volume capacity.

A diagnostic analyzer includes a track, a light-blocking member, a motor, and an optical testing device. The track moves a reaction vessel held by the track. The light-blocking member is disposed adjacent to the track. The light-blocking member moves from a first position apart from the track to a second position closer to the track. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the first position a sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is exposed to light. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the second position the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is blocked from exposure to the light. The motor moves the light-blocking member between the first and the second positions. The optical testing device is disposed adjacent to the track for optically testing the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position.

A sample transport method, applied to a test instrument including a conveyor belt, and a loading platform and a grab position sequentially disposed along a transport direction of the conveyor belt, wherein a plurality of sample holder transport positions are disposed on the conveyor belt; the method including: pushing a first sample holder from the loading platform to a sample holder transport position of the conveyor; when a sample position on the first sample holder moves to the grab position, determining whether the sample position moved the grab position is a target sample position; if so, then determining whether all samples positions on the first sample holder before the target sample holder other than a predetermined number of sample positions have completed testing, wherein the predetermined number is sample position number corresponding to a delay time in outputting information indicating whether a sample needs to be retested.

An ion molecule reactor for generating analyte ions from analytes comprises: a) a reaction volume in which reagent ions can interact with the analytes in order to form analyte ions; b) at least one analyte inlet for introducing the analytes along an inlet path into the reaction volume whereby, preferably, the inlet path runs essentially along at least a first section of the predefined transit path in the reaction volume; c) at least one reagent ion source and/or at least one reagent ion inlet for providing reagent ions into the reaction volume; d) optionally, at least one ion guide comprising an electrode arrangement which is configured for producing an alternating electrical, magnetic and/or electromagnetic field, that allows for guiding the reagent ions and/or the analyte ions at least along a section of the predefined transit path, preferably along the whole transit path, through the reaction volume.

Described is an interface module for robotic loading and unloading of a liquid chromatography sample manager. The module includes a transfer drawer receiving apparatus having a device track and a drawer drive system configured to transport a transfer drawer along the device track into and out from a sample tray of a sample manager. The transfer drawer receives a sample-vial carrier that holds samples to be analyzed. The module further includes a window apparatus that has a window controllable to be in an open state or a closed state. When in the open state, transport of the transfer drawer through the window into or out from the sample manager permits loading of the sample-vial carrier into the sample tray and unloading of the sample-vial carrier from the sample tray. In the closed state, the window apparatus substantially seals the internal environment of the sample manager from the ambient environment.

The invention relates to a system with a seal between a manifold and a liquid container in which a sealing without an elastomer material is used, wherein the sealing properties of the seal are independent of the rotational position of the manifold in relation to the container.

A SBS-standard test tube rack is provided which is suitable for use in automated capping and de-capping of flat bottomed test tubes, in particular flat bottomed glass vials, both for individual test tube capping and de-capping as well as simultaneous capping and de-capping of all test tubes in the aforementioned SBS-standard test tube rack. The rack comprises a top tier having a plurality of apertures and a bottom tier that comprises a friction tier of high friction material. The bottom of each well in the rack is formed of the high friction material.

Provided are integrated automated systems for quantitative and/or qualitative microbiological assessment and/or analyte assessment of samples using in situ generated culture devices. The systems comprise: an integrated automated system comprising sterile media and/or buffer reagents, culture device parts, and automated components for media and/or buffer handling, test sample handling, culture device assembly, and microbial enumeration and/or detection, all within a sterile environment; and one or more processors; and memory, including computer-executable instructions that, if executed by the one or more processors, cause the integrated automated system to determine that a coded test sample, loaded into the system, is to be quantitatively and/or qualitatively assessed, and accordingly process and microbiologically assess the coded test sample using, for quantitative assessment, one or more specified in situ generated culture devices for quantitative assessment, thereby eliminating the need to sterilize, ship, store, and/or open ex situ fabricated culture devices prior to inoculation thereof.

A sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented.

A sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented.