The present invention relates to a system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a disposable cartridge and an optical cup or cuvette having a tapered surface; an optics system including an optical reader and a thermal controller; an optical analyzer; a cooling system; and an improved spectrometer. The system may utilize the disposable cartridge in the sample processor and the optical cup or cuvette in the optical analyzer.

A sample tube includes a barcode split into components at the bottom of the sample tube. Each barcode component stores less than the full data output from the barcode, but the components combine to full data output. Redundant diagonal components provide for error checking. A center region between the barcode components supports an electrical circuit or an optical or acoustic window. The sample tube may have a sidewall with a substantially cylindrical open end and non-cylindrical end closed with a bottom, the non-cylindrical end orienting the sample tube in a rack. Additional non-cylindrical surfaces are provided to orient the sample tube relative to complementary surfaces at a gripper. The sample tube of a particular application is positioned in an acoustic dispensing system where acoustic waves are transmitted through a center window for surveying and dispensing.

The present invention relates to a system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a disposable cartridge and an optical cup or cuvette having a tapered surface; wherein the walls are angled to allow for better coating and better striations of the light, an optics system including an optical reader and a thermal controller; an optical analyzer; a cooling system; and an improved spectrometer. The system may utilize the disposable cartridge in the sample processor and the optical cup or cuvette in the optical analyzer.

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.

An apparatus and method provide for automated management of bacterial load detector devices to be temporarily positioned inside a chamber, delimited by walls, at least one of the walls includes at least one access aperture on which a primary closing unit is installed, configured to allow access to an inside of the chamber while keeping an atmosphere of the chamber isolated and separated from an external environment. The apparatus comprises a transport container, containing an extractable housing slider on which one or more bacterial load detector devices are positioned, an extraction device configured to extract the housing slider from the transport container and make the housing slider available inside the chamber, and a support device disposed inside the chamber configured to stably position and support the housing slider.

An external movable stage system for automated cell microscopic imaging and analysis comprises a microscope and an external movable stage device. The external movable stage device is attached to the microscope and configured to assist the microscope in observing a cell sample and to avoid vibration of the microscope. The external movable stage device comprises an automatic stage module, a control module and an image positioning module. The automatic stage module comprises a stage adjustment structure and a movable stage connected to the stage adjustment structure. The control module is configured to move the movable stage in scanning manner so that all parts of the sample plate pass through the objective lens of the microscope to obtain sub-images. The image positioning module is configured to automatically adjust the focal length of the microscope lens, and when the displacement of the sub-images is detected, the sub-images is automatically adjusted to the correct position, and the sub-images is synthesized to produce a full image by an image processing method.

A method for distribution of supports impregnated with antibiotics including positioning a plurality of tubular containers, each one containing a plurality of supports impregnated with antibiotics and stacked, in a corresponding plurality of seats of a dispenser. Extraction of at least a first support from a first container, through an extractor, the extraction being performed in correspondence of an end of the first container and comprising a movement of the first support between a first position inside the first container and a second position extracted from the first container wherein the first support is positioned on an auxiliary dispenser different from the dispenser and configured for housing a plurality of supports in a respective plurality of collection areas. Collection of the first support from the second position using a collector is performed. Transportation of the first support from the auxiliary dispenser towards a culture plate by the collector is performed.

The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for spinoculation and counterflow centrifugal elutriation. In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a cartridge in an automated system, comprising a liquid transfer bus, a module fluidically coupled to the liquid transfer bus, the module comprising two sub-modules, each configured to perform separate cell processing steps, and at least one selector valve configured to direct fluid to at least one of the sub-modules.

An external movable stage system for automated cell microscopic imaging and analysis comprises a microscope and an external movable stage device. The external movable stage device is attached to the microscope and configured to assist the microscope in observing a cell sample and to avoid vibration of the microscope. The external movable stage device comprises an automatic stage module, a control module and an image positioning module. The automatic stage module comprises a stage adjustment structure and a movable stage connected to the stage adjustment structure. The control module is configured to move the movable stage in scanning manner so that all parts of the sample plate pass through the objective lens of the microscope to obtain sub-images. The image positioning module is configured to automatically adjust the focal length of the microscope lens, and when the displacement of the sub-images is detected, the sub-images is automatically adjusted to the correct position, and the sub-images is synthesized to produce a full image by an image processing method.

The present invention relates to automation of urine analysis or urinalysis (UA) with conventional cytopathological assessment tests and methods using an artificial intelligence (AI) based urine diagnostic apparatus or device or system and methods employing said apparatus or device or system for fully automated preparation of raw samples by automating and streamlining conventional laboratory processes and examination of urine samples, automated data collection, automated analysis of data using digital image recognition, and finally, automated screening for cancer suspicion in a non-invasive, non-human or pre-pathologist intervention-based automatic examination and analysis of such samples using AI based on said data analysis for preparing reports intimating to the subject or patient automated negation if no abnormal cells are detected/identified, or to forward suspicious samples from the subject or patient to confirm the possibility of suspicion for cancer risk of cancers routinely and otherwise detected based in examination of urine samples by a trained pathologist.