The invention relates to a device (1) for the automated analysis of solids or fluids. Said device comprises a first station (5) having a metering unit (51) for the filling of at least one sample chamber (2) with a specified sample quantity, a second station (6) having at least one measurement device (61) for an analysis of the sample situated in a sample chamber (2) and a third station (7) having an emptying device and cleaning device (71, 72) for the at least one sample chamber (2). Moreover, there is provided a transport device (3) for a revolving transport of the at least one sample chamber (2) from one station to the next until the first station (5) is reached again. According to the invention, the measurement device (61) of the second station (6) is a spherical measurement system, through the interior of which it is possible to guide the at least one sample chamber (2).

In blood clotting tests, a reagent is mixed with a sample and a blood clotting reaction is initiated. The time from initiation until the reaction is complete is not fixed. As a result, during analysis, whether or not the blood clotting reaction is complete is judged at fixed intervals based on the measured amount of scattered light. Therefore, time is wasted and analysis cannot be conducted efficiently if the blood clotting reaction reaches completion more quickly than predicted. Accordingly, the automatic analysis device and method takes this problem into consideration. When information about a plurality of samples is entered, the device compares the predicted reaction time length of each requested analysis item for the plurality of samples, determines an analysis sequence to carry out the analysis for each item in order from longest to shortest, and carries out the analysis on the basis of the determined analysis sequence.

Various embodiments are described herein for an apparatus and method for indicating at least one property related to an object. Detection data and optionally input data are received for the at least one property related to the object and at least one light property that corresponds to the at least one property related the object based on the detection signal is determined using a processing unit. A light is then generated and projected to illuminate and/or surround at least a portion of the object, the light being based on the at least one light property to indicate the at least one property related to the object.

An image acquisition system includes a cassette mounting unit that holds slide glasses in a plurality of stages, a cassette having an identification code imparted thereto being mounted in the cassette mounting unit, an identification code reading unit that reads an identification code from the cassette, an image acquisition unit that acquires image data of a sample held on the slide glass, and a control computer that associates the image data with cassette identification information included in the identification code read by the identification code reading unit, wherein the cassette mounting unit includes a notch portion that exposes a bar code imparted to the cassette, and the identification code reading unit includes an imaging unit that images the identification code exposed from the notch portion in a reading position.

A pretreatment apparatus (100) for performing pretreatment of a sample is provided with a holder (610) for holding a container (10) containing a sample, a centrifugal separation device (600) for rotating the container (10) held by the holder (610) to perform a centrifugal separation, a temperature adjustment device (420) for adjusting the temperature of the sample in the container (10) in the holder (610), an input device (320) for receiving from a user a designated temperature that is adjusted by the temperature adjustment device (420), a controller (300) for controlling the temperature adjustment device (420) in accordance with the designated temperature received via the input device (320).

A system for dispensing vessels to an analyzer is disclosed. The system comprises a disc rotatable about an axis and comprising a groove, a drum arranged above and coupled to the disc to rotatable together about the axis, the drum comprising slots arranged along and around the axis, each slot comprising an input interface for stacking vessels in the slot and an output interface for dispensing the vessels, the output interface comprising a retainer, a crank translatable in a linear forwards and backwards direction orthogonal to the axis between a first, second, and third position. The crank comprises a pin for rotating the disc and bringing a slot into a dispensing position upon translation between the first and second position, the crank comprising an actuator pin for actuating the retainer in the dispensing position upon translation of the crank between the second and third position to dispense the vessels.

To reduce the risk of mistaken operation and improve convenience in an automatic analysis device. Information about types of measurement inputted from an input device is combined in an examination mode creation screen image 301 on a display device of an automatic analysis device that performs analysis of specific types of measurement on a specimen container accommodating a specimen, the information about types of measurement including biochemistry examination items 303, immunology examination items 304, ISE examination items 304, blood clotting examination items 306, etc. This information is associated with an examination mode name 302, which comprises discretionary setting information, and is stored in a table of a storage unit. Information which is to be displayed on the display device and for which a change in settings is to be enabled is limited on the basis of the stored information about types of measurement associated with the examination mode name 302.

A liquid level detection device capable of accurately detecting an interface inside a container has an irradiation unit which irradiates a side surface of a sample container containing a sample having layers with light. A light receiving unit receives transmitted light from the sample container and an analysis unit acquires the interfaces between the layers from the received amount of the transmitted light. The sample container is moved vertically relative to the irradiation unit and the light receiving unit by a first drive and is moved in the circumferential direction relative to the irradiation unit and the light receiving unit by a second drive. The second drive is controlled so that the light receiving unit receives the transmitted light at first and second irradiation angles, and the interfaces between the layers are acquired on the basis of the received amounts of transmitted light at the first and second irradiation angles.

A test sample handling system for transporting test samples to a testing mechanism comprises a rotary sample holder including a carrier cylinder configured to rotate about a central rotational axis thereof and a carrier arm adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position. A carrier is configured to support one of the test samples and is removably coupled to the carrier cylinder. A lifter mechanism is adjustable between a lowered position and a raised position with the adjustment of the carrier arm from the retracted position to the extended position including a decoupling of the carrier from the carrier cylinder and a transporting of the carrier and the corresponding one of the samples to a position above the lifter mechanism. An adjustment of the lifter mechanism from the lowered position to the raised position includes a removal of the one of the samples from being supported by the carrier.

The present disclosure provides devices for processing, such as staining, a tissue sample on a microscope slide. In some embodiments, the tissue staining device described herein is capable of, e.g., automating, in whole or in part, a tissue staining protocol (including a chemical staining protocol and/or an immuno-based staining protocol) or a tissue dehydration protocol. Also provided in other aspects of the disclosure are components, methods of use, systems, and kits associated with the devices described herein.