A method and apparatus for processing a sample is presented. The apparatus comprises a chamber, a first input for inputting a first vessel into the chamber, a second input for inputting a second vessel into the chamber, the second input is different from the first input, a rotor comprising a first compartment for receiving the first vessel and a second compartment for receiving the second vessel, a gripper to grip the first vessel and to transport the first vessel to the first compartment, and a pipettor to pipette a sample from the first vessel and/or second vessel. The rotor rotates between a first position where the first vessel is transportable to the first compartment by the gripper, a second position where the second vessel is loadable into the second compartment, and a third position where the sample of the first vessel and/or second vessel is aspiratable by the pipettor.

Disclosed is a reaction vessel handling apparatus adapted for use in a biological fluid testing apparatus. The reaction vessel handling apparatus includes an incubation member and wash member that are overlapping. A transfer device transfers reaction vessels between the incubation member and wash member at the overlapping portions. Incubation and wash members may be rings. Testing apparatus (e.g., immunoassay apparatus or clinical analyzer apparatus) including the reaction vessel handling apparatus and methods of operating the apparatus are provided, as are other aspects.

A system and apparatuses or devices capable of automatically performing processes of cell treatment preparatory to flow cytometry and similar cytological studies in a fully automated and streamlined manner are provided. The system and apparatuses or devices are adapted for preparation and (pre)processing of cell samples, e.g., blood and/or bone marrow samples.

Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. A system comprises a plurality of conveyors, which each comprise a plurality of segments, and one or more stations. An instruction is received to perform an operation that requires at least one station to process at least a first item held by a first segment of a first conveyor and a second item held by a second segment of a second conveyor. In response to the instruction, one or both of the first and second conveyors are moved, such that the first segment and the second segment are aligned at the station. After alignment, one or more instruments of the station process the first item and the second item.

A sample analyzer includes a first track, a second track, a reaction wheel, an electrolyte analyzing mechanism, a first sample dispensing mechanism, and a second sample dispensing mechanism. In the present disclosure, the first sample delivery mechanism independently transfers the samples from the first track to the reaction vessels carried by the reaction wheel, and the second sample delivery mechanism independently transfers the samples from the second track to the detection vessels carried by the electrolyte detection mechanism.

A sample analyzer includes a reaction wheel, a first reagent container storage mechanism, a second reagent container storage mechanism, a reagent container buffering mechanism, and a reagent container transfer mechanism. In the present disclosure, a center line is defined by extending from a first rotation center to a second rotation center, and the reagent container buffering mechanism and the reaction wheel are respectively located on two sides of the center line. The reagent container transfer mechanism is configured to transfer reagent containers between the first reagent container storage mechanism and the reagent container buffering mechanism, and/or between the second reagent container storage mechanism and the reagent container buffering mechanism.

According to one embodiment, an automatic analysis apparatus includes a reagent storage and a reagent container arm. The reagent storage includes an outer circumferential table on which a plurality of reagent containers are loaded and an inner circumferential table located inside the outer circumferential table and on which a plurality of reagent containers are loaded. The reagent container arm conveys a reagent container to the inner circumferential table through between the reagent containers loaded on the outer circumferential table.

A sample preparation cartridge for use with a sample preparation device, the cartridge includes a housing defining plural separate segments, at least one of said segments comprising a fixed section of a pipette component; and a moveable head comprising a pipette tip, the head being configured, in use, to be moved between a position in which the pipette tip is in sealed engagement with the fixed section of pipette component and a position in which pipette tip is positioned adjacent to another of said plural segments. With the present invention a disposable sample preparation cartridge and corresponding analytical reader can be provided in a very cost effective and simple manner.

Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. A system comprises a plurality of conveyors, which each comprise a plurality of segments, and one or more stations. An instruction is received to perform an operation that requires at least one station to process at least a first item held by a first segment of a first conveyor and a second item held by a second segment of a second conveyor. In response to the instruction, one or both of the first and second conveyors are moved, such that the first segment and the second segment are aligned at the station. After alignment, one or more instruments of the station process the first item and the second item.

A pretreatment method of an automatic analyzer, in which pretreatments of a plurality of substances to be measured can be performed by a series of treatments using a plurality of magnetic beads that can bind to the plurality of substances to be measured, is achieved. In the pretreatment method of an automatic analyzer, a magnetic bead is added to a sample containing a substance to be measured, the substance to be measured is bound to the magnetic bead, the magnetic bead is extracted from the sample, and the substance to be measured is separated from the magnetic bead by an eluate. A plurality of magnetic beads that bind to a plurality of types of substances to be measured are added to a sample, and the plurality of types of substances to be measured are extracted from the magnetic bead by an eluate.