A measurement container supply device. A supply section transfers the measurement container to the predetermined supply position includes a holding section (50) that holds the measurement container, and the holding section (50) has a first groove (52) that is formed to have a width that corresponds to the outer diameter of a body of the measurement container, and a second groove (54) that is formed to have a width that corresponds to the outer diameter of a neck of the measurement container. When the holding section (50) holds the measurement container, the first groove (52) comes in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the body, the second groove (54) comes in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the neck, and a step (56) that is formed by the first groove (52) and the second groove (54) comes in contact with a step that is formed by the body and the neck.

A sample distribution system having a transport surface on which sample container carriers can be moved is presented. The sample distribution system has ambient-condition influencing device in order to influence ambient conditions over a sub-region of the transport surface in such a way that samples can be kept there for a certain time without impairment.

A method of operating a laboratory automation system is presented. The laboratory automation system comprises a plurality of laboratory stations and a plurality of sample container carriers. The sample container carriers carry one or more sample containers. The sample containers comprise samples to be analyzed by the laboratory stations. The system also comprises a transport plane. The transport plane supports the sample container carriers. The system also comprises a drive. The drive moves the sample container carriers on the transport plane. The method comprises, during an initialization of the laboratory automation system, logically reserving at least one buffer area on the transport plane and, after the initialization of the laboratory automation system, buffering in the at least one buffer area sample container carriers carrying sample containers comprising samples waiting for a result of an analysis. Depending on the result of the analysis, the samples are further processed.

A sample sorting apparatus used in a sample processing system comprises a sample supplying apparatus, a sample processing apparatus, and a transporting apparatus connected to the sample processing apparatus. The sample sorting apparatus comprises a first entrance for receiving a sample rack from the sample supplying apparatus, a container conveyor configured to take out a sample container from the sample rack received through the first entrance and configured to set the taken out sample container on a sample rack, a first exit for sending the sample rack on which the sample container is set to the transporting apparatus, a second entrance for receiving the sample rack from the transporting apparatus, a second exit for sending the sample rack received through the second entrance to the sample supplying apparatus, and a transporter configured to transport the sample rack from the second entrance to the second exit.

Example automated storage modules for analyzer liquids are described herein. An example apparatus includes a refrigerated storage module having a plurality of shelves (to store a plurality of carriers) and a loading bay having an array of slots to receive one or more of the carriers. The loading bay is accessible by a user for manual loading or unloading of the carriers. The example apparatus includes a first carrier transporter coupled to the storage module to transfer the carriers between the shelves and a first transfer location and a second carrier transporter movable along a track connecting the storage module to an automated diagnostic analyzer. The second carrier transporter is to transfer a first carrier between the first transfer location and a slot in the loading bay and a second carrier between the first transfer location and a second transfer location accessible by the automated diagnostic analyzer.

There is described an apparatus for depositing and retrieving large volumes of test tubes in/from a warehouse, comprising an input/output module of a first and a second container with a plurality of test tubes, a multiple pick up device of test tubes, a single pick up device of test tubes, a first and second station for the provisional allocation of said containers and a motorized traveling lift able to carry said first and second container simultaneously on two distinct coplanar locations.

Provided herein is an automatic cell culture device including an incubator configured to contain at least one container for culturing cells, a microscope configured to observe a state of the cell in the container, a robot arm configured to move the container, a liquid handler configured to introduce liquid into or discharge liquid from the container, and a control device configured to control an operation of at least one of the incubator, the microscope, the robot arm, and the liquid handler.

The invention provides a sample inspection automation system capable of easily, reliably, and efficiently responding to requests for reinspection or addition of inspection items. The sample inspection automation system includes a storage unit having a sample replacing mechanism for transferring a sample from a tray to a sample transfer line. When the system receives sample retrieval information through the communication between an operating unit and a laboratory information system (LIS), or a host system of the sample inspection automation system, the sample is transferred to the appropriate sample treatment unit through the transfer line. Thus, when a request for reinspection or an addition inspection is issued, the sample inspection automation system can efficiently respond to it.

A sample processing system is configured for analyzing, preprocessing, or carrying out other operations for a biological sample such as blood or urea. With the sample processing system, it is possible to store samples to be stored in a thermally insulated state or specimens required for accuracy control in the thermally insulated state for preventing evaporation or denaturing of the samples and specimens. Also it is possible to carry in or out the samples, rack by rack, according to necessity. Further, the sample processing system is provided with a buffer unit in a cold container having a capability for cold storage and also by accessing a sample rack at random for carrying in or out a rack with a transfer mechanism provided outside of the cold container.

A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a number of sample container carriers. The sample container carriers are adapted to carry one or more sample containers. The sample containers comprise samples to be analyzed by a number of laboratory stations. The laboratory sample distribution system also comprises a transport plane. The transport plane is adapted to support the sample container carriers. The method comprises allocating an area of the transport plane as a buffer area. The buffer area is adapted to store a variable number of sample container carriers. The method also comprises controlling the buffer area using a puzzle-based control scheme or using an aisle-based control scheme as a function of a storage density of the buffer area.