A measurement system according to one or more embodiments may include a measurement unit that measures a sample contained in a sample container; a transport unit including a first transporter that transports a rack holding sample containers in a longitudinal direction of the rack to the measurement unit, and a second transporter that transports the rack from the measurement unit; and a rack export-import unit that sets racks thereon, that is capable of transferring each of the set racks in a lateral direction of the rack, that exports the rack to the first transporter from one end side of the rack export-import unit, and that imports the rack transported by the second transporter from another end side of the rack export-import unit. The rack export-import unit includes a transfer prevention section that prevents the rack imported from the other end side from being transferred from the one end side.

An automated pre-analytical processing method and an apparatus for pre-analytical processing of samples to be forwarded to an adjacent analyzer for analysis. Rack label information is read and communicated to a processor. From the rack label information, the processor determines where to route the rack. The pre-analytical system has a rack robot that conveys racks to discrete locations depending upon the routing information assigned to the rack by the processor. The pre-analytical system has an automated station that reads the labels of individual sample containers in the rack that are brought to the automated station on instructions from the processor. Depending on the type of sample container and the type of sample disposed therein, the samples are either prepared for analysis by the automated station or the sample containers are directly passed through the automated station. Prepared samples and passed through samples are passed individually to a batching rack.

In an automatic analysis device, it is possible during specimen analysis to add/deposit one rack at a time without stopping the analysis, and it is easy to ascertain the analysis sequence. The analyzer has an analysis module, a rack transport module for transporting a specimen rack in which a specimen container storing a specimen is loaded, and a control device. The rack transport module includes a rack supply part for supplying a specimen rack, a rack accommodating part for accommodating a specimen rack, a rack transport line for transporting a specimen rack supplied from the rack supply part, a dispensing line for transporting a specimen rack to the analysis module, and a rack rotor for transferring a specimen rack between the rack transport line and the dispensing line. Operation of the rack supply part for supplying a specimen rack can be stopped independently of the operation of the analysis module.

A plate changer includes a plate storage that includes therein a plate setting base, and is provided with a transport window for retrieving, in one direction in a horizontal plane, a sample plate set on the plate setting base; and a transport mechanism that has at least a pair of holding portions holding both side surfaces of a sample plate, and holds and transports the sample plate by the holding portions. The plate storage has a plate guide that supports a side surface of the sample plate set on the plate setting base and guides the sample plate to a predetermined setting position. When the holding portion is inserted into the plate storage from the transport window, the plate guide is configured to move to a position not interfering with the action of the holding portion.

A process module for a biology laboratory system includes a housing, a working deck located within the housing, having working deck plate slots for receiving cell culture plates, a liquid handling robot comprising at least one pipette for aspirating a liquid medium, and a first transfer interface in communication with a first storage module for storing cell culture plates. The working deck is movable to a plurality of working positions. In one of the positions, the cell culture plate is located under an operating point of the liquid handling robot. In another of the positions, the cell culture plate is in alignment with the first transfer interface for transfer of the cell culture plate between an outside of the housing and the working deck plate slot. The first transfer interface or a second interface can be brought in communication with a second storage module for storing lab-ware or liquid material.

A module for an automated biology laboratory system includes a housing and a storage device located within the housing. The storage device has a plurality of plate slots for receiving microplates or lab-ware with a microplate footprint or containers. The laboratory system further includes a transfer slot to transfer the microplates or containers between an inside of the module and an outside of the module; indexing means to facilitate alignment of the transfer slot with a microplate transfer interface comprising an aperture of the housing; and connection means for fixedly connecting the transfer interface of the module to a transfer interface of an adjacent module.

A system for processing biological material includes a first module and at least a second module, in which each of said first and second modules has at least the following identical characteristics: a size and a shape of a housing; a storage device being rotatably located within said housing; and a plurality of plate slots located in the storage device for receiving plates or containers carrying pipette tips, cell cultures or liquids. The first and second modules are selected from a process module, a storage module, an incubator, a freezer, a plastic-ware store, a refrigerator or a centrifuge.

A sample feed device is provided, including: a body; a sample tray provided on the body; a moving part provided on the body and capable of reciprocating on the body, and the moving part provided with a transfer chamber, the transfer chamber capable of receiving a sample from the sample tray and transferring the sample to an analyzer with the movement of the moving part; a processing system provided on the body, and capable of performing helium gas purging and vacuum processing to the sample. The sample feed device may feed the sample automatically through relay transfer of the sample by the sample tray and the moving part. The processing system may perform the helium gas purging and vacuuming to the sample, which strips adsorbate on the surface of the sample by the helium gas purging, and removes the stripped adsorbate on the surface of the sample by vacuuming.

Provided is an automatic analysis system in which a conveying line 104 and a plurality of dispensation lines 209, 309 are disposed not to be parallel, and a device layout of analysis modules 200, 300 disposed with a specimen rack distribution module 100 therebetween is line-symmetric with respect to a straight line 100A passing through the rotation center of a standby disc 106. Accordingly, even when the automatic analysis system has a configuration for providing specimens from a common specimen rack distribution module to a plurality of analysis modules, the conveyance efficiency of a specimen rack is raised and user accessibility is good.

An automatic analyzer includes: a reagent mounting unit 103 in which a plurality of reagent bottles 10 are installed when a reagent bottle 10 is loaded into the automatic analyzer; a reagent conveying mechanism 101 including a gripper mechanism 106; and a reagent mounting mechanism 102 for moving the reagent mounting unit 103 between an installation position at which an operator installs the reagent bottle 10 in the reagent mounting unit 103 and a position at which the gripper mechanism 106 grips the reagent bottle 10. It is thereby possible to achieve saving of a mechanism installation space and reduction of the number of constituent components, automatically carry out an operation from opening of the reagent bottle to loading of the reagent bottle into the reagent disk, and alleviate an operator's burden.