An analyzer system for in vitro diagnostics includes a sample handler module having a robot arm that delivers samples from drawers into carriers on a linear synchronous motor automation track. Samples are delivered via the automation track to individual track sections associated with individual analyzer modules. Analyzer modules aspirate sample portions directly from the sample carriers and perform analysis thereon.

According to an embodiment, a sample processing apparatus includes an image capture unit which captures an image of a sample container, and a sorting unit which performs a sorting process for the sample container based on a type of the sample container detected from the image.

The present invention is provided with: an automatic analysis device 200 for performing an analysis process to analyze a specimen that is to be analyzed; a specimen pre-processing module 100 for performing pre-processing to cause the specimen to enter a state in which the analysis process can be performed; a main conveyance line 161 for conveying a specimen container carrier 10 which accommodates the specimen that is to be analyzed and in which at least one specimen container can be mounted; and annular conveyance lines 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 411 that are disposed adjacent to the main conveyance line 161 and that are moreover disposed so as to be capable of transferring the specimen container carrier 10 to and from the main conveyance line 161, the annular conveyance lines 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 411 being capable of circulating and conveying the specimen container carrier 10 separately without the use of another conveyance line (e.g., a return line 162). This makes it possible to maintain flexibility in conveyance of specimens while suppressing increases in device surface area.

Systems and methods for use in an in vitro diagnostics setting incorporating existing or additional sensors in an automation system to assess the health and maintenance status of the automation system are disclosed. Such systems include any of a variety of sensors, such as Hall Effect sensors, temperature probes/thermocouples, ohm meters, volt meters, etc., which are in communication with a local or preferably remote monitoring station that can alert a user or maintenance personnel of needed service.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device that combines a biochemical analysis unit and a blood coagulation analysis unit and has a high processing capacity while reducing device cost and life-cycle cost. An automatic analysis device is characterized in that when a synthetic-substrate item or latex-agglutination item from among synthetic-substrate, latex-agglutination, and clotting-time blood-coagulation-test items is made to be a first test item and the clotting-time item is made to be a second test item, if there is a measurement request for the first test item and second test item in the same specimen rack, a control unit determines the conveyance path of the specimen rack such that the first test item is measured using a biochemical analysis unit and the second test item is measured using a coagulation time analysis unit and controls a conveyance line.

A device and method for supplying multiple work-cell bound analyzers as well as multiple cores of a single analyzer with patient samples, reagents, consumables comprising a track device that are located in the middle between or at one side of analyzer and cores.

An automation system for use with in-vitro diagnostics includes a plurality of fluid containers configured to hold one or more fluids. The system includes a plurality of carriers having a plurality of slots configured to hold one of the plurality of fluid containers. The system also includes a place and pick device configured to place the plurality of fluid containers into the plurality of slots and remove the plurality of fluid containers from the plurality of slots. The system further includes a controller configured to control the place and pick device to place a first fluid container into an empty slot of a carrier of the plurality of carriers while a second fluid container is in an occupied slot and control the place and pick device to subsequently remove the second fluid container from the occupied slot of the carrier.

This sample rack conveying apparatus is provided with a pusher unit, a linear motion guide, and a conveyance drive mechanism. The pusher unit has a base portion, a moving member, and a base-side guide. The base portion is supported by the linear motion guide so as to be movable in a first guide direction. The moving member is provided with a pusher that pushes a sample rack. The base-side guide supports the moving member such that the moving member is movable in a second guide direction that crosses the first guide direction.

A laboratory distribution system is presented. The system comprises diagnostic laboratory container carriers and a conveyor. The conveyor comprises an endless drive defining a closed-loop conveyor pathway. The system comprises supporting elements attached to the endless drive. The supporting elements receive a container carrier and transport the container carrier in an upright position along a pathway section. The supporting elements are mounted pivotally about a horizontal pivot axis to the drive and structured such that a center of gravity of the supporting element with or without an empty or loaded container carrier is arranged below and vertically aligned with the pivot axis when the supporting element is in an upright position such that each supporting element is free to pivot about the associated pivot axis under the effect of gravitational forces acting on the supporting element for maintaining the supporting elements in an upright position while travelling along the path.

A method and a device for transferring tubes between a laboratory automation system and a sample archiving system are presented. When transferring a tube from the laboratory automation system to the sample archiving system, a tube carrier carrying a tube is conveyed to a first take-over module via a first conveyor. At the first take-over module, the tube is removed from the tube carrier and the empty tube carrier is conveyed away from the first take-over module via a second conveyor. When transferring a tube from the sample archiving system to the laboratory automation system, an empty tube carrier is conveyed to a second take-over module via a third conveyor. At the second take-over module, at least one tube is inserted into the tube carrier and the tube carrier carrying the at least one tube is conveyed away from the second take-over module via a fourth conveyor.