A system for transporting a carrier vehicle using linear motors comprising a linear motor housing shaped to hold one or more linear motors includes a rectangular top plate. A left side plate is connected adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the rectangular top plate and a right side plate is connected adjacent to a second longitudinal edge of the rectangular top plate. The linear motor housing further includes a plurality of coupling components operable to couple the linear motor housing to one or more adjacent linear motor housings in a manner that facilitates continuous propulsion of the carrier vehicle across the rectangular top plate of the linear motor housing and rectangular top plates corresponding to the one or more adjacent linear motor housings.

Described is an apparatus for controlling a position of a sample in a liquid chromatography system. The apparatus includes a rotary drive mechanism, a stepper motor and a rotational coupling system such as a drive belt and pulley system. The rotational coupling system transfers the rotational motion of a motor shaft to a shaft of the rotary drive mechanism. Advantageously, the stepper motor is remote to the sample compartment for improved safety in the event that volatile gas accumulates within the sample compartment. The rotary drive mechanism can be configured in a small form factor and can provide highly stable rotation of an attached sample tray to accommodate the requirements of compact liquid chromatography systems. In addition, leakage from inside the sample compartment to the ambient environment is substantially reduced or eliminated, resulting in better thermal control of the sample compartment.

An analysis system includes a gripper arm for conveying a sample container, and a controller for controlling the gripper arm. The gripper arm includes a first gripper and a second gripper for holding the sample container by pinching the sample container, a drive mechanism that changes a size of a gripping space between the first gripper and the second gripper, and a photoelectric sensor for emitting light to the gripping space to detect the light from the gripping space. The controller determines the presence or absence of the sample container in the gripping space based on the presence or absence of a detection signal of the photoelectric sensor.

A scanning apparatus that can include (a) a scan actuator including a linear actuator and a mount for a removeable vessel, wherein the mount has a mechanical fastener that is configured to engage a complementary mechanical fastener on the removeable vessel, and wherein the linear actuator is configured to translate the mount while the mechanical fastener engages the complementary mechanical fastener on the removeable vessel; (b) a reference surface; and (c) a preload configured to urge the vessel to contact the reference surface, wherein the linear actuator is configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface while the preload urges the vessel to contact the reference surface.

A system including an optical signal detector and a controller operatively coupled to the optical signal detector and configured to determine an operational performance status of the optical signal detector. The optical signal detector includes a detection channel having a light source and a sensor, where the detection channel is configured to emit and focus light generated by the light source at a detection zone and to receive and focus light on the sensor. The optical performance status of the optical signal detector is based on a measured characteristic of light focused on the sensor while a non-fluorescent surface is in the detection zone and/or a measured characteristic of light focused on the sensor while a void is in the detection zone.

A measurement portion includes a containment unit including a plurality of containers containing a liquid, a dispensing unit including a dispensing probe for dispensing the liquid, and a gauging portion for gauging the liquid dispensed by the dispensing unit. An excessive immersion determination portion determines whether an immersion of the dispensing probe is excessive immersion that exceeds a predetermined range. An input portion can select and set an operation of the measurement portion to be performed after the excessive immersion determination portion determines that the immersion is excessive immersion from a plurality of modes. A measurement control portion controls the measurement portion depending on a mode set by the input portion.

A power off delay system and method is configured to delay termination of electrical power to a digital pathology device in a power off condition. If the apparatus includes a UPS, the power off delay system and method delays termination of electrical power when a power switch is turned off and when a catastrophic power failure occurs. During the delay of the termination of electrical power, the digital pathology device is configured to control the scanning stage system and the glass slide conveyor system and the slide rack conveyor system to place each of these systems into a known state and position all glass slides into a known position prior to the termination of electrical power to the digital pathology device. This allows the digital pathology device to resume normal operation upon power up.

A fully automatic test card conveying apparatus for an instant testing instrument is used for conveying a test card and includes a test card conveying arm, frame, push rod, buffer support, buffer cartridge, and card extraction mechanism. A first electric motor, second electric motor, first sliding rail, and second sliding rail are provided on the arm. The frame is connected in a sliding manner to the first sliding rail via a sliding block, and connected to the first electric motor via a first synchronization belt. A stepping motor is provided on the sliding block and an output end of the stepping motor is connected to the frame. The push rod is connected in a sliding manner with the second sliding rail, and connected to the second electric motor via a second synchronization belt.

A wash system for use in an in vitro diagnostic immunoanalyzer utilizes a bridge having a linear track to move cuvettes from one incubation ring portion to another incubation ring portion. Washing stations along the linear track provide a magnetic field and fluid washing of cuvette contents independent of the size and motion of one or more incubation rings.

An analyzer and a method for reading a test result of a test apparatus are provided. The analyzer includes an analyzer (1) housing, and a drive system, a photoelectric system, a data processing system and a result output system disposed in the analyzer (1) housing. The test apparatus is carried by an objective stage (10) of the drive system to get in and out of the analyzer (1) to read the test result. The analyzer (1) compact in size and stable in operation is applicable to testing of various biochemical indicators and can improve the efficiency of medical testing.