A system for transporting a sample in a clinical analysis system includes a sample container holding the sample, a ferromagnetic base connected to a bottom portion of the sample container, and a puck. The puck is used for transporting the sample container in the clinical analysis system. The puck comprises an embedded magnet for securing the sample container to the puck using the ferromagnetic base.

A conveying device detects an abnormality due to a change in the surface state of the conveying plane. The conveying device has a conveying plane for conveying thereabove a conveying container equipped with a magnetic body, a position detection unit for detecting the position of the conveying container above the conveying plane, a magnetic pole disposed below the conveying plane and equipped with a core and a coil, a drive unit for applying a voltage to the magnetic pole, and a calculation unit for controlling the drive unit. The calculation unit calculates the conveying speed of the conveying container on the basis of the position of the conveying container above the conveying plane and the time at which the conveying container passes through the position, and detects the surface state of the conveying plane on the basis of the calculated conveying speed of the conveying container.

A management unit 101 for integrally managing a sample conveyance system 100 generates conveyance path information for conveying a holder 30 on the basis of conditions of conveyance tiles 401 detected by control drivers 301, 302, 303, 304 that perform detection of conditions and driving of the conveyance tiles 401, and control units 201, 202, 203 that manage operations of the plurality of conveyance tiles 401 and that can move the holder 30 in a planar two-dimensional direction, generate a conveyance path of the holder 30 on the basis of the conveyance path information, generate command signals for the conveyance tiles 401, and output the signals to the control drivers 301, 302, 303, 304.

In one embodiment, a diagnostic system includes an instrument coupled to a client device and having at least one sample processing bay. The diagnostic system has a software architecture including instrument software (ISW) associated with the instrument. The ISW receives an assay definition file (ADF) that has a control file and an assay analysis module (AAM) file. The processing bay prepares and senses the sample according to parameters in the OPUS file and then generates sensor scan data. The diagnostic system then analyzes the sensor scan data and prepares a report according to the AAM file.

An autosampler for dispensing samples is provided. The autosampler comprises a sample tray for holding the samples to be dispensed. The sample tray is moveable between a plurality of dispensing positions. The autosampler also comprises a noncontact coupling configured to move the sample tray between the plurality of dispensing positions. An autosampler for dispensing samples is also provided, comprising: a sample tray for holding the samples to be dispensed, the sample tray being moveable between a plurality of dispensing positions, the sample tray and a body of the autosampler comprising respective contact surfaces that contact each other as the sample tray moves between the plurality of dispensing positions, wherein the contact surface of at least one of the sample tray and the body of the autosampler comprises a self-lubricating material.

A method for operating a transport device in a laboratory sample distribution system, comprising: providing a transport device in a laboratory sample distribution system, the transport device having an arrangement of transport modules, wherein each transport module is provided with a transport surface; a drive device configured to move sample vessel carriers on the transport surface; a module control device configured to control operation of the drive device; and a module network interface connected to the module control device and configured for data communication in a control network; a transport plane; and a controller device connected to the control network through a controller network interface; and assigning a network address to each of the transport modules in the control network; for each transport module, in the module control device storing its own network address and the network address of neighboring transport modules located adjacent to the transport module.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises an optical inspection device adapted to optically inspect items that need to be optically inspected, at least one mirror device, a driver adapted to move the items to be optically inspected and to move the at least one mirror device, and a control device configured to move an item to be optically inspected relative to the optical inspection device by controlling the driver such that a field of view of the optical inspection device is extended.

A sample container carrier, a laboratory sample distribution system comprising such a sample container carrier and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented.

The present disclosure relates to a method to re-identify a carrier on a laboratory transport system after a system failure. The carrier is associated with an identity and is configured to move over a transport plane of the laboratory transport system. The laboratory transport system comprises a monitoring system configured to monitor motion positions of the carrier on the transport plane when the laboratory transport system is activated. After a system failure, the identity dissociates from the carrier and the carrier keeps moving on the transport plane. After reactivation of the laboratory transport system, a predicted position of the identity is compared to an actual position of the carrier by a control unit of the laboratory transport system. The control unit assigns the identity to the carrier if the predicted position of the identity matches with the actual position of the carrier.