The object of the invention is to realize an automatic analyzer capable of suppressing an increase in cost without greatly changing the configuration even when the configuration of an inspection system is changed, and reducing burden of an operator. A pin to be fitted into a hole formed in a specimen container conveying unit is formed on a specimen container conveying unit mounting surface at a position below a specimen suction position, and it is possible to make relative positions between components of a specimen dispensing unit and the specimen container conveying unit at the time of a specimen dispensing operation, as well as driving conditions when moving each axis of the specimen dispensing unit identical even when the types of the specimen container conveying unit are different, and it is possible to ensure stability of the same specimen dispensing operation before and after changing the specimen container conveying unit. Although it is necessary for an operator to memorize a procedure of maintenance work relating to the specimen container conveying unit, work procedures relating to other units of the automatic analyzer are not changed and it is not necessary to memorize new maintenance procedures of the other units, and thus the burden of the operator can be reduced.

There is provided a test method for analysing a body fluid in which a test tape is used in a test device to successively provide analytical test fields stored on the test tape, wherein body fluid is applied by a user to the test field provided at a time and the said test field is photometrically scanned using a measuring unit of the device to record measurement signals. To increase the measurement reliability, it is proposed that a control value is determined from a time-dependent and/or wavelength-dependent change in the measurement signals and that the measurement signals are processed as valid or discarded as erroneous depending on the control value.

There is provided a dispensing unit capable of alleviating the load on a dispensing unit and other components at the time of a collision while maintaining the vibration-suppressing function. Also, an automated analyzer having this dispensing unit is provided. The dispensing unit has a dispensing probe, a drive mechanism, an arm member, a first probe holder, a second probe holder, a first support spring, second support springs, and vibration dampers. The second probe holder is supported to the first probe holder so as to be movable vertically and holds the dispensing probe. The second support springs bias the second probe holder against the first probe holder and in combination have a spring constant smaller than that of the first support spring. The vibration dampers are bridged from the arm member to the second probe holder.

A method of handling laboratory sample containers is disclosed. The method comprises moving a laboratory sample container to a target position. The target position is a position at which the laboratory sample container is inserted into a corresponding orifice of a laboratory sample container rack provided that the laboratory sample container rack is placed at an intended position. The laboratory sample container is prevented from moving vertically due to gravity if correctly inserted into the corresponding orifice of the laboratory sample container rack. The method also comprises releasing the laboratory sample container in a vertical direction such that the laboratory sample container can move in the vertical direction due to gravity, determining if the laboratory sample container moves in the vertical direction, and performing an error procedure if it is determined that the laboratory sample container moves in the vertical direction.

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.

One actuator (a gripper mechanism and reagent bottle lid opening mechanism drive unit 120) drives a gripper mechanism 106 that holds a reagent bottle 10 and a reagent bottle lid opening mechanism 104 that incises a lid of the reagent bottle 10. The gripper mechanism 106 operates to ascend when the reagent bottle lid opening mechanism 104 operates to descend in order to incise the reagent bottle lid 112, and the reagent bottle lid opening mechanism 104 operates to ascend when the gripper mechanism 106 operates to descend in order to hold the reagent bottle 10. The reagent bottle lid opening mechanism 104 and the gripper mechanism 106 operate without interfering with each other's functions.

Disclosed is a specimen measurement apparatus that includes a measurement unit configured to measure a specimen; a detector configured to detect at least one of a container that can store the specimen or a cap of the container; and a movement mechanism configured to move at least one of the container or the detector. In the specimen measurement apparatus, the detector detects at least one of the container and the cap in a state where the movement mechanism is moving the container relative to the detector.

According to embodiments of the technology, an automated thermal desorption system includes a sample tube including a chamber to contain an analyte, visible indicia on the sample tube, a thermal desorption apparatus, and a sample tube monitoring system. The thermal desorption apparatus is configured to receive the sample tube and includes a heating device. The heating device is configured to heat the sample tube in the thermal desorption apparatus and thereby desorb the analyte from the sample tube. The sample tube monitoring system includes: an optical sensor configured to read the visible indicia on the sample tube and to generate an output signal corresponding thereto; and a controller configured to receive the output signal corresponding to the visible indicia from the optical sensor and to determine an orientation of the sample tube with respect to the thermal desorption apparatus based on the output signal.

Automated test instruments electronically determine and/or obtain cell availability of cells of a holding structure in an incubated test chamber and for each of a plurality of open and available cells and electronically identify neighboring cells, electronically determining whether each of the identified neighboring cells are occupied or empty and, if occupied, electronically evaluating at least one of a test status or a time from load of a specimen container held therein. The instruments then electronically rank each of the plurality of open and available cells based at least in part on whether the identified neighboring cells are occupied or empty and the at least one of test status or time from load of the occupied cells of the identified neighboring cells. The loading mechanism is then directed to load an incoming specimen container into a selected one of the open and available cells based on the ranking.

In an example, a method for preparing a nucleotide solution includes flowing an aqueous solution from an initial solution storage of a sequencing instrument continuously through a container fluidically coupled to the sequencing instrument, the container comprising a nucleotide concentrate; and collecting the aqueous solution with nucleotide in a storage container.