A system for automated processing of a plurality of batches, each batch being derived from one biological sample, the system comprising an enclosure which can be closed and sterilized, each batch of the plurality of batches comprising one or more cell processing container; a plurality of reagent containers for holding reagents within the enclosure; at least one reagent dispenser within the enclosure for dispensing reagents during said automated processing; a quality control system within the enclosure for analyzing at least one characteristic of a batch during said automated processing; a harvester within the enclosure for harvesting batches; a robotic system within the enclosure, configured for transporting cell processing containers, decapping or otherwise opening cell processing containers, pipetting reagents or liquids from cell processing containers, and aspirating liquids from cell processing containers, during said automated processing; a tracker for electronically tracking the plurality of batches after its introduction to the enclosure; and a control unit (CU) communicatively coupled to the at least one reagent dispenser, the quality control system, the harvester, the robotic system and the tracker for controlling said automatic processing of said batches.

A pipette tip supply mechanism includes: a pipette tip storage unit for storing a plurality of tapered shaped pipette tips; a belt for transporting a pipette tip supplied from an opening of the pipette tip storage unit; and a belt drive unit that drives the belt in a transport direction. The belt is inclined upwards toward the transport direction so that the pipette tip is rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the pipette tip on a surface of the belt and the pipette tip is rolled to orient the longitudinal axis of the pipette tip along the transport direction in conjunction with the drive of the belt in the transport direction.

A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and an elevator with a chuck guide that contact the container holder as the chuck is lowered by the elevator to position the chuck with respect to the cap of the container held in the holder and to hold jaws of the container holder in a closed position. In embodiment, the chuck guide includes a yoke with opposed arms and spindles located near distal ends of the arms that engage beveled shoulders of the container holder.

Aspects of the present disclosure include sample analysis methods and systems. According to certain embodiments, provided are methods of analyzing samples in an automated sample analysis system. The methods include introducing samples and sample preparation cartridges into the system, isolating and purifying an analyte (e.g., nucleic acids and/or proteins) present in the samples at a sample preparation station, and performing analyte detection assays in assay mixtures that include the purified analyte. Also provided are automated sample analysis systems that find use, e.g., in performing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the methods and systems provide for continuous operator access during replenishment or removal of one or any combination of samples, bulk fluids, reagents, commodities, waste, and/or the like.

A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and a drip tray movable between a first position not under the capping/decapping mechanism and a second position under the capping/decamping mechanism.

A transport tool for transporting a laboratory article using a pipette of a pipetting system, and having a plug-in sleeve at a top end, an article holder at a bottom end, and a connecting part which connects the plug-in sleeve to the article holder. The plug-in sleeve has a side sleeve wall and a bottom which surround an interior space of the plug-in sleeve having a cylindrical or conically tapering shape. The plug-in sleeve further has an upward-facing opening for receiving an end of a pipette of an automated pipetting system. The article holder has a holding element oriented downward away from the connecting part. The holding element having at least two elongated projections which has one or more snap hooks protruding outwards to hook under a storage opening of a pipette tip carrier.

Described is a method for loading a sample-vial carrier into a sample manager of a liquid chromatography system. The method includes placing a sample-vial carrier onto a transfer drawer having first and second drawer magnets. The transfer drawer is transported into a sample tray of a sample manager using a drawer drive system of a transfer drawer receiving apparatus. The drawer drive system has a drive magnet that is engaged with the first drawer magnet during transport. The transport of the transfer drawer is terminated when the second drawer magnet is engaged with a sample tray magnet on the sample tray. The sample tray is rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to a direction of transport of the transfer drawer to provide a shear force to disengage the first drawer magnet from the drive magnet.

A system for automated processing of a plurality of batches, each batch being derived from one biological sample, the system comprising an enclosure which can be closed and sterilized, each batch of the plurality of batches comprising one or more cell processing container; a plurality of reagent containers for holding reagents within the enclosure; at least one reagent dispenser within the enclosure for dispensing reagents during said automated processing; a quality control system within the enclosure for analyzing at least one characteristic of a batch during said automated processing; a harvester within the enclosure for harvesting batches; a robotic system within the enclosure, configured for transporting cell processing containers, decapping or otherwise opening cell processing containers, pipetting reagents or liquids from cell processing containers, and aspirating liquids from cell processing containers, during said automated processing; a tracker for electronically tracking the plurality of batches after its introduction to the enclosure; and a control unit (CU) communicatively coupled to the at least one reagent dispenser, the quality control system, the harvester, the robotic system and the tracker for controlling said automatic processing of said batches.

A sample container of patient sample material includes a sample container barcode containing patient-identifying information. The sample container barcode on the sample container is read, and a tubular reaction vessel is provided to a printer module configured to print a barcode directly onto a surface of the tubular reaction vessel. The printer module prints a barcode on the surface of the reaction vessel by a thermal printing method, and the barcode printed onto the reaction vessel is associated with the sample container barcode.

A gripper having a mechanical coupling that can be connected to a pipetting tube, at least one fluid channel extends from the coupling and a negative pressure can be transmitted, the gripper having at least one suction cup that is connected to the coupling through the at least one fluid channel as a result of which the negative pressure can be transmitted from the coupling to the at least one suction cup, and the at least one suction cup in the intended use position of the gripper is aligned such that a rim of a suction cup of the at least one suction cup is aligned in a substantially vertical plane.