A pipette tip extension attachable to a pipette tip is disclosed. The pipette tip extension has a proximal end, a distal end, and an exterior wall extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The exterior wall has an outer side and an inner side and forms at the proximal end a reception aperture for inserting a pipette tip. The pipette tip extension further has a bottom at the distal end, an inner cavity enclosed by the inner side of the exterior wall and the bottom, one or more distance elements arranged at the inner side of the exterior wall and protruding into the inner cavity, and a coating for interacting with a fluid present in a fluid uptake area.

An automatic analyzer with high processing capacity is capable of immediately measuring an emergency specimen rack. The automatic analyzer includes a conveying line for conveying a specimen rack, and an analysis unit which has a dispensing line in which a plurality of specimen racks are arranged for waiting until sample dispensing, and a sampling area for dispensing the sample to the analysis unit. A rack save area is provided in the dispensing line and at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the sampling area. When a specimen rack exists in the sampling area at the time of measuring an emergency specimen rack, a controller moves the specimen rack to the save area and positions the emergency specimen rack to be moved from a downstream side of the sampling area to the sampling area.

An apparatus configured to complementarily engage a pipetting head of a liquid handling system such that movement of the pipetting head effects a corresponding movement of the apparatus. The apparatus includes at least one engagement feature that is configured to mechanically and releasably engage a surface of a labware item as a means of releasably coupling the labware item to the apparatus. The labware item has at least one complementary engagement feature and optionally at least one release feature. With the labware item secured within a receptacle, the apparatus can translate relative to the labware item so that the engagement features of the apparatus are in engagement with the release features of the labware item, thereby permitting release of the labware item upon movement of the apparatus relative to the labware item.

A pipetting system having at least one pipette tip receptacle with a pipette tip arranged therein that extends along a vertical axis and at least one gripper having a mechanical coupling, the gripper is coupled to the at least one pipette tip receptacle with the coupling and at least one grip element. The at least one grip element has at least one substantially vertical portion and at least one substantially horizontal portion and the coupling has a body having a through channel that extends along the vertical axis over the entire length of the coupling and the pipette tip extends along the through channel of the coupling.

A sample consumable that carries a microvolume of sample to a sample loader. The consumable is precisely aligned utilizing a double-alignment feature to the loader. The loader is based on a crank-slider geometry and allows for simple, one-handed operation for the user. Overall, the consumable and sample loader increase reproducibility of in-line sample loading and offers ease-of-use.

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 handling system and a process for the handling of chemical or biological samples is provided. The system includes a dosing device with a receiving plate configured in an essentially horizontal position in a plane defined by a first and a second axis. The dosing device has at least one working arm that is movable. The pipetting mechanism includes at least one pipetting channel that is movable and has a pipette tip mounted or mountable thereon. The system further includes at least one thermal cycler provided in the area of the receiving plate. The thermal cycler is configured on the receiving plate in such a way that the pipetting mechanism is movable in a position above the sample vessels in the thermal cycler, in a setting that allows a pipetting step to be carried out into the sample vessels in the thermal cycler by the pipetting mechanism in the position above the sample vessels in the thermal cycler.

An integrated apparatus for diagnostic analyses includes a support structure; a first refrigerated container an analysis area in which microplates are positioned and having receptacles or wells for receiving a primary sample; a samples removal and delivery unit to remove a primary sample from test tubes and deliver it into the wells; a temperature control area containing the primary samples; and a robotic head configured to interact with said samples removal and delivery unit so as to transfer the primary samples taken from the test tubes to the temperature control area and configured to insert, into each of the wells, the sample where a bacterial growth has been identified, an antibiotic in liquid form according to a choice at the discretion of the operator directed as a function of the type of species identified.

A reagent bottle includes an outer cap and an inner closing cap. The inner closing cap has a recess for gripping the cap. In addition, a system for handling closures is provided wherein a method removes a closing cap from a reagent bottle and a related gripper.

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.