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.

Disclosed is a method of operating a laboratory instrument (100, 1000), wherein the laboratory instrument is configured for receiving a sample rack (112) with one or more sample tubes (126), wherein the laboratory instrument comprises a robotic head (106) for bringing a pipettor (108) into fluidic contact with the one or more sample tubes when the sample rack is in an operating position (122), wherein the robotic head is configured for loading the sample rack into the operating position, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving (200) the sample rack by the laboratory instrument; and loading (202) the rack into the operating position using the robotic head.

A laboratory automation system (12) for conveying biological samples or reactants contained in test tubes (13), and automatically routing said plates (4) towards processing modules (18) of said biological material, wherein a platform (1) interposed between said laboratory automation system (12) and a handling system (14) of consumable products (4, 42, 100), which includes a horizontal crosspiece (6) whereon a first robot (7) and a second robot (8) are sliding mounted, the first robot (7) being provided with gripping means (9) of pipettes (10) adapted to collect and release the biological material or the reactant, and a second robot (8) being provided with gripping means (11) of consumable products (4, 42, 100).

Systems, methods, devices, and apparatus for detecting sample defects in blood samples processed in automated processing systems are described herein. One aspect describes an automated blood sample processing apparatus having a pre-analytic specimen integrity monitoring device. Another aspect describes devices, systems, and methods for identifying blood components and properties in blood samples. Further aspects relate to systems and methods for setting reference ranges for sample defects and interference in blood samples. Additionally, devices, systems, and methods for identifying defective samples are described.

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.

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 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 and 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 connecting part has a top surface which defines the bottom of the plug-in sleeve, is positioned between the interior space of the plug-in sleeve and the article holder. The article holder has a holding plate which is flat and faces downward away from the plug-in sleeve, and further has a flatly acting magnet on the holding plate.

The present invention provides a processing station for automatically processing a biological sample, a system for automated real-time inventory control of consumables within a biological sample handling or assay instrument, a high throughput random access automated instrument for processing biological samples, an automated instrument for processing or analysis of a sample, and processes for automated mucoid detection and elimination. Methods of using the disclosed instruments, mucoid detection processes, and systems to process and/or analyze samples are also disclosed.

A transport tool for transporting a laboratory article using a pipette of a pipetting system includes at least one plug-in sleeve, which is implemented for the releasable plugging-in of a receptacle cone of a pipette, and which can be plugged onto the receptacle cone of the pipette instead of a disposable pipette tip. In addition, the transport tool includes an article holder having at least one holding part, which is implemented to form a support connection with a laboratory article. A connecting part connects the article holder to the plug-in sleeve, so that holding axes of the article holder and the sleeve axis of the plug-in sleeve are arranged coaxially or axially-parallel to one another.