A system and method for automated transfer of a tape segment onto the face of a tissue block to be thin sectioned by microtomy includes applying, to a carrier strip, a plurality of serially-spaced patches of sample tape having an adhesive outer surface, transporting the carrier strip along a path adjacent to and spaced from the exposed sample surface to position one of the patches of sample tape adjacent to and covering the exposed sample surface, adhering the one of the patches of sample tape to the exposed sample surface.

The test elements are provided that are adapted to detect at least one analyte in a sample. At least some of the test elements are provided with a defect marking which contains information about defectiveness of the test elements. The test elements include at least one radiation-sensitive material. The test elements are exposed to at least one radiation, the radiation being adapted to induce marking in the form of at least one optically detectable change in the radiation-sensitive material.

A system and method for automated transfer of a tape segment onto the face of a tissue block to be thin sectioned by microtomy includes applying, to a carrier strip, a plurality of serially-spaced patches of sample tape having an adhesive outer surface, transporting the carrier strip along a path adjacent to and spaced from the exposed sample surface to position one of the patches of sample tape adjacent to and covering the exposed sample surface, adhering the one of the patches of sample tape to the exposed sample surface.

A diagnostic tape unit and a process for producing it are provided, in which disposable, test units are applied to a rollable transport tape which is wound onto an unwinding spool and is connected to a take-up spool such that the test units can be successively made available to a user by winding on the transport tape. One or both of the leading end and trailing end of the transport tape is connected to their corresponding spools by means of an auxiliary tape.

An apparatus and method for applying a chemistry to samples of interest are provided. The apparatus and method include a flexible tape mounted on an arrangement of guide rollers. Samples of interest (e.g., clusters of DNA templates) are bound to at least one surface of the flexible tape. The method and apparatus further comprise one or more read heads in relation to the flexible tape and a plurality of reservoirs along a path of the flexible tape. The reservoirs comprise liquids comprising chemical reagents for performing the chemistry on the samples of interest bound to the at least one surface of the flexible tape. The method and apparatus further comprise a drive system for driving at least one of the guide rollers to advance the flexible tape into and out of the reservoirs.

A method of positioning a tape that includes determining an estimated position of a test element on the tape and rotating a spool that carries the tape in order for the test element to be positioned at a reading station. The estimated position of the test element is determined based on detected rotation of the spool, which can be measured at any shaft in the drive train. Also disclosed is a testing process for testing a sample deposited on a test element of a tape held on a spool of a cassette, a system for determining an estimated position of a test element on a tape which is carried by a cassette, and a memory storage medium associated with an in vitro diagnostic test cassette.

A measurement apparatus to measure a physical quantity related to a measurement target by use of a sensor, comprising: an apparatus enclosure; a control unit to be electrically connected to the sensor; and a moving member including a sensor holding unit to hold the sensor, the moving member being movable to protrude the sensor holding unit outwardly of the apparatus enclosure and further including a conductive member to electrically connect the sensor to the control unit.

Disclosed is a test tape device comprising a housing having a cassette compartment for a replaceable tape cassette, a cassette door which can be retained in a closed position and which allows access to the cassette compartment through a housing opening in an open position, a tip cover which can be positioned in a first position covering a housing aperture and a second position allowing access to a tip of the tape cassette, wherein the tip cover is moveable to a third position in which the cassette tip is at least partially uncovered and the housing opening is extended into the area of the cassette tip, and wherein the cassette door is self-opening when moving the tip cover to the third position.

The biological information detection sensor supply device is provided with a main body case having a supply port to which a biological information measurement device can be attached, a housing unit for housing a biological information detection sensor and a sensor supply film including a cover film and a holding film for sandwiching the biological information detection sensor, and a supply unit for supplying the biological information detection sensor from the housing unit to the supply port. The supply unit supplies the biological information detection sensor to the supply port, and separates the holding film and the cover film from the sensor supply film in a state before the biological information detection sensor is supplied to the supply port. At the supply unit, the biological information detection sensor supplied to the supply port is fitted to the biological information measurement device fitted to the supply port.

The biological information detection sensor supply device is provided with a main body case having a supply port to which a biological information measurement device can be attached, a housing unit for housing a biological information detection sensor and a sensor supply film including a cover film and a holding film for sandwiching the biological information detection sensor, and a supply unit for supplying the biological information detection sensor from the housing unit to the supply port. The supply unit supplies the biological information detection sensor to the supply port, and separates the holding film and the cover film from the sensor supply film in a state before the biological information detection sensor is supplied to the supply port. At the supply unit, the biological information detection sensor supplied to the supply port is fitted to the biological information measurement device fitted to the supply port.