The surface of an analysis port of an automatic analyzer, in which a reaction vessel is placed, is configured so as to reflect at least some of the light emitted from a light source. In a first state before the transfer of the reaction vessel to the analysis port by a reaction vessel transfer mechanism, the control unit causes the light source to irradiate light and causes a detector to detect light. In a second state after the transfer of the reaction vessel to the analysis port by the reaction vessel transfer mechanism, the control unit causes the light source to irradiate light and causes the detector to detect light. If the difference between the amount of light detected in the first state and the amount of light detected in the second state is less than or equal to a standard value, the control unit produces a warning.

Maintenance carriers can include one or more tools to perform a maintenance operation. These carriers may include removable cartridges that include the tool or consumables, such as a cleaning fluid, compressed gas, or disposable items. Maintenance carriers can also be configured to move along with other carrier traffic in the automation system and may be selectively deployed.

A sample analyzing apparatus for performing an optical-based measurement on a sample includes a housing, a first light source, excitation optics, a first light detector, emission optics, and a monitoring system, all of which are disposed in the housing. The monitoring system is configured for monitoring a movable component disposed in the housing. The monitoring system includes one or more light sources for illuminating the movable component, and one or more light detectors for detecting light reflected from the movable component in response to being illuminated.

An automated laboratory system for processing biological samples in a batch type manner is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may receive assay instructions for biological samples processing among a plurality of devices. The devices may include a pre-analytical instrument and one or more analysis systems. The system may include an orchestration core application for determining an order of performance for the assays ordered for the samples.

An automated laboratory system for processing biological samples in a batch type manner is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may receive assay instructions for biological samples processing among a plurality of devices. The devices may include a pre-analytical instrument and one or more analysis systems. The system may include an orchestration core application for determining an order of performance for the assays ordered for the samples.

An automatic sample injection device includes: an; and a management device. The injector includes: a turret; and a vial sensor. The management device includes: a condition setting unit configured to set a condition relating to a type of a vial to be used in the sample injection operation, based on information input by a user; and a vial determination unit configured to determine, before the injector initiates the sample injection operation, whether or not there is a missing vial on the turret out of the vials of the plurality of types set to be used in the sample injection operation under a condition set by the condition setting unit, by using a detection result of the vial sensor.

A monitoring device for monitoring a sample handling system comprising: a sliding unit comprising a sliding surface, wherein the sliding unit is configured for sliding over a sample transport device of the sample handling system; and an imaging streaming unit comprising s camera, wherein the camera is configured for capturing a plurality of images, wherein the imaging streaming unit comprises an imaging communication interface for providing the plurality of captured images to a transport control system of the sample handling system.

Further disclosed is a transport control system for controlling transport of a plurality of sample container holders of a sample handling system, a sample handling system for handling a plurality of samples, a method for identifying an obstacle, a method for determining a distance between the obstacle and a monitoring device and a method for controlling a monitoring device and computer programs and computer-readable storage media for performing the methods.

Techniques for alerting for instruments that transfer physical samples are disclosed. An alarm module, placed within a communication pathway of a first chemical processor and a second chemical processor, includes a timer configured to count time elapsed since receiving, from the first chemical processor, a transfer-ready signal indicating that 1) the first chemical processor received a receive-ready signal from the second chemical processor; ii) the first chemical processor has completed processing a chemical analyte; and iii) the first chemical processor is ready to physically transfer the chemical analyte to the second chemical processor. Upon receiving the transfer-ready signal from the first chemical processor, the timer is restarted. An alarm triggers when the elapsed time counted by the timer exceeds a specified threshold. The alarm is audible or visual. Upon the triggering of an alarm, an alert notification (e.g., an email, a text message, etc.) is transmitted.

A laboratory system for a laboratory automation system is presented. The laboratory system comprises a sample container carrier. The sample container carrier is configured to carry a laboratory sample container and comprises a removal detector. The removal detector is configured to interact with the laboratory sample container to detect a removal of the carried laboratory sample container from the sample container carrier. Furthermore, the laboratory system is configured to determine based on the detected removal that a before valid logic assignment of the sample container carrier to the carried laboratory sample container is invalid.

A system is provided to automatically monitor and control the operation of a microfluidic device using machine learning technology. The system receives images of a channel of a microfluidic device collected by a camera during operation of the microfluidic device. Upon receiving an image, the system applies a classifier to the image to classify the operation of the microfluidic device as normal, in which no adjustment to the operation is needed, or as abnormal, in which an adjustment to the operation is needed. When an image is classified as normal, the system may make no adjustment to the microfluidic device. If, however, an image is classified as abnormal, the system may output an indication that the operation is abnormal, output an indication of a needed adjustment, or control the microfluidic device to make the needed adjustment.