Disclosed herein is a reagent preparation supporting device including: reagent kit information storing means that stores amounts of reagents required for one analysis and a composition of a reaction liquid to be prepared; an input unit that inputs the number of samples to be analyzed; reagent amount calculating means that calls up, from the reagent kit information storing means, the data regarding the reagent kit to calculate required amounts of the reagents included in the reagent kit and a composition of the reaction liquid according to the number of samples inputted through the input unit; and a display unit that displays, as a reagent preparation table, the required amounts of the reagents included in the reagent kit and the composition of the reaction liquid to be prepared based on results calculated by the reagent amount calculating means.

An automatic analysis device is provided with a storage chamber for adjusting the temperature of and storing a container in which liquid is stored, an opening provided in a portion of the storage chamber, and a loader mechanism for bringing the container in and out of the storage chamber by moving the container through the opening, and is characterized in that the loader mechanism and storage chamber are closed by an elastic body. In the present invention, attaching a sealing member for sealing to an upper part from among overlapping parts makes it difficult for debris and dust to adhere to the sealing member and makes it possible to maintain the sealed state of a reagent storage chamber over a long period of time.

Provided is an automatic analysis device that can suppress concentration of a reagent made to react with a specimen. This automatic analysis device is provided with: a reagent container which accommodates a reagent and which has attached thereto a perforable lid; a perforation unit for perforating the lid; and a reagent suction nozzle that is inserted into a hole formed by perforation and that sucks up the reagent. The automatic analysis device is characterized by being further provided with a state storage unit that stores the state as to whether the reagent container is in an unused state or in a used state, and a state update unit that, when the lid is perforated by the perforation unit while the reagent container is in an unused state, updates the state stored in the state storage unit to the used state.

The automatic analyzer includes: a device state managing unit that manages a device state of the automatic analyzer; an abnormality detecting unit that detects abnormality of the automatic analyzer based on information of the device state managed by the device state managing unit and a predetermined reference; an alarm planning unit that plans at least two alarms including an abnormality occurrence alarm and an handling available alarm regarding each of abnormality items detected by the abnormality detecting unit, the abnormality occurrence alarm being planned for notification to a user in a case where the abnormality occurs, and the handling available alarm being planned for notification to the user in a case where the automatic analyzer is in a device state where the automatic analyzer is available for handling the abnormality; and a notifying unit that notifies the alarms planned by the alarm planning unit.

A reagent container transfer mechanism transfers a reagent container selected from among reagent containers stored in a second reagent container storage section to a first reagent container storage section. A controller controls the reagent container transfer mechanism to transfer a reagent container from a second reagent container storage section to the first reagent container storage section on the basis of a predetermined priority condition. The predetermined priority condition is one of a reagent provided with an effective calibration curve result, a number of remaining tests, and an expiration date of a reagent.

A method for operating a medical analyte testing system having a handheld meter, particularly, a glucose meter, and a test magazine is disclosed. In the disclosed method a replaceable test magazine including a plurality of test elements is provided in the handheld meter for conducting successive analyte tests. An auxiliary measuring unit of the handheld meter measures at various points of time at least one ambient parameter, including temperature or humidity. The method checks for a threshold violation by comparing the measured ambient parameter with a preset threshold. The preset threshold is lowered after an initial period of use of the test magazine, and a use-up period is adjusted based on the check for a threshold violation.

A real-time imaging method and system for monitoring an assay process performed on a biological sample is described. In some embodiments, the method and system can be used to measure and control a reagent volume confined to a space between a cover and a substrate, which is particularly useful for controlling for evaporation in a thin-film staining environment. In particular embodiments, the disclosed reagent volume sensing and replenishment method and system are resistant to system noises generated during operation, for example, system noise due to vibration, field of view blockage by dispenser systems, differences in reagent colors, and changing tissue colors.

Provided is an automatic analysis device capable of reducing a reagent cost. In the present invention, in each mixed reagent preparation cycle, an amount of mixed reagent for N analyses is mixed and prepared, and an amount of mixed reagent for one analysis is dispensed from the amount of mixed reagent for N analyses and used to analyze one sample. Minimum (Nmin) and maximum (Nmax) values for N are determined for a control unit beforehand, and if the analysis of J samples is requested, the control unit sets the value of N at the time of a mixed reagent preparation cycle within a range from Nmin to Nmax so as to minimize the remaining mixed reagent.

Provided herein are instruments and cartridges for processing samples. The cartridges include fluidic circuits in which fluid movement can be regulated by diaphragm valves. In certain cartridges, deformable material providing a diaphragm contacts an interface in the instrument that actuates the diaphragm directly, without intervening actuation layer. Certain cartridges have a plurality of fluidic circuits and fluid distribution channels or pneumatic distribution channels configured to deliver fluids or pneumatic pressure to any of the fluidic circuits, selectively. Certain cartridges have compartments containing on-board reagents. Compartments can be closed by a film attached to a body the cartridge through a heat seal.

The sample analyzer includes: a reagent arranging section for arranging a plurality of reagents; an analyzing section for analyzing a measurement sample prepared by mixing a sample and the reagent arranged on the reagent arranging section; a display device; an input device; and a display control section for displaying a reagent arrangement displaying region for displaying a plurality of reagent marks inscribed with a reagent name respectively on the display device, wherein the each reagent mark is displayed in a manner selectable by the input device, wherein arrangement of the each reagent mark on the reagent arrangement displaying region corresponds to arrangement of the each reagent on the reagent arranging section, wherein the display control section displays detailed information related to the reagent corresponding to the reagent mark selected by the input device on the display device.