To provide an automated analyzer adapted for accommodating a larger number of reagent cassettes to meet calls for increases in analytical throughput and in the number of analytical items, and thus using the accommodated reagent cassettes more efficiently. An automated analyzer body 100 includes a main reagent buffer 4 for storing a plurality of reagent cassettes each containing a reagent used for analysis and a subsidiary reagent buffer 12. A reagent cassette transfer 11 transfers the reagent cassettes from the main reagent buffer to the subsidiary reagent buffer, and vice versa. A control unit 200 operates so that when a reagent cassette that is not set in the main reagent buffer is to be used for an assigned analysis, the reagent cassette for the assigned analysis is transferred from the subsidiary reagent buffer to the main reagent buffer.

An automatic analysis device includes: a factor storage unit 12b which stores each factor previously specified as a factor that could affect measurement accuracy of each of measurement items, while associating each factor with each measurement item; an abnormality judgment unit 103a which judges the presence/absence of an abnormality in a measurement value of each measurement item on the basis of an approximation formula and approximation formula parameters stored in an approximation formula storage unit 12a; and a factor judgment unit 103b which refers to the results of the judgment by the abnormality judgment unit 103a in a preset order, and would judge as an abnormality factor a factor stored in the factor storage unit 12b in association with a measurement item as an abnormality factor in a case where a plurality of measurement values regarding the measurement item have consecutively been judged to be abnormal. The operator is informed of the abnormality factor on the basis of the result of the judgment by the factor judgment unit 103b. With this configuration, deterioration in the measurement accuracy can be reduced through the detection of an abnormality in the measurement result and the determination of the causative factor.

An automatic analyzer which realizes stable reagent heating and high dispensing accuracy includes a thermostat bath for controlling a reagent or a reaction solution in reaction cells arranged on a circumference of a reaction disk to have a constant temperature; a first reagent dispensing mechanism dispenses a reagent into the reaction cells; a photometer detects transmitted light or scattered light in the reaction cell; and a disposable reaction container for allowing the sample and the reagent to mix and react with each other. The analyzer also includes a second reagent dispensing mechanism with a reagent heating function which dispenses the reagent into the disposable reaction container; a coagulation time detection section; a reaction container temperature control block; a reagent dispensing syringe which is connected to the second reagent dispensing mechanism; and a fluid temperature control mechanism which controls the temperature of an internal fluid of the reagent dispensing syringe.

Improved component tracking methods and systems are disclosed herein. The use of suspended reagent and/or sample identifiers are described as well as the use of suspended and supplemental identifiers to enhance component tracking in assay systems.

A sample identification system for an automated sampling device is described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a sample holder having a plurality of apertures configured to receive a plurality of sample vessels therein, the sample holder having one or more corresponding sample holder identifiers positioned proximate to the sample holder; and an identifier capture device configured to detect the one or more sample holder identifiers positioned proximate to the sample holder and generate a data signal in response thereto, the data signal corresponding to at least an orientation of the sample holder relative to a surface on which the sample holder is positioned.

A multi-well fluid container that includes a container body is provided for use in an in vitro diagnostics automation system. The container body includes a first well having a first well size configured to hold a first fluid and an openable first well closure that covers a first well opening. The first well opening provides access to the first fluid in the first well when the openable first well closure is opened. The container body also includes a second well having a second well size configured to hold a second fluid and having an openable second well closure that covers a second well opening. The second well opening provides access to the second fluid in the second well when the openable second well closure is opened. The first well size of the first well is different than the second well size of the second well.

A method of operating a tissue processor for processing tissue samples. The tissue processor includes at least one retort for receiving tissue samples, at least one container for storing a reagent, and at least one sensor arranged for fluid communication with one or both of the at least one container and the at least one retort for measuring a measured purity level of a reagent. The method includes conducting reagent from the at least one container or the at least one retort to the at least one sensor, automatically measuring a measured purity level of the reagent, checking whether the measured purity level meets a predetermined purity level of the reagent associated with the at least one container, and thereby automatically determining whether the reagent is suitable for processing tissue samples in the tissue processor. Also, a tissue processor for processing tissue samples and a container for storing tissue samples.

An apparatus and a method for indicating a reagent status in a reagent bottle in a tissue processor and a tissue processor are provided. The apparatus includes a detector, a controller, and an indicator. The detector is configured to detect the reagent status. The controller is configured to generate a control signal based on the reagent status. The indicator is configured to generate a signal for indicating the reagent status based on the control signal. The apparatus may intuitively indicate the reagent status for an operator, such that the operator may replace the reagent timely and accurately, avoiding reagent replacement error.

An automatic analyzing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a reagent cartridge and processing circuitry. The reagent cartridge includes a storing unit storing therein a reagent, a flow path for dispensing the reagent from the storing unit, and a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense the reagent into a reaction cuvette through the flow path. The processing circuitry is configured to control the dispensing mechanism so as to dispose of the reagent in the flow path.

In an automatic analyzing apparatus that analyzes a mixture of a tested sample and a reagent, by selecting the reagent, acquiring cross-check information unique to the kind of the selected reagent, inputting input information for acquiring permission for input of data including an analysis parameter of the selected reagent, and cross-checking the cross-check information and the input information, it is determined whether to permit the input of the data. In a case that it is determined to permit the input of the data, the input of the data is accepted and, based on the analysis parameter reflecting the inputted data, the mixture of the tested sample and the reagent is measured and analysis data is generated.