A tissue processing apparatus for processing biological tissue. The tissue processing apparatus comprises a measurement probe that includes two measurement surfaces spaced apart from each other, wherein the measurement probe is configured to be inserted into a reagent receptacle so that the two measurement surfaces are at least partially immersed in reagent contained in the reagent receptacle. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to use the two measurement surfaces of the measurement probe to obtain at least one electrical measurement of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle before reagent is taken out from the reagent receptacle by the tissue processing apparatus. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical measurement, a concentration and/or a type of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle.

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.

A system and method for dispense characterization is disclosed. According to particular embodiments of the dispense characterization system and method, volumes of dispensed liquids can be determined. In more particular embodiments, additional characteristics and combinations of characteristics of a liquid dispensing event can be determined. Examples of additional characteristics that can be determined include the shape of the dispensing event, the velocity of the dispensing event, and the trajectory of the dispensing event. The dispense characterization system and method can be employed in automated biological sample analysis systems, and are particularly suited for monitoring liquid reagent dispensing events that deliver liquid reagents to a surface of a microscope slide holding a biological sample.

An automatic analyzer allows identification of the patient specimen for which the specific reagent and the standard solution have been used, and verification of reliability of the analysis results. A plot mark 1-10 is determined depending on whether or not codes and lots as management information of the reagent, standard solution, and accuracy control sample are the same as those used last time. The plot 1-3 represents the start of using the reagent, and 1-4 the reagent use area. The plot 1-5 represents generation of calibration curve data from the standard solution and 1-6 a standard solution use area. The plot 1-7 represents measurement of the accuracy control sample and 1-8 an accuracy control sample use area from a time point of measuring the accuracy control sample as indicated by the plot 1-7 until the next time point. The measurement information 1-14 is the region for displaying the measurement results.

Provided is an automated analyzer comprising a temperature regulator that can be made more compact in size while maintaining high-precision temperature regulation. In a temperature-regulating unit (20) of the automated analyzer, a first chemical reservoir (1) is constituted by a large-diameter spiral-shaped pipe, and a second chemical reservoir (2) is constituted by a large-diameter chemical reservoir container. The first chemical reservoir (1), which is positioned upstream of the second chemical reservoir (2), has an internal capacity that is set so as to be greater than the volume of a single discharge of each of syringe pumps (29, 30, 31), and the second chemical reservoir (2) also has an internal capacity (volume) that is set so as to be greater than the volume of a single discharge of each of the respective syringe pumps (29, 30, 31).

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 system and method for dispense characterization is disclosed. According to particular embodiments of the dispense characterization system and method, volumes of dispensed liquids can be determined. In more particular embodiments, additional characteristics and combinations of characteristics of a liquid dispensing event can be determined. Examples of additional characteristics that can be determined include the shape of the dispensing event, the velocity of the dispensing event, and the trajectory of the dispensing event. The dispense characterization system and method can be employed in automated biological sample analysis systems, and are particularly suited for monitoring liquid reagent dispensing events that deliver liquid reagents to a surface of a microscope slide holding a biological sample.

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.

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.

Systems and methods for automated cell culturing are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more cell culture vessels are fluidly connected with one or more multiport valves and one or more fluid pumps. The fluid pumps may pump various fluids into and out of the cell culture vessels as necessary to support cell growth, routed by the one or more multiport valves. In some embodiments, one or more components may be removable from other components so that some components may be prepared and sterilized independently prior to usage.