A biological analysis system comprising at least one inlet and one outlet, at least two biological analysis devices connected to one another by a conveyor defining a closed circuit, each biological analysis device comprising a region for the exchange of tube holding racks with the conveyor. The conveyor and the at least one inlet of the biological analysis system comprise a reader of an identifier of a tube holding rack which reader is designed to communicate an identifier it has read to a controller of the biological analysis system, which controller is designed to apply a specific treatment to a tube holding rack identified by the reader of the conveyor and the identifier of which has not previously been read by the reader of the at least one inlet of the biological analysis system.

Systems and methods are provided for automatically tailoring treatment of samples in sample containers carried in a rack. The systems and methods may identify sample containers in the rack and/or detect various characteristics associated with the containers and/or the rack. This information may then be used to tailor their treatment, such as by aspirating and dispensing fluid from the sample containers in a way that accounts for the types of the samples/containers carrying them.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

A method of characterizing a serum and plasma portion of a specimen in regions occluded by one or more labels. The characterization may be used for Hemolysis, Icterus, and/or Lipemia, or Normal detection. The method captures one or more images of a labeled specimen container including a serum or plasma portion, processes the one or more images to provide segmentation data and identification of a label-containing region, and classifying the label-containing region with a convolutional neural network (CNN) to provide a pixel-by-pixel (or patch-by-patch) characterization of the label thickness count, which may be used to adjust intensities of regions of a serum or plasma portion having label occlusion. Optionally, the CNN can characterize the label-containing region as one of multiple pre-defined label configurations. Quality check modules and specimen testing apparatus adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

Tissue sample cassettes for receiving tissue samples include an upper tray including compartments separated by dividers, a lower tray coupled to the upper tray and having a central recess, and an absorbent material located in the recess of the lower tray. Related systems and methods for automated gross processing of tissue samples are also disclosed.

Tissue sample cassettes for receiving tissue samples include an upper tray including compartments separated by dividers, a lower tray coupled to the upper tray and having a central recess, and an absorbent material located in the recess of the lower tray. Related systems and methods for automated gross processing of tissue samples are also disclosed.

A printer for printing on histology-laboratory consumable articles (16) includes an optical reading device (13), which reads an image pattern of a histology-laboratory consumable article (16) to be printed on by means of the printing device (4), generates analog or digital image-pattern image signals with regard to the read image pattern and transfers the image-pattern image signals to a control device (8) of the printer, and/or which reads an overprint (18) printed onto a histology-laboratory consumable article (16) by the printing device (4), generates analog or digital overprint image signals with regard to the read overprint (18) and transfers the overprint image signals to a control device (8) of the printer, which control device determines at least one quality parameter with regard to the overprint (18).

A column device for an automatic analyser. The automatic analyzer comprises a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) module. The HPLC module comprises a fixation device configured to automatically fix and release a chromatographic column. The column device comprises a column jacket and a capillary. The capillary comprises predetermined dimensions and is disposed within the column jacket. The column device is configured to be installed at the HPLC module using the fixation device. Further, an automatic analyzer is disclosed.

The present disclosure provides a plate comprising an array of wells for chemical or biological reactions, wherein each of the wells comprises a reaction chamber with at least one opening on a surface of the plate. The array of wells consist of a plurality of adjacent blocks of wells, wherein each block of wells consists of a plurality of adjacent rows of wells, and wherein at least one void is provided in each block of wells in between the rows of wells. Here, the void is particularly part of the surface of the plate and lacks a well opening. Furthermore, a method for multiple imaging of such a plate by means of an imaging system is provided with the present disclosure.