A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a number of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container. The system further comprises a transport plane to carry the container carriers and a number of electro-magnetic actuators being stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier.

A blood testing apparatus includes an analyzer configured to analyze blood components of an animal that are included in a test medium; an output device configured to display analysis results of the blood components; and a controller configured to determine a species of the animal based on at least one from among types of the blood components and the analysis results of the blood components and control the output device to display the determined species of the animal.

A reagent container carrier structure for holding at least one reagent container, wherein the carrier structure has thereon an RFID assembly and an optically detectable definition pattern defining an orientation of the carrier structure, is disclosed. The reagent container carrier structure may have an orientation identification label that has a front surface and a back surface, and further include an RFID assembly positioned on the back surface, and an optically detectable definition pattern defining an orientation of the label on the front surface. A reader module for reading RFID data in combination with optically detectable data defining an orientation of a respective label is also disclosed.

A test device is configured for diagnostic testing and includes an optical readable medium, in turn including a pattern of spots of material arranged on a surface of the device. Several patterns may be provided. The patterns accordingly formed may be human and/or machine readable. They may notably encode security information, e.g., indicating whether the device has already been used. The spots may notably be inkjet spotted. In addition, a method is provided for decoding information encoded in a pattern of such a test device. In embodiments, liquid is introduced in the device, which comprises additional spots having a substantially different solubility than spots forming the actual pattern. Thus, the additional spots get solubilized in and flushed by the liquid as the latter wets them, and an initially hidden pattern may be read, which is formed of the remaining spots (not solubilized). Encoding methods are also provided.

An automated analyzer is described. The analyzer includes a housing, a consumable insert, a consumable support device, a reader and a control system. The housing has a sample port. The consumable insert has a consumable insert type and an identification component and receives a consumable. The consumable support device is disposed within the sample port, supports the consumable insert, and is moveable to a testing position within the internal cavity. The consumable support device has an identifier component configured to identify the consumable insert type based in part on the identification component and configured to output a first data signal indicative of the consumable insert type. The reader outputs a second data signal indicative of a reading from the consumable. The control system receives the first and second data signals, and interprets the second data signal based on the first data signal.

Tissue sample management systems include a central network, a medical professional system, and a pathology lab system for processing a tissue sample in a matrix having a sectionable code. At least the pathology lab system includes at least one imaging device, and the central network is configured to process images from the at least one imaging device to identify and record at least the sectionable code of the matrix. Methods for tissue sample processing include providing a matrix having a sectionable code and measurement marks, the matrix for receiving a tissue sample, and identifying the sectionable code from an image taken of the tissue sample in the matrix. Tissue sample-receiving matrices include a sectionable alphanumeric code or bar code, a tissue sample receptacle, and measurement marks formed along a sidewall thereof. The matrices include one or more proteins and one or more lipids.

A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises an optical inspection device adapted to optically inspect items that need to be optically inspected, at least one mirror device, a driver adapted to move the items to be optically inspected and to move the at least one mirror device, and a control device configured to move an item to be optically inspected relative to the optical inspection device by controlling the driver such that a field of view of the optical inspection device is extended.

A rack for holding samples and various reagents, wherein the rack may be used for loading the samples and reagents prior to using the reagents. The rack accepts complementary reagent holders, each of which contain a set of reagents for carrying out a predetermined processing operation, such as preparing biological samples for amplifying and detecting polynucleotides extracted from the samples.

A laboratory sample distribution system and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a number of sample container carriers adapted to move autonomously and to communicate with each other and with a central control unit.

Provided is an automatic analysis device in which even an operator can easily identify the type of processing and the type of individual and erroneous setting hardly occurs. A vessel holder for holding a sample vessel, a reading unit for reading an identification area formed in the vessel holder, and a control unit for performing processing based on information read by the reading unit are included, in which the control unit identifies the type of processing based on the type of color applied to the identification area, and identifies the type of individual in the sample vessel based on how the identification area is colored.