A novel solution is proposed for processing a test tube transported on a test tube carrier by a conveyor so that spilling of the liquid in the test tube is reduced or even prevented, particularly an arrangement for sequencing and guiding travel of test tube carriers transported on at least one conveyor. The arrangement includes at least one rotatable deviator positioned to intersect the at least one conveyor. The deviator includes a horizontal deviator plate including at least one grip for receiving a test tube carrier. One contact surface is positioned vertically at a distance from the deviator plate and aligned with the grip. The contact surface is formed to contact the test tube carrier at a distance from the contact level of the grip and the carrier.

The system in at least one embodiment provides a tamper evident specimen sample lock that in a further embodiment includes an embedded storage medium. They system and method in at least one embodiment allows for efficiently and securely creating, maintaining, identifying, tracking, and controlling inventories (either prospective or retrospective) of biological and chemical sample containers and their contents, while eliminating potential loss and degradation associated with handling the samples. The system in at least one embodiment provides a sample container tray or cryogenic box having one or more integrated RFID readers within an associated smart lid that sense RFIDs associated with the individual samples thereby eliminating the need to remove, visually inspect, and/or handle the samples.

A system and method for locating sample vessels are presented. The system comprises a holder having an array of positions for holding sample vessels. An information tag is attached to the holder for storing and/or retrieving machine-readable information related to the positions of sample vessels with respect to the array of positions. The system further comprises a handheld device capable of reading information on the information tag. The handheld device has an input for inputting information related to a to-be-located sample vessel and an output for outputting a position of the to-be-located sample vessel with respect to the array of positions based on information stored in the information tag. The method comprises inputting information related to a to-be-located sample vessel into the handheld device, reading information stored in the holder's information tag with the handheld device; and outputting a position of the to-be-located sample vessel.

An automation system for use with in-vitro diagnostics that includes a track configured to provide one or more paths and a plurality of sleeves. Each sleeve is configured to hold one of a plurality of fluid containers. The system also includes a plurality of carriers configured to travel along the track. Each carrier is separable from each sleeve and configured to hold one of the plurality of sleeves. The system further includes a tray having a plurality of rows. Each row is configured to hold at least one of: (i) one or more of the plurality of sleeves; and (ii) one or more of the plurality of carriers. The tray is configured to at least one of: (i) unload the plurality of sleeves or the plurality of carriers from the tray; and (ii) load the plurality of sleeves or the plurality of carriers to the tray.

The present invention provides improved methods, facilities and systems for parallel processing of biological cellular samples in an efficient and scalable manner The invention enables parallel processing of biological cellular samples, such as patient samples, in a space and time efficient fashion. The methods, facilities and systems of the invention find particular utility in processing patient samples for use in cell therapy.

A sample analyzing method of a sample analyzer for measuring samples, using a reagent container which comprises a writable and readable storage medium, the sample analyzing method including: storing information regarding a remaining amount of a reagent in the reagent container to a memory of the analyzer read from the storage medium; updating the information in the memory in response to an aspiration of the reagent; and writing updated information in the memory to the storage medium when an aspiration of the reagent in a plurality of measurements is completed. The writing of the updated information is postponed until the aspiration of the reagent in the plurality of measurements is completed.

Disclosed is a method of operating a laboratory instrument (100, 1000), wherein the laboratory instrument is configured for receiving a sample rack (112) with one or more sample tubes (126), wherein the laboratory instrument comprises a robotic head (106) for bringing a pipettor (108) into fluidic contact with the one or more sample tubes when the sample rack is in an operating position (122), wherein the robotic head is configured for loading the sample rack into the operating position, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving (200) the sample rack by the laboratory instrument; and loading (202) the rack into the operating position using the robotic head.

An apparatus for sorting containers of biological samples for an automation system of an analysis laboratory includes a transport line having a conveyor belt on which are transported carriers arranged to receive and support a container. Parallel spaced apart sorting lines extend from the transport line. Each sorting line is associated with a diverter member transversely movable to the transport line from an inoperative backward position to an advanced position configured to divert a carrier from the transport to the sorting line. Each diverter member, when activated, has a first forward movement to a first position in a middle of the transport line, and a second forward movement to the advanced position, to push the intercepted carrier in the respective sorting line. When the diverter member intercepts a carrier, it is static in the middle of the transport line thereby not producing any cross collision with the intercepted carrier.

An RFID interrogation probe (1) comprises a ring shaped housing (2), having a maximum thickness (I) (measured along its cylindrical axis) which is less than the innermost diameter (di) of the housing, and a looped antenna (3) housed within the ring shaped housing.

A method for coding and identification of biological samples for in vitro fertilisation comprises the steps of applying to receptacles intended for unfertilised eggs and sperm, respectively, an identification code characteristic of the patient; placing unfertilised eggs and sperm, respectively, in the receptacles; storing, transporting and admixing the respective samples in receptacles which each carry the same code; and implanting the resulting embryo in the patient. The identification code may based on RFID technology, in which sample vessels (12) are codified by the application of an RFID tag (13).