The present invention provides a disposable ultra-filtration system comprising a disposable pipetting tip and a disposable ultra-filtration cartridge, wherein the cartridge includes a membrane filtration chamber and a dead-end channel. In use, a piston in the pipette pressurizes air within the channel; the pressurized air can subsequently move the piston and cause a reverse flow back through the membrane of the cartridge, unplugging the pores thereof. Also disclosed is an automated workstation incorporating the disposable ultra-filtration system, and a system comprising the automated workstation, useful for measuring the free therapeutic drug concentration and free hormone concentration in a sample.

An automatic analyzer with high processing capacity is capable of immediately measuring an emergency specimen rack. The automatic analyzer includes a conveying line for conveying a specimen rack, and an analysis unit which has a dispensing line in which a plurality of specimen racks are arranged for waiting until sample dispensing, and a sampling area for dispensing the sample to the analysis unit. A rack save area is provided in the dispensing line and at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the sampling area. When a specimen rack exists in the sampling area at the time of measuring an emergency specimen rack, a controller moves the specimen rack to the save area and positions the emergency specimen rack to be moved from a downstream side of the sampling area to the sampling area.

An automatic analyzer with high processing capacity is capable of immediately measuring an emergency specimen rack. The automatic analyzer includes a conveying line for conveying a specimen rack, and an analysis unit which has a dispensing line in which a plurality of specimen racks are arranged for waiting until sample dispensing, and a sampling area for dispensing the sample to the analysis unit. A rack save area is provided in the dispensing line and at a position adjacent to the upstream side of the sampling area. When a specimen rack exists in the sampling area at the time of measuring an emergency specimen rack, a controller moves the specimen rack to the save area and positions the emergency specimen rack to be moved from a downstream side of the sampling area to the sampling area.

An analytical system is disclosed which recognizes different types of consumables with an identical footprint based on a unique surface geometry of each consumable. The analytical system includes stackers into which the consumables can be loaded either automatically or by the user. The stacker for one specific type of consumable recognizes the type of consumable based on its unique surface geometry.

Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods. According to certain embodiments, provided is an integrated analysis system that includes a first module including a sample analysis component and a first internal container conveyor system. The integrated analysis system further includes a second module including a second internal container conveyor system. The first and second modules are positioned adjacent each other such that the first and second internal container conveyor systems are aligned and adapted to transport containers from the first module to the second module. Also provided are methods of analyzing and preparing samples (e.g., blood and body fluid samples), as well as components that find use within the analysis systems of the present disclosure.

An automation system for use with in vitro diagnostics includes a track configured to provide one or more paths and a plurality of payload carriers having payload carrier types. One or more of the plurality of payload carrier types has a different payload carrier dimension in a direction of travel than another payload carrier type. The system includes a plurality of carriers configured to move along the track in the direction of travel. Each of the plurality of carriers has a substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel and configured to hold any one of the plurality of payload carrier types. The system includes a controller configured to navigate the plurality of carriers along the track based on at least one of: (i) the substantially identical carrier dimension in the direction of travel; and (ii) one or more of the different payload carrier dimensions in the direction of travel.

A method of reading machine-readable labels on sample receptacles. In the method, a sample rack is moved between a first position and a second position within a housing, where the sample rack supports a plurality of sample receptacles, and each sample receptacle has a machine-readable label. An absolute position of the sample rack is measured as the sample rack moves between the first and second positions. An image of the machine-readable label associated with each sample receptacle is acquired as the sample rack moves between the first and second positions. Finally, the acquired image of each machine-readable label is decoded.

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.

A method for user guided initiating of an instrument includes receiving a run plan via a user interface of the instrument; indicating on the user interface, based on the run plan, a consumable to be provided to the instrument; detecting the presence of the consumable using a vision system; and indicating the presence of the consumable via the user interface.

A diagnostic system with a handling system that has a loading bay to receive and hold a plurality of carriers. An identification device is configured to identify an identifying feature of the carriers to determine the type of contents loaded on each carrier. A transporter transports the carriers from the loading bay to a first or second location depending on the determined type of contents on each carrier. The transporter has random access to the plurality of carriers in the loading bay. A diagnostic process is conducted using the contents. A carrier, such a for reagents, has one or more holding portions, at least one of which can be moved or rotated with respect to the body of the carrier for mixing or stirring the contents of a container coupled therewith. Also, a retention member can be associated with a positioning device, such as a carousel, to lock and unlock the carrier with respect thereto.