A calibration device is disclosed. The device comprises an array of teaching pendants. The device comprises a translation actuator configured to translate the array of teaching pendants to a set of x and y positions, wherein the x and y positions are measured in a plane substantially parallel to a floor of an instrument deck. The device comprises a plurality of height actuators configured to move each of the teaching pendants in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane. One or more of the teaching pendants contact one or more teaching objects of an array of teaching objects above the instrument deck as a result of a position of the array of teaching pendants.

A method for reading machine-readable labels on a plurality of sample receptacles held by a sample rack. The sample rack is moved between first and second positions within a housing and a label reader is activated at each of a plurality of predetermined position between the first and second positions to read the machine-readable label of each of the plurality of sample receptacles.

Sample analysis system and method are provided. The sample analysis system includes a first sample analyzer, a second sample analyzer, a sample rack transport device, and a sample sorting device provided between the first and second sample analyzers. The sample rack transport device includes a transport track for conveying a sample rack with sample containers to the first and/or second sample analyzer for testing. The first and second sample analyzers are arranged in sequence along a first transport direction of the transport track. The sample sorting device includes a connecting track, a sorting platform, and a sample transfer mechanism. The sample transfer mechanism is capable of moving to a position above the connecting track, so as to transfer the sample container(s) in the sample rack conveyed to the connecting track to a sample rack on the sorting platform. Efficiency of sample analysis is improved.

A liquid handling instrument and pipetting head for and method of aspirating and/or dispensing liquids is disclosed. Namely, an automated liquid handling instrument is provided for aspirating and/or dispensing liquids from source media to destination media using at least one pipetting head and by using a positive displacement pipette tip, wherein the positive displacement pipette tip includes a pipette tip and a pipette plunger. A pipetting head of the liquid handling instrument includes an arrangement of plates, threaded rods, motors, timing (or drive) belts, and custom timing pulleys/nuts. The pipetting head further includes an arrangement of pipette plunger clamping mechanisms and pipette tip clamping mechanisms that feature zero-insertion force clamping mechanisms.

The present invention is provided with: a sample rack body in which test tubes are inserted from insertion openings; a plurality of leaf springs that are provided to the sample rack body and press and hold the test tubes; and adaptors inserted from the insertion openings. The adaptors respectively have cylindrical bodies inserted from the insertion openings. The cylindrical bodies each have formed therein notch sections which cause the corresponding leaf spring to pass through a portion at which the leaf spring is in contact with the test tube and cause the test tube having a small outer diameter than the insertion opening to be held by the leaf spring.

A storage system having racks and an outer container that receives the racks, each rack receiving a plurality of sample boxes, each box having a wireless ID tag. In certain embodiments, the storage system has reader electronics external to and distinct from the racks and that directly read the wireless ID tag of each box in at least one rack without relying on any reader electronics of any rack. In other embodiments, each rack has a set of rack reader electronics that read the wireless ID tag of each box in at least one rack, and the storage system has at least one removable reader access device removably connectable to the set of rack reader electronics of a rack in order to transmit the ID number of the wireless ID tag of each box in the rack outside of the outer container.

Body fluid sample carrier for use in a body fluid analyser and body fluid analyser using a body fluid sample carrier, wherein the body fluid sample carrier has a plurality of rack receptacles and a plurality of marker receptacles for receiving corresponding markers in order to improve the association between racks positioned on the carrier and the correct position on the carrier.

A method of reading machine-readable marks on a movable support and object of a sample instrument. The method includes capturing a first image of the moveable support as the moveable support moves from a first position to a second position using an image capture device; determining whether a first fiducial machine-readable mark on the moveable support is in the first image; determining, when the first fiducial machine-readable mark is in the first image, whether a first machine-readable mark on a first object coupled to the moveable support is in the first image at a predetermined position relative to the first fiducial machine-readable mark; and associating information decoded from the first machine-readable mark on the first object with a first location on the moveable support associated with the first fiducial machine-readable mark.

A storage system having racks and an outer container that receives the racks, each rack receiving a plurality of sample boxes, each box having a wireless ID tag. In certain embodiments, the storage system has reader electronics external to and distinct from the racks and that directly read the wireless ID tag of each box in at least one rack without relying on any reader electronics of any rack. In other embodiments, each rack has a set of rack reader electronics that read the wireless ID tag of each box in at least one rack, and the storage system has at least one removable reader access device removably connectable to the set of rack reader electronics of a rack in order to transmit the ID number of the wireless ID tag of each box in the rack outside of the outer container.

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.