Provided are analysis systems that include components for identifying, inventorying, or both, consumables and/or reagents introduced into one or more consumable or reagent storage areas of the systems. The systems include a camera and camera positioning means for positioning the camera in optical communication with the one or more consumable or reagent storage areas. The systems further include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media including instructions that cause the system to detect when a consumable or reagent has been introduced to the one or more consumable or reagent storage areas, position the camera in optical communication with the introduced consumable or reagent, and identify the introduced consumable or reagent. Also provided are automated methods for identifying, inventorying, or both, consumables and/or reagents introduced into one or more consumable or reagent storage areas of an analysis system.

A treatment device (1) for treating histological or cytological samples has a plurality of containers (6) for different treatment agents and a detection apparatus (2) for detecting a code which unequivocally identifies a type of a treatment agent or a type of a group of treatment agents from a package or replacement container of a treatment agent or group of treatment agents. The device furthermore has an evaluation apparatus (18) that, based on a detected code, ascertains which of the containers is or are to be replenished or replaced, and an indicating apparatus (4) which communicates to a user the ascertained container (6) or containers (6) that is or are to be replenished or replaced. The indicating apparatus may include a display (5) presenting a schematic image of the plurality of containers (6) with image(s) of each ascertained container being marked, and/or a light source (15) that illuminates each ascertained container.

A parallel processing system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and direction system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.

The present invention provides an automatic encoding device including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are connected through a connecting point, so that an electric parameter between the first electrode and the second electrode changes according to a parameter needing to be corrected. The present invention further provides a method for applying the automatic encoding device to various biosensors and a method for manufacturing the automatic encoding device. Positions and the number of contacts for connecting the automatic encoding device and a detection system are fixed. Therefore, connection sites on the detection system are effectively utilized. On the other hand, the automatic encoding device in the present invention can provide different parameter information by only changing the positions of the connecting points on the electrodes, the process is simple and stable, and the probability of human errors is reduced.

The present invention generally relates to the determination of an analyte concentration (quantitative determination) or whether an analyte threshold level has been passed (qualitative determination) in a biological sample through employment of a disposable analytical microprocessor device. The device can include a batch-specific, self-executable algorithm for the calculation of the analyte concentration.

The present invention provides a processing station for automatically processing a biological sample, a system for automated real-time inventory control of consumables within a biological sample handling or assay instrument, a high throughput random access automated instrument for processing biological samples, an automated instrument for processing or analysis of a sample, and processes for automated mucoid detection and elimination. Methods of using the disclosed instruments, mucoid detection processes, and systems to process and/or analyze samples are also disclosed.

A microplate reader and a method for operating the microplate reader are disclosed. The microplate reader includes a housing, a first NFC reader/writer, a filter tray positioning device, a filter tray, an optical filter disposed in the filter tray, and a controller. The filter tray has a filter tray NFC tag disposed thereon and the filter has a filter NFC tag disposed thereon. The controller receives information about an assay protocol to be undertaken, wherein the assay protocol specifies a filter to be used. The first NFC reader/writer reads filter information stored in the filter NFC tag, the controller directs the NFC reader/writer to store the filter information in the filter tray NFC tag, and the controller enables operation of the microplate reader to undertake the assay protocol only if filter information indicates that the optical filter is in accordance with the filter specified in the assay protocol.

A sample container of patient sample material includes a sample container barcode containing patient-identifying information. The sample container barcode on the sample container is read, and a tubular reaction vessel is provided to a printer module configured to print a barcode directly onto a surface of the tubular reaction vessel. The printer module prints a barcode on the surface of the reaction vessel by a thermal printing method, and the barcode printed onto the reaction vessel is associated with the sample container barcode.

A sample pooling system 1000 comprises a sample pooling device 200 that pools samples, a first PCR device 300 that performs a PCR on mixed samples, and a second PCR device 400 that performs a PCR on individual samples. The sample pooling device 200 comprises a single first rack 700a that accommodates a plurality of mixed sample containers in a row in the y direction; a plurality of second racks 700c that accommodate a plurality of individual sample containers in a row in the x direction; and a plurality of dispensation nozzles 240 that dispense a plurality of individual samples from the plurality of individual sample containers accommodated by a respective second rack 700c into a respective mixed sample container. The plurality of individual sample containers accommodated by one of the second racks 700c are aligned in the x direction with one of the plurality of mixed sample containers accommodated by the first rack 700a.

An automated analyzer with an on-board fridge for long-term cooling of reagents, and a method for isolating and analyzing an analyte comprising long-term cooling of reagents.