The present invention is a comprehensive method and related system comprising software, instrumentation, consumables and services (calibration, training, and repair) in a platform system for management of handheld pipettes and automated liquid handling systems (ALBS). The system optimizes confidence in test results, control of liquid handling processes, productivity, and simplicity in operation, by significantly improving the experience in ownership, usage, and service of liquid handling instruments. The system is a turnkey solution integrating multiple technology approaches to provide real-time on-line feedback to the devices and to device users, as well as real-time connection to Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LEVIS) and training databases.

A self-contained biological sample processing cartridge includes top and bottom portions that close together to form a sealed chamber therein. The chamber is configured to enable one of one or more biological sample staining procedures appropriate for a biological sample. The top portion includes a chamber top section and valve control elements. The bottom portion includes a chamber bottom section and fluidic valves. One of the fluid valves evacuates the contents of the chamber. One of the valve control elements couples to a respective fluidic valve to control fluid flow for the chamber. The cartridge includes a preloaded reagent component to supply the chamber with the reagent component appropriate for a particular biological sample staining procedure. A user desiring to conduct a particular biological sample staining procedure may select a particular cartridge that is preloaded with the preloaded reagent fluidic valves component appropriate for the particular biological sample staining procedure.

A measuring apparatus usable in a liquid handling apparatus, and method, for detecting a deformed pipetting container using a first and a second measuring device, the measuring apparatus being configured to determine the position of an end region of the pipetting container as a f unction of a position of a measurement support section of the pipetting container as relative position data in a data storage device, so that subsequently the position of the end region of the pipetting container can be determined by measuring the position of the measurement support section and from the relative position data.

Provided is an automatic analysis device that can suppress concentration of a reagent made to react with a specimen. This automatic analysis device is provided with: a reagent container which accommodates a reagent and which has attached thereto a perforable lid; a perforation unit for perforating the lid; and a reagent suction nozzle that is inserted into a hole formed by perforation and that sucks up the reagent. The automatic analysis device is characterized by being further provided with a state storage unit that stores the state as to whether the reagent container is in an unused state or in a used state, and a state update unit that, when the lid is perforated by the perforation unit while the reagent container is in an unused state, updates the state stored in the state storage unit to the used state.

According to one embodiment, a liquid dispensing apparatus includes a base to which a liquid discharging device for discharging a liquid is to be mounted, an interface configured to communicate with an external device, a driving circuit to supply driving voltages to an actuator of the liquid discharging device, and a control unit configured to acquire a use history of the liquid discharging device from the external device through the interface, and cause the driving circuit to supply a discharge voltage to the actuator if the acquired use history indicates the liquid discharging device has not been used.

According to one embodiment, a liquid discharging device includes a storage unit storing a use history indicating whether the liquid discharging device has been previously used, and a discharging device mounted on a liquid dispensing apparatus and configured to discharge a liquid when supplied a discharge voltage in response to a discharge signal received from the liquid dispensing apparatus.

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 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 processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and a drip tray movable between a first position not under the capping/decapping mechanism and a second position under the capping/decamping mechanism.

The present invention is provided with a reagent disc on which a plurality of reagent containers each containing therein a reagent to be used for specimen analysis are loaded; a reagent loader that loads a reagent from the outside onto the reagent disc and that carries a reagent to the outside; a display unit that displays the reagents in the plurality of reagent containers arranged on the reagent disc, so as to be paired with corresponding analysis items for which the reagents are used; and a control unit that causes the reagent loader to simultaneously carry, to the outside of the reagent disc, a reagent which is selected, on the display unit, by an operation device used for an operation input from an operator instructing the reagent loader to take out the reagent and simultaneously carry a reagent which is to be used for a different analysis item to be performed simultaneously with the analysis item for the selected reagent. Thus, when a reagent is taken out or loaded, acts of mistaking the reagent or failing to load the reagent can be suppressed.