A method for operating a laboratory system comprising instruments for processing samples and a control unit connected by a communication network is presented. The method comprises receiving and identifying a biological sample and retrieving an order list from a database. The list comprises a plurality of targets defining one or more processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample by one or more of the laboratory instruments. The method also comprises selecting a workflow strategy and retrieving workflow acceptance criterion corresponding to the workflow strategy. The control unit determines a sample workflow for processing the sample based on the workflow strategy and determines whether the sample workflow satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion. If the sample workflow does not satisfy the workflow acceptance criterion, workflow strategy and the workflow acceptance criterion is refined and the sample workflow is determined again until it satisfies the workflow acceptance criterion.

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.

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 method of operating an analytical laboratory is presented. The method comprises recording time at which samples are first identified; retrieving an order list comprising test orders for the samples; retrieving a degradation limit to each test order; determining workflows for each sample; instructing the laboratory instruments to carry out the test orders according to the workflows. Determining the workflows comprises i) determining target instruments capable of carrying out the test orders; ii) determining a sequence/timing of the test orders; iii) calculating an estimated completion time for each test order; iv) determining a lead time for each sample and test order; v) prioritizing test orders if the lead time exceeds the degradation limit. Steps ii) to v) are repeated until the lead time doesn't exceed the degradation limit for any of the test orders; or until steps ii) to v) have been repeated for a number N of iterations.

Tissue sample management systems include a central network, a medical professional system, and a pathology lab system for processing a tissue sample in a matrix having a sectionable code. At least the pathology lab system includes at least one imaging device, and the central network is configured to process images from the at least one imaging device to identify and record at least the sectionable code of the matrix. Methods for tissue sample processing include providing a matrix having a sectionable code and measurement marks, the matrix for receiving a tissue sample, and identifying the sectionable code from an image taken of the tissue sample in the matrix. Tissue sample-receiving matrices include a sectionable alphanumeric code or bar code, a tissue sample receptacle, and measurement marks formed along a sidewall thereof. The matrices include one or more proteins and one or more lipids.

The present invention provides improved methods for maintaining the physical separation and identity integrity of a biological cellular sample from a patient during processing. The invention enables parallel processing of biological cellular samples, such as patient samples, in a space and time efficient fashion. The methods of the invention find particular utility in processing patient samples for use in cell therapy.

An automatic analyzing apparatus includes a reagent depository, a wave radiator, a wave receiver, a switcher, and processing circuitry. The wave radiator sends a radio wave to a plurality of wireless tags. The wireless tags are comprised by respective reagent containers in the reagent depository or by respective reagent containers at a reagent retaining space. The wave receiver receives return radio waves from the wireless tags that have received the radio wave. The switcher changes a response state of one of the wireless tags. The processing circuitry specifies reagent information corresponding to the reagent container that comprises the response state-changed wireless tag, based on the return radio waves received before and after the response state is changed.

A fully automated chemilumiescence immunoassay analyzer, including a sample and reagent receiving device for receiving a sample and a reagent, a dispensing device for aspirating and discharging the sample and the reagent, a mixing device for mixing the sample and the reagent in a reaction vessel, an incubation and luminescence detection device for incubation and luminescence detection, a magnetic separation cleaning device for separation cleaning an analyte and impurities in the reaction vessel, a reaction vessel grasping device for transferring the reaction vessel, and a liquid path device. The fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer has a simple structure and is convenient to operate, and also reduce the overall size such that the footprint thereof is small and the production cost is reduced, so that the analyzer is easy to achieve miniaturization, and is convenient for an operator to use.

Pre-registration information representing a correspondence relationship between analysis information representing a condition in regards to analysis or preparation of a sample, and a tray ID or a container type ID of a sample container is acquired by a pre-registration information acquirer. The tray ID or the container type ID is acquired by a tray ID acquirer or a container type ID acquirer from an automatic sample injector. The analysis information corresponding to the tray ID or the container type ID is specified by an analysis information specifier based on pre-registration information. Holding information representing whether a sample is held in a tray is acquired by a holding information acquirer from the automatic sample injector. A batch file is created by a batch file creator based on the holding information and the analysis information.

An assay-protocol-specific multi-channel fluid-dispenser cassette for an automated assay fluid dispensing system may include a structure with multiple fluid channels within the structure to contain and control respective assay fluids. Each fluid channels may have an outlet. A driver interface may be carried by the structure removably and mechanically engageable with a dispenser driver of a dispenser so that the dispenser driver can control the dispensing of fluids from the structure directly onto underlying reaction sites while each of the fluid channels remain as part of the structure. An assay-protocol-indicative cassette-type identifier may be formed in or attached to the structure and indicative of different assay protocols for all of the multiple fluid channels. The assay-protocol-cassette-type identifier may be readable by the cassette driver in response to the multi-channel fluid-dispenser cassette being removably connected to the dispenser.