Provided is an automatic analysis device in which even an operator can easily identify the type of processing and the type of individual and erroneous setting hardly occurs. A vessel holder for holding a sample vessel, a reading unit for reading an identification area formed in the vessel holder, and a control unit for performing processing based on information read by the reading unit are included, in which the control unit identifies the type of processing based on the type of color applied to the identification area, and identifies the type of individual in the sample vessel based on how the identification area is colored.

An automatic inspection station is presented for inspecting exterior of vehicles. The inspection station comprises a physical structure configured to be deployable at a predetermined location and, when deployed defining first and second adjacent compartments and exposing an inner space of the first compartment to vehicle's entry and exit into and from said inner space and at least partially isolate said inner space from ambient light. The first compartment comprises an inspection system, and the second compartment comprises a control system in data communication with the inspection system. The inspection system comprises an optical imaging system configured and operable for imaging a vehicle located within at least part of said inner space and generating image data which is processed and analyzed by the control system to generate data indicative of vehicle's status.

An automated pre-analytical processing method and an apparatus for pre-analytical processing of samples to be forwarded to an adjacent analyzer for analysis. Rack label information is read and communicated to a processor. From the rack label information, the processor determines where to route the rack. The pre-analytical system has a rack robot that conveys racks to discrete locations depending upon the routing information assigned to the rack by the processor. The pre-analytical system has an automated station that reads the labels of individual sample containers in the rack that are brought to the automated station on instructions from the processor. Depending on the type of sample container and the type of sample disposed therein, the samples are either prepared for analysis by the automated station or the sample containers are directly passed through the automated station. Prepared samples and passed through samples are passed individually to a batching rack.

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.

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 flexible instrument control and data storage/management system and method for representing and processing assay plates having one or more predefined plate locations is disclosed. The system utilizes a graph data structure, layer objects and data objects. The layer objects map the graph data structure to the data objects. The graph data structure can comprise one node for each of the one or more predefined plate locations, wherein the nodes can be hierarchically defined according to a predefined plate location hierarchy. Each node can be given a unique node identifier, a node type and a node association that implements the predefined plate location hierarchy. The layer objects can include an index that maps the node identifiers to the data objects.

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.

A system and method for mounting a section onto a substrate, the system comprising: a fluid channel including: a fluid channel inlet that receives the section, processed from a bulk embedded sample by a sample sectioning module positioned proximal the fluid channel inlet, a section-mounting region downstream of the fluid channel inlet, and a fluid channel outlet downstream of the section-mounting region; a reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid channel outlet; and a manifold, fluidly coupled to the reservoir, that delivers fluid from the reservoir to the fluid channel inlet, thereby transmitting fluid flow that drives delivery of the section from the fluid channel inlet toward the section-mounting region.

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.

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.