A data collection apparatus (10) and a computer-implemented data collection method (50) using the same are provided. The data collection apparatus (10) includes a first linear stage (12) and a second linear stage (14). A sample carriage (16) is attached to the first linear stage (12), the first linear stage (12) being operable to move the sample carriage (16) along a first axis. A probe carriage (18) is attached to the second linear stage (14), the second linear stage (14) being operable to move the probe carriage (18) along a second axis. A third linear stage (20) is attached to the probe carriage (18). In use, the third linear stage (20) is operable to receive a detachable characterisation probe (22) and to move the characterisation probe (22) along a third axis. A camera (24) is attached to the probe carriage (18). In use, the camera (24) is configured to capture an image of one or more samples on the sample carriage (16).

Systems for reading machine-readable labels, for example, two-dimensional barcodes, include a housing, a reader configured to read the machine-readable labels on sample receptacles as a sample rack holding the sample receptacles move between a first position and a second position within the housing. The system includes a processing and control unit configured to decode a read image of the machine-readable labels on each sample receptacle, and configured to associate a decoded read images with the corresponding sample receptacles based on measured positions of the sample rack when the machine-readable label was read.

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.

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 transporting apparatus transports a container configured to be used by a sample analysis apparatus or a rack holding the container. The transporting apparatus may include a robotic arm that transports the container or the rack between a first sample analysis apparatus and a second sample analysis apparatus; and a base that supports the robotic arm.

Described herein are systems and methods to record and track, via a graphical user interface, biological samples, and biological material extracted therefrom, used to generate genotyping data. As biological samples are processed in several stages to extract biological material and perform genotyping tests, IDs are assigned to biological samples and biological material for individuals as well as well plates used during processing of the biological samples and the biological material in order to organize the samples and the tests. Biological samples are assigned to well plates for use in extracting biological material. Biological material is assigned to genotyping plates for use in performing genotyping tests. By associating IDs corresponding to biological samples or biological material with IDs for well plates or genotyping plates, respectively, a user can track which extractions and/or tests need to be performed and record which biological samples have been received or genotyping plates analyzed.

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 test apparatus and control method thereof are disclosed, which relate to a technology for providing an in-vitro diagnostic apparatus for enabling a user to change time information used in the system, and displaying the changed time information to use the time information according to local time of a desired country. Also, the present disclosure is directed to providing a test apparatus for determining whether the validity date of test medium has expired to prevent use of expired test medium and to analyze a test object through available test medium, and a method for controlling the test apparatus. The test apparatus of analyzing a test object included in test medium includes a Real Time Clock (RTC) portion configured to provide current time, a user interface configured to receive a time offset command for changing the current time and displaying the changed current time, a first offset manager configured to reflect the time offset command to the current time provided from the RTC portion to calculate time to be displayed, a second offset manager configured to decide reference time to be used to determine whether validity date of the test medium has expired, based on the current time provided from the RTC portion, a validity date acquirer configured to acquire validity date information of the test medium, and a controller configured to determine whether validity date of the test medium has expired, based on the reference time and the validity date information of the test medium.

Disclosed is a specimen analyzer comprising: a rack transport part configured to transport a rack accommodating a plurality of specimen containers; an agitating part configured to agitate a specimen in each of the specimen containers; a suction part configured to suction the specimen from the specimen container; a container transport part configured to transport the specimen container between the rack on the rack transport part, the agitating part, and a suction position for specimen suctioning by the suction part; a measurement part configured to measure a measurement sample prepared from the specimen suctioned by the suction part; and a controller configured to control at least the agitating part, the suction part, and the container transport part, wherein the specimen analyzer is configured such that control by the controller causes, during a period from start to end of agitation of one of the specimen containers, at least one of transferring to the suction position, suctioning of a specimen, and returning to the rack to be executed on another one of the specimen containers.

A method for sorting and/or treating containers includes the steps of: recording at least one image and/or a video of a plurality of containers by an image recording device, which is configured for recording spatially resolved color images; analyzing the at least one recorded image; identifying the individual containers; assigning an identification information and at least one portion of the recorded image to each of the identified containers; and ascertaining a color information, which is characteristic of an identified container, from the portion of the recorded image.