Method and associated system for reading machine-readable labels on a plurality of sample receptacles held by a sample rack. In the method, a machine-readable label associated each of the plurality of sample receptacles is read with a first label reader when the rack is at a first location. The sample rack is then moved from the first location to a second location, where a rack identifier on the sample rack is sensed with a sensor separate from the first label reader. Finally, the rack identifier is associated with the machine-readable labels of the plurality of sample receptacles.

The present invention provides a device and system for monitoring the accuracy of procedures in the course of the performance of a task, the task comprising at least one procedure to be performed, the device comprising: an input interface for receiving input data relating to the procedures; a data store for storing data relating to the procedures; a processor for: comparing the input data with the stored data; and generating a comparison result indicating the result of that comparison; and an output interface for outputting the comparison result.

Carriers are provided for microbiological laboratory use, as are methods for their use. The carriers may be used to transport patient samples between laboratory stations and can be loaded into automated AST systems. In an aspect, a method of performing AST may include loading a tube comprising a patient sample onto a carrier. An AST panel may be loaded onto the carrier. The carrier may be conveyed to an automated inoculation assembly. The patient sample may be inoculated from the tube into the AST panel. The AST panel may be loaded into an automated AST system.

An example medical diagnostic system includes one or more containers that are usable in a medical diagnostic test. Each container has an identification (ID) tag associated therewith. An ID tag of a container includes memory that is readable and writeable. The memory is for storing information relating to the container. Antennas are configured to communicate wirelessly with ID tags associated with the one or more containers. A control system is configured to store a location of the container based on an identify of the antenna, to select the antenna for communication with the ID tag, and to use the antenna to read at least some of the information from, or to write at least some of the information to, the memory on the ID tag.

This automated analysis device is provided with a plurality of analysis units for analyzing a specimen, a buffer portion which holds a plurality of specimen racks on which are placed specimen containers holding the specimen, a sampler portion which conveys the specimen racks held in the buffer portion to the analysis units, and a control portion which, when performing a process to deliver the specimen racks to the plurality of analysis units, outputs synchronization signals to all the plurality of analysis units, wherein the analysis unit performs a delivery process starting from the synchronization signal, and the analysis unit performs a delivery process starting from the synchronization signal.

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 laboratory system, comprising: at least one rack comprising retainers, wherein the rack is adapted to carry laboratory sample containers inserted in the retainers, a handling device, wherein the handling device is adapted to insert sample containers in the retainers or remove containers from the retainers being placed at a processing position depending on location information indicating the location of the rack being placed at the processing position relative to the handling device, a plurality of teaching devices, wherein a respective teaching device is insertable into a retainer of the rack, and wherein at least two teaching devices are inserted into a corresponding retainer of the rack being placed at the processing position, and a location information calculating device, wherein the calculating device is adapted to calculate the location information of the rack being placed at the processing position depending on the location of the at least two teaching devices.

A processing system includes a processing unit configured to process a cartridge, in particular a microfluidic cartridge, and is further configured to process a biological sample received in the cartridge. The processing unit includes a computing unit configured to compare input or read in sample data with input or read in first cartridge data in order to determine a compatibility of the sample with the cartridge. The computing unit is further configured to output a first error message in response to a determination of incompatibility between the sample and the cartridge. A method includes using the processing system to determine a compatibility between a sample and a cartridge.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a laboratory system comprising at least partially networked laboratory devices for processing samples by means of laboratory processes performed by the laboratory devices, the method comprising:-a process detection step (S1), in which samples to be processed and/or laboratory processes to be performed with the samples are detected via a detection unit (05);-a status determination step (S3), in which a response of networked laboratory devices regarding the current and/or future status and/or the termination of sample processing is obtained by the laboratory devices;-a task update step (S4), in which a task list, at least for the processing of certain samples by means of a certain laboratory device or a plurality of certain laboratory devices in a certain order, is created or updated by a task generation unit at least from the detected samples and/or laboratory processes and/or on the basis of the status of the laboratory devices, in particular by considering predefined prioritisation rules and/or weighting factors;-a management step (S5), in which management instructions are generated and output by a management system on the basis of the current task list, by means of which management instructions detected samples are brought at least indirectly to at least one laboratory device; and-a transport means control step (S6), in which transport means control instructions are generated by a transport means control system on the basis of control instructions and are transmitted to at least one transport means configured as a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle (04)) at least for the transport of detected samples.

Computer systems (130, 120, 230) support a production process with a first sub-process to process a chemical substance at a production site and with a second sub-process to analyze a physical sample of the chemical substance at a laboratory site. A process control system (120) provides first type data (A) to identify physical samples, and a manufacturing system (130) provides second type data (B) that are required to control a production process. Connector modules (105, 205) transmit the data (A, B) in a message (150) to a laboratory system (230) to obtain laboratory data, as an analysis result. The connector module (205) that is associated with the laboratory system (230) distributes the data according to the types. A control signal module (139) derives a control signal (136/138) for controlling the production process. This control signal closes a control loop for adjusting the first sub-process until the laboratory data shows compliance.