A method of reducing quality problems associated with patient sample collection and delivery is provided. It is possible that the method can provide a chain of custody process to better track a sample from the initial point of sample collection to the final point of sample testing. Such a method can also include providing an alert to indicate a potential problem with the quality of the diagnostic test result when a measured parameter exceeds a threshold.

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.

The present invention generally relates to the determination of an analyte concentration (quantitative determination) or whether an analyte threshold level has been passed (qualitative determination) in a biological sample through employment of a disposable analytical microprocessor device. The device can include a batch-specific, self-executable algorithm for the calculation of the analyte concentration.

An analyzer for use with in vitro diagnostics includes an automation system to move a plurality of sample carriers within the system. At least some carriers include a plurality of slots. Each slot is configured to hold one of a plurality of fluid containers. The system also includes a place and pick device configured to place the plurality of fluid containers into the plurality of slots and remove the plurality of fluid containers from the plurality of slots. The system further includes a controller configured to place mother sample tubes along with empty sample tubes into the same carrier and move the carrier to an existing pipettor within the analyzer to aliquot a sample portion of the mother sample into the empty daughter tubes to create aliquots for certain samples without requiring a standalone aliquoting station or substantially disrupting the normal flow of sample tubes within the automation system.

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.

A chromatography lab system comprising a cooling compartment arranged to hold both fraction collector devices and sample containers, whereby the cooling compartment comprises an identifying device which is arranged to identify the fraction collector devices such that fractions from the chromatography are collected only in the fraction collector devices.

A robotic system is provided for accurately and quickly sorting sample tubes within or between sample tube racks.

A system for measuring a property of a sample is provided. The system comprises a diagnostic measuring device having a memory and a diagnostic test strip for collecting the sample. The strip has embedded thereon a pattern representative of at least first data and second data, the first data being data representing at least one of parameters related to measuring the property, codes usable for calibration of the diagnostic measuring device, or parameters indicating proper connection between the measuring device and the test strip and the second data usable for detecting and rejecting potential errors affecting the proper measurement of the property.

Disclosed are a sample analysis apparatus and a sample analysis method. The method includes: obtaining a leukocyte measurement mode for a test sample, the method having a plurality of leukocyte measurement modes, each of which includes at least a reaction time, and different leukocyte measurement modes having different reaction times; determining a reaction time for the current sample to be tested; controlling the sample to be tested to react with the reagent, to prepare a test sample for detecting leukocytes; and controlling to detect the test sample for detecting leukocytes, to obtain detection data of leukocyte classification.

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.