A sample measuring apparatus, A reagent container, and a method of measuring a sample are provided. The sample measuring apparatus includes: a container holding unit that holds a reagent container comprising an openable/closable lid portion that covers an opening of the reagent container; a reagent dispensing unit that aspirates a reagent in the reagent container with the lid portion being in an opened state and dispenses the aspirated reagent into a reaction container; a pressing unit that seals the opening, by pressing toward the opening the lid portion laid over the opening; and a measuring unit that measures components contained in a measurement specimen prepared from a sample and the reagent dispensed in the reaction container.

We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.

The present invention provides miniaturized instruments for conducting chemical reactions where control of the reaction temperature is desired or required. Specifically, this invention provides chips and optical systems for performing and monitoring temperature-dependent chemical reactions. The apparatus and methods embodied in the present invention are particularly useful for high-throughput and low-cost amplification of nucleic acids.

An apparatus and method are presented for removing container covers within a controlled environment enclosure without using gloves. The apparatus comprises an articulated arm apparatus and a gripping apparatus and can further comprise a controller. The articulated arm apparatus can be configurable for holding and moving a container in three dimensions; and the gripping apparatus can be configured for gripping a container cover sealing the container. The method comprises moving the container using the articulated arm apparatus while holding a gripping area of the container cover substantially stationary using the gripping apparatus. The apparatus can further comprise a sensor configured for supplying information to the controller for determining the location of the container cover gripping area and an orientation of the container cover. The method can further comprise inspecting the container cover using the sensor. The container can be moved along a path and within a space determined by the controller.

A magnetic screwdriver device includes one pad without magnetism, one driving shaft, and one driven shaft. The two shafts, which have magnetic attraction between each other, are disposed on opposite sides of the pad respectively and attract to each other. The driving shaft is used to transmit torque to actuate the driven shaft rotation. When the torque out of predetermined value overcomes the friction force between the driven shaft and the pad, the driven shaft will be stop.

Aspects of the present disclosure include sample analysis methods and systems. According to certain embodiments, provided are methods of analyzing samples in an automated sample analysis system. The methods include introducing samples and sample preparation cartridges into the system, isolating and purifying an analyte (e.g., nucleic acids and/or proteins) present in the samples at a sample preparation station, and performing analyte detection assays in assay mixtures that include the purified analyte. Also provided are automated sample analysis systems that find use, e.g., in performing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the methods and systems provide for continuous operator access during replenishment or removal of one or any combination of samples, bulk fluids, reagents, commodities, waste, and/or the like.

Example automated storage modules for analyzer liquids are described herein. An example apparatus includes a refrigerated storage module having a plurality of shelves (to store a plurality of carriers) and a loading bay having an array of slots to receive one or more of the carriers. The loading bay is accessible by a user for manual loading or unloading of the carriers. The example apparatus includes a first carrier transporter coupled to the storage module to transfer the carriers between the shelves and a first transfer location and a second carrier transporter movable along a track connecting the storage module to an automated diagnostic analyzer. The second carrier transporter is to transfer a first carrier between the first transfer location and a slot in the loading bay and a second carrier between the first transfer location and a second transfer location accessible by the automated diagnostic analyzer.

A rack to be suspended from a support structure includes a hook portion, an upright portion, and a shelf. The hook portion defines a cavity configured to receive an upper edge of a wall of the support structure therein. The upright wall is connected to and extends from the hook portion. The shelf is connected to the upright wall at a location spaced apart from the hook portion along a height of the upright wall. The shelf projects outward from the upright wall to a distal edge of the shelf that is spaced apart from the upright wall. The shelf defines a plurality of slots through the thickness of the shelf. The slots are open along the distal edge and are configured to accommodate one or more of multiple reclosable container caps or multiple tubes connected to the reclosable container caps.

An automatic analyzing apparatus is provided which includes a member 401 fixed at a predetermined level which presses down the sample container sealed with the sealing plug that is floated from the rack due to friction between the probe and the sealing plug when pulling out the probe from the sample container sealed with the sealing plug, and a mechanism 402 that pushes down, toward the rack, the sample container sealed with the floated sealing plug in which the sample container sealed with the floated sealing plug is transported by the transport line, and disposed on a path of the transport line until re-inspection is performed after pulling out the probe from the sample container sealed with the sealing plug.

An applicator or applicator system used for handling samples in an analytical laboratory setting. In particular, the invention the applicator or applicator system is capable of capping an analytical sample tube by applying a capping material to an opening of an analytical sample vessel, the applicator or applicator system including g a dispenser configured to dispense a substantially continuous length of a capping material, such that a region of the substantially continuous length of capping material is located on or about an opening of an analytical sample vessel held in a predetermined orientation.