A capping and de-capping apparatus (100) for capping and de-capping tubes (112) disposed in a tube holding rack (111) having a two-dimensional array of apertures (114) for holding the tubes (112). The apparatus (100) comprises a rack support (110) for supporting the tube holding rack (111), a head unit (120) adapted for carrying a cartridge (152) comprising at least one capping and de-capping gripper (122), a drive system (130) for moving the rack support (110) and the head unit (120) relatively towards and away from one another, in order to cause engagement or disengagement of the capping and de-capping gripper (122) with or from a cap (113) of at least one tube (112), and a drive system (140) for rotating the capping and de-capping gripper (122), wherein rotation in one direction causes attachment of the cap (113) to the tube (112) and rotation in the opposite direction causes detachment of the cap (113) from said tube (112).

Disclosed herein is a bench-top time of flight mass spectrometer. In embodiments, there is provided a solvent bottle mounting assembly configured so that a user can press a solvent bottle onto the solvent bottle mounting assembly in order to mount the solvent bottle to the mass spectrometer. Other embodiments relate to a vacuum arrangement comprising first and second vacuum chambers with respective first and second vacuum pumps wherein a backing line for the second vacuum pump is connected to the first vacuum chamber such that the second vacuum pump is backed to the first vacuum chamber. Also disclosed in a method of manufacturing a lens plate or electrode wherein a substrate is chemically etched to reduce a sharp cusp to provide a smoother edge profile.

A device for activating a screw cap of a container comprises a first holding device for holding the screw cap, and a drive for activating the first holding device, wherein the first holding device is movable in a plane. The first holding device comprises a coupling device for the coupling of an external drive, and therefore the first holding device is movable in the plane.

An apparatus (100) for automated capping and de-capping of test tubes (112) having an ejector pin (230) system for individualized cap (113) ejection.

An automatic nucleic acid detection system and a method thereof are disclosed. The automatic nucleic acid detection method includes: performing, by an automatic control subsystem, on a nucleic acid extraction machine platform, a nucleic acid extraction on one or more specimens in a sample tray to generate one or more corresponding nucleic acids in the sample tray; distributing, by the automatic control subsystem, on a nucleic acid distribution machine platform, the nucleic acid in each hole of the sample tray and a first reagent into a plurality of holes of a detection tray, wherein the number of holes of the detection tray is greater than that of the sample tray; and performing, by the automatic control subsystem, on a nucleic acid detection machine platform, a nucleic acid detection on the detection tray.

A system and method for automatic closure of sample vessels such as vessels with medical laboratory samples, having a plurality of identically shaped, stackable closure caps with a convex outer face and concave inner face that are stacked in a closure cap stack such that an upper closure cap in the stack bears with its convex outer face on the concave inner face of a lower closure cap lying immediately below in the stack. The system includes a closure gripper for gripping an uppermost closure cap from the stack, for transferring the gripped closure cap to the sample vessel to be closed, and for introducing the gripped closure cap into an opening of the sample vessel in order to tightly close the opening. The closure gripper has a centering piece insertable into a closure cap such that it bears on the concave inner face of the closure cap.

A sample analysis system and a sample management method are provided. The sample analysis system includes: one or more analysis devices configured to test a sample; a scanning component configured to scan the sample to obtain scanning information before testing the sample by the analysis devices; an image information obtaining component configured to acquire image information of a region in the sample containing a sample identifier; a processor configured to identify the sample identifier of the sample according to at least one of the scanning information or the image information of the sample. The system can obtain the sample identifier of a sample in two ways, thus improving the efficiency of sample test.

Automated systems for processing a biopsy sample are disclosed herein, as well as methods for automating the processing of a biopsy sample. A benefit to the automated systems and methods herein can be the efficient and cost-effective processing of large numbers of biopsy samples. Another benefit to the automated systems and methods herein can be increased personnel safety for processing biopsy samples. Additional benefits to the automated systems and methods herein can be greater patient safety by increasing accuracy in biopsy sample processing, and preventing errors in biopsy sample processing that may lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatments.

Embodiments are directed to a removable cap with a top hole and a seal with a heat induction closure for sealing an opening of a container. Advantageously, the cap and the seal do not need to be removed for a probe to access contents of the container, when used in a diagnostic analyzer, thereby eliminating operator steps of cap removal and seal peeling/perforation. Automated opening of the cap and seal combination is provided by puncturing the seal. The seal retains its opened shape required for unobstructed, non-contact probe access to contents of the container. The seal is comprised of three layers: a first polymer sealing layer capable of being heat-sealed to a container; an aluminum foil layer on top of the first polymer sealing layer, configured to heat seal the first layer by inductive heating; and a second polymer layer on top of the aluminum foil layer for protection.

Plug-closing processing units are provided with: a first plug chuck parts that grasp plugs; and a second plug chuck part located above the first plug chuck parts, wherein the first plug chuck parts each include at least two first supports that grasp the plugs from more than one direction, and the second plug chuck part is provided with a plug-closing mechanism that includes a second support disposed in the radial direction of plugs and having an inclined lower end surface. Thus, provided are a plug processing device capable of stable plug-opening processing and plug-closing processing on a conveyor line for a specimen container, and a specimen test automation system including the plug processing device.