A recapper for placing foils on laboratory sample containers is presented. The foils are brought on the sample container by a lever arrangement that is rotated around a vertical axis.

Automated apparatus and methods for dispensing fluids into microplates utilizing microwell covers, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the fluids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.

Systems and methods for safe collection and transportation of fluid samples for analysis are described. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a housing defining an interior region to introduce a fluid sample to a sample vessel; a support platform to hold the sample vessel and laterally position the sample vessel to a plurality of locations within the interior region; an uncapper configured to automatically remove a cap of the sample vessel from a base of the sample vessel prior to introduction of the fluid sample to the base and to automatically replace the cap to the vessel base subsequent to introduction of the fluid sample to the base; and a fluid sample probe configured to fluidically couple with a fluid sample source and to dispense fluid from the fluid sample source into the vessel base.

A method for unsealing an opening of a laboratory sample container containing a sample is presented. The opening is sealed by a closure attached to the laboratory sample container by an adhesive. An adhesive strength of the adhesive is lowerable by treatment. The method comprises treating the adhesive such that its adhesive strength is lowered and removing the closure from the laboratory sample container.

This version will replace all prior versions in the application: A pneumatic-tube container having a container cylinder and having a cover and a base, at least the cover can be moved from a closed position into an open position. The container cylinder contains an insert, which has at least one tubular channel extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container cylinder. At least one channel contains at least one clamping element, which projects laterally into the channel. The damping element can be moved out of the channel, wherein the movement out of the channel and into the same is coupled to the movement of the cover from the closed position into the open position and from the open position into the closed position, respectively. When the cover is open, and preferably also when the base is open, the sample tubes therefore fall out due to gravity when the pneumatic-tube container is held with the opening in the downward direction.

The invention relates to a station for uncovering a receptacle comprising a body in which a plurality of adjacent holes, initially sealed by a cover, are formed. The station comprises at least one cutting member for making at least one cut in the cover between two adjacent holes, so as to form at least one cover portion closing off at least one of the holes of the receptacle, i.e., the selected hole; and at least one heating gripping device which is arranged so as to heat and remove said cover portion, thereby opening the selected hole.

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.

A method for managing sample exposure to air on an automation system for performing clinical laboratory in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) includes receiving a sample in a capped container and loading the capped container onto a sample carrier. A plurality of test requests corresponding to the sample is received. Optionally, the capped container may be parked on a sample handler pending readiness of the system to process the test requests. Each test request is associated with one or more analytical modules included in an automated IVD system. In response to determining that the first analytical module is available to perform the first test request, the capped container is reloaded from the sample handler, if necessary, and decapped. Next the system performs prioritized delivery of the decapped container to the analytical modules in order to optimize performance of the assays with respect to the stability of the sample's analytes.

The present disclosure provides, among other things, systems for nucleic acid amplification. Provided systems for nucleic acid amplification substantially irreversibly seal the contents of a nucleic acid amplification reaction vessel. Provided systems reduce amplification contamination, for example amplification carryover contamination. Provided systems reduce amplification of spurious nucleic acids or amplification products. The present disclosure also provides methods of amplifying nucleic acids. The present disclosure also provides methods of amplifying nucleic acids using provided systems. Provided systems and methods are useful for nucleic acid amplification.

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.