An analytical laboratory system and method for processing samples is disclosed. A sample container is transported from an input area to a distribution area by a gripper comprising a means for inspecting a tube. An image is captured of the sample container. The image is analyzed to determine a sample container identification. A liquid level of the sample in the sample container is determined. A scheduling system determines a priority for processing the sample container based on the sample container identification. The sample container is transported from the distribution area to a subsequent processing module by the gripper.

A pipetting device comprising a head and a nozzle with a longitudinal axis mounted to the head is disclosed. An actuator member is arranged around and partially covering the nozzle and coupled to the head or to the nozzle. The actuator member and the nozzle move with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis. A contact member is coupled to and arranged around and partially covering the actuator member. The contact member and the actuator member move with respect to each other. The contact member comprises a rim for contacting a container. The actuator member comprises a rim for opening a cap of the container when the contact member is in contact with the container. The actuator member and the contact member move with respect to each other creating a passage through the cap when the nozzle and the actuator member move with respect to each other.

A specimen collection assembly and method for detecting the same are disclosed. The specimen collection assembly includes a specimen collection container having an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining an interior adapted to receive a biological specimen. The specimen collection container also includes first indicia containing information. The assembly further includes a cap having thereon second indicia, the cap being removably engagable with the open top end of the container. The second indicia contains the same information as the first indicia.

A method of handling a laboratory sample container is presented. In addition, a laboratory apparatus and a laboratory automation system comprising such a laboratory apparatus are also presented.

A SBS-standard test tube rack is provided which is suitable for use in automated capping and de-capping of flat bottomed test tubes, in particular flat bottomed glass vials, both for individual test tube capping and de-capping as well as simultaneous capping and de-capping of all test tubes in the aforementioned SBS-standard test tube rack. The rack comprises a top tier having a plurality of apertures and a bottom tier that comprises a friction tier of high friction material. The bottom of each well in the rack is formed of the high friction material.

Systems and methods for detecting and/or identifying target cells (e.g., bacteria) using engineered transduction particles are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes mixing a quantity of transduction particles within a sample. The transduction particles are associated with a target cell. The transduction particles are non-replicative, and are engineered to include a nucleic acid molecule formulated to cause the target cell to produce a series of reporter molecules. The sample and the transduction particles are maintained to express the series of the reporter molecules when target cell is present in the sample. A signal associated with a quantity of the reporter molecules is received. In some embodiments, a magnitude of the signal is independent from a quantity of the transduction particle above a predetermined quantity.

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

Decapping system and methods of performing a decapping process for screw cap test tubes. In an embodiment, a method comprises loading a test tube rack in a rack holder that holds the test tube rack stationary, where the test tube rack holds the screw cap test tubes aligned in a row. The method further comprises clamping the row of the screw cap test tubes between a pair of jaw members of a row clamp, where clamp surfaces of the jaw members apply a force to opposing sides of the row of the screw cap test tubes. The method further comprises successively contacting screw caps of the screw cap test tubes in the row with a rotating bit of a decapper tool to spin the screw caps in a loosening direction.

The present invention relates to a system for access and retrieval of screw-top containers. In one embodiment, the system includes a tray with a plurality of apertures, the tray adapted to receive containers having a cap and a body such that each cap of each container pressed into the tray rests above a respective aperture in the tray and each body is suspended below the tray. The system also includes a rotary tool having a cavity extending from an opening at one end, the cavity defined by an interior surface that includes engagement features. The engagement features on the interior surface of the rotary tool are adapted to engage onto at least a portion of the body of the container surface defined by complementary engagement features when the rotary tool is inserted over the body of the container from below the tray.

An automated system for processing a sample contained in a liquid sample container includes an automated tool head configured to rotate about a first axis, and to translate along a second axis different than the first axis, an analytic element positioner having an analytic element holder configured to releasably grip an analytic element, and a specimen transfer device carried by the tool head, wherein the tool head is configured to automatically position a working end of the specimen transfer device to obtain a specimen from a sample container held in the sample container holder, and to transfer the obtained specimen to an analytic element held by the analytic element holder, respectively, through one or both of rotation of the tool head about the first axis and translation of the tool head along the second axis.