Apparatus for removing a cap closing a laboratory sample container, the apparatus comprising a cap gripper being adapted to grip a cap to be removed and being adapted to remove the cap being gripped from the laboratory sample container, a displaceable chute comprising a cap inlet, a linear guide defining a linear trajectory, wherein the displaceable chute is mechanically coupled to the linear guide such that the displaceable chute is displaceable along the linear trajectory, and a drive being adapted to cause a displacement of the displaceable chute along the linear trajectory to a dropping position, wherein in the dropping position the removed cap being gripped by the cap gripper is at least partially inserted into the cap inlet of the displaceable chute.

An enclosure device for a decapper for removing a cap from a laboratory sample container, a decapper and an apparatus comprising a decapper. The decapper comprises a cap gripper comprising at least two gripping jaws. At least one of the at least two gripping jaws is displaceable between a holding position and a release position in a radial direction. The enclosure device comprises an outer enclosure portion and an inner enclosure portion disposed within the outer enclosure portion. The outer enclosure portion comprises a wall portion and a reservoir portion at a bottom of the wall portion. The wall portion is configured to enclose the two gripping jaws. The inner enclosure portion is configured to receive a laboratory sample container and comprises at least two openings configured to allow the two gripping jaws to extend therethrough. The enclosure device is configured to be mounted to the cap gripper.

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.

An analysis device includes a guide-in section, a piercing member, an airtight member, a gas introduction member, and a measurement member. The guide-in section is configured to guide a rectangular block shaped analysis kit containing a sample. The piercing member pierces a sealing film at an upper face of a liquid reservoir formed in the analysis kit. The airtight member forms an airtight space against the analysis kit at the periphery of a location pierced by the piercing member. The gas introduction member introduces gas into the airtight space. The measurement member measures a component present in the sample in the analysis kit guided into the guide-in section.

The present invention discloses a chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer, including a rotating disc assembly for carrying and thermal insulation of capillary tubes, an air-blowing assembly for removing residual liquid from the capillary tubes, a detection assembly for detecting the number of luminescent photons in the capillary tubes, and a bottom plate for installing the rotating disc assembly, the air-blowing assembly, and the detection assembly. The present invention further includes a charging and recycling system and a sample feeding assembly, wherein the charging and recycling system includes a fixed seat, a capillary tube push-out device, a storage device, a first driving device, and a waste liquid recycling device; the capillary tube push-out device is used for pushing capillary tubes out of the storage device and squeezing out reagents stored in the storage device; the storage device is used for storing the reagents and providing the coated capillary tubes.

Embodiments of systems and methods for automated sample handling are disclosed. In an example, a system for automated sample handling includes reaction wells, a magnet, a magnetic manipulator, and a punch. The reaction wells are configured to each hold a reagent and collectively move horizontally. A first reaction well holds magnetic beads, and a second reaction well is partitioned by a seal. The magnet is configured to move vertically and capture the magnetic beads on a bottom surface of the first reaction well when moving to an upper position beneath the first reaction well. The magnetic manipulator is configured to manipulate the magnetic beads and includes a magnetic rod configured to move vertically to be above or in the first reaction well and a sheath below the magnetic rod and configured to move vertically and receive the magnetic rod. The punch is configured to move vertically and break the seal of the second reaction well when moving to a lower position in the second reaction well.

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.

A decapping device may be integrated with an automated biochemical analyzer or biological testing system to aid in sample testing. The exemplary decapper, includes a motor that is operable to lower a latch mechanism to engage with a cap of a sample tube and then raise the latch mechanism to remove the engaged cap. As the latch mechanism is lowered, a retractor portion also descends and causes a set of grippers to extend and grip the sample tube. As the latch mechanism is raised, the set of grippers apply a corresponding pressure to hold the sample tube in place while the cap is removed. Once removed, the cap rests within the latch mechanism and the set of grippers are retracted by the raising retractor. As the latch mechanism returns to its origin position, an ejector arm is operated causing the cap to be ejected from the latch mechanism.

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

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.