A sample analyzer includes a suction unit configured to suction a sample in a sample container through a stopper installed in an opening of the sample container; a rack transport unit configured to transport a sample rack holding a sample container along a transport path, and position the sample container held by the sample rack at a suction position by the suction unit; a sample transport unit in which a sample container other than the sample container transported by the rack transport unit is installed and which is configured to transport the installed sample container to the suction position provided on the transport path; a measurement unit configured to measure a sample suctioned by the suction unit from the sample container positioned at the suction position; and an analysis unit configured to analyze the sample based on the measurement result of the measurement unit.

To suppress generation of dew condensation in temperature control space when heating temperature control is performed. In an apparatus, an air temperature control part for cooling or heating air in temperature control space has a first temperature control element for performing at least cooling of air, and a second temperature control element for performing at least heating of air downstream of the first temperature control element. In this manner, when heating temperature control is performed, cooling and dehumidification of air taken in from an air intake portion can be performed by the first temperature control element, and then heating of the dehumidified air can be performed by the second temperature control element.

To suppress inflow of external air through a rack insertion opening while a sample rack is pulled out. An apparatus includes a housing, a temperature control space, and an air temperature control part. The housing has the rack insertion opening on one side surface for putting in and taking out the sample rack. The air temperature control part has an air intake portion for intake of air in the temperature control space, a fan for blowing air taken in from the air intake portion toward the sample rack accommodated in the temperature control space, and a cooling element provided to cool the air on a path of air taken in from the air intake portion. The air temperature control part is configured to reduce an amount of air flowing near the rack insertion opening while the sample rack is pulled out from the temperature control space as compared to while the sample rack is accommodated in the temperature control space, so as to suppress inflow of air through the rack insertion opening.

A test tube rack of an analyzer pipeline includes multiple test tube holders for holding test tubes. The test tube rack of an analyzer pipeline comprises a light blocker configured at a side wall of the test tube rack and across multiple test tube holders. A second feature area is on the light blocker between two adjacent test tube holders, a first feature area is between two adjacent second feature areas and a step gap with a predetermined depth is between the first feature area and a second feature area.

A method of reading machine-readable labels on sample receptacles held by a sample rack. In the method, an absolute position of the sample rack is measured as the sample rack moves between first and second positions in a housing. During movement between the first and second positions, an image is acquired of a machine-readable label associated with each sample receptacle held by the sample rack. The image of each machine-readable label is thereafter decoded.

Provided is an automatic analyzer that can perform a reagent preparation/disposal operation comfortably and smoothly as when printing a reagent list such as a reagent preparation/disposal list on paper even without printing the reagent list. The automatic analyzer that performs analysis using a sample and a reagent, the automatic analyzer including: a storage unit that stores reagent information related to a reagent remaining amount or a reagent expiration date of each of reagent containers; and a display unit that displays a reagent list in which reminder information that gives a reminder to an operator is assigned to each of setting positions of the reagent containers based on the reagent information stored in the storage unit. The reagent managing unit updates display of the reagent list such that a reagent container selected by the operator is visually identifiable while the reagent list is displayed.

Some embodiments of the disclosure provide a sample rack scheduling control method. The method includes the following steps: respectively obtaining a state of each position node on each preset delivery path, wherein the state of each position node includes an available state and an occupancy state; and for each of the delivery paths, if a target position node on the delivery path and position nodes between the target position node and a start position node all are in the available state, marking the target position node on the delivery path and the position nodes between the start position node and the target position node all as the occupancy state, and controlling a current sample rack at the start position node to move to the target position node. The present disclosure further provides a sample rack scheduling control system and a medical detection device.

A specimen inspection automation system includes holder orientation adjustment mechanisms that adjust the orientations of specimen container holders that each holds one specimen container. The holder orientation adjustment mechanisms each includes: a stopper mechanism that is disposed above a conveyance line that conveys a specimen container holder and restricts the downstream movement of the specimen container holder by abutting, at the same height as a notched part provided on one side of a base of the specimen container holder, an outer circumferential part other than the notched part in the circumferential direction of the base; and a holder rotation mechanism that restricts the movement of the specimen container holder away from the stopper mechanism and rotates the specimen container holder in the circumferential direction. As a result, it is possible to appropriately adjust the orientation of a specimen container in which a specimen is accommodated and reduce work complexity.

Disclosed is a method of operating a laboratory instrument (100, 1000), wherein the laboratory instrument is configured for receiving a sample rack (112) with one or more sample tubes (126), wherein the laboratory instrument comprises a robotic head (106) for bringing a pipettor (108) into fluidic contact with the one or more sample tubes when the sample rack is in an operating position (122), wherein the robotic head is configured for loading the sample rack into the operating position, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving (200) the sample rack by the laboratory instrument; and loading (202) the rack into the operating position using the robotic head.

A device and method for analyzing samples of liquid compositions of biological origin, particularly whole blood samples for determining, in particular, electrolytes. The device includes a frame, a sampling module, an analysis module including electrodes, a liquid product reserve module, a control module including electronic and computing devices, as well as a network of fluid connections.