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 system for processing samples includes sample supplies to supply samples, a channel connected to the sample supplies, a device connected to the channel to collect first information about the samples, and a controller. The controller is to perform a cycling operation: controlling a first sample supply of the sample supplies to supply a first sample in the first sample supply to the channel, controlling the device to collect the first information about the first sample in the channel, storing data associated with the first sample, including the first information about the first sample, evaluating the data against preprogramed thresholds and implementing the addition of water, chemical, product or recycled product, and controlling the first sample supply to discharge the first sample in the channel into the first sample supply. The controller is to repeat the cycling operation for a second sample.

A method of reading machine-readable labels on sample receptacles. In the method, a sample rack is moved between a first position and a second position within a housing, where the sample rack supports a plurality of sample receptacles, and each sample receptacle has a machine-readable label. An absolute position of the sample rack is measured as the sample rack moves between the first and second positions. An image of the machine-readable label associated with each sample receptacle is acquired as the sample rack moves between the first and second positions. Finally, the acquired image of each machine-readable label is decoded.

A method and apparatus for processing a sample is presented. The apparatus comprises a chamber, a first input for inputting a first vessel into the chamber, a second input for inputting a second vessel into the chamber, the second input is different from the first input, a rotor comprising a first compartment for receiving the first vessel and a second compartment for receiving the second vessel, a gripper to grip the first vessel and to transport the first vessel to the first compartment, and a pipettor to pipette a sample from the first vessel and/or second vessel. The rotor rotates between a first position where the first vessel is transportable to the first compartment by the gripper, a second position where the second vessel is loadable into the second compartment, and a third position where the sample of the first vessel and/or second vessel is aspiratable by the pipettor.

A system including a housing, a sample rack for holding a plurality of sample receptacles, and a reader for reading two-dimensional machine-readable labels associated with the plurality of sample receptacles as the sample rack moves between first and second positions within the housing. The system further includes a processing and control unit adapted to decode the two-dimensional machine-readable labels read by the reader and to associate each of the decoded two-dimensional machine-readable labels with an associated sample receptacle based on a measured position of the sample rack when the two-dimensional machine-readable label was read.

A rack for automated analyser systems and provides a rack for automated analyser systems, the rack comprising a main body having an extended front side and a corresponding extended reverse side as well as at least two side walls defining at least one opening that is accessible from the main body's upper side for taking up a container for a sample that is to be processed; an upper insert that is arranged onto an upper end of the main body, wherein the upper insert has openings with a predefined diameter defining the upper surface of the rack.

A specimen rack transferring device and an automatic analyzer using it are provided which can suppress vibration during transportation of a specimen rack. In a specimen rack transferring device 200 transferring a specimen rack 4 which places a plurality of specimen containers 5 accommodating specimens, in a side-by-side manner in a longitudinal direction and can carry the plurality of specimen containers, the specimen rack transferring device includes a transport path 201 for transferring the specimen rack 4 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, a transport arm 6 pushingly advancing the specimen rack 4 from an upstream side toward a downstream side of the transport path 201, and a rack lock mechanism provided at the transport arm 6 and fixing at least a relative position of the specimen rack 4 in a transport direction with respect to the transport arm 6.

Provided is an automatic analysis system in which a conveying line 104 and a plurality of dispensation lines 209, 309 are disposed not to be parallel, and a device layout of analysis modules 200, 300 disposed with a specimen rack distribution module 100 therebetween is line-symmetric with respect to a straight line 100A passing through the rotation center of a standby disc 106. Accordingly, even when the automatic analysis system has a configuration for providing specimens from a common specimen rack distribution module to a plurality of analysis modules, the conveyance efficiency of a specimen rack is raised and user accessibility is good.

A container transfer method for transferring a container from a container holder capable of holding a plurality of containers, by using a holding section capable of performing an opening/closing operation, vertical movement, and horizontal movement. The method includes: moving the holding section downward to a position lower than a head portion of the container, at a position where the container is not held in a plan view; horizontally moving the holding section in an opened state, toward a target container on the container holder; after the horizontal movement of the holding section to the target container, closing the holding section with respect to the target container; and moving upward the holding section in a closed state.

An all-in-one machine for sample testing and a corresponding control method thereof are disclosed. The all-in-one machine is divided into an upper portion driven by an upper driving unit and a lower portion driven by a lower driving unit. Through the coordinated movement of the upper driving unit and the lower driving unit, the movement process can achieve both high speed and high precision, thus improving the testing efficiency and accuracy. The lower driving unit can achieve a larger range of movement adjustment to meet various extreme distance requirements. Corresponding uncapping/capping mechanisms are designed for sample tubes, extraction kits, and amplification kits to achieve automated uncapping/capping operations. The effective connection of disposable medical consumables is ensured through a process operation monitoring module. By designing separate air ducts, the internal interference of the equipment is minimized and the risk of contamination is reduced.