A retort system includes a vessel having an access opening accessible via a movable door, a basket supporting assembly within the vessel and along which container baskets are movable for loading into the vessel and unloading from the vessel and a heating system for heating containers for treatment within the vessel. A container basket load/unload system moves container baskets into the vessel and for moving container baskets out of the vessel, and includes a rigid chain unit aligned or alignable with the access opening such that a rigid chain can be moved along a chain feed path into the vessel via the access opening.

A tube rack transfer device for transferring racks is presented. A first rail extends in a first horizontal direction and a second rail extends in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second rail moves along the first rail and comprising a transfer head movable along the second rail. The transfer head comprises a control pin to be coupled with one of: an input pusher, translatable in the second direction, for transferring a rack from a carrier to a sampling area of an analyzer; an output pusher for transferring a rack from the sampling area to a carrier; a rack for transferring the rack between different carriers and/or between different positions of the same carrier. An in-vitro diagnostic instrument comprises an analyzer for carrying out tests on biological samples, a sample unit for inputting/outputting racks, a sampling area for withdrawing samples from tubes, and a transfer device.

In medical analysis devices and automatic specimen examination systems, the specimen conveyance mechanism is constituted by a plurality of belt lines. During installation or maintenance of the specimen conveyance mechanism, it is necessary to confirm the existence of steps at the joints of these belt lines and the parallelism of the conveyance line. According to the present invention, it is possible to lighten the burden of this work with a test tube type or conveyance holder type inspection device provided with a sensor and battery for operation. Also, even when an operator cannot visually confirm the conveyance line from outside, it is possible to confirm the state of the conveyance line.

A sample measurement system includes sample measurement devices that measures samples using a first reagent and a second reagent, and a reagent supply apparatus, which includes a first piping connected to reagent containers of a first reagent container group, a first reagent reservoir that stores the first reagent transferred through the first piping, a second piping connected to reagent containers of a second reagent container group, and a second reagent reservoir that stores the second reagent transferred through the second piping. The first reagent stored in the first reagent reservoir is supplied to each of the sample measurement devices. The second reagent stored in the second reagent reservoir is supplied to each of the sample measurement devices.

A parallel processing system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and detection system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.

A parallel processing system for processing samples is described. In one embodiment, the parallel processing system includes an instrument interface parallel controller to control a tray motor driving system, a close-loop heater control and detection system, a magnetic particle transfer system, a reagent release system, a reagent pre-mix pumping system and a wash buffer pumping system.

A main drive mechanism provided with a main motor drives a rack on a first main path and a rack on a second main path simultaneously in the forward direction or simultaneously in the reverse direction. The rack is sent along a first auxiliary path by a first auxiliary drive mechanism. Then the rack is further sent in the forward direction along the second main path by the main drive mechanism. Once the rack leaves the first receiving region, the first claw member of the first auxiliary drive mechanism is sent to a retraction position and the rack is driven by the main drive mechanism in the reverse direction. The first claw member is then sent to an engagement position on the first main transportation path, the main drive mechanism is driven for transport in the forward direction, and the rack and the first claw member engage each other.

A sample analyzer capable of preventing the loss of lids of liquid containers used in the sample analyzer is provided. The sample analyzer 1 has liquid suctioning units 11 and 17 which are provided with suction tubes for suctioning liquid, container setting units 13 through 15 for setting a plurality of liquid containers 5 through 8 holding liquid, and lid placing sections 16a through 16c and 32 through 34 for placing lids 5a through 8a of liquid containers 5 through 8.

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 main drive mechanism provided with a main motor drives a rack on a first main path and a rack on a second main path simultaneously in the forward direction or simultaneously in the reverse direction. The rack is sent along a first auxiliary path by a first auxiliary drive mechanism. Then the rack is further sent in the forward direction along the second main path by the main drive mechanism. Once the rack leaves the first receiving region, the first claw member of the first auxiliary drive mechanism is sent to a retraction position and the rack is driven by the main drive mechanism in the reverse direction. The first claw member is then sent to an engagement position on the first main transportation path, the main drive mechanism is driven for transport in the forward direction, and the rack and the first claw member engage each other.