A sample rack manipulation device (10), a testing system (1) and a testing method using the sample rack manipulation device (10), and a computer-readable medium implementing the testing method. The sample rack manipulation device (10) comprises: a loading/unloading zone (TA) in which a plurality of sample racks (50) carrying sample containers (51) containing samples can be arranged side by side; a sampling zone (TD, TE) in which samples in each sample container (51) on the sample racks (50) are sampled by an automatic testing apparatus; and a docking device (114) configured to transfer the sample racks (50) between the loading/unloading zone (TA) and the sampling zone (TD, TE). The docking device (114) is configured to be able to remove the sample racks (50) loaded in the loading/unloading zone (TA) in any order and to transfer the removed test sample racks (50) to the sampling zone (TD, TE) for sampling.

A conveying device (100) for a sample rack manipulation apparatus (10). The conveying device (100) is suitable for conveying, between a loading/unloading area (TA), a sampling area (TD) and a buffer area (TC) of the sample rack manipulation apparatus (10), a sample rack (30) containing sample containers (20); the conveying device (100) is provided with an identifier code reading device, the identifier code reading device being suitable for reading an identifier code of the sample rack (30) and identifier codes of the sample containers (20) on the sample rack (30) when the sample rack (30) is loaded from the loading/unloading area (TA) to the conveying device (100). The present disclosure further relates to a sample rack manipulation apparatus (10) comprising the conveying device (100) and an automatic detection system (1) comprising the sample rack manipulation apparatus (10).

An analyzer system for in vitro diagnostics includes a sample handler module having a robot arm that delivers samples from drawers into carriers on a linear synchronous motor automation track. Samples are delivered via the automation track to individual track sections associated with individual analyzer modules. Analyzer modules aspirate sample portions directly from the sample carriers and perform analysis thereon.

Disclosed is a specimen measurement apparatus comprising: a measurement unit configured to suction a specimen from a specimen container and measure the suctioned specimen; and a specimen transport unit configured to transport the specimen container to the measurement unit, wherein the specimen transport unit includes a rack setting part configured to allow a specimen rack to be set thereon, the specimen rack holding the specimen container that has not been subjected to specimen suction by the measurement unit, a rack collection part configured to collect the specimen rack holding the specimen container that has been subjected to specimen suction by the measurement unit, and an interruption specimen setting part configured to allow the specimen rack to be set thereon, the specimen rack holding the specimen container that is to be subjected to specimen suction by the measurement unit in preference to the specimen container held by the specimen rack having been set on the rack setting part, and the interruption specimen setting part and at least one of the rack setting part and the rack collection part are arranged in an up-down direction.

An analyzer system for in vitro diagnostics includes a sample handler module having a robot arm that delivers samples from drawers into carriers on a linear synchronous motor automation track. Samples are delivered via the automation track to individual track sections associated with individual analyzer modules. Analyzer modules aspirate sample portions directly from the sample carriers and perform analysis thereon.

A transport system includes a sample rack configured to hold a sample and comprising a notch; a rack storage unit in which the sample rack is stored; a transport path arranged to transport the sample rack moved from the rack storage unit; and a regulating member configured to regulate movement of the sample rack from the rack storage unit toward the transport path, wherein the regulating member is provided at a position corresponding to the notch provided in the sample rack, and enters an interior of the sample rack from the notch and abuts an interior wall of the sample rack as the sample rack moves from the rack storage unit toward the transport path.

A sample rack moving mechanism is provided for removing a sample rack loaded with one or more sample containers from a temporary storing section, and returning the sample rack loaded with the sample containers holding the tested sample to the temporary storing section. The sample rack moving mechanism may include a drive element, a cam driven by the drive element to rotate and having a curve contour, a cam follower moving following the outer contour of the cam, a guide groove corresponding to the temporary storing section, having a bottom plane of the same height as a support plane of the temporary storing section for supporting the sample rack, and capable of moving the sample rack, and a support element driven by the cam follower to move upward and downward and driving the sample rack to horizontally move between the temporary storing section and the guide groove.

The invention relates to an automated method for the optical analysis of structures, in particular for the analysis and determination of biological cellular structures, and to an apparatus for this purpose, wherein an electro-optical unit generates an electronic image of two- and three-dimensional structures present in the sample, a storage medium stores the image, a computer-controlled displacement device establishes an optimized image sharpness of the image by changing the distance between sample and the optical unit, wherein the displacement device is controlled by contrast analysis and color value detection, and a computer unit compares the images generated by the electro-optical unit of two- and/or three-dimensional structures with the known structures stored in a database, and the structures registered by the optical unit are assigned by means of an algorithm to characteristic grids, structures or patterns.

A sample transport method, applied to a test instrument including a conveyor belt, and a loading platform and a grab position sequentially disposed along a transport direction of the conveyor belt, wherein a plurality of sample holder transport positions are disposed on the conveyor belt; the method including: pushing a first sample holder from the loading platform to a sample holder transport position of the conveyor; when a sample position on the first sample holder moves to the grab position, determining whether the sample position moved the grab position is a target sample position; if so, then determining whether all samples positions on the first sample holder before the target sample holder other than a predetermined number of sample positions have completed testing, wherein the predetermined number is sample position number corresponding to a delay time in outputting information indicating whether a sample needs to be retested.

A sample rack moving mechanism is provided for removing a sample rack loaded with one or more sample containers from a temporary storing section, and returning the sample rack loaded with the sample containers holding the tested sample to the temporary storing section. The sample rack moving mechanism may include a drive element, a cam driven by the drive element to rotate and having a curve contour, a cam follower moving following the outer contour of the cam, a guide groove corresponding to the temporary storing section, having a bottom plane of the same height as a support plane of the temporary storing section for supporting the sample rack, and capable of moving the sample rack, and a support element driven by the cam follower to move upward and downward and driving the sample rack to horizontally move between the temporary storing section and the guide groove.