The specimen-container loading or storing unit includes: a plurality of types of specimen trays having a different size of a specimen tray that is provided with a plurality of specimen container installation parts for holding a specimen container; a specimen container transferring mechanism for transferring the specimen container between a conveyance line and the specimen tray; and a specimen tray installation part capable of installing the plurality of types of specimen trays.

A storage and retrieval system is provided. The storage and retrieval system having a frame and a shuttle movable within the frame, the shuttle having a carriage extending at least partially between a top and bottom of the frame. At least one tension member extends between a first and second ends of the frame and is coupled to the shuttle. At least one drive member extends between the first and second ends of the frame and is coupled to the shuttle. The at least one drive member and the at least one tension member project from opposite sides of the shuttle towards respective first and second ends of the frame and effect stabilization of the carriage against at least rotation relative to the frame. The at least one tension member crosses the at least one drive member and the at least one drive member effects movement of the shuttle.

In some aspects, automated rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems for performing a multi-assay testing sequence can include an automated incubation assembly having a nest assembly adapted to house at least one test panel having a plurality of wells for receiving a sample comprising microorganisms originating from a clinical sample, the incubation assembly facilitating incubation of one or more test panels in order to undergo the multi-assay testing sequence; a robotic handling assembly configured to accept one or more incoming test panels and move them to and from the incubation assembly for incubation between each assay of the multi-assay testing sequence; an automated liquid handling assembly configured to exchange one or more fluids in the plurality of wells of the test panels; and an optical assembly for interrogation and readout of each assay of the multi-assay testing sequence being performed in the plurality of wells.

A tray engine includes a vertical drive column, a rotation mechanism for rotating the vertical drive column, and an end effector attached to the vertical drive column. The end effector includes an end effector base attached to the vertical drive column. The end effector further includes a slide attached to the end effector base to support a tray, when present. The slide enables the tray to slide along a length of the end effector base. The tray engine includes a drive mechanism attached to the end effector base for moving along the length of the end effector base to enable the tray, when present, to slide linearly along the length and load or unload the tray to or from the slide.

A laboratory system has a plurality of bottom opening sample transport pods for carrying one or more cassettes with cell culture vessels therein may have an aseptic interior environment and may cooperate with cell culture growing/processing stations having load ports allowing transfer of the cassettes with cell culture vessels into the stations while maintaining the aseptic integrity of the interior of the pods and the cassette and cell culture vessels. Internal environmental monitoring and control, purging, and tracking as well as automated robotic operation may be provided.

A cryogenic storage system provides automated storage and retrieval of samples in a cryogenic environment, as well as automated transfer of individual samples between cryogenic environments. Stored samples are maintained under a cryogenic temperature threshold, while also enabling access to the samples. The samples may be organized and tracked by scanning a barcode of each sample. The storage system can include multiple storage vaults and provide for transfer of individual samples between the storage vaults, as well as between a storage vault and a removable cryogenic storage device.

The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for associating consumable data with an assay consumable used in a biological assay. Provided are assay systems and associated consumables, wherein the assay system adjusts one or more steps of an assay protocol based on consumable data specific for that consumable. Various types of consumable data are described, as well as methods of using such information in the conduct of an assay by an assay system.

Embodiments of the present invention include a system and methods for archiving and/or retrieving specimens. Embodiments of the system of the present invention include a movement mechanism, an archival structure, and a software program. Embodiments of the device are configured to acquire a specimen, transport the specimen to a unique location in the archival structure, and store information regarding specimen identification and storage location.

The present invention relates to a horizontal-flow-type apparatus for automatically transporting reagent cartridges. The apparatus includes: a magazine (110) in which a plurality of reagent cartridges (1) is stacked; a conveyer belt (120) having a plurality of separating projections (121) arranged in a conveying direction to horizontally separately convey the reagent cartridges (1); a driving motor (130) for driving the conveyer belt (120); a feeding unit (140) for feeding the reagent cartridges (1) stacked in the magazine (110) onto the conveyer belt (120); an examining unit (150) disposed over the front end of the conveyer belt (120) to examine the reagent cartridges (1); and reagent cartridge aligning members (161, 162) disposed in the conveying line of the conveyer belt (120), opposite to the examining unit (150), to align the reagent cartridges (1) in position.

A tray engine includes a vertical drive column, a rotation mechanism for rotating the vertical drive column, and an end effector attached to the vertical drive column. The end effector includes an end effector base attached to the vertical drive column. The end effector further includes a slide attached to the end effector base to support a tray, when present. The slide enables the tray to slide along a length of the end effector base. The tray engine includes a drive mechanism attached to the end effector base for moving along the length of the end effector base to enable the tray, when present, to slide linearly along the length and load or unload the tray to or from the slide.