We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.

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. Embodiments may also comprise 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.

There is provided an automated analysis device capable of transferring a rack to a predetermined instrument extraction position efficiently and rapidly, the rack being loaded with instruments to be used for an analysis process. An automated analysis device of the invention includes a conveyance unit to raise and lower a plurality of racks in a vertically stacked state to convey the racks into an analyte processing space, the racks being loaded with instruments to be used for analyte processing. The conveyance unit includes a movement mechanism to move an uppermost rack from a rack standby position to an extraction position with guidance of a protrusion and a recess while maintaining a state of slidable protrusion and recess engagement between the uppermost rack and a rack below the uppermost rack.

Mounting hardware is installed to a cryogenic storage device to accommodate an automation system for automated storage and retrieval. A guideplate at an upper surface of a cover of the cryogenic storage device is positioned such that the guideplate is aligned in a predefined relation to an access port at the upper surface. One or more mounting posts are affixed at a location as indicated by the guideplate. A vacuum is then pulled within the cover, and the mounting hardware is affixed to the at least one mounting post.

An automated laboratory system includes a vertical shelving system including a frame and at least one shelf movably mounted to the frame such that the at least one shelf is movable relative to the frame between a docked position and an undocked position, the at least one shelf being configured to carry at least one instrument. The system also includes a robotic device proximate the vertical shelving system and being configured to access the at least one instrument carried by the at least one shelf.

The present invention relates to a method of loading a sample storage device (10) for a plurality of sample carriers (38A-38E) equipped with sample containers (34), said method comprising: during removal of sample containers (34) from the sample storage device (10): providing at least one output sample carrier (38A) having sample containers (34) that can be taken up from the output sample carrier (38A); providing a target sample carrier (38B) in which sample containers (34) taken up from the output sample carrier (38A) can be deposited; providing a refilling sample carrier (38C) which is at least partially filled with sample containers (34); removing at least one sample container (34) from the output sample carrier (38A) and depositing the at least one sample container (34) in the target sample carrier (38B), and for each sample container (34) removed from the output sample carrier (38A) and deposited in the target sample carrier (38B), removing another sample container (34) from the refilling sample carrier (38C) and refilling the space of the removed sample container (34) in the output sample carrier (38A) with the other sample container (34) from the refilling sample carrier (38C). Moreover, the invention relates to a loading system (12) designed for performing the method.

An end effector for transferring a tray is described. The end effector includes an end effector base attached to a vertical drive column of a tray engine. The end effector further includes a slide having multiple arms that are attached to the end effector base to support the tray, when present. The arms of the slide enable the tray to slide along a length of the end effector base. The arms face each other and extend along the length of the end effector base.

A pack includes at least one stack with Petri dishes which extends in a longitudinal direction, a connecting device which holds the at least one stack together, and an outer packaging which surrounds the at least one stack and which can be opened to remove the at least one stack.

The present disclosure provides a consumable box automatic transmission device. The consumable box automatic transmission device includes a consumable box storage mechanism, configured to load and store consumable boxes, and a consumable box lifting mechanism, located above the consumable box storage mechanism; the consumable box lifting mechanism is able to lift the consumable boxes; the consumable box storage mechanism and the consumable box lifting mechanism is able to respectively store and transmit the consumable boxes; the consumable box storage mechanism is able to transmit the consumable boxes to the bottom of the consumable box lifting mechanism; and the consumable box lifting mechanism receives the consumable boxes at a bottom and lifts the consumable boxes to a top layer of the consumable box lifting mechanism. In this way, parallel consumable box transmission can be achieved, and continuous consumable box conveyance is achieved, thereby reducing manual care or frequent manual operation.

The present invention relates to an extraction apparatus capable of simultaneously extracting target materials from multiple biological samples and, more particularly, to a target material extraction apparatus in which magnetic bar blocks can be replaced according to kinds of multi-well plates to be inserted into a cartridge. When used, the target material extraction apparatus of the present invention is operated in such a manner that among various multi-well plates having different numbers of wells, multi-well plates suitable for a use purpose are loaded into a cartridge within the apparatus and magnetic bar blocks equipped with magnetic bars suitable therefor are selected and loaded. Thus, the apparatus has the advantage of selectively applying various multi-well plates to one installment according to the number of samples from which a target material is extracted or to the amount of the target material to be extracted.