A plate transport device includes a main body, first and second moving members and first and second elastic members. The main body has an intermediate supporter. The first and second moving members have first and second supporters, respectively. The first and second moving members are supported to be movable in a first direction with respect to the main body. The first elastic member is provided between the intermediate supporter and the first supporter, and supplies a first biasing force directed toward the intermediate supporter in the first direction to the first moving member. The second elastic member is provided between the intermediate supporter and the second supporter, and supplies a second biasing force, which is directed toward the intermediate supporter in the first direction and opposite to the direction in which the first biasing force is directed, to the second moving member.

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.

The present invention provides an automatic analysis device and an automatic specimen processing system having a component-rack supply mechanism that, in a state where a plurality of component racks each having a disposable component mounted thereon are stacked, separates only a component rack at the leading stage of the stack from the other component racks, and supplies the separated component rack to the automatic analysis device or the automatic specimen processing system. Specifically, the automatic analysis device and the automatic specimen processing system have a supply mechanism including a separation mechanism that, in a state where a plurality of component racks are stacked, separates only a component rack at the leading stage of the stack from the other component racks, where the separation mechanism includes a movable mechanism having a pair of downward-movement prevention members that can separate the leading stage from the second stage of the stacked component racks; and a correction mechanism having a pair of correction members that correct a positional deviation of the component racks in order to avoid an influence of the positional deviation of the stacked component racks.

A smear preparing apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes: a first transporter that transports a storage tool in a first direction, the storage tool capable of holding microscope slides side by side in the first direction; a slide transfer unit that transfers a microscope slide having a stained sample to the storage tool transported by the first transporter; and a second transporter that is adjacent to the first transporter and that transports the storage tool housing the microscope slide transferred by the slide transfer unit, in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

An automation apparatus of an analysis laboratory, for handling support devices able to support containers of biological samples. The automation apparatus includes two main automatic belt conveyors arranged in positions spaced from one another on a floor, and at least one auxiliary automatic belt conveyor. The auxiliary belt conveyor is spaced at a different height with respect to the main conveyors, and is operatively connected to the main conveyors by means of lift devices.

A tray feeder mechanism comprising a plurality of trays within a tray feeder, each tray including a tray handle, and a gripper positioned within a gripping area defined by the tray handles, wherein the gripper is configured to remove a tray from the tray feeder when the tray feeder stops.

A system for analyzing and sorting of petri dishes comprising an analysis tool, a control unit, a first elevator movable along a first elevator axis, a conveyor with a conveyor plane, and at least one carrier built to carry the petri dishes along a carrier axis. The analysis tool is built to assign information to the petri dish, and in case of a first information assigned to the petri dish the control unit is built to move the first elevator into a carrier position, wherein, as soon as the first elevator reaches the carrier position, the control unit is built to move a substantially flat first plate along the first elevator axis from a first neutral position located in the conveyor plane into a first transfer position.

A digital slide scanning apparatus slide rack carousel allows continuous loading and unloading of slide racks into the carousel while the digital slide scanning apparatus is simultaneously digitizing glass slides. The slide rack carousel includes a base having an interior portion of its upper surface at an angle. The slide rack carousel also includes plural rack spacers extending upward from the base and adjacent rack spacers define a rack slot. Each rack spacer also includes a rack stopper on each side such that adjacent rack spacers have rack stoppers facing each other. The rack stoppers prevent a slide rack from moving further toward the center of the carousel than desired.

The present invention is related to a liquid handling apparatus having a working platform provided with a plurality of housings for accommodation of consumable products and defining a first portion of a working surface of the apparatus and a feeding platform of the consumable products which defines a second portion of the working surface and comprises at least one modular framework provided with at least one containment frame of the consumable products; wherein the modular framework is movable with respect to the working platform to allow coupling and uncoupling of the containment frame from the modular framework, and wherein the containment frame is provided with a containment compartment, configured to allow stacking of the consumable products below the working surface, and with an opening at the working surface, configured to arrange the consumable products at the working surface.

A microplate processing device having at least one carriage with a first receptacle for microplates where the at least one carriage is movable in a first horizontal direction, and having at least one lift that is movable in a vertical direction, where the microplates can be removed from and supplied to the carriage, the carriage has a through-opening, the periphery, in the vertical projection, can at least in part be situated horizontally within the periphery of a microplate held in the carriage, and the lift has a second receptacle for microplates, the periphery, in the vertical projection, is situated within the periphery of the through-opening, where the second receptacle can be moved unhindered through the through-opening in the vertical direction.