A reagent filling device and a sample analyzer with the reagent filling device. The reagent filling device includes a base, a horizontal rotation component, a vertical lifting component and a cantilever component, wherein, the horizontal rotation component is connected with the base, the vertical lifting component moves in a vertical direction relative to the base, the vertical lifting component drives the cantilever component to move along the vertical direction, the cantilever component is rotatably arranged relative to the vertical lifting component, there are a plurality of cantilever components, the cantilever component includes a cantilever body, a length of the cantilever body of at least one cantilever component is greater than a length of the cantilever body of each of the rest cantilever components, and the cantilever component is configured to add a reagent in a reagent disc to a reaction cup in a reaction disc.

The present invention is provided with: an automatic analysis device 200 for performing an analysis process to analyze a specimen that is to be analyzed; a specimen pre-processing module 100 for performing pre-processing to cause the specimen to enter a state in which the analysis process can be performed; a main conveyance line 161 for conveying a specimen container carrier 10 which accommodates the specimen that is to be analyzed and in which at least one specimen container can be mounted; and annular conveyance lines 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 411 that are disposed adjacent to the main conveyance line 161 and that are moreover disposed so as to be capable of transferring the specimen container carrier 10 to and from the main conveyance line 161, the annular conveyance lines 111, 121, 131, 141, 151, 411 being capable of circulating and conveying the specimen container carrier 10 separately without the use of another conveyance line (e.g., a return line 162). This makes it possible to maintain flexibility in conveyance of specimens while suppressing increases in device surface area.

A system for automated microorganism identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing comprising a reagent cartridge, a reagent stage, a cassette, a cassette, stage, a pipettor assembly, an optical detection system, and a controller is disclosed. The system is designed to dynamically adjust motor idle torque to control heat load and employs a fast focus process for determining the true focus position of an individual microorganism. The system also may quantify the relative abundance of viable microorganisms in a sample using dynamic dilution, and facilitate growth of microorganisms in customized media for rapid, accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Apparatuses and methods for washing a plurality of fluid samples are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system for washing a plurality of fluid samples respectively located within a plurality of cuvettes includes a rotor configured to rotate the plurality of cuvettes about an axis, a traveler mechanism located beneath the rotor, the traveler mechanism configured to move a plurality of magnets parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor to position the plurality of magnets so that each cuvette of the plurality of cuvettes is located adjacent to at least one magnet of the plurality of magnets, and a wash system located above the rotor, the wash system configured to at least one of inject fluid into or aspirate fluid from the plurality of the cuvettes, while the plurality of magnets suspend magnetic particles located within each of the plurality of cuvettes.

A pretreating apparatus includes a transferring mechanism configured to transfer a storing container storing an unpretreated sample or a pretreated sample, a pretreating portion having a port in which the storing container storing the sample is installed by the transferring mechanism, configured to pretreat the sample in the storing container installed in the port, and a diluting portion configured to suck a predetermined amount of the pretreated sample from the storing container and supply the sample and a diluent to an empty storing container to dilute the sample.

According to one embodiment, an automatic analyzer includes a holding unit configured to hold a measurement sheet having a roll shape, the measurement sheet including a measurement section where a sample dispensed at a dispensing position is measured; a conveyance unit configured to convey the measurement sheet to the dispensing position and a measurement position where measurement is performed on the sample; and a measurement unit configured to move to the measurement position and measure a material property value of the sample.

A method for measuring optical signal detector performance that includes directing light emitted from an optical signal detector onto a first non-fluorescent surface portion in a first detection zone of the optical signal detector. A first characteristic of light detected by a first sensor of the first optical signal detector is measured while the first non-fluorescent surface portion is in the first detection zone of the optical signal detector. Light emitted from the optical signal detector is directed into a first void in the first detection zone of the optical signal detector. A second characteristic of light detected by the first sensor of the optical signal detector is measured while the first void is in the first detection zone of the optical signal detector. And an operational performance status of the optical signal detector is determined based on at least one of the first characteristic and the second characteristic.

The invention relates to a conveying device (IO) for positioning and providing laboratory vessels (12; 12a, 12b, 12c) for nutrient media, samples, microorganisms, cell cultures, or the like for analysis, sample preparation, and/or sample manipulation at an associated apparatus (64), comprising at least one first conveying unit (32) for conveying the laboratory vessels (12) between an initial region (30) and a provision region (60), where the laboratory vessel (12) is held for the analysis or preparation. According to the invention, a plurality of conveying units is present, which perform only a translational motion of the laboratory vessel (12) along an axis, wherein the first conveying unit (32) vertically conveys the laboratory vessel (12) from the initial region (30) to a predetermined height region (50) and vice versa, and a second conveying unit (56) is provided, which horizontally conveys the laboratory vessel (12) from the height region (50) to the provision region and vice versa.

An improved system and method for the selection and dispensing of reagents onto a target testing medium in an automated laboratory environment. The system utilizes multiple carousels rotatably-mounted upon a central turntable. The position of the central turntable, as well as the rotation of each carousel is controlled by a microprocessor-based control system. Multiple dispensers, each capable of storing and dispensing a particular reagent, are mounted about the circumference of each carousel. This configuration provides much higher reagent density than previously available. The testing medium is positioned at one or more loading stations. The control system directs the central turntable to a position from which a selected one of the carousels can be rotated so as to position a selected dispenser above the testing medium. The selected dispenser is then actuated to release a predetermined reagent onto the testing medium. The system can be configured so that multiple reagents can be dispensed, each from an associated dispenser, onto a single or multiple testing mediums. Each of these actuated dispensers being positioned over the targeted testing medium(s) positioned at one or more loading stations.

Coordinated conveyors in an automated system. A system comprises a plurality of conveyors, which each comprise a plurality of segments, and one or more stations. An instruction is received to perform an operation that requires at least one station to process at least a first item held by a first segment of a first conveyor and a second item held by a second segment of a second conveyor. In response to the instruction, one or both of the first and second conveyors are moved, such that the first segment and the second segment are aligned at the station. After alignment, one or more instruments of the station process the first item and the second item.