An embodiment of an automated biochemical analyzer is configured to dispense a first reagent, a second reagent, and a sample into a reaction cell to measure a compound liquid thereof. The automated biochemical analyzer includes a first reagent container, a second reagent container, a reagent rack, and a driver. The first reagent container and the second reagent container each include a support and retain the first reagent and the second reagent, respectively. The supports are configured to be connectable to and disconnectable from each other. The reagent rack holds the first reagent container and the second reagent container and allows the first reagent container and the second reagent container to be disconnected for analysis. The driver moves the first reagent container and/or the second reagent container such that the supports are connected to each other upon extraction of the first reagent container and the second reagent container.

An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations, or modules, in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in reaction receptacles. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a specimen sample, incubating the sample at prescribed temperatures for prescribed periods, performing an analyte isolation procedure, and ascertaining the presence of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the reaction receptacles from one station to the next. The analyzer further includes devices for carrying a plurality of specimen tubes and disposable pipette tips in a machine-accessible manner, a device for agitating containers of target capture reagents comprising suspensions of solid support material and for presenting the containers for machine access thereto, and a device for holding containers of reagents in a temperature controlled environment and presenting the containers for machine access thereto. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte. The process is performed by automatically moving each of a plurality of reaction receptacles containing a solid support material and a fluid sample between stations for incubating the contents of the reaction receptacle and for separating the target analyte bound to the solid support from the fluid sample. An amplification reagent is added to the separated analyte after the analyte separation step and before a final incubation step.

A sample analyzer is configured to execute a liquid surface detection of detecting a liquid surface in a container by a liquid surface detector prior to a lowering operation of an aspirating tube for aspirating the liquid if a liquid level information is not stored in a memory, and store a liquid level information of a container in the memory based on a detection result by the liquid surface detection. Also, a liquid aspirating method by a sample analyzer.

Disclosed is a reaction vessel handling apparatus adapted for use in a biological fluid testing apparatus. The reaction vessel handling apparatus includes an incubation member and wash member that are overlapping. A transfer device transfers reaction vessels between the incubation member and wash member at the overlapping portions. Incubation and wash members may be rings. Testing apparatus (e.g., immunoassay apparatus or clinical analyzer apparatus) including the reaction vessel handling apparatus and methods of operating the apparatus are provided, as are other aspects.

The invention relates to an air-conditioning space (10) for storing samples in a time-controlled manner, comprising a device (22) for automatically feeding sample containers (18) into a climatically sealed space (12) having at least one wall (43), into which a sample container (18) can be inserted into the climatically sealed space (12) through an opening (40, 42), wherein the feed device (22) has at least one drive and control unit, and an incubator receptacle (30) for receiving the samples (18) is provided inside the climatically sealed space (12). The invention is distinguished by the fact that the feed device has an automatic feed arm (22, 24) which grips a sample container (18) from a receiving position outside the climatically sealed space (12) and deposits the sample container (18) there in a clear deposit position in an incubator receptacle (30).

A sample analyzer is configured to execute a liquid surface detection of detecting a liquid surface in a container by a liquid surface detector prior to a lowering operation of an aspirating tube for aspirating the liquid if a liquid level information is not stored in a memory, and store a liquid level information of a container in the memory based on a detection result by the liquid surface detection. Also, a liquid aspirating method by a sample analyzer.

Example automated diagnostic analyzers and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. An example apparatus described herein includes a first carousel rotatably coupled to a base and having a first axis of rotation. The example apparatus includes a second carousel rotatably coupled to the base and vertically spaced over the first carousel such that at least a portion of the second carousel is disposed over the first carousel. In the example apparatus, the second carousel has a second axis of rotation and a plurality of vessels. The example apparatus also includes a pipetting mechanism offset from the second axis of rotation. The example pipetting mechanism is to access the first carousel and the second carousel.

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.

A sample analyzer includes a first track, a second track, a reaction wheel, an electrolyte analyzing mechanism, a first sample dispensing mechanism, and a second sample dispensing mechanism. In the present disclosure, the first sample delivery mechanism independently transfers the samples from the first track to the reaction vessels carried by the reaction wheel, and the second sample delivery mechanism independently transfers the samples from the second track to the detection vessels carried by the electrolyte detection mechanism.

A sample analyzer includes a reaction wheel, a first reagent container storage mechanism, a second reagent container storage mechanism, a reagent container buffering mechanism, and a reagent container transfer mechanism. In the present disclosure, a center line is defined by extending from a first rotation center to a second rotation center, and the reagent container buffering mechanism and the reaction wheel are respectively located on two sides of the center line. The reagent container transfer mechanism is configured to transfer reagent containers between the first reagent container storage mechanism and the reagent container buffering mechanism, and/or between the second reagent container storage mechanism and the reagent container buffering mechanism.