A device for screening of a biological sample in a container includes a lighting system having a radiation source, an analysis station having an optical detector and controller. The lighting system includes a filter holder device for selecting two radiations with different wavelengths. The analysis station includes a system for optical detection of the container before analysis of the sample, which includes a backlight panel and an illuminator for illuminating the container and to allow the optical detector to acquire an image of the container and send to the controller information based on the image. The controller controls a rotation system, set up in the analysis station, to position the container so that, in the analysis phase of the sample, the radiation irradiates the sample at an inspection window and a label is arranged on an opposite side with respect to that from which the radiation originates.

Disclosed are high-throughput vessel receiving systems and methods of receiving sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for receiving a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample, and systems and apparatus for guiding, reorienting, collecting, and transporting a plurality of articles, including vessels, are disclosed.

Disclosed are high-throughput vessel sorting systems and methods of sorting sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for sorting a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

Disclosed are high-throughput vessel supply systems and methods of supplying sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for supplying a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

An analysis system for analyzing biological samples is disclosed, and which may comprise two or more analysis system components for performing an analysis. A sample workflow manager and an instrument manager coupled to the sample workflow manager may be coupled to the system components for receiving a process status from the system components, wherein the sample workflow manager provides at least one preconfigured processing route to the instrument manager in accordance with the process status. The instrument manager may comprise a memory for storing the preconfigured processing route, wherein the instrument manager is adapted for receiving a test order for analyzing the biological sample using the system components, and wherein the instrument manager is adapted for generating commands for controlling a transport device for transporting the biological sample in accordance with the test order and the at least one preconfigured processing route.

An automation system for use with in-vitro diagnostics includes a plurality of fluid containers configured to hold one or more fluids. The system includes a plurality of carriers having a plurality of slots configured to hold one of the plurality of fluid containers. The system also includes a place and pick device configured to place the plurality of fluid containers into the plurality of slots and remove the plurality of fluid containers from the plurality of slots. The system further includes a controller configured to control the place and pick device to place a first fluid container into an empty slot of a carrier of the plurality of carriers while a second fluid container is in an occupied slot and control the place and pick device to subsequently remove the second fluid container from the occupied slot of the carrier.

An analysis system for analyzing biological samples is disclosed, and which may comprise two or more analysis system components for performing an analysis. A sample workflow manager and an instrument manager coupled to the sample workflow manager may be coupled to the system components for receiving a process status from the system components, wherein the sample workflow manager provides at least one preconfigured processing route to the instrument manager in accordance with the process status. The instrument manager may comprise a memory for storing the preconfigured processing route, wherein the instrument manager is adapted for receiving a test order for analyzing the biological sample using the system components, and wherein the instrument manager is adapted for generating commands for controlling a transport device for transporting the biological sample in accordance with the test order and the at least one preconfigured processing route.

A model-based method of determining characteristics of a specimen container. The method includes providing a specimen container, capturing images of the specimen container at different exposures times and at different spectra having different nominal wavelengths, selecting optimally-exposed pixels from the images at different exposure times at each spectra to generate optimally-exposed image data for each spectra, and classifying the optimally-exposed pixels as at least being one of tube, label or cap, and identifying a width, height, or width and height of the specimen container based upon the optimally-exposed image data for each spectra. Quality check modules and specimen testing apparatus adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

A switch for a conveying line for transporting a laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier is presented. The conveying line comprises a first line portion and a second line portion. The switch comprises a curved first guiding surface and a second guiding surface. The switch is moveable between a first position, in which the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier is transportable along the curved first guiding surface from the first line portion to the second line portion, and a second position, in which the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier is further transportable along the second guiding surface on the first line portion. A switch assembly and a conveying line are also disclosed.

A specimen measurement apparatus includes: a specimen rack setting part configured to allow a first specimen rack and a second specimen rack to be set thereon, the first specimen rack holding a first specimen container, the second specimen rack holding a second specimen container to be subjected to specimen measurement in preference to the first specimen container; a first transport path through which the first specimen rack set on the specimen rack setting part is transported via a first suction position at which a specimen is to be suctioned from the first specimen container; a second transport path through which the second specimen rack set on the specimen rack setting part is transported not via the first suction position; and a measurement unit including a suction part configured to suction a specimen from the second specimen container that is present at a second suction position.