An analyzer for use with in vitro diagnostics includes an automation system to move a plurality of sample carriers within the system. At least some carriers include a plurality of slots. Each slot is configured to hold one of a 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 place mother sample tubes along with empty sample tubes into the same carrier and move the carrier to an existing pipettor within the analyzer to aliquot a sample portion of the mother sample into the empty daughter tubes to create aliquots for certain samples without requiring a standalone aliquoting station or substantially disrupting the normal flow of sample tubes within the automation system.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

A system including a housing, a sample rack for holding a plurality of sample receptacles, and a reader for reading two-dimensional machine-readable labels associated with the plurality of sample receptacles as the sample rack moves between first and second positions within the housing. The system further includes a processing and control unit adapted to decode the two-dimensional machine-readable labels read by the reader and to associate each of the decoded two-dimensional machine-readable labels with an associated sample receptacle based on a measured position of the sample rack when the two-dimensional machine-readable label was read.

State-of-the-art analyzers in clinical laboratories require complex robotics, as well as daily human maintenance. In addition, a discrete analyzer is required for each analytic method, with two or more such analyzers containing expensive, redundant components. Accordingly, a total lab automation system is disclosed that is capable of combining the functions of all such analyzers using a compact superset of stations. In an embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of conveyors, arranged along an X-axis of a tabletop surface, and configured to move in both directions along a Y-axis, under the control of a controller. One or more stations may extend along the X-axis, to orthogonally span all of the conveyors, such that a tool of each station may move along the X-axis, and potentially along the Z-axis, to process items on the conveyors, under the control of the controller.

An accommodating magazine for accommodating a plurality of sample carriers in a sample holder for use in an input or output area of an automated sample handling device. The magazine comprises a magazine panel, a detection device for detecting whether the panel is filled with sample holders or sample carriers during movement of the panel between a loading position and a ready position. The detection device includes at least one contactless detector for detecting the presence of objects in a sensor area, a path sensor, which detects a displacement path or current position of the panel during displacement of the panel between the loading and ready positions; and an evaluating unit in which the detector data and the path sensor data are merged and are evaluated.

An apparatus for determining a vertical position of an interface between a first component and a second component comprising different layers in a sample container comprises a first unit comprising a first emitting light, a first optics, and a first detector; a second unit vertically spaced from the first unit comprising a second emitting light, a second optics, and a second detector; a driving unit to move the first unit and the second unit relative to the sample container; a position sensing unit to output a position sensing signal indicative of a vertical position of the sample container; and a vertical position determining unit to calculate the vertical position of the interface.

In sample transporting devices, the operation sound of a belt conveyor and the driving sound of a drive motor are caused by operating a transporting line when transporting samples, and reducing the driving sound and operation sound is required. In the present invention, a detection signal of the detection sensor 309 is detected by a detection unit 310, and a control unit 111 performs controlling to change the current value and the driving frequency of a belt driving motor 304 of a transporting line 301 and change the driving torque and the driving rotary speed of the transporting line on the basis of the amount and number of samples transported by a belt 303, wherein the amount and number of samples transported by the belt can be obtained by the detection signal or a sample amount measured by a sample transporting system. Accordingly, noise reduction is achieved by driving the belt driving motor under suitable conditions according to the amount and number of the samples transported by the transporting line, and reducing the operation sound of the belt driving motor or mechanisms and the like.

Systems and methods for passively redirecting liquid contaminants from the active region of riding surfaces of track systems for liquid handler systems, including surface energy gradient, channels, and roughness gradients. The described techniques redirect liquids in a passive manner, without requiring any additional electromechanical components or active control systems that would draw additional power and require additional layers of control architecture to manage.

A conveyance apparatus includes a magnet on a conveyed object side, a magnetic pole including a tooth made of a ferromagnetic body and a winding outside the tooth, a yoke for forming a magnetic circuit comprising a ferromagnetic body, the magnetic circuit coupling a plurality of the magnetic poles, and a drive circuit for supplying a current to the winding. A magnetic field is generated at the magnetic pole by a voltage applied, and a thrust conveys the object in a horizontal direction. The magnetic pole includes a first magnetic pole where current is supplied to apply a force in a conveyance direction, and at least one adjacent magnetic pole, the current is supplied to a windings of the adjacent and first magnetic poles simultaneously, and a magnetic saturation level is controlled by a magnetic flux generated by the at least one adjacent magnetic pole.

State-of-the-art analyzers in clinical laboratories require complex robotics, as well as daily human maintenance. In addition, a discrete analyzer is required for each analytic method, with two or more such analyzers containing expensive, redundant components. Accordingly, a total lab automation system is disclosed that is capable of combining the functions of all such analyzers using a compact superset of stations. In an embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of conveyors, arranged along an X-axis of a tabletop surface, and configured to move in both directions along a Y-axis, under the control of a controller. One or more stations may extend along the X-axis, to orthogonally span all of the conveyors, such that a tool of each station may move along the X-axis, and potentially along the Z-axis, to process items on the conveyors, under the control of the controller.