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.

Various mechanisms of an automatic analysis device are adjusted to suppress the occurrence of a difference in adjustment quality between an experienced person and an inexperienced person. An adjustment system includes a current position information acquiring unit for acquiring information indicating a current position of an adjustment object, a predetermined position information storage unit preliminarily storing information indicating a predetermined position where the adjustment object should be located and an adjustment value calculation unit which, by comparing the information indicating the current position of the adjustment object acquired by the current position information acquiring unites with information indicating the predetermined position of the adjustment object that has been stored in the predetermined position information storage unit, calculates an adjustment value that is required for adjusting the position of the adjustment object from the current position to the predetermined position.

A method for determining a handover position of a gripping device and to a laboratory automation system being able to perform such a method are presented. A position determining device is used in order to determine a handover position based on magnetic forces of a handover electro-magnetic actuator that is part of a laboratory sample distribution system of the laboratory 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.

Systems and methods for use in an in vitro diagnostics setting may include an automation track, a plurality of carriers configured to carry a plurality of sample vessels along the automation track, and a characterization station including a plurality of optical devices. A processor, in communication with the characterization station, can be configured to analyze images to automatically characterize physical attributes related to each carrier and/or sample vessel. A method may include receiving a plurality of images from a plurality of optical devices of a characterization station, wherein the plurality of images comprise images from a plurality of perspectives of a sample vessel being transported by a carrier, automatically analyzing the plurality of images, using a processor, to determine certain characteristics of the sample vessel, and automatically associating the characteristics of the sample vessel with the carrier in a database.

A sample analyzing apparatus for performing an optical-based measurement on a sample includes a housing, a first light source, excitation optics, a first light detector, emission optics, and a monitoring system, all of which are disposed in the housing. The monitoring system is configured for monitoring a movable component disposed in the housing. The monitoring system includes one or more light sources for illuminating the movable component, and one or more light detectors for detecting light reflected from the movable component in response to being illuminated.

When a specimen transport system transfers a specimen container to a transport rack, the specimen container located at a position adjacent to a transfer position thereof is inclined on the rack, and there is a possibility that the one specimen container may collide with the other specimen container when the one specimen container is transferred. Where the transferred specimen container is inclined after being transferred, and a specimen container transfer mechanism is raised from the location, there is also a possibility that the one specimen container and the other specimen container adjacent thereto may collide with each other. Consequently, an inclination angle of a transferred specimen container and a specimen container adjacent thereto is corrected by loading a specimen container inclination correction mechanism including two inclination correction units at a specimen container transfer position. In this manner, a contact risk is suppressed and a stable transfer process is made possible.

A laboratory sample distribution system having a recovery device and a laboratory automation system having such a laboratory sample distribution system are presented. The recovery device is adapted to manipulate items such as sample container carriers or sample containers on a transport plane of the laboratory sample distribution system in the case of an error condition.

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 method of monitoring a specimen container or specimen in a diagnostic laboratory system includes moving the specimen container on a track within the diagnostic laboratory system; moving a sensor module on the track; and monitoring at least one characteristic of the specimen container or a specimen located in the specimen container using the sensor module. Other methods, sensor modules, and diagnostic laboratory systems are disclosed.