A receptacle delivery system that includes a rail extending between first and second locations of an instrument and a carriage configured to move on the rail between the first and second locations of the instrument. The carriage includes a bracket having opposed first and second sidewalls and a base extending between the first and second sidewalls, where the carriage is configured to support a receptacle. The carriage further includes a pair of opposed support pads, where the pair of support pads are configured to (a) move toward a receptacle supported by the carriage as the carriage moves from the first location toward the second location, and (b) move away from a receptacle supported by the carriage as the carriage moves from the second location toward the first location. The carriage also includes a pair of meshed cam gears rotatably coupled to the first sidewall, where each cam gear is coupled to a different one of the support pads.

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 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 for adjusting a transfer apparatus fastened to a robotically displaceable transfer arm and comprising a holder for a liquid vessel in an automated analysis machine, by way of measuring a first and second force effect on the holder with the aid of a sensor, wherein, if the measured force effects do not deviate from one another by more than a predetermined amount, the transfer apparatus is sufficiently adjusted in respect of a receiving position, and wherein, if the measured force effects deviate from one another by more than a predetermined amount, an adjustment of the transfer apparatus in respect of the receiving position is carried out.

A device for lifting a sample tube comprising a holder having holding elements for holding a sample tube is presented. The holder is supported moveably in the vertical direction between a lower holder position and an upper holder position for lifting and lowering a held sample tube. A centering tool having a pair of centering jaws extending parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction is provided. By moving the holder into the upper position, a held sample tube is lifted into a position between the centering jaws. The centering jaws are moveable to approach each other relative to the lifted sample tube for centering the lifted sample tube with respect to a vertical central axis. A sample handling device and to laboratory automation system comprising a device for lifting a sample tube and/or a sample handling device are also presented

An automatic analyzing apparatus is provided which includes a member 401 fixed at a predetermined level which presses down the sample container sealed with the sealing plug that is floated from the rack due to friction between the probe and the sealing plug when pulling out the probe from the sample container sealed with the sealing plug, and a mechanism 402 that pushes down, toward the rack, the sample container sealed with the floated sealing plug in which the sample container sealed with the floated sealing plug is transported by the transport line, and disposed on a path of the transport line until re-inspection is performed after pulling out the probe from the sample container sealed with the sealing plug.

A position tracking system for tracking a relative position between connected modules. A target is arrangeable on and/or within a first connected module, the connected modules mechanically interacting for transporting objects between modules; a position sensor is arrangeable on and/or within a second connected module and is configured for generating a sensor signal according to a relative position between the position sensor and target, a processing unit configured for tracking a relative position between the connected modules from the sensor signal; and a second sensor is configured for generating a second sensor signal according to at least a second parameter, wherein the second sensor is a temperature sensor and/or a humidity sensor, the processing unit being configured for considering the second sensor signal when determining the relative position between the connected modules. Further disclosed are related monitoring systems and methods for tracking and monitoring at least two connected modules.

A method of handling laboratory sample containers is presented. The method comprises moving a laboratory sample container to a target position. The target position is a position at which the laboratory sample container is inserted into a corresponding orifice of a laboratory sample container rack provided that the laboratory sample container rack is placed at an intended position. The laboratory sample container is prevented from moving horizontally more than a predetermined horizontal distance if inserted into the corresponding orifice of the laboratory sample container rack. The method also comprises applying a force in a horizontal direction (xy) to the laboratory sample container, determining if the laboratory sample container moves in the horizontal direction (xy) more than the predetermined horizontal distance, and performing an error procedure if it is determined that the laboratory sample container moves in the horizontal direction (xy) more than the predetermined horizontal distance.

Luminescence test measurements are conducted using an assay module having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.

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.