An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. The intelligent carriers can include one or more image sensors to observe the relative motion of the track as the carrier traverses it. The carriers can also observe position marks on the track surface to provide absolute position information, which can include additional data, such as routing instructions. Synchronization marks may be provided to correct errors in the observed trajectory.

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 receptacle delivery system for an instrument of a plurality of instruments comprises a carriage supporting a puck. The carriage is configured to move with the puck from a first location to a second location within the instrument. The first location is a location where a receptacle supported by a carrier is positioned to be transferred to the puck supported by the carriage, and the second location being a location where the receptacle seated in the puck is positioned so that fluid from the receptacle can be drawn into a tip associated with a fluid extraction device of the instrument.

An automated carousel and system configured for translationally moving a plurality of biological production units in unison along a vertical frame while maintaining a precise alignment of each of the biological production units relative to gravity, and simultaneously providing independent dynamic adjustment of the axial orientation of each of the plurality of biological production units relative to gravity. The automated carousel may be adapted for use with a variety of biological production units supporting cell culture and/or tissue engineering systems in various clinical and laboratory settings and provides for ergonomic use thereof.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable specimen carrier device with which it is possible to position a specimen holder in a specific place with high accuracy, thereby enabling the stable performance of a treatment. In order to achieve this purpose, the present invention provides a specimen carrier device that is equipped with: a specimen holder which retains a specimen container and which is equipped with a magnetic body; and a first positioning means which is disposed beneath a carrier surface and which conveys and stops the specimen holder by attracting and repelling the magnetic body, wherein a second positioning means for pressing the specimen holder or the specimen container is provided on the carrier surface.

A receptacle delivery system for an instrument includes a carriage, a puck supported by the carriage, and a first shelf. The carriage is configured to move from a first location of the instrument to a second location of the instrument. The puck is configured to removably support a receptacle such that a longitudinal axis of the receptacle is substantially coincident with a vertical axis of the puck. The first shelf comprises (a) a base extending substantially transverse to the vertical axis of the puck and (b) a first opening defined by the base, and when the carriage is positioned at the second location, the longitudinal axis of a receptacle seated in the puck extends through the first opening.

A method of delivering a receptacle to an instrument includes the steps of supporting a receptacle in a carriage, activating an electric motor to move the carriage between a first location and a second location of the instrument while the receptacle is supported by the carriage, applying a clamping force to the receptacle as the carriage moves from the first location to the second location, and releasing the clamping force from the receptacle as the carriage moves from the second location to the first location.

A receptacle clamping mechanism of an instrument includes a carriage configured to move between a first location and a second location of the instrument. The carriage includes one or more support members configured to removably support a receptacle therebetween and a pair of opposed support pads configured to apply a clamping force to a receptacle supported by the carriage as the carriage moves from the first location to the second location and release the clamping force from the receptacle as the carriage moves from the second location to the first location. The clamping mechanism further includes a sensing system configured to determine whether a receptacle is supported by the carriage.

A method for autonomous teach-in of at least one target position of a supply device (120) of a slide imaging apparatus (110) is disclosed. The slide imaging apparatus (110) comprises at least one imaging device (126, 128) configured to generate an image of a sample mounted on a slide (140). The target position is a position on the imaging device (126, 128). The slide imaging apparatus (110) comprises at least one operating system (170) configured for controlling operation of the supply device (120). The method comprises the following steps i) (186) providing at least six pre-defined positions by using the operating system (170); ii) (188) driving the supply device (120) to the six pre-defined positions until colliding with the imaging device (126, 128) by using the operating system (170) and detecting collisions with the imaging device (126, 128); iii) (190) evaluating the detected collisions by using the operating system (170), thereby determining the target position.

An apparatus for chemical analysis includes an autosampler having a syringe and a needle coupled to one end of the syringe, the autosampler including a handling system for moving the syringe along an axis of longitudinal development. The apparatus for chemical analysis further includes a chemical analyzer having a septum disposed to close an introduction port of a sample in the chemical analyzer and shaped to be pierced and crossed by the needle of the syringe when it is moved by the handling system. The autosampler also includes a measurement sensor for measuring a distance travelled by the syringe over a predetermined time so as to compare the distance travelled by the syringe with a predetermined distance and identify an excessive tensioning of the septum.