A method of setting a handover position of a gripping device at a laboratory automation system is presented. A position of a position determining device held by the gripping device is detected using position sensors in order to determine the handover position. A laboratory automation system configured to perform such a method is also presented.

Methods and systems allow characterization of sample vessels and carriers in an automation system to determine any physical deviation from nominal positions. In response, an offset can be calculated and applied when positioning a carrier relative to a station, such as a testing or processing stations (or vice-versa). This may allow for precise operation of an instrument with a sample vessel on an automation track, while compensating for deviation in manufacturing and other tolerances.

A system for placing sample tubes into tube receptacles includes a sample handling device that includes an electrical signal, relating to an operating condition, such as a position error, a tube receptacle, and a processor configured to control the sample handling device in response to the electrical signal. The processor observes the operating condition for signal artifacts that indicate that a sample vessel being placed has encountered a holding spring and subsequently the bottom of the tube receptacle. The processor provides substantially real-time control of the motion of the sample handling device in response.

An image acquisition device includes a cassette mounting unit in which a cassette is detachably mounted, the cassette holding the slide glasses in a plurality of stages in a predetermined arrangement direction, a light source that emits inspection light toward the cassette, a scanning unit that performs scanning with the inspection light in the arrangement direction, a light reflection unit that is disposed on the back surface side of the cassette and reflects the inspection light emitted from the light source, a light detection unit that detects reflected light including the inspection light reflected by at least one of the light reflection unit, the cassette, and the slide glass, and outputs a detection signal, and an information generation unit that generates holding information on a holding position and/or a holding state of the slide glass held in the cassette on the basis of the detection signal.

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.

According to an embodiment, a detection apparatus includes an inclination sensor arranged to be capable of inclining according to an outer shape of a specimen container, the inclination sensor configured to detect inclination information, and an information processor configured to detect posture information of the specimen container based on the inclination information.

Devices and methods for proximity detection based on sound are provided. According to an embodiment, an acoustic probe includes a sound generator and an acoustic sensor, and at least one of the sound generator or the acoustic sensor is disposed within the dispense chamber portion. According to an embodiment, the liquid dispenser includes a sound generator and an acoustic sensor, and further includes one or more side conduits, where at least one of the sound generator or the acoustic sensor is disposed within a cavity of a respective one of the one or more side conduits, wherein the cavity and a connector of each of the one or more side conduits are free from resonance within a frequency range of the sound sensed by the acoustic sensor.

Misalignment of intersecting devices on a diagnostic instrument may be detected and remediated using a system comprising components such as an accelerometer, a plurality of strain gauges and a device comprising a processor and a memory (e.g., a computer). In such a system, the accelerometer may be adapted to detect movement of the diagnostic instrument. The device comprising the processor and the memory may be configured to, for each of the structural elements of the diagnostic instrument, determine whether an alignment change has taken place in that structural element based on analyzing measurements made by the plurality of strain gauges. The device comprising the processor and the memory may also be configured to, for each structural element where an alignment change is determined to have taken place, trigger a remediation for each device from a set of devices impacted by the alignment change of that structural element.

An imaging device acquires images of a plate-like specimen container having a rectangular shape as seen in top view. The imaging device includes a table, a position reference member, and a holding mechanism. The position reference member includes a first extension and a second extension which intersect at right angles to each other. The holding mechanism includes a rotating plate extending horizontally in plate-like form, and a main body portion for pivoting the rotating plate forwardly in a circumferential direction by means of elastic force of a spring. The rotating plate includes a front wing portion, and a protruding portion protruding forwardly in the circumferential direction from the front wing portion. The specimen container is urged in a second direction to align along the first extension when the rotating plate is pivoted to bring the front wing portion into contact with the specimen container. The specimen container is urged in a first direction to align along the second extension when the protruding portion comes in contact with the specimen container. Thus, the specimen container is aligned and placed in a previously determined position in the imaging device.

A laboratory sample distribution system comprising a plurality of sample container carriers, each adapted to carry one or more sample containers, each carrier comprising at least one magnetically active device and at least one electrically conductive member, a transport plane adapted to support the carriers, a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane, the actuators being adapted to move the carriers on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the carriers, a plurality of inductive sensors distributed over the transport plane, a control unit configured to control the movement of the carriers using an output signal provided by the inductive sensors by driving the actuators such that the carriers move along corresponding transport paths, and an evaluation unit configured to linearize the output signal from an inductive sensor by means of a linearization algorithm.