An automatic analyzer is equipped with a sterilization mechanism removably attached to an opening of a container that holds a reagent and having an ultraviolet light generation section that radiates ultraviolet light; a suction nozzle removably attached, together with the sterilization mechanism, to the opening of the container; an analysis section adding the reagent drawn in by suction from the container via the suction nozzle to the reagent, and executing an analysis operation; and a control section exercising variable control over an irradiation light intensity of the ultraviolet light generated by the ultraviolet light generation section.

An autoclaving microplate washing system for cells and non-adhering three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures is provided. The autoclaving microplate washing system may include a dispensing pump; an aspirating peristaltic pump; and a processor configured to execute a cleaning control program, which when executed causes the autoclaving microplate washing system to independently control: the dispensing pump to control a first flow rate of a solution from a fluid reservoir through a plurality of dispense lines for output via the dispense pipes in microplate wells corresponding to positions of the dispense pipes; and the aspirating peristaltic pump to control a second flow rate of a waste solution through a plurality of aspiration lines for aspiration via aspiration pipes in microplate wells corresponding to positions of the aspiration pipes.

A method for calibrating and controlling a pipetting device for metered liquid with a multichannel, automated micrometering unit. All of the channels of the pipetting device are calibrated using a camera which detects the expelled droplets of the liquid, so that the volume thereof can be determined by means of a control device. The method makes it possible to carry out a calibration of the individually dispensed liquid volumes in droplet form to a prescribed volume deviation with a different number of possibly necessary repetitions for each individual channel.

An autoclaving microplate washing system for cells and non-adhering three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures includes one or more pumps for controlling the dispensing of washing fluid and the evacuation of fluid from microwells to gently wash the cells. A method of controlling the autoclaving microplate washing system includes controlling the one or more pumps for dispensing and evacuation.

An autoclaving microplate washing system for cells and non-adhering three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures includes one or more peristaltic pumps for controlling the dispensing of washing fluid and the evacuation of fluid from microwells, and means for independently controlling the relative positions between microwells of the microplate and cleaning dispense pipes and evacuation aspiration pipes.

An electrolyte analyzing device with which an electrical effect does not occur has a housing to which a reference potential is applied and a flow passage which is electrically insulated from the housing. The analyzing device delivers a sample solution to a first electrode, and delivers a reference electrode solution to a second electrode. A reagent vessel placement unit which is electrically connected to the housing, has placed thereon a diluent bottle accommodating a diluent, an internal standard solution bottle accommodating the internal standard solution, and a reference electrode solution bottle accommodating the reference electrode solution. The reagent vessel placement unit includes a suction nozzle comprising an electrical conductor which is joined to the flow passage, and which can be inserted into and removed from each of the diluent, internal standard solution and reference electrode solution bottles. And, an insulator electrically insulates the suction nozzle and the housing.

The dispensing apparatus is able to dispense liquid and includes: a piston; a first drive device that drives the piston; a syringe that has a tip mounting unit to which a dispensing tip is mounted and that receives the piston therein; a pressure sensor that measures pressure within the syringe; a processing device that processes a detection signal of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor; a block having a hole which can be fitted to the tip mounting unit; and a second drive device that varies the relative position between the syringe and the block. The processing device is characterized by: driving the second drive device so as to cause the tip mounting unit and the hole to be fitted to each other; sealing up the interior of the syringe; applying a positive pressure or a negative pressure within the syringe; and then, calculating a correction value.

Methods and techniques for controlled printing of a cell sample for karyotyping are provided. The methods can involve matrix printing using on-the-fly printing or dispensing to accurately spread cells within at least one cell sample on a surface in preparation for karyotyping, and further analysis. Advantageously, the methods result in a uniform distribution of chromosomes of the cell suspension or sample on the surface of a substrate which can be substantially discretely identified, and also provide for efficiency in a subsequent staining process and any further analysis of the stained chromosomes using a microscope or other imaging device.

There is provided an automated analysis device capable of transferring instruments to be used for an analysis process to a predetermined processing position efficiently and rapidly. In an automated analysis device of the invention, a transfer unit forming a transfer mechanism to transfer instruments to be used for analyte processing into an analyte processing space includes a holding portion to hold the instruments. The holding portion includes a first fitting attachment portion to be attachable to a first instrument in a fitted state, and a second fitting attachment portion to be attachable to a second instrument in a fitted state.

Methods and techniques for controlled printing of a cell sample for karyotyping are provided. The methods can involve matrix printing using on-the-fly printing or dispensing to accurately spread cells within at least one cell sample on a surface in preparation for karyotyping, and further analysis. Advantageously, the methods result in a uniform distribution of chromosomes of the cell suspension or sample on the surface of a substrate which can be substantially discretely identified, and also provide for efficiency in a subsequent staining process and any further analysis of the stained chromosomes using a microscope or other imaging device.