To provide a preprocessing apparatus with a function of stirring and sucking a sample in a sample container carried on a conveyor line outside the preprocessing apparatus.

The preprocessing apparatus includes a sampling unit, a unit that stirs a sample before suction, and a stirring operation control unit. The sampling unit includes a sample probe that sucks a sample in the sample container, and is configured to move the sample probe to the sample container set in the sample container setting part and to an external suction location set on a conveyor line located outside the preprocessing apparatus. The unit that stirs a sample before suction includes a stirring probe which stirs a sample in the sample container, and moves the stirring probe at least to the external suction location or a location upstream of the external suction location on the conveyor line. The stirring operation control unit is configured to control operation of the sampling unit and the unit that stirs a sample before suction so that a sample in the sample container is stirred by the stirring probe before the sample is sucked by the sample probe.

An automatic cell isolation and collection system for sorting out target cells from a sample includes a crush module, a centrifuge module, a transport module, and a control unit. The centrifuge module includes centrifuge tubes and a magnetic mechanism providing a magnetically attractive force to at least one of the centrifuge tubes. The control unit electrically communicates with the crush module, the centrifuge module, and the transport module, and controls operation of the crush module, transport of the sample via the transport module after the sample is crushed by the crush module, centrifugation of the centrifuge module, and operation of the magnetic mechanism for providing the magnetically attractive force.

Improved methods, devices, and systems for mixing fluids, including small volumes of fluid, are provided. Pressing a pipette tip against an inner surface of a mixing vessel allows pressure to be applied within the tip. Greater pressure may be built-up than would be possible without engaging the tip with the mixing vessel. Disengaging the tip allows fluid flow through the tip, providing improved fluid mixing as compared to methods lacking engagement of a pipette tip with an inner surface of a mixing vessel while applying pressure within the pipette tip. Mixing vessels having features on an inner surface that are configured to engage a pipette tip, and to occlude an orifice of a pipette tip, are provided. Sample analysis devices and systems including pipette tips and mixing vessels configured to engage each other for pressure application within the tip are provided.

In accordance with embodiments, a transport mechanism transports a first sample container to a sample aspiration position. A setting part may set a second sample container, that accommodates a sample to be measured, with priority over a measurement of a sample in a first sample container. A nozzle may be capable of moving a sample from a first sample container at a sample aspiration position, and aspirating the sample from the second sample container. A detector may detect components of the sample. A controller may control a transport mechanism such that the first sample container moves to a position distant from the sample aspiration position, when the first sample container has been transported and when sample aspiration of the second sample container is required. A controller may execute control to move the nozzle above the sample aspiration position in state in which the first sample container is distant from the sample aspiration position.

Disclosed is a urine sample dispensing method. The method comprises: (i) suctioning a urine sample using a nozzle; (ii) flowing the urine sample suctioned by the nozzle through a filter for capturing foreign matter, the filter being provided in a flow path connected to the nozzle; and (iii) changing a flow course of the urine sample or a position of the filter so that the filter is not positioned on the flow course of the urine sample, when the urine sample that has passed through the filter is discharged from the nozzle.

A detection device for detecting a substance to be detected contained in a specimen has a pipette that has a detachable pipette tip and that suctions or discharges a specimen in a container, a pipette-moving unit for moving the pipette, and a control unit for controlling the pipette and pipette-moving unit. The control unit controls the pipette and the pipette-moving unit so that the pipette suctions a portion of specimen in the container with the pipette-moving unit having moved the distal end of the pipette tip to a position (a) in the lower side of the container, and thereafter discharges in the container the specimen suctioned by the pipette to stir the specimen with the pipette-moving unit having moved the distal end of the pipette tip to a position (b) above the position (a).

A particle dispersion method for dispersing particles (500) fixed on the inner surface of a container (12) into a liquid. The particle dispersion method includes a discharge step of discharging a liquid into the container (12). The container (12) has a cylindrical main body part (310), and an inclined part (311) having an inner diameter that decreases from the main body part (310) side to the bottom part side and having a constant angle relative to the central axis of the container. In the discharge step, the liquid is discharged from above the inclined part (311) toward the inclined part (311) on the side opposite the particles (500) fixed to the inner surface of the container (12) across the central axis (300) of the container (12).

The present invention relates to a process for preparing and analyzing a plurality of cell suspensions (5) comprising at least the following successive steps: (a) loading a plurality of bottles (4) onto a reception plate (6), each bottle (4) comprising a cell suspension (5) to be analyzed; (b) loading a plurality of analysis containers (32, 34, 36) onto the reception plate (6); and (c) taking a sample of a cell suspension (5) from a bottle (4) and depositing this sample in an analysis container (34, 36); wherein step (c) is repeated for each bottle (4) to be analyzed. Step (c) of taking a sample of a cell suspension from a bottle (4) and depositing this sample in an analysis container (34, 36) comprises at least one step of breaking up the cell clusters by virtue of pipetting distribution means (20). The invention also relates to an automated device for implementing this process.

A device for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface. The device has a shaft with a proximate end and a distal end and a tip integrated with the shaft at the proximate end. The tip has a surface adapted to collect microorganisms thereon or release microorganism from, or both, wherein the adapted surface comprises at least one feature of a recess or extension to increase surface area of the tip and collect microorganisms thereon. Examples of such features include microfeatures with dimensions of about 1000 ?m or less. Other examples include a pipette tip.

A microchip solution sending system may include a flow passage assembly that is at least provided with a fine flow passage that is provided with a detection region including a formed reaction field to which an antibody that reacts with a specific antigen is fixed; and a micro pump that is connected to the flow passage assembly and that is configured to send a specimen material solution that includes the specific antigen in a reciprocating manner. The specimen material solution that has been sent may pass through the detection region in a repetitive manner in the case in which the micro pump sends the specimen material solution in a reciprocating manner.