An automatic sample preparation system is disclosed. The automatic sample preparation system integrates sample pretreatment, extraction, quantitation, and solution preparation into one system. A replacement of manual operations with an automatic system can reduce time and labor costs, reduce human errors, and reduce contamination risk.

Disclosed is an automatic in-vitro diagnosis method for increasing diagnostic reliability and a diagnosis speed by automatically mixing a specimen taken from the body of a person with a reagent in volumes needed to diagnose the state of the person using the specimen, absorbing the mixture solution of the reagent and the specimen with an analysis strip for a predetermined time, and making a diagnosis by analysis.

The present invention provides a pipette tip, which can be used in in-vitro diagnostics, in particular in the diagnostic testing of body fluids, such as in coagulation testing. The Pipette tip contains two constituents in a spatially separated manner. The present invention furthermore provides a method of performing such diagnostics, e.g. coagulation analysis, and to the use of the pipette tip in such diagnostic testing.

In a liquid stirring method, after a second liquid is discharged into a reaction container accommodating a first liquid from a dispensing probe provided with a dispensing tip at the leading end thereof, a mixture of the first liquid and second liquid in the container is stirred by being sucked out and discharged by the dispensing probe. The number of stirrings through sucking out and discharging is changed according to the total volume of the first liquid and second liquid. If the total volume of the first liquid and second liquid is below a preset threshold, sucking out and discharging is repeated for a prescribed number of times.

Operations performed according to the example techniques described herein include controlling a probe to pierce a stopper of a container containing a substance, where the stopper provides an air-tight seal for the container, and where the air-tight seal supports an internal pressure in the container. The operations also include detecting the internal pressure based on information from a pressure sensor; determining that the internal pressure is not at a target pressure and, based on determining that the internal pressure is not at the target pressure, controlling the probe either to aspirate air from the container or to dispense air into the container in order to move the internal pressure toward the target pressure.

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.

A particle separation apparatus includes: a liquid supply unit A that supplies a liquid A to a separation device; and a control unit that controls the liquid supply unit A. A syringe is attached to the liquid supply unit A, and the liquid supply unit A produces a mixed liquid by mixing the liquid A and a liquid C in the syringe and supplies the liquid A from the syringe to the separation device as the mixed liquid. The control unit performs control to produce the mixed liquid in the syringe by suctioning the liquid A and the liquid C into the syringe.

The present invention provides a pipette tip, which can be used in in-vitro diagnostics, in particular in the diagnostic testing of body fluids, such as in coagulation testing. The Pipette tip contains two constituents in a spatially separated manner. The present invention furthermore provides a method of performing such diagnostics, e.g. coagulation analysis, and to the use of the pipette tip in such diagnostic testing.

A method using a chemical analyzer for removing a component of a liquid sample which may interfere with a test performed on a test assay includes the steps of adding the liquid sample to a sample cup, transferring a volume of the liquid sample to a mixing cup containing an IMAC (Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography) resin containing porous beads to form a sample/resin solution in the mixing cup, using a pipette of the chemical analyzer to repeatedly aspirate the sample/resin solution into a disposable pipette tip of the pipette and expelling the sample/resin solution from the pipette tip into the mixing cup to achieve a mixed sample/resin solution in the mixing cup, and allowing the mixed sample/resin solution in the mixing cup to rest undisturbed so that the interfering component of the liquid sample adheres to the porous beads and the beads settle to a bottom portion of the mixing cup, resulting in a refined liquid sample devoid of the interfering component and occupying an upper portion of the mixing cup for later dispensing on the test assay.

A pipette tip extension attachable to a pipette tip is disclosed. The pipette tip extension has a proximal end, a distal end, and an exterior wall extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The exterior wall has an outer side and an inner side and forms at the proximal end a reception aperture for inserting a pipette tip. The pipette tip extension also has a bottom at the distal end, an inner cavity enclosed by the inner side of the exterior wall and the bottom, and one or more distance elements arranged at the inner side of the exterior wall and protruding into the inner cavity.