A method and system for automatic in-vitro diagnostic analysis are described. The method includes adding a first reagent type and a second reagent type to a first test liquid during a first and second cycle times respectively. The addition of the first reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a second reagent type to a second test liquid during the first cycle time. The addition of the second reagent type to the first test liquid includes parallel addition of a first reagent type to a third test liquid during the second cycle time, respectively.

An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological specimen on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. The reaction conditions for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.

A chemistry analyzer is disclosed that can include a unitary base with vertical and horizontal supports for constraining subassemblies. The subassemblies include at least a reagent/sample carousel subassembly, a transfer arm subassembly, and a reaction carousel subassembly. A centralized hydraulic system can also be provided behind a user access panel. The analyzer can use machine-readable test specifications coupled with its reagent vessels to define tests that include operations that employ the reagents. The analyzer can also display to the operator a pictorial representation that includes graphical elements that convey levels of usage for the storage vessels, and access icons that are each associated with a color and each lead to a set of screens for different types of operations for the analyzer.

The present invention relates to a method of preparing analyses of total blood samples and to a device that is useful for implementing the method, said samples being conserved in tubes including at least one identification means for identifying the sample, the device comprising: at least one compartment constituting a said storage zone for storing said tubes before and after analysis; and at least one said read means for reading said identification means of said tubes; and at least one preparation zone for preparing said blood samples prior to analysis and including means for verifying and/or treating said tubes containing said samples, and in particular at least one agitator means for agitating said tubes; and at least one access zone giving access to at least one automatic analyzer of total blood, said access zone enabling a said tube to be placed in said analyzer; and robotic gripper and displacement means controlled by an automatic controller and suitable for taking hold of and replacing said tubes individually in said storage zone and for conveying them in at least three directions XYZ between said storage zone, said preparation zone and said access zone giving access to said analyzer, said analyzer preferably being connected to and/or controlled by said automatic controller.

A laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a plurality of container carriers. The container carriers each comprise at least one magnetically active device such as, for example, at least one permanent magnet, and carry a sample container containing a sample. The system further comprises a transport plane to carry the multiple container carriers and a plurality of electro-magnetic actuators stationary arranged below the transport plane. The electro-magnetic actuators move a container carrier on top of the transport plane by applying a magnetic force to the container carrier. The system also comprises at least one transfer device to transfer a sample item, wherein the sample item is a container carrier, a sample container, part of the sample and/or the complete sample, between the transport plane and a laboratory station such as, for example, a pre-analytical, an analytical and/or a post-analytical station.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the analyzer includes a reagent driving disk that accommodates a reagent configured for analysis and that transports the reagent to a desired position, and a fixed disk that has a reagent stand-by position in which to make a reagent container containing the reagent, temporarily stand by, and a magnetic particles stirring position for stirring magnetic particles. A portion of the reagent stand-by position is constituted by a loading system. A reagent container moving unit moves reagent containers containing the reagent, between the reagent driving unit and the fixed disk, according to analytical request status. Providing in a part of the fixed disk the loading system constructed so that reagent containers containing the reagent can be mounted therein during operation enables changing of reagent containers, irrespective of an operational status of the reagent driving disk, and the system to having cold-storage functionality.

We describe apparatuses, systems, method, reagents, and kits for conducting assays as well as process for their preparation. They are particularly well suited for conducting automated sampling, sample preparation, and analysis in a multi-well plate assay format. For example, they may be used for automated analysis of particulates in air and/or liquid samples derived therefrom in environmental monitoring.

An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. The reaction conditions for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.

A system and method for the processing of nucleic acids containing fluids involving manipulation of magnetically responsive particles contained therein are disclosed. In the system, a holder holds a plurality of containers containing the fluids, a heating device applies thermal energy to the fluids for incubation, and a separating device magnetically separates the particles. The heating and separating devices move into at least one operative position for processing the fluids and at least one inoperative position with respect to the containers, in which the containers are kept stationary at least during and in-between incubating the fluids and manipulating the magnetically responsive particles.

A sample processing system 101 that may be automated and methods are disclosed where a number of sample processing systems 101, such as stainer, may be connected to a number of separate full function computers 181 through a stainer network 183 that may be isolated from other communication traffic. A network configuration may permit scalability and addressability so that additional sample processing systems 101, additional separate full function computers 181, and additional other devices such as label printers 200 may be easily added to the system. One or more remote information links 171 may be provided so that information transfer on a continuous or perhaps constant basis can be accommodated.