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.

An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved from the storage compartment by a tray shuttle, including extraction of selected samples from retrieved source trays and transfer of the selected samples into a separate, destination tray that can be further processed or removed from the system for use. The independent operation of the modules permits handling and processing to be performed simultaneously by different modules while the tray shuttle accesses additional samples within the storage compartment. In one embodiment, a vertical carousel is used to vertically align a desired tray with the tray shuttle, while the tray shuttle operates within a horizontal plane.

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.

There is provided an analyzer capable of stably supplying the cuvettes even if a great number of cuvettes is input to the storage section without thinking. The analyzer includes a storage section configured to store the plurality of input cuvettes, a take-out section configured to take out the cuvettes in the storage section from the storage section, and a vibration unit configured to vibrate the storage section to stimulate movement of the cuvettes in the storage section.

An automation system for use with an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a track and a plurality of carriers configured to move along the track and hold one or more of a plurality of samples and one or more of a plurality of reagents having reagent types. The system also includes one or more testing stations, one or more local reagent storage areas located at or proximate to the one or more testing stations and one or more central reagent storage areas. The system further includes a control system configured to direct the one or more reagents from the one or more local reagent storage areas to the one or more testing stations based on received reagent information and direct the one or more reagents from the one or more central reagent storage areas to the one or more testing stations based on the received reagent information.

This analysis apparatus includes a transporter transporting the specimens to the first measurement unit and the second measurement unit, and a control portion so controlling the transporter as to transport a first specimen container, stored in the rack, storing a first specimen to the first measurement unit and as to transport a second specimen container, stored in the rack along with the first specimen container, storing a second specimen to the second measurement unit.

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.

A sorting apparatus includes: a sorting device receiving and transporting a rack carrying vessels and transferring vessels from the rack to predetermined vessel loading portions; and a delivery device delivering the rack to the sorting device. The sorting device includes: a rack receiving unit capable of moving reciprocally between a rack delivery position where the rack is delivered and a sorting position where the vessels are loaded into the predetermined vessel loading portions; a transfer machine transferring the vessels from the rack on the rack receiving unit to the predetermined vessel loading portions; and a transportation mechanism on which the rack delivering unit and the transfer machine are installed. The transportation mechanism is installed so as to be capable of moving in a transportation direction in which rack receiving unit moves reciprocally. The transfer machine is capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to the transportation direction.

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 method and an automated system for testing liquid samples comprising a reaction vessel transferring device are presented. A first analytical unit for running a first diagnostic test comprises a rotatable first vessel holder detachably holding reaction vessels. A second analytical unit for running a second diagnostic test comprises a stationary linear second vessel holder detachably holding reaction vessels. The transferring device comprises a gripper for gripping a reaction vessel and transfers reaction vessels from the first vessel holder to the second vessel holder and/or vice versa. The device is translatable parallel to the second vessel holder and the gripper moves along a curved path between a picking position and a reaction vessel seat of the second vessel holder.