A flexible instrument control and data storage/management system and method for representing and processing assay plates having one or more predefined plate locations is disclosed. The system utilizes a graph data structure, layer objects and data objects. The layer objects map the graph data structure to the data objects. The graph data structure can comprise one node for each of the one or more predefined plate locations, wherein the nodes can be hierarchically defined according to a predefined plate location hierarchy. Each node can be given a unique node identifier, a node type and a node association that implements the predefined plate location hierarchy. The layer objects can include an index that maps the node identifiers to the data objects.

Certain configurations are described herein of a fluid handling apparatus that comprises a projector configured to provide an image of labware onto a support. The provided image can be used to assist a user in proper placement of the labware onto the support. The system can be configured to determine if the labware has been properly placed prior to beginning any fluid handling operations.

Luminescence test measurements are conducted using an assay module having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.

Covers for microwells, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the liquids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate and comprise alignment adjusting members for adjusting the alignment of the cover with a microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.

A laboratory analyzer for manually handling a plurality of reagents is disclosed. The laboratory analyzer comprises a computing device comprising a display for displaying a workflow of a pipetting process comprising a plurality of method steps to an operator, a pipette for pipetting reagents connected to the computing device, a plurality of compartments for receiving a plurality of reagents vessels including reagents to be pipetted by the pipette, and a camera connected to the computing device. The camera is adapted to acquire data from a vision analysis of at least the plurality of compartments during manually carrying out a pipetting process by the operator according to the workflow. The computing device is adapted to compare the data to target data correlated to the plurality of method steps of the workflow. Further, a method for operating a laboratory analyzer for manually handling a plurality of reagents is disclosed.

Disclosed is a molecular diagnosis cartridge which is formed so that a molecular diagnosis chip can be easily inserted therein. The molecular diagnosis cartridge accommodating the molecular diagnosis chip comprises: a cartridge bottom member arranged on the lower portion; a hinge sub-ring arranged along the outer circumference of the cartridge bottom member; a cartridge outline member which is accommodated in a space defined by the hinge sub-ring fastened with the cartridge bottom member; a chip sliding member which has a shape surrounding the molecular diagnosis chip, is arranged on the cartridge outline member, and accommodates the molecular diagnosis chip that is inserted in an inclined direction; and a torsion spring-like member which is fastened with a kind of a seesaw axle protruding from the inner wall of the cartridge outline member, supports the chip sliding member to be inclined with respect to the cartridge bottom member in an open mode operation, and supports the chip sliding member to be parallel to the cartridge bottom member in a close mode operation. According to the present invention, the molecular diagnosis chip is inclinedly inserted in the chip sliding member, and easiness in insertion of the molecular diagnosis chip can be achieved. Also, as the cartridge cover is pressed, the chip sliding member accommodating the molecular diagnosis chip makes a seesaw movement on the basis of the seesaw axle and is moved to the cartridge bottom member, and thus, the molecular diagnosis chip arranged in the chip sliding member can be seated in the molecular diagnosis cartridge.

Specimen collection slides, methods of fabricating and methods of utilizing such specimen collection slides whereby each specimen collection slide includes a top rigid layer with an opening, a bottom rigid layer with an opening substantially the same size as the top layer opening, a middle rigid section having an opening larger than the openings in both the top and bottom layers, and a filtration media residing within the opening in the middle section. The top, bottom and middle are secured together to provide the resultant slide with thickness and rigidity that lends the slide to be utilized in automated handling processes and instruments. The middle section of the slide encases the filtration media and sandwiches it between the top and bottom layers so that the filtration media is protected from damage. Each slide may have its own unique identifier.

A scissors actuator is configured to translate a support platform in either of opposed lateral directions with respect to a base frame and includes a first arm, a second arm, wherein the first and second arms are rotatably connected at intermediate positions between their respective first and second ends, the first arm is pivotably attached at its first end to the base frame, and the second arm and is pivotably attached at its second end to the support platform. A first slide is disposed within a first linear track formed in the support platform and includes a bearing protruding from a side of the first slide for rolling contact with a side of the first linear track formed in the support platform. The first arm is pivotably and translatably attached at its second end to the support platform by the first slide. A second slide is disposed within a second linear track formed in the base frame and includes a bearing protruding from a side of the second slide for rolling contact with a side of the second linear track formed in the base frame. The second arm is pivotably and translatably attached at its first end to the base frame by the second slide.

A carrier support moveable between a first position and a second position is configured to hold a carrier for holding a plurality of receptacles. The carrier support includes a carrier locking mechanism to lock the carrier with respect to the carrier support when the carrier support is in the second position and to release the carrier when the carrier support is in the first position to permit the carrier to be removed from the carrier support when the carrier support is in the first position. The carrier locking mechanism includes a pivoting latch configured to pivot between a first position not engaged with a portion of the carrier and a second position engaged with a portion of the carrier and a slide latch configured to translate linearly between a first position not engaged with a portion of the carrier and a second position engaged with a portion of the carrier.

An apparatus includes vertically spaced holding shelves, each including first and second shelf portions separated by an open area. A carrier configured to hold consumables is longer than the open area so that ends of the carrier can be supported on the first and second shelf portions. A transporter includes a support chassis laterally spaced from the holding shelves, a lift platform for carrying the carrier and having a length that is less than the length of the open area, a scissors actuator connecting the lift platform to the support chassis and configured to translate the lift platform laterally between a first position aligned with the support chassis and a second position laterally displaced from the support chassis and aligned with the open area of one of the holding shelves, and a transport elevator coupled to the support chassis for moving the support chassis in a vertical direction between the plurality of holding shelves.