The present invention relates to a system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in biological samples. More particularly, the invention relates to a system comprising a cooling, heating and fan arrangement for maintaining a predetermined optimum temperature of the samples during testing; a visual, circumferential and axial alignment system for aligning the samples within the carousel; a transfer system for transferring the samples from the carousel to the centrifuge; a balancing system of minimizing the rotational vibrations of the centrifuge; a safety system and anti-tipping design for the sample containing system; liquid dispensing arms for dispensing the buffered saline solution; and discharge ports for discharging and disposing of the liquid removed from the samples to a location external of the system.

Accurate measurement of acceleration caused by imbalance in the balance of a rotor is realized even in high-speed rotation with an acceleration sensor which has a processing speed required in low-speed rotation and a control unit. A centrifuge according to the present invention includes a rotor, a drive source for rotating the rotor, a rotating shaft for coupling the rotor and the drive source, an acceleration sensor, and a control unit. The acceleration sensor outputs values indicating acceleration in two different directions which are perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotating shaft. The control unit obtains an acceleration corresponding value, which is a value corresponding to acceleration in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft, based on values indicating acceleration in the two different directions and stops rotation of the rotor in a case where the acceleration corresponding value satisfies a determination criteria.

The invention relates to a sample carrier centrifuge for a sample carrier (24) that has at least one sample channel (26) extending along an essentially central sample channel longitudinal axis (P), having a sample carrier receptacle (14), which can be rotated around a rotation axis (R) and has a holding section (38) into which the sample carrier (24) can be inserted in a loading procedure when the sample carrier receptacle (14) is not rotating, in which section the sample carrier (24) is held in the loaded state of the sample carrier receptacle (14), and from which section the sample carrier (24) can be removed in an unloading procedure, which is characterized in that a platform (22) of the sample carrier centrifuge (10), which is embodied for supporting the sample carrier centrifuge (10) in accordance with its designated use, is oriented parallel to the rotation axis (R).

The invention relates to a sample carrier centrifuge for a sample carrier (24) that has at least one sample channel (26) extending along an essentially central sample channel longitudinal axis (P), having a sample carrier receptacle (14), which can be rotated around a rotation axis (R) and has a holding section (38) into which the sample carrier (24) can be inserted in a loading procedure when the sample carrier receptacle (14) is not rotating, in which section the sample carrier (24) is held in the loaded state of the sample carrier receptacle (14), and from which section the sample carrier (24) can be removed in an unloading procedure, which is characterized in that a platform (22) of the sample carrier centrifuge (10), which is embodied for supporting the sample carrier centrifuge (10) in accordance with its designated use, is oriented parallel to the rotation axis (R).

An analytical laboratory system and method for processing samples is disclosed. A sample container is transported from an input area to a distribution area by a gripper comprising a means for inspecting a tube. An image is captured of the sample container. The image is analyzed to determine a sample container identification. A liquid level of the sample in the sample container is determined. A scheduling system determines a priority for processing the sample container based on the sample container identification. The sample container is transported from the distribution area to a subsequent processing module by the gripper.

An analytical laboratory system and method for processing samples is disclosed. A sample container is transported from an input area to a distribution area by a gripper comprising a means for inspecting a tube. An image is captured of the sample container. The image is analyzed to determine a sample container identification. A liquid level of the sample in the sample container is determined. A scheduling system determines a priority for processing the sample container based on the sample container identification. The sample container is transported from the distribution area to a subsequent processing module by the gripper.

A centrifuge to which sample tubes can be introduced while the centrifuge is in motion. The centrifuge comprises a carousel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the carousel has a plurality of positions for sample tubes for a centrifugation operation, a plurality of drive mechanisms attached to the upper portion of the carousel, a movable element mounted upon each drive mechanism, the movable element capable of traversing the length of the drive mechanism when the drive mechanism is actuated, a sample tube-holding assembly comprising a sample tube holder and a bearing attached to each movable element, and at least one balancing element capable of contributing to a force vector that cancels an imbalance vector generated by rotation of the centrifuge.

A biological material measuring instrument is described. The biological material measuring instrument includes a rotating body and a main body. The rotating body includes one or more cartridge holders having cuvettes in which a reagent and an analyte in a sample react. The main body includes a pair of light-emitting parts and light-receiving parts to optically measure the analyte in the sample. The rotating body further includes a light-emitting optical waveguide for guiding the light of the light-emitting parts to the cuvette, and a light-receiving optical waveguide for guiding.

A biological material measuring instrument is described. The biological material measuring instrument includes a rotating body and a main body. The rotating body includes one or more cartridge holders having cuvettes in which a reagent and an analyte in a sample react. The main body includes a pair of light-emitting parts and light-receiving parts to optically measure the analyte in the sample. The rotating body further includes a light-emitting optical waveguide for guiding the light of the light-emitting parts to the cuvette, and a light-receiving optical waveguide for guiding.

A method of testing a sensing device with a sensing mass includes accelerating the sensing device along a circular path about a central axis. The sensing mass of the sensing device may be movable relative to the central axis. The method includes determining a position of the sensing mass of the sensing device via a sensor and shifting the sensing device radially relative to the central axis based at least in part on the position of the sensing mass during acceleration.