An automated selecting and mixing machine including a cabin disposed within a housing structure, the cabin configured to receive a container from a user, the container containing a base medium, a container engagement element, the container engagement element being movable from a first position to a second position to manipulate a lid of the container, a plurality of dispensers, the plurality of dispensers configured to dispense an element into the container to mix with the base medium, a mixing mechanism located in the cabin, configured to manipulate the container positioned within the cabin to achieve a mixed product, and a user interface coupled to the housing structure, wherein a user selects the mixed product using the user interface to initiate an automated process of the automated selecting and mixing machine, is provided. Furthermore, an associated method, computer system, and computer program product is also provided.

A method for mixing a fluid includes: dispensing a first volume of a fluid into a flexible container, the flexible container being at least partially disposed within the chamber of a support housing; repeatedly moving the support housing and the flexible container contained therein so as to mix the first volume of fluid within the flexible container; adding further fluid into the flexible container after moving the support housing to form a second volume of fluid; and manipulating a mixing element within the flexible container so as to mix the second volume of fluid.

The disclosure is directed to a sample preparation apparatus for grinding or homogenizing test samples. More specifically, the disclosure relates to grinding samples using rotational and linear motion. Grinding samples can be accomplished with an apparatus with a slider-crank mechanism that is attached to an oscillating connecting linkage. The amplitude of oscillatory motion can be greater than or equal to a length of a sample processing chamber.

The present disclosure relates to blood sample preparation devices and methods. In some embodiments, a method for preparing a blood sample comprises: receiving at a sample preparation machine a sample container containing the blood sample; scanning an identifier of the sample container, the identifier containing information indicative of a characteristic of at least one of the sample container or the blood sample contained therein, actuating, after the scanning, and based on the information, the sample container to repeatedly change a position of the sample container; determining, based on the information, whether the sample container should be centrifuged; and transporting the sample container to a centrifuge to be centrifuged and then to a storage compartment when the determining indicates that the sample container should be centrifuged, and to the storage compartment without entering the centrifuge when the determining indicates that the sample container should not be centrifuged.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to a vessel support apparatus and to uses of the vessel support, such as in the laboratory setting. Apparatus of this disclosure may secure a vessel thereto, such as when the apparatus is in operation or use. Vessel support apparatus will comprise a vessel supporting means and one or more means for securing the vessel to the supporting means.

The invention relates to a method for using a medical syringe, in which method the medical syringe comprises a cylinder part with retaining lugs or a retaining flange and a needle, and a plunger part which is movable within the cylinder part by moving the plunger rod extending outside the cylinder part with respect to the cylinder part, and the method comprising moving the plunger part with respect to the cylinder part by at least one industrial robot either outwards for drawing liquid into the medical syringe or inwards for injecting the liquid out of the medical syringe. In the method according to the invention, the plunger part is gripped with a gripper configured to prevent the plunger part from turning with respect to the gripper. The invention also relates to an apparatus for using a medical syringe, and a method and an apparatus for dissolving a pharmaceutical substance in a liquid by utilizing the method according to the invention for using a medical syringe.

An apparatus for preparing a reagent solution includes an enclosure and a container disposed within the enclosure. The container defines an internal cavity having a compressible volume and defines a passage providing fluidic communication between the internal cavity and the exterior of the container. Optionally, a compressible member is disposed within the internal cavity. A reagent is disposed within the internal cavity.

Disclosed herein are devices, apparatuses, and methods for grinding of samples. A method includes securing a sample vial in a holder attached to a connecting linkage, the sample vial having a grinding media in the sample vial. The method includes rotating a crank that is operatively coupled to a proximal end of the connecting linkage at a proximal pivot point so that the proximal pivot point undergoes rotational motion. The method includes restricting a distal pivot point of the connecting linkage to a linear path, the distal pivot point near a distal end of the connecting linkage. A result being that the sample vial undergoes a combination of rotational and linear motion.