A method and device for analyzing a hematologic sample centrifuged within a capillary tube is provided. The device includes a tube holder, a sample imaging device, a processor, and a sample data display. The sample imaging device is operable to create a digital image of the sample within a region of the tube. The region is defined by substantially all of the radial width and axial length of the sample residing within the internal cavity of the tube in the region where the float resides after centrifugation. The sample imaging device is operable to produce signals representative of the image. The processor is adapted to produce information relating to bands of interest within the image based on the signals from the sample imaging device. The sample data display is adapted to display the results therefrom and/or a digital image of the sample within the region.

A method and an apparatus for thermal processing of nucleic acid in a thermal profile. The method employs at least a first bath and a second bath, the method further employing a reactor holder for holding reactor(s) accommodating reaction material containing the nucleic acid. The method includes maintaining bath mediums in the baths at two different temperatures; and alternately allowing the reactor(s) to be in the two baths in a plurality of thermal cycles to alternately attain a predetermined high target temperature T.sub.HT, and a predetermined low target temperature T.sub.LT, wherein the bath medium in at least one of the baths is a high thermal conductivity powder.

A gripping apparatus includes: a temperature adjusting device held in a substrate wherein the substrate defines an open region; a phase change material held within the open region and thermally coupled with the temperature adjusting device such that a temperature change in the temperature adjusting device causes a temperature change in the phase change material; and a controller connected to the temperature adjusting device and configured to send a signal to the temperature adjusting device to change its temperature and thereby change the temperature of the phase change material that is thermally coupled with the temperature adjusting device. The phase change material is either in a solid state and configured to grip a stick or in a liquid state and the phase change material and configured to loosen its grip on the stick such that the stick is capable of moving through the phase change material.

A capillary tube holder is provided for holding a capillary tube. The capillary tube holder includes a holder insert and a holder base. The holder insert includes a capillary groove configured for receiving the capillary tube. The holder base is configured for slidably receiving and retaining the holder insert therein.

The invention relates to arrays with a plurality of capillaries being arranged in a plane and mechanically attached to the array, wherein the distance of adjacent capillaries is approximately 2.25 mm or an integer multiple thereof. At least one free end of each capillary projects from the array in such a way that the free ends of the capillaries may be simultaneously inserted into wells of a microwell plate.

The invention relates to a sample acquiring device holder (3) for a housing (2) of an analysis apparatus (1). The sample acquiring device holder (3) may comprise an activating element (5) and a reception recess (11) for receiving a sample acquiring device (4). A first portion (10) of the activating element (5) may protrude into the reception recess (11), if the activating element (5) is in a non-activating position. The activating element (5) may be adapted to be moved into an activating position by the sample acquiring device (4), if the sample acquiring device (4) is inserted into an intended measurement position within the reception recess (11). The activating element (5) may be adapted to activate a measurement triggering element (15), if the activating element (5) is in its activating position, such that the measurement triggering element (15) activates a measurement of the analysis apparatus (1).

An apparatus for thermal processing of nucleic acid in a thermal profile. The apparatus employs a reactor holder for holding reactors to accommodate reaction material containing nucleic acid. The apparatus includes at least two baths separated by thermally insulating partition plate(s) where bath mediums are each maintainable at a predetermined temperature; and a transfer means for allowing the reactors to change position once or plurality of times between any two adjacent baths by selectively opening the partition plate(s) and without lifting the reactors out of the baths.

Apparatus and method for thermal processing of nucleic acid in a thermal profile is provided. The apparatus employs a reactor holder for holding reactor(s) each accommodating reaction material containing the nucleic acid. The apparatus comprises a first bath; and a second bath, bath mediums in the baths being respectively maintainable at two different temperatures T.sub.HIGH and T.sub.LOW; and a transfer means for allowing the reactor(s) to be in the two baths in a plurality of thermal cycles to alternately attain: a predetermined high target temperature T.sub.HT, and a predetermined low target temperature T.sub.LT, while the apparatus adapts to a temperature-offset feature defined by at least one condition from the group consisting: a) the T.sub.HT is lower than the T.sub.HIGH, b) the T.sub.LT is higher than the T.sub.LOW, and c) the conditions at a) and b).

An apparatus for thermally processing reaction material containing nucleic acid is provided. A reaction material is contained in reactors. The apparatus includes a reactor holder for statically holding the reactors; at least two heating means each being maintainable at a user specifiable temperature; and a transport means for positioning the heating means to make a contact with the reactors one at a time for specified duration. The positioning is conductable once or over a plurality of times for thermally processing the reactors between a plurality of temperatures.

An apparatus for thermal processing nucleic acid in a thermal profile. The apparatus employs a reactor holder for holding reactor(s) each accommodating reaction material containing the nucleic acid. The apparatus includes a first bath; and a second bath, bath mediums in the baths being respectively maintainable at two different temperatures; and a transfer means for allowing the reactor(s) to be in the two baths in a plurality of thermal cycles to alternately attain: a predetermined high target temperature T.sub.HT, and a predetermined low target temperature T.sub.LT; and reciprocating means to enable relative reciprocating motion between the holder and at least one bath while the reactor(s) is/are placed in the at least one bath, the relative reciprocating motion being executable by shaking the bath or the holder or both.