A sample container carrier for transporting sample containers, for example test tubes and/or vials, in a laboratory automation system is presented. The sample container carrier comprises a body having a hollow center with a central axis. The hollow center accommodates a lower end of a sample container. The sample container carrier also comprises three resiliently deformable and/or displaceable first retaining elements mounted to the body. The first retaining elements, distributed about the central axis, clamp a sample container inserted in the hollow center. The sample container carrier also comprises three resiliently deformable and/or displaceable second retaining elements mounted to the body. The second retaining elements, distributed about the central axis, clamp the sample container inserted in the hollow center underneath the three first retaining elements. The second retaining elements are arranged at least partly inside the hollow center.

Disclosed is a gripping device for a container intended for a biological analysis, including an annular part of X axis, elastically deformable gripping fins extending radially inwardly from the annular part, the fins being capable of being deformed when a container is introduced into the annular part, the fins being evenly distributed over the circumference. Each fin has a so-called upper surface and an opposite so-called lower surface, the lower surface being intended to come into contact with the container, the lower surface having a concave zone, or vice versa.

A sample processing or assay instrument includes a moveable support. The moveable support defines a first pocket configured to receive a first object having a first machine-readable mark. The moveable support defines a second pocket configured to receive a second object having a second machine-readable mark. The moveable support also includes a first fiducial machine-readable mark and a second fiducial machine-readable mark. The instrument also includes an image capture device that captures a first image including the first fiducial machine-readable mark and the first machine-readable mark of the first object. The image capture device captures a second image that includes the second fiducial machine-readable mark and the second machine-readable mark of the second object. The instrument also includes a processor configured to associate information decoded from the first and second machine-readable marks with first and second locations on the moveable support.

The present invention provides an automatic blood-sampling tube preparation system which can reduce the reading mistake of the information of the RFID tags by selectively taking out a blood-sampling tube required to an examination of a patient according to a doctor's instruction information from the blood-sampling tube containing section, writing the patient examination information on a RFID tag of the taken out tube on the basis of the instruction information, reading simultaneously all patient examination information from all RFID tags contained in the prepared container for every patient, and comparing the information read from the RFID tags with the instruction information to ensure accuracy.

A sample processing apparatus comprises a transporting section configured to transport a sample rack that is capable of holding a sample container at a plurality of holding positions, a detecting section that is configured to detect presence or absence of a rack distinction member at a holding position of the sample rack, an aspirating section that is configured to aspirate a sample in the sample container, and a control section that is configured to control an aspirating operation of the aspirating section. The control section changes an aspirating operation with respect to the sample container held in the sample rack based on the presence/absence of the rack distinction member at the holding position of the sample rack.

Methods and systems for ordering assays which detect SNPs or gene expression are provided. The methods use PCR and RT-PCR procedures. Collections of stock assays are assembled using pre- and post-manufacturing quality control procedures and made available to consumers via the Internet. In addition, custom assays are prepared upon order from the consumer and these assays are also prepared using pre- and post-manufacturing quality control procedures. The assays are then delivered to the consumer.

A method of reading machine-readable marks on a movable support and object of a sample instrument. The method includes capturing a first image of the moveable support as the moveable support moves from a first position to a second position using an image capture device; determining whether a first fiducial machine-readable mark on the moveable support is in the first image; determining, when the first fiducial machine-readable mark is in the first image, whether a first machine-readable mark on a first object coupled to the moveable support is in the first image at a predetermined position relative to the first fiducial machine-readable mark; and associating information decoded from the first machine-readable mark on the first object with a first location on the moveable support associated with the first fiducial machine-readable mark.

A sensor device for detecting transport parameters representative of those experienced by a sample during transportation is provided. The sample is stored in a container. The sensor device includes a housing with a configuration that generally matches the configuration of the container, a hardened substrate portion formed from a substrate material, and a sensor assembly comprising at least one sensor for detecting at least one transport parameter (e.g. acceleration, orientation, temperature, etc.). The sensor assembly is secured within the housing by the hardened substrate portion. Optionally, a weight of the device approximates a combined weight of the container and the sample stored therein. The weight of the sensor device can be adjusted. When the device is positioned proximate to the container during transportation, the at least one transport parameter detected by the at least one sensor is analogous to that at least one transport parameter experienced in the container.

Described is an antenna comprising two oppositely wound antenna coils, each antenna coil formed by concentric conductor coils. An outermost conductor coil of one antenna coil is conductively connected to an outermost conductor coil of the other antenna coil via a shared conductive portion. An innermost conductor coil of each antenna coil terminates in a bridge connector, and a bridge conductively links the bridge connectors.

An analytic plate or other substrate having a permanent etchable, laserable, and/or developable marking surface coating (referred to herein as an “etchable coating” or as a “developable coating”) that is present on at least a portion of any side or surface thereof and is used to deposit a permanent indicium thereon, and a method of using the analytic plate or substrate.