The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for point-of-care and/or distributed testing services. The methods and devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device can be modified to allow for more flexible and robust use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical, laboratory, and other applications. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can allow for effective use of samples by improved sample preparation and analysis.

The invention relates to a centrifuge cup, which has a container and a cover. The cover has a lever including a guide element in each case on opposing edge areas thereof. The guide elements are able to be introduced into an associated guide path of the container by pivoting the lever. The guide elements are implemented in such a way that in a closed state of the cover with the container, a clamping force (F) having vertical force component (F.sub.y) and horizontal force component (F.sub.x) is provided at a contact point or a contact line of the guide elements with the particular associated guide path.

A method, system, and device for separating oil from oil sands or oil shale is disclosed. The method includes heating the oil sands, spinning the heated oil sands, confining the sand particles mechanically, and recovering the oil substantially free of the sand. The method can be used without the addition of chemical extraction agents. The system includes a source of centrifugal force, a heat source, a separation device, and a recovery device. The separation device includes a method of confining the sands while allowing the oil to escape, such as through an aperture.

A centrifugal separating assembly for separating a fluid biological product into discrete components by centrifugation is disclosed. The assembly includes a first container defining a first cavity adapted to receive a human biological product, the first container having a circular upper wall, a cylindrical sidewall, and a concave shaped bottom wall. The assembly further includes a second container defining a second cavity adapted to receive discrete components, the second container having a convex shaped upper wall, a second cylindrical wall, and a circular bottom wall; and a tubular conduit providing fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity.

The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for point-of-care and/or distributed testing services. The methods and devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device can be modified to allow for more flexible and robust use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical, laboratory, and other applications. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can allow for effective use of samples by improved sample preparation and analysis.

An automatic processing device for liquid samples includes a sample region, a control module, an image identification device and a centrifuge. The sample region is configured to accommodate a plurality of centrifuge tubes. The control module includes a mechanical module. The mechanical module is configured to unscrew or tighten upper caps of the centrifuge tubes, and is configured to draw liquid from the centrifuge tubes or discharge liquid to the centrifuge tubes. The image identification device is coupled to the control module. The centrifuge is coupled to the control module. The centrifuge is configured to accommodate the centrifuge tubes and perform centrifugal treatment.

An automated computer-controlled sampling system and related methods for collecting, processing, and analyzing agricultural samples for various chemical properties such as plant available nutrients. The sampling system allows multiple samples to be processed and analyzed for different analytes or chemical properties in a simultaneous concurrent or semi-concurrent manner. Advantageously, the system can process soil samples in the as collected condition without drying or grinding. The system generally includes a sample preparation sub-system which receives soil samples collected by a probe collection sub-system and produces a slurry (i.e. mixture of soil, vegetation, and/or manure and water), and a chemical analysis sub-system which processes the prepared slurry samples for quantifying multiple analytes and/or chemical properties of the sample. The sample preparation and chemical analysis sub-systems can be used to analyze soil, vegetation, and/or manure samples.

In a cell washing centrifuge for washing living cells such as blood cells, control of the remaining amount of a supernatant according to the related art greatly depends on controlling the rotation speed of a motor, and thus a highly accurate motor control part is required to prevent overshooting or the like. In place of the related art, an easy control method is required. In the discharging of a supernatant discharge by a centrifuge having a plurality of test tube holders that can radially swing through centrifugal force, a holding part using an electromagnet that can control the swinging of the test tube holders, and a cleaning liquid distribution element that supplies a cleaning liquid into a test tube, a first decanting operation ({circle around (3)}-1) is performed by rotating a rotor in the order of acceleration, settling, and deceleration in a state in which the agitating angle of the test tube is restricted and discharging the supernatant of the cleaning liquid from the test tube, and a second decanting operation ({circle around (3)}-2) is performed, at a time of a final decanting operation, by accelerating the rotor, releasing restriction on the agitating angle during the acceleration, and then decelerating the rotor.

A spring operated swing out rotor system for a centrifuge includes a rotor with a rotor top and a rotor bay extending down from the rotor top, the rotor bay having a bay wall and a bay bottom; a carrier tray rotatably attached to a retaining element on the bay wall; and a compression-resistant element between the tray and the bay wall urging the tray to rotate away from the bay wall, so that when the rotor is at rest, the tray is maintained at a positive angle from vertical, and when the centrifuge spins the rotor, centrifugal force positions the tray at a vertical angle. The compression-resistant element may be a spring or soft foam.

A centrifugal separating assembly for separating a fluid biological product into discrete components by centrifugation is disclosed. The assembly includes a first container defining a first cavity adapted to receive a human biological product, the first container having a circular upper wall, a cylindrical sidewall, and a concave shaped bottom wall. The assembly further includes a second container defining a second cavity adapted to receive discrete components, the second container having a convex shaped upper wall, a second cylindrical wall, and a circular bottom wall; and a tubular conduit providing fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity.