An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.

A sample measurement system includes: a measurement unit that measures a sample stored in a sample container; a transport unit that transports a rack capable of holding sample containers via the measurement unit; a first transport-in/transport-out unit and a second transport-in/transport-out unit in each of which racks can be set alongside in a first direction, and that send the set racks to be transported to the measurement unit and receive the racks transported from the measurement unit; and a controller that controls the first transport-in/transport-out unit and the second transport-in/transport-out unit so that the racks are sequentially sent from the first transport-in/transport-out unit and the second transport-in/transport-out unit. The first transport-in/transport-out unit and the second transport-in/transport-out unit are disposed alongside in a second direction crossing the first direction, and each send the racks from one side in the first direction, and receive the racks from the other side.

A method of obtaining and analyzing at least one tissue sample includes forming, in a tissue container, first tracking data associated with the at least one tissue sample. Second tracking data is formed, in a transport container. The second tracking data is associated with the at least one tissue sample. The at least one tissue sample is placed in the tissue container. The first and second tracking data from the tissue container and the transport container are scanned with an electronic scanning system to ensure that the first and second tracking data are both associated with the removed tissue sample.

A laboratory system for a laboratory automation system is presented. The laboratory system comprises a sample container carrier. The sample container carrier is configured to carry a laboratory sample container and comprises a removal detector. The removal detector is configured to interact with the laboratory sample container to detect a removal of the carried laboratory sample container from the sample container carrier. Furthermore, the laboratory system is configured to determine based on the detected removal that a before valid logic assignment of the sample container carrier to the carried laboratory sample container is invalid.

A device for performing in situ genetic analyses, conformed so as to be transportable manually by a user, which comprises a casing defining an internal compartment and a plurality of analysis units arranged in the internal compartment, where each analysis unit is configured to perform a respective and independent genetic analysis of at least one sample; each analysis unit comprises a sample holder compartment accessible by the user and adapted to accommodate at least one sample; a command and control unit; at least one sensor selected among an optical, acceleration, temperature, pressure, motion, chemical sensor or a combination thereof, configured to detect a first physical quantity relative to the genetic analysis of the at least one sample and to transduce the first physical quantity into a first signal which is indicative of the state of progress of the genetic analysis, the command and control unit is in signal communication with the at least one sensor for receiving said first signal; the analysis unit further comprises a plurality of instruments, configured to perform the genetic analysis of the sample, comprising an amplification and optical detection device configured to detect at least a second physical quantity relative to the genetic analysis and to transduce the second physical quantity into at least a second signal which is indicative of the outcome of the genetic analysis, the command and control unit is in signal communication with the amplification and optical detection device for receiving said second signal; the device further comprises a processing unit, in signal communication with the command and control unit of each analysis unit for receiving the respective first signals and the respective second signals.

A cassette holder holds a cassette for medical use. It includes a cassette receiving portion that includes a bottom surface to which a lower surface of the cassette is brought into contact when the cassette is set, and a plate-shaped portion that is provided in the cassette receiving portion, has a substantially plate-like shape, and extends substantially parallel to the bottom surface, and a protrusion inside of which is hollow, the protrusion being provided to the bottom surface to protrude downward. The bottom surface and the protrusion are provided with a plurality of through holes.

An apparatus for cryostorage and manipulation of a plurality of container units includes a cryochamber having a cryo-access port. The cryochamber is electrically cooled at cryogenic temperatures. A unit holder is located inside the cryochamber and is configured to hold a plurality of container units. A user access area is provided for selectively permitting access to a chosen container unit by an authenticated user who has been authenticated by the apparatus. A motive grasper is provided for selectively removing the chosen container unit from the cryochamber through the cryo-access port, and selectively placing the chosen container unit into the user access area.

Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for positioning and securing an excised biological tissue specimen for imaging and analysis. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a sample bag defining an inner volume configured to receive a biological tissue sample, and a sealing member coupled to the sample bag. An imaging window is disposed and configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of the biological tissue sample, and a positioning member is coupled to the imaging window and is configured to be disposed against the sealing member to substantially seal the inner volume. The positioning member includes a vacuum port disposed and configured to be aligned with a vacuum source to withdraw air from the inner volume of the sample bag.

The invention relates to a sealed container (1) comprising a flange (5, 6) that delimits a through-passage having an axial axis in the container, a door (7) movably mounted on the flange (5, 6), and a first annular seal (13) located between the flange (5, 6) and the door (7), the flange, the door and the first seal forming a sealed connection device that can be connected to a complementary connection device on a sterile enclosure by bayonet connection means in order to allow sterile communication between the sealed container and the sterile enclosure, characterized in that the container (1) includes a protective cover (20) on the connection device, said protective cover being forcibly clipped onto the container, and in that the container further includes contact pressure means arranged between the protective cover (20) and the connection device so as to apply contact pressure to the connection device in the axial direction proportional to the clipping force.

A system for collecting a sample of a liquid, the system including a liquid storage vessel including an opening, and a capping element configured to seal the opening of the storage vessel is provided. The capping element includes a chamber configured to store a sample of the liquid separate to the liquid storage vessel. The capping element includes a pipette element defining the chamber that is configured to store the sample of liquid taken from the storage vessel.