The invention concerns an analyte meter (10) for medical tests having a meter housing (12), a strip port (14) mounted in an opening of the meter housing (12) and configured to receive a measuring part of a test strip (18), and a sealing insert (16) which is arranged within the strip port (14) and provides an insertion path for the test strip (18). For improved screening against contamination, it is proposed that the sealing insert (16) comprises a plurality of sealing elements (42) which are arranged consecutively along the insertion path, wherein each of the sealing elements (42) has a slit (46) that forms a sealed aperture for the test strip (18) to pass through.

A method and biological sample analyzer is described that adjusts airflow within a housing based upon altitude. A first volume of air is moved by at least one fan within a housing of a biological sample analyzer. A temperature of the first volume of air is measured within the biological sample analyzer with a temperature sensor within the housing of the biological sample. Power output of at least one heater positioned within the housing of the biological sample analyzer is measured. The measured power output of the at least one heater is analyzed at the measured temperature within the biological sample analyzer. And, the fan is adjusted to move a second volume of air different from the first volume of air by comparing the measured power output of the at least one heater and expected power output of the at least one heater.

The present invention is a specimen preparation method of preparing an observation specimen by placing an observation object on a light transmitting plate, comprising a conveyance step of conveying the observation object by a conveyance mechanism including a placement portion configured to place the observation object, and a transfer step of transferring the observation object from the placement portion of the conveyance mechanism onto the plate at a conveyance terminal end of the conveyance mechanism, wherein in the transfer step, a liquid is supplied to the placement portion on which the observation object is placed, and the observation object is carried by a flow of the liquid and transferred onto the plate.

The present invention describes a blotting material comprising a profiled region that has a portion configured to protrude at least partially into a space created within a boundary formed by the rim of a holder for a sample grid. Also described are methods for making such profiles and components used to make said profiles. There are also provided methods for removing excess liquid from a sample grid by bringing the profiled blotting material into association with the sample grid past the sample grid holder. Systems comprises means to hold a sample grid holder, means to hold the blotting paper, and means to bring the two together are also described.

A tissue processing system for processing a laboratory slide includes a slide holder for holding the slide, an outlet port positioned to direct a fluid stream onto the slide, and a device for moving the slide holder relative to the outlet port, or vice versa, to adjust a point on the slide at which the fluid stream is delivered onto the laboratory slide. The slide holder includes an absorbent pad configured to be positioned between one wall of the plurality of walls and a free edge of the slide for absorbing fluid travelling along the slide. A manifold of the system includes a first outlet port that directs a first fluid stream from a first fluid passageway onto the slide, and a second outlet port that directs a second fluid stream from a second fluid passageway onto a location of the slide that differs from the first fluid stream.

An air-drying storage device for cleaned slides, including a storage box and a slide rack; an upper right corner in the storage box is fixedly provided with a miniature air intaking pump, a lower left corner in the storage box is fixedly provided with a miniature air expelling pump; a plurality of positioning plates are arranged on left and right inner walls of the storage box; the slide rack is detachably arranged between the positioning plates; an upper end of the storage box is provided with an electric control box configured to controls entire circuit. The air expelling pump and the air expelling pump accelerate the air flow rate inside the storage box; a sealing device and a magnetic device are arranged between edges of the box doors and edges of the storage box to prevent air leakage; an ultraviolet sterilization lamp sterilize the inside of the storage box.

A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.

A tiltable stage assembly includes a base and a tiltable stage operably coupled to the base and pivotable relative to the base. The tiltable stage is moveable between an initial position and a tilted position, wherein the tiltable stage is parallel with the base in the initial position and is oriented at an angle to the base when in the tilted position. The tiltable stage is biased to the initial position.

A device for imaging sensitive biological samples is provided. The device can include a plastic frame and a glass coverslip, each can be comprised of a biologically compatible material. The device can then be configured such that a biological sample placed therein can only be in contact with biologically compatible materials and, when imaged, provide optimal imaging characteristics by allowing imaging through the glass coverslip.

A sample staining device, comprising a staining platform provided with a staining solution and cleaning solution supply part; glass slide support structures located on either side of the staining platform and forming a certain clearance between a glass slide and the staining platform; and a glass slide driving mechanism that enables the glass slide to move while maintaining a certain clearance from the staining platform. When said device works, a staining solution is supplied to the staining platform, and a convex liquid surface is formed due to surface tension; when the glass slide moves to the convex liquid surface of the staining solution, the staining solution infiltrates and diffuses in the clearance formed between the staining platform and the glass slide to cover the glass slide so as to stain a sample; and after the glass slide is stained, a cleaning solution is supplied to clean the residual staining solution.