Methods and apparatus that enable drying and curing a plurality of specimens carried by a plurality of microscope slides. Slide carriers are positioned at a first position while the slide carrier holds the microscope slides. Each of the specimens can be carried by one of the microscope slides. The slide carrier can be robotically moved to move the slide carrier into a circulation loop defined by a heater apparatus. The specimens and/or microscope slides can be convectively heated while the slide carrier is located in the circulation loop.

Provided is an automatic analysis device that can suppress the occurrence of condensation in a reagent cool box and can immediately drain the condensation water generated by introducing outside air. In an automatic analysis device including a reagent cool box that stores a plurality of reagent vessels while keeping the reagent vessels cool, the reagent cool box includes a drain for discharging the condensation water generated inside the reagent cool box, and an outside air introduction path that guides air outside the reagent cool box to the inside, wherein the outside air introduction path is provided along a bottom surface of the reagent cool box, and an outside air discharge port is formed toward an upper opening unit of the drain.

A device module for a laboratory device is shown and described. The device module has at least one temperature control medium connection for connecting the device module, as required, to a temperature control medium supply of, in particular, a liquid or gaseous temperature control medium, at least one line connection for connecting, as required, to at least one supply line of the laboratory device for the temperature control medium, and at least one actuator of a control process and/or control loop for controlling and/or regulating at least one temperature in the laboratory device.

An automatic analyzer which realizes stable reagent heating and high dispensing accuracy includes a thermostat bath for controlling a reagent or a reaction solution in reaction cells arranged on a circumference of a reaction disk to have a constant temperature; a first reagent dispensing mechanism dispenses a reagent into the reaction cells; a photometer detects transmitted light or scattered light in the reaction cell; and a disposable reaction container for allowing the sample and the reagent to mix and react with each other. The analyzer also includes a second reagent dispensing mechanism with a reagent heating function which dispenses the reagent into the disposable reaction container; a coagulation time detection section; a reaction container temperature control block; a reagent dispensing syringe which is connected to the second reagent dispensing mechanism; and a fluid temperature control mechanism which controls the temperature of an internal fluid of the reagent dispensing syringe.

A circulation device causes gas to circulate between a sample storage space and a temperature adjustment space through the first and second opening regions in a separating member. A temperature of gas flowing in the temperature adjustment space is adjusted by a heat exchanger, so that the temperature of gas surrounding a sample in the sample storage space is adjusted. The separating member further has first and second unit regions. The second opening region includes a first portion located in the first unit region and a second portion located in the second unit region. The shortest distance between the first portion and the first opening region is larger than the shortest distance between the second portion and the first opening region, and an aperture ratio of the first portion in the first unit region is larger than an aperture ratio of the second portion in the second unit region.

Provided is an automatic analyzer to control a temperature of a reagent supplied to a magnetic separator with high accuracy. The automatic analyzer includes a magnetic separator that separates a magnetic component and a non-magnetic component from liquid obtained by reacting a sample with a first reagent, a storage unit that accommodates a second reagent, a pipe used to supply the second reagent to the magnetic separator, and a heat exchanger that adjusts a temperature around the pipe. It is preferable that the heat exchanger includes a heat absorption and dissipation unit and a fan that blows air heat-exchanged by the heat absorption and dissipation unit, and the air blown from the fan is blown onto the pipe.

In one embodiment, a biological sample analyzer has a housing having at least one outer wall that defines a cavity therein, an air intake, and an air exhaust. A plenum is disposed within the cavity and has at least one plenum wall that defines an air duct therein. A receptacle, which can support a consumable holder containing a biological sample, is disposed within the internal cavity. At least a portion of the receptacle is supported within the air duct such that an air gap is defined between the receptacle and the at least one plenum wall. A heater applies heat to the consumable holder so as to heat the consumable holder when the consumable holder is supported by the receptacle. A fan forces air along a path that extends from the air intake, through the air gap, and to the air exhaust so as to cool the heater.

In one embodiment, a biological sample analyzer has a housing having at least one outer wall that defines a cavity therein. A receptacle, which can support a consumable holder containing a biological sample, is disposed within the cavity. At least one heater applies heat to the consumable holder when the consumable holder is supported by the receptacle. At least one heater sensor detects a temperature of the receptacle over time. A controller directs the at least one heater to apply an elevated temperature to the consumable holder and reduces an amount of heat applied to the consumable holder before the consumable holder exceeds a target temperature that is less than the elevated temperature. By applying the elevated temperature, the consumable holder can be heated quicker than if it where heated at only the target temperature.

A device includes a sample rack having a mounting region for mounting a sample plate that holds a sample, a housing in which a temperature adjustment space for adjusting a temperature of the sample plate mounted on the sample rack while accommodating the sample rack inside is provided therein, and the housing having, in a lateral surface, a rack insertion opening through which the sample rack is inserted into the temperature adjustment space; and an air temperature adjustment part having an air intake port for taking in air in the temperature adjustment space, a temperature adjustment element for cooling or heating air taken in from the air intake portion, and an outlet for blowing out air cooled or heated by the temperature adjustment element.

In one embodiment, a biological sample analyzer has a housing having at least one outer wall that defines a cavity therein. A receptacle, which can support a consumable holder containing a biological sample, is disposed within the internal cavity. At least one heater applies heat to the receptacle when the consumable holder is supported by the receptacle. At least one heater sensor detect temperatures of the receptacle over time. A controller detects whether the consumable holder is below an ambient temperature based on a decrease in temperature of the receptacle when the consumable holder is inserted into the receptacle. The controller also increases an amount of thermal energy transferred from the at least one heater to the consumable holder when the controller detects that the consumable holder is below the ambient temperature so as to heat the consumable holder to a target temperature.