A soil fractionation system can include a plurality of sample racks propelled by a drive system. Each sample rack can include a sample tube for holding a soil sample and a filter cup for receiving an extracted fraction of the soil sample. An extractor module of the fractionation system can include an extractor assembly and a filter assembly. A control system can control the relative positioning of the plurality of sample racks via the drive system, the relative movement between the extractor assembly and the sample tube, and the relative movement between the filter assembly and the filter cup.

Equipment for the control of the industrial contamination of industrial components comprising at least one base frame; and an extraction unit/device/component of contaminating impurities from at least one industrial component, mounted on the base frame and provided with a washing unit/device/component of the industrial component by way of an operating fluid adapted to remove the contaminating impurities from said industrial component, the operating fluid mixing with the contaminating impurities to obtain an operating mixture following the washing of the industrial component; and a preparation unit/device/component of at least one analysis sample of the contaminating impurities removed from the industrial component starting from the operating mixture, wherein the equipment comprises an analysis unit/device/component of the analysis sample mounted on the base frame and adapted to detect at least one analytical data which is characteristic of the contaminating impurities.

The present invention relates to improved methods for processing fluids and to a fluid processing device (1) for use in a centrifuge comprising: (a) a first holder (14) form-fit to the shape of a first tube (18) for holding said first tube (18) whereby said first tube (18) has a first cross section (A1); and (b) a second holder (22) form-fit to the shape of a second tube (26) for holding said second tube (26) whereby said second tube (26) has a second cross section (A2) that is different from said first cross section (A1). With the fluid processing devices and the methods according to the invention, it is possible to simplify the centrifugal processing steps for a given fluid processing sequence and to automate them.

The present invention provides a preprocessing device of a more compact structure, and an analysis system provided with the same. A preprocessing device (1) includes a container holding section (12), a filtration port (30), and a transport arm (24). The container holding section (12) holds a separation container (50) and a collection container (54). The filtration port (30) separates a sample by applying pressure to a sample in the separation container (50). The transport arm (24) transports the separation container (50) and the collection container (54) held by the container holding section (12) from a predetermined transport position. The container holding section (12) holds the separation container (50) and the collection container (54) in an annular or arch-shaped holding region formed on an outer circumference of the filtration port (30), and sequentially moves the separation container (50) and the collection container (54) to the transport position by shifting the separation container (50) and the collection container (54) in the circumferential direction of the holding region.

An example system may be used to automate one or more processes relating to drill cutting handling, cleaning, and packing to produce consistently high-quality cleaned samples. In some implementations, an example system may employ cleaning processes including centrifugal and ultrasonic processes to clean a sample automatically without the aid of a human operator thereby increasing efficiency and quality of the produced samples for better subsequent sample analysis. A system may include an unloading module, a cleaning module, and packing module, all of which may be operated in combination with a robotic arm.

The culture medium processing system includes a controller (100) configured to control operation of a sample dispensing part (20), a reagent dispensing part (26) and a transport arm (24) to deproteinize a sample, wherein the controller (100) is configured to dispense a methanol solution into an empty filtration container (50) to perform a conditioning of a filtration filter (52) disposed in the filtration container (50), then dispense a sample into the filtration container (50), add an acetonitrile solution as a deproteinization agent to the sample in the filtration container (50), and then perform a filtration process in the filtration part (30).

In some aspects, automated rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing systems for performing a multi-assay testing sequence can include an automated incubation assembly having a nest assembly adapted to house at least one test panel having a plurality of wells for receiving a sample comprising microorganisms originating from a clinical sample, the incubation assembly facilitating incubation of one or more test panels in order to undergo the multi-assay testing sequence; a robotic handling assembly configured to accept one or more incoming test panels and move them to and from the incubation assembly for incubation between each assay of the multi-assay testing sequence; an automated liquid handling assembly configured to exchange one or more fluids in the plurality of wells of the test panels; and an optical assembly for interrogation and readout of each assay of the multi-assay testing sequence being performed in the plurality of wells.

Systems and methods for exchanging buffer solutions are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the methods and systems for buffer exchange may be automated and/or the methods and systems may include mixing during filtering operations.

A preprocessing apparatus uses preprocessing kits prepared for samples, respectively, sets the preprocessing kits in plural processing ports provided so as to correspond to preprocessing items, and executes a predetermined preprocessing item. A controller which controls operations of a carrying mechanism holding and carrying the preprocessing kits, and processing parts executing the preprocessing items in the respective processing ports, includes a processing-state control part, a random access part, and a preprocessing part. The random access part is configured to check availability of a preprocessing port corresponding to a preprocessing item to be executed on a sample contained in a preprocessing kit, and set the preprocessing kit in a processing port if the processing port is available as a processing port corresponding to the preprocessing item. The preprocessing part executes a corresponding preprocessing item on a sample in a preprocessing kit when the preprocessing kit is set in the processing port.

Systems and methods for exchanging buffer solutions are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the methods and systems for buffer exchange may be automated and/or the methods and systems may include mixing during filtering operations.