A measuring apparatus usable in a liquid handling apparatus, and method, for detecting a deformed pipetting container using a first and a second measuring device, the measuring apparatus being configured to determine the position of an end region of the pipetting container as a f unction of a position of a measurement support section of the pipetting container as relative position data in a data storage device, so that subsequently the position of the end region of the pipetting container can be determined by measuring the position of the measurement support section and from the relative position data.

In a sample-analyzing system including an analyzer (10) for analyzing a sample, an auto-sampler (20) for sequentially introducing a plurality of samples into the analyzer (10), and a controller (40) for controlling operations of the analyzer (10) and the auto-sampler (20), the auto-sampler (20) is provided with a sample rack holder (24) for holding a sample rack (21) having a plurality of wells (22) in which sample containers (23) are to be set and a sample rack imager (27) for taking, directly from above or obliquely from above, an image of the sample rack (21) held in the sample rack holder (24), whereby an incorrect input of the position information of the sample container (e.g. the well number or rack number) into an analysis schedule table is prevented.

A device for agitating and collecting biological liquid samples comprises an agitator of racks of tubes and a sampling apparatus capable of collecting a biological liquid sample in a tube. The device also comprises a scheduler arranged to specify an order of sampling from the tubes independently of the order in which the tubes are positioned in the respective racks and the order in which the racks are inserted into the device. The scheduler is arranged to control the agitator and the sampling apparatus to process the tubes in accordance with the sampling order.

Methods and systems for processing samples in an analyzer utilizes a track system with a plurality of track portions. A queue of samples for processing can be handled on a first portion, while priority samples may be handled on another portion. An instrument in a module may process samples in queues and priority samples. The instrument may process priority samples while a queue of samples remains on the first portion and resumes processing the queue of samples along the first portion upon completion of processing the priority sample.

A blood sample testing apparatus may include: a blood-cell-count measurement unit that performs measurement of a blood sample stored in a sample container positioned in a first position; a smear preparation unit that prepares a smear of the blood sample stored in the sample container positioned in a second position; and a transport unit that transports the sample container from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position.

A method of operating a laboratory sample distribution system is presented. The laboratory sample distribution system comprises a number of sample container carriers. The sample container carriers are adapted to carry one or more sample containers. The sample containers comprise samples to be analyzed by a number of laboratory stations. The laboratory sample distribution system also comprises a transport plane. The transport plane is adapted to support the sample container carriers. The method comprises allocating an area of the transport plane as a buffer area. The buffer area is adapted to store a variable number of sample container carriers. The method also comprises controlling the buffer area using a puzzle-based control scheme or using an aisle-based control scheme as a function of a storage density of the buffer area.

An example method includes retrieving a first carrier from a loading bay. In the example method, the retrieving of the first carrier is unrestricted by a position of the first carrier in the loading bay. The example method includes exposing the first carrier to an identification device to identify content of the first carrier and moving the first carrier from the identification device to a first location or a second location based on the content of the first carrier for performance of a diagnostic process using the content at the first location or the second location. The example method includes retrieving the first carrier from the first location or the second location and returning the first carrier to the loading bay.

A diagnostic system with a handling system that has a loading bay to receive and hold a plurality of carriers. An identification device is configured to identify an identifying feature of the carriers to determine the type of contents loaded on each carrier. A transporter transports the carriers from the loading bay to a first or second location depending on the determined type of contents on each carrier. The transporter has random access to the plurality of carriers in the loading bay. A diagnostic process is conducted using the contents. A carrier, such a for reagents, has one or more holding portions, at least one of which can be moved or rotated with respect to the body of the carrier for mixing or stirring the contents of a container coupled therewith. Also, a retention member can be associated with a positioning device, such as a carousel, to lock and unlock the carrier with respect thereto.

A system and method that enables automated reagent dispensing for tissue stainers. The stainers receive staining protocols from a central controller. The central controller may control a plurality of stainers simultaneously. The stainers obtain information provided on slide identifiers which is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines a particular staining protocol to apply to a particular slide. The staining protocol is downloaded to the stainer which enables the stainer to operate without additional communication with the central controller. A user may manually initiate a staining protocol or the central controller may operate the stainers on a scheduled basis.

The invention relates to an air-conditioning space (10) for storing samples in a time-controlled manner, comprising a device (22) for automatically feeding sample containers (18) into a climatically sealed space (12) having at least one wall (43), into which a sample container (18) can be inserted into the climatically sealed space (12) through an opening (40, 42), wherein the feed device (22) has at least one drive and control unit, and an incubator receptacle (30) for receiving the samples (18) is provided inside the climatically sealed space (12). The invention is distinguished by the fact that the feed device has an automatic feed arm (22, 24) which grips a sample container (18) from a receiving position outside the climatically sealed space (12) and deposits the sample container (18) there in a clear deposit position in an incubator receptacle (30).