A method of evaluating an asphaltene inhibitor includes providing a centrifugal microfluidic system including: a disc mounted to rotate about an axis; a microfluidic device mounted on the disc, the device having sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant reservoirs and an analysis chamber in fluid communication with the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant reservoirs; and an optical detection system coupled to the analysis chamber and configured to measure the optical transmission of fluid in the analysis chamber. The method includes filling the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant reservoirs, respectively, with a sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant; rotating the disc to generate centrifugal force to cause the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant to travel radially outward to the analysis chamber; and measuring the optical transmission of a mixture of the sample, solvent, inhibitor, and precipitant in the analysis chamber as a function of radial distance of the analysis chamber.

The invention relates to an arrangement (10) for preparing a plurality of samples for an analytical method, comprising a carousel (14) with a solid housing (12) and moveable receiving parts (16) for the sample containers (18); a control for controlling the receiving parts (16) in the carousel (14); and a sample receiving device (24) for providing the sample to be analysed; one or more stations (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) for preparing samples are provided on the carousel (14), the receiving parts (16) for the sample containers (18) of the carousel (14) can be positioned on said stations; a centrifuge (22) with pairs of opposite lying receiving parts (42) provided for the sample containers (18), and said receiving parts (42) are arranged such that they can move on the centrifuge (22) and the movements can be controlled in such a manner that the sample holder (18) can be transferred between a receiving part (16) in the carousel (14) and a receiving part (42) in the centrifuge (22).

An analyzing device has a main body and is configured to draw a sample liquid from a spot application section of the main body and transfer the sample liquid to a measurement chamber via a microchannel structure formed inside the main body by a centrifugal force. The spot application section has an inlet. The analyzing device includes a supplying capillary channel formed within the spot application section. The supplying capillary channel has an end connected to the inlet of the spot application section. The analyzing device also includes a holding chamber connected to another end of the supplying capillary channel and having a thickness sized to generate a capillary force to move the sample liquid. The holding chamber is formed between a first side wall and a second side wall. The first side wall and the second side wall define the holding chamber.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

Systems and methods are provided for sample processing. A device may be provided, capable of receiving the sample, and performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing multiple assays. The device may comprise one or more modules that may be capable of performing one or more of a sample preparation, sample assay, and detection step. The device may be capable of performing the steps using a small volume of sample.

A rotor assembly includes a rotor plate to rotate around a first axis; a bucket rotatably attached to the rotor plate and to rotate around a second axis; and a stop plate to rotate around the first axis relative to the rotor plate between an open position and a closed position, when in the closed position, the stop plate is to engage the bucket to fix an angular position of the bucket relative to a plane of rotation of the rotor assembly.

The invention relates to an arrangement for preparing a plurality of samples for an analytical method, comprising a carousel with a solid housing and moveable receiving parts for the sample containers; a control for controlling the receiving parts in the carousel; and a sample receiving device for providing the sample for the analytical method. Said arrangement is characterized in that one or more stations for preparing samples are provided on the carousel, the receiving parts for the sample containers of the carousel can be positioned on said stations. Said arrangement also comprises a centrifuge with pairs of opposite lying receiving parts provided for the sample containers, and said receiving parts are arranged such that they can move on the centrifuge for the sample holder such that a transfer of a sample holder between a receiving part in the carousel and a receiving part in the centrifuge can be carried out. The control takes place by the same control which is also provided for controlling the carousel.

A feeding system (2) for feeding disc-shaped objects such as sample cups (4) to an analyzer. The system (2) includes as infeed trade (22) angled downward from horizontal and the outfeed track (24) angled downward, plus a reject chute. The disc feeding system (2) uses two RFID readers/writers, one (32) a standalone desktop and a second (190) proximate the sample bay of the analyzer for more comprehensive track-and-trace capability. The information read from the cup (4) tag as it is scanned is also stored with the resultant spectra so that predictive processing is applied properly and without error. For post scan (after the sample scan is completed) the scan information itself may be written directly to the sample cup RFID tag including, reflection/transmission, characteristics, constituent results etc.

A sample analysis substrate capable of holding a plurality of liquids. The sample analysis substrate has a microchannel structure for transferring a liquid through rotary motion, the sample analysis substrate including: a substrate body having a rotation axis; a first and a second container holding a first and a second liquid therein; a first and a second accommodating section accommodating the first and the second container; and a cap having a first and second projection and movably supported on the substrate body. As the cap moves, the first drive projection and the second drive projection move the first container and the second container with staggered timing, thereby releasing the first and the second liquid accommodated therein.

A processing unit for automated preparation of biological samples included in specimen tubes is described herein. The processing unit includes a removable sample preparation component configured to receive specimen tubes, read identifiers associated with the biological samples contained in the specimen tubes, mix reagents included in the specimen tubes, and transfer the specimen tubes to at least one of a centrifuge or a storage compartment. The processing unit further includes a centrifuge loader for automatic loading and unloading of the specimen tubes onto a centrifuge. The automated centrifuge loader includes a magnetic brake that can stop the centrifuge rotor at a precise position to facilitate loading and unloading of a specimen tube. The centrifuge includes a swing bucket designed to pivot around an axis and slide vertically to enable moving the bucket to a position in which the swing bucket can engage with the port where the specimen tube resides.