A sample measurement system includes: a measurement unit that measures a sample stored in a sample container; a transport unit that transports a rack capable of holding sample containers via the measurement unit; a first transport-in/transport-out unit and a second transport-in/transport-out unit in each of which racks can be set alongside in a first direction, and that send the set racks to be transported to the measurement unit and receive the racks transported from the measurement unit; and a controller that controls the first transport-in/transport-out unit and the second transport-in/transport-out unit so that the racks are sequentially sent from the first transport-in/transport-out unit and the second transport-in/transport-out unit. The first transport-in/transport-out unit and the second transport-in/transport-out unit are disposed alongside in a second direction crossing the first direction, and each send the racks from one side in the first direction, and receive the racks from the other side.

A sample measurement system may include: a measurement unit that measures a sample in a sample container; a transport unit that transports a rack that can hold sample containers, via the measurement unit; a collection unit that is detachably provided with a tray in which racks can be set, and that collects the rack transported from the measurement unit by the transport unit and sets the rack in the tray; a storage that stores sample identification information, rack identification information, and tray identification information in association with each other; an input part; a display part; and a controller that, in a condition in which the input part receives input of the sample identification information or the rack identification information, causes the display part to display the tray identification information stored in association with the inputted sample identification information or the inputted rack identification information.

The present approach relates to the design and use of a functionally closed bioreactor designed to immobilize, culture, and mature tissue on a loading platform. The bioreactor may be equipped with sensors for tissue monitoring which in conjunction with stiffness data can provide closed-loop control of tissue maturation. Based on a relationship between cartilage stiffness and tissue maturity, measurements of stiffness can be acquired and used as a surrogate for cartilage maturity without the need for destructive tests.

Disclosed are high-throughput vessel supply systems and methods of supplying sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for supplying a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

Disclosed are high-throughput vessel sorting systems and methods of sorting sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for sorting a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

The automatic analyzer includes a light source 4a to perform measurement, a spectrophotometer 4, a reagent disk 9 to store a reagent bottle 10 in which the reagent is stored, a carriage device to carry the reagent bottle 10 to the reagent disk 9, a reagent preparation unit to perform preparatory operations required before the regent bottle 10 is used, and a control unit 21 to schedule the preparatory operations by the reagent preparation unit and the carriage operation by the carriage device such that the reagent bottle 10 is carried to the reagent disk 9 immediately after an operation accompanied with analysis by the light source 4a and the spectrophotometer 4 is suspended or ends.

A sample examination automation system includes a conveyance line, a large-scale sample carrier buffer, an analyzer coupling unit, and a conveyance managing unit. The conveyance line conveys a sample carrier. One or a plurality of sample containers is mountable on the sample carrier. The large-scale sample carrier buffer stores a plurality of the sample carriers. The analyzer coupling unit, which is couplable to an analyzer, incorporates a sample carrier sub-buffer capable of storing the sample carriers by an amount smaller than an amount of the large-scale sample carrier buffer. The conveyance managing unit has a function of controlling a sample carrier conveyance destination. The conveyance managing unit is configured to determine an amount of the sample carriers supplied to the sample carrier sub-buffer via the large-scale sample carrier buffer according to a storage situation of the sample carriers in the sample carrier sub-buffer.

Disclosed is a loading machine for slides, provided with biological samples and with an electronically readable identification code, inside a tray divided, by means of separation structures, into multiple compartments, each compartment being adapted to contain one of the slides in an orderly manner. The loading machine includes: a supporting frame structure for resting on a work surface; a linear feeder of the tray with respect to the frame structure; an inserter of the slides into the tray in an orderly and sequential manner; a reader of the identification code provided on each of the slides; and a control unit. The inserter of the slides into the tray includes a unit to temporarily retain each slide and to release it, in coordination with the reader and linear feeder of the tray, into one of the compartments making use of gravity.

Disclosed is a container transfer method for transferring a container from a container holder capable of holding a plurality of containers, by using a holding section capable of performing an opening/closing operation, vertical movement, and horizontal movement. The method includes: moving the holding section downward to a position lower than a head portion of the container, at a position where the container is not held in a plan view; horizontally moving the holding section in an opened state, toward a target container on the container holder; after the horizontal movement of the holding section to the target container, closing the holding section with respect to the target container; and moving upward the holding section in a closed state.

A sample feed device is provided, including: a body; a sample tray provided on the body; a moving part provided on the body and capable of reciprocating on the body, and the moving part provided with a transfer chamber, the transfer chamber capable of receiving a sample from the sample tray and transferring the sample to an analyzer with the movement of the moving part; a processing system provided on the body, and capable of performing helium gas purging and vacuum processing to the sample. The sample feed device may feed the sample automatically through relay transfer of the sample by the sample tray and the moving part. The processing system may perform the helium gas purging and vacuuming to the sample, which strips adsorbate on the surface of the sample by the helium gas purging, and removes the stripped adsorbate on the surface of the sample by vacuuming.