The specimen conveyance device and method can easily specify, regardless of the size of the system, the position on the device of the specimen tube whose position is desired to be grasped and the position on the device of the device part whose position is desired to be grasped. A specimen conveyance unit 10 includes a plurality of conveyance blocks 1, each of which includes one or more light emitting bodies 3 and conveys a specimen tube holder 6 that holds a specimen tube 5 storing a specimen, and a control unit 4 for controlling the conveyance operation of the specimen tube holder 6 by the conveyance block 1, in which the control unit 4 causes the light emitting body 3 of a specific conveyance block 1 among the conveyance blocks 1 to emit light in accordance with the conveyance state of the specimen tube holder 6.

A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.

A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.

In one example, a dispenser platform can include an enclosure that includes a first actuator to move a support in a first plane, wherein a portion of the support extends outside the enclosure, and a second actuator coupled to the portion of the support that extends outside the enclosure to move a stage coupled to the support in a second plane.

A sample transport system has a carrier configured to hold a sample tube for a sample to be transported and mixed, a transporter configured to support the carrier, a guide portion configured to impart motion to the carrier on the transporter and deliver the carrier to a destination location, and a controller. The controller is configured to identify instructions associated with the sample, the instructions including a movement profile configured to cause mixing of the sample, communicate with the guide portion to cause the carrier to follow the movement profile on the transporter to cause the mixing of the sample, and deliver the sample to the destination location.

Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for automated isolation of selected analytes, to which magnetically-responsive solid supports are bound, from other components of a sample. An apparatus for performing an automated magnetic separation procedure includes a mechanism for effecting linear movement of a magnet between operative and non-operative positions with respect to a receptacle device. A receptacle holding station within which a receptacle device may be temporarily stored prior to moving the receptacle to the apparatus for performing magnetic separation includes magnets for applying a magnetic field to the receptacle device held therein, thereby drawing at least a portion of the magnetically-responsive solid supports out of suspension before the receptacle device is moved to the magnetic separation station. An automated receptacle transport mechanism moves the receptacle devices between the apparatus for performing magnetic separation and the receptacle holding station.

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.

The present invention relates to an autosampler. The autosampler includes a sampling needle, a swing arm, a main shaft, a synchronous rotating pulley, and a rotating shaft sleeve. One end of the swing arm is fixed to the main shaft, and the other end thereof is fixed with the sampling needle for supplying a sample. The rotating shaft sleeve is installed in the synchronous rotating pulley, and the rotating shaft sleeve is mounted on the main shaft. The main shaft can rotate around the central axis of the main shaft in synchronization with the rotating shaft sleeve, and can move up and down in the direction of the central axis with respect to the rotating shaft sleeve. The autosampler is characterized in that it further includes a contact member. The contact member penetrates the synchronous rotating pulley and the rotating shaft sleeve from one side of the synchronous rotating pulley in the radial direction thereof until it comes into contact with the main shaft. The contact member is in rolling contact with the main shaft. According to the present invention, the contact member may provide a radial force to the main shaft so as to eliminate a fitting gap between the main shaft and the rotating shaft sleeve, and may reliably fix the synchronous rotating pulley and the rotating shaft sleeve so as to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of the injection position.

In one example, a dispenser platform can include an enclosure that includes a first actuator to move a support in a first plane, wherein a portion of the support extends outside the enclosure, and a second actuator coupled to the portion of the support that extends outside the enclosure to move a stage coupled to the support in a second plane.

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.