A sample dispensing mechanism configured to dispense a sample and a reagent to the reaction vessel at a first dispensing position and the reaction cell positioned at a second dispensing position; a second reagent vessel disposed on a track of the sample dispensing mechanism; and a control unit configured to control the sample dispensing mechanism, in which the control unit is configured to, based on information on presence or absence of incubation of an analysis item, control the sample dispensing mechanism to dispense a sample and a reagent to the reaction vessel positioned at the first dispensing position in a case where the incubation is not required by the analysis item, and control the sample dispensing mechanism to dispense a sample to the reaction cell positioned at the second dispensing position in a case where the incubation is required by the analysis item.

An automatic chemical solution formulating device combines and mixes stored solids and liquids into user specified formulations and dispenses those formulations into containers. Chemical solids are stored in cartridges of material separated into predetermined dosages (for example in reeled blister packs), avoiding the need for weighing during formulation. Elements include user interface, computer-controlled automated loading and unloading port for reagent-containing cartridges, cartridge conveyor system, reader for identifying cartridges, blister-pack strip drive system, punching mechanism to release reagents, portioning chamber to mix solvent with solids or liquids with optional portioning, accommodating formulation delivery port, position sensors, liquid flow measuring devices, liquid and gas pumps and valves, and label printer. The combination of these elements allows high-speed formulation and dispensing of user-specified formulations.

A method for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample is presented. The method uses a rotatable vessel for processing particles contained in a liquid biological sample. The rotatable vessel has a longitudinal axis about which the vessel is rotatable, an upper portion comprising a top opening for receiving the liquid comprising the particles, a lower portion for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is resting, the lower portion comprising a bottom, and an intermediate portion located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the intermediate portion comprising a lateral collection chamber for holding the liquid while the rotatable vessel is rotating. The method employs dedicated acceleration and deceleration profiles for sedimentation and re-suspension of the particles of interest.

A cell sorter includes a base for holding a cell culture plate containing a fluorescently labeled sample of cells, a fluorescence imager for viewing the cell culture plate, through bottom of the cell culture plate, to capture one or more fluorescence images of the fluorescently labeled sample of cells, and a cell extraction module for extracting a cell selected based on the one or more fluorescence images. The cell extraction module includes a needle for hydraulically removing the selected cell from the cell culture plate, and a motorized translation stage for translating the needle in a z-dimension to reach the selected cell from above. The cell sorter further includes a motorized translation stage for translating one of the needle and the cell culture plate in x- and y-dimensions, relative to the other one of the needle and the cell culture plate, to position the needle over selected first cell.

In one example an apparatus can include a controller communicatively coupled to a droplet dispenser to deposit antibody fluid on a matrix of an immunoblotting array, the controller is to align the droplet dispenser with a protein band included in the matrix, instruct the droplet dispenser to deposit a first antibody fluid on to the protein band of the matrix, and instruct the droplet dispenser to deposit a second antibody fluid on to the protein band of the matrix, adjacent to the first antibody fluid.

A method of controlling a needle actuator to interact with a cell is provided, the method comprising: providing an actuator comprising a tower, a stage and a needle, wherein the needle is mounted on the stage; applying an electrostatic potential between the tower and the stage to retract the needle; moving the actuator towards the cell; reducing the potential so as to allow the stage and needle to move towards the cell; applying calibration data to detect when the needle has pierced the cell; and reducing the potential further once it has been detected that the needle has pierced the cell. The cell can be a biological cell. The needle can be a micro-needle and the stage can be a micro-stage.

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.

A system for detecting mold includes a housing defining a chamber and an opening through a surface. The system includes a movable grate for selectively covering the opening. The system includes a substrate treated to promote mold growth. The system includes a mechanism for moving the substrate to move previously unexposed portions into the chamber. The system includes a thermal control system to maintain predetermined environmental conditions in the chamber. The system includes a sensor configured to detect mold growth in the chamber. The system includes a mold suppressor to kill mold in the chamber when activated. The system includes a controller to coordinate operation of the components to detect mold growth in an environment.

The present disclosure refers to a computer-implemented training system for user-interactive training of a plurality of in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) methods performable in an IVD laboratory system, comprising: one or more data processors; a memory device connected to the one or more data processors; a user interface provided with an output device having a display device and an input device configured to receive user input; and one or more software applications running on the one or more data processors and having a plurality of application modules. The plurality of application modules is further configured to control, in response to receiving user input, output of a plurality of views of the IVD laboratory system through the display device according to view output control data indicative of view parameters assigned to a view output mode from a plurality of view output modes; receive a training mode selection user input indicative of a user selection for an IVD method to be trained from the plurality of methods having an assigned view output mode of the plurality of view output modes.

A gas sensor for detecting a physical and/or chemical value of an analysis gas, a corresponding manufacturing method, and operating method. The gas sensor is based on the principle of a thermal conductivity measurement with the aid of a sensor structure including a double meander structure made up of two resistor lines, as part of a Wheatstone bridge circuit, on a diaphragm of a substrate. The two resistor lines are energized in opposite directions as a function of the detected temperature. The physical and/or chemical value(s) of the analysis gas are/is subsequently determined as a function of the voltages detected at the double meander structure.