Beckman Coulter, Inc.

Martin Müller

Michael Eberhardt

Andreas Weihs

Gerhard Gunzer

Charles W Johns

Thomas Krafczyk

Roland Bader

Lukas Bearden

Body fluid sample carrier for use in a body fluid analyser and body fluid analyser using a body fluid sample carrier, wherein the body fluid sample carrier has a plurality of rack receptacles and a plurality of marker receptacles for receiving corresponding markers in order to improve the association between racks positioned on the carrier and the correct position on the carrier.

Configurable placement indication for sample tube rack receptacles

A sample tube rack () for receiving at least one sample tube is provided, comprising: a bottom surface () comprising at least one opening () for receiving the sample tube, and at least two guiding elements (-) arranged on the bottom surface () adjacent to the opening (), wherein each guiding element (-) extends substantially parallel to a vertical axis () of the opening () from the bottom surface () towards a top side () of the sample tube rack (). The guiding elements (-) are arranged at different positions (-) around the opening (), such that a tube compartment () for receiving the sample tube is formed by the guiding elements (-) and the opening (), wherein the guiding elements (-) are spaced apart from each other along a perimeter () of the opening (), thereby forming at least two clearances () between the guiding elements (-) along the perimeter () of the opening ().

Sample tube rack and sample tub rack assembly

A sample container cap is disclosed. The sample cap container includes a sample cap body capable of covering an opening of a sample container and a centrifugation status indicator device in the top of the sample cap body. The centrifugation status indicator device includes: a first substance having a first density and a first color, and a second substance having a second density and a second color. The centrifugation status indicator device displays the first substance when the sample container has been centrifuged. The first substance can be a gel, and the second substance can include a plurality of particles. The second density is higher than the first density and the second color is different from the first color.

Sample container cap with centrifugation status indicator device

A system is disclosed. The system includes an aliquotter module. The aliquotter module includes a track including: a travel lane; a first loop; and a second loop configured to transport sample carriers with primary sample containers. The aliquotter module can further include a pipettor that can aspirate a first aliquot volume of a sample in a primary sample container located in an aspiration position and dispense the first aliquot volume of the sample in a secondary sample container located in a dispensing position. The aliquotter module can cause the secondary sample container to leave the aliquotter module before the primary sample container.

Aliquotter system and workflow

A system is disclosed. The system includes at least one image acquisition device configured to obtain one or more images of sample containers in a sample container holder. It also includes an image analysis device coupled to the at least one image acquisition device. The image analysis device is configured to analyze, by a processor, the one or more images of the sample containers in the sample container holder, to determine (a) a presence or absence of sample containers at sample container holder locations in the sample container holder, and (b) sample container characteristics of the sample containers in the sample container holder, wherein the sample container characteristics include one or more of cap color, cap shape, labels and markers associated with the sample containers, or one or more sample container holder characteristics.

Growing community of inventors

Schliersee-Neuhaus, Germany

Martin Müller