Abstract: Apparatus and a method for automatically transferring by pushing and pulling a reagent module onto and off of a rotor of modules. A surface of the module and the transfer mechanism are cooperatively shaped with a loose-fitting tongue and arcuate groove, both the tongue and groove having a curved extension along an arc concentric with the axis of rotation of the rotor, such that modules mounted on the rotor can be rotated off the transfer mechanism by sliding the tongue relative to the groove in a rotational direction. An additional groove is provided at an angle to said arcuate groove, along which the tongue or arcuate groove, whichever is on the transfer mechanism, reciprocates to push or pull a module into or out of the rotor.

Abstract: A stack of a plurality of substantially identical cup-like vessels pre-incorporated with reagent on the inside, each of the vessels occupying at least about 50% of the depth of the next adjacent vessel to maximize stacking density. Because the pre-incorporated reagent overlaps the occupied depth portion of the vessel and therefore runs a risk of being dislodged, the wall of the vessel is constructed to provide a gap between the inside surface bearing the reagent, and the outside surface of the occupying, nested vessel, that is at least 0.025 mm.

Abstract: A container of sample tubes is described with a mechanism for detecting the diameter of variously sized tubes that are placed therein. A method of detection is also described. Both the mechanism and the method rely on pairs of tube holders that are biased together with detectable ends that are spaced farther apart, the larger the tube that is held by the holders. A sensor is provided externally of the container to sense how far apart the ends are spaced.

Abstract: A tray and conveyor for the trays are described, for moving liquid samples in an analyzer. The tray comprises a base having a magnetic member for responding to a magnetic field, a tray frame and member for freely rotatably mounting the frame on the base, the tray frame comprising a plurality of receptacles constructed to receive either sample tubes or aspirating tips useful to aspirate sample from a tube, the receptacles including a fixed bottom support. The conveyor comprises a support, conveying members under the support comprising a plurality of magnets and members for generating a moving magnetic field with the magnets, the conveying members being mounted in a continuous loop under the support and the support being permeable to a magnetic field, one of the above-noted trays being mounted above the support on the base.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing are disclosed for use in an analyzer providing wet assays in a cuvette. Preferably, they comprise protrusions that project into the path of the cuvette as it passes through preferably the incubator. The protrusions can be fixed or driven, and can project upwardly or sideways into the path of the moving curvette. The mixing is useful to cause thorough mixing of, e.g., a diluent with a liquid sample.

Abstract: A clinical analyzer moves a stack of slide or cup-like test elements into position for dispensing by a plunger and a driver featuring a housing around the plunger, a spring for biasing the plunger to project beyond the housing, a connection between the housing and the driver, and two sensors. The first sensor senses the initial movement of the housing and plunger toward the stack, and the second sensor senses movement of the plunger against the spring back into the housing upon contact with the stack.

Abstract: An analyzer that uses a wash head to access via vertical movement a container in the analyzer for washing, and a soak reservoir to keep the wash head from crusting over. To eliminate the need for rotary motion of the wash head, a mechanism is provided for mounting the reservoir and for aligning it concentric with the vertical movement of the wash head, and for moving the reservoir out of alignment when the wash head needs to enter and wash a container.

Abstract: An incubator housing is disclosed with access apertures and doors, and a single mechanism for operating the doors comprising a cam, a cam track, and a cam follower on each door mounted in the track.

Abstract: An incubator and an incubator method using two independently driven incubator rings each holding and transferring a liquid-containing cuvette between processing stations. At least one reagent addition station is disposed permanently adjacent each of the two rings. One advantageous result is enhanced throughput compared to having only one such ring for all reagent addition stations.

Abstract: A needle device and method of use are disclosed, wherein the needle moves out of and into a protective housing, between two operative positions, one of which causes the housing to shield the needle. Each operative position includes releasable locking detents to temporarily hold the needle in one of those positions, the holding force of one being less than the other. A third position beyond the one that shields the needle in the housing is used to permanently lock the needle in the housing against accidental reuse.The needle device can be used with a blood collection container or a syringe drug delivery container, each one releasably mating with the device during use.

Abstract: An analyzer features an incubator and a whole blood centrifuge, each using a separate rotor, and a serum-dispensing station in between them. A transfer mechanism is also included for moving a container used in the rotor to separate serum from blood cells, out of the rotor to the dispensing station. The serum is then dispensed directly from such container onto a test element, which is transferred to the incubator.

Abstract: There is disclosed a simplified transfer mechanism that minimmizes both the number of moving parts needed, and the shapes of those parts. An L-shaped pusher blade is mounted to move in and out of a first station such as at an incubator so as to be effective to move a test element from the first station to two or more subsequent stations.

Abstract: A needle device and method of use are disclosed, wherein the needle moves out of and into a protective housing, between two operative positions, one of which causes the housing to shield the needle. Each operative position includes releasable locking detents to temporarily hold the needle in one of those positions, the holding force of one being less than the other. A third position beyond the one that shields the needle in the housing is used to permanently lock the needle in the housing against accidental reuse. The needle device can be used with a blood collection container or a syringe drug delivery container, each one releasably mating with the device during use.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer providing an analysis slide positioning apparatus and method for properly aligning a test slide relative to a sample dispenser of the chemical analyzer. The slide positioning apparatus is capable of moving the slide in three different planes of movement for effecting alignment of the slide and to control fluid application thereto. The positioning apparatus includes a platform which supports the slide, a mechanism for moving the slide on the support in a first direction, and a drive mechanism for moving the platform and the slide carried thereon in second and third directions extending perpendicular to each other and to the first direction.

Abstract: A combination is disclosed of a handle and a member that is either a phlebotomy device or a drug-injecting syringe. The handle removably attaches by a mating pivot pin and aperture disposed relative to the axis of the handle and the member to ensure that the unlatched configuration is geometrically different from the latched configuration. Latching is achieved by a hook member on one that engages a recessed groove on the other, simply by pivoting the handle until its axis coincides with the axis of the member.

Abstract: There are described an incubator and an analyzer using such, in which the evaporation caps of the test element holding means are caused to be raised at loading and unloading stations by a fixed camming surface and a cam follower on each of the caps. As a result, size and complexity of the incubator are substantially reduced.

Abstract: Means are described for positively engaging a key in a keyway in a pipette and its support, to insure that proper dispensing position is maintained and that the pipette stays in the support. Preferably spring means are provided on the key for pressing against the keyway.

Abstract: There is disclosed a thermal cycling cuvette constructed with an improved sample fluid thermal time constant. The fluid surface-to-volume ratio, and the cuvette thermal path length and thermal resistance of at least one of the walls that provides a major surface of contact, are selected to provide such a thermal time constant that is no greater than about 10 seconds for a cuvette volume no greater than about 200 .mu.l. Also included in the cuvette are means permitting the introduction and removal of liquid into and from the cuvette. A preferred construction permits ready and substantially complete removal of the liquid.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pipette and a method of using the pipette in which an active element of the pressurizing system is a bellows within a piston chamber, operated by a motor. To achieve the advantages of the invention, including ease in manufacturing and the ability to actuate a tip ejector, the bellows is mounted so that the outside surface of the sidewall of the bellows, together with the piston chamber, defines the air volume operative on a fluid passageway leading to a disposable tip.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cuvette constructed with an improved sample fluid thermal time constant, featuring a flexible heat transfer wall. To prevent such wall from deforming under pressure generated at high processing temperatures, thereby reducing heat transfer efficiency, the opposite wall is constructed to have a flexural strength that is sufficiently less than that of the heat transfer wall. This causes flexing to occur in the opposite wall, under pressure, rather than the heat transfer wall.