Abstract: A test vessel agitator assembly that agitates test vessels and the contents therein within an immunoassay automated analyzer system. The test vessels are transported along an element that is comprised of ridges and troughs such that the test vessel is moved in a directions that is approximately perpendicular to the direction of transportation.

Abstract: An electronic technique is used for identifying a fluid and determining its level in a container. Specifically, impedance spectroscopy is applied to fluid handling probes such as those employed by automated chemical and immunoassay analyzers to provide superior sensitivity for fluid level detection as well as discernible “spectral signatures” (impedance spectra) that can be automatically analyzed to identify diverse materials. These include, but are not limited to, blood serum, blood plasma, gelsep, red blood cell layers, chemical reagents associated with immunoassay blood testing and foam atop fluid surfaces. In operation, incident electronic signal is compared with a reflected electronic signal to obtain signal characteristics that can be used to identify the type of liquid. In addition, characteristics of the reflected electronic signal (e.g., phase shift, etc.) as compared with the incident electronic signal are used to determine the level of fluid in a container.

Abstract: This invention significantly reduces the frequency of hydraulic failure in the analytical line of a capsule chemistry sample liquid analysis system which can occur when the reagents required for the specific analytical test have an imperfect merger with the sample aliquot reagent in the vanish zone of the analytical line. It has been found that the dynamic surface tension of the sample aliquot reagent and the analytical reagent influence the merging process. It has also been found that optimum merging of these reagent capsules in the vanish zone can be obtained when the dynamic surface tension of the sample aliquot reagent and analytical reagent is different.