Abstract: An instrument for quantitative analysis to measure a minute quantity of antigens or antibodies in a sample. There is a defined travel path for holding sample container holding means thereon, moving means coupled to said travel path to move a plurality of containers in a gang along said travel path, a work station including sensing means to sense a passing container in the container gang to align the containers at said work station. Probes at the work station are disposed above the containers when aligned at the work station. Lift means are provided for lowering and raising the probes into and out of the containers so as to add and remove liquid therefrom and program means control the operation of the instrument including the repetitive addition and removal of fluid from the containers whereby reagents are added to said containers, to lay down a film of immunologically active substance on walls of the containers.

Abstract: A centrifuge for spinning sample containers about their respective axes with such axes vertical. An inlet elevator conveys the containers in groups to the level of a spinning means which simultaneously spins the containers of each group about their respective vertical axes. The groups of centrifuged containers are conveyed downwardly by an outlet elevator on the opposite side of the spinning means from the inlet elevator. The containers of each group are suspended from a carrier having keyhole-shaped openings, the containers having necks which are receivable in the smaller ends of such openings and which are provided with external annular flanges seatable on the carrier adjacent the smaller ends of the openings to suspend the containers from the carrier. The spinning means comprises cups into which the containers are lowered by downward movement of the carrier, the latter then being moved horizontally to dispose the container necks in the larger ends of the openings in the carrier.