Abstract: A reagent pack for keeping fluids with or without suspensions mixed or suspended upon rocking. The reagent pack has at least one chamber divided into separate sub-chambers with a throat region between them defined by baffles for agitation of suspended reagent during rocking of the reagent pack. A continuous lid sealable to the pack has membrane sealed apertures in the lid for allowing access to the underlying chambers and sub-chambers by withdrawal needles. A tray is configured to hold multiple side-by-side reagent packs on respective slides that slide in and out for insertion and withdrawal of the packs. During operation, the tray and associated packs are rocked such as by being periodically inclined with respect to horizontal, providing reagent agitation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transportation and processing of multiple protocol assays within an automated immunoassay analyzer instrument. The apparatus includes a cuvette ring movably coupled to a magnet ring. In one embodiment, the magnet ring and cuvette ring are provided having circular shapes. A temperature controlled housing is disposed about the cuvette and magnet rings to provide a rotary incubation and particle separation chamber. The cuvette ring holds a plurality of cuvettes each of which may have a different assay disposed therein. The cuvette ring advances the cuvettes around the circumference of the incubation chamber. A plurality of discrete processing centers for aspiration and dispensing fluid samples, reagents and wash fluids are disposed at predetermined positions about the incubation chamber.

Abstract: An analyzer for performing automated assay testing. The analyzer includes a storage and conveyor system for conveying cuvettes to an incubation or processing conveyor, a storage and selection system for test sample containers, a storage and selection system for reagent containers, sample and reagent aspirating and dispensing probes, a separation system for separating bound from unbound tracer or labeled reagent, a detection system and date collection/processing system. All of the subunits of the machine are controlled by a central processing unit to coordinate the activity of all of the subunits of the analyzer. The analyzer is specifically suited for performing heterogeneous binding assay protocols, particularly immunoassays.

Abstract: In a fluid metering system, a plunger actuated syringe is coupled to at least one source of fluid, and a highly accurate friction drive is coupled to the plunger for moving fluid to a delivery outlet. The friction drive has a rack having a flat side and a rotatable circular drive shaft, or pinion, pressed against the flat side of the rack for moving the same by friction. Opposed guide rollers engage the rack in opposition to the flat side in straddling relation with the pinion for urging the rack thereagainst. A moveable swing arm supports one of the guide rollers against the rack. A spring leverages the swing arm and guide roller against the rack and transmits the force to the pinion. A positioning rod is provided for securing the swing arm and the moveable guide roller in a plane perpendicular to the flat side of the rack to prevent lateral motion of the rack and pinion whereby inaccuracies in the system may be minimized.

Abstract: A flow cell is described comprising a solid liquid tight body having axial and radial optical paths. Absorbance and fluoroescence characteristics of a fluid sample in the cell may be measured simultaneously using the same exitation source. Means is provided for suppressing bubble formation and turbulance. Flow cell temperature is controlled using a solid state heat pump.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatically taking monochromatic light absorbance measurements on a plurality of fluid samples such as serum. The fluid samples to be processed are contained in a vessel having a plurality of cuvettes into each of which is disposed a fluid sample to be analyzed and which vessel is on a processing path and moved by a unique drive belt mechanism capable of providing a plurality of movements to the vessel in different directions and selectively to a first position or station whereat the cuvettes in said vessel are washed and evacuated of any unbound materials and then to a second station whereat a reagent is sequentially and serially added to each of the cuvettes, after which the fluid sample in each cuvette is exposed to a monochromatic light absorbance measuring device straddling the track at said second position and a spectroanalysis is made thereof.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatically taking monochromatic light absorbance measurements on a plurality of fluid samples such as serum. The fluid samples to be processed are contained in a vessel having a plurality of curvettes into each of which is disposed a fluid sample to be analyzed and which vessel is on a processing path and moved by a unique drive belt mechanism capable of providing a plurality of movements to the vessel in different directions and selectively to a first position or station whereat the cuvettes in said vessel are washed and evacuated of any unbound materials and thence to a second station whereat a reagent is sequentially and serially added to each of the cuvettes, after which the fluid sample in each cuvette is exposed to a monochromatic light absorbance measuring device straddling the track at said second position and a spectroanalysis is made thereof.