Abstract: A rotary incubation station for an automated analyzer is provided. The rotary incubation station includes a platform, a circular ring-shaped outside rotary wheel having a plurality of nesting locations for washing and reading vessels, and a circular disc-shaped inside rotary wheel having a plurality of nesting locations for incubation and storage of vessels. The rotary incubation station also includes a spur gear mechanism for rotating the outside and inside rotary wheels, including spur gear drivers respectively engaged with spur gear teeth of the outside and inside rotary wheel, providing accurate control of the rotation of the outside and inside rotary wheels.

Abstract: A method and system for picking and placing vessels are provided. The system includes a gripper assembly mounted on a positioning mechanism. The gripper assembly includes a cylinder, a plurality of flexible gripping members extending from the cylinder in a spaced-apart relationship for receiving therebetween a vessel and holding it by friction, a piston slideably inserted inside the cylinder, and a plunger connected to and movable with the piston and extending between the gripping members for engaging the vessel. The method includes the steps of positioning the gripper assembly, picking up and transferring a vessel, and placing, seating and releasing the vessel. The contents of the vessel may also be mixed simultaneously during the transferring of the vessel.

Abstract: A method and system for picking and placing vessels are provided. The system includes a gripper assembly mounted on a positioning mechanism. The gripper assembly includes a cylinder, a plurality of flexible gripping members extending from the cylinder in a spaced-apart relationship for receiving therebetween a vessel and holding it by friction, a piston slideably inserted inside the cylinder, and a plunger connected to and movable with the piston and extending between the gripping members for engaging the vessel. The method includes the steps of positioning the gripper assembly, picking up and transferring a vessel, and placing, seating and releasing the vessel. The contents of the vessel may also be mixed simultaneously during the transferring of the vessel.

Abstract: A fluid-moving device is disclosed. The fluid-moving device comprises a housing defining a suction chamber; at least one internal passageway formed inside the housing; a moving member movably disposed within the chamber; and a sealing member circumferentially disposed between the housing and the moving member. The internal passageway has a first end opening to the suction chamber and a second end connecting to an outside surface of the housing. The sealing member has a fluid-tight relationship with the housing. The sealing member and the moving member define a continuous and uniform gap, having a size that allows the fluid to fill the gap but prevents the fluid from flowing through the gap from the first side to the second side of the opening under an operating pressure differential between the first and the second side.

Abstract: A clearance seal assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a stationary member defining a first side, a second side and an opening connecting the first and second side; a moving member moveably disposed through the opening; and a sealing member circumferentially disposed between the stationary member and the moving member. The sealing member has a fluid-tight relationship with the stationary member. The sealing member and the moving member define a continuous and uniform gap having a size that allows the fluid to fill the gap but prevents the fluid from flowing through the gap from the first side to the second side of the opening under an operating pressure differential between the first and the second side. In a preferred embodiment, both the sealing member and the moving member are made of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A method and system for automated immunochemistry or chemistry analysis are provided. The method and system provide a sample aliquoting section, a reagent pipetting section having a plurality of independent reagent pipetting stations, each operating on a cycle of a first period of time, and an incubate and wash and read section operating on a cycle of a second period of time to match the throughput of the system, where the quotient of the first period of time divided by the second period of time is a whole number, and the number of the independent reagent pipetting stations being equal to the whole number. The respective cycles of the independent reagent pipetting stations are staggered apart by the second time period, such that at least one of the multiple independent pipetting stations is available for working with the incubate and wash and read section at each operating cycle of the second period of time.

Abstract: A method and system of sample aliquot storage for automated immunochemistry or chemistry instruments are provided. The method and system provide a sample aliquot storage unit having a sample storage wheel for storing sample vessels containing sample aliquots in a chilled enclosed environment, which are accessible by both a sample pipettor of a sample aliquoting station and a pick-and-place gripper. The pick-and-place gripper transports the sample vessels containing sample aliquots to multiple independent reagent pipetting stations respectively for sample aspiration of subsequent assay, and thereafter transports the sample vessels containing remaining sample aliquots back to the sample storage wheel to be stored in the chilled environment for reflex testing. When all the tests are completed, the pick-and-place gripper transports the sample vessels to a waste storage area.

Abstract: A method and system for automated immunochemistry or chemistry analysis are provided. The method and system provide a sample aliquoting section, a reagent pipetting section having a plurality of independent reagent pipetting stations, each operating on a cycle of a first period of time, and an incubate and wash and read section operating on a cycle of a second period of time to match the throughput of the system, where the quotient of the first period of time divided by the second period of time is a whole number, and the number of the independent reagent pipetting stations being equal to the whole number. The respective cycles of the independent reagent pipetting stations are staggered apart by the second time period, such that at least one of the multiple independent pipetting stations is available for working with the incubate and wash and read section at each operating cycle of the second period of time.

Abstract: A fluid-moving device with an integrated valve is disclosed. The device includes a housing defining a suction chamber and at least one internal passageway formed inside the housing. A first end of the internal passageway opens to the suction chamber and a second end of the internal passageway connects to an outside surface of the housing. The fluid-moving device of the present invention also includes a pumping structure disposed inside the suction chamber for generating a pressure inside the suction chamber. The device may also include valve passageways formed inside the housing. In one embodiment, a manifold is utilized for connecting the valve passageways to fluid supplies and fluid sinks. The manifold has a casing, at least one input port, at least one output port, and a plurality of internal manifold passageways formed in the manifold casing. A method of making a fluid-moving device with an integrated valve of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary incubation station for an automated analyzer is provided. The rotary incubation station includes a platform, a circular ring-shaped outside rotary wheel having a plurality of nesting locations for washing and reading vessels, and a circular disc-shaped inside rotary wheel having a plurality of nesting locations for incubation and storage of vessels. The rotary incubation station also includes a spur gear mechanism for rotating the outside and inside rotary wheels, including spur gear drivers respectively engaged with spur gear teeth of the outside and inside rotary wheel, providing accurate control of the rotation of the outside and inside rotary wheels.

Abstract: A method and system of sample aliquot storage for automated immunochemistry or chemistry instruments are provided. The method and system provide a sample aliquot storage unit having a sample storage wheel for storing sample vessels containing sample aliquots in a chilled enclosed environment, which are accessible by both a sample pipettor of a sample aliquoting station and a pick-and-place gripper. The pick-and-place gripper transports the sample vessels containing sample aliquots to multiple independent reagent pipetting stations respectively for sample aspiration of subsequent assay, and thereafter transports the sample vessels containing remaining sample aliquots back to the sample storage wheel to be stored in the chilled environment for reflex testing. When all the tests are completed, the pick-and-place gripper transports the sample vessels to a waste storage area.

Abstract: A method and system for picking and placing vessels are provided. The system includes a gripper assembly mounted on a positioning mechanism. The gripper assembly includes a cylinder, a plurality of flexible gripping members extending from the cylinder in a spaced-apart relationship for receiving therebetween a vessel and holding it by friction, a piston slideably inserted inside the cylinder, and a plunger connected to and movable with the piston and extending between the gripping members for engaging the vessel. The method includes the steps of positioning the gripper assembly, picking up and transferring a vessel, and placing, seating and releasing the vessel. The contents of the vessel may also be mixed simultaneously during the transferring of the vessel.

Abstract: A pipette has a first and second piston to provide for a precise dose measurement and delivery, and a second dose which can be an air blowout to fully expel the precise measured first dose. Preferably, two pistons used are of different diameter with a difference in diameters permitting precise measurement of small doses of, for example, 10 microliters or less.

Abstract: A measured amount of a first fluid is metered into a measured amount of a second fluid by a method where a fluid is confined within a first chamber and a plunger of predetermined volume is mechanically moved into the chamber to displace a first measured amount of fluid after which a second plunger is mechanically moved into a defined volume of the chamber to displace a second volume of fluid therefrom different from the first volume whereupon the first and second volumes can be mixed in predetermined proportions.

Abstract: A method of metering and dispensing a first liquid, using a probe having an aspiration tip defining a tip chamber. The aspiration tip chamber is sized so as to be capable of holding and metering at least two largely different volumes of a first liquid. In the method a filler liquid is introduced into a portion of the chamber and a first liquid is aspirated in a predetermined amount into the chamber, so that a predetermined amount of the first liquid can be metered and dispensed with high accuracy and precision. The chamber is capable of being used for two largely different doses of the first liquid. Additional liquids can be aspirated along with the filler liquid. The filler using can be a reactant, a cleaner or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a sample to determine an analyte content has a sensor for sensing the analyte positioned between a first and second transducer. The analyte or derivatives thereof are reciprocated between the first and second transducer to reciprocate at the sensor and allow instantaneous sensing of an indication of the analyte's presence at a point between the first and second transducer. Rapid analysis can be carried out in many different systems including for example where the transducers are enzyme reactors and the analytes are body metabolites.

Abstract: A multi-mode, differential fluid displacement pump provides for at least two different measured doses. The pump has a chamber in which are mounted a first diameter piston and a second diameter piston defining first and second volumes for reciprocation in the chamber. Means are provided for reciprocating the pistons as desired to obtain predetermined volume changes corresponding to movement of either or both of the first and second pistons. A system of operation and a mixing chamber useful in connection with dosages from the pump are interconnected with the pump.

Abstract: An analysis system includes sample insertion module structure with structure defining a reduced pressure reservoir, structure defining a sample region, and structure defining a reagent circuit that includes metering chamber structure in series with the reagent circuit. First transfer valve structure is arranged to couple the sample region to the reagent circuit on one side of the metering chamber structure, and second transfer valve structure is arranged to couple the reagent circuit to the reduced pressure reservoir structure on the side of the metering chamber structure remote from the first transfer valve structure for inserting an intact metered quantity of sample liquid into a reagent stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid handling process that provides self-limited, controlled and gentle movement of a quantity of liquid for metering and positioning purposes without the need for auxiliary sensors, and without loss or damage to the liquid sample. Precise positioning is accomplished under the influence of progressively reduced volumes of reduced pressure in an arrangement in which atmospheric pressure produces movement of the liquid quantity without need for auxiliary sensing devices, flow or pump control mechanisms, and the like.

Abstract: A method and system of sample aliquot storage for automated immunochemistry or chemistry instruments are provided. The method and system provide a sample aliquot storage unit having a sample storage wheel for storing sample vessels containing sample aliquots in a chilled enclosed environment, which are accessible by both a sample pipettor of a sample aliquoting station and a pick-and-place gripper. The pick-and-place gripper transports the sample vessels containing sample aliquots to multiple independent reagent pipetting stations respectively for sample aspiration of subsequent assay, and thereafter transports the sample vessels containing remaining sample aliquots back to the sample storage wheel to be stored in the chilled environment for reflex testing. When all the tests are completed, the pick-and-place gripper transports the sample vessels to a waste storage area.