Abstract: A system for removing liquid waste from an automated diagnostic instrument. The system comprises (a) an accumulator having at least one inlet for waste liquids and at least one outlet for waste liquids; (b) a vacuum sub-system connected to the accumulator, the vacuum sub-system comprising a vacuum pump; and (c) a drain portion for removing waste liquids comprising a peristaltic pump having spring-loaded rollers. The liquid waste from the automated diagnostic instrument is moved by a pressure differential created by the vacuum pump and the peristaltic pump having spring-loaded rollers.

Abstract: A system for removing liquid waste from an automated diagnostic instrument. The system comprises (a) an accumulator having at least one inlet for waste liquids and at least one outlet for waste liquids; (b) a vacuum sub-system connected to the accumulator, said vacuum sub-system comprising a vacuum pump; and (c) a drain portion for removing waste liquids comprising a peristaltic pump having spring-loaded rollers. The liquid waste from the automated diagnostic instrument is moved by means of a pressure differential created by the vacuum pump and the peristaltic pump having spring-loaded rollers.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed relate to determination of an item of interest in a sample. One embodiment relates to a structure which comprises a process path. The process path comprises a process lane including a process step performance lane where a process step is performed, and a process step avoidance lane where the process step is avoided. A first prime mover is operatively connected with the process path for moving a container holding the sample along the process path. A first pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing the sample to the container. A second pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing a reagent to the container. A device is operatively connected with the process path and is selectively engagable with the container for mixing the sample and the reagent in the container.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed relate to determination of an item of interest in a sample. In one method, a process path comprising a process lane including a process step performance lane where a process step is performed, and a process step avoidance lane where the process step is avoided is provided. A container holding the sample is moved along the process path. The sample is introduced to the container. A reagent is introduced to the container. The sample and the reagent are mixed in the container. The container is selectively positioned in a selected one of the process step performance lane and the process step avoidance lane. The item of interest in the sample is determined based upon a reaction between the sample and the reagent.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods of performing a process for determining an item of interest in a sample. In one embodiment, a container for holding the sample is accepted in a process lane where a process step is selectively automatically performed on the sample in the container. The process step is selectively automatically performed on the sample in the container. An effective length of the process lane is maintained constant while a physical length of the process lane is selectively varied.

Abstract: A methodology is presented which relates in general to fluorescence polarization immunoassays (FPIA) and modifications of current processes wherein detection and quantification of several commonly abused or therapeutic drugs in a single biological fluid sample are determined utilizing manual or current software or related equipment to allow the sequential and simultaneous performance of more than one FPIA assay. The methodology involves combining the reagents either separately or pre-mixed, for multiple assays in a single reagent package, these reagents being used to assay quantitative amounts of each of the assay analytes in a sequential step manner. The assay being performed by mixing the sample with a combination reagent and then initiating a specific reaction for each of the separate analytes by sequentially adding a specific reagent, i.e.