Abstract: A diagnostic analyzer includes a track, a light-blocking member, a motor, and an optical testing device. The track moves a reaction vessel held by the track. The light-blocking member is disposed adjacent to the track. The light-blocking member moves from a first position apart from the track to a second position closer to the track. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the first position a sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is exposed to light. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the second position the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is blocked from exposure to the light. The motor moves the light-blocking member between the first and the second positions. The optical testing device is disposed adjacent to the track for optically testing the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position.

Abstract: A reagent manager for a diagnostic analyzer system includes a reagent manager housing, a high-speed reagent bottle spinning device, a processor, and a memory. The reagent manager housing is for housing reagent bottles. The high-speed reagent bottle spinning device is disposed within the reagent manager housing for spinning at least one of the reagent bottles. The processor is in electronic communication with the high-speed reagent bottle spinning device. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor. The memory includes programming code for execution by the processor. The programming code is configured to spin the high-speed reagent bottle spinning device to spin the at least one reagent bottle to remove microparticles from a bottom surface of a septum of the at least one reagent bottle.

Abstract: A reagent manager for a diagnostic analyzer system includes a reagent manager housing, a high-speed reagent bottle spinning device, a processor, and a memory. The reagent manager housing is for housing reagent bottles. The high-speed reagent bottle spinning device is disposed within the reagent manager housing for spinning at least one of the reagent bottles. The processor is in electronic communication with the high-speed reagent bottle spinning device. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor. The memory includes programming code for execution by the processor. The programming code is configured to spin the high-speed reagent bottle spinning device to spin the at least one reagent bottle to remove microparticles from a bottom surface of a septum of the at least one reagent bottle.

Abstract: A reagent manager for a diagnostic analyzer system includes a reagent manager housing, a high-speed reagent bottle spinning device, a processor, and a memory. The reagent manager housing is for housing reagent bottles. The high-speed reagent bottle spinning device is disposed within the reagent manager housing for spinning at least one of the reagent bottles. The processor is in electronic communication with the high-speed reagent bottle spinning device. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor. The memory includes programming code for execution by the processor. The programming code is configured to spin the high-speed reagent bottle spinning device to spin the at least one reagent bottle to remove microparticles from a bottom surface of a septum of the at least one reagent bottle.

Abstract: A diagnostic analyzer system includes a linear track, at least one pipetting device, and at least one diagnostic module. The linear track includes a pre-treatment lane disposed parallel to at least one processing lane. The linear track moves reaction vessels, containing samples, held by the pre-treatment lane and by the at least one processing lane. The pre-treatment lane pre-treats the samples in the reaction vessels of the pre-treatment lane. The pre-treatment lane is not connected to any diagnostic module for testing the samples in the reaction vessels of the pre-treatment lane. The at least one pipetting device transfers the pre-treated samples from the reaction vessels in the pre-treatment lane to the reaction vessels in the at least one processing lane. The at least one diagnostic module is connected to the at least one processing lane for testing the pre-treated samples transferred into the reaction vessels in the at least one processing lane.

Abstract: A diagnostic analyzer system includes a linear track, at least one pipetting device, and at least one diagnostic module. The linear track includes a pre-treatment lane disposed parallel to at least one processing lane. The linear track moves reaction vessels, containing samples, held by the pre-treatment lane and by the at least one processing lane. The pre-treatment lane pre-treats the samples in the reaction vessels of the pre-treatment lane. The pre-treatment lane is not connected to any diagnostic module for testing the samples in the reaction vessels of the pre-treatment lane. The at least one pipetting device transfers the pre-treated samples from the reaction vessels in the pre-treatment lane to the reaction vessels in the at least one processing lane. The at least one diagnostic module is connected to the at least one processing lane for testing the pre-treated samples transferred into the reaction vessels in the at least one processing lane.

Abstract: A diagnostic analyzer includes a track, a light-blocking member, a motor, and an optical testing device. The track moves a reaction vessel held by the track. The light-blocking member is disposed adjacent to the track. The light-blocking member moves from a first position apart from the track to a second position closer to the track. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the first position a sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is exposed to light. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the second position the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is blocked from exposure to the light. The motor moves the light-blocking member between the first and the second positions. The optical testing device is disposed adjacent to the track for optically testing the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position.

Abstract: A diagnostic analyzer includes a track, a light-blocking member, a motor, and an optical testing device. The track moves a reaction vessel held by the track. The light-blocking member is disposed adjacent to the track. The light-blocking member moves from a first position apart from the track to a second position closer to the track. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the first position a sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is exposed to light. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the second position the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is blocked from exposure to the light. The motor moves the light-blocking member between the first and the second positions. The optical testing device is disposed adjacent to the track for optically testing the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position.

Abstract: A reagent manager for a diagnostic analyzer system includes a reagent manager housing, a high-speed reagent bottle spinning device, a processor, and a memory. The reagent manager housing is for housing reagent bottles. The high-speed reagent bottle spinning device is disposed within the reagent manager housing for spinning at least one of the reagent bottles. The processor is in electronic communication with the high-speed reagent bottle spinning device. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor. The memory includes programming code for execution by the processor. The programming code is configured to spin the high-speed reagent bottle spinning device to spin the at least one reagent bottle to remove microparticles from a bottom surface of a septum of the at least one reagent bottle.

Abstract: A diagnostic analyzer system includes a linear track, at least one pipetting device, and at least one diagnostic module. The linear track includes a pre-treatment lane disposed parallel to at least one processing lane. The linear track moves reaction vessels, containing samples, held by the pre-treatment lane and by the at least one processing lane. The pre-treatment lane pre-treats the samples in the reaction vessels of the pre-treatment lane. The pre-treatment lane is not connected to any diagnostic module for testing the samples in the reaction vessels of the pre-treatment lane. The at least one pipetting device transfers the pre-treated samples from the reaction vessels in the pre-treatment lane to the reaction vessels in the at least one processing lane. The at least one diagnostic module is connected to the at least one processing lane for testing the pre-treated samples transferred into the reaction vessels in the at least one processing lane.

Abstract: A diagnostic analyzer includes a track, a light-blocking member, a motor, and an optical testing device. The track moves a reaction vessel held by the track. The light-blocking member is disposed adjacent to the track. The light-blocking member moves from a first position apart from the track to a second position closer to the track. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the first position a sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is exposed to light. When the light-blocking member is disposed in the second position the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track is blocked from exposure to the light. The motor moves the light-blocking member between the first and the second positions. The optical testing device is disposed adjacent to the track for optically testing the sample contained within the reaction vessel held by the track when the at least one light-blocking member is disposed in the second position.

Abstract: A semi-automated biological sample analyzer and subsystems are provided to simultaneously perform a plurality of enzyme immuno assays for human IgE class antibodies specific to a panel of preselected allergens in each of a plurality of biological samples. A carousel is provided to position and hold a plurality of reaction cartridges. Each reaction cartridge includes a plurality of isolated test sites formed in a two dimensional array in a solid phase binding layer contained within a reaction well which is adapted to contain a biological sample to be assayed. The carousel and cartridges contain structures which cooperate to precisely position the cartridges in each of three separate dimensions so that each cartridge is positioned uniformly. An optical reader operating on a principle of diffuse reflectance is provided to read the results of the assays from each test site of each cartridge.

Abstract: A device for producing a digital representation of an analog signal in apparatus for use in analyzing samples of biological material. The apparatus conducts such analysis by optical techniques, whereby an analog signal is generated which corresponds to the strength of a light component impinging a light responsive element.