Abstract: An analyzer for chemical assays includes a turntable which supports sample containers and reagent containers within a cooled volume and test cells about the periphery of the cooled volume. A probe is carried by a rotating arm for withdrawing liquid from the containers and dispensing the liquid. Fixed stations are also provided in the path of the probe. One such station serves to both wash the tip of the probe and to receive samples for flow-through analysis. Heaters associated with the probe and with the test cells increase the rate of reaction. Curved walls of test cell segments match the optics of an optical analyzer so that light from the analyzer lamp is generally orthogonal to the curved surfaces. The light voltage of the lamp may be controlled as a function of lamp wavelength required for particular assays. The system provides multiple-point calibration and automatic dilution of samples. Multiple aliquots of reagent may be drawn into the probe and then be dispensed into separate test cells.

Abstract: An elevator for specimen carriers includes an upper housing which is removably connected to an upstream end of an upper conveyor track and a lower housing which is removably connected to a downstream end of a lower conveyor track, the conveyor tracks being vertically spaced. Each conveyor track has a moving support surface which transports a specimen carrier downstream. The elevator includes a pair of opposingly disposed lift pins operably mounted along a chain housed within the elevator, the lift pins located to engage opposingly disposed wings on each specimen carrier, to lift the specimen carrier from the lower track to the upper track. The elevator housings are adjustably connected together, to permit adjustment of the overall height of the elevator for a variety of vertically spaced tracks.

Abstract: A high throughput chemical synthesis system utilizing cylindrical reaction vessels is disclosed. Reaction vessels are utilized which include a tubular member adapted for placement of electronically readable identifying indicia thereon. The identifying indicia are representative of reaction conditions within the tubular member and of one or more reagents utilized in a reaction within the tubular members. A method of performing chemical synthesis on solid phase reactive material within a plurality of reaction vessels using a plurality of reaction stages resulting in final products and employing identifying indicia representing the reaction stages is also disclosed. The method includes reading the identifying indicia located on the reaction vessels, reacting one or more reagents within the reaction vessels under particular reaction conditions which may be determined by reading the identifying indicia, thereby synthesizing chemical compounds within the reaction vessels.

Abstract: A sample card transport station moves a test sample card from an incubation station for the card to a transmittance and fluorescence optical station in a sample testing machine. The sample card transport station has a drive belt and an associated stepper motor. The belt supports the card from one side of the card. A ledge having a card slot is disposed above the belt. The card is snugly received within the card slot, and supported from below by the drive belt and rollers for the belt. When the motor turns the belt, the belt grips the card and slides the card along the slot to the optical stations, without any slippage between the belt and the card. This construction provides for precise control over the movement of the card.

Abstract: A positioning system for a sample testing machine includes a base pan and a set of independent drive systems for sliding a sample tray across the base pan. Each of the drive systems includes a paddle that engages a side of the sample tray. The paddle is slideably mounted to a shaft with a collar that slides over the shaft. A motor and drive belt is provided to move the collar along the shaft, causing the paddle to engage the side of the sample tray and slide the sample tray across the base pan. Track sections are provided in the base pan to prevent the sample tray from rotating as the paddle slides the sample tray across the base pan.

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: In an automatic analyzing apparatus for analyzing multi-analysis items in regard to biological samples, a reaction disk, on which a lot of reaction containers are arranged, is repeatedly rotated by one rotation plus one pitch and stopped for receiving a reagent, and intermediately pauses twice between the stops without delivering reagents. The apparatus is so set that a third reagent for the latest delivery timing is delivered during a stop for receiving a sample at a single reagent delivering position E, and a first and a second reagent are delivered during the intermediate pauses at the single reagent delivering position E. After delivering a sample to a specified reaction container, the reaction container is delivered with the first reagent during an intermediate pause in a first cycle and the second reagent during an intermediate pause in a cycle after the delivery of the first reagent, and then the third reagent during a stop for receiving a sample in a cycle after the delivery of the second reagent.

Abstract: Unused reaction vessels and unused nozzle tips are arranged in a matrix on a vessel magazine and a tip magazine, respectively. A carrying mechanism for moving a gripping mechanism along X- and Y-axes seizes unused nozzle tips on the tip magazine one by one in order, and transfers them to a tip attaching station. The carrying mechanism also seizes unused reaction vessels on the vessel magazine one by one in order starting from one end of the first row. A delivery mechanism, after having attached a nozzle tip on the tip attaching station to a nozzle holder, pours sample and reagent into a reaction vessel on a delivery station. The reaction vessel is carried by a gripping mechanism to an incubator where the mixture of sample and reagent is incubated. After incubation, the reaction vessel is transferred to a shipper station where the reaction solution is extracted by suction with a shipper nozzle which introduces the solution into the flow cell of a measuring device.

Abstract: A positioning system for a sample testing machine includes a base pan and a set of independent drive systems for sliding a sample tray across the base pan. Each of the drive systems includes a paddle that engages a side of the sample tray. The paddle is slideably mounted to a shaft with a collar that slides over the shaft. A motor and drive belt is provided to move the collar along the shaft, causing the paddle to engage the side of the sample tray and slide the sample tray across the base pan. Track sections are provided in the base pan to prevent the sample tray from rotating as the paddle slides the sample tray across the base pan.

Abstract: An automatic sample testing machine for testing samples stored in test cards. The machine has a test sample positioning system for moving a tray containing a plurality of test sample cards and fluid receptacles among various stations in the machine. The machine has a diluting station for adding a predetermined quantity of diluent to the receptacles as needed. A pipetting station transfers fluid from one receptacle to another. A vacuum station is provided having a vacuum chamber moveable relative to the tray between upper and lower positions. The chamber cooperates with the tray to make a sealing engagement with the top surface of the tray when it is lowered to the lower position. A vacuum generator supplies vacuum to the chamber. When the vacuum is released from the chamber, the fluid samples are loaded into the cards from the receptacles.

Abstract: A system for analyzing sample liquids using dry reagents is configured for the determination of clinical parameters. The system including an analysis instrument containing the test elements to carry out the test. Form and design of the test elements are adjusted for use in the analysis system. The system is utilized for analyses where available test elements which are in contact with their environment exhibit a low storage stability.

Abstract: Before analysis, the correspondence between the vessel positions and the reaction vessels held in the vessel positions respectively at the time of completion of all the operations of a turntable upon completion of the last analysis are stored in a computer in advance. When a start switch is turned on, a judgment is made as to whether the correspondences between the vessel positions and the reaction vessels coincide with those stored in the computer or not. In the case of coincidence, reaction vessels in vessel positions are regarded as having been already cleaned, so that these reaction vessels are subjected to blank measurement and sample addition in the case of optical measurement, whereas these reaction vessels are directly subjected to sample addition in the case of ISE measurement.

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: An apparatus for holding reagent and sample vessels. The apparatus has reagent and sample vessel racks, a carousel supporting the racks, guiding pins that serve to guide the racks as they are mounted on the carousel and also serve to attach the racks to the carousel. Each of the racks has a handle that is used to lift the racks from the carousel. The grip of the handle is located above the center of gravity of its corresponding rack when the rack is lifted by the grip.

Abstract: A positioning system for a sample testing machine includes a base pan and a set of independent drive systems for sliding a sample tray across the base pan. Each of the drive systems includes a paddle that engages a side of the sample tray. The paddle is slideably mounted to a shaft with a collar that slides over the shaft. A motor and drive belt is provided to move the collar along the shaft, causing the paddle to engage the side of the sample tray and slide the sample tray across the base pan. Track sections are provided in the base pan to prevent the sample tray from rotating as the paddle slides the sample tray across the base pan.

Abstract: A method for determining and correcting for the variations in height of a rotor as it wobbles when rotating past a particular critical circumferential position. The method comprises sensing a reference surface of each vessel in the rotor that is to be filled during the use of the rotor in an incubator, as a tare height of the vessel, so that the effect of the vertical run-out is known and corrected for by the computer. Air pressure is used to detect the reference surface, either from a vessel-wash probe connected to the source of air pressure, or a separate sensor probe.

Abstract: An automated analytical instrument for conducting assays for components of interest in fluid samples. The instrument includes a testing system for assaying a fluid sample for a component of interest, a fluid dispensing assembly, an assembly for providing an assay module to the testing system and a fluid sample holding tray transport assembly for transporting a fluid sample holding tray carrying fluid sample holding containers to the fluid dispensing assembly and away from the fluid dispensing assembly. The transport assembly includes a conveyor, a fluid sample holding tray loading unit and a fluid sample holding tray unloading unit. The conveyor includes a carriage which is slidably mounted on a rail and moved along the rail by an endless belt which is fixedly attached to the carriage and driven by a reversible motor. In the operation of the instrument, one or more fluid sample holding trays are placed onto the fluid sample holding tray loading unit.

Abstract: A carousel receives a plurality of removable reagent containers, a turntable receives a plurality of sample fluid containers and a rotatable cuvette assembly holds an annular array of reaction and test cuvettes. A robotic arm carrying a fluid transfer needle coupled to a pair of syringes picks up one or more reagents and sample fluid for deposit into a cuvette. As the arm moves the needle tip exterior is washed and contaminants sent to a waste collector. At the end of a test cycle, the needle core is flushed and cleaned. A colorimetry photometric test is performed on the reacted fluids in each cuvette by a system employing ten interference filters, corresponding diode detectors and amplifiers employing two identical multiplexers providing identical filtered signals for logarithmic calculation of absorbance.

Abstract: A tube washing system including a tube spinning station having a rotatable chuck and a waste chamber surrounding the chuck for capturing and draining tube fluids expelled from a spun tube driven in rotation by the chuck. The chuck has a body portion and a plurality of spaced apart teeth defining intervening grooves extending through the body portion with at least one of the grooves permitting passage of fluid through the body portion and at least one other of the grooves receives and mechanically connects a projection on an open end of a tube. A pipette for dispensing wash water into a tube is located centrally within the chuck. There is also a tube elevating device located beneath the tube spinning station, the tube elevating device comprising a freely rotatable tube holder, and lift drive motor provided to vertically move the tube holder towards and way from the chuck. The tube used in the washing system has at least one projection provided on its open end which can interlock with a chuck groove.

Abstract: An autoanalyzer prevents data abnormalities by managing the analyzable number of times corresponding to each reagent bottle as a result of reagent deterioration caused by reagent replenishment, or the like, to thereby make it possible to perform higher-accuracy analysis management. Before an analyzing operation is executed by an analyzer, the term of validation of each reagent bottle set in the analyzer is checked. If the term expires, the use of a reagent in the reagent bottle is stopped. Further, the identification code of each used reagent bottle is stored in a memory so that the use of a reagent in the used reagent bottle is prohibited when the used reagent bottle is set on a reagent disk again.

Abstract: A vessel holder for receiving a number of vessels is useful in an automated analyzer. To increase the number of vessels which can be received in the analyzer and to simplify the device for reading bar code labels, the vessel holder has an elongate body manufactured in one piece and containing a single straight row of identical elongate chambers. Each chamber is for receiving one vessel. All chambers have a common base with respect to which they are perpendicularly disposed. Adjacent chambers are separated by a partition. The inside of a side wall of each chamber bears a first bar code label for detecting the absence of a vessel in the chamber, and the outside of a side wall of each chamber bears a second bar code label for detecting the position of the chamber in the vessel holder. The first and the second bar code labels are readable by a bar code reader from one and the same side of the vessel holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring antigens or antibodies in biological fluids in appropriately designed reaction cells in an automated analytical apparatus. The method includes the steps of contacting, in the reaction cell, the biological fluid with antibodies specific for a desired analyte antigen, which antibodies are coated on magnetic particulate carrier, under conditions such that binding of the antibody to the desired analyte antigen occurs, and detecting the presence or absence of an immunocomplex formed between the antibody and the desired analyte antigen. The automated analytical apparatus includes a closed circuit transfer path having means for transferring cells around the entire transfer path, and a thermostating period for each analysis to be performed with the automated analytical apparatus. The transfer path includes a loading station, a reagent delivery station, a mixing and washing station, a separating station and a discharging station.

Abstract: This invention provides an automated chemical analyzer with improved processing flexibility and ease. In one embodiment of this invention, the analyzer includes an incubation station, a wash station and a read station. The incubation station includes an elongated, movable track to carry reaction vessels along an incubation path, the wash station includes a movable track to carry vessels along a wash-cycle path, and the read station is adapted to move vessels along a read path. A first transfer station is positioned adjacent a first end of the wash-cycle path to transfer vessels from the incubation path to the wash-cycle path and a second transfer station is positioned adjacent a second end of the wash-cycle path and a first end of the read path for selectively transferring a vessel from the wash-cycle path to either the incubation path or the read path.

Abstract: A portable specimen transporting cassette for use with an automated specimen handling system The cassette includes a body portion, an electronic programmable memory device attached to the body portion, and an electrical conductor coupled to the memory device. The body portion includes right and left opposing sidewalls, and a substantially open front face between the opposing sidewalls. A plurality of ribs compartmentalize the body portion into superimposed sections, each capable of containing a specimen. The substantially open front face permits the specimens to be inserted into and withdrawn from the cassette. The electrical conductor interfaces with the specimen handling system and permits communication between the memory device and the specimen handling system. The cassette may include two separable portions which can be separately distributed for processing of sorted specimens therein.

Abstract: A transport system for instruments utilized in the analysis of fluids and, more particularly, a transport system which is adapted to be employed in the automated analysis of blood samples. The transport system including cassette transporting and filling structure is provided to extend over and operatively interconnect various stations of a blood analysis apparatus consisting of a blood sample and reagent supply holder, a storage unit for empty cassettes, a carousel or rotor containing an incubator chamber and a chamber at room-temperature for the receipt and filling with blood samples of cassettes, a centrifuge and an automated optical readout rotor.

Abstract: An improved automated diagnostic analyzer and method of the type which includes a reaction carousel having cuvettes to receive sample and reactant for photometric analysis and to index and park for addition of sample, reactant and washing of cuvettes. Alternative reactant and/or sample addition points are provided so the analyzer controller may index cuvettes to provide greater frequency at which washing of cuvettes may take place simultaneously with addition of sample or reactant.

Abstract: An analyzing method and apparatus for a liquid sample are determines in which the value of density or activity for an analysis item is through optical measurement of a reaction solution of a liquid sample and a reagent. When an instruction of measurement for a plurality of analysis items about each sample on a sample disk is inputted, a controller selects for each sample an analysis item in which a time duration from the start of a reaction until the final optical measurement point is the longest, and allots the selected analysis item to a loading reaction vessel while allotting the remaining analysis items to the succeeding reaction vessels in a sequence from an item having a longer time duration. A sample supplying device and a reagent supplying device make necessary operations on the basis of the sequence of arrangement of the analysis items in which the minimum time is obtained, and a reaction solution is optically measured by a fixed photometer.

Abstract: A chain incubator or conveyor, and method of use in an analyzer, wherein an endless chain is formed of repeating members and each comprising a link, element support, a cover, and means for biasing the cover onto the support with an article such as a test element between them. The members are linked together by a pair of pivot pins, and the chain is engaged by a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket.

Abstract: An analyzer automatically performs analytical operations in which liquid samples for analysis and required reagents are held in suitable vessels. To increase the number of vessels which can be received in the analyzer and to simplify the device for reading the bar code labels, the analyzer contains at least two vessel holders, a bar code reader, and means for automatically adjusting the focal range and the bar code reader. The vessel holders are disposed parallel to one another in the analyzer. A number of vessels of the same kind (for example, sample-containing vessels) are disposed in each vessel holder. Each vessel holder has an elongate body manufactured in one piece and contains a single straight row of identical elongate chambers for receiving one vessel. All chambers have a common base and are disposed perpendicularly thereto. Adjacent chambers are separated by a partition.

Abstract: A sample card transport station moves a test sample card from an incubation station for the card to a transmittance and fluorescence optical station in a sample testing machine. The sample card transport station has a drive belt and an associated stepper motor. The belt supports the card from one side of the card. A ledge having a card slot is disposed above the belt. The card is snugly received within the card slot, and supported from below by the drive belt and rollers for the belt. When the motor turns the belt, the belt grips the card and slides the card along the slot to the optical stations, without any slippage between the belt and the card. This construction provides for precise control over the movement of the card.

Abstract: An analyzer for chemically analyzing biological samples delivers required reagents in a plurality of reagent bottles to reaction containers corresponding to analysis items. A reagent which becomes deteriorated by carbonic acid gas is registered in advance, and it is judged by a control device whether such a reagent bottle is loaded in the reagent containing chamber or not. If such a reagent bottle is loaded in the reagent containing chamber, a purge gas for sweeping-out air containing carbonic acid gas is supplied to the reagent containing chamber. The flow rate of the purge gas is controlled so as to be large during an initial period of analysis preparation stage and is then decreased.

Abstract: A device for agitating and taking samples of blood products from tubes which are closed by stoppers and grouped together in a rack. The device includes a rack support adapted for holding at least one rack, at least one rack held by the rack support which is capable of holding a plurality of tubes with each tube being held in a selected position, a sampling station from which a sample of blood product can be withdrawn from a tube, a gripping device which is capable of taking hold and withdrawing from the rack one of the tubes at a selected position, bringing the tube to the sampling station and back to the selected position without agitation and replacing the tube in its selected position, and a drive device for displacing the gripping device. The device of the invention further includes a device for agitating the rack support and the rack which is operable during operation of the device for bringing and a device for withdrawing.

Abstract: An extraction cartridge, for extracting a component from a composition, contains a packing composition including a buffer composition, diatomaceous earth and absorbent. The cartridge is made by heating each component to assure it is free from contaminants. The diatomaceous earth is sifted to obtain a particular particle size. The cartridge also includes frits and filters for holding the packing composition within the cartridge. All of the components of the cartridge are selected or processed to assure that no contaminants are leached into the sample being extracted. A processing system automatically processes a plurality of cartridges. The processing system, which is capable of continuous operation, includes a platform, a rack for holding the cartridges, sample vials and extraction tubes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for analyzing samples for different analytes. A plurality of assay resource stations are provided, each of which includes an assay resource capable of performing a predetermined operation upon a reaction vessel within a time cycle of fixed duration, as is an analyzer control means. Information identifying two samples and the analyte to be determined in each is provided to the analyzer control means. Assay resource requirements for the first assay are determined as a function of an integral number of time cycles and appropriate time cycles of each required assay resource are allocated to the first assay. Assay resource requirements for the second assay are also determined as a function of an integral number of time cycles and time cycles are allocated to the second assay according to the availability of the assay resources.

Abstract: A cuvette, to be used for measuring the properties of liquid contained therein by applying a measuring beam of light from a direction intersecting the vertical axis of the cuvette, includes a rectangular or square-outlined portion on the top thereof as viewed in a horizontal cross section, a cylindrical portion below the top portion, and a lower rectangular or square portion provided vertically below the cylindrical portion and having four sides parallel to these of the top rectangular portion, respectively. Thus, the cuvette does not unfavorably rotate when measuring the absorption of light transmitted therethrough. Further, an apparatus for transporting the aforementioned transparent cuvette, accurately controls the position of the cuvette during transportation so that a flat surface thereof can be irradiated with a measuring beam of light.

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: An automated sample analysis instrument positively identifies and maintains the identity of a plurality of patient samples contained in individual sample containers. The invention prevents sample misidentification, especially when patient sample must be transferred from one sample container to reaction wells in Microtiter.RTM. plates. Rows of reaction wells in Microtiter.RTM. plates are processed in parallel so the difference in reaction time between any two wells on a plate is four minutes or less. Reaction wells are washed with high-pressure jets of wash solution and are aspirated so as to advantageously utilize fluid meniscus on top of fluid contained in the wells. The apparatus can be adjusted to perform a variety of different ELISA-type tests.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for simultaneously performing at least two assays using certain reagents for a plurality of liquid samples on a continuous analytical system is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of combining an aliquot of each liquid sample with at least one reagent in a first reaction container to form a first assay reaction for each liquid sample, and combining an aliquot of each liquid sample with at least one of the other reagents in a second reaction container to form a second assay reaction for each liquid sample. The method further comprises the steps of incubating the assay reactions of each assay being conducted at least one time, and performing other activities associated with each assay and using the first and second assay reactions to complete each assay, including analyzing the incubated assay reactions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel, fully automated spectrophotometric analyzer and method used for testing blood samples in the clinical laboratory for thrombosis and hemostasis properties. The analyzer tests samples in a fully randomized format, and is fully automated in the areas of specimen handling, sample preparation, optical inspection, data analysis and total quality control for imprecision and bias.

Abstract: An analyzing apparatus has a transfer device having a movable gripper, a pipetting device having a movable nozzle and a measuring unit. One of a plurality of tips arranged on a tip rack and one of a plurality of vessels arranged on a vessel rack are held by the gripper to be set in a tip holder. A nozzle pushes the tip on the tip holder to connect to the tip. A sample and reagents are delivered into a vessel on the tip holder by the tip connected to the nozzle. The used tip is detached from the nozzle. The vessel containing a reaction mixture is transferred to a sucking position with the gripper after incubation, and the reaction mixture is introduced into the measuring unit. The used vessel is transferred to a waste box with the gripper.

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: continuous flow analysis system measures the cholesterol distribution among different lipoprotein classes in a blood sample. A blood plasma sample is separated into different lipoprotein classes by single vertical spin density gradient ultracentrifugation. The sample is then introduced in a continuous succession into a reagent stream which flows continuously through a detector. A sensor detects the end of the sample in a sample stream before it is introduced into said reagent stream. A wash solution is introduced into the sample stream in response to detection of the end of said sample. The wash solution back flows through the sample stream into the sample container to wash any residue and/or air bubbles from the sample stream. After a predetermined time period, the sample stream is closed and the process is repeated for the next sample.

Abstract: An analyzing apparatus has a movable container holding table on which a plurality of liquid containers are arranged. Each liquid container includes a container body accommodating a liquid such as a reagent, an opening portion, and a cap hinged to the container body. The analyzing apparatus further has a cap manipulator device including a hook for manipulating the cap so as to open and close the opening portion of the liquid container. The liquid in the liquid container whose opening portion is opened is aspirated through the opening portion and delivered to a liquid receiving container.

Abstract: A sample segment including a body and wells formed therein, selected wells including a flat exterior surface surrounding a tapered end. The sample segment may retain selected reagents, and a sealing cover is held by ribs, stretched and pressed against raised bosses formed around the well openings to provide a sure seal. The bosses are discontinuous between adjacent wells. Selected wells may contain a free mixing element for enhanced mixing. The segment is uniquely adapted for automated handling and processing.

Abstract: A blood analysis system or instrument, generally, including an incubator station, a sample and reagent holding station, a pipette assembly, a centrifuge, an analysis station, and a transport assembly. Generally, the incubation station holds containers while reagents and fluids are being dispensed in those containers, and, if desired, for incubating the containers. The sample and reagent holding station holds samples and a plurality of reagents, and the pipette assembly transfers fluids from that sample and reagent holding station to containers in the incubation station. The centrifuge is provided for centrifuging the container, and the analysis station is provided to analyze the containers optically to identify reactions therein. The transport assembly carries the containers between the incubator station, the centrifuge, and the analysis station.

Abstract: The method for automatic testing of a laboratory specimen of the present invention includes the initial step of obtaining a specimen to be tested and placing the specimen in a specimen container. Information regarding the specimen and any tests to be conducted thereon is entered into a computerized laboratory information system (LIS) which is connected to and communicates with a laboratory automation system (LAS) software. The specimen container is inserted in a specimen carrier, and the carrier marked with an identification code which uniquely identifies the specimen and, by virtue of the identification code, the tests to be conducted thereon. The specimen contained within the specimen carrier is entered into the LAS at a receiving station, which reads the identification code and thereby determines:1. If tests which require process/steps which can run at variety of workstations;2. If tests can have certain steps merged in an effort to ensure that they are carried out properly;3.

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: A reaction vessel having a platform and a plurality of wells extending below the platform from openings in the platform. A support skirt extending below the platform by an opening therein, secures a cuvette to the reaction vessel. At the rear of the reaction vessel, a reaction vessel tab is disposed below the reaction vessel for facilitating transport of the reaction vessel through the automated analytical system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vessel shuttle which can be used, for example, for moving reaction vessels to or from an assay resource station in an automated chemical analyzer. The vessel shuttle has a plurality of movable plates including first and second vessel carrying plates adapted to move cooperatively with respect to one another to advance a vessel stepwise along a linear path without net motion of the first and second vessel carrying plates as the vessel is advanced one step. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second vessel carrying plates each comprise a plurality of fingers defining recesses for receiving vessels and the first vessel carrying plate is adapted to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vessels' linear path and the second vessel carrying plate is adapted to move rectilinearly both generally parallel to and generally perpendicular to that linear path.

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.