Abstract: A holder for sample-holding plates has a retainer for pressing a plate placed in the holder both against the back wall and against a side wall. Thus a plate of a certain type will always settle in the same position in the holder. It is also possible to use in the holder plates of many sizes, which can be kept in place during handling owing to the retainer. The device is suitable for use in particular in assay methods in which samples to be assayed are handled on plates having a plurality of wells, for example in optical analyzers or other apparatuses.

Abstract: In an analyzing apparatus of the present invention, sample racks, in each of which a plurality of sample containers are held, are transferred from a rack feeding unit to a discrimination unit for discriminating a type of each sample container. After the discrimination unit, a plurality of analyzing units are installed along a transfer line, and pipetters of different types are provided in the respective analyzing units. The discrimination unit detects information on the length and the width of each sample container held in each sample rack by using an optical detector. A control part selects one of the analyzing units, suitable for analyzing the sample container of which type was discriminated, based on the information detected by the discrimination unit, and transfers the sample container of which type was discriminated, to a sample pipetting position in the selected analyzing unit.

Abstract: A pre-processor for use in performing heterogeneous immunoassays on samples for analytes in the sample employing concentrically positioned incubating and processing carousels. A single transfer station permits reaction vessels containing sample and reagents to be moved between the carousels. The samples are separated, washed and mixed on the processing carousel and incubated on the incubating carousel thus speeding up processing throughput.

Abstract: A measuring system and method are provided for performing luminometric series analyses on reaction components to be investigated and the liquid samples containing the magnetizable carrier particles binding said components. Sample chambers receive the liquid samples. These sample chambers are transported to a measuring station on a conveyor. Permanent magnets act on the sample chambers with magnetic fields during transport. A separating station is also provided, which is preferably equipped with a suction and rinsing device to remove the surplus reaction components separated from the carrier particles that accumulate on wall areas of the sample chambers under the influence of the magnetic fields.

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 filling process for filling an analytic liquid in a container is optically accurately and automatically carried out using a laser beam. An automatic filling system is capable of automatically and continuously cleaning and drying the container in pretreating processes prior to an analysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a test probe of a semiconductor probe card. In one embodiment, the method of cleaning includes the steps of placing the test probes in contact with a textured cleaning surface and providing a vibrational movement to the cleaning surface.

Abstract: A positive displacement positioner employs rigid stops and actuators to position a work piece, such as a microtiter plate, in any one of at least three positions. Positioner platforms, each of which is capable of moving a work piece between at least two distinct positions, are nested in order to multiply the number of positions available. For example, a two-position rigid stop positioner platform nested in a four-position rigid stop positioner platform, or a four-position rigid stop positioner platform nested in a two-position rigid stop positioner platform would permit the movement of a work piece to any one of eight distinct positions. A four-position platform nested inside a four-position platform yields sixteen positions, and so on. Each positioner platform preferably has a symmetrical polygonal outline and nested platforms provide displacement along each of the polygon's axes of symmetry. Consequently, a positioner will preferably provide displacement to any one of a number of positions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a washing device for use with an automatic biochemical analyzer using reaction containers. The washing device comprises a sucking portion and a draining tube. When the sucking portion is advanced into any one reaction container placed in position and is set in a given position, a communication passage is created between the inner wall surface of the container and the outer wall surface of the sucking portion and between the bottom surface of the container and the bottom surface of the sucking portion. During draining, the container is depleted of wash liquid. Outside air flows from the communication passage into the container through its opening at the top end at a flow rate more than a given value. The air flow blows away the water droplets adhering to the inner wall surface of the container. The blown water droplets are urged downward toward the sucking port in the suction portion. Then, the water droplets are discharged into a waste tank through the draining tube.

Abstract: A modular vial autosampler has a storage area for vials containing samples to be analyzed and at least one modular sampling station. A vial transfer mechanism includes an arm having a gripper that lifts a sample vial from the storage section, and the arm moves it to a station for identification and then to a sampling station, and under central control activates the sampling station for obtaining a sample for analysis. The vial transfer mechanism gripper is movable in X, Y, and Z directions to capture and move a selected vial and includes an alignment guide for the vials. Potentiometers are used for providing signals indicating arm position and the control is provided with updated information for calibration of the potentiometers and also updated position information for the arm relative to a fixed home position is obtained.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for the isolation of one or more components of a sample. The self contained device of the subject invention includes a reaction chamber, at least one reagent chamber containing a sealed, predetermined amount of reagent, at least one waste chamber, an entry port and a medranism for moving the reaction chamber sequentially into fluid communication with each of these other components. Also provided are methods of using the subject devices to perform procedures in which an initial sample is sequentially subjected to one or more reagent addition and washing steps. The subject devices and methodology are particularly suited to the isolation of nucleic acids from physiological samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for accessing a sealed container, and in particular a sealed container which is at a pressure other than atmospheric and which generally contains blood or other bodily fluid. A piercer and a probe are provided which are mounted to an XYZ positioning mechanism and are controlled such that the piercer passes through a stopper of the container, forming a cut therein through which the probe may subsequently enter the container. A foot mechanism is provided which is held against the stopper or seal for the container during piercer or probe removal for stripping purposes and through which the probe and piercer pass, the size and shape of the foot being such that, for both piercing and probing operations, it is over only a single container. The piercer and probe are operated such that the one not being used is in each instance in a raised position relative to the one being used.

Abstract: A mixture of beads from a combinatorial library is held in suspension either by inducing circulating flow of a liquid in a tapered vessel by rising air bubbles or by floating the beads at the interface between two immiscible liquids. Beads are selected individually from the suspension by drawing liquid into the tip of a needle having a circular opening smaller than the diameter of a bead. After a bead is captured on the tip of a needle, excess beads are jarred loose or washed away by flow of a solvent through a sheath surrounding the needle, and the needle is moved by a robotic manipulator to a well into which the bead is released.

Abstract: In the present invention, a disposable tip or a tip of a cleaning system is attached to a lower edge section of a nozzle, and the nozzle detects a liquid level by receiving fluctuation of a light close to the disposable tip or to an opening section at a lower end of the tip in the cleaning system, for instance, a light reflected from the liquid surface. In the present invention, not only the liquid level is detected, but also a liquid is filled in the disposable tip or the tip of a cleaning system detachably attached to the nozzle, a light is passed through the liquid in the disposable tip or the tip of a cleaning system, and a change of a light amount of the sucked liquid is detected, so that, for instance, a suction rate of the liquid, transparency thereof, contaminated by bubbles therein, clogging and a state wherein water has been exhausted are determined.

Abstract: An apparatus has a holder unit for sample vessels and reaction vessels, a dispensing unit and a washing unit; wherein, (i) the holder unit involves a sample-vessel holder including a linear array of holes for receiving the sample vessels, a reaction-vessel holder including a linear array of holes for receiving the reaction vessels, a coupling arrangement for coupling together the sample-vessel holder and the reaction-vessel holder so that the linear arrays of the holes of the holders are arranged parallel to each other, and a moving arrangement for horizontally moving the coupled sample-vessel holder and the reaction-vessel holder, (ii) the dispensing unit is movable in the direction orthogonal to the horizontal-moving direction of the sample-vessel holder and the reaction-vessel holder, and (iii) the washing unit supplies cleaning liquid to the reaction vessels and absorbs the liquid-phase component from the reaction vessels.

Abstract: An automatic chemistry analyzer is provided having a high throughput and a high reliability. The analyzer uses nephelometric and turbimetric analyzers to analyze a wide variety of parameters within liquid samples typically generated in, for example, a large medical testing laboratory. The machine employs a unique probe and stirring rod assembly mounted at a slight angle with one another using rack and pinion assemblies so that the lower end of the probe and the lower end of the stirring rod are in very close proximity to one another. This feature allows the machine to be used in unusually small reaction cuvettes. The analysis machine also includes an onboard control sample so that the machine can be programmed to periodically calibrate its analyzing equipment during the course of normal operation.

Abstract: A positioning system for a sample testing machine incudes a base pan and a set of independent drive systems for sliding a sample tray across the base pan. Each of the drive systems incudes 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: The present invention provides a heretofore unknown use for a aqueous reagent composition that serves as a universal rinse for performing and/or improving a variety of hematological analyses on automated analyzers. The universal rinse reagent comprises a phosphate buffer to maintain the rinse solution pH at from about 7.0 to about 7.6; a nonhemolytic nonionic surfactant, such as a Pluronic.RTM. an alkali metal salt, such as NaCi; antimicrobial and anti-oxidant compounds; and has an osmolality of about 285 to 305 mOsmol/kg. The universal rinse reagent composition is highly suitable for use in the rinse phases or cycles of all types of blood cell analysis methods and processes performed on semi- and fully-automated systems. The invention allows the replacement of mutiple and specific rinse solutions with the disclosed universal rinse to obtain accurate and acceptable results, independent of the types of blood cell analyses that are performed.

Abstract: An improved automated immunoassay analyzer including a high throughput automated immunoassay system which can perform high volume testing on a broad range of analytes while selecting from among a diverse set of immunoassays for any given sample. The immunoanalyzer has the capacity to perform a wide range of different types of immunoassays by facile storage and automated combination aboard the instrument among a wide variety of different types of reagents and heterogenous immunoassay beads stored on-board the instrument. The automated design allows reduced user interface (e.g., tests are performed automatically from computer input) including the ability to order, perform and reassay tests reflexively based on test results without operator intervention. Further, the inventive analyzer is not sample tube specific; that is, an instrument that can accept sample tube sizes within a broad size range.

Abstract: An improved automated immunoassay analyzer including a high throughput automated immunoassay system which can perform high volume testing on a broad range of analytes while selecting from among a diverse set of immunoassays for any given sample. The immunoanalyzer has the capacity to perform a wide range of different types of immunoassays by facile storage and automated combination aboard the instrument among a wide variety of different types of reagents and heterogenous immunoassay beads stored on-board the instrument. The automated design allows reduced user interface (e.g., tests are performed automatically from computer input) including the ability to order, perform and reassay tests reflexively based on test results without operator intervention. Further, the inventive analyzer is not sample tube specific; that is, an instrument that can accept sample tube sizes within a broad size range.

Abstract: A system for processing biomolecules comprising, a plurality of manifolds, each manifold having a holder portion and a number of peg members extending therefrom, a plurality of plate or strip means, each supporting a number of wells adapted to receive the manifold peg members, a processing device which comprises several processing units in the form of at least one heating plate unit adapted to receive the well plate or strip means for heating the wells thereof, at least one wash unit having a plurality of wash wells, each wash well being adapted to receive one or more manifold peg members and having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for wash liquid, and a holder device for holding a plurality of manifolds during processing in and transfer between different units of the processing device.

Abstract: The present device is directed to a reagent transfer device for transferring a plurality of reagent samples from one location to another location having a deposit surface. The device includes a reagent tray having a top surface with a top surface area and a plurality of wells in the ratio of at least 1,000 wells per square centimeter of top surface area, and a transfer member having a transfer surface with a plurality of pins extending therefrom. Each of the pins is positioned to correspond to one of the wells so that when the transfer member is moved in the Z-direction the pins are simultaneously dipped into the corresponding wells. The device further includes a mechanism for moving the transfer member between a first position in which reagent from the wells is deposited onto the corresponding pins and a second position in which reagent on the pins is deposited on the deposit surface. The mechanism for moving is adapted to move the transfer member in the X-direction, the Y-direction and the Z-direction.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a bioassay plate washer, including: a housing; a first wash assembly disposed in the housing; the first wash assembly including wash and aspirate manifolds having defined therein, respectively, a wash liquid chamber and a vacuum chamber; a plurality of wash needles for communication between the wash liquid chamber and a first point below the first wash assembly; a plurality of aspirate needles for communication between the vacuum chamber and a second point below the first point; and each one of the plurality of aspirate needles being disposed internally of each one of the wash needles.

Abstract: An automatic sample pretreatment device is provided which is capable of conducting a series of treatments or reactions from pretreatment to measurement automatically in a short time by employing a separate reaction system from the reaction system for measurement.

Abstract: There is disclosed a small-sized automatic biochemical analyzer requiring reduced amounts of reagents. An original sample is transferred to diluting containers on a diluting turntable. The diluted sample is transferred to reaction containers on a reaction turntable and analyzed. The original sample is once diluted. The aliquots of sample are taken from the diluted sample. Thus, a limitation imposed by the minimum volume of liquid that the instrument can meter out can be overcome. Let N be the total number of the diluting containers on the diluting turntable. The turntable is rotated in M pitches at a time. M and N do not have any common factor.

Abstract: The invention provides an automatic analyzing machine comprising a unique reaction cup combination for running high volume chemical analyses, such as analyses for sodium, potassium, glucose, creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen). The reaction cup combination includes an aluminum body having at least one flat smooth side. A planar heating element is sandwiched between the flat side and a planar outer sidewall. Within the planar outer sidewall is disposed a reagent inlet conduit coiled or otherwise disposed in planar fashion. By this design, heating of inlet reagent is more efficient and control of the temperature within the reaction cup is more precise. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction cup assembly includes a pair of such heating element and inlet conduit combinations so that the reaction cup can be rinsed with heated water instead of heated reagent. Such a design not only reduces the use of expensive reagent, but minimizes toxic waste disposal needs.

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: Automatic immunological assay apparatus comprising reaction wells in which there are deposited quantities of samples to be analyzed and of reagents, the reaction wells being grouped in modules (40) that are moved in translation, sliding between rails that define a U-shaped track (24), running from automatic reaction well feed device (26) to device (28) for ejecting the wells after use.

Abstract: This invention provides an automated chemical analyzer capable of automatically analyzing a plurality of samples for at least two different analytes. The analyzer includes a plurality of assay resource stations and an analyzer control means. Each assay resource station includes an assay resource capable of performing a predetermined operation upon a sample-containing reaction vessel within a fixed indexing time. The analyzer control means includes scheduling means for allocating assay resources to one of the reaction vessels as a function of that time cycle and a transfer control means for controlling transfer of reaction vessels directly from one assay resource station to another according to a chronology selected from a plurality of different predetermined chronologies.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting patient sample quality, and/or analytes, in the tip used to aspirate the patient sample liquid and then dispense it onto a slide test element. Spectrophotometric analysis is done on the liquid while still in the tip, by scanning the tip for transmittance in a light-tight enclosure, using NIR and adjacent visible radiation, and detecting the absorbence spectra of the liquid. Much smaller liquid volumes, and no through-the-label detection, are required, compared to doing the scanning of the liquid in a primary patient collection container.

Abstract: When reagent was discharged in a physiological tissue reagent treatment apparatus, it was troublesome to retain the sample so that it was not discharged together with the reagent. This apparatus offers an improvement on this point, saves work involved in reagent treatment and enables lower costs to be attained. Samples 70 are held in separate sample containers 8. The base of this sample container 8 comprises a mesh 64. Consequently, when the sample container 8 is inserted in a reagent bath 6 in which reagent has collected, reagent flows from this mesh 64 into the container 8. Reagent may flow also from a flow hole 66. The reagent which has flowed into the container 8 acts on the sample 70, and reagent treatment takes place. The reagent in a plurality of the sample containers 8 set in a container holder 10, is then aspirated by a pump 30, or by a nozzle inserted together with the container 8 in the reagent bath, via the mesh 64 of the container.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a liquid sample probe in which the probe is positioned within a washing chamber inside a wash body and a purging liquid solution is pumped through the probe into the chamber. A cleaning liquid solution may also be pumped into the chamber around the probe. Either or both liquids are subsequently vacuumed from the chamber drawing air through an annular gap between the probe and the wash body thereby creating a cleaning air flow between the exterior probe surface and the wash body. The cleaning air flow removes all cleaning liquid solution and/or purging liquid solution as the probe is removed from the wash body.

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 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 automated blood sample processing system having a primary test tube loader in which primary test tubes having blood samples are placed, a conveyor system for moving test tubes in selectable routes, a centrifuge, a secondary test tube loading area in which empty secondary test tubes are loaded for transportation by the conveyor system, a pipetting system into which primary test tubes and empty secondary test tubes are moved by the conveyor system, the pipetting system serving to aliquot centrifuged samples from each of the primary test tubes into a selected number of secondary test tubes, a bar code printer for printing and attaching a bar code label to each of the secondary test tubes, a capper system into which the secondary test tubes are moved by the conveyor system for attaching a cap to each of the secondary test tubes and a sortation system in which the secondary test tubes are moved by the conveyor system and in which the secondary test tubes are sorted into separate slots in a sortation tray, the s

Abstract: An automatic chemistry analyzer is provided having a high throughput and a high reliability. The analyzer uses nephelometric and turbimetric analyzers to analyze a wide variety of parameters within liquid samples typically generated in, for example, a large medical testing laboratory. The machine employs a unique probe and stirring rod assembly mounted at a slight angle with one another using rack and pinion assemblies so that the lower end of the probe and the lower end of the stirring rod are in very close proximity to one another. This feature allows the machine to be used in unusually small reaction cuvettes. The analysis machine also includes an onboard control sample so that the machine can be programmed to periodically calibrate its analyzing equipment during the course of normal operation.

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 body fluid sample and a reagent are reacted in a reaction container, and after measuring the reaction solution the reaction solution is discharged from the reaction container. The vacant reaction container is washed by charging a detergent solution containing plural kinds of surface active agents through a nozzle of a washing mechanism. The detergent solution is a mixed solution containing polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol ether, N-acyl amino acid salt and polyacrylic salt. By the washing method in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to eliminate bad effects due to incomplete washing of reaction containers in an apparatus for automatically successively analyzing biological samples.

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: 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: Method and apparatus for determining actual liquid volumes in vessels in an incubator rotor that experiences vertical run-out as it rotates past stations that fill the vessels with liquid. Air pressure is used to determine the height of the bottom of each of the empty vessels, and then the height of the liquid that fills the vessels, so that the difference in height is converted into volume to compare with the desired and expected volume for the operation that does the volume-filling.

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: 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: 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 sample dilution system including a dilution well waste chamber chamber, a dilution well spinning device, and a dilution well adapted to be controllably rotated by the dilution well spinning device when positioned within the dilution well chamber. The dilution well used in the dilution well system has an outer splash guard and a distal tip to permit facile tube gripping, respectively, and inner fins (baffles) to effect rapid and efficient mixing of the fluid contents of the dilution well.

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: A magnetic material attracting/releasing control method makes use of a pipette device sucking a liquid from or discharging a liquid into a container. A magnet body or bodies are provided in a liquid suction line of the pipette device, and any magnetic material contained in liquid sucked into the liquid suction line by magnetic force are deposited on the internal surface of the line. The magnetic material is released and discharged together with liquid from the liquid suction line to a state where the effect of the magnetic force generated by the magnet body is cut off.

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: The particle measuring apparatus includes a specimen pipetting section for pipetting a specimen liquid, a reagent dispensing section for dispensing a reagent, a mixing section for receiving the specimen liquid supplied by the specimen pipetting section and the reagent dispensed by the reagent dispensing section and a flow cell for receiving the specimen liquid and the reagent transferred from the mixing section and measuring particles therein; the pipet being so constructed as to be positioned in a first state of picking up the specimen liquid as well as in a second state of supplying the specimen liquid into the mixing section, the mixing section being open when the pipet is in the first state, the mixing section being kept closed by the pipet in the second state so that the reagent dispensed by the reagent dispensing section can press and transfer the specimen liquid in the mixing section out toward the particle measuring section.