Abstract: A nephelometer and nephelometer/turbidimeter combination of the type useful in automated chemical analyzers is provided. The combination includes a laser for generating a polarized laser beam having an S-wave component and a P-wave component. The beam is split by a beam splitter specially constructed so that a known proportion of one of the two polarized portions of the beam is directed to a reaction container. In the reaction container, a first polarized component of the laser beam is used in a nephelometric chemical analysis. The remainder of the laser beam passes through the beam splitter to a laser control light detector. Before the remainder of the laser beam reaches the laser control light detector, however, the polarized component which is not used in nephelometric chemical analysis is filtered out. The laser control detector uses the non-filtered portion of the laser beam to control the output of the laser.

Abstract: A method of determining or predicting a value P.sub.x of a property of a feed X to a steam cracking process or yield of said process, which method comprises measuring the absorption D.sub.ix of said material at more than one wavelength in the region 600-2600 nm, comparing signals indicative of said adsorptions or a mathematical function thereof with signals indicative of absorptions D.sub.im or mathematical function thereof at the same wavelength for a number of standards S in a bank for which the said property or yield P is known, and choosing from the bank at least one standard S.sub.m with property P.sub.m said standard having the smallest average value of the absolute difference at each wavelength i between the signal for the material and the signal for the standard S.sub.m to obtain P.sub.x, with averaging of said properties or yields P.sub.m when more than one standard S.sub.m is chosen. If desired the method can be used as such to control the steam cracking process by comparison of P.sub.

Abstract: A processing system for processing a plurality of products, the system including a plurality of interchangeable units arranged to sequentially receive the products and each having a work station for effecting a specific operation on each of the products, the operation requiring a given time period; and wherein each work station accommodates simultaneously a predetermined number of the products, and the given time period and predetermined number associated with each unit are different than the given time periods and predetermined numbers of other said units. A transport system transports the products through the processing system so as to provide for each product a common occupancy time therein.

Abstract: A chemical metering and control system is provided which maintains a desired level of a pesticide (or other chemical) in any open or closed channel flow stream with fluctuating flow rates. The system dispenses an amount of the pesticide at an injection point of the flow stream along with a fluorescent indicating dye, and then takes a sample downstream from the injection point to determine how much of the indicating dye is present in the flow stream, and therefore how much pesticide is present. At the sampling point a pump extracts a flow stream sample and passes the sample to a fluorometer which measures the amount of fluorescent indicating dye injected upstream. A proportional integral derivative (PID) controller then adjusts the level of the pesticide/dye mixture in order to achieve the appropriate concentration of pesticide in the flow stream.

Abstract: A plurality of analyzer units for serum, a plurality of analyzer units for blood plasma, and a plurality of analyzer units for urine are arranged along a main transfer line for transferring a sample rack from a rack providing portion to a rack storage portion. A reagent bottle for inspecting liver function is contained in each reagent delivery mechanism of two analyzer units among the plurality of analyzer units for serum. When the reagent for inspecting liver function in one of the two analyzer units is to be short, analysis for the liver function analysis item in the samples can be continued by transferring a sample rack from the rack providing portion to the other analyzer unit.

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: The present invention provides a method of using a reflectance-reading device to determine an initiation time point for measuring the chemical reaction of an analyte from a biological liquid sample on a test surface. The initiation time point is determined by using a device to read a reflectance of a test surface at a plurality of time points, and calculating the K/S ratio of the test surface at each time point according to the Kubelka-Munk equation. As the device continues to calculate a K/S ratio for each time point, the device monitors the rate of change of the K/S ratio with respect to time. The device then determines the initiation time point to be when the rate of change of the K/S ratio is maximal. The present invention also provides a method of measuring the concentration of an analyte on a test surface. The concentration is measured by determining an initiation time point according to the method described above and then measuring the concentration of the analyte at a variable end point.

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 method of continuously spotting a liquid onto a predetermined number of members to be spotted with the liquid includes the steps of mounting a disposable spotting tip on a suction nozzle, sucking the liquid in the spotting tip in a predetermined amount larger than the predetermined number times the amount for one spotting and discharging the liquid onto the members in sequence by the amount for one spotting by introducing a predetermined discharge pressure into the spotting tip. A signal related to the vapor pressure in atmosphere is obtained and the discharge pressure is corrected according to the change in the vapor pressure inside the spotting tip after the liquid is sucked in the spotting tip so that the same amount of the liquid is discharged onto all the members.

Abstract: An automatic sample injector for a gas chromatograph includes not only a syringe with a barrel and a plunger which is adapted to move inside the barrel but also a plunger-driving motor for pushing and pulling the plunger inward and outward inside the barrel, a position sensor for the plunger and an abnormality detector for detecting an abnormal operating condition of the plunger. The plunger-driving motor has a variable torque, and it is operated at a preliminarily determined reduced torque smaller than the normal torque at which it is operated under normal conditions. The subsequent motion of the plunger, or lack thereof, is monitored by the position sensor to determine whether the plunger is totally or partially stuck inside the barrel.

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: 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: An apparatus for on-line measuring physical property data of hydrocarbon products such as octane number, cetane number, density, vapour pressure and the like or gasoline/alcohol ratio, comprising means for providing (N)IR radiation in a predetermined spectral range; means for transmitting light at selected wavelengths in the (N)IR spectral region; means for delivering light from said transmitting means to a hydrocarbon product line; means for allowing an optical path length in the hydrocarbon product line; means for detecting the light transmitted through the said optical path; means for providing the obtained signal to be input to processing equipment for spectral analysis and correlating the spectral data to the physical property data of hydrocarbon products such as octane number, cetane number, density, vapour pressure and the like or gasoline/alcohol ratio.

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: A method and apparatus are provided for calibrating a sensor for determination of analyte concentration. The meter includes a sensor for receiving a user sample to be measured and a processor for performing a predefined test sequence for measuring a predefined parameter value. A memory can be coupled to the processor for storing predefined parameter data values. A calibration code is associated with the sensor and read by the processor before the user sample to be measured is received. The calibration code is used in measuring the predefined parameter data value to compensate for different sensor characteristics.

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: 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: 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: A reagent containing device has an outer bottle holder and an inner bottle holder. The holders are rotated independently of each other. When an instruction for exchanging reagent bottles inside the reagent containing device is input, a first reagent bottle on the outer bottle holder and a second reagent bottle on the inner bottle holder relating to the same analysis item are positioned at an opening of a bottle exchanging area. Then the opening is opened by a sliding operation of a lid so that the first reagent and the second reagent bottles can be unloaded through the opening.

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 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: A method of continuously spotting a liquid onto a predetermined number of members to be spotted with the liquid includes the steps of mounting a disposable spotting tip on a suction nozzle, sucking the liquid in the spotting tip in a predetermined amount larger than the predetermined number times the amount for one spotting and discharging the liquid onto the members in sequence by the amount for one spotting by introducing a predetermined discharge pressure into the spotting tip. A signal related to the vapor pressure in atmosphere is obtained and the discharge pressure is corrected according to the change in the vapor pressure inside the spotting tip after the liquid is sucked in the spotting tip so that the same amount of the liquid is discharged onto all the members.

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: The concentration of an analyte in a sample liquid is determined on the basis of the optical density of a chemical analysis element spotted with the sample liquid according to a standard curve representing the relation between the concentration and the optical density of the analysis element which is obtained when the concentration is measured using an analysis element of a first lot. A plurality of first standard liquids containing the analyte in known levels are spotted onto analysis elements of a second lot, the concentrations of the analyte in the first standard liquids are determined according to the standard curve and a first calibration curve for correcting the concentrations of the analyte is prepared.

Abstract: A physiological tissue sample on a glass slide is treated by a reagent. A reagent bath is formed so that its horizontal depth becomes progressively larger from the lower part to the upper part. In a first treatment mode, a small amount of reagent is introduced in the reagent bath, and a sample plate is introduced into the bath up to a first treatment position. In a second treatment mode, a large amount of reagent is introduced in the reagent bath, and a sample plate is introduced into the bath up to a second treatment position.

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 analytic instrument utilizing a Control Arena Network (CANBUS) and nodal architecture in the instrument with functions and logic distributed throughout the Nodes. A system controller is connected on the one hand to an operator input device for controlling the instrument, and on the other hand to a plurality of nodes via a CAN scrambler. Each nodes has a CAN microcontroller and related circuitry for performing autonomously a variety of functions of the instrument. The system controller and nodes communicate using CAN interface devices over the CANBUS, passing instructions, commands and data therebetween.

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 device determines the genotype at selected loci within genetic material obtained from a biological sample. One or more data sets are formed and a set of probability distributions including at least one distribution is established. These distributions associate hypothetical reaction values with corresponding probabilities for each genotype of interest at the same locus or at different loci. The genotype is then determined based on these measures.

Abstract: Prior to measuring the concentration of a nonelectrolyte in an electrolyte solution, the electric conductivity of a mixed solution containing electrolytes and the nonelectrolyte is previously measured so as to determine the correlation between the electric conductivity and the concentration of the nonelectrolyte as to the same system. The concentration of the nonelectrolyte in the mixed solution can be determined from the electric conductivity obtained by measuring the mixed solution, based on the correlation.

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 automatic analyzer in which a suitable transmission destination remote from a body of the automatic analyzer is selected in accordance with the contents of to be transmitted and the contents are transmitted to the transmission destination; a suitable operation control instruction is received from a suitable person on duty; and a suitable process is carried out to make it possible to improve analysis efficiency.

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 system for performing a plurality of independent analysis procedures simultaneously, each procedure having a sample and at least one process step for operating on that sample the system having a robotic device for moving a sample among a plurality of processing stations where the robotic device comprises substrate to which are coupled a plurality of tiles each one of the tiles disposed at a selected location on the substrate; a plurality of reagent trays coupled to the tiles, each one of the reagent trays having substantially identical shape and size; a robotic arm disposed for reaching substantially all the tiles; and capable of coupling and decoupling from a sample holder, the sample holder capable of holding at least one sample in a selected position, whereby the robotic arm is capable of moving the sample from a first one of the reagent trays to a second one of the reagent trays; and a processor for selecting, at a plurality of times a sample to be moved, and for directing the robotic arm to move the sa

Abstract: Thermo-cycling for biological material is provided by a channel such as a capillary tube extending through a series of temperature control elements. Each temperature control element maintains the adjacent portion of the channel at a desired temperature. Fluid to be processed is introduced into the tube through the inlet and flows, preferably through capillary action, to the outlet. The temperature of the fluid changes as it passes each temperature control element and is thus thermo-cycled through a predetermined sequence of temperatures.

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: A method of analyzing clinically relevant sample liquids and suspensions is such that where infrared spectra of dried samples are generated and evaluated using a multivariate evaluation procedure. In the evaluation procedure, the samples to be analyzed are assigned to classes. The evaluation procedure is trained with samples of known classes to adjust the parameters of the evaluation procedures such that samples of unknown classification can be assigned to known classes. In an advantageous manner, the infrared spectra can be generated by a transmittance measurement on a dried film of the sample.

Abstract: A frameless chemical analysis film includes a reagent layer formed on a support sheet. When the frameless chemical analysis film which has been held on a resilient suction pad under a suction force supplied to the suction pad is transferred to a predetermined member, the suction force supplied to the suction pad is gradually released taking at least a time which the suction pad, which has been deformed under the suction force, takes to be restored to the original shape.

Abstract: A polymer processing system has a polymer input and an electrolyte input which may be varied independently of each other. The polymer and electrolyte are combined and mixed to provide an out flowing solution which flows through a sensor cell that gives an output signal indicating the concentration of polymer in the solution leaving the processing system. The user repeatedly and incrementally sets the inflows of polymer and electrolyte to provide a preselected variety of concentrations of polymer in the out flowing solution. On each incremental setting, a memory stores information relating the concentration to the output signal. Thereafter, the processing system automatically maintains any desired polymer concentration in joint response to the output signal and the stored information.

Abstract: An automatic analyzer in which abnormalities of reagents and samples used are displayed. Abnormalities are displayed in the form of a list which is composed of an alarm colored display table and an alarm detailed table. With respect to the alarm colored display, alarms which have occurred in reagents, standard solutions and control analytes in each analytic item are displayed in the form of a list so as to be classified by colors. With respect to the alarm detailed table, analytic information concerning abnormality of reagent, abnormality of standard solution, abnormality of control analyte, number of analyses, term of validity, alarm, etc. and information concerning the kind of reagent, the kind of standard solution, the kind of control analyte, the setting position, etc. which will be newly required for analysis in the future now are displayed.

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: A droplet-deflection flow sorter images a series of droplets, analyzes the image to determine droplet spacing, and alters flow velocity to achieve a desired spacing. Cells in a suspension are forced by gas pressure into a narrow conduit to serialize them and then out a nozzle that includes a "window" that allows cells of interest to be characterized. Droplets breaking off from the exiting jet are imaged by a video system including a strobed light source and a video camera. Droplet spacing is determined by locating the centers of gravity of the droplets. The centers of gravity are located by processing the droplet images to produce line segments corresponding to volumetric droplet slices, with the relative volumes of the slices being proportional to the squares of the line segment lengths. This approach determines droplet center positions and thus spacing more accurately than non-imaging methods, especially with aspherical droplets and droplets with satellites.

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: An automatic analyzer in which a suitable transmission destination remote from a body of the automatic analyzer is selected in accordance with the contents of to be transmitted and the contents are transmitted to the transmission destination; a suitable operation control instruction is received from a suitable person on duty; and a suitable process is carried out to make it possible to improve analysis efficiency.

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: An analyzer includes an exchangeable and consumable element such as a sensor, column or reagent the characteristic of which specifies an analyzing condition. The element is provided with a non-volatile semiconductor memory which holds an analyzing condition adapted for the element as data. When the element is mounted on an analyzer body, a controller of the analyzer reads the analyzing condition from the memory to update an analyzing condition inherently provided in the analyzer body. The result of analysis and/or operational history information of use of the element may be written into the memory with which the element is provided.

Abstract: An inspection system for sampling and determining the presence of residues of contaminants within plastic materials to be recycled from used plastic materials such as plastic beverage bottles or plastic food containers includes a chemical sniffing apparatus, or alternatively an optical scanner, for detecting the contaminants as the plastic materials are rapidly moved along a conveyor past a series of stations. Recycled food or beverage bottles are fed through a shredder in-line with the conveyor and the shredded plastic material from the bottles is fed to a washer. The bottles and shredded material may be tested for contaminants at any location in an in-line process. In one exemplary system first the bottles are tested prior to entry into the shredder in order to remove bottles containing gross contaminants.

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 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.