Reagent and sample handling device for automatic testing system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a loading platform of a diagnostic analyzer, the loading platform having a slot to receive a carrier;
a sensor to detect a presence of the carrier in the slot, the sensor including;
an arm pivotably coupled to the loading platform, the arm extending at least partially into the slot, the arm pivoted when the carrier is disposed in the slot and engages the arm; and
an optical detector to detect a position of the arm and determine a presence or absence of the carrier based on the position of the arm; and
a status indicator that provides a first display when the carrier is not present in the slot and provides a second display when the sensor detects the carrier in the slot.
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Abstract
A handling device for samples and reagents to be used in testing in a system. Carriers of samples and reagents are loaded on a platform which detects the presence of, and proper loading of, such carriers. The carriers are moved from the platform by a transporter to a bar code reader for identification. A reagent container is rotated during reading to facilitate identification. The transporter further moves identified reagent carriers to a carousel on which the carriers automatically secured for storage awaiting use in testing. The carousel rotates, and selected reagent containers rotate on the rotating carousel, during storage.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a loading platform of a diagnostic analyzer, the loading platform having a slot to receive a carrier; a sensor to detect a presence of the carrier in the slot, the sensor including; an arm pivotably coupled to the loading platform, the arm extending at least partially into the slot, the arm pivoted when the carrier is disposed in the slot and engages the arm; and an optical detector to detect a position of the arm and determine a presence or absence of the carrier based on the position of the arm; and a status indicator that provides a first display when the carrier is not present in the slot and provides a second display when the sensor detects the carrier in the slot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method comprising:
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detecting, via a sensor, when a carrier has been inserted into a slot of a loading platform on a diagnostic analyzer, the sensor including; an arm pivotably coupled to the loading platform, the arm extending at least partially into the slot, the arm pivoted when the carrier is disposed in the slot and engages the arm; and an optical detector to detect a position of the arm and determine a presence or absence of the carrier based on the position of the arm; and changing a display of a status indicator from a first display to a second display when the carrier is detected by the sensor in the slot. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification