Automated clinical analyzer with dual level storage and access
First Claim
1. A clinical analyzer operable to store reagent cartridges, the clinical analyzer comprising:
- a) a body defining a horizontal operating orientation for the clinical analyzer;
b) a reagent storage rack arranged within the body, the reagent storage rack comprising a first plurality of reagent cartridge seats and a second plurality of reagent cartridge seats operable to receive the reagent cartridges, wherein the first plurality of reagent cartridge seats are positioned higher than the second plurality of reagent cartridge seats when the body is in the horizontal operating orientation; and
c) a reagent probe operable to extract reagents from reagent cartridges positioned in the first plurality of reagent cartridge seats.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated clinical analyzer comprises an upper carousel operable to rotate about a central axis and a lower carousel operable to rotate about the same central axis. The upper carousel includes a first plurality of seats operable to receive a first plurality of reagent cartridges. The lower carousel includes a second plurality of seats operable to receive a second plurality of reagent cartridges. The analyzer further comprises a reagent probe assembly including a probe tip. The reagent probe assembly is operable to move the probe tip between the upper carousel and the lower carousel and extract liquid reagents from the first plurality of reagent cartridges and the second plurality of reagent cartridges. The upper carousel includes an opening that allows the probe to extend through the opening and reach cartridges located on the lower carousel.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A clinical analyzer operable to store reagent cartridges, the clinical analyzer comprising:
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a) a body defining a horizontal operating orientation for the clinical analyzer;
b) a reagent storage rack arranged within the body, the reagent storage rack comprising a first plurality of reagent cartridge seats and a second plurality of reagent cartridge seats operable to receive the reagent cartridges, wherein the first plurality of reagent cartridge seats are positioned higher than the second plurality of reagent cartridge seats when the body is in the horizontal operating orientation; and
c) a reagent probe operable to extract reagents from reagent cartridges positioned in the first plurality of reagent cartridge seats. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A clinical analyzer comprising:
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a) an upper carousel operable to rotate about a central axis, the upper carousel including a first plurality of seats;
b) a lower carousel operable to rotate about the central axis, the lower carousel including a second plurality of seats; and
c) a probe including a probe tip, the probe tip operable to move between the upper carousel and the lower carousel. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A clinical analyzer comprising:
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a) a first carousel operable to rotate about a first axis, wherein a first plurality of cartridges are positioned on the first reagent carousel;
b) a second carousel operable to rotate about a second axis, wherein a second plurality of cartridges are positioned on the second reagent carousel; and
c) a probe operable to adjust liquid levels within the first plurality of cartridges and the second plurality of cartridges. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A clinical analyzer comprising:
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a) a housing;
b) a first reagent carousel positioned within the housing and rotatable upon a first axis, the first reagent carousel including a first plurality of seats;
c) a second reagent carousel positioned within the housing and rotatable upon a second axis, the second reagent carousel including a second plurality of seats; and
d) an opening formed in the housing, the opening defining a first loading door and a second loading door, wherein the first loading door is designed and dimensioned to allow a reagent cartridge to pass through the first loading door and into one of the plurality of seats of the first reagent carousel, and wherein the second loading door is designed and dimensioned to allow a reagent cartridge to pass through the second loading door and into one of the plurality of seats of the second reagent carousel. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 52)
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39. A clinical analyzer comprising:
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a) an upper carousel operable to rotate about a first axis, the upper carousel including a passage and a first plurality of containers positioned on the upper carousel;
b) a lower carousel operable to rotate about a second axis, and a second plurality of containers positioned on the lower carousel; and
c) a probe including a probe tip operable to extend through the passage in the upper carousel such that the probe tip extends to the second plurality of containers. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method of accessing reagents stored in reagent cartridges in a clinical analyzer, the method comprising:
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a) loading a first plurality of reagent cartridges onto a first reagent storage rack;
b) loading a second plurality of reagent cartridges onto a second reagent storage rack;
c) moving a reagent probe to a reagent extraction site and extracting reagents from one of the first plurality of reagent cartridges;
d) moving the reagent probe away from the reagent extraction site; and
e) moving the reagent probe back to the reagent extraction site and extracting reagents from one of the second plurality of reagent cartridges. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification