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Automated analyzer

  • US 20060210435A1
  • Filed: 03/07/2006
  • Published: 09/21/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An automated analyzer for performing chemical, biochemical or biological assays in a microplate format, comprising;

  • a plurality of discrete carrier trays for holding and transporting microplates and other assay consumables, where said microplates and assay consumables have a uniquely identifiable label, and where microplates with microwells containing a reagent or standard are initially provided in a sealed format;

    means of presenting said carrier trays to an operator for the purpose of loading or unloading said microplates and other assay consumables;

    a plurality of carrier tray supports within said analyzer for holding said carrier trays in particular locations;

    a carrier tray transport means for transporting said carrier trays as required within said analyzer;

    a sample housing for holding one or more sample containers, where each sample container has a uniquely identifiable machine readable label;

    reading means for reading a machine readable label;

    piercing means for piercing said sealed microwells for allowing access to the reagents or standards within the microwells;

    a liquid dispensing system for transferring a sample to said microwell and for transferring one or more of said reagent or standard to one microplate from another microplate;

    agitation means for agitating one or more microplates;

    a thermal incubator for thermally incubating contents of said microwells of one or more microplates;

    an optical detection station including an optical detection system for measuring an assay signal from one or more microwells;

    a user interface enabling interaction between the analyzer and an operator;

    microprocessor control means including firmware pre-programmed with one more batch protocols, wherein said batch protocols describe all steps required for the automation of one or more assays performed on one or more samples; and

    a means for field-updating said firmware for the purpose of adding, removing or modifying batch protocols.

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