Automated chemical analyzer
First Claim
1. Apparatus for automatically performing multiple chemical analyses of a plurality of discrete liquid specimens comprising:
- means comprising a plurality of sample containers, each of the sample containers initially containing one of the specimens;
means comprising a plurality of reaction vessels in each of several parallel aligned rows;
means for loading a plurality of specimen test samples from each of the sample containers into a corresponding one of the rows of reaction vessels, the loading means including means for automatically aspirating the plurality of test samples from each of the sample containers and means for sequentially conveying the sample containers to and from the aspirating means, the aspirating means discharging the plurality of test samples aspirated from the sample container into the corresponding row of reaction vessels before aspirating the test samples from the sample container subsequently conveyed to the aspiration means;
means for transporting the several rows of reaction vessels in a continuous sequence from the aspirating means to a determinating station,the conveying means conveying each of the sample containers from the aspiration means in parallel with the corresponding row of reaction vessels containing the test samples aspirated from the sample container;
means comprising a plurality of switching devices being sequentially enabled by each of the sample containers being conveyed from the aspiration means for selectively adding reagents to certain ones of the reaction vessels, each of the switching devices being effective to cause one or more of the reagents to be added to selected ones of the reaction vessels in the row corresponding to the sample container enabling the switching device; and
means for automatically analyzing the reacted test samples at the determinating station and outputing the results of the analyses.
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Abstract
Apparatus for automatically performing multiple chemical analyses of a plurality of liquid specimens. The apparatus comprises apparatus for loading a plurality of test samples from each specimen into a row of reaction vessels. As the reaction vessels are transported to a determinating apparatus, other apparatus adds reagents to preselected ones of the reaction vessels a predetermined time before the reaction vessels reach the determinating apparatus. In particular, each of the several sample containers initially containing the specimens is transported in a track or the like in parallel with the one of the several rows of reaction vessels containing the test samples from the specimen toward the determinating apparatus. Microswitches engage each of the sample containers along the way, enabling the reagent adding apparatus to add selected reagents to the parallel row of reaction vessels. The reacted test samples are automatically analyzed by the determinating apparatus and the results output on a paper tape or the like. In addition, apparatus is provided for automatically removing the sample containers from the track after the determinations have been completed and depositing the containers in predetermined sequential order in a tray.
62 Citations
22 Claims
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1. Apparatus for automatically performing multiple chemical analyses of a plurality of discrete liquid specimens comprising:
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means comprising a plurality of sample containers, each of the sample containers initially containing one of the specimens; means comprising a plurality of reaction vessels in each of several parallel aligned rows; means for loading a plurality of specimen test samples from each of the sample containers into a corresponding one of the rows of reaction vessels, the loading means including means for automatically aspirating the plurality of test samples from each of the sample containers and means for sequentially conveying the sample containers to and from the aspirating means, the aspirating means discharging the plurality of test samples aspirated from the sample container into the corresponding row of reaction vessels before aspirating the test samples from the sample container subsequently conveyed to the aspiration means; means for transporting the several rows of reaction vessels in a continuous sequence from the aspirating means to a determinating station, the conveying means conveying each of the sample containers from the aspiration means in parallel with the corresponding row of reaction vessels containing the test samples aspirated from the sample container; means comprising a plurality of switching devices being sequentially enabled by each of the sample containers being conveyed from the aspiration means for selectively adding reagents to certain ones of the reaction vessels, each of the switching devices being effective to cause one or more of the reagents to be added to selected ones of the reaction vessels in the row corresponding to the sample container enabling the switching device; and means for automatically analyzing the reacted test samples at the determinating station and outputing the results of the analyses. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification