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Method of performing a process for determining an item of interest in a sample

  • US 5,795,784 A
  • Filed: 09/19/1996
  • Issued: 08/18/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of constructing a process lane for determining an item of interest in a sample, the method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) accepting a container containing said sample in a process lane having a first physical length where a plurality of process steps for determining an item of interest in said sample are selectively automatically performed on said sample;

    (b) selectively automatically performing said process steps on the sample in the container on said process lane having said first physical length;

    (c) selectively varying a physical length of said process lane to form a second physical length which differs from said first physical length;

    (d) accepting said container containing said sample in said process lane having said second physical length;

    (e) selectively automatically performing said process steps on said sample in said container on said process lane having said second physical length; and

    (f) maintaining an effective length of said process lane on both first and second physical lengths constant wherein said effective length representing a total traveled distance of said container on said process lane,wherein said process steps performed on said sample on said first physical length and second physical length being substantially the same by maintaining said effective length of said process lane constant.

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