Method of providing assay processing in a multi-analyzer system
First Claim
1. A computer controlled automated clinical analyzer system having at least two stand-alone automatic clinical analyzers, each analyzer having a bi-directional incoming and outgoing sample transport system, the system further comprising a bi-directional shuttle linking together the analyzers, and control means for controlling the system being controlled such that the bi-directional incoming and outgoing sample transport system of a first analyzer is automatically converted into a one-way incoming sample transport system adapted to receive all samples to be analyzed by said system, and the bi-directional incoming and outgoing of a second analyzer is automatically converted into a one-way outgoing transport system adapted to dispose of all samples analyzed by either analyzer.
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Abstract
A multi-analyzer system where at least two automatic clinical analyzers are linked together by a bi-directional sample rack shuttle, both analyzers initially capable of performing a slightly different menu of assays. The bi-directional incoming and outgoing sample rack transport system of a first one of the two analyzers is automatically converted into a one-way incoming sample rack transport system adapted and the incoming sample tube transport system of a second of the two analyzers is automatically converted into a one-way outgoing transport system adapted to dispose of all sample racks having sample tubes with samples finally tested by either analyzer. In the event that one of the two analyzers experiences an operating failure, the analyzer system may automatically revert to a single analyzer system employing only the operational analyzer.
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Citations
7 Claims
- 1. A computer controlled automated clinical analyzer system having at least two stand-alone automatic clinical analyzers, each analyzer having a bi-directional incoming and outgoing sample transport system, the system further comprising a bi-directional shuttle linking together the analyzers, and control means for controlling the system being controlled such that the bi-directional incoming and outgoing sample transport system of a first analyzer is automatically converted into a one-way incoming sample transport system adapted to receive all samples to be analyzed by said system, and the bi-directional incoming and outgoing of a second analyzer is automatically converted into a one-way outgoing transport system adapted to dispose of all samples analyzed by either analyzer.
Specification