Automatic analyzer
First Claim
1. An automatic analyzer comprising:
- a rotatable reagent table on which a plurality of reagent vessels, each holding a reagent, are held, said reagent table including a plurality of annular reagent vessel holders holding said reagent vessels;
an annular reaction table positioned adjacent said rotatable reagent table and holding a plurality of reaction vessels;
a first reagent vessel carrying-in/out mechanism for lifting up one of said reagent vessels positioned at a reagent vessel movement standby position adjacent said one reagent table and for lowering said reagent vessel to a reagent vessel loading position;
a reagent dispensing mechanism for sucking a reagent in from said one reagent vessel and for ejecting the reagent to one of said reaction vessels, said reagent dispensing mechanism being directly mechanically connected to said first reagent vessel carrying-in/out mechanism;
first and second transfer means directly mechanically connected to each other for moving said reagent dispensing mechanism and said first reagent carrying-in/out mechanism in X and Y directions in a horizontal plane through a space above said reagent table;
a control system for controlling operations of said rotatable reagent table, said reagent dispensing mechanism, said first and second transfer means and said first reagent vessel carrying-in/out mechanism; and
a photometer for measuring an absorbance of a solution of a reagent and a sample mixed in said one reaction vessel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A reagent dispensing mechanism (15), first and second dispensing-mechanism transfer means (26, 27), and a second reagent vessel (reagent cassette) carrying-in/out mechanism (24), which are constructed by employing an XY-mechanism, are arranged so as to travel above a reagent table (25) to carry in/out a reagent cassette (22). As compared with the case where the reagent cassette carrying-in/out mechanism (24) is installed radially of the reagent table (25), the area of an automatic analyzer in the horizontal direction can be reduced and a reagent vessel (16) can be moved to a predetermined position in a shorter time by combining the rotation of the reagent table (25) with the movement of the XY-mechanism. Further, as compared the case of dispensing reagents from reagent vessels in a matrix pattern by using the reagent dispensing/transferring mechanism, the travel distance of the transferring mechanism can be shortened and so can be the travel time. Thus, an analyzer adaptable as a machine of high processing capability with a shorter cycle time can be constructed.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. An automatic analyzer comprising:
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a rotatable reagent table on which a plurality of reagent vessels, each holding a reagent, are held, said reagent table including a plurality of annular reagent vessel holders holding said reagent vessels; an annular reaction table positioned adjacent said rotatable reagent table and holding a plurality of reaction vessels; a first reagent vessel carrying-in/out mechanism for lifting up one of said reagent vessels positioned at a reagent vessel movement standby position adjacent said one reagent table and for lowering said reagent vessel to a reagent vessel loading position; a reagent dispensing mechanism for sucking a reagent in from said one reagent vessel and for ejecting the reagent to one of said reaction vessels, said reagent dispensing mechanism being directly mechanically connected to said first reagent vessel carrying-in/out mechanism; first and second transfer means directly mechanically connected to each other for moving said reagent dispensing mechanism and said first reagent carrying-in/out mechanism in X and Y directions in a horizontal plane through a space above said reagent table; a control system for controlling operations of said rotatable reagent table, said reagent dispensing mechanism, said first and second transfer means and said first reagent vessel carrying-in/out mechanism; and a photometer for measuring an absorbance of a solution of a reagent and a sample mixed in said one reaction vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification