Fluid handling apparatus for an automated analyzer

• US 20030194349A1
• Filed: 05/29/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1991
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Bayer Corporation (Bayer AG)
• Inventors: Whitesel, Mary Beth, Klingshirn, Frank C., Carey, Glen, Lewis, Scott C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,182,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/63
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0854 Double walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/508 rigid containers not provided for above
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00386 using fluid heat transfer medium
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00396 where the fluid is a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00524 Mixing by agitating sample carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00752 bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0441 for samples
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0443 for reagents
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0465 Loading or unloading the conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0486 Gearing, cams
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/1025 Fluid level sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/76 Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0098 involving analyte bound to insoluble magnetic carrier, e.g. using magnetic separation magnetic particles used in immunoassays G01N33/54326; magnetic separation in general B03C
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/021 having a flexible chain, e.g. "cartridge belt", conveyor for reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/025 having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 Reagent dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1065 Multiple transfer devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 Automated chemical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/111666 Utilizing a centrifuge or compartmented rotor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/113332 with conveyance of sample along a test line in a container or rack

Abstract

An analyzer for performing automated assay testing. The analyzer includes a storage and conveyor system for conveying cuvettes to an incubation or processing conveyor, a storage and selection system for test sample containers, a storage and selection system for reagent containers, sample and reagent aspirating and dispensing probes, a separation system for separating bound from unbound tracer or labeled reagent, a detection system and date collection/processing system. All of the subunits of the machine are controlled by a central processing unit to coordinate the activity of all of the subunits of the analyzer. The analyzer is specifically suited for performing heterogeneous binding assay protocols, particularly immunoassays.

Claims

1. A reagent transport apparatus for use in a clinical analyzer, comprising:

a plurality of agitating assemblies disposed collectively for selective rotational movement along a first circular path concentric with a primary vertical axis of rotation, each of the agitating assemblies having a respective vertical axis, being rotatable about the respective vertical axis, and being adapted to receive a respective first reagent container containing a reagent of a first type for rotating the respective first reagent container about the vertical axis of the respective agitating assembly, the respective vertical axes of the agitating assemblies forming secondary vertical axes of rotation;

a plurality of mounting assemblies disposed collectively for selective rotation along a second circular path concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation, each of the mounting assemblies having a respective vertical axis and being fixed in rotational position in relation to the respective vertical axis;

an agitating motor for rotating each of the plurality of agitating assemblies about the respective vertical axis; and

a circular gear concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation and coupled to the agitating motor,

wherein each of the agitating assemblies comprises a holder for each respective first reagent container, each holder being disposed for rotation about the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation, and a satellite gear in communication with each holder for the first reagent containers, each satellite gear being concentric with the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation,

wherein the circular gear is rotatable by the agitating motor and in driving engagement with each of the satellite gears, whereby rotation of the circular gear about the primary vertical axis of rotation causes each of the satellite gears to rotate about the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation, and

wherein each of the mounting assemblies is adapted for receiving a respective second reagent container containing a reagent of a second type.

2. The reagent transport apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a base; and

a reagent tray mounted on the base for rotation about the primary vertical axis of rotation,

wherein the plurality of agitating assemblies are disposed on the reagent tray along the first circular path.

3. The reagent transport apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of mounting assemblies are disposed on the reagent tray along the second circular path.

4. The reagent transport apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a drive motor for rotating the reagent tray about the primary vertical axis of rotation; and

a control unit for operating the drive motor to selectively position the reagent tray.

5. The reagent transport apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the agitating assemblies is associated with a respective one of the mounting assemblies.

6. The reagent transport apparatus of claim 1, wherein the respective vertical axes of the plurality of mounting assemblies are parallel to the primary and secondary vertical axes of rotation.

7. A reagent transport apparatus for use in a clinical analyzer, the reagent transport apparatus for supporting a plurality of reagent containers and for selectively positioning any one of the reagent containers at a reagent aspiration point, the reagent transport apparatus comprising:

a base;

a reagent tray mounted on the base for rotation about a primary vertical axis of rotation;

a drive motor for rotating the reagent tray about the primary vertical axis of rotation;

a control unit in the form of a computer circuit for operating the drive motor to selectively position a selected one of the reagent containers at the reagent aspiration point;

a plurality of agitating assemblies disposed in a first circle on the reagent tray, concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation, each of the agitating assemblies having a respective secondary vertical axis of rotation; and

an agitating motor for rotating each of the plurality of agitating assemblies about the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation, wherein

each of the agitating assemblies comprises;

a reagent container holder mounted on the reagent tray for rotation about the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation; and

a satellite gear in communication with the reagent container holder, the satellite gear being concentric with the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation, and

the reagent transport apparatus further comprises;

a ring gear concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation, coupled to the agitating motor, and in driving engagement with each of the satellite gears, wherein rotation of the ring gear by the agitating motor about the primary vertical axis causes each of the satellite gears to rotate about the respective secondary vertical axis.