Patent classifications
G01N35/1065
FULLY-AUTOMATIC CHEMILUMINESCENCE IMMUNOASSAY ANALYZER
Disclosed is a fully-automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer, which comprises a base, a reaction cup conveyance module, a robot-arm sample injection module, an incubation module, a manipulator and transit module, a magnetic-separation cleaning module, and a detection module are mutually independently integrated on the base. The reaction cup conveyance module is used for conveying a reaction cup to a pre-determined position; the manipulator and transit module carries the reaction cup into the incubation module, to incubate the reaction cup for a constant-temperature reaction; the reaction cup in the incubation module is carried to the magnetic-separation cleaning module for magnetic-adsorption cleaning; and the reaction cup after cleaning is carried by the manipulator and transit module to the detection module for detection. A plurality of manipulators and a plurality of transit devices may be disposed as required, to link the mutually independent functional parts of the modules. Further, the instrument may be equipped with detection modules and process modules of various detection platforms, which cooperate with the manipulator and transit module to realize diverse detection in a table-top production line manner.
Method for performing a magnetic separation procedure
A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.
Dosing device
A dosing device is proposed which is designed for dosed output of a fluid. The dosing device has a block-shaped channel body, through which a dosing channel system passes. The dosing channel system has a fluid infeed opening and a plurality of fluid output openings. The fluid output openings are formed by the channel apertures of narrowed output sections of a plurality of output channels of the dosing channel system. The entire dosing channel system, including the output channels, is formed in the block-shaped channel body. The dosing channel system is preferably structured such that the flow velocity of the fluid channelled through during operation is at least substantially the same throughout with the exception of in the output sections of the output channels.
Systems and methods for pipette robots
Systems and methods applicable, for instance, to pipette robots. A pipette robot can perform one or more operations regarding deck calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip/probe calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip pick up, and/or one or more operations regarding tip ejection.
AUTOMATIC ANALYZER
An automatic analyzer is provided wherein degree of freedom in arrangement of a dispensing mechanism and of a unit provided below the dispensing mechanism is improved. The automatic analyzer comprising a dispensing mechanism driving a probe for a specimen or a reagent, wherein the automatic analyzer comprises an arm of two degrees of freedom supporting the probe, a first shaft and a second shaft that support the arm and transmit power to the arm, and a motor that gives power allowing the first and second shafts to be rotated and vertically moved, the second shaft being divided in an axial direction and having different diameters and, at the time of lowering the arm by the power of the motor, divided one of the second shaft being housed inside the other, whereby the second shaft is shortened.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PIPETTE ROBOTS
Systems and methods applicable, for instance, to pipette robots. A pipette robot can perform one or more operations regarding deck calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip/probe calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip pick up, and/or one or more operations regarding tip ejection.
METHOD FOR PERFORMING A MAGNETIC SEPARATION PROCEDURE
A method for performing a magnetic separation procedure that includes transporting a receptacle containing a fluid medium to a first location of a system, where the fluid medium contains both a sample material and a suspension of magnetically-responsive solid supports. At the first location, the fluid medium is exposed to a first magnetic field for a first dwell period, thereby isolating the solid supports within the receptacle, where no portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle at the first location. The receptacle is then transported from the first location to a second location of the system, where the fluid medium is exposed to a second magnetic field for a second dwell period. Following the second dwell period, at least a portion of the fluid medium is removed from the receptacle. A suspension fluid is then dispensed into the receptacle, and the contents of the receptacle are agitated to suspend the solid supports within the suspension fluid.
Pipettor system
Various embodiments include a system having a pipetting chamber, a set of pipettor cartridges docked in the pipetting chamber, a gantry system mounted on a ceiling within the pipetting chamber, the gantry system including at least one stationary track aligned in a first direction, and a movable track aligned in a second direction distinct from the first direction, the movable track coupled to the at least one stationary track, and a carrier configured to transport each of the set of pipettor cartridges to a pipetting location within the pipetting chamber, the carrier configured to move each pipettor cartridge in a third direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.
Automated specimen deposition systems and associated methods
Systems and methods that enable automated spray deposition of biological specimens carried on microscope slides are described herein. Aspects of the technology are directed, for example, to automated specimen deposition systems and methods of generating high-quality, reproducible specimen-bearing microscope slides in automated processing systems.
AUTOMATIC ANALYZER
An automatic analyzer dispenses each specimen and reagent in a reaction vessel so as to make the specimen and the reagent react with each other and measures a liquid obtained by the reaction. The automatic analyzer includes a plurality of dispensing mechanisms; a controller which controls the plurality of dispensing mechanisms; a normal cleaning tank dedicated to each of the dispensing mechanisms, which is provided at a position where only one of the plurality of dispensing mechanisms accesses, and performs normal cleaning with respect to the dispensing mechanism that has accessed; and a special cleaning tank shared by each of the dispensing mechanisms, which is provided at a position where all of the plurality of dispensing mechanisms access, and performs cleaning different from the normal cleaning with respect to the dispensing mechanism that has accessed.