Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for forming a structure for deciding an item of concern contained in a sample. SOLUTION: In a process lane 28 in which process steps are selectively and automatically performed on a sample contained in a container 15, the effective moving length of the container 15 containing the sample is decided. The lane 28 is formed so that the lane 28 may become suitable to at least either one of a predetermined throughput and a predetermined physical dimension. At the time of deciding an item of concern, elements are arranged along the lane 28 so that the container 15 may move by the effective length.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute a process of determining concerned items in a sample by arranging a container selectively at either one of a process step execution lane and a process step avoiding lane. SOLUTION: A process lane 28 includes a process step execution lane 62 executing steps of a process, and a process step avoiding lane 64 avoiding the steps of the process. A container holding a sample moves along the process lane 28, and the reagent is put and mixed. The container is selectively arranged at the selected one of the process step execution lane 62 and process step avoiding lane 64, and concerned items in the sample are determined. Structure of selectively and automatically executing the steps of the process of determining the concerned items is arranged along the process lane 28 and includes bypass areas 58A, 58B, 58C.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine concerned items in a sample by moving a container along a process lane, and executing a process step selectively and automatically to the sample in the container. SOLUTION: A process step is executed selectively and automatically to a sample in a container while moving the container along a process path 10 (process lane), that is, a plurality of slots 18 are arranged at a disc 16 of the process path 10, and the slots 18 move the container along the process path 10. When the container moves from a charging lane to the process lane, the container moves along the process lane by the motion of the disc 16 in order to determine concerned items in the sample. The process of determining the concerned items in the sample includes separation of solid/liquid phase, suction and cleaning of contents in the container, and the like. The process path 10 has such constitution as to be able to execute all the processes of determining the concerned items.
Abstract:
A method for modifying a liquid assay reagent to provide prolonged homogeneity thereof, particularly where the liquid assay reagent comprises microparticles for performing a heterogeneous immunoassay, is provided wherein the addition of an inert material to a liquid assay reagent achieves neutral density to thereby prolong the homogeneity thereof for extended periods of time. A method for the automated agitation of assay reagents to maintain the homogeneity thereof with an automated, continuous and random access analytical instrument is also provided. The automated mixing is accomplished by a back and forth motion of a carousel onto which assay reagent containers or packs are mounted with asymmetric pauses which can be completed within a short period of time. The carousel acceleration, velocity, distance moved, and pause-asymmetry are optimized to provide rapid assay reagent resuspension without foaming or bubble formation. Accordingly, periodic removal of assay reagent packs by an operator in order to mix the reagents is not necessary.
Abstract:
An automated, continuous and random access analytical system, havin apparatus and methodology capable of simultaneously performing multiple assays of liquid samples using different assay methodologies, and providing continuous and random access while performing a plurality of different assays on the same or different samples during the same time period, is disclosed. A method is also disclosed of operating an automated continuous and random access analytical system capable of simultaneously effecting multiple assays of a plurality of liquid samples wherein scheduling of various assays of the plurality of liquid samples is followed by creating a unit dose disposable and separately transferring a first liquid sample (26), reagents (30) to a reaction vessel (34) without initiation of an assay reaction sequence, followed by physical transfer of the unit dose disposable (34) to a process work station (46), whereby a mixture of the unit dose disposable reagents and sample (34) are achieved during incubation. The system is capable of performing more than one scheduled assay in any order, and assays where more than such scheduled assays are presented. The automated, continuous and random access analytical system is also capable of analyzing the incubated reaction mixtures independently and individually by at least two assay procedures.
Abstract:
An automated, continuous and random access analytical system, having apparatus and methodology capable of simultaneously performing multiple assays of liquid samples using different assay methodologies, and providing continuous and random access while performing a plurality of different assays on the same or different samples during the same time period, is disclosed. A method is also disclosed of operating an automated continuous and random access analytical system capable of simultaneously effecting multiple assays of a plurality of liquid samples wherein scheduling of various assays of the plurality of liquid samples is followed by creating a unit dose disposable and separately transferring a first liquid sample (26), reagents (30) to a reaction vessel (34) without initiation of an assay reaction sequence, followed by physical transfer of the unit dose disposable (34) to a process work station, whereby a mixture of the unit dose disposable reagents and sample (34) are achieved during incubation. The system is capable of performing more than one scheduled assay in any order, and assays where more than such scheduled assays are presented. The automated, continuous and random access analytical system is also capable of analyzing the incubated reaction mixtures independently and individually by at least two assay procedures.
Abstract:
An automated, continuous and random access analytical system (18), having apparatus and methodology capable of simultaneously performing multiple assays of liquid samples using different assay methodologies, and providing continuous and random access while performing a plurality of different assays on the same or different samples during the same time period, is disclosed. A method is also disclosed of operating an automated continuous and random access analytical system (18) capable of simultaneously effecting multiple assays of a plurality of liquid samples wherein scheduling of various assays of the plurality of liquid samples is followed by creating a unit dose disposable and separately transferring a first liquid sample (26) and reagents (30) to a reaction vessel (34) without initiation of an assay reaction sequence, followed by physical transfer of the unit dose disposable to a processing workstation (52), whereby a mixture of the unit dose disposable reagents and sample (34) are achieved during incubation. The system (18) is capable of performing more than one scheduled assay in any order, and assays where more than such scheduled assays are presented. The automated, continuous and random access analytical system (18) is also capable of analyzing the incubated reaction mixtures independently and individually by at least two assay procedures.
Abstract:
A method for verifying that an assay methodology is properly performed that assay reagents employed possess the necessary potency for accurately performing such assay methodology, and whether or not test samples or assay reagents have been tampered with or are adulterated, is described. The method is performed by employing an assay verification sample, comprising a positive analyte component and the test sample under analysis, wherein the assay verification sample is analyzed employing the same assay reagents and essentially the same assay methodology employed to analyze the test sample. The method is particularly useful for performing heterogeneous immunoassays on an automated continuous and random access analytical system.
Abstract:
A plastic assay cuvette (506) having the desired optical properties for the analysis of a test sample or reaction mixture thereof, and a method for making such a plastic assay cuvette (506), are described. The optical properties of the plastic assay cuvette (506) are substantially the same as the optical properties of glass wherein low birefringence throughout the optical read region (516) thereof is provided. When used for the analysis of a test sample or reaction mixture thereof, such as in fluorescence polarization assays and absorbance assays, the plastic assay cuvette (506) provides accurate and reproducible disposable assay cuvette which can be used in place of conventional glass assay cuvettes.
Abstract:
A device for washing clinical apparatus, the clinical apparatus being employed to, at different times, contain a first test substance during a first testing step and a second test substance during a second testing step subsequent to said first testing step, the device comprises: means for supplying a wash solution to the apparatus; means for varying quantity of the wash solution supplied to the apparatus; and means for controlling the means for varying quantity to cause the means for varying quantity to vary quantity of the wash solution in proportion to potential for contamination between the first test substance and the second test substance contained in the apparatus; there is also provided a system comprising the device and the clinical apparatus, and a method of washing the clinical apparatus. The device and system may form part of an automated analytical system and method for the analysis of liquid test samples, and provide efficient washing of components of such automated analytical system.