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 and reagents to a reaction vessel without initiation of an assay reaction sequence, followed by physical transfer of the unit dose disposable to a processing workstation, whereby a mixture of the unit dose disposable reagents and sample 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:
A reaction vessel suitable for multiple assay utilization within an automated, continuous and random access analytical system which allows for kidding of sample and reagents and physical transfer of the kidded reaction vessel to a process carousel, comprises: multiple wells of various volume capacities, the multiple wells having openings on the same plane and depths extending from said plane, the reaction vessel having at least one curvette, the curvette extending substantially below the multiple wells, the curvette having an opening on the same plane as the multiple wells; and at a transfer projection on a well bottom portion of the well on a first end portion of the reaction vessel, the curvette projecting downward from a second end portion of the reaction vessel; the vessel may be employed in multiple assays, for example, in clinical analyzers.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an automated liquid level sensing system for detecting the presence of liquid in a container, said liquid level sensing system comprising: a vertically oriented, electrically conductive probe positioned above said container; means for vertically moving said probe into and out of said container; a signal source electrically connected to said probe, said signal source energizing said probe with an electrical signal and causing said probe to transmit said electrical signal; a receiving antenna positioned below said container for receiving said transmitted electrical signal; means for analyzing said received electrical signal for indications that said probe has contacted liquid in said container; means for transferring said received electrical signal from said receiving antenna to said analyzing means; and means for indicating that liquid has been detected. Further, the invention also provides for a method for automatically detecting the presence of liquid in a container, said method comprising the steps of: vertically positioning an electrically conductive probe above said container; vertically moving said probe into and out of said container; electrically connecting a signal source to said probe, said signal source energizing said probe with an electrical signal and causing said probe to transmit said electrical signal; positioning a receiving antenna below said container for receiving said transmitted electrical signal; analyzing said received electrical signal for indications that said probe has contacted liquid in said container; transferring said received electrical signal from said receiving antenna to said analyzing means; and indicating that liquid has been detected.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an automated liquid level sensing system for detecting the presence of liquid in a container, said liquid level sensing system comprising: a vertically oriented, electrically conductive probe positioned above said container; means for vertically moving said probe into and out of said container; a signal source electrically connected to said probe, said signal source energizing said probe with an electrical signal and causing said probe to transmit said electrical signal; a receiving antenna positioned below said container for receiving said transmitted electrical signal; means for analyzing said received electrical signal for indications that said probe has contacted liquid in said container; means for transferring said received electrical signal from said receiving antenna to said analyzing means; and means for indicating that liquid has been detected. Further, the invention also provides for a method for automatically detecting the presence of liquid in a container, said method comprising the steps of: vertically positioning an electrically conductive probe above said container; vertically moving said probe into and out of said container; electrically connecting a signal source to said probe, said signal source energizing said probe with an electrical signal and causing said probe to transmit said electrical signal; positioning a receiving antenna below said container for receiving said transmitted electrical signal; analyzing said received electrical signal for indications that said probe has contacted liquid in said container; transferring said received electrical signal from said receiving antenna to said analyzing means; and indicating that liquid has been detected.
Abstract:
Un sistema automático de detección de nivel de líquido (800) para detectar la presencia de líquido en un recipiente (819), incluyendo el sistema de detección de nivel de líquido (800): una sonda conductora eléctrica orientada verticalmente (806, 807) colocada encima del recipiente (819); una fuente de señal (824) conectada eléctricamente a la sonda (806, 807), energizando la fuente de señal (824) la sonda (806, 807) con una señal eléctrica y haciendo que la sonda (806, 807) transmita la señal eléctrica; una antena receptora (813, 810, 812) colocada debajo del recipiente (819) para recibir la señal eléctrica transmitida; medios (811, 841, 845) para analizar la señal eléctrica recibida con respecto a indicaciones de que la sonda (806, 807) ha contactado líquido en el recipiente (819); medios (808, 809) para transferir la señal eléctrica recibida de la antena receptora (813, 810, 812) a los medios analizadores (811, 841, 845); y medios para indicar que se ha detectado líquido, caracterizado porque el sistema de detección de nivel (800) incluye además medios para introducir y sacar verticalmente la sonda (806, 807) del recipiente (819); incluyendo los medios (811, 841, 845) para analizar la señal eléctrica recibida medios (841, 845) para detectar cambios en la amplitud de la señal recibida y medios (811) para medir la tasa del cambio de la amplitud de la señal recibida.
Abstract:
Un método de operar un sistema analítico automático, de acceso continuo y aleatorio, capaz de efectuar simultáneamente ensayos múltiples en una pluralidad de muestras de líquido, incluyendo: introducir copas de muestra (26), paquetes de reactivo (30), y recipientes de reacción (34; 450) para llevar a cabo los ensayos sobre carruseles concéntricos (28, 32, 36) de un carrusel de extremo delantero (4), introduciéndose los recipientes de reacción (34; 450) en un carrusel exterior (36); identificar los paquetes de reactivo (30) y copas de muestra (26); programar los ensayos.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an automated liquid level sensing system for detecting the presence of liquid in a container, said liquid level sensing system comprising: a vertically oriented, electrically conductive probe positioned above said container; means for vertically moving said probe into and out of said container; a signal source electrically connected to said probe, said signal source energizing said probe with an electrical signal and causing said probe to transmit said electrical signal; a receiving antenna positioned below said container for receiving said transmitted electrical signal; means for analyzing said received electrical signal for indications that said probe has contacted liquid in said container; means for transferring said received electrical signal from said receiving antenna to said analyzing means; and means for indicating that liquid has been detected. Further, the invention also provides for a method for automatically detecting the presence of liquid in a container, said method comprising the steps of: vertically positioning an electrically conductive probe above said container; vertically moving said probe into and out of said container; electrically connecting a signal source to said probe, said signal source energizing said probe with an electrical signal and causing said probe to transmit said electrical signal; positioning a receiving antenna below said container for receiving said transmitted electrical signal; analyzing said received electrical signal for indications that said probe has contacted liquid in said container; transferring said received electrical signal from said receiving antenna to said analyzing means; and indicating that liquid has been detected.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an automated liquid level sensing system for detecting the presence of liquid in a container, said liquid level sensing system comprising: a vertically oriented, electrically conductive probe positioned above said container; means for vertically moving said probe into and out of said container; a signal source electrically connected to said probe, said signal source energizing said probe with an electrical signal and causing said probe to transmit said electrical signal; a receiving antenna positioned below said container for receiving said transmitted electrical signal; means for analyzing said received electrical signal for indications that said probe has contacted liquid in said container; means for transferring said received electrical signal from said receiving antenna to said analyzing means; and means for indicating that liquid has been detected. Further, the invention also provides for a method for automatically detecting the presence of liquid in a container, said method comprising the steps of: vertically positioning an electrically conductive probe above said container; vertically moving said probe into and out of said container; electrically connecting a signal source to said probe, said signal source energizing said probe with an electrical signal and causing said probe to transmit said electrical signal; positioning a receiving antenna below said container for receiving said transmitted electrical signal; analyzing said received electrical signal for indications that said probe has contacted liquid in said container; transferring said received electrical signal from said receiving antenna to said analyzing means; and indicating that liquid has been detected.
Abstract:
An automated, continuous and random access analytical system, having apparat us and methodology capable of simultaneously performing multiple assays of liquid samples using different assay methodolo gies, 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 a lso disclosed of operating an automated continuous and random access analytical system capable of simultaneously effecting multiple assa ys of a plurality of liquid samples wherein scheduling of various assays of the plurality of liquid samples is followed by creating a u nit dose disposable and separately transferring a first liquid sample and reagents to a reaction vessel without initiation of an assay reacti on sequence, followed by physical transfer of the unit dose disposable to a processing wo rkstation, whereby a mixture of the unit dose disposable reagents and sample are achieved during incubation. The system is capable of performi ng more than one scheduled assay in any order, and assay s where more than such scheduled assays are presented. The automated, continuo us and random access analytical system is also capable o f analyzing the incubated reaction mixtures independently and individually by at least two assay procedures.