Automatic analyzer system
US6521183B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/114165
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automatic analyzer system including transport means for moving sample racks within the system. In order to simplify and reduce the cost of the means for transporting the sample racks the system comprises (a) a rack supply unit capable of containing sample racks, said rack supply unit including (a.1) a rack input device for introducing sample racks into the rack supply unit, (a.2) a rack output device for removing sample racks from the rack supply unit, (a.3) a buffer unit for storing unprocessed racks before they are transferred from said rack supply unit to a position corresponding to an analyzer unit, and for storing also already processed racks which contain samples having a probability of being reexamined, and (a.4) means for moving a sample rack from said rack input device and from said rack output device to said buffer unit and vice versa; (b) at least one analyzer unit for testing an analysis item of a sample sampled from a sample container (91) contained in a sample rack, said buffer unit being so arranged as to be interposed between said rack input/output devices (13, 14) and said at least one analyzer unit (21, 31); (c) a single transfer line for moving a sample rack f…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.