Structure for determination of item of interest in a sample

US6562298B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Abbott Laboratories · US

Inventors

• David C. Arnquist · The Colony, US
• Grady Barnes · Lindenhurst, US
• Richard D. Button · Richardson, US
• Chadwick M. Dunn · Janesville, US
• Richard C. East, Jr. · Dallas, US
• Patrick P. Fritchie · Southlake, US
• Charles M. Galitz · Kenosha, US
• Gregory E. Gardner · Euless, US
• Cass J. Grandone · Lake Forest, US
• Robert C. Gray · Gurnee, US
• James T. Holen · Mundelein, US
• Robert Paul Luoma, II · Colleyville, US
• Jimmy D. McCoy · Keller, US
• James E. Mitchell · Lake Barrington, US
• Adrian John Murray · Arlington Heights, US
• David Wycliffe Murray · Mission Viejo, US
• Jack F. Ramsey · Lewisville, US
• Neal T. Sleszynski · Kenosha, US
• Julius J. Toth · Wauconda, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 23, 1999
• Grant date: May 13, 2003
• Expiry date: Apr 23, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T436/115831
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The embodiments disclosed relate to determination of an item of interest in a sample. One embodiment relates to a structure which comprises a process path. The process path comprises a process lane including a process step performance lane where a process step is performed, and a process step avoidance lane where the process step is avoided. A first prime mover is operatively connected with the process path for moving a container holding the sample along the process path. A first pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing the sample to the container. A second pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing a reagent to the container. A device is operatively connected with the process path and is selectively engagable with the container for mixing the sample and the reagent in the container. A second prime mover is operatively connected with the process path for selectively positioning the container in a selected one of the process step performance lane and the process step avoidance lane. A reader is operatively connected with the process path for determining the item of interest in the sample based upon a react…