Patent ID: 9696327
Date: 2017-07-04
CPC Classifications: G01N

Claim:
1. An analytical system comprising: an automated analyzer for processing and/or analyzing a nucleic acid analyte comprising a module for isolating and/or purifying the nucleic acid analyte; stackers for stacking multiple consumables of one type, wherein any one of said stackers comprises recognition elements for said consumable of one type, wherein any one of said recognition elements comprises a unique surface geometry complementary to a unique surface geometry of a specific type of consumable, and wherein each and every one of said stackers has an open top; three or more different types of consumables, each type of consumables being stacked in said stackers, wherein said consumables have essentially the same footprint and wherein any type of said consumables comprises said unique surface geometry on its side walls, wherein each of said consumables comprise two or more form locking elements; and a transport module comprising a handler with gripper fingers connected to a robotic arm and wherein said handler contacts individual consumables in an up-down direction from the open top of the stacked consumables of one type from the stacker and automatically transporting them to the module in which they are used, wherein said gripper fingers are configured to interlock with the two or more form locking elements; wherein said three or more different types of consumables comprise at least one pipette tip rack, at least one multiwell plate for preparing said nucleic acid analyte, and at least one multiwell plate for amplification or detection of said nucleic acid analyte.