Patent ID: 9164114
Filing Date: 2015-10-20
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A system for continuous loading of consumables into an analyzer wherein said analyzer comprises: at least one separation station for isolating nucleic acids; at least one amplification station for amplifying nucleic acids; a transport system for automatically transporting said consumables within the analyzer, wherein said transport system comprises a first handler and a second handler, wherein said first handler and said second handler comprise gripper fingers for gripping said consumables; a stacker unit comprising at least one stacker for holding consumables, wherein said stacker unit is integrated into the analyzer, and wherein said stacker unit is capable of being decoupled from said analyzer for manual or automated loading of said consumables, wherein said stacker unit is in a locked position within said analyzer when access to the consumables in the at least one stacker is required by said first handler for transporting consumables from said stacker unit to an intermediate station, and said stacker unit is in an unlocked position when access to the consumables in the stacker is not required by said first handler, wherein at said unlocked position, opening of said stacker unit and loading of consumables can occur while said second handler is used for transporting consumables between said intermediate station and said at least one separation station or while said first handler is used for transporting consumables to said at least one amplification station; wherein the stacker unit has a first end position within the analyzer and a second end position outside of the analyzer, and wherein, in the second end position, the at least one stacker comprised in the stacker unit is accessible for loading of consumables into the stacker, and the stacker unit is locked when in the second end position; and a computer controller that controls a mechanism for unlocking said stacker unit and for locking said stacker unit in the first end position or in the second end position.