Patent ID: 6418800
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
For use in an automated diagnostic analyzer having an analysis mechanism chassis for mounting a sensor chamber containing at least one sensor for analyzing a sample introduced therein, a fluid entry mechanism, comprising:an aspiration tube rotatably mounted to the analysis mechanism chassis for introducing a fluid into the sensor chamber and having a fluid entry port for the introduction of fluids to the sensor chamber, a fluid entry module enclosing the aspiration tube to rotate with and to slide along the aspiration tube, and a wiping seal mounted in the fluid entry module and slidably enclosing the aspiration tube in a region extending from the fluid entry section to move along the aspiration tube, the fluid entry module being engaged with the analysis mechanism chassis (a) to be placed in a first module position, so that the aspiration tube is positioned in a first tube position and the wiping seal is located in a first wiping seal position adjacent the fluid entry port, (b) to move to a second module position for the introduction of a fluid into the sample entry port from a test tube or similar container, whereby the aspiration tube is rotated to a second tube position and the fluid entry module is moved along the aspiration tube in the direction away from the fluid entry port such that the wiping seal is moved along the aspiration tube to a second wiping seal position away from the fluid entry port, whereupon fluid is introduced into the entry port, and (c) to return to the first module position, whereby the aspiration tube is rotated to the first tube position and the fluid entry module is moved along the aspiration tube in the direction towards the fluid entry port such that the wiping seal is moved along the aspiration tube to the first wiping seal position adjacent the fluid entry port, and whereby the wiping seal removes a residue of the introduced fluid from the exterior surface of the aspiration tube when the fluid entry module is returned to the first module position.