Patent ID: 6521183
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
An automatic analyzer system comprising:(a) a rack supply unit capable of containing sample racks comprising containers, wherein each container contains a sample, said rack supply unit comprising: (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 for examining samples within said containers of said sample racks and for storing sample racks that contain samples that have been examined, and have a probability of being reexamined, and (a.4) means for moving an individual 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 comprising a local control system, wherein said at least one analyzer unit is for examining a sample sampled from said sample container contained in said individual sample rack wherein said buffer unit is interposed between said rack input/output devices and said at least one analyzer unit, (c) a single transfer line for moving said individual sample rack from said buffer unit to said position for examining samples, wherein said position corresponds corresponding to said at least one analyzer unit, and for moving said individual sample rack from said position back to said buffer unit (d) means for moving said individual sample rack in opposite senses along said single transfer line and (e) means for directing said individual sample rack from said rack input device and said rack output device to said buffer unit and vice versa, and (f) means for directing said individual sample rack from said buffer unit to said at least one analyzer unit and vice versa.