Probe tip waste chutes and methods thereof for automated diagnostic analysis apparatus

Automated diagnostic analysis apparatus for analyzing patient specimens may include a probe to aspirate and dispense a bio-liquid. A probe tip on the probe may require replacement after contact with each bio-liquid. The automated diagnostic analysis apparatus may include a probe tip eject device and a waste chute for controlled removal and disposal of the probe tip to mitigate splattering or splashing of any residual bio-liquid in the probe tip as it is removed from the probe. A sloped ramp in the probe tip eject device may engage and remove the probe tip as it rotates through the probe tip eject device. The waste chute may include guides to transfer a removed probe tip directly into a waste bin without any surface contact by the probe tip. Methods of removing and disposing of a probe tip in an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus are described, as are other aspects.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to removing and disposing of probe tips used in automated diagnostic analysis apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Automated diagnostic analysis apparatus (e.g., chemical analyzers or immunoassay instruments) may be used to analyze patient specimens. Patient specimens may include, e.g., urine, blood serum or plasma, cerebrospinal liquids, and the like (hereinafter “bio-liquid”). Automated diagnostic analysis apparatus may include a probe that aspirates a bio-liquid from one container (e.g., a patient sample tube) and dispenses it to another (e.g., a test vessel). The probe may have a probe tip press fit thereon that is replaced after each use to avoid contaminating other bio-liquid samples. To maintain high sample analysis throughput, automated diagnostic analysis apparatus removes, disposes, and replaces probe tips automatically.

However, such automated probe tip removal processes may cause certain problems. Accordingly, there is a need for improved probe tip removal and disposal in automated diagnostic analysis apparatus.

SUMMARY

According to a first embodiment, a probe tip waste chute of an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus is provided. The probe tip waste chute includes a guide plate configured to receive a probe tip in a substantially upright position in response to separation of the probe tip from a probe. The probe tip waste chute also includes a pair of guide rails having a first end configured to receive the probe tip in the substantially upright position from the guide plate, wherein the pair of guide rails is sloped downward from the guide plate and is configured to drop the probe tip in the substantially upright position from a second end of the pair of guide rails.

According to another embodiment, an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus is provided. The automated diagnostic analysis apparatus includes a probe arm, a robot coupled to the probe arm and capable of at least rotating the probe arm horizontally, and a probe coupled to the probe arm and having a probe tip press fit onto an end of the probe, wherein the probe is configured to aspirate and dispense a bio-liquid. The automated diagnostic analysis apparatus also includes a probe tip eject device and a probe tip waste chute. The probe tip eject device is configured to receive the probe via rotation of the robot and to remove the probe tip from the probe. The probe tip waste chute is coupled to the probe tip eject device and is configured to receive the probe tip from the probe tip eject device. The probe tip waste chute includes a guide plate configured to receive the probe tip in a substantially upright position from the probe tip eject device. The probe tip waste chute also includes a pair of guide rails having a first end configured to receive the probe tip in the substantially upright position from the guide plate, wherein the pair of guide rails is sloped downward from the guide plate and is configured to drop the probe tip in the substantially upright position from a second end of the pair of guide rails.

According to another embodiment, a method of disposing of a probe tip in an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus is provided. The method includes receiving the probe tip in a substantially upright position onto a guide plate of a probe tip waste chute; receiving the probe tip in the substantially upright position from the guide plate onto a pair of guide rails; and dropping the probe tip in the substantially upright position from the pair of guide rails into a waste bin without the probe tip contacting an internal side wall of the waste bin.

Still other aspects, features, and advantages of this disclosure may be readily apparent from the following detailed description illustrated by a number of example embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. This disclosure may also be capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details may be modified in various respects. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. This disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments of automated diagnostic analysis apparatus, the manner in which a probe tip is removed may cause residual bio-liquid inside the probe tip to shear and splatter, which may contaminate the probe, thus possibly compromising subsequent sample analyses. The shear and splatter of residual bio-liquid may also result in clogging or restriction of the probe. Furthermore, in some automated diagnostic analysis apparatus, residual bio-liquid inside the removed probe tip may splatter onto internal surfaces of a probe tip waste chute, where the splattered residual bio-liquid may stick and build up. This may cause removed probe tips to stick and become jammed within the probe tip waste chute, which may then require manual cleaning. Each of these conditions may cause the automated diagnostic analysis apparatus to be shut down while corrective measures are taken, thus adversely affecting sample analysis throughput.

In some known automated diagnostic analysis apparatus, automated removal of a probe tip that is press fit onto an end of a probe (e.g., onto a plunger of the probe) may be performed by moving the probe (via a robot capable of X-Y-Z motion) into a U-shaped stripper plate such that a flange on the probe tip is positioned below the stripper plate. The probe may then be pulled up via the robot until the probe tip separates from the probe. This may, however, result in a mechanical and servo buildup of energy that releases a sudden pressure spike when the force is sufficient to overcome the press fit between the probe tip and the probe. The sudden separation of the probe tip in this manner may cause residual bio-liquid inside the probe tip to shear and splash, which may contaminate the probe and thus compromise subsequent sample analyses. The shear and splash of residual bio-liquid may also result in clogging of the probe, which may cause a mechanical failure of the automated diagnostic analysis apparatus. Furthermore, residual bio-liquid inside the removed probe tip may further splash or splatter onto internal sloped surfaces of a probe tip waste chute configured to receive and direct removed probe tips into a waste bin. The splashed and splattered residual bio-liquid on the waste chute surfaces may build up and cause removed probe tips to become jammed within the probe tip waste chute, which may then require manual cleaning.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, some embodiments of the disclosure provide a probe tip eject device of an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus that may control the relative speed at which the probe tip is removed from the probe such that the removal may occur without, or with a substantially reduced, sudden pressure spike. This controlled removal, via an inclined ramp in the probe tip eject device, described in more detail below, may allow automated diagnostic analysis apparatus to use smaller bio-liquid sample volumes (and thus less patient sample waste) without probe contamination. The speed of the probe tip removal from the probe may be based on the angle of the inclined ramp and the rotational speed of the probe (as rotated by a robot) through the probe tip eject device. In particular, use of the inclined ramp of the probe tip eject device with a fixed rotational speed of the probe may eliminate or substantially reduce the effects of servo and mechanical compliance when removing a probe tip from a probe. By eliminating or substantially reducing the effects of servo and mechanical compliance, significant pressure spikes that have caused residual bio-liquid shearing and splattering may also be eliminated or substantially reduced. After a probe tip is removed from a probe, the probe tip eject device, in some embodiments, may advantageously transfer for disposal the removed probe tip horizontally in a substantially upright position (i.e., +/−10 degrees from vertical) to avoid contacting/contaminating any surface.

In a second aspect, some embodiments of the disclosure provide a probe tip waste chute of an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus that may control the transfer of removed probe tips to a location where the removed probe tips may be dropped vertically into a waste bin without contacting any waste chute wall surfaces. This transfer may eliminate the need for any inclined waste chute surfaces that may be subject to residue contact and buildup that can cause removed probe tip jams. In some embodiments, the probe tip waste chute may include a guide plate configured to receive from the probe tip eject device a removed probe tip in a substantially upright position (i.e., +/−10 degrees from vertical). In some embodiments, the probe tip waste chute may further include a pair of guide rails configured to receive from the guide plate a removed probe tip in the substantially upright position. The pair of guide rails, which may be sloped downward away from the guide plate, may be configured to transfer removed probe tips in the substantially upright position with their contaminated ends suspended freely without the risk of contacting or contaminating any surface as they move along the guide plate and pair of guide rails to a waste bin location.

These and other aspects and features of embodiments of the disclosure will be described herein in connection withFIGS. 1-9.

FIG. 1illustrates an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus100according to embodiments. Automated diagnostic analysis apparatus100may be used to analyze patient specimens and may include a system controller102, a robot104, an aspiration/dispense pump106, a patient sample tube108, a test vessel110, an incubation ring112, a probe tip eject device302, a probe tip waste chute304, and a waste bin114.

System controller102may include a memory (not shown) configured to store programming instructions, test result data, and/or other information/data. System controller102may also include a processor (not shown) configured to execute programming instructions in connection with the operation of automated diagnostic analysis apparatus100, including control and operation of robot104, aspiration/dispense pump106, and incubation ring112.

Robot104may be coupled to a probe arm116, and a probe202may be coupled to probe arm116. Robot104may be configured to carry out motion of probe202in one or more coordinate directions, such as in the X, Y, and Z directions. For example, robot104may be configured to rotate probe arm116horizontally such that probe202follows rotational path118.

Aspiration/dispense pump106may be a piston-type pump that may be driven by a suitable motor (not shown) coupled thereto, such as a stepper motor. Other types of pumps may be used. Aspiration/dispense pump106may be configured via positioning of probe202by robot104to aspirate (i.e., draw in) a volume of bio-liquid (e.g., urine, blood serum or plasma, or cerebrospinal liquids) from patient sample tube108and to dispense that bio-liquid volume into test vessel110. Aspiration/dispense pump106may also be configured to aspirate a volume of one or more other liquids, such as a reagent and/or diluent, from one or more containers (not shown) and to dispense that volume also into test vessel110.

Incubation ring112may be rotatable and may include a heated chamber and multiple test vessel receiving locations within the heated chamber for incubation of test samples.

Other conventional components of automated diagnostic analysis apparatus100are not shown for clarity, which may include, e.g., one or more of a wash station, a test vessel supply, a probe tip storage, a transfer robot for transferring the test vessels, test vessel heating apparatus, a reagent carousel holding a plurality of reagent supplies, and one or more testing devices (e.g., a luminometer or other optical testing equipment).

As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, a probe202(partially shown) may have a bottom portion203configured to be press fit into a top portion204of a probe tip205(also partially shown). Probe tip205may have a flange206disposed below and extending outward from and around top portion204of probe tip205. In some embodiments, the uppermost diameter D1of top portion204may range from 5.4 mm to 5.7 mm, and the diameter D2of flange206may range from 8.1 mm to 8.4 mm. Other embodiments may have other diameter values for D1and/or D2.FIG. 2Ashows probe202prior to a robot (such as, e.g., robot104) driving probe202(and bottom portion203) downward into top portion204of probe tip205, andFIG. 2Bshows probe tip205press fit onto bottom portion203of probe202.

FIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate an assembly300that includes probe tip eject device302coupled to probe tip waste chute304according to embodiments. Alternative to the coupling features described below, probe tip eject device302may be coupled (e.g., fastened, mounted, and/or otherwise attached) to probe tip waste chute304to form assembly300in any suitable manner. Assembly300may have a first side306having an opening308for receiving via a robot (e.g., robot104) a probe with a probe tip press fit thereon (such as, e.g., probe202and probe tip205ofFIGS. 2A and 2B). Assembly300also may have a second side310for directing a removed probe tip205to a waste bin (such as, e.g., waste bin114ofFIG. 1).

As shown inFIGS. 4A-4C, probe tip eject device302has a body402that may be generally rectangular. Body402has a top404, a bottom405, a first side406, and a second side408opposite first side406. Top404may have an arcuate slot410extending there across from first side406toward second side408. First side406may have an opening412aligned with arcuate slot410. Opening412and arcuate slot410each may have a width sized to receive a top portion of a probe tip, such as, e.g., top portion204of probe tip205. Probe tip eject device302may also have a ramp414disposed within body402that slopes downward from first side406toward second side408, wherein arcuate slot410may extend downward through body402and ramp414. Ramp414may be sized to engage a top of a flange of a probe tip, such as, e.g., the top of flange206of probe tip205. Bottom405may have a bottom opening416extending there across from first side406toward second side408. Bottom opening416may have a width W1wider than flange206of probe tip205. Probe tip eject device302may further have a number of fastening/mounting holes418(only one labeled in each ofFIGS. 4A-4C) for fastening or mounting to probe tip waste chute304using any suitable fastener, mounting pin, and/or the like. While four fastening/mounting holes418are shown on top404and six fastening/mounting holes418on shown on bottom405(i.e., two fastening/mounting holes418do not extend through from bottom405to top404), other embodiments may have other numbers and configurations of fastening/mounting holes418, and other embodiments may employ other suitable techniques for attaching probe tip eject device302to probe tip waste chute304.

In one or more embodiments, body402may be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET-P), machined plastic, or other materials suitable for repeated use as described further below. In some embodiments, arcuate slot410may have a center radius ranging from 200 mm to 210 mm and may have a width W2ranging from 6.3 mm to 6.7 mm. In other embodiments, arcuate slot410may have a center radius of 204 mm+/−0.2 mm. In some embodiments, ramp414may slope downward at an angle A1ranging from 3 degrees to 8 degrees and may be determined based on tip removal speed and the rotational speed of the probe tip as described further below. In other embodiments, ramp414may slope downward at an angle A1of 3.5 degrees+/−1.5 degrees. In some embodiments, body402may have a length L1measured from first side406to second side408ranging from 8.0 cm to 9.0 cm and/or may have a width W3ranging from 4.0 cm to 4.5 cm. In some embodiments, opening412at first side406may have a width ranging from 1.1 cm to 1.4 cm. Probe tip eject device302may have other suitable dimensions corresponding to probes and probe tips used therewith.

Returning toFIGS. 3A and 3B, probe tip waste chute304may include a guide plate502, a waste chute housing602, and a pair of guide rails702. Guide plate502may be positioned between probe tip eject device302and waste chute housing602, and a first end of the pair of guide rails702may be attached to an interior of waste chute housing602, while a second end of the pair of guide rails702may extend outward and downward from second side310of assembly300. In some embodiments, the pair of guide rails702may be sloped downward at an angle ranging from 15 degrees to 25 degrees. One side of waste chute housing602may have two or more fastening/mounting holes318(two are shown inFIG. 3B) and/or one or more mounting pins319(one is shown inFIG. 3B) configured for positioning and attaching assembly300to a suitable structure, such as, e.g., a chassis gantry, of an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus (such as, e.g., automated diagnostic analysis apparatus100). Assembly300should be attached to a structure of an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus such that arcuate slot410of probe tip eject device302lies in a horizontal rotational path of a robot configured to transport a probe (such as, e.g., rotational path118, robot104, and probe202ofFIG. 1).

FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate guide plate502according to embodiments. Guide plate502may be a generally rectangular flat plate and may be made of stainless steel. Other suitable materials may be used. Guide plate502may have a top504, a first side506, and a second side508opposite first side506. Guide plate502may also have an arcuate slot510extending there across from first side506toward second side508. A keyhole511may extend from arcuate slot510at an end thereof adjacent second side508. Keyhole511may be sized and configured to allow a flange of a probe tip (such as, e.g., flange206of probe tip205) to pass there through, as described in more detail below in connection withFIGS. 8A-8C. First side506may have an opening512aligned with arcuate slot510. Opening512and arcuate slot510may each have a width sized to receive a top portion of a probe tip (such as, e.g., top portion204of probe tip205). Arcuate slot510may be dimensioned substantially identically as arcuate slot410of probe tip eject device302and may be substantially aligned therewith in assembly300such that a probe with an attached probe tip may pass there through from first side506toward second side508substantially upright (i.e., +/−10% from vertical). Guide plate502may further have six fastening/mounting holes518(only two labeled in each ofFIGS. 5Aand5B) for fastening and/or mounting to waste chute housing602in assembly300. Any suitable fastener, mounting pin, and/or the like may be used.

Fastening/mounting holes518may align with fastening/mounting holes418of probe tip eject device302in assembly300. Other embodiments may have other numbers and configurations of fastening/mounting holes518, and other embodiments may employ other suitable techniques for coupling guide plate502to waste chute housing602in assembly300.

FIGS. 6A-6Cillustrate waste chute housing602according to embodiments. Waste chute housing602has a body603that may be generally rectangular and may be made of machined aluminum. Other suitable materials may be used. Body603may have a receiving platform604, a bottom605, a first side606, and a backstop608opposite first side606. Receiving platform604may have a downward slope extending from first side606to backstop608. In some embodiments, the downward slope of receiving platform604may be the same as or similar to the downward slope of ramp414of probe tip eject device302. Receiving platform604may have four fastening/mounting holes618(only one labeled inFIGS. 6A and 6B) and two mounting pins619(only one labeled inFIGS. 6A and 6B) configured to receive guide plate502thereon (via aligned fastening/mounting holes518) and probe tip eject device302on top of guide plate502(via aligned fastening/mounting holes418). Any suitable fastener or the like may be used therewith. Other embodiments may have other numbers and configurations of fastening/mounting holes618and mounting pins619(which should closely correspond to and/or be aligned with the numbers and configurations of fastening/mounting holes418and fastening/mounting holes518). Other embodiments may employ other suitable techniques for coupling guide plate502and probe tip eject device302to waste chute housing602in assembly300.

Waste chute housing602may also have an arcuate slot610extending there across from first side606toward backstop608and from receiving platform604to bottom605. An expanded slot611may extend from arcuate slot610at an end adjacent to backstop608. Expanded slot611may be sized and configured to allow a flange of a probe tip (such as, e.g., flange206of probe tip205) to pass there through, as described in more detail below in connection withFIGS. 8A-8C. First side606may have an opening612aligned with arcuate slot610. Opening612and arcuate slot610may each have a width sized to receive a portion of a probe tip below its flange. Arcuate slot610may be dimensioned substantially identically or similarly as arcuate slots410and510and may be substantially aligned therewith in assembly300such that a probe tip may pass there through from first side606toward backstop608substantially upright (i.e., +/−10% from vertical).

Waste chute housing602may further have an interior area620that extends to bottom605and is configured to receive and couple thereto a first end of the pair of guide rails702. Interior area620may include a number of fastening/mounting holes628(four are shown inFIG. 6C; only one is labeled) and mounting pins629(two are shown inFIG. 6Band four are shown inFIG. 6C; only one each is labeled) each configured to align with and/or couple to corresponding fastening/mounting holes on the first end of the pair of guide rails702. Other embodiments may have other numbers and configurations of fastening/mounting holes628and mounting pins629(which should closely correspond to and/or align with the numbers and configurations of fastening/mounting holes on the first end of the pair of guide rails702). Other embodiments may employ other suitable techniques for coupling the first end of the pair of guide rails702to interior area620of waste chute housing602.

Waste chute housing602may be dimensioned substantially similarly as guide plate502and/or probe tip eject device302except for the clearance provided by backstop608. In some embodiments, backstop608may add an additional 0.7 cm to 1.1 cm to the length of waste chute housing602(measured from first side606to a backside609(seeFIG. 6C) of backstop608) and may serve to connect the two halves of waste chute housing602as shown.

FIGS. 7A-7Dillustrate the pair of guide rails702according to embodiments. In particular,FIGS. 7A and 7Billustrate a left guide rail702L, andFIGS. 7C and 7Dillustrate a right guide rail702R. Each of left guide rail702L and right guide rail702R may be made from a single piece of stainless steel. Other suitable materials may be used. Each of left guide rail702L and right guide rail702R may have a number of fastening/mounting holes718(six are shown on each guide rail of which only two are labeled.) At least some fastening/mounting holes718may be aligned with corresponding fastening/mounting holes628and mounting pins629inside interior area620of waste chute housing602. Any suitable fastener or the like may be used to couple left guide rail702L and right guide rail702R to interior area620of waste chute housing602. Other embodiments may have other numbers and configurations of fastening/mounting holes718(which should closely correspond to and/or be aligned with the numbers and configurations of fastening/mounting holes628and mounting pins629in waste chute housing602).

As shown inFIGS. 7A and 7C, left guide rail702L and right guide rail702R may be generally symmetrical, but may not be exactly symmetrical in order to conform to the tangential condition of arcuate slot610. A minimum clearance (which depends on the dimensions of a probe tip) should be maintained as the probe tip transitions from arcuate slot610to the pair of guide rails702. This may provide consistent control of the probe tip as it travels through assembly300. Left guide rail702L may include a first section704L, a second section706L extending substantially orthogonal from first section704L, and a third section708L extending from second section706L at an angle A2L ranging from, in some embodiments, 40 degrees to 50 degrees. In some embodiments, left guide rail702L may have a length LL1ranging from 7.0 cm to 8.2 cm. Length LL1may depend on the distance between the location of assembly300and the location of a probe tip waste bin. In some embodiments, first section704L may have a width LW1ranging from 11 mm to 13 mm, second section706L may have a width LW2ranging from 9.5 mm to 11.9 mm, and/or third section708L may have a width LW3ranging from 13.9 mm to 16.9 mm.

Right guide rail702R may include a first section704R, a second section706R extending substantially orthogonal from first section704R, and a third section708R extending from second section706R at an angle A2R ranging from, in some embodiments, 40 degrees to 50 degrees. In some embodiments, right guide rail702R may have a length RL1ranging from 7.0 cm to 8.2 cm. Length RL1may depend on the distance between the location of assembly300and the location of a probe tip waste bin. In some embodiments, first section704R may have a width RW1ranging from 11 mm to 13 mm, second section706R may have a width RW2ranging from 9.5 mm to 11.9 mm, and/or third section708R may have a width RW3ranging from 13.9 mm to 16.9 mm. Other dimensions are possible.

As best shown inFIG. 3B, a gap G1between first section704L and first section704R and a gap G2between third section708L and third section708R after installation of left guide rail702L and right guide rail702R in waste chute housing602should be sized to allow a bottom section (i.e., below the flange) of a probe tip to hang freely through gaps G1and G2while the probe tip is substantially in the upright position as the bottom of the flange of the probe tip engages and slides on first section704L and first section704R.

FIGS. 8A-8Cillustrate the operation of assembly300according to embodiments. Removal of a probe tip from a probe uses the rotational motion822of the probe along rotational path824as provided by a robot (such as, e.g., robot104) to drive probe202(with press fit probe tip205tip) into assembly300and, more particularly, into arcuate slot410at first side406of probe tip eject device302. Arcuate slot410is configured with a radius that conforms to rotational path824. From a probe tip position826, probe202enters arcuate slot410where the top of flange206engages ramp414of probe tip eject device302, as shown in probe tip position828. Note that for clarity, probe202is not shown at probe tip positions828,830, and832inFIG. 8A. As probe202continues to rotate along arcuate slot410, ramp414, which slopes downward from first side406, continues to engage the top of flange206, gradually forcing probe tip205to move downward and away from probe202, thus gradually separating probe tip205from bottom portion203(seeFIG. 2A) of probe202, as shown in probe tip position830.

At some point while rotating through a tip eject range831(seeFIG. 8B), probe tip205may separate from probe202and drop down through (i.e., the bottom section of the probe tip below flange206) and onto guide plate502(i.e., flange206engages guide plate502), as shown in probe tip position832. As further shown inFIGS. 8A and 8C, in response to separation of probe tip205from probe202, guide plate502may be configured to receive probe tip205in a substantially upright position from probe tip eject device302(through bottom opening416in bottom405of probe tip eject device302; seeFIG. 4C). Although separated from probe202, at least some of bottom portion203of probe202may still be in loose contact with top portion204of probe tip205, which may thus move probe tip205through arcuate slot510of guide plate502as probe202continues to rotate through arcuate slot410. This may continue until probe tip205reaches keyhole511(seeFIGS. 5A and 5B), whereupon the bottom section of probe tip205below flange206may drop vertically downward through gaps G1and G2and flange206may drop onto first section704L and first section704R of the pair of guide rails702installed in waste chute housing602of probe tip waste chute304, as shown in probe tip position834. As further shown inFIGS. 8A and 8C, the pair of guide rails702may have a first end833configured to receive probe tip205in a substantially upright position from guide plate502. Because the pair of guide rails702is sloped downward from guide plate502, probe tip205may slide downward via gravity along the pair of guide rails702to a second end837of the pair of guide rails702, as shown in probe tip positions835(FIG. 8C) and836. The pair of guide rails702may be configured to drop probe tip205in the substantially upright position from second end837into the center drop of a waste bin (such as, waste bin114ofFIG. 1) without probe tip205contacting and/or splattering any residual bio-liquid onto an internal side wall of the waste bin.

The downward slope angle A1of ramp414and the rotational speed of a probe moving through its rotational path (such as, e.g., rotational path118or824) may dictate the speed at which a probe tip is removed from a probe, which in turn may mitigate the shearing and splashing of residual bio-liquid from a removed probe tip, as described above. In some embodiments, the downward slope angle A1of ramp414may be calculated as follows based on tip removal speed and probe tip rotational speed through the arcuate slot:
A1=TAN−1(tip removal speed/probe tip rotational speed through the arcuate slot)

In some embodiments, a tip removal speed ranging from 11.0 mm/sec to 13.0 mm/sec and a fixed rotational speed of the probe may yield the best results for mitigating residual bio-liquid shearing and splashing from a tip removal process.

In those embodiments wherein assembly300may be located over an incubation ring, such as, e.g., incubation ring112ofFIG. 1, an incubation ring cover may be in place.

FIG. 9illustrates a method900of disposing of a probe tip in an automated diagnostic analysis apparatus according to one or more embodiments. At process block902, method900may include receiving a probe tip in a substantially upright position onto a guide plate of a probe tip waste chute. For example, as shown inFIGS. 8A-8C, probe tip205may be received from probe tip eject device302in a substantially upright position onto guide plate502of probe tip waste chute304at probe tip position832.

At process block904, method900may include receiving the probe tip in the substantially upright position from the guide plate onto a pair of guide rails. For example, as also shown inFIGS. 8A-8C, probe tip205may be received in the substantially upright position from guide plate502onto the pair of guide rails702at probe tip position834.

Method900may further include, at process block906, dropping the probe tip in the substantially upright position from the pair of guide rails into a waste bin without the probe tip contacting an internal side wall of the waste bin. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1, 8A, and 8B, probe tip205may be dropped in the substantially upright position from the pair of guide rails702at probe tip position836into the center drop of waste bin114, wherein the probe tip does not contact an internal side wall of waste bin114.

Having shown preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will realize many variations are possible that will still be within the scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, the invention is limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims below.