Patent EP-0984284-A3 (EP)
Inventor: CAREY GLEN A
IPC: G01N35/04
Filed: 1992-02-21
Abstract: Inter   alia , an apparatus for selectively dispensing reagent into
first and second vertical reagent dispense axes, for use in an
automated analyzer to assay a test sample, the said analyzer
having an event conveyor for conveying a plurality of cuvettes
along an event path which includes a vertical sample dispense
axis, the said first vertical reagent dispense axis which is
spaced from and downstream of the said sample dispense axis and
the said second vertical reagent dispense axis which is spaced
from and downstream of the said first reagent axis, the said
apparatus being characterised in that it comprises:
   (a) a reagent transport and selection means for supporting
a plurality of first reagent containers which contain
labeled reagent and a plurality of second reagent
containers which contain solid phase reagent, and for
selectively positioning any one of the said first
reagent containers at one of a first vertical reagent
aspirating axis and a second vertical reagent
aspirating axis, and for selectively positioning any
one of the said second reagent containers at one of a
third vertical reagent aspirating axis and a fourth
vertical reagent aspirating axis;   (b) a first reagent probe transport means for supporting
a first reagent aspirating and dispense probe for
selective vertical movement between an upper position
and a lower aspirating and dispense position and for
selective horizontal movement between the said first
reagent dispense axis and either of the said first and
third reagent dispense axes;   (c) a second reagent probe transport means for supporting
a second reagent aspirating and dispensing probe for
selective vertical movement between an upper position
and a lower aspirating and dispense position and for 
selective horizontal movement between the said second
reagent dispense axis and either of the said second
and fourth dispense axes; 
and   (d) control means including a central processing unit
operatively connected to the said reagent transport
and selection means, the said first reagent probe
transport means and the said second reagent transport
means for selectively positioning a predetermined
first reagent container at either of the said first
and second reagent aspirating axes and a predetermined
second reagent container at either of the said third
and fourth reagent aspirating axes, for selectively
positioning the said first reagent probe for
aspirating reagent from a selected first reagent
container at the said first reagent aspirating axis or
a selected second reagent container at the said third
reagent aspirating axis, or from both of the said
selected first and second selected reagent containers
and for dispensing aspirated reagent into a cuvette at
the said first reagent dispense axis, and, for
selectively positioning the said second reagent probe
for aspirating reagent from a selected first reagent
container at the said second reagent aspirating axis
or a selected second reagent container at the said
fourth reagent aspirating axis, or from both of the
said selected first and second reagent containers and
for dispensing aspirated reagent into a cuvette at the
said second reagent dispense axis is disclosed.