Patent Description:
In vitro diagnostic testing has a major effect on clinical decisions, providing physicians with pivotal information. Particularly, there is great emphasis on providing quick and accurate test results in critical care settings. In vitro diagnostic testing is usually performed using instruments operable to execute one or more processing steps or workflow steps on one or more biological samples and/or one or more reagents, such as pre-analytical instruments, post-analytical instruments and also analytical instruments.

Analytical instruments or analyzers are configured to obtain a measurement value. An analyzer is operable to determine via various chemical, biological, physical, optical or other technical procedures a parameter value of the sample or a component thereof. An analyzer may be operable to measure said parameter of the sample or of at least one analyte and return the obtained measurement value. The list of possible analysis results returned by the analyzer comprises, without limitation, concentrations of the analyte in the sample, a digital (yes or no) result indicating the existence of the analyte in the sample (corresponding to a concentration above the detection level), optical parameters, DNA or RNA sequences, data obtained from mass spectroscopy of proteins or metabolites and physical or chemical parameters of various types. An analytical instrument may comprise units assisting with the pipetting, dosing, and mixing of samples and/or reagents.

The analyzer may comprise a reagent holding unit for holding reagents to perform the assays. Reagents may be arranged for example in the form of vessels, containers or cassettes containing individual reagents or group of reagents, placed in appropriate receptacles or positions within a storage compartment or conveyor. It may comprise a consumable feeding unit. The analyzer may comprise a process and detection system whose workflow is optimized for certain types of analysis. Examples of such analyzers are clinical chemistry analyzers, coagulation chemistry analyzers, immunochemistry analyzers, urine analyzers, nucleic acid analyzers, used to detect the result of chemical or biological reactions or to monitor the progress of chemical or biological reactions.

Such automatic analyzers allow to increase the number of analytical processes and obtainable measurements values. For this reason, such automatic analyzers use several reagents provided in reagent vessels at the same time. For example, <NUM> to <NUM> different reagents are used with such an automatic analyzer. In order to ensure that the correct reagent is supplied to the automatic analyzer for its target analytical process, it is necessary to identify the reagent and to ensure that the respective reagent vessel is at its target position. Basically, it was possible to use one detector per reagent vessel for identification of the reagent included therein. However, this approach would significantly increase the number of detectors and, therefore, the costs for automatic analyzer which, in practice, is not feasible for economic reasons.

<CIT> discloses a specimen-container loading/storing unit.

<CIT> discloses an automated blood analysis system.

Embodiments of the disclosed automatic analyzer aim to reduce the number of detectors necessary to identify the reagent vessels and, thus, the reagents, supplied to the automatic analyzer.

Embodiments of the disclosed automatic analyzer have the features of the independent claim. Further embodiments of the invention, which may be realized in an isolated way or in any arbitrary combination, are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The term "automatic analyzer" as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to any apparatus or apparatus component operable to execute one or more processing steps/workflow steps on one or more biological samples and/or reagents. The term "processing step" thereby refers to physically executed processing steps such as centrifugation, aliquotation, sample analysis and the like. The term "analyzer" covers pre-analytical sample work-cells, post-analytical sample work-cells and also analytical work-cells.

The term "reagent vessel" as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, to any container configured to store a reagent. Examples for such reagent vessels are bottles, cans, canisters and jerrycans.

The term "identify a reagent vessel" or "identification of a reagent vessel" as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically may refer, without limitation, not only the pure presence of a reagent vessel but the identification of the type reagent vessel including the contents thereof such as the type of reagent included in the reagent vessel.

According to the disclosed automatic analyzer, the automatic analyzer comprises a housing at least partially enclosing at least one analyzing instrument. Thus, the constructional members necessary for carrying out the analytics or analytical processes are safely accommodated and protected from external influence. The automatic analyzer further comprises a drawer configured to be loaded with a plurality of reagent vessels. Thus, the analytical instruments may be supplied with a plurality of different reagents so as to carry out several different analytical processes. The drawer is moveable in a longitudinal direction relative to the housing between a retracted position, in which the drawer is retracted in the housing, and extended positions, in which the drawer is extended from the housing. Thus, the drawer is moveable in a rather simple manner from a position within the housing to several different positions outside from the housing. The drawer defines arrangement positions for the reagent vessels at least in a first row parallel to the longitudinal direction. Thus, the reagent vessels may be arranged within the drawer in a row which facilitates the loading process as the drawer is moveable in the same direction. The automatic analyzer further comprises a first detector associated with the first row and configured to identify the reagent vessels at a first detection position when arranged in the first row. Thus, a single detector is sufficient to identify all of the reagent vessels provided in the first row independent on the number of reagent vessels included in this row as the reagent vessels need to pass the first detection position. Thereby, the costs for the identification process are significantly reduced.

The drawer may be moveable in predetermined steps into the extended positions corresponding to the arrangement positions. Thus, it is ensured that the extended positions match the arrangement position which facilitates the loading of the reagent vessels.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise halts, particularly latches, configured to halt the drawer in each of the extended positions. Thus, an undesired shifting of the drawer may be reliably prevented which also prevents a reagent vessel from being loaded into an incorrect position.

The automatic analyzer further comprises a first slider, wherein the first detector is mounted to the first slider, wherein the first slider is moveable between a slider retracted position, in which the first slider is retracted in the housing, and a slider extended position, in which the first slider is extended at a proximal position from the housing. Thus, first detector is moved to an extended position when the first slider is moved out of the housing.

The first slider may be biased towards the slider retracted position. Thus, it is ensured that the first slider including the first detector is moved into a position within the housing such that the first detector may be protected.

A movement of the first slider may be partially coupled to a movement of the drawer. Thus, the drawer and the first slider are concertedly moved such that the slider does not need to be moved separately from the drawer. Thus, a separate drive for moving the first slider may be omitted.

The first detector may be triggered when the first slider is moved to the slider extended position or when a reagent vessel is loaded into the drawer in the first row or when a reagent vessel is unloaded from the first row of the drawer. Thus, a permanent operation of the first detector may be avoided and the first detector only operates when triggered.

The slider extended position overlaps with the first detection position. Further, the analyzer is arranged such that at the different extended positions of the drawer, different arrangement positions are aligned with the first detection position. Thus, it is ensured that the first detector is moved to the correct detection position.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a switch, a sensor or light barrier configured to trigger the first detector. Thus, it is ensured that the first detector is only operated when necessary.

The drawer may comprise an inclined inner surface on which the reagent vessels are loadable. Thus, a clearance or dead space volume may be reduced as the liquid reagent may be better discharged from the reagent vessels.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a position sensor configured to detect a position of the drawer. Thus, a premature operation of the analytical process may be prevented as it may be detected whether the drawer is in the retracted position or not.

Alternatively, the first detector may be configured to detect a position of the drawer. Thus, a premature operation of the analytical process may be prevented as it may be detected whether the drawer is in the retracted position or not.

The first detector may be configured to detect a moving direction of the drawer. Thus, it can be detected whether the drawer is inserted into the housing or is extended from the housing. Thereby, it can be detected whether the drawer is ready to be loaded or has been loaded with reagent bottles and is ready to be inserted into the housing for starting the analytical process.

The first detector may be configured to detect the moving direction of the drawer by means of position markers arranged between the arrangement positions. Thus, depending on which of the position markers pass the first detector, the moving direction may be detected in a rather simple manner. The detection of the moving direction may be further improved by means of the provision of a damping device associated with the drawer. Such a damping device is configured to smoothen the movement of the drawer and to prevent an abrupt variation of the moving direction. Applicable damping devices are known to the skilled person and are for example a gear rack, a gear wheel, a flywheel mass and oil based dampers.

The first detector is preferably a RFID reader configured to identify the reagent vessels by means of a RFID tag attached to an outer surface of each reagent vessel in the first row. Thus, a well established type of detectors may be used to identify the reagent vessels. Alternatively any kind of detector may be used such as a bar code reader detecting a bar code attached to an outer surface of each reagent vessel in the first row.

The first detector may be arranged below or laterally next to the drawer. Thus, the first detector may be arranged in a space saving manner.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a display device configured to display at least one of the following detection results from the fist detector: no reagent vessel at an arrangement position defined by or matching with the first detection position, a wrong reagent vessel at an arrangement position defined by or matching with the first detection position, and a correct reagent vessel at an arrangement position or matching with defined by the first detection position. Thus, the operator of the automatic analyzer may be well informed on the status of the reagent vessels.

The drawer may further define arrangement positions for the reagent vessels at least in a second row parallel to the longitudinal direction, wherein the automatic analyzer may further comprise a second detector associated with the second row and configured to identify the reagent vessels at a second detection position when arranged in the second row. Thus, independent on the number of reagent vessels in the respective rows, single detector per row is sufficient for identifying all of the reagent vessels in the rows.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a second slider, wherein the second detector may be mounted to the second slider, wherein the second slider may be moveable between a slider retracted position, in which the second slider is retracted in the housing, and a slider extended position, in which the second slider is extended at a proximal position from the housing. Thus, second detector is moved to an extended position when the second slider is moved out of the housing.

The second slider may be biased towards the slider retracted position. Thus, it is ensured that the second slider including the second detector is moved into a position within the housing such that the second detector may be protected.

A movement of the second slider may be partially coupled to a movement of the drawer. Thus, a separate drive for moving the second slider may be omitted.

The second detector may be triggered when the second slider is moved to the slider extended position or when a reagent vessel is loaded into the drawer in the second row or when a reagent vessel is unloaded from the second row of the drawer. Thus, a permanent operation of the second detector may be avoided and the first detector only operates when triggered.

The first and second sliders may be connected to one another or integrally formed. Thus, the number of constructional members may be reduced. Particularly, the first and second sliders may be designed as a single slider on which the first and second detectors may be mounted.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a switch, a sensor or light barrier configured to trigger the second detector. Thus, it is ensured that the second detector is only operated when necessary.

The second detector is configured to detect a position of the drawer. Thus, a premature operation of the analytical process may be prevented as it may be detected whether the drawer is in the retracted position or not.

The second detector may be configured to detect a moving direction of the drawer. Thus, it can be detected whether the drawer is inserted into the housing or is extended from the housing. Thereby, it can be detected whether the drawer is ready to be loaded or has been loaded with reagent bottles and is ready to be inserted into the housing for starting the analytical process.

The second detector may be configured to detect the moving direction of the drawer by means of position markers arranged between the arrangement positions. Thus, depending on which of the position markers pass the second detector, the moving direction may be detected in a rather simple manner.

The second detector is preferably a RFID reader configured to identify the reagent vessels by means of a RFID tag attached to an outer surface of each reagent vessel in the second row. Thus, a well established type of detectors may be used to identify the reagent vessels. Alternatively any kind of detector may be used such as a bar code reader detecting a bar code attached to an outer surface of each reagent vessel in the second row.

The second detector may be arranged below or laterally next to the drawer. Thus, the second detector may be arranged in a space saving manner.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a display device configured to display at least one of the following detection results from the second detector: no reagent vessel at an arrangement position defined by or matching with the second detection position, a wrong reagent vessel at an arrangement position defined by or matching with the second detection position, and a correct reagent vessel at an arrangement position defined by or matching with the second detection position. Thus, the operator of the automatic analyzer may be well informed on the status of the reagent vessels.

The arrangement positions of the second row may be shifted relative to the arrangement postilions of the first row in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the width of the drawer may be reduced.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise discharge devices configured to discharge reagent from the reagent vessels, wherein each of the discharge devices comprises an immersion tube configured to be immersed into a reagent vessel. Thus, the liquid reagent may be discharged from the reagent vessels by sucking the same through the immersion tube.

The immersion tube may be formed straight and the discharge device may be linearly moveable between an open position, in which the immersion tube is retracted from a reagent vessel, and a closed position, in which the immersion tube is immersed into the reagent vessel. Thus, by means of raising and lowering of the discharge device, the immersion tube is retracted from and inserted into the reagent vessel.

Alternatively, the immersion tube may be curved and the discharge device is pivotally moveable between an open position, in which the immersion tube is retracted from a reagent vessel, and a closed position, in which the immersion tube is immersed into the reagent vessel. This design reduces the space for the discharge device and requires a simple drive if compared with a linear drive.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a blocking device configured to allow a reagent vessel to be loaded into or to be unloaded from the drawer exclusively in a first extended position of the drawer proximal to the housing. Thus, only in the first extended position a loading or unloading of a reagent vessel is possible and the identity of the reagent vessel may be detected at he same time.

The blocking device may be coupled to the discharge devices. Thus, a movement of the discharge device may be selectively blocked.

The blocking device may be configured to block a movement of the discharge devices at least from the open position into the closed position if a wrong reagent vessel is detected and to allow a movement of the discharge device at least from the open position into the closed position if a correct reagent vessel is detected. Thus, a movement of the discharge devices is only allowed in the first extended position such that a replacement of a wrong reagent vessel is reliably prevented.

The blocking device may be configured to block a movement of the discharge device at least from the closed position into the open position if an associated reagent vessel is not completed discharged. Thus, a premature replacement of a reagent vessel is prevented such that a waste of the reagent is prevented.

The blocking device may be configured to prevent a reagent vessel to be loaded into or to be unloaded from the drawer in any extended position except for the first extended position of the drawer proximal to the housing. Thus, a replacement of a reagent vessel is possible only in the first extended position and any other reagent vessels are blocked from being replaced. Thus, a replacement of a wrong reagent vessel is reliably prevented.

The automatic analyzer blocking device may be configured to block a movement of the discharge devices associated with any extended position except for the first extended position at least from the closed position into the open position. Thus, only the discharge device associated with the first extended position may be moved and any other discharge devices are blocked from being moved. Thus, a replacement of a wrong reagent vessel is reliably prevented.

<FIG> shows a schematical illustration of an automatic analyzer <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Particularly, <FIG> shows a schematic front view of the automatic analyzer <NUM>. The automatic analyzer <NUM> is configured to analyze samples. The automatic analyzer <NUM> comprises a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> at least partially encloses at least one analyzing instrument <NUM>. For example, several analyzing instruments <NUM> may be present such as two, three or even more. The analyzing instruments <NUM> are configured to carry out analytical processes of the samples. The automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a drawer <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> of the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The drawer <NUM> is configured to be loaded with a plurality of reagent vessels <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>). <FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> including the reagent vessels <NUM>. The drawer <NUM> is moveable in a longitudinal direction <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM> between a retracted position, in which the drawer <NUM> is retracted in the housing <NUM>, and extended positions, in which the drawer <NUM> is extended from the housing <NUM> as will be explained in further detail below. The drawer <NUM> defines arrangement positions <NUM> for the reagent vessels <NUM> at least in a first row <NUM> parallel to the longitudinal direction <NUM>. Merely as an example, the drawer <NUM> of the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present invention defines five arrangements positions <NUM>, which may also be identified as first arrangement position 112a to fifth arrangement position 112e hereinafter. Thus, the drawer <NUM> can be loaded with five reagent vessels <NUM> arranged in the first row <NUM>, which may also be identified as first reagent vessel 108a to fifth reagent vessel 108e hereinafter. The indication of the reagent vessels 108a to 108e applies to the first row <NUM>. It is explicitly stated, that the drawer <NUM> may define less or more than five arrangement positions <NUM> such as two, three, four, six, seven or even more arrangement positions. The arrangement positions <NUM> are defined in the longitudinal direction <NUM> such that the first arrangement position 112a is that arrangement position <NUM> closest to a leading end of the drawer <NUM> being furthest away from an interior of the housing <NUM> or closest to an user standing in front of the drawer <NUM> and the second and any subsequent arrangement positions 112b to 112e are defined towards the interior of the housing <NUM> or away from an user standing in front of the drawer <NUM>. Further, merely as an example, the reagent vessels <NUM> are illustrated as bottles having a circular cross-section. However, it is explicitly stated that the present invention is applicable to any kind of reagent vessel such as cuboid or ashlar formed reagent vessels. In the present embodiment, the drawer <NUM> is manually moveable. Thus, the drawer <NUM> needs to be pulled or pushed by a user of the automatic analyzer <NUM>. For this reason, the drawer <NUM> may comprise a handle <NUM> grippable by the user. Particularly, the drawer <NUM> is moveable in predetermined steps into the extended positions corresponding to the arrangement positions <NUM>. With other words, the drawer <NUM> is configured to be extended from the housing <NUM> in steps having dimensions corresponding to the size of the reagent vessels <NUM> such that with each of the extended positions in a subsequent order, a further reagent vessel <NUM> in the order of the first row <NUM> is moved and located outside from the housing <NUM>. For this purpose, the automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises halts such as latches (not shown in detail) configured to halt the drawer <NUM> in each of the extended positions.

The automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a first detector <NUM>. The first detector <NUM> is associated with the first row <NUM> and is configured to identify the reagent vessels <NUM> at a first detection position when arranged in the first row <NUM>. The first detector <NUM> is a RFID reader configured to identify the reagent vessels <NUM> by means of a RFID tag <NUM> attached to an outer surface of each reagent vessel <NUM> in the first row <NUM>. The first detector <NUM> is arranged below the drawer <NUM> as the RFID tags <NUM> are attached to a bottom surface of the reagent vessels <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a bottom view of the drawer <NUM> of the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a first slider <NUM>. The first detector <NUM> is mounted to the first slider <NUM>. The first slider <NUM> is moveable between a slider retracted position, in which the first slider <NUM> is retracted in the housing <NUM>, and a slider extended position, in which the first slider <NUM> is extended at a proximal position from the housing <NUM>. <FIG> shows the first slider <NUM> in the slider extended position which is adjacent the housing <NUM>. As can be seen, the first slider <NUM> is biased towards the slider retracted position by means of a spring <NUM> or the like. The first slider <NUM> is connected to the drawer <NUM> by means of guide, rails or the like such that a movement of the first slider <NUM> is coupled to a movement of the drawer <NUM>. The slider extended position overlaps with the first detection position. Thus, when the first slider <NUM> is extended to the slider extended position by moving the drawer <NUM> into any one of the extended positions, the first detector <NUM> is in the first detection position so as to identify a reagent vessel <NUM> above the first detection position. Further, the first detector <NUM> is triggered when the first slider <NUM> is moved to the slider extended position or when a reagent vessel is loaded into the drawer <NUM> in the first row <NUM> or when a reagent vessel <NUM> is unloaded from the first row <NUM> of the drawer <NUM>. For this purpose, the automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a switch, a sensor or light barrier <NUM> configured to trigger the first detector <NUM>. Thus, the first detector <NUM> is not permanently operated but only when being triggered. As shown in <FIG>, the automatic analyzer <NUM> may optionally further comprise a display device <NUM> configured to display at least one of the following detection results from the fist detector <NUM>: no reagent vessel at a first arrangement position defined by the first detection position, a wrong reagent vessel at a first arrangement position defined by the first detection position, and a correct reagent vessel at a first arrangement position defined by the first detection position. The first detector <NUM> may be configured to detect a moving direction of the drawer <NUM>. For example, the first detector <NUM> is configured to detect the moving direction of the drawer <NUM> by means of position markers (not shown in detail) arranged between the arrangement positions <NUM> of the first row.

Hereinafter, an operation of the automatic analyzer <NUM> of the first embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. The explanation of the operation starts with the drawer <NUM> being in the retracted position with all reagent vessels <NUM> of the first row <NUM> loaded in the drawer <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Thus, the reagents from each of the reagent vessels <NUM> can be supplied to the analytical instruments <NUM>. If any one of the reagent vessels <NUM> has to be changed or replaced, the drawer <NUM> has to be moved in the respective extended position as will explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> in a first extended position. Assuming that a first reagent vessel 108a disposed at the first arrangement position 112a being furthest away from an interior of the housing <NUM> or closest to an user standing in front of the drawer <NUM> has to be replaced, for example because of the reagent thereof has been consumed, the user pulls the drawer <NUM> and moves it from the retracted position as shown in <FIG> to the first extended position shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Concertedly or together with the movement of the drawer <NUM>, the first slider <NUM> is moved into the slider extended position as shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Thereby, the first detector <NUM> is moved to the first detection position as it is mounted to the first slider <NUM>. The movement of the drawer <NUM> is detected by the light barrier <NUM> which triggers the first detector <NUM>. In the first extended position, the first reagent vessel 108a in the first row <NUM> may be taken out and replaced by a new first reagent vessel 108a. The first detector <NUM> identifies the new first reagent vessel 108a after being loaded into the drawer at the first arrangement position 112a by reading the RFID tag <NUM> attached to the bottom surface thereof. Only if the new first reagent vessel 108a at the first arrangement position 112a contains the correct reagent, i.e. the reagent contained in the new first reagent vessel 108a corresponds to the target reagent associated with the first arrangement position 112a, the user is allowed to move the drawer <NUM> back to the retracted position. As the first slider <NUM> is biased into the slider retracted position, the first slider <NUM> together with the drawer <NUM> moves in the slider retracted position without requiring to be separately moved by the user. Needless to say, the first detector <NUM> is also moved back into the housing <NUM> as it is mounted to the first slider <NUM>. If the new first reagent vessel 108a at the first arrangement position 112a does not contain the correct reagent, the drawer <NUM> is blocked from being moved back into the retracted position as will be explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> in a second extended position. Assuming that a second reagent vessel 108b disposed at the second arrangement position 112b has to be replaced, for example because of the reagent thereof has been consumed, the user pulls the drawer <NUM> and moves it from the retracted position as shown in <FIG> to the second extended position shown in <FIG> following the first extended position in the longitudinal direction <NUM> outwards from the housing <NUM>. Concertedly or together with the movement of the drawer <NUM>, the first slider <NUM> is moved into the slider extended position as shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Thereby, the first detector <NUM> is moved to the first detection position as it is mounted to the first slider <NUM>. The movement of the drawer <NUM> is detected by the light barrier <NUM> which triggers the first detector <NUM>. In the second extended position, the second reagent vessel 108b in the row <NUM> may be taken out and replaced by a new second reagent vessel 108b. The first detector <NUM> identifies the new second reagent vessel 108b after being loaded into the drawer <NUM> at the second arrangement position 112b by reading the RFID tag <NUM> attached to the bottom surface thereof. Only if the new second reagent vessel 108b at the second arrangement position 112b contains the correct reagent, i.e. the reagent contained in the new second reagent vessel 108b corresponds to the target reagent associated with the second arrangement position 112b, the user is allowed to move the drawer <NUM> back to the retracted position. As the first slider <NUM> is biased into the slider retracted position, the first slider <NUM> together with the drawer <NUM> moves in the slider retracted position without requiring to be separately moved by the user. Needless to say, the first detector <NUM> is also moved back into the housing <NUM> as it is mounted to the first slider <NUM>. If the new second reagent vessel 108b at the second arrangement position 112b does not contain the correct reagent, the drawer <NUM> is blocked from being moved back into the retracted position as will be explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> in a third extended position. Assuming that a third reagent vessel 108c disposed at the third arrangement position 112c has to be replaced, for example because of the reagent thereof has been consumed, the user pulls the drawer <NUM> and moves it from the retracted position as shown in <FIG> to the third extended position shown in <FIG> following the second extended position in the longitudinal direction <NUM> outwards from the housing <NUM>. Concertedly or together with the movement of the drawer <NUM>, the first slider <NUM> is moved into the slider extended position as shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Thereby, the first detector <NUM> is moved to the first detection position as it is mounted to the first slider <NUM>. The movement of the drawer <NUM> is detected by the light barrier <NUM> which triggers the first detector <NUM>. In the third extended position, the third reagent vessel 108c in the row <NUM> may be taken out and replaced by a new third reagent vessel 108c. The first detector <NUM> identifies the new third reagent vessel 108c after being loaded into the drawer <NUM> at the third arrangement position 112c by reading the RFID tag <NUM> attached to the bottom surface thereof. Only if the new third reagent vessel 108c at the third arrangement position 112c contains the correct reagent, i.e. the reagent contained in the new second reagent vessel 108b corresponds to the target reagent associated with the third arrangement position 112b, the user is allowed to move the drawer <NUM> back to the retracted position. As the first slider <NUM> is biased into the slider retracted position, the first slider <NUM> together with the drawer <NUM> moves in the slider retracted position without requiring to be separately moved by the user. Needless to say, the first detector <NUM> is also moved back into the housing <NUM> as it is mounted to the first slider <NUM>. If the new third reagent vessel 108c at the third arrangement position 112c does not contain the correct reagent, the drawer <NUM> is blocked from being moved back into the retracted position as will be explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> in a fourth extended position. Assuming that a fourth reagent vessel 108d disposed at the fourth arrangement position 112d has to be replaced, for example because of the reagent thereof has been consumed, the user pulls the drawer <NUM> and moves it from the retracted position as shown in <FIG> to the fourth extended position shown in <FIG> following the third extended position in the longitudinal direction <NUM> outwards from the housing <NUM>. Concertedly or together with the movement of the drawer <NUM>, the first slider <NUM> is moved into the slider extended position as shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Thereby, the first detector <NUM> is moved to the first detection position as it is mounted to the first slider <NUM>. The movement of the drawer <NUM> is detected by the light barrier <NUM> which triggers the first detector <NUM>. In the fourth extended position, the fourth reagent vessel 108d in the row <NUM> may be taken out and replaced by a new fourth reagent vessel 108d. The first detector <NUM> identifies the new fourth reagent vessel 108d after being loaded into the drawer <NUM> at the fourth arrangement position 112d by reading the RFID tag <NUM> attached to the bottom surface thereof. Only if the new fourth reagent vessel 108d at the fourth arrangement position 112d contains the correct reagent, i.e. the reagent contained in the new fourth reagent vessel 108d corresponds to the target reagent associated with the fourth arrangement position 112d, the user is allowed to move the drawer <NUM> back to the retracted position. As the first slider <NUM> is biased into the slider retracted position, the first slider <NUM> together with the drawer <NUM> moves in the slider retracted position without requiring to be separately moved by the user. Needless to say, the first detector <NUM> is also moved back into the housing <NUM> as it is mounted to the first slider <NUM>. If the new fourth reagent vessel 108d at the fourth arrangement position 112d does not contain the correct reagent, the drawer <NUM> is blocked from being moved back into the retracted position as will be explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> in a fifth extended position. Assuming that a fifth reagent vessel 108e disposed at the fifth arrangement position 112e has to be replaced, for example because of the reagent thereof has been consumed, the user pulls the drawer <NUM> and moves it from the retracted position as shown in <FIG> to the fifth extended position shown in <FIG> following the fourth extended position in the longitudinal direction <NUM> outwards from the housing <NUM>. Concertedly or together with the movement of the drawer <NUM>, the first slider <NUM> is moved into the slider extended position as shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Thereby, the first detector <NUM> is moved to the first detection position as it is mounted to the first slider <NUM>. The movement of the drawer <NUM> is detected by the light barrier <NUM> which triggers the first detector <NUM>. In the fifth extended position, the fifth reagent vessel 108e in the row <NUM> may be taken out and replaced by a new fifth reagent vessel 108e. The first detector <NUM> identifies the new fifth reagent vessel 108e after being loaded into the drawer <NUM> at the fifth arrangement position 112e by reading the RFID tag <NUM> attached to the bottom surface thereof. Only if the new fifth reagent vessel 108e at the fifth arrangement position 112e contains the correct reagent, i.e. the reagent contained in the new fifth reagent vessel 108e corresponds to the target reagent associated with the fifth arrangement position 112e, the user is allowed to move the drawer <NUM> back to the retracted position. As the first slider <NUM> is biased into the slider retracted position, the first slider <NUM> together with the drawer <NUM> moves in the slider retracted position without requiring to be separately moved by the user. Needless to say, the first detector <NUM> is also moved back into the housing <NUM> as it is mounted to the first slider <NUM>. If the new fifth reagent vessel 108e at the fifth arrangement position 112e does not contain the correct reagent, the drawer <NUM> is blocked from being moved back into the retracted position as will be explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of an automatic analyzer <NUM> according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only the differences from the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to first embodiment of the present invention will be explained and identical or comparable constructional members and features are indicated by like reference numerals. With the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the first detector <NUM> is arranged laterally next to the drawer <NUM>. Further, the first slider <NUM> is also arranged laterally next to the drawer <NUM>. Merely as an example, the first detector <NUM> and the first slider <NUM>, respectively, are arranged laterally next to a side wall <NUM> of the drawer <NUM>. Further, the side wall <NUM> comprises openings <NUM>. The openings <NUM> are located at positions overlapping with the arrangement positions <NUM> of the reagent vessels <NUM> if seen in the longitudinal direction <NUM>. Further, the number of openings <NUM> corresponds to the number of arrangement positions <NUM>. Thereby, the first detector <NUM> is configured to detect RFID tags <NUM> attached to a side surface of the reagent vessels <NUM> as the RFID tags <NUM> are exposed by means of the openings <NUM>. The openings <NUM> may alternatively be areas without metal or any other electrical shielding material, e.g. a closed plastic wall, such that the RFID tags <NUM> can be read without optical contact between tag and detector.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer of the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The drawer <NUM> is shown in the first extended position. The first slider <NUM> is biased towards the slider retracted position by means of a spring <NUM> or the like arranged laterally next to the drawer <NUM>. Further, the first slider <NUM> comprises a stopper <NUM> at a rear end <NUM> thereof configured to engage a front edge <NUM> of the housing <NUM> when the first slider <NUM> is in the slider extended position. Thereby, the movement of the first slider <NUM> is limited to the slider extended position and a further outwards movement is prevented. The basic operation of the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the second embodiment is identical to the operation of the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the first embodiment. The second embodiment may be preferred as it involves significant advantages regarding its compactness or spatial arrangement of the respective constructional members. Particularly, the lateral arrangement of the first slider <NUM> and the first detector <NUM> safes space if compared to an arrangement below the drawer <NUM>. Further, this lateral arrangement requires the RFID tags <NUM> to be attached to a side surface of the reagent vessels <NUM> which is easier than attaching to the bottom surface.

<FIG> shows a top view of a drawer <NUM> of an automatic analyzer <NUM> according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only the differences from the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to first embodiment of the present invention will be explained and identical or comparable constructional members and features are indicated by like reference numerals. The drawer <NUM> further defines arrangement positions <NUM> for the reagent vessels <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) at least in a second row <NUM> parallel to the longitudinal direction <NUM>. The reagent vessels <NUM> are not shown in <FIG> for explanatory reasons. <FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> including the reagent vessels <NUM>. Merely as an example, the drawer <NUM> of the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the third embodiment of the present invention defines five arrangements positions <NUM> with the second row <NUM>, which may also be identified as first arrangement position 112a to fifth arrangement position 112e hereinafter. Thus, the drawer <NUM> can be loaded with five reagent vessels <NUM> arranged in the second row <NUM>, which may also be identified as first reagent vessel 108a to fifth reagent vessel 108e of the second row <NUM> hereinafter. The provision of a first row <NUM> and a second row <NUM> allows to load the drawer <NUM> at each of the arrangement positions <NUM> of the first row <NUM> and second row <NUM> with reagent vessels <NUM> containing identical reagents. Thus, a so-called bottle or vessel changeover is allowed as for each arrangement position <NUM> two identical reagents are present. With other words, if the reagent is consumed from a reagent vessel in one of the rows <NUM>, <NUM>, the automatic analyzer <NUM> may switch to the reagent vessel at the same arrangement position <NUM> in the other row <NUM>, <NUM> without the need to break its operation.

The automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a second detector <NUM>. The second detector <NUM> is associated with the second row <NUM> and is configured to identify the reagent vessels <NUM> at a second detection position when arranged in the second row <NUM>. The second detector <NUM> is a RFID reader configured to identify the reagent vessels <NUM> of the second row <NUM> by means of a RFID tag <NUM> attached to an outer surface of each reagent vessel <NUM> in the second row <NUM>. The second detector <NUM> is arranged below the drawer <NUM> as the RFID tags <NUM> are attached to a bottom surface of the reagent vessels <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a bottom view of the drawer <NUM>. The automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a second slider <NUM>. The second detector <NUM> is mounted to the second slider <NUM>. The second slider <NUM> is moveable between a slider retracted position, in which the second slider <NUM> is retracted in the housing <NUM>, and a slider extended position, in which the second slider <NUM> is extended at a proximal position from the housing <NUM>. The first and second sliders <NUM>, <NUM> are connected to one another or integrally formed. Thus, the first and second sliders <NUM>, <NUM> are moveable together. <FIG> shows the second slider <NUM> in the slider extended position which is adjacent the housing <NUM>. As can be seen, the second slider <NUM> is biased towards the slider retracted position by means of a spring <NUM> or the like. The second slider <NUM> is connected to the drawer <NUM> by means of guide, rails or the like such that a movement of the second slider <NUM> is coupled to a movement of the drawer <NUM>. The slider extended position overlaps with the second detection position. Thus, when the second slider <NUM> is extended to the slider extended position by moving the drawer <NUM> into any one of the extended positions, the second detector <NUM> is in the second detection position so as to identify a reagent vessel <NUM> above the second detection position. Further, the second detector <NUM> is triggered when the second slider <NUM> is moved to the slider extended position or when a reagent vessel is loaded into the drawer <NUM> in the second row <NUM> or when a reagent vessel <NUM> is unloaded from the second row <NUM> of the drawer <NUM>. For this purpose, the automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a switch, a sensor or light barrier <NUM> configured to trigger the second detector <NUM>. Thus, the second detector <NUM> is not permanently operated but only when being triggered. The optional display device <NUM> may be configured to display at least one of the following detection results from the second detector <NUM>: no reagent vessel at an arrangement position defined by the second detection position, a wrong reagent vessel at an arrangement position defined by the second detection position, and a correct reagent vessel at an arrangement position defined by the second detection position. Needless to say, a display device separate from the display device <NUM> shown may be present which in turn is associated with the second row <NUM>. With other words, for each row a separate display device may be present. The second detector <NUM> may be configured to detect a moving direction of the drawer <NUM>. For example, the second detector <NUM> is configured to detect the moving direction of the drawer <NUM> by means of position markers (not shown in detail) arranged between the arrangement positions <NUM> of the second row <NUM>.

Hereinafter, an operation of the automatic analyzer <NUM> of the third embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>. The explanation of the operation starts with the drawer <NUM> being in the retracted position with all reagent vessels <NUM> of the first row <NUM> and second row <NUM> loaded in the drawer <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Thus, the reagents from each of the reagent vessels <NUM> can be supplied to the analytical instruments <NUM>. If any one of the reagent vessels <NUM> has to be changed or replaced, the drawer <NUM> has to be moved in the respective extended position as will explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> in a first extended position. Assuming that a first reagent vessel 108a disposed at the first arrangement position 112a of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> being furthest away from an interior of the housing <NUM> or closest to an user standing in front of the drawer <NUM> has to be replaced, for example because of the reagent thereof has been consumed, the user pulls the drawer <NUM> and moves it from the retracted position as shown in <FIG> to the first extended position shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Concertedly or together with the movement of the drawer <NUM>, the first slider <NUM> and the second sider <NUM> are moved into the slider extended position as shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Thereby, the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are moved to the first detection position and the second detection position as they are mounted to the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM>, respectively. The movement of the drawer <NUM> is detected by the light barrier <NUM> which triggers the first detector <NUM> and/or the second detector <NUM>. In the first extended position, the first reagent vessel 108a in the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> may be taken out and replaced by a new first reagent vessel 108a. The first detector <NUM> and/or the second detector <NUM> identifies the new first reagent vessel 108a after being loaded into the drawer <NUM> at the first arrangement position 112a by reading the RFID tag <NUM> attached to the bottom surface thereof. Only if the new first reagent vessel 108a at the first arrangement position 112a contains the correct reagent, i.e. the reagent contained in the new first reagent vessel 108a corresponds to the target reagent associated with the first arrangement position 112a of the first row <NUM> or the second row <NUM>, the user is allowed to move the drawer <NUM> back to the retracted position. As the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> are biased into the slider retracted position, the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> together with the drawer <NUM> move in the slider retracted position without requiring to be separately moved by the user. Needless to say, the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are also moved back into the housing <NUM> as they are mounted to the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM>, respectively. If the new first reagent vessel 108a at the first arrangement position 112a of the first row <NUM> or the second row <NUM> does not contain the correct reagent, the drawer <NUM> is blocked from being moved back into the retracted position as will be explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> in a second extended position. Assuming that a second reagent vessel 108b of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> disposed at the second arrangement position 112b has to be replaced, for example because of the reagent thereof has been consumed, the user pulls the drawer <NUM> and moves it from the retracted position as shown in <FIG> to the second extended position shown in <FIG> following the first extended position in the longitudinal direction <NUM> outwards from the housing <NUM>. Concertedly or together with the movement of the drawer <NUM>, the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> are moved into the slider extended position as shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Thereby, the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are moved to the first detection position and the second detection position as they are mounted to the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM>, respectively. The movement of the drawer <NUM> is detected by the light barrier <NUM> which triggers the first detector <NUM> and/or the second detector <NUM>. In the second extended position, the second reagent vessel 108b in the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> may be taken out and replaced by a new second reagent vessel 108b. The first detector <NUM> and/or the second detector <NUM> identifies the new second reagent vessel 108b after being loaded into the drawer <NUM> at the second arrangement position 112b of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> by reading the RFID tag <NUM> attached to the bottom surface thereof. Only if the new second reagent vessel 108b at the second arrangement position 112b of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> contains the correct reagent, i.e. the reagent contained in the new second reagent vessel 108b corresponds to the target reagent associated with the second arrangement position 112b of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM>, the user is allowed to move the drawer <NUM> back to the retracted position. As the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> are biased into the slider retracted position, the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> together with the drawer <NUM> move in the slider retracted position without requiring to be separately moved by the user. Needless to say, the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are also moved back into the housing <NUM> as they mounted to the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM>, respectively. If the new second reagent vessel 108b at the second arrangement position 112b of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> does not contain the correct reagent, the drawer <NUM> is blocked from being moved back into the retracted position as will be explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> in a third extended position. Assuming that a third reagent vessel 108c disposed at the third arrangement position 112c of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> has to be replaced, for example because of the reagent thereof has been consumed, the user pulls the drawer <NUM> and moves it from the retracted position as shown in <FIG> to the third extended position shown in <FIG> following the second extended position in the longitudinal direction <NUM> outwards from the housing <NUM>. Concertedly or together with the movement of the drawer <NUM>, the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> are moved into the slider extended position as shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Thereby, the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are moved to the first detection position and the second detection position as they are mounted to the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM>, respectively. The movement of the drawer <NUM> is detected by the light barrier <NUM> which triggers the first detector <NUM> and/or the second detector <NUM>. In the third extended position, the third reagent vessel 108c in the first row <NUM> and/or second row <NUM> may be taken out and replaced by a new third reagent vessel 108c. The first detector <NUM> and/or second detector <NUM> identifies the new third reagent vessel 108b after being loaded into the drawer <NUM> at the third arrangement position 112c of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> by reading the RFID tag <NUM> attached to the bottom surface thereof. Only if the new third reagent vessel 108c at the third arrangement position 112c of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> contains the correct reagent, i.e. the reagent contained in the new second reagent vessel 108b corresponds to the target reagent associated with the third arrangement position 112c, the user is allowed to move the drawer <NUM> back to the retracted position. As the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> are biased into the slider retracted position, the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> together with the drawer <NUM> move in the slider retracted position without requiring to be separately moved by the user. Needless to say, the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are also moved back into the housing <NUM> as they are mounted to the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM>, respectively. If the new third reagent vessel 108c at the third arrangement position 112c of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> does not contain the correct reagent, the drawer <NUM> is blocked from being moved back into the retracted position as will be explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> in a fourth extended position. Assuming that a fourth reagent vessel 108d disposed at the fourth arrangement position 112d of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> has to be replaced, for example because of the reagent thereof has been consumed, the user pulls the drawer <NUM> and moves it from the retracted position as shown in <FIG> to the fourth extended position shown in <FIG> following the third extended position in the longitudinal direction <NUM> outwards from the housing <NUM>. Concertedly or together with the movement of the drawer <NUM>, the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> are moved into the slider extended position as shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Thereby, the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are moved to the first detection position and the second detection position as they are mounted to the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM>. The movement of the drawer <NUM> is detected by the light barrier <NUM> which triggers the first detector <NUM> and/or the second detector <NUM>. In the fourth extended position, the fourth reagent vessel 108d in the first row <NUM> and/or second row <NUM> may be taken out and replaced by a new fourth reagent vessel 108d. The first detector <NUM> and/or the second detector <NUM> identifies the new fourth reagent vessel 108d after being loaded into the drawer <NUM> at the fourth arrangement position 112d of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> by reading the RFID tag <NUM> attached to the bottom surface thereof. Only if the new fourth reagent vessel 108d at the fourth arrangement position 112d of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> contains the correct reagent, i.e. the reagent contained in the new fourth reagent vessel 108d corresponds to the target reagent associated with the fourth arrangement position 112d of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM>, the user is allowed to move the drawer <NUM> back to the retracted position. As the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> are biased into the slider retracted position, the first slider <NUM> and the second slider 144together with the drawer <NUM> move in the slider retracted position without requiring to be separately moved by the user. Needless to say, the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are also moved back into the housing <NUM> as they are mounted to the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM>. If the new fourth reagent vessel 108d at the fourth arrangement position 112d of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> does not contain the correct reagent, the drawer <NUM> is blocked from being moved back into the retracted position as will be explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a top view of the drawer <NUM> in a fifth extended position. Assuming that a fifth reagent vessel 108e disposed at the fifth arrangement position 112e of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> has to be replaced, for example because of the reagent thereof has been consumed, the user pulls the drawer <NUM> and moves it from the retracted position as shown in <FIG> to the fifth extended position shown in <FIG> following the fourth extended position in the longitudinal direction <NUM> outwards from the housing <NUM>. Concertedly or together with the movement of the drawer <NUM>, the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> are moved into the slider extended position as shown in <FIG> which is proximal to the housing <NUM>. Thereby, the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM> are moved to the first detection position and the second detection position as they are mounted to the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM>, respectively. The movement of the drawer <NUM> is detected by the light barrier <NUM> which triggers the first detector <NUM> and/or the second detector <NUM>. In the fifth extended position, the fifth reagent vessel 108e in the first row <NUM> or the second row <NUM> may be taken out and replaced by a new fifth reagent vessel 108e. The first detector <NUM> and/or the second detector <NUM> identifies the new fifth reagent vessel 108e after being loaded into the drawer <NUM> at the fifth arrangement position 112e of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> by reading the RFID tag <NUM> attached to the bottom surface thereof. Only if the new fifth reagent vessel 108e at the fifth arrangement position 112e of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> contains the correct reagent, i.e. the reagent contained in the new fifth reagent vessel 108e corresponds to the target reagent associated with the fifth arrangement position 112e of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM>, the user is allowed to move the drawer <NUM> back to the retracted position. As the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> are biased into the slider retracted position, the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> together with the drawer <NUM> move in the slider retracted position without requiring to be separately moved by the user. Needless to say, the first detector <NUM> and the second slider <NUM> are also moved back into the housing <NUM> as they mounted to the first slider <NUM> and the second slider <NUM>, respectively. If the new fifth reagent vessel 108e at the fifth arrangement position 112e of the first row <NUM> and/or the second row <NUM> does not contain the correct reagent, the drawer <NUM> is blocked from being moved back into the retracted position as will be explained in further detail below.

<FIG> shows a side view of a discharge device <NUM>. The discharge device <NUM> may be used with or part of the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to any one of the first to third embodiments. The discharge device <NUM> is configured to discharge reagent from the reagent vessels <NUM>. With other words, there is a discharge device <NUM> per reagent vessel <NUM> such that each reagent vessel <NUM> has its own discharge device <NUM>. Each of the discharge devices <NUM> comprises an immersion tube <NUM> configured to be immersed into a reagent vessel <NUM>. According to the discharge device <NUM> of <FIG>, the immersion tube <NUM> is formed straight. Further, the discharge device <NUM> is linearly moveable between an open position shown in the upper part of <FIG>, in which the immersion tube <NUM> is retracted from a reagent vessel <NUM>, and a closed position shown in the lower part of <FIG>, in which the immersion tube <NUM> is immersed into the reagent vessel <NUM>. For this purpose, the discharge device <NUM> may be raised and lowered along a guide rail <NUM> or the like. The immersion tube <NUM> is located so as to be centered with respect to a center point of an opening <NUM> at a neck <NUM> of the reagent vessel <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a side view of a modification of the discharge device <NUM> of <FIG>. Hereinafter, only the differences from the discharge device <NUM> of <FIG> will be explained and identical or comparable constructional members and features are indicated by like reference numerals. The immersion tube <NUM> is located so as to be eccentric with respect to a center point of the opening <NUM> at the neck <NUM> of the reagent vessel <NUM>. Further, the drawer <NUM> comprises an inclined inner surface <NUM> on which the reagent vessels <NUM> are loadable. Thereby, the dead space volume of the reagent vessels <NUM> may be reduced. It is explicitly stated that the discharge device <NUM> of <FIG> may also be used with a drawer having an inclined inner surface <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a top view of another modification of the discharge device <NUM> of <FIG>. Hereinafter, only the differences from the discharge device <NUM> of <FIG> will be explained and identical or comparable constructional members and features are indicated by like reference numerals. The immersion tube <NUM> is located so as to be centered with respect to a center point of an opening <NUM> at a neck <NUM> of the reagent vessel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the discharge device <NUM> are incline with respect to the longitudinal direction as the reagent vessels <NUM> of the first row and second row <NUM> are shifted relative to one another.

<FIG> shows a side view of another discharge device <NUM>. <FIG> shows a top view of the discharge device <NUM> of <FIG>. Hereinafter, only the differences from the discharge device <NUM> of <FIG> will be explained and identical or comparable constructional members and features are indicated by like reference numerals. The immersion tube <NUM> is curved and the discharge device <NUM> is pivotally moveable between an open position as shown in the right part of <FIG>, in which the immersion tube <NUM> is retracted from a reagent vessel <NUM>, and a closed position as shown in the left part of <FIG>, in which the immersion tube <NUM> is immersed into the reagent vessel <NUM>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to any of the embodiments described herein may further comprise a blocking device <NUM> configured to allow a reagent vessel <NUM> to be loaded into or to be unloaded from the drawer <NUM> exclusively in the first extended position of the drawer <NUM> proximal to the housing <NUM>. The blocking device <NUM> is coupled to the discharge devices <NUM>. Particularly, each discharge device <NUM> is associated with a separate blocking device <NUM>. The blocking device <NUM> is configured to block a movement of the discharge devices <NUM> at least from the open position into the closed position if a wrong reagent vessel <NUM> is detected and to allow a movement of the discharge device <NUM> at least from the open position into the closed position if a correct reagent vessel <NUM> is detected. With other words, if the identified reagent vessel <NUM> does not correspond to the target reagent vessel <NUM> associated with a certain arrangement position <NUM>, the discharge device <NUM> may not be moved into the closed position. Thus, the supply of a wrong reagent to the automatic analyzer <NUM> may be prevented. The automatic analyzer blocking device <NUM> may be configured to block a movement of the discharge device <NUM> at least from the closed position into the open position if an associated reagent vessel <NUM> is not completed discharged. Further, the blocking device <NUM> is configured to prevent a reagent vessel <NUM> to be loaded into or to be unloaded from the drawer <NUM> in any extended position except for the first extended position of the drawer <NUM> proximal to the housing <NUM>. Particularly, the blocking device <NUM> is configured to block a movement of the discharge devices <NUM> associated with any extended position except for the first extended position at least from the closed position into the open position. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the blocking device comprises a sensor <NUM> configured to detect whether the discharge device <NUM> is in its open position or closed position. Further, the blocking device <NUM> comprises a pivotal hook <NUM> configured to selectively engage with the discharge device <NUM> so as to prevent a movement of the discharge device <NUM> or to allow a movement of the discharge device <NUM>. Further, the blocking device <NUM> comprises a motor <NUM> and a spring <NUM> connected to the hook <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is configured to move the spring <NUM> and the hook <NUM> as the spring <NUM> is connected to the hook <NUM>. Thus, if the sensor <NUM> detects the open position of the discharge device <NUM>, the motor <NUM> is driven to move the hook <NUM> to engage with the discharge device <NUM>. Thereby, a movement of the discharge device <NUM> is blocked. If a correct reagent vessel <NUM> is identified by the first detector <NUM> and/or the second detector <NUM> after a replacement of a reagent vessel <NUM>, the motor <NUM> is driven to move the hook <NUM> to disengage from the discharge device <NUM>. Thereby, a movement of the discharge device <NUM> is allowed.

<FIG> shows a top view of a portion of a modification of the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, only the differences from the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to third embodiment of the present invention will be explained and identical or comparable constructional members and features are indicated by like reference numerals. With the automatic analyzer <NUM> according to the modified third embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement positions <NUM> of the second row <NUM> are shifted relative to the arrangement positions of the first row <NUM> in the longitudinal direction <NUM>. This shifted arrangement facilitates the arrangement of the discharge devices <NUM>.

Further, position markers <NUM> are arranged between the arrangement positions <NUM> of the first row <NUM> and the second row <NUM>. The position markers <NUM> are RFID tags. Merely as an example, six position markers <NUM> are shown which are identified as first position marker 166a to sixth position marker 166f. The first position marker 166a to sixth position marker 166f are alternating located between the arrangement positions <NUM> of the first row <NUM> and the second row <NUM>. Thereby, the moving direction of the drawer <NUM> may be detected by means of the first detector <NUM> and the second detector <NUM>. For example, if the third position marker 166c is detected by the first detector <NUM> before the fourth position marker 166d is detected by the second detector <NUM>, then the drawer <NUM> is moved towards the retracted position and into the housing <NUM>, respectively. For example, if the fourth position marker 166d is detected by the second detector <NUM> before the third position marker 166c is detected by the first detector <NUM>, then the drawer <NUM> is moved towards the extended positions and out of the housing <NUM>, respectively. Needless to say, if the drawer is not manually moveable but is moved by a motor or the like, then the control unit of the motor knows the moving direction and the position markers <NUM> may be omitted. Further, the detection of the position markers may be carried out by other detectors than the first and second detectors <NUM>, <NUM>.

Regarding the above described embodiments, it has to be noted that the first detector <NUM> and/or the second detector <NUM> are described as being configured to detect the position of the drawer <NUM> in the above manner. It is explicitly stated that other devices or methods may be applied to detect the position of the drawer <NUM>. For example, two or more light barriers may be used. Further examples are a linear position transducer or encoder, a rotary position transducer or encoder having a drive with a gear wheel and a gear rack or the like which is configured to convert a linear movement into a rotary movement. In addition or alternatively, a further sensor such as a further RFID detector may be used. These devices may be used in connection with a strong halts, particularly latches, or soft halts and sensor(s) and/or light barrier(s) allowing an exact detection of the position of the drawer <NUM>.

For example, an applicable principle using strong halts for avoiding intermediate positions between the extended positions of the drawer is that a first detector identifies the vessels and a second detector detects position markers. Both detectors may be arranged in parallel or shifted relative to one another in a parallel direction. The detector for detecting the position of the drawer may be arranged within the housing of the analyzer <NUM> and may be stationary if the position markers such as RFID tags are shifted relative to the RFID tags of the reagent vessels <NUM>. Such a shifted arrangement for the position markers would allow a greater distance between the RFID tags of the reagent vessels <NUM> and the position markers in order to avoid a detection of the wrong tag or marker. The position markers may use a data structure different from the one of the RFID tags on the reagent vessels <NUM>. Such different data structures may be omitted in case the specified distance is more than <NUM> as RFID detectors including an electric field strength detection function may differ between the position markers and the RFID tags on the reagent vessels <NUM>.

An exemplary operation of an automatic analyzer using a light barrier for the detection of the drawer position is that the light barrier sends a trigger signal "drawer in position". Then, the RFID detector for detecting the position of the drawer is operated. Further, the RFID reader(s) for detecting the RFID tags on the reagent vessel is/are operated. Then, it is checked whether the reagent vessel may be replaced. If the check reveals that the reagent vessel is allowed to be replaced, then the immersion tube is allowed to rise. If the check reveals that the reagent vessel is not allowed to be replaced, then the user of the analyzer is correspondingly informed such as by means of information on the display device. After replacement of the reagent vessel, which has to be confirmed by the user, the RFID tag of the reagent vessel is read. If the reading reveals that the correct reagent vessel is at the target position thereof, then the immersion tube is allowed to be lowered. If the reading reveals that an incorrect reagent vessel is at the detection position, then the immersion tube is not allowed to be lowered and the user of the analyzer is correspondingly informed such as by means of information on the display device.

An exemplary operation of an automatic analyzer without using a light barrier for the detection of the drawer position is that a sensor or switch sends a signal at least indicating that the drawer is extended. Then, the RFID detector for detecting the position of the drawer is operated. If a new extended position of the drawer is present, then the RFID reader(s) for detecting the RFID tags on the reagent vessel is/are operated. Further, it is checked whether the reagent vessel may be replaced. If the check reveals that the reagent vessel is allowed to be replaced, then the immersion tube is allowed to rise. If the check reveals that the reagent vessel is not allowed to be replaced, then the user of the analyzer is correspondingly informed such as by means of information on the display device. After replacement of the reagent vessel, which has to be confirmed by the user, the RFID tag of the reagent vessel is read. If the reading reveals that the correct reagent vessel is at the target position thereof, then the immersion tube is allowed to be lowered. If the reading reveals that an incorrect reagent vessel is at the detection position, then the immersion tube is not allowed to be lowered and the user of the analyzer is correspondingly informed such as by means of information on the display device.

Claim 1:
An automatic analyzer (<NUM>) for analyzing samples, comprising
a housing (<NUM>) at least partially enclosing at least one analyzing instrument <NUM>),
a drawer (<NUM>) configured to be loaded with a plurality of reagent vessels (<NUM>), wherein the drawer (<NUM>) is moveable in a longitudinal direction (<NUM>) relative to the housing (<NUM>) between a retracted position, in which the drawer (<NUM>) is retracted in the housing (<NUM>), and extended positions, in which the drawer (<NUM>) is extended from the housing (<NUM>), wherein the drawer (<NUM>) defines arrangement positions (<NUM>) for the reagent vessels (<NUM>) at least in a first row (<NUM>) parallel to the longitudinal direction (<NUM>),
and
a first detector (<NUM>) associated with the first row (<NUM>) and configured to identify the reagent vessels (<NUM>) at a first detection position when arranged in the first row (<NUM>),
wherein the automatic analyzer (<NUM>) further comprises a first slider (<NUM>), wherein the first detector (<NUM>) is mounted to the first slider (<NUM>), wherein the first slider (<NUM>) is moveable between a slider retracted position, in which the first slider (<NUM>) is retracted in the housing (<NUM>), and a slider extended position, in which the first slider (<NUM>) is extended at a proximal position from the housing (<NUM>), wherein the slider extended position overlaps with the first detection position and the analyzer (<NUM>) being arranged such that at the different extended positions of the drawer (<NUM>), different arrangement positions (<NUM>) are aligned with the first detection position.