Patent Description:
Automated clinical analyzers are well known in the art and are generally used for the automated or semi-automated analysis of patient samples. Typically, prepared patient samples, such as blood, urine, spinal fluid, and the like are placed onto such an analyzer in sample containers such a test tubes. The analyzer pipettes a patient sample and one or more reagents to a reaction cell (e.g., a reaction vessel, cuvette or flow cell) where an analysis of the sample is conducted, usually for a particular analyte of interest, and results of the analysis are reported.

Automated pipettors are employed on such analyzers to transfer the patient samples and reagents as required for the specified analysis. Such pipettors can include a hollow probe having an open end or tip. The hollow probe is, for example, lowered into a sample container that holds a sample, a predetermined volume of the sample is withdrawn from the sample container, and the hollow probe is withdrawn from the sample container. The probe is moved, for example, to a position above a reaction cell, is again lowered, and the sample held in the hollow probe is expelled into the reaction cell. Similar actions may be used to pipette and deliver one or more reagents from reagent containers to the reaction cell, either with the same probe or with one or more reagent delivery probes.

Such hollow probes may be used to clean (i.e., rinse) the reaction cell at various stages of the analysis.

To prepare such a hollow probe for a subsequent delivery, the hollow probe may be washed to eliminate, as much as possible, any residue from the prior samples and/or reagents that were handled by the hollow probe. Probe washing may be accomplished by, for example, lowering the probe tip into a wash cell that contains a wash fluid such as water. The wash fluid washes an exterior of the probe tip, and an interior of the hollow probe may be cleaned by aspirating and discharging the wash fluid or, alternatively, discharging a wash fluid through the hollow probe into the wash cell.

A common problem with hollow probe washing, however, is carryover, that is, residual fluid or contaminates from a fluid that remain on or in or may be absorbed by the hollow probe despite washing. This residue mixes with subsequent sample or reagents drawn into the hollow probe and can interfere with subsequent analyses.

Another problem with hollow probe washing is the time needed to move the hollow probe to a wash station and accomplish the probe washing. Substantial time can be required to wash the hollow probe. For example, if the hollow probe has delivered a sample to a reaction cell, the hollow probe must be raised, moved to a position over a wash cell, and lowered into the cell for washing. Once washing is done, the hollow probe must again be raised and moved on to the next operation. Such cleaning of hollow probes may require that the hollow probe be moved away from stations involved in the substance evaluating processes. Having a remote wash station located outside and/or away from the fluidic evaluating stations may require that certain motions of the probe be decoupled from each other or have additional degrees-of-freedom.

Instruments known as UniCel® Dxl <NUM> Access® Immunoassay System (i.e., Dxl <NUM>) and UniCel® Dxl <NUM> Access® Immunoassay System (i.e., Dxl <NUM>), manufactured by Beckman Coulter, Inc. of Brea, California, USA, include a duck bill valve to accommodate washing various hollow probes without moving the hollow probes to a remote wash station. Instead, the duck bill valve allows the hollow probe to go through the wash station and thereby reach a container in which the fluidic substance is being evaluated. To wash the hollow probe, the hollow probe is positioned above the duck bill valve and vacuum is applied in an area above the duck bill valve while fluid is flushed through the hollow probe. However, the duck bill valve may leak (i.e., introduce contamination) and requires maintenance. It is recommended that the DxI <NUM> and DxI <NUM> users replace the duck bill valve every <NUM>,<NUM> tests as a preventative maintenance measure. Furthermore, as cleaning processes that use such a duck bill valve include applying vacuum above the duck bill valve, positive pressure above the duck bill valve is not possible, and the cleaning processes are therefore constrained from applying positive pressure above the duck bill valve.

Thus, there is a need for a probe washing arrangement and method of use of such an arrangement that overcomes these limitations of the prior art probe washing approaches. The needed improvements include, but are not limited to, reducing carryover, decreasing probe washing time, decreasing maintenance, and increasing available process parameters that may be employed in probe washing.

<CIT> discloses an automated clinical analyzer comprising a probe washing arrangement according to the prior art.

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a probe washing arrangement includes a hollow probe, a probe actuator, a probe washer, and a probe washer actuator. The hollow probe includes a tip. The probe actuator moves the hollow probe vertically along a probe path. The probe washer cleans the hollow probe, includes a cavity that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the hollow probe when the probe washer is positioned at a deployed position, intersects the probe path when the probe washer is positioned at the deployed position, and clears the probe path when the probe washer is positioned at a stowed position. The probe washer actuator moves the probe washer between the deployed position and the stowed position.

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a sample analysis system includes a probe washing arrangement including a probe and a probe washer for cleaning the probe. The probe is for aspirating and/or dispensing fluid from/into at least one receptacle. The probe is moveable along a probe path. The probe washer is moveable between at least a first position and a second position. When the probe washer is at the first position. The probe path clears the probe washer and thereby allows the probe to travel past the probe washer to the receptacle. When the probe washer is at the second position, the probe path intersects the probe washer and thereby allows the probe to travel into the probe washer.

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a sample analysis system includes at least two stations, a carrier, and a probe washing arrangement for cleaning the probe. The carrier is for transporting at least one sample vessel between the at least two stations. The probe washing arrangement includes a probe is for aspirating and/or dispensing fluid from/into the at least one sample vessel when the at least one sample vessel is at a probe receiving station of the at least two stations. The probe is moveable along a probe path. The probe washing arrangement includes a probe washer that is moveable between at least a first position and a second position. When the probe washer is at the first position. The probe path clears the probe washer and thereby allows the probe to travel past the probe washer to the sample vessel at the probe receiving station. When the probe washer is at the second position, the probe path intersects the probe washer and thereby allows the probe to travel into the probe washer.

According to certain other aspects of the present disclosure, the sample analysis system may further include a cleaning fluid supply for supplying cleaning fluid. The cleaning of the probe may include internal cleaning. The probe washing arrangement may include a drain and may be configured to facilitate the internal cleaning of the probe by draining the cleaning fluid via the drain after the cleaning fluid is passed from the cleaning fluid supply through the probe. The sample analysis system may further facilitate external cleaning of the probe, and the probe washing arrangement may further include an inlet. The inlet and the drain may be configured to facilitate the external cleaning of the probe by applying the cleaning fluid to at least an external portion of the probe and draining the cleaning fluid via the drain after the cleaning fluid is passed from the cleaning fluid supply through the inlet.

According to certain additional aspects of the present disclosure, the carrier of the sample analysis system may include a rotating ring and/or a rotating disk with a plurality of holders for individually transporting a plurality of the sample vessels. One or more of the probe receiving stations may be included in a wash unit. The at least one sample vessel may be a reaction vessel. The probe path may be a linear path. The probe path may be a vertical path. In certain embodiments, the probe may move only along the probe path when the sample analysis system is in normal analyzing operation. In certain embodiments, only one of the at least one sample vessel occupies any station of the at least two stations at a time. In certain embodiments, the probe washer includes a housing that includes the inlet and/or the drain, and the housing may further include a wall that blocks (i.e., intersects) the probe path when the probe washer is at the second position. In certain embodiments, the probe washer is rotationally movable between at least the first position and the second position about an axis. In certain embodiments, the axis is parallel to the probe path. In certain embodiments, the probe washer is movable between at least the first position and the second position with a single degree-of-freedom. In certain embodiments, the external portion of the probe includes a tip portion.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

According to the principles of the present disclosure, a probe washing arrangement may clean a probe P in a variety of sample analysis systems. As a variety of sample analysis systems with a variety of configurations are suitable for incorporating a probe washing arrangement for a probe P, the probe washer and/or the probe P may be configured in a variety of configurations suitable for a particular sample analysis system and/or sub-system. Several examples and characteristics of such sample analysis systems are mentioned and described herein. Other sample analysis systems may also be suitable for incorporating the various probe washers and/or probes P mentioned herein, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Instruments which may benefit from using a probe washing arrangement include but are not limited to diagnostic analyzers, such as immunoassay analyzers, clinical chemistry analyzers, hematology analyzers, nucleic acid analyzers, flow cytometry systems, and urinalysis analyzers. Instruments may also include liquid handling systems used for laboratory systems involving biological fluids, such as the Biomek i-Series Automated Workstations from Beckman Coulter, Inc. , Brea, CA, USA and similar laboratory automation platforms or multi-well plate handlers.

According to the principles of the present disclosure, various probes P may be used to handle various fluids within a sample analysis system (e.g., a biological testing instrument). The various fluids or components thereof may tend to adhere to the probes P and may be hydrophobic, colloidal, sticky, tacky, viscous, etc. Fluids handled include samples, specimens, reagents, chemicals, agents, rinses, particles, substrates, enzymes, unreacted substances, whole blood, serum, plasma, other blood components or fractions, immune complexes, urine, saliva, cerebral spinal fluid, amniotic fluid, feces, mucus, cell or tissue extracts, nucleic acid extracts, biological fluids, etc. Often fluids handled are biological fluids, assay reagents, or mixtures thereof. Biological fluids, may also be called samples or specimens, and may include blood or blood components or fractions (such as whole blood, serum, plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets), urine, saliva, cerebral spinal fluid, amniotic fluid, feces, mucus, cell or tissue extracts, nucleic acid extracts. Assay reagents may include: wash buffers, rinses, sample pretreatments, diluents, stains, dyes, substrates, antibody conjugates, enzymes or enzyme conjugates, nucleic acid conjugates, cell lysis reagents, and the like, in reacted or unreacted states. Components of assay reagents typically include: water, buffers, chemicals, particles, substrates, enzymes, fixatives, preservatives, nucleic acids, antibodies, acids, bases, and mixtures thereof, in reacted or unreacted states. Mixtures of Biological Fluids and Assay reagents, may be in reacted or unreacted states, resulting in new combinations such as immune complexes, nucleic acid complexes, enzyme-substrate complexes and the like. Biological fluids, assay reagents, or mixtures thereof as well as sub-sets of components thereof, reacted or unreacted, may be aspirated, delivered, retained or removed via methods utilizing the probe washing arrangement consistent with the present application.

Such repeated pipetting of the various fluids with the probes P may result in a portion of an early sample adhering to the probe P and then being introduced to a subsequent sample by the probe P and thereby result in the contamination of the subsequent sample. Similar carryover is possible with assay reagents. Probe washing assemblies may be used to clean the probes P of sample analysis systems for various reasons, including avoiding such contamination, cross-contamination, carryover, etc. In certain embodiments, the probe washing arrangement may be arranged and/or implemented to minimize or eliminate time lost to cleaning the probe P. In certain embodiments, the probe washing arrangement may be arranged to minimize space lost to the probe washer.

The probe washing arrangement by cleaning the probes P with the probe washer, sample to sample carryover can be reduced to an acceptable level or eliminated, and the biological testing instrument may thereby meet various carryover protocols. Under certain conditions, not cleaning the probes P leads to sample to sample carryover and thereby leads to analytical laboratory error.

The probes P may aspirate and/or dispense the various fluids from and/or to various probe receiving stations PS within and/or adjacent to the sample analysis system. The probe receiving stations PS may be fixed or may be moveable.

One or more receptacles (e.g., vessels) may be positioned at some or all of the probe receiving stations PS. The probes P may dispense and/or aspirate various fluids into and/or from the one or more receptacles. The one or more receptacles may include tubes, sample tubes, wells, capped tubes, uncapped tubes, microtainers, cuvettes, Microtiter™ wells, flow cells, inlets fluidically connected to flowcells, etc. Each of the one or more receptacles may be positioned at a single probe receiving station PS or may be moveable between probe receiving stations PS and/or other positions that are not probe receiving.

Certain probes P may be specialized in dispensing fluids and may therefore only dispense fluids and not aspirate fluids. Likewise, certain probes P may be specialized in aspirating fluids and may therefore only aspirate fluids and not dispense fluids. Still other probes P may both aspirate and dispense fluids, as desired. To include probes P that may dispense only, aspirate only, and both dispense and aspirate, the conjunction "and/or" is used herein. Thus, mentioning a probe P for aspirating and/or dispensing fluid includes dispense only probes P, aspirate only probes P, and dispense and aspirate probes P.

Probes P may be actuated in a variety of ways suited to their particular functions in a particular sample analysis system. Certain probes P may be actuated along a single degree-of-freedom. The single degree-of-freedom may be a linear degree-of-freedom parallel to an axis of the probe P. Other probes P may be actuated along multiple degrees-of-freedom. Certain probes P may service a single location, while other probes P may service multiple locations. According to the invention, the hollow probe and the probe path are continuously aligned with the probe receiving station. Certain probes P may receive fluid from a source (e.g., from a tank via a tube) and deliver (i.e., dispense) the fluid to one or more locations, while other probes P may remove (i.e., aspirate) the fluid from one or more locations and deliver fluid to a sink (e.g., to a tank via a tube). Still other probes P may aspirate one or more fluids from one or more locations and dispense one or more fluids to one or more locations and may thereby transfer one or more fluids between several locations. Various pumps, plumbing, valves, and conduits may be used to connect the probes P.

The locations serviced by the probes P may also vary according to their particular functions in a particular sample analysis system. For example, a probe P may aspirate and/or dispense fluid from and/or to various vessels, drains, supply reservoirs, waste collection reservoirs, tubes, sample tubes, wells, capped tubes, uncapped tubes, microtainers, cuvettes, Microtiter™ wells, etc. In certain embodiments, a probe P may receive and/or deliver fluids to a component that processes the fluid, such as a flow cell. The flow cell may include an aperture and various instrumentation to measure various aspects of the fluid. The term "receptacle", as used herein, refers to various interfacing features serviced (dispensed to and/or aspirated from) by the probe P, including receptacles included with the examples herein.

Various configurations of probe washing arrangements may be suited for various configurations of probes P, including the examples herein, and various applications in which the probes P and the probe washers are employed. In certain embodiments, both the probe P and the probe washer move relative to the sample analysis system (e.g., a frame of the sample analysis system). In certain embodiments, the receptacle does not move relative to the sample analysis system, at least when the receptacle is being aspirated from and/or dispensed into or when the sample analysis system is in operation. In other embodiments, the receptacle moves or is moved to align with the probe in preparation for aspiration and/or dispensing and may further move to align with another probe for further aspiration and/or dispensing.

In example embodiments not covered by the claims where the probes P move to multiple positions (e.g., probe receiving stations) about the sample analysis systems, the probe washer may travel with the probe P. In particular, an actuator, gantry, robot, or other mechanism that moves the probe P to the various positions may also move the probe washer. This combined movement allows the probe P to be washed by the probe washer while the probe P is moving or being moved. This combined movement may save cycle time as the probe moving operation and the probe washing operation may be performed simultaneously.

In certain embodiments of probe washing arrangements, probe P and the probe washer may be co-located (e.g., positioned adjacent to each other). Co-locating the probe P and the probe washer may accommodate their combined movement. Co-locating the probe P and the probe washer may save space on the sample analysis system. The combination of the probe P and the probe washer may form a self-washing probe arrangement. In certain embodiments, the probe washer may be arranged to minimize space lost to the probe washer. In certain embodiments, analyzer / assay performance time lost to cleaning the probe P is minimized or eliminated.

In certain embodiments, the probe washer is actuated by the probe washer actuator about a single degree-of-freedom (e.g., parallel to a linear displacement or a rotational displacement) and thereby moves the probe washer relative to the probe path about the single degree-of-freedom. In certain embodiments, the probe washer may be actuated from a stowed position to a washing position by an actuator. In certain embodiments, the actuation includes only a single degree-of-freedom. In certain embodiments, the probe washer may be actuated relative to the sample analysis system (e.g., a frame of the sample analysis system). In other embodiments, the probe washer may be actuated relative to a carrier (e.g., an actuator, a gantry, a robot, etc.) that moves the probe P and the probe washer. In still other embodiments, the probe washer may be actuated relative to another moveable component of the sample analysis system (e.g., a probe platform of the sample analysis system).

Turning now to <FIG>, an example probe washing arrangement <NUM> is illustrated, according to the principles of the present disclosure. The probe washing arrangement <NUM> includes a hollow probe P, a frame <NUM>, a probe actuator <NUM>, a probe washer <NUM>, and a probe washer actuator <NUM>. The probe actuator <NUM> actuates the hollow probe P relative to the frame <NUM>. The hollow probe P includes a tip PT. The probe actuator <NUM> moves the hollow probe P vertically along a probe path <NUM>. The probe washer <NUM> cleans the hollow probe P, includes a cavity <NUM> that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the hollow probe P when the probe washer <NUM> is positioned at a deployed position pw2, intersects the probe path <NUM> when the probe washer <NUM> is positioned at the deployed position pw2 (shown in dashed line), and clears the probe path <NUM> when the probe washer <NUM> is positioned at a stowed position pw1. The probe washer actuator <NUM> moves the probe washer <NUM> between the deployed position pw2 and the stowed position pw1. The probe washer actuator <NUM> actuates the probe washer <NUM> relative to the frame <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the probe actuator <NUM> is adapted to move the hollow probe P between a stowed probe position ap1, AP1 and a probe washing position ap2, AP2 similar to or the same as that shown at <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The probe washer <NUM> is moveable between at least the stowed position pw1 and the deployed position pw2 at least when the hollow probe P is at the stowed probe position ap1, AP1. In certain embodiments, the probe washer <NUM> is not moveable between the stowed position pw1 and the deployed position pw2 when the hollow probe P is at the probe washing position ap2, AP2 (e.g., because of interference with the hollow probe P).

In certain embodiments, the probe washing arrangement <NUM> may include a cleaning fluid supply <NUM>, <NUM> for supplying cleaning fluid <NUM>, <NUM> similar to or the same as that shown at <FIG> and <FIG>, as described in detail hereinafter. In certain embodiments, the probe washing arrangement <NUM> may include at least one pump <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for transferring the cleaning fluid <NUM>, <NUM> into and/or out of the probe washer <NUM> similar to or the same as that shown at <FIG> and <FIG>, as described in detail hereinafter. In certain embodiments, the probe washing arrangement <NUM> may include at least one valve <NUM> for configuring fluid flow through the probe washer <NUM> similar to or the same as that shown at <FIG>, as described in detail hereinafter.

In certain embodiments, the probe washer <NUM> includes a housing similar to or the same as the housing <NUM> shown at <FIG>, as described in detail hereinafter. The housing of the probe washer <NUM> may include a wall <NUM>. The wall <NUM> may be similar to or the same as the walls <NUM>, <NUM> shown at <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, as described in detail hereinafter.

In certain embodiments, the probe washer <NUM> is actuated by the probe washer actuator <NUM> about a single degree-of-freedom (e.g., parallel to a linear displacement d, illustrated at <FIG>, or a rotational displacement R2, illustrated at <FIG>) and thereby moves the probe washer <NUM> relative to the probe path <NUM> about the single degree-of-freedom.

In certain embodiments, the hollow probe P only moves vertically along the probe path <NUM> (e.g., see <FIG>). In other embodiments, the hollow probe P moves along the probe path <NUM> vertically and moves in other directions (e.g., see <FIG>).

Turning now to <FIG>, an example pipetting system <NUM> not covered by the claims is illustrated. The pipetting system <NUM> may be used to dispense and/or aspirate fluids between, from, and/or to individual or multiple probe receiving stations PS via a probe P. Example probe receiving stations PS are illustrated at <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The example pipetting system <NUM> may repeatedly dispense and/or aspirate fluids with a probe P to a single probe receiving station PS. In other embodiments, the example pipetting system <NUM> may repeatedly dispense and/or aspirate fluids with a probe P to a plurality of probe receiving station PS. The pipetting system <NUM> may be used to transfer fluids between multiple probe receiving stations PS (e.g., between probe receiving stations PS1 and PS2) with a probe P.

In the embodiment illustrated at <FIG>, the example pipetting system <NUM> is configured to transfer fluids between a first probe receiving station PS1 and a second probe receiving station PS2. Other embodiments may include a single probe receiving station PS or more than two probe receiving stations PS. As depicted, each of the probe receiving stations PS1, PS2 has a vessel <NUM> positioned thereat. Various carriers (conveyors, pick-and-place devices, robots, etc.) may be used to transfer various vessels <NUM> to and/or from the probe receiving stations PS1, PS2. In the depicted embodiment, a single vessel <NUM> is at each of the probe receiving stations PS1, PS2. In other embodiments, multiple vessels <NUM> may be at the probe receiving stations PS1 and/or PS2.

In the embodiment illustrated at <FIG>, the example pipetting system <NUM> includes a first frame <NUM>. The first frame <NUM> may be mounted to the frame <NUM> of the instrument <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the frame <NUM> is C-shaped and provides top-mounted support. In other embodiments, the frame <NUM> may have other configurations (e.g., cantilevered, provide side-mounted support, provide bottom-mounted support, etc.).

A first actuator <NUM> may be mounted to the first frame <NUM>. As depicted, the first actuator <NUM> is a linear actuator. In other embodiments, the first actuator <NUM> may be non-linear (e.g., rotary). As depicted, the first actuator <NUM> provides a single degree-of-freedom. The first actuator <NUM> may be powered by a variety of means (e.g., rotary motor, linear motor, stepper motor, pneumatic cylinder, etc.). As depicted, the first actuator <NUM> provides movement along displacement d1. A sign convention has been defined with respect to the displacement d1. In particular, a first direction d1+ and an opposite second direction d1- have been defined for displacement d1.

In the embodiment illustrated at <FIG>, the example pipetting system <NUM> includes a second frame <NUM>. The second frame <NUM> may be mounted to the first actuator <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the frame <NUM> is cantilevered and provides side-mounted support. In other embodiments, the frame <NUM> may have other configurations (e.g., C-shaped, provide top-mounted support, provide bottom-mounted support, etc.).

A second actuator <NUM> may be mounted to the second frame <NUM>. As depicted, the second actuator <NUM> is a linear actuator. In other embodiments, the second actuator <NUM> may be non-linear (e.g., rotary). As depicted, the second actuator <NUM> provides a single degree-of-freedom. The second actuator <NUM> may be powered by a variety of means, as mentioned above in regard to the first actuator <NUM>. As depicted, the second actuator <NUM> provides movement along displacement d2. A sign convention has been defined with respect to the displacement d2. In particular, a first direction d2+ and an opposite second direction d2- have been defined for displacement d2. As depicted, the displacements d1 and d2 are perpendicular. In other embodiments, the displacements d1 and d2 may be non-perpendicular (e.g., skew, parallel, etc.).

As depicted, a probe P, including a probe tip PT, is mounted to the second actuator <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, a single probe P is mounted to the second actuator <NUM>. In other embodiments, multiple probes P may be mounted to the second actuator <NUM>. By actuating the first and second actuators <NUM> and <NUM>, the probe P and the probe tip PT can be moved to a plurality of locations within a two-dimensional space including the probe receiving stations PS1 and PS2. In other embodiments, an additional frame and/or an additional actuator may be provided (e.g., between the first frame <NUM> and the frame <NUM> of the instrument <NUM>) thereby allowing the probe P and the probe tip PT to be moved to a plurality of locations within a three-dimensional space.

The probe P may define an axis A. The probe receiving station PS may define an axis A0. The probe P may be aligned with the corresponding probe receiving station PS when the axes A and A0 are aligned within an acceptable tolerance.

In typical use, the first actuator <NUM> axially aligns the probe P with the desired probe receiving station PS, PS1 and thereby aligns the axes A and A0. As illustrated at <FIG> and <FIG>, the probe P and the probe receiving station PS1 of the example pipetting system <NUM> are aligned when the first actuator <NUM> is at an actuated position dp1. Upon alignment between the probe P and the probe receiving station PS, PS1 (e.g., as shown at <FIG>), the second actuator <NUM> may move the probe P along its axis A and thereby along a probe path <NUM> (e.g., away from an actuated position ap1 of the second actuator <NUM>). Continued movement along the probe path <NUM> advances the probe tip PT toward an opening of the vessel <NUM>. Further movement along the probe path <NUM> may advance the probe tip PT through the opening of the vessel <NUM> and into an interior of the vessel <NUM> (e.g., to an actuated position ap3 of the second actuator <NUM> shown at <FIG>). Upon the probe P dispensing and/or aspirating fluid into the vessel <NUM> at the actuated position(s) ap3 (e.g., including one or more operating positions), the probe P may retract along the probe path <NUM> (e.g., back to the actuated position ap1 shown at <FIG>). The first actuator <NUM> may then move the second frame <NUM> and thereby move the probe P, the probe tip PT, the probe path <NUM>, a probe washer <NUM>, and a third actuator <NUM> (e.g., to actuated positions dp2, dp3, dp4, to another probe receiving station PS, PS2, etc.).

As the probe P may become contaminated with the various fluids that it aspirates and/or dispenses, the probe washer <NUM> is provided to clean the probe P. The probe washer <NUM> may include various features of a probe washer <NUM>, described and illustrated herein. The probe washer <NUM> may further interact with various elements that the probe washer <NUM> interacts with, including the probe P itself, as described and illustrated herein. The probe washer <NUM> is actuated by the third actuator <NUM>, described in detail below.

In the depicted embodiment illustrated at <FIG>, the third actuator <NUM> may be mounted to the second frame <NUM>. As depicted, the third actuator <NUM> is a linear actuator. In other embodiments, the third actuator <NUM> may be non-linear (e.g., rotary). As depicted, the third actuator <NUM> provides a single degree-of-freedom. The third actuator <NUM> may be powered by a variety of means, as mentioned above in regard to the first actuator <NUM>. As depicted, the third actuator <NUM> provides movement along displacement d3. A sign convention has been defined with respect to the displacement d3. In particular, a first direction d3+ and an opposite second direction d3- have been defined for displacement d3. As depicted, the displacements d2 and d3 are perpendicular. In other embodiments, the displacements d2 and d3 may be non-perpendicular (e.g., skew, etc.). As depicted, the displacements d1 and d3 are parallel. In other embodiments, the displacements d1 and d3 may be non-parallel (e.g., perpendicular, skew, etc.).

As mentioned above, the probe washer <NUM> may clean the probe P similar to or the same as the probe washer <NUM> cleans the probe P, as described and illustrated herein. As depicted at <FIG>, the probe washer <NUM> is moved relative to the probe path <NUM> by the third actuator <NUM> (e.g., to an actuated position pw2) such that the probe washer <NUM> (e.g., a cleaning cavity <NUM> of the probe washer <NUM> and/or a wall <NUM> at a bottom of the cleaning cavity <NUM>) intersects the probe path <NUM> when cleaning or preparing to clean the probe P and thereby allows the probe P to pass into and out of the cleaning cavity <NUM> of the probe washer <NUM>. The actuated position pw2 may thereby be an engaging position of the probe washer <NUM>. In addition, the probe washer <NUM> is moved relative to the probe path <NUM> by the third actuator <NUM> (e.g., to an actuated position pw1) such that the probe washer <NUM> clears the probe path <NUM> when the probe P dispenses, aspirates, prepares for dispensing, and/or prepares for aspirating and thereby allows the probe P to pass by the probe washer <NUM>. The actuated position pw1 may thereby be a non-engaging position (i.e., a stowed position) of the probe washer <NUM>.

The cleaning cavity <NUM> of the probe washer <NUM> may include a revolved boundary that is axisymmetric about a cavity axis. The probe P is typically aligned with the cleaning cavity <NUM> when the axis A and the cavity axis are aligned within an acceptable tolerance. As shown at <FIG> and <FIG>, the axis A and the cavity axis are aligned when the actuator <NUM> is at the actuated position pw2.

Upon the axis A and the cavity axis being aligned, the second actuator <NUM> may advance the probe P from the actuated position ap1 to the actuated position ap2 (e.g., a washing position) and thereby position at least a portion of the probe P within the cleaning cavity <NUM> of the probe washer <NUM>. Upon the probe P or a portion thereof entering the cleaning cavity, the probe P may be internally and/or externally cleaned. Additional details of probe cleaning are given below with the description of the probe washer <NUM>.

Upon the probe P being cleaned, the second actuator <NUM> may retract the probe P from the actuated position ap2 to the actuated position ap1 (e.g., a stowed position) and thereby remove the probe P or portion thereof from the cleaning cavity <NUM> of the probe washer <NUM>.

As illustrate at <FIG>, the actuation of the probe washer <NUM> and/or the actuation of the probe P into and/or out of the probe washer <NUM> may be done onthe-fly. In particular, the first actuator <NUM> may move the second frame <NUM> and thereby move the probe P, the probe tip PT, the second actuator <NUM>, the probe path <NUM>, the probe washer <NUM>, and/or the third actuator <NUM> (e.g., to actuated positions dp1, dp2, dp3, dp4, to probe receiving station PS, PS1, PS2, etc.) simultaneously with the cleaning of the probe P by the probe washer <NUM>. Cycle time of the pipetting system <NUM> may be saved due to this simultaneous movement between probe receiving station PS, PS1, PS2 and the cleaning of the probe P.

As illustrated at <FIG>, the first actuator <NUM> may axially align the probe P with another desired probe receiving station PS, PS2 and thereby align the axes A and A0, respectively. Upon alignment between the probe P and the probe receiving station PS, PS2, the second actuator <NUM> may move the probe P along its axis A and thereby along the probe path <NUM> (e.g., away from the actuated position ap1 of the second actuator <NUM>). Continued movement along the probe path <NUM> advances the probe tip PT toward an opening of the vessel <NUM>. Further movement along the probe path <NUM> may advance the probe tip PT through the opening of the vessel <NUM> and into an interior of the vessel <NUM> (e.g., to an actuated position ap4 of the second actuator <NUM> shown at <FIG>). Upon the probe P dispensing and/or aspirating fluid into the vessel <NUM> at the actuated position(s) ap4 (e.g., including one or more operating positions), the probe P may retract along the probe path <NUM> (e.g., back to the actuated position ap1 shown at <FIG>). The first actuator <NUM> may then again move the second frame <NUM> and thereby move the probe P, the probe tip PT, the probe path <NUM>, the probe washer <NUM>, and the third actuator <NUM> (e.g., to actuated positions dp1, dp2, dp3, to another probe receiving station PS, PS1, etc.).

An example method for immunological analysis using the example probe P and probe washer <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> will now be described in detail. A vessel <NUM> (e.g., a reaction vessel, a container, etc.) may be transported to a predetermined position S (e.g., a station), and a first reagent including magnetic particles is dispensed into the vessel <NUM> by a probe P. The probe P may be washed with the probe washer <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> before and/or after the dispensing. In certain embodiments, the vessel <NUM> is a reaction vessel. For purposes of this disclosure, the term "fluid" includes fluids with particles (e.g., suspended particles) such as the first reagent with magnetic particles.

A sample or specimen (e.g., a fluid, a sample or specimen suspended or mixed in a fluid, etc.) is dispensed into the vessel <NUM> by a probe P. The probe P may be washed with the probe washer <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> before and/or after the dispensing. In certain embodiments, the sample pipetting device, aspirates, with a probe P, the sample from a sample vessel that has been transported to a predetermined position S. The probe P may be washed with the probe washer <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM> before and/or after the aspirating. Once the sample is dispensed into the vessel <NUM>, the vessel <NUM> may be subjected to mixing and/or incubating, if required, so as to produce magnetic particle carriers each formed of the antigen and the magnetic particle in the sample bonded together.

The vessel <NUM> may be subjected to a first cleaning process in which the magnetic particle carriers are magnetically collected by a magnetic collecting unit. A bound-free separation is carried out by a bound-free cleaning dispense nozzle (i.e., a probe P) dispensing a rinsing fluid and by a bound-free cleaning aspiration nozzle (i.e., a probe P) aspirating the uncollected fluid. The probes P may be washed with one or more of the probe washers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> before and/or after the dispensing and/or aspirating. The bound-free separation may include a series of dispensing the rinsing fluid and aspirating uncollected fluid, with either being first and/or last. As a result, an unreacted substance or substances (e.g., unbound reactants, particles, and/or fluid, etc.) in the vessel <NUM> is removed (e.g., rinsed away) by the bound-free cleaning aspiration nozzle.

A second reagent, such as a labeling reagent including a labeled antibody and/or a fluid, may be dispensed into the vessel <NUM> by a probe P. The probe P may be washed with the probe washer <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> before and/or after the dispensing. As a result, immune complexes, each formed of the magnetic particle carrier and the labeled antibody bonded together, are produced.

A second bound-free cleaning process is performed to magnetically collect the magnetic particle carriers by a magnetic collecting structure. Further, a bound-free separation, similar to or the same as that mentioned above, is performed by a bound-free cleaning dispense nozzle (i.e., a probe P) dispensing a rinsing fluid and by a bound-free cleaning aspiration nozzle (i.e., a probe P) aspirating the uncollected fluid. The probes P may be washed with one or more of the probe washers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> before and/or after the dispensing and/or aspirating. As a result, the labeled antibody that is not bonded with the carrier of the magnetic particles is removed from the vessel <NUM> by the bound-free cleaning aspiration nozzle <NUM>.

A substrate including an enzyme and/or a fluid is dispensed into the vessel <NUM> by a substrate nozzle (i.e., a probe P), for example at station S26 of wash unit <NUM>, describe in detail herein. The probe P may be washed with the probe washer <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> before and/or after the dispensing. The contents of the vessel <NUM> are then mixed. After a certain reaction time necessary for the enzyme reaction passes (e.g., in an incubator), the vessel <NUM> is transported to a photometric system, such as to a station of a light measurement device.

The enzyme and the immune complex are bonded together through the substrate reactions with the enzyme on the labeled antibody, and light is emitted from the immune complex and measured by a photometric system, such as the light measurement device. The light measurement device operates to calculate an amount of antigen, which is included in the specimen, according to the quantity of light measured.

As the above method uses probes P to aspirate and/or dispense the various fluids from and/or to the various stations S at which the vessel <NUM> is located, the above method may further incorporate the probe washing arrangement, according to the principles of the present disclosure.

Turning now to <FIG>, the probe washer will be further described and illustrated in the context of the wash unit <NUM>, according to the principles of the present disclosure. The probe washer, including various features and methods described hereinafter, may also be applied to other probe applications including those described above, according to the principles of the present disclosure.

The wash unit <NUM> includes a carrier arrangement <NUM>, further illustrated at <FIG>, a first probe arrangement <NUM>, and a second probe arrangement <NUM>. The first probe arrangement <NUM> and the second probe arrangement <NUM> are further illustrated at <FIG>. The wash unit <NUM> is configured to process biological samples. The wash unit <NUM> may be further configured to carry out additional operations.

As depicted, the first probe arrangement <NUM> and the second probe arrangement <NUM> together form another example pipetting system, according to the principles of the present disclosure. The pipetting system of probe arrangements <NUM> and <NUM> are tailored to the configuration of the wash unit <NUM> and interface with the carrier arrangement <NUM> of the wash unit <NUM>.

Turning again to <FIG>, the carrier arrangement <NUM> of the wash unit <NUM> will now be described in detail. The carrier arrangement <NUM> includes a carrier <NUM> (e.g., a carrier wheel, a carrier disk, a carrier ring, etc.). The carrier <NUM> includes a plurality of holders <NUM> (e.g., holes, etc.). As depicted, the carrier <NUM> includes <NUM> holders <NUM>. In other embodiments, the carrier <NUM> may include less than or more than <NUM> holders <NUM>. As illustrated at <FIG>, each of the holders <NUM> includes a throughhole <NUM>, and a counter-bore <NUM>. The holders <NUM> are each configured to receive an example vessel <NUM> (i.e., a sample vessel, a reaction vessel, etc.). In the example embodiment, the holder <NUM> and the example vessel <NUM> are each axisymmetric and are axisymmetric with each other, when mated. The vessel <NUM> may include a revolved form that is axisymmetric about the axis A0 (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The probe receiving station PS may hold the vessel <NUM> at a predetermined location and thereby hold the axis A0 of the vessel <NUM> at a predetermined position. The probe P may include a revolved form that is axisymmetric about the axis A.

In the example depicted, the wash unit <NUM> defines <NUM> stations S about which the carrier <NUM> moves the holders <NUM> between. In particular, the carrier <NUM> rotates about an axis A1 and thereby moves the holders <NUM> from station S to station S about a rotational displacement R1. In the example embodiment, the carrier <NUM> is indexed <NUM><NUM>/<NUM> degrees per cycle and thereby advances each of the <NUM> holders <NUM> one station forward per cycle. In the depicted embodiment, the carrier <NUM> is rotary. In other embodiments, other carriers may be non-rotary. In the example embodiment, the carrier <NUM> includes a single holder <NUM> at each station at one time. In other embodiments, other carriers may include multiple holders per station at the same time.

At <FIG>, the stations S are labeled with respect to the carrier <NUM> at a given position. The stations S remain at the positions indicated as the carrier <NUM> is indexed. The stations S are thus fixed to a frame <NUM> of the carrier arrangement <NUM> as the carrier <NUM> indexes. At <FIG>, the stations S are designated a station number given by "S" followed by the station number. Not all stations S are labeled, but can be determined by counting between the labeled stations S.

A description of the various stations S will now be given. Station S0 is a no-function station, but may transfer the vessel <NUM> between neighboring stations S. Station S1 is an entrance/exit station. The vessel <NUM> is introduced to one of the holders <NUM> of the carrier <NUM> at station S1. From station S1, the vessel <NUM> is indexed around to the other stations S and eventually returns to the station S1 where it is removed from the holder <NUM> of the carrier <NUM>.

As illustrated at <FIG>, the reaction vessel transfer unit <NUM> may remove and replace a vessel <NUM> at the station S1 every cycle. Certain cycles may not transfer a vessel <NUM> into one of the holders <NUM> that is currently at the station S1, thereby leaving an unfilled holder <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates such unfilled holders <NUM> at stations S0, S1, S2, S10, and S18. The empty holders <NUM> also advance from station S to station S as the carrier <NUM> advances.

At station S2, the vessel <NUM>, if present, receives fluid from a probe P of a probe assembly 288A (see <FIG>). The probe assembly 288A may be a quantity sufficient probe assembly and thereby dispense fluid to bring the fluid level in the vessel <NUM> up to a predetermined level, even though existing fluid in the vessel may vary. In the example embodiment, stations S3-S8 are magnetic stations. Station S9 receives a probe assembly 298A, and a probe P thereof aspirates fluid from within the vessel <NUM>. The station S9 is also a magnetic station, like the stations S3-S8.

Station S10 receives a probe P of a probe assembly 288B which dispenses fluid into the vessel <NUM>. The station S10 further includes a spin-mixer <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) which may be used to spin-mix contents within the vessel <NUM>. Stations S11-S16 are magnetic stations similar to the magnetic stations S3-S9. Station S17 receives a probe P of probe assembly 298B which aspirates fluid from the vessel <NUM>. The station S17 is also a magnetic station, like the magnetic stations S3-S9 and S11-S16.

Station S18 receives a probe P of a probe assembly 288C which dispenses fluid into the vessel <NUM>. Like the station S10, the station S18 includes a spin-mixer <NUM> and thereby spin-mixes the contents of the vessel <NUM>. Stations S19-S24 are magnetic stations, like magnetic stations S3-S9 and S11-S17. Station S25 receives a probe P of a probe assembly 298C and thereby aspirates fluid from the vessel <NUM>. Station S25 is also a magnetic station, like magnetic stations S3-S9, S11-S17, and S19-S24.

Station S26 receives a probe P of a probe assembly 288D which dispenses a substrate into the vessel <NUM>. Like the stations S10 and S18, the station S26 includes a spin-mixer <NUM> and thereby spin-mixes the contents of the vessel <NUM>. From the station S26, the carrier <NUM> advances the vessel <NUM> to the station S0. As mentioned above, no function occurs at station S0, other than the transport of the vessel <NUM>.

As mentioned above, upon the carrier <NUM> indexing the vessel <NUM> from the station S0 to the station S1, the vessel <NUM> is ready to be removed from the carrier <NUM>. In particular, the reaction vessel transfer unit <NUM> may retrieve the vessel <NUM> from the station S1 of the carrier arrangement <NUM> of the wash unit <NUM> and bring the vessel <NUM> to a station S of the incubator.

Turning now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the interface between the example vessel <NUM> and the holder <NUM> will now be described in detail. As illustrated at <FIG>, each of the holders <NUM> includes a through hole <NUM> that extends through the carrier <NUM>. At a top side of the through hold <NUM>, a counter bore <NUM> into the carrier <NUM> provides a recess. The through hole <NUM> and the counter bore <NUM> are axisymmetric with each other.

Turning now to <FIG>, the example vessel <NUM> will be described in detail. The example vessel <NUM> extends between a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The example vessel <NUM> further includes an exterior <NUM>. The exterior <NUM> includes a first exterior portion <NUM> adjacent to the first end <NUM>. The exterior <NUM> further includes a flange portion <NUM> adjacent to the first exterior portion <NUM> but opposite the first end <NUM> about the first exterior portion <NUM>. The exterior <NUM> further includes a second exterior portion <NUM>. The second exterior portion <NUM> is adjacent the flange portion <NUM>. The exterior <NUM> further includes a third exterior portion <NUM> adjacent the second exterior portion <NUM> and adjacent the second end <NUM> opposite the second exterior portion <NUM>. The third exterior portion <NUM> is rounded adjacent the second end <NUM>. At the first end <NUM>, the example vessel <NUM> includes an opening <NUM>. An interior <NUM> of the example vessel <NUM> may be accessed via the opening <NUM>. The interior <NUM> includes a bottom portion <NUM>. The bottom portion <NUM> includes a bottom <NUM> of the interior <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the example vessel <NUM> is substantially axisymmetric. The first exterior portion <NUM>, the second exterior portion <NUM>, and the interior <NUM>, excluding the bottom portion <NUM>, are substantially cylindrical, but may include draft for molding purposes and/or other purposes. When inserting the example vessel <NUM> into the holder <NUM>, the rounded third exterior portion <NUM> may assist in guiding the vessel <NUM> into the holder <NUM>. Upon further insertion of the example vessel <NUM> into the holder <NUM>, the flange portion <NUM> of the vessel <NUM> abuts a bottom of the counter bore <NUM> of the holder <NUM> and thereby seats the vessel <NUM> in the holder <NUM>. A small radial clearance is present between the second exterior portion <NUM> and the through hole <NUM> and thereby allows the vessel <NUM> to spin within the holder <NUM> when spin-mixing occurs.

Turning again to <FIG>, the carrier arrangement <NUM> of the wash unit <NUM> will be described in further detail. The carrier arrangement <NUM> is attached to the wash unit <NUM>. In particular, the frame <NUM> of the carrier arrangement <NUM> is fixedly attached to a frame of the wash unit <NUM>. The rotational movement of the carrier <NUM> is accomplished by a drive <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). The drive <NUM> includes a motor <NUM>, a pulley 264P, and a belt 264B. The carrier <NUM> rotates about the Axis A1 of a hub <NUM>. The belt 264B engages a pulley (not shown) of the hub <NUM>. Thus, when the motor <NUM> rotates, the carrier <NUM> also rotates. The motor <NUM> is connected to the computer <NUM> by a wiring harness <NUM>. The motor <NUM> may further be connected to a power supply by the wiring harness <NUM>. The computer <NUM> thereby controls rotation of the motor <NUM> and thereby further controls the rotational movement of the carrier <NUM>. As illustrated at <FIG> and <FIG>, the carrier arrangement <NUM> further includes a housing <NUM> that substantially covers the carrier <NUM> and the vessels <NUM> held thereby. However, access holes are provided through the housing <NUM> to provide access to certain stations S.

Turning now to <FIG> and <FIG>, actuation of the first probe arrangement <NUM> and the second probe arrangement <NUM> will be described in detail. In the example embodiment, the first probe arrangement <NUM> and the second probe arrangement <NUM> are actuated by linear actuators. In other embodiments, the actuation may be non-linear (e.g., rotational). As illustrated at <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a displacement D <NUM> of the first probe arrangement <NUM> and a displacement D2 of the second probe arrangement <NUM> are defined. In the example embodiment, displacements D1 and D2 are vertical. In other embodiments, the displacements D1 and/or D2 may be non-vertical. A sign convention has been defined with respect to the displacements D1 and D2. In particular, a first direction D1+ and an opposite second direction D1- has been defined for displacement D1. Likewise, a first direction D2+ and a second direction D2- has been defined with respect to displacement D2. As depicted, directions D1+ and D2+ are upward, and directions D1- and D2- are downward.

The first probe arrangement <NUM> is actuated by a first actuator <NUM>. Similarly the second probe arrangement <NUM> is actuated by a second actuator <NUM>. The first actuator <NUM> includes a pulley 282P and a belt 282B. Likewise, the second actuator <NUM> includes a pulley 292P and a belt 292B. The first actuator <NUM> actuates a first probe platform <NUM> (e.g., a frame, a moveable frame, a mounting platform, etc.), and the second actuator <NUM> actuates a second probe platform <NUM> (e.g., a frame, a moveable frame, a mounting platform, etc.). In particular, the first probe platform <NUM> includes a platform attachment 286B that attaches to the belt 282B, and the second probe platform <NUM> includes a platform attachment 296B that attaches to the belt 292B. As illustrated at <FIG>, a first guide <NUM> (e.g., a first linear rail, a first linear bearing, etc.) is provided to guide the first probe arrangement <NUM> along displacement D1, and a second guide <NUM> (e.g., a second linear rail, a second linear bearing, etc.) is provided to guide the second probe arrangement <NUM> along the displacement D2. The first probe platform <NUM> includes a platform attachment 286A to attach to the moving portion of the first guide <NUM>. Likewise, the second probe platform <NUM> includes a platform attachment 296A that attaches to the moving portion of the second guide <NUM>. The actuators <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be powered by a motor that is connected to the computer <NUM> by a wiring harness <NUM>. The actuators <NUM> and/or <NUM> and/or the motors that power them may be further connected to a power supply by the wiring harness <NUM>.

The first probe arrangement <NUM> may thereby be actuated to various positions along displacement D1. In particular, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate a first actuated position or range of positions DP1 of the first probe arrangement <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a second actuated position or range of positions DP2 of the first probe arrangement <NUM>. <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate a third actuated position or range of positions DP3 of the first probe arrangement <NUM>. The actuated position DP1 is a stowed position. The actuated position DP2 is used when positioning a wash station arrangement <NUM> at a washing position. Thus, in the depicted embodiment, the wash station arrangement <NUM> is positioned with the first probe arrangement <NUM> and washes probes P of the second probe arrangement <NUM>. In other embodiments, the wash station arrangement <NUM> may be fixedly located with respect to the frame <NUM> of the carrier arrangement <NUM> and thereby be fixedly located with respect to the frame of the instrument <NUM> and thereby be located independent of the first probe arrangement <NUM>. The actuated position DP3 is illustrated at <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The actuated position DP3 is a deployed position. In the depicted embodiment, the actuated position DP3 is a dispensing position. As illustrated at <FIG>, the spin-mixers <NUM>, including a drive system with pulleys 278P, are rotationally mounted on the first probe platform <NUM>. The actuated position DP3 is further a deployed position for the spin-mixers <NUM>.

The second probe arrangement <NUM> may also be actuated to a plurality of positions. In particular, the second probe arrangement <NUM> may be actuated along displacement D2 to a first actuated position or range of positions AP1, a second actuated position (e.g., a washing position) or range of positions AP2, a third actuated position or range of positions AP3, and a fourth actuated position (e.g., an operating position) or range of positions AP4. As illustrated at <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first actuated position AP1 is a stowed position. As illustrated at <FIG> and <FIG>, the second actuated position AP2 is a probe wash position. As illustrated at <FIG>, the third actuated position AP3 is an approach position or a retreat position where probe assemblies 298A, 298B, and/or 298C are approaching toward or retreating from the vessel <NUM>. The fourth actuated position AP4 is illustrated at <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The fourth actuated position AP4 is an aspirating position.

As mentioned above, in certain embodiments, the actuated positions AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4, DP1, DP2, and DP3 may vary within a range of position. For example, when aspirating, a probe tip PT may follow a fluid level within the vessel <NUM> down as fluid is removed from the vessel <NUM>. Thus, the aspirating position AP4 moves in the direction D2- as aspirating progresses.

As mentioned above, the first probe arrangement <NUM> includes probe assemblies 288A, 288B, 288C, and 288D. In the discussion below, probe assemblies 288A, 288B, 288C, and 288D may be generically referred to as probe assembly <NUM>. Likewise, the second probe arrangement <NUM> includes probe assemblies 298A, 298B, and 298C. Probe assemblies 298A, 298B, and 298C may be generically referred to as probe assembly <NUM>.

In describing the details of the wash station arrangement <NUM>, the probe assembly <NUM> is described and illustrated. The wash station arrangement <NUM> may be adapted to the various other probes P, described and/or mentioned herein.

The probe assembly <NUM> is attached to the probe platform <NUM> of the probe arrangement <NUM> at a platform attachment 296P. In the depicted embodiment, the platform attachment 296P is spring-loaded and thereby provides protection to the probe assembly <NUM> during a collision. Such collisions are typically inadvertent. In other embodiments, the platform attachment 296P may fixedly attached the probe assembly <NUM> to the probe platform <NUM>. As the probe assembly <NUM> is attached to the probe platform <NUM>, the probe assembly <NUM> follows the probe platform <NUM> when the probe arrangement <NUM> is actuated. In the example embodiment, the probe platform <NUM> is guided along linear displacement D2. Thus, the probe assembly <NUM> also moves along displacements D2.

As illustrated at <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a probe path <NUM> is defined when the probe arrangement <NUM> moves along displacements D2. At <FIG> and <FIG>, the probe path <NUM> is shown as though a hidden line and therefor projects through various components that are in front of it. In normal operation of the depicted example analyzer <NUM>, the probe path <NUM> includes a single degree-of-freedom. In other embodiments, the probe path <NUM> may be driven by multiple actuators and thereby include multiple degrees-of-freedom. The single degree-of-freedom of the depicted embodiment is sufficient to provide actuation to the probe assembly <NUM> for accessing the various probe receiving stations PS of the carrier arrangement <NUM> (see <FIG>). However, the carrier arrangement <NUM> does not include probe washing accommodation in the depicted embodiment. To accommodate the single degree-of-freedom of the probe assembly <NUM>, the wash station arrangement <NUM> includes a degree-of-freedom to move a probe washer <NUM> of the wash station arrangement <NUM> into and out of the probe path <NUM> and thereby allow washing of the probe assembly <NUM> when the probe washer <NUM> of the wash station arrangement <NUM> is on the probe path <NUM> and further allow the probe assembly <NUM> to reach the probe receiving stations PS of the carrier arrangement <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, the probe assembly <NUM> will be described in detail. The probe assembly <NUM> includes a probe body <NUM> that extends from a proximal end <NUM> to a distal end <NUM>. The probe body <NUM> is tubular (i.e. hollow) in the depicted embodiment. The probe body <NUM> is substantially cylindrical in the depicted embodiment. The distal end <NUM> of the probe body <NUM> coincides with the probe tip PT. The probe body <NUM> includes an internal portion <NUM> and an external portion <NUM>, and the probe P is thereby a hollow probe. The internal portion <NUM> provides a passage through the probe body <NUM> from the proximal end <NUM> to the distal end <NUM>. An opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) at the proximal end <NUM> provides access to the internal portion <NUM>, and an opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) at the distal end <NUM> provides access to the internal portion <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, the wash station arrangement <NUM> will now be described in detail, according to the principles of the present disclosure. The wash station arrangement <NUM> includes an actuator <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the actuator <NUM> is a rotational motor (e.g., a stepper motor, a pneumatic motor, etc.). In other embodiments, the actuator may be linear (e.g., a linear motor, a pneumatic cylinder, a solenoid, etc.). As illustrated at <FIG> and <FIG>, the actuator <NUM> rotates about an axis A2 which provides a single degree-of-freedom between the probe washer <NUM> and a mount <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> includes a rotating shaft <NUM>. A probe washer <NUM> is connected to the shaft <NUM> by a probe washer mount <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the actuator <NUM> may thereby position the probe washer <NUM> in a first probe washer position PW1 (see <FIG>). The actuator <NUM> may further position the probe washer <NUM> at a second probe washer position PW2 (see <FIG>). The probe washer position PW1 is further illustrated at <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The probe washer position PW2 is further illustrated at <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. As depicted, the probe washer position PW1 is a stowed position (e.g., a non-engaging position) and thereby clears the probe washer <NUM> from the probe path <NUM>. The probe washer position PW2 (e.g., an engaging position) positions the probe washer <NUM> at a deployed position and thereby positions the probe washer <NUM> to intersect the probe path <NUM>. In particular, the probe path <NUM> intersects a wall <NUM> (i.e., a floor, a panel, a barrier, etc.) of the probe washer <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) when the probe washer <NUM> is at the probe washer position PW2, in the depicted embodiment.

As illustrated at <FIG> and <FIG>, a rotational displacement R2 guides the probe washer <NUM> between the probe washer positions PW1 and PW2. A sign convention is illustrated at <FIG> and <FIG>. In particular, a first direction R2+ and a second direction R2- are illustrated. As viewed at <FIG> and <FIG>, the rotational direction R2+ is counterclockwise (CCW), and the second direction R2- is clockwise (CW), in the depicted embodiment.

Turning now to <FIG>, the probe washer <NUM> will be described in detail, according to the principles of the present disclosure. The probe washer <NUM> may be the same as or similar to the probe washer <NUM>, described above. The probe washer <NUM> may include various features of the probe washer <NUM>, described and illustrated herein. The probe washer <NUM> may further interact with various elements that the probe washer <NUM> interacts with, including the probe P itself, as described and illustrated herein. As illustrated at <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the probe washer <NUM> includes a drain <NUM>. The probe washer <NUM> may include a fitting <NUM> to connect the drain <NUM> to tubing <NUM>. The probe washer <NUM> further includes an inlet <NUM>, as illustrated at <FIG>. The probe washer <NUM> may further include a fitting <NUM> to connect the inlet <NUM> to tubing <NUM>.

The depicted probe washer <NUM> further includes a housing <NUM>. As illustrated at <FIG>, the housing <NUM> extends between a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The housing <NUM> further extends between a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM>. As illustrated at <FIG>, the housing <NUM> further extends between a third side <NUM> and a fourth side <NUM>. The housing <NUM> defines a cleaning cavity <NUM> and an overflow cavity <NUM>. The cleaning cavity <NUM> and/or the overflow cavity <NUM> are accessible via an opening <NUM>. As depicted, the opening <NUM> is at the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. As illustrated at <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the wall <NUM> is defined at the second end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. As illustrated at <FIG> and <FIG>, an overflow channel <NUM> may be defined between the cleaning cavity <NUM> and the overflow cavity <NUM>. If fluid enters the overflow cavity <NUM> (e.g., via the overflow channel <NUM> from the cleaning cavity <NUM>), an overflow condition may be indicated and detected by the instrument <NUM>. The instrument <NUM> may report the overflow condition to an operator and/or a maintenance notification. In such an overflow condition, a fault may be present (e.g., excessive cleaning fluid flow, a blocked drain, etc.) which causes continued flow to the overflow cavity <NUM>. The overflow cavity <NUM> may include a sufficient cavity volume to accommodate the overflow condition for a given period of time during such a fault and thereby avoid improperly releasing the cleaning fluid from the probe washer <NUM>. Thus, in embodiments with fluid detection in the overflow cavity <NUM> and in embodiments without fluid detection in the overflow cavity, the overflow cavity <NUM> may provide a time buying measure. In particular, the given period of time accommodated by the overflow cavity <NUM> may allow a fault to be addressed before release of fluid from the probe washer <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the probe washer mount <NUM> will be described in detail. The probe washer mount <NUM> extends between a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The probe washer mount <NUM> further extends between a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM>. The probe washer mount <NUM> defines a sensor flag <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). The sensor flag <NUM> defines a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM>. The probe washer mount <NUM> further includes a shaft mount <NUM>. The probe washer mount <NUM> attaches to the probe washer housing <NUM>. In particular, the first side <NUM> of the probe washer mount <NUM> attaches to the second side <NUM> of the housing <NUM> (see <FIG>). The probe washer mount further attaches to the shaft <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. In particular, the shaft mount <NUM> is fixedly mounted to the shaft <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> may be sensed and/or controlled by the computer <NUM>. The wiring harness <NUM> may connect the computer <NUM> to the actuator <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> may further be connected to a power supply by the wiring harness <NUM>. The wash station arrangement <NUM> may further include a washer position sensor <NUM>. As depicted, the washer position sensor <NUM> includes a mount <NUM> and is thereby attached to the mount <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. The washer position sensor <NUM> further includes a slot <NUM>. The sensor flag <NUM> of the probe washer mount <NUM> is positioned within the slot <NUM> and the washer position sensor <NUM> can thereby determine the position of the probe washer <NUM> including the positions PW1 and PW2. The washer position sensor <NUM> may communicate the position of the probe washer <NUM> to the computer <NUM> via the wiring harness <NUM>.

As depicted, the mount <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> is further attached to the probe platform <NUM> and thereby moves with the probe platform <NUM> (e.g., when actuated by the actuator <NUM>). As the actuator <NUM> provides a single degree-of-freedom between the probe washer <NUM> and the mount <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>, a single degree-of-freedom exists between the probe washer <NUM> and the probe platform <NUM>. As depicted, the actuator <NUM> provides a single degree-of-freedom between the probe platform <NUM> and the frame <NUM> of the instrument <NUM>. Therefore, the actuator <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> together provide two degrees-of-freedom between the probe washer <NUM> and the frame <NUM> of the instrument <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, these two degrees-of-freedom are parallel with each other. In other embodiments, they may be perpendicular or non-parallel with each other. In other embodiments, the probe platform <NUM> may not necessarily serve as a probe platform, but still serve as a frame for the purpose of carrying the wash station arrangement <NUM>.

In other embodiments, the mount <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> may be directly or indirectly attached to the frame <NUM> of the instrument <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> may thereby be fixedly mounted to the frame <NUM> of the instrument <NUM>. In such embodiments, the actuator <NUM> provides a single degree-of-freedom between the probe washer <NUM> and the mount <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> and thereby provides a single degree-of-freedom between the probe washer <NUM> and the frame <NUM> of the instrument <NUM>.

As depicted at <FIG>, the mount <NUM> also includes or has mounted to it a probe guide <NUM>. The probe guide <NUM> includes a hole <NUM> (e.g., a self-aligning hole), as illustrated at <FIG>. As illustrated at <FIG>, the probe guide <NUM> includes a mount <NUM> that may mount the probe guide <NUM> to the mount <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>. In other embodiments, the probe guide <NUM> may be otherwise mounted. As illustrated at <FIG>, the probe guide <NUM> may guide the probe P, <NUM> and thereby keep the probe P, <NUM> on the probe path <NUM>. The hole <NUM> of the probe guide <NUM> may nominally contact the probe body <NUM>. In other embodiments, the hole <NUM> may nominally clear the probe body <NUM> but provide guidance in non-normal operation (e.g., during a collision involving the probe P, <NUM>).

Turning now to <FIG>, certain plumbing related to the probe assembly <NUM> will be described in detail. As depicted, the proximal end <NUM> of the probe body <NUM> is connected to various plumbing. For use as an aspirate probe assembly <NUM>, the plumbing includes a pump <NUM> (e.g., a vacuum pump) to aspirate fluid from the vessel <NUM>. The aspirated fluid is thereby pumped to a waste fluid disposal <NUM>.

A back-flow cleaning function may be provided for cleaning the internal portion <NUM> of the probe body <NUM>. The back-flow cleaning function employs a cleaning fluid flow direction that is generally opposite the fluid flow direction of the primary function of the probe P. As the probe <NUM> is an aspirating probe, the fluid flow direction of the primary function of the probe <NUM> is upward when aspirating fluid from the vessel <NUM>. To provide the back-flow cleaning function for the internal portion <NUM> of the probe body <NUM> of the aspirating probe <NUM>, a cleaning fluid supply <NUM> and a pump <NUM> may be provided. A valve <NUM> or a plurality of valves may be provided to separate the back-flow cleaning function from the aspirating function.

As illustrated at <FIG> and <FIG>, cleaning fluid <NUM> is pumped through the tubing <NUM> and into the opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) at the proximal end <NUM> of the probe body <NUM>. The cleaning fluid <NUM> thereby passes through and washes the internal portion <NUM> of the probe body <NUM>. The cleaning fluid <NUM> exits the internal portion <NUM> at the opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) at the distal end <NUM> of the probe body <NUM> and enters the cleaning cavity <NUM>. The cleaning fluid <NUM> may swirl around within the cleaning cavity <NUM> and may further perform external cleaning. The cleaning fluid <NUM> exits the drain <NUM> of the probe washer <NUM> and thereby exits the cleaning cavity <NUM>. As illustrated at <FIG>, the fitting <NUM> connects the drain <NUM> to the tubing <NUM> and thereby to a pump <NUM> which pumps waste fluid <NUM> out of the cleaning cavity <NUM> (see <FIG>). The pump <NUM> pumps the waste fluid <NUM> to a waste fluid disposal <NUM>.

A forward-flow cleaning function may be provided for cleaning the internal portion <NUM> of the probe body <NUM>. The forward-flow cleaning function employs a cleaning fluid flow direction that is generally the same as the fluid flow direction of the primary function of the probe P. If the probe P, illustrated at <FIG> were a dispense probe, then the fluid flow direction of the primary function of the probe P would be downward when dispensing fluid into the vessel <NUM>. Thus, the forward-flow internal cleaning function may be provided for dispense probes, as illustrated at <FIG>.

As illustrated at <FIG> and <FIG>, a forward-flow cleaning function may be provided for cleaning the internal portion <NUM> of the probe body <NUM> for the aspirating probe <NUM>. As the forward-flow cleaning function employs a cleaning fluid flow direction that is generally the same as the fluid flow direction of the primary function of the probe <NUM>, the fluid flow direction of the forward-flow cleaning function and the primary function of the probe <NUM> is upward, as when aspirating fluid from the vessel <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

To provide the forward-flow cleaning function for the internal portion <NUM> of the probe body <NUM>, a cleaning fluid supply <NUM> and a pump <NUM> may be provided (see <FIG>). In particular, cleaning fluid <NUM> is pumped through the tubing <NUM> and into the cleaning cavity <NUM> through the inlet <NUM> (see <FIG>). The cleaning fluid <NUM> may swirl around within the cleaning cavity <NUM> and may further perform external cleaning. The pump <NUM> (e.g., the vacuum pump) may aspirate fluid from the cleaning cavity <NUM> in the same or a similar way as aspirating fluid from the vessel <NUM>. The probe P may thereby drain the cleaning fluid <NUM> from the cleaning cavity <NUM>. The cleaning fluid <NUM> may thereby enter the opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) at the distal end <NUM> of the probe body <NUM> and be drawn up through the internal portion <NUM> of the probe body <NUM> and expelled through the opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) at the proximal end <NUM> of the probe body <NUM>. Upon exiting the opening <NUM>, the waste fluid <NUM> (see <FIG>) may enter tubing <NUM> and be pumped by the pump <NUM> to the waste fluid disposal <NUM> (see <FIG>).

A back-flow cleaning function may be similarly provided for cleaning the internal portion <NUM> of the probe body <NUM>. The back-flow cleaning function employs a cleaning fluid flow direction that is generally opposite the fluid flow direction of the primary function of the probe P. If the probe P, illustrated at <FIG> were a dispense probe, then the fluid flow direction of the primary function of the probe P would be downward when dispensing fluid into the vessel <NUM>. Thus, the back-flow internal cleaning function may be provided for dispense probes, as illustrated at <FIG>.

The forward-flow cleaning functions, described above, may reduce carryover. In particular, in forward-flow cleaning the aspirating probe <NUM> is also aspirating during the washing cycle, which allows for cleaning of the internal portion <NUM> of the probe body <NUM> without pushing contaminants in the probe <NUM> down into the cleaning cavity <NUM> or closer to the probe tip PT. Similarly, a forward-flow cleaning function does not send contamination upstream in a dispense probe.

The wash station arrangement <NUM> may further provide external cleaning of the probe body <NUM>. In particular, the wash station arrangement <NUM> may provide external cleaning to an external portion <NUM> of the probe body <NUM>. The external portion <NUM> may be adjacent to the distal end <NUM> of the probe body <NUM>. Turning now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the external cleaning of the probe body <NUM> will be described in detail. As mentioned above, the wash station arrangement <NUM> includes the cleaning fluid supply <NUM>, and the pump <NUM> pumps cleaning fluid <NUM> from the cleaning fluid supply <NUM> into the inlet <NUM> of the probe washer <NUM> (see <FIG>). The cleaning fluid <NUM> thereby enters the cleaning cavity <NUM> and exposes the external portion <NUM> to the cleaning fluid <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). A nozzle <NUM> may be incorporated to provide a desired spray pattern into the cleaning cavity <NUM>. The cleaning fluid <NUM> may swirl around within the cleaning cavity <NUM> and may thereby perform external cleaning. The cleaning fluid <NUM> exits the cleaning cavity <NUM> through the drain <NUM>. The pump <NUM> may pump the waste fluid <NUM> that exits the drain <NUM> to the waste fluid disposal <NUM>.

The external and the back-flow internal cleaning of the probe body <NUM>, described above, may be done simultaneously. In particular, the drain <NUM> may carry the waste fluid <NUM> and the waste fluid <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, a single drain <NUM> is illustrated. In other embodiments, multiple drains may be employed.

The external and the forward-flow internal cleaning of the probe body <NUM>, described above, may be done simultaneously. In particular, the probe P, for example via the opening <NUM> (see <FIG>), may function to drain the waste fluid <NUM>, <NUM> from the cleaning cavity <NUM>. The drain <NUM> may additionally drain the waste fluid <NUM>, <NUM> from the cleaning cavity <NUM>. The probe P may function to drain the waste fluid <NUM>, <NUM> from the cleaning cavity <NUM> as an alternative to or in combination with the drain <NUM>.

The various features of the various embodiments may be combined in various combinations with each other and thereby yield further embodiments according to the principles of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A sample analysis system interacting with one or more receptacles (<NUM>, <NUM>) to receive, transfer, transform, or analyze a sample, the sample analysis system comprising:
at least two stations (S);
a carrier (<NUM>) for transporting at least one receptacle (<NUM>, <NUM>) between the at least two stations (S);
a hollow probe (P) for aspirating and/or dispensing fluid from/into the at least one receptacle (<NUM>, <NUM>) when the at least one receptacle (<NUM>, <NUM>) is at a probe receiving station (PS) of the at least two stations (S), the hollow probe (P) movable along a probe path (<NUM>);
wherein the hollow probe (P) and the probe path (<NUM>) are continuously aligned with the probe receiving station (PS);
a probe washer (<NUM>) for cleaning the hollow probe (P), the probe washer (<NUM>) moveable between at least a first position (PW1) and a second position (PW2);
wherein when the probe washer (<NUM>) is at the first position (PW1), the probe path (<NUM>) clears the probe washer (<NUM>) and thereby allows the hollow probe (P) to travel past the probe washer (<NUM>) to the receptacle (<NUM>, <NUM>) at the probe receiving station (PS); and
wherein when the probe washer (<NUM>) is at the second position (PW2), the probe washer (<NUM>) intersects the probe path (<NUM>) for the hollow probe (P) to travel into the probe washer (<NUM>).