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 /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 / 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 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 analyzer 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.

By treating and measuring living samples such as blood plasma, serum, or urine using various reagents, measured information is obtained which is beneficial for various types of analysis items such as biochemical, immunological, or genetic analysis items. Then, if contamination between the samples must be severely prevented as in the case with the immunological or genetic analysis items, disposable nozzles tips are used. Further, for the same reason, disposable reaction containers may be used to mix the samples and reagents together or to dilute a sample. By using disposable parts as the nozzle tips and reaction containers, which are brought into contact with the samples, the contamination between the samples or inappropriate inspection data resulting from carryover is reduced.

<CIT> describes an automatic analyzer which comprises disposable parts such as large quantities of nozzle tips and reaction containers for use in sample analysis inspection. A part rack holding unused parts is raised from a lowest position to a rack separation station by a lift for supply and separated so that only the uppermost stacked part rack can remain on the rack separation station. The separated part rack is moved to a part take-out station next to the rack separation station where parts on the part rack are taken out one by one from a movable holding part, and, by opening the floor part of the part take-out station after part consumption, the used part rack is allowed to fall down and recovered on a lift of a recovery lifter.

<CIT> describes an apparatus of supplying a micro-plate. In a micro-plate supplying apparatus for separating micro-plates mounted in a stacked state sheet by sheet to supply, a first stock portion, a second stock portion for containing the micro-plates in the stacked state are arranged in series in an up and down direction by interposing a micro-plate take out and take in mechanism, the micro-plates are moved from the first stock portion to the second stock portion while staying in the stacked state, the micro-plate at a uppermost stage of the plurality of micro-plates is disposed at a micro-plate carry out level L, and the micro-plate is taken out by a micro-plate carrying out mechanism to supply to a working apparatus.

<CIT> describes a parts supply apparatus which includes a supply tray stacking portion where a supply tray containing parts is stacked; a tray raising/lowering unit for separating one of the supply trays from the supply tray stacking portion; a tray holding unit with which the tray raising/lowering unit is provided; and an empty tray stacking portion where an empty tray, which is the supply tray that is emptied after supply of the parts, is stacked. The empty tray stacking portion is disposed above the supply tray stacking portion in a vertical direction.

Embodiments of the disclosed automatic analyzer aim to reduce the space necessary for the stacks of unused and used part racks, to reduce the number of drives for driving the stacks of part racks and to reduce the volume for a drawer assembly of the lift that can be pulled-out for replacement of part racks.

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.

Further, as used in the following, the terms "particularly", "more particularly", "specifically", "more specifically" or similar terms are used in conjunction with additional / alternative features, without restricting alternative possibilities. Thus, features introduced by these terms are additional / alternative features and are not intended to restrict the scope of the claims in any way. Similarly, features introduced by "in an embodiment of the invention" or similar expressions are intended to be additional / alternative features, without any restriction regarding alternative embodiments of the invention, without any restrictions regarding the scope of the invention and without any restriction regarding the possibility of combining the features introduced in such way with other additional / alternative or non-additional / alternative features of the invention.

According to the disclosed automatic analyzer, the automatic analyzer for analyzing samples using disposable parts comprises a lift, a part take-out station and a rack recovery station. The rack recovery station is arranged above the part take-out station. The lift is configured to raise and lower a plurality of stacked part racks to and from the part take-out station while keeping the part racks together. The lift is configured to raise and lower a plurality of stacked part racks to and from the rack recovery station while keeping the part racks together. The part take-out station comprises a first rack separator configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks from being lowered when said lift lowers, while allowing the other part racks to lower, so that the uppermost rack is separated from the other part racks so as to remain in the part take-out station. The rack recovery station comprises a second rack separator configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks from being lowered when said lift lowers, while allowing the other part racks to lower, so that the uppermost rack is separated from the other part racks so as to remain in the rack recovery station. Thus, contrary to the construction of <CIT>, the used part racks are not provided as a stack next to the stack of unused part racks but are transported to a position above the stack of unused part racks. As the used part racks are transported with the lift which also transports the unused part racks, a drive for the lateral transport of the used part racks can be omitted. Further, an additional lift for raising and lowering the used racks next to the lift for raising and lowering the unused racks can be omitted. Furthermore, a space necessary for storing the used part racks laterally next to the unused racks can be avoided. Particularly, just a single drive for moving the lift is required such that the number of drives is reduced to the minimum.

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 "disposable part" 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 disposable nozzle tips and/or reaction containers.

The term "part rack" 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 in which disposable parts are two-dimensionally arranged. For example, part racks have a large number of nozzle tips two-dimensionally arranged therein or have a large number of reaction containers two-dimensionally arranged therein. These part racks are so configured to be simply placed in a rack field, and a transportation device takes out nozzle tips or reaction containers from the corresponding rack in a subsequent order.

The first rack separator may comprise a pair of opposing preventing members configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks from being lowered when said lift lowers. Thus, a part rack from which the parts are to be taken out can be separated from the remaining part racks. Needless to say, first rack separator is configured to move the preventing members to a position where the uppermost one of said stacked part racks is not prevented from being lowered when said lift lowers but the stack of part racks is allowed to pass the preventing members. Such an operation may be of interest for different purposes such as for identifying the part racks by means of a scanner or the like.

The preventing members may be moveable in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the lift is moveable. Thus, a conflict of the movements of the lift and the preventing members is avoided. Further, the drive for the preventing members may be simplified.

The part racks may comprise at least two opposing side walls, wherein the preventing members are configured to engage a lower rim of the two opposing side walls. Thereby, the preventing members may reliably separate the part rack from the stack of part racks.

The lower rim of the at least two opposing side walls may comprise protrusions, wherein the preventing members are configured to engage the protrusions. Thereby, the preventing members may reliably engage with the part rack.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a drive mechanism configured to concertedly move the preventing members. Thus, the movement of the preventing members is synchronized such that the preventing members may center the part rack therebetween.

The preventing members may be linearly moveable. Thus, the drive and the movement of the preventing members are simplified.

The preventing members may be plates. Thus, the size of the preventing members is reduced.

Alternatively, the preventing members may be pivotally moveable. Thus, the risk for the preventing members to be an obstacle for the movement of other pars of the analyzer is reduced.

The preventing members may be pivotally moveable around a pivoting axis located below a lowermost position of the lift. Thus, the risk for the preventing members to be an obstacle for the movement of other pars of the analyzer is reduced to a minimum.

The lift may comprise a structure configured to center or locate the part racks at a predetermined position on the lift. Such a structure allows the part racks to be correctly stacked without any obstructions.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a rack positioning device configured to position the part rack during a take out of a disposable part at the part take-out station. Thus, the part rack is centered and the part rack may be reliably oriented at its target position for the take-out of the parts.

The part rack may have positioning recesses formed at a pair of opposite edges thereof, wherein the rack positioning device comprises positioning members configured to engage the positioning recesses. Thus, the part rack may be reliably engaged by the position members.

The rack positioning device may be arranged on the first rack separator. Thus, the space necessary for providing the rack position device is reduced.

The second rack separator may have a pair of hindering members configured to hinder the uppermost part rack from lowering, and the hindering members are configured to operate such that an interval therebetween increases when the uppermost part rack is raised to the rack recovery station and decreases after the uppermost part rack has passed by the position of the pair of hindering members and before the second part rack from the top passes by the position of the pair of hindering members. Thus, the used part rack may be reliably stored above the stack of unused part rack.

The second rack separator may further comprise springs configured to bias the hindering members in a direction towards one another. Thus, a further drive for operating the hindering members may be omitted.

The lift may be configured to provide a force to raise the part rack wherein the force is adjusted such that the part rack opens the hindering members in a direction away from one another against the biasing force of the springs when passing between the hindering members. Thus, the lift operates the hindering members and acts against the biasing force of the springs.

Alternatively, the second rack separator has a pair of hindering members configured to hinder the uppermost part rack from lowering, moveable in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the lift is moveable. Thus, a construction to similar the first rack separator may be provided.

The automatic analyzer comprises a moving mechanism configured to concertedly move the hindering members. Thus, the movement of the hindering members is synchronized such that the hindering members may center the part rack therebetween.

The hindering members may be linearly moveable. Thus, the drive and the movement of the hindering members is simplified.

The hindering members may be plates. Thus, the size of the preventing members is reduced.

Alternatively, the second rack separator has a two hindering members configured to hinder the uppermost part rack from lowering and a spring configured to bias one of the hindering members in a direction towards one another, wherein the second rack separator further comprises a coupling mechanism configured to couple the hindering members such that a movement of the hindering member biased by the spring causes the other hindering member to concertedly move towards and/or away from the hindering member biased by the spring. Thus, another simplified construction for the operation of the second rack separator is provided.

The automatic analyzer further comprises a part take-out device configured to take out a disposable part from a part rack, wherein the part take-out device is located at the part take-out station. Thus, a disposable part may be reliably taken-out with a construction of reduced space.

The take-out device is configured to take out the disposable parts from a part rack in a subsequent order. Thus, the disposable parts may be taken-out in a consecutive order. The take-out device may take out the disposable parts from a part rack one by one or more than one at the same time such as two or three disposable parts.

The take-out device is configured to move within a plane perpendicular to a direction in which the lift is moveable. In this case, the drive is simplified as the take-out device does not need to be moved in a three dimensional space but is only moved in a two dimensional manner. Only a gripping element of the take-out device for gripping one or more disposable parts from the part track may be moved out of and into the take-out device perpendicular to this plane. Needless to say, alternatively, the take-out device may be configured to move in all directions within a three dimensional space.

The automatic analyzer further comprises a frame configured to guide the lift, wherein the frame comprises a lower frame portion configured to support the part take-out station and the second rack separator of the rack recovery station, and an upper frame portion connected to the lower frame portion. Thus, the lift may be well supported in a moveable manner.

The upper frame portion may be removably mounted onto the lower frame portion. Thereby, the upper frame portion may be removed so as to expose the lower frame portion such that the constructional members provided at the lower frame portion are accessible such as for the purpose of service, maintenance, cleaning and adjustment.

The upper frame portion may be pivotally connected to the lower frame portion. Thus, the constructional members provided at the lower frame portion are accessible by means of a simple pivotal movement of the upper frame portion such as for the purpose of service, maintenance, cleaning and adjustment.

The frame may comprise a front end from which part racks are loadable onto the lift and a rear end opposite to the front end, wherein the frame comprises at least one lift guiding rod for guiding the lift arranged at a corner of the lift at the front end or the rear end, wherein the frame comprises an interruption at the rear end at a position defined by the part take-out station. The interruption of the frame is provided on a side opposite to the side where the lift guiding rod is provided. For example, if the lift guiding rod is provided at the left side of the frame if seen from the front end towards the rear end, then the interruption is provided at a right side of the frame at the rear end. Thus, a take-out device for taking out the disposable parts is not obstructed by the frame and the lift guiding rod and has access to each disposable part in the part rack which is located at the interior of the frame. Optionally, an additional interruption may be provided at the front end at a position defined by the part take-out station, wherein the additional interruption of the frame is provided on a side opposite to the side where the lift guiding rod is provided. Alternatively, a combination of a lift guiding rod extending from a position below the part take-out station downwards and at least one linear bearing may be provided.

The first rack separator may be at least partially mounted to the lower frame portion. Thus, the construction of the analyzer is reduced in size.

The frame may comprise a front end from which part racks are loadable onto the lift and a rear end opposite to the front end, wherein the frame is self-supporting at a corner of the lift at the rear end. Thus, the take-out device for taking-out disposable parts from the part rack is not obstructed in its movement.

The frame may comprise two guiding rods at the front end, wherein one of the guiding rods at the front end is shifted in a direction away from the rear end relative to the other guiding rod at the front end. Thus, the take-out device for taking-out disposable parts from the part rack is not obstructed in its movement.

The guiding rods are configured to guide the part racks when moving upwards and downwards. For this purpose, guiding rods may also be provided at the rear end.

The lift comprises a platform on which the part racks are disposable, wherein the automatic analyzer further comprises a drawer device configured to linearly move the platform in the lowermost position of the lift between an inserted position, in which the platform is located within the frame, and an extracted position, in which the platform is located outside from the frame. Thus, the platform is constructed similar to a drawer and be loaded with unused part racks in the extracted position.

The drawer device may be manually operable. Thus, a drive for moving the drawer device may be omitted.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise at least one closing spring configured to hold the platform in its inserted position and to move the platform to its extracted device. Thus, the movement to the extracted position is simplified while the platform may still be reliably kept in the inserted positon when needed.

Alternatively, the automatic analyzer may further comprise a motor configured to linearly move the platform. Thus, a manual operation of the platform is avoided.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a first resting device configured to rest the platform in the inserted position. Thus, it is ensured that the platform is in its correct inserted position.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a position detecting device configured to detect whether the platform is in its inserted position or not. Thus, an incorrect operation of the lift is avoided.

The position detecting device may comprise a light barrier configured to detect a portion of the platform. Thus, it may be reliably be detected whether the platform is in its correct position or not.

The position detecting device may be mounted to the lift or to the frame. Thus, the space required for providing the position detecting device is reduced.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a second resting device configured to rest the platform in the extracted position. Thus, it is ensured that the platform is accessible and may be loaded with unused part racks.

The automatic analyzer may further comprise a scanner configured to detect an identity of a part rack. Thus, it is ensured that only correct or original part racks are handled by the analyzer.

The scanner may be located at a position defined by the position of the uppermost part rack of a plurality of part racks stacked to their maximum with the lift in its lowermost position or a position shifted relative from the uppermost part rack towards the rack recovery station. Thus, the scanner may detect the identity of each of the stacked part racks.

The scanner may be a single scanner configured to detect the identity of the part rack. Thus, a single scanner is required for detecting the identity of each of the stacked part racks.

The scanner may be stationary. Thus, a drive for moving the scanner is omitted.

The scanner may be configured to detect the identity of each part rack of a plurality of part racks stacked onto the lift by moving the plurality of part racks stacked onto the lift to a detecting position of the scanner. Thus, the scanner is stationary, the part racks are moved relative to the scanner wherein each part racks is moved to a detecting position of the scanner where the identity of the part racks can be detected by means of the scanner. For example, the part racks are raised in a subsequent order to a position in front of the scanner.

The lift may be configured to move the plurality of part racks stacked onto the lift upwards and subsequently downwards so as to pass the scanner. Thus, the detection operation is coupled to the movement of the lift and, therefore, a separate movement for detecting the identity of the part racks may be avoided.

The plurality of part racks comprises <NUM> to <NUM> and preferably <NUM> to <NUM> part racks. Thus, a sufficient number of part racks may be handled with the analyzer.

The scanner is configured to verify authenticity of a part rack. Thereby, the insertion of a fraud part rack into the operation of the analyzer which might cause a malfunction is avoided.

The scanner may be a RFID reader configured to detect the identity of the part rack by means of a RFID tag attached to the part rack. Thus, the identity may be reliably be detected with well established means.

The scanner may be a barcode reader configured to detect the identity of the part rack by means of a barcode located at the part rack. Thus, the identity may be reliably be detected with well established means.

The barcode may be integrated with the part rack. Thus, a manipulation of the barcode may be avoided.

The barcode may be disposed in an outer surface of the part rack by means of a laser. Thus, a manipulation of the barcode may be reliably avoided.

The barcode may be a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. Thus, the range for usable barcodes is increased.

The scanner may be configured to detect a marker integrated into the material of a part rack. Thus, a genuine part rack may be reliably detected.

The scanner is configured to optically detect the marker. Thus, a genuine part rack may be reliably detected with a rather simple means.

The lift may be configured to raise the stacked part racks to the rack recovery station. For example, the lift may raise the stacked part racks to the rack recovery station after all or at least some of the disposable parts of a part rack have been taken-out in the part take-out station. Needless to say, the lift may raise the stacked part racks to the rack recovery station even if some of the disposable parts remain in the part rack. Thus, the used part rack may be transported to its storage or disposal position.

Further optional features and embodiments will be disclosed in more detail in the subsequent description of embodiments, particularly in conjunction with the dependent claims.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of an automatic analyzer <NUM> for analyzing samples using disposable parts such as nozzle tips or reagent vessels. The automatic analyzer comprises a lift <NUM> configured to be loaded with a plurality of part racks <NUM>. The plurality of part racks comprises <NUM> to <NUM> and preferably <NUM> to <NUM> part racks such as five part racks <NUM>. The lift <NUM> comprises a platform <NUM> on which the part racks <NUM> are disposable. The automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a part take-out station <NUM> and a rack recovery station <NUM>. The rack recovery station <NUM> is arranged above the part take-out station <NUM> with respect to a direction of gravity. As will be explained in further detail, the lift <NUM> is configured to raise and lower a plurality of stacked part racks <NUM> to the part take-out station <NUM> while keeping the part racks <NUM> together and to the rack recovery station <NUM> while keeping the part racks <NUM> together. The rack recovery station <NUM> may comprise guiding means for guiding the part racks <NUM> stored therein such as by means of angled members engaging the lower rim <NUM>.

The part take-out station <NUM> comprises a first rack separator <NUM> configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks <NUM> from being lowered when said lift <NUM> lowers, while allowing the other part racks <NUM> to lower, so that the uppermost part rack <NUM> is separated from the other part racks <NUM> so as to remain in the part take-out station <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the automatic analyzer <NUM> with the lift <NUM> in a lowermost position. <FIG> shows a perspective view of the automatic analyzer <NUM> with the lift <NUM> in a raised position. The first rack separator <NUM> comprises a pair of opposing preventing members <NUM> configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks <NUM> from being lowered when said lift <NUM> lowers. The preventing members <NUM> are plates in the present embodiment. The preventing members <NUM> are moveable in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the lift <NUM> is moveable. Particularly, the preventing members <NUM> are linearly moveable. The preventing members <NUM> may be moved by means of a drive mechanism <NUM>. For example, the drive mechanism <NUM> comprises a motor <NUM> having a rotatable driving shaft <NUM> and a disc <NUM> mounted to the driving shaft <NUM>. A pin <NUM> is eccentrically located on the disc <NUM>. The pin <NUM> engages a slot <NUM> of a preventing member <NUM>. Thus, when the disc <NUM> is rotated, the pin <NUM> moves within the slot <NUM> and, thereby, moves the preventing member <NUM> towards each other or away from one another. <FIG> shows the preventing members <NUM> moved in a position away from one another and <FIG> shows the preventing members <NUM> moved in a position towards one another. Thus, a drive mechanism <NUM> may be associated with respective one of the preventing members <NUM>. The drive mechanism <NUM> may be configured to concertedly move the preventing members <NUM>. For example, the preventing members <NUM> may be connected to on another by means of a linkage assembly. Thus, alternatively, a single drive or motor is sufficient for moving both preventing members <NUM> at the same time. The movement of the preventing members <NUM> is controlled by means of a sensor (not shown in detail).

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a part rack <NUM>. The part rack <NUM> comprises a plurality of compartments each configured to receive a disposable part. <FIG> shows a simplified perspective view of the part rack <NUM>. <FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of the part rack shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the part racks <NUM> comprise at least two opposing side walls <NUM>. The preventing members <NUM> are configured to engage a lower rim <NUM> of the two opposing side walls <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. More particularly, the lower rim <NUM> of the at least two opposing side walls <NUM> comprises protrusions <NUM> and the preventing members <NUM> are configured to engage the protrusions <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a rack positioning device <NUM> configured to position the part rack <NUM> during a take out of a disposable part at the part take-out station <NUM>. The rack positioning device <NUM> is arranged on the first rack separator <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the part rack <NUM> has positioning recesses <NUM> formed at a pair of opposite edges <NUM> thereof. For example, the part rack <NUM> comprises two recesses <NUM> on one of the edges <NUM> and one recess <NUM> at the opposite edge <NUM>. The rack positioning device <NUM> comprises positioning members <NUM> configured to engage the positioning recesses <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. For example, the positioning members <NUM> are bearings that may abut against the part rack <NUM> and engage the recesses <NUM>. The positioning members <NUM> may be disposed on or connected to the preventing members <NUM> so as to be moved when the preventing members <NUM> are moved. Thereby, the preventing members <NUM> may be moved into three positions, i.e. an open position allowing the part racks <NUM> to pass therethrough, a separating position allowing to separate the uppermost part rack <NUM> to be separated from a stack of part racks <NUM> and a centering position allowing to center a part rack <NUM> by means of the positioning members <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the automatic analyzer <NUM> with the lift <NUM> raised in the rack recovery station <NUM>. <FIG> shows another perspective view of the automatic analyzer <NUM> with the lift <NUM> raised in the rack recovery station <NUM>. <FIG> shows another perspective view of the automatic analyzer <NUM> with the lift <NUM> lowered from the rack recovery station <NUM>. <FIG> shows another perspective view of the automatic analyzer <NUM> with the lift <NUM> lowered from the part take-out station108. The rack recovery station <NUM> comprises a second rack separator <NUM> configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks <NUM> from being lowered when said lift <NUM> lowers, while allowing the other part racks <NUM> to lower, so that the uppermost rack <NUM> is separated from the other part racks <NUM> so as to remain in the rack recovery station <NUM>. The second rack separator <NUM> has a pair of hindering members <NUM> configured to hinder the uppermost part rack <NUM> from lowering. The hindering members <NUM> are configured to operate such that an interval therebetween increases when the uppermost part rack <NUM> is raised to the rack recovery station <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and decreases after the uppermost part rack has passed by the position of the pair of hindering members <NUM> and before the second part rack <NUM> from the top passes by the position of the pair of hindering members <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Thus, the hindering members <NUM> are moveable into two positions, i.e. an open positon allowing a part rack <NUM> to pass therethrough and a separating position allowing to separate the uppermost part rack <NUM> from a stack of part racks <NUM>. For this purpose, the second rack separator <NUM> further comprises springs <NUM> configured to bias the hindering members <NUM> in a direction towards one another. The lift <NUM> is configured to provide a force to raise the part rack <NUM> wherein the force is adjusted such that the part rack <NUM> opens the hindering members <NUM> in a direction away from one another against the biasing force of the springs <NUM> when passing between the hindering members <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows the uppermost part rack <NUM> separated from the stack of part racks <NUM> and <FIG> shows the uppermost part rack <NUM> separated from the stack of part racks <NUM> and the lift <NUM> lowered from the rack recovery station <NUM> with the remaining part racks <NUM> stacked thereon. <FIG> shows the uppermost part rack <NUM> separated from the stack of part racks <NUM>, the second part rack <NUM> from the top separated by the first rack separator <NUM> and the lift <NUM> lowered to its lowermost position with the remaining part racks <NUM> stacked thereon. Alternatively, the hindering members <NUM> are designed similar to the preventing members <NUM> of the fist rack separator <NUM>. For example, the hindering members <NUM> may be plates that are linearly moveable in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the lift <NUM> is moveable. Further, the automatic analyzer <NUM> may comprise a moving mechanism configured to concertedly move the hindering members <NUM>. As a further alternative, the second rack separator <NUM> has a two hindering members configured to hinder the uppermost part rack <NUM> from lowering and a spring configured to bias one of the hindering members in a direction towards one another. With this example, the second rack separator <NUM> further comprises a coupling mechanism configured to couple the hindering members such that a movement of the hindering member biased by the spring causes the other hindering member to concertedly move towards and/or away from the hindering member biased by the spring.

The automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a part take-out device <NUM> configured to take out a disposable part from a part rack <NUM>. The part take-out device <NUM> is located at the part take-out station <NUM>. The take-out device <NUM> is configured to take out the disposable parts from a part rack <NUM> in a subsequent order. The lift <NUM> is configured to raise the stacked part racks <NUM> to the rack recovery station <NUM> after all or at least some of the disposable parts of a part rack <NUM> have been taken-out in the part take-out station <NUM>. The take-out device <NUM> is configured to move within a plane perpendicular to a direction in which the lift <NUM> is moveable. For example, the take-out device <NUM> may be designed as a movable gripper head or a holding part as described in <CIT>.

As shown in <FIG>, the automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprising a frame <NUM> configured to guide the lift <NUM>. The frame <NUM> comprises a lower frame portion <NUM> configured to support the part take-out station <NUM> and the second rack separator <NUM> of the rack recovery station <NUM>, and an upper frame portion <NUM> connected to the lower frame <NUM>. Optionally, the upper frame portion <NUM> is removably mounted onto the lower frame portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the upper frame portion <NUM> may be pivotally connected to the lower frame portion <NUM>. The frame <NUM> comprises a front end <NUM> from which part racks <NUM> are loadable onto the lift <NUM> and a rear end <NUM> opposite to the front end <NUM>. The frame <NUM> comprises at least one lift guiding rod <NUM> for guiding the lift <NUM> arranged at a corner of the lift <NUM> at the front end <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the lift guiding rod <NUM> is arranged at the left side of the frame <NUM> at the front end <NUM>. Thus, the lift is guided only at one position which decreases the space necessary for moving the lift <NUM>. The frame <NUM> comprises an interruption <NUM> at the rear end <NUM> at a position defined by the part take-out station <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the interruption <NUM> is arranged at the right side of the frame <NUM> at the rear end <NUM>. The first rack separator <NUM> is at least partially mounted to the lower frame portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the frame <NUM> is self-supporting at a corner of the lift <NUM> at the rear end <NUM>. The frame <NUM> comprises two guiding rods <NUM> at the front end <NUM> for guiding the part racks <NUM>. One of the guiding rods <NUM> at the front end <NUM> may be shifted in a direction away from the rear end <NUM> relative to the other guiding rod <NUM> at the front end <NUM>. One of the guiding rods <NUM> may be identical to the lift guiding rod <NUM>. Needless to say, the frame <NUM> may comprise one or two guiding rods <NUM> at the rear end <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the automatic analyzer <NUM> with the platform in an extracted position. <FIG> shows a perspective view of the automatic analyzer <NUM> with the platform in an extracted position and a stack of part racks <NUM> disposed on the platform <NUM>. <FIG> shows a perspective view of the automatic analyzer <NUM> with the platform in an inserted position and a stack of part racks <NUM> disposed on the platform <NUM>. The automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a drawer device <NUM> configured to linearly move the platform <NUM> in the lowermost position of the lift <NUM> between an inserted position, in which the platform <NUM> is located within the frame <NUM>, and an extracted position, in which the platform <NUM> is located outside from the frame <NUM>. For example, the drawer device <NUM> may comprise telescoping arms or the like connected to the platform <NUM>. Thus, unused part racks <NUM> may be loaded on the platform <NUM> when the lift is in the lowermost position and the platform <NUM> is in the extracted position. The drawer device <NUM> is manually operable. For example, a handle may be provided at the platform for pulling out the platform <NUM>. Alternatively, the automatic analyzer <NUM> may further comprise a motor configured to linearly move the platform <NUM>. The automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises at least one closing spring (not shown in detail) configured to hold platform <NUM> in its inserted position and to move the platform <NUM> to its extracted position. Thus, by means of pushing or pressing the platform <NUM>, the platform <NUM> may be secured in its inserted position or is moved outwards in its extracted position by means of the restoring force of the closing spring. The automatic analyzer <NUM> may further comprise a first resting device (not shown in detail) configured to rest the platform <NUM> in the inserted position. The automatic analyzer may further comprise a second resting device (not shown in detail) configured to rest the platform <NUM> in the extracted position.

The automatic analyzer <NUM> further comprises a scanner <NUM> configured to detect an identity of a part rack <NUM>. The scanner <NUM> is located at a position defined by the position of the uppermost part rack <NUM> of a plurality of part racks <NUM> stacked to their maximum with the lift <NUM> in its lowermost position or a position shifted from the uppermost part rack <NUM> towards the rack recovery station <NUM>. With other words, the position of the scanner <NUM> is defined by the top one of the complete stack of part racks <NUM> when the lift <NUM> is in its lowermost position. The scanner <NUM> is a single scanner configured to detect the identity of the part rack <NUM>. With other words, a single scanner is sufficient for detecting the identity of all part racks <NUM> provided as a stack on the lift <NUM>. The scanner <NUM> is stationary. For example, the scanner <NUM> is fixed to the frame <NUM>. The scanner <NUM> is configured to detect the identity of each part rack <NUM> of a plurality of part racks <NUM> stacked onto the lift <NUM> by moving the plurality of part racks <NUM> stacked onto the lift <NUM> so as to pass the scanner <NUM>. The lift <NUM> is configured to move the plurality of part racks <NUM> stacked onto the lift <NUM> subsequently upwards and/or subsequently downwards so as to pass the scanner <NUM>.

Alternatively or in addition, the scanner <NUM> may be configured to verify authenticity of a part rack <NUM>. For example, the scanner <NUM> is a barcode reader configured to detect the identity of the part rack <NUM> by means of a barcode <NUM> located at the part rack <NUM>. The barcode <NUM> is integrated with the part rack <NUM>. The barcode <NUM> may be disposed in an outer surface of the part rack <NUM> by means of a laser. The barcode <NUM> is disposed adjacent the lower rim <NUM> of a part rack <NUM>. This position for the barcode <NUM> allows the same to be detected by means of the scanner <NUM> even if a further part rack <NUM> is stacked onto another part rack <NUM> as the barcode <NUM> is not covered by the upper part rack <NUM>. The barcode <NUM> may be disposed on outer side surfaces and/or an outer rear surface of the part rack <NUM> as shown in <FIG> which shows possible positions for the barcode <NUM> on the part rack <NUM>. Basically, the barcode <NUM> may be a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. Alternatively, the scanner <NUM> may be a RFID reader configured to detect the identity of the part rack by means of a RFID tag attached to the part rack <NUM>. Alternatively, the scanner <NUM> is configured to detect a marker integrated into the material of a part rack <NUM>. For example, the scanner <NUM> is configured to optically detect the marker.

As shown in <FIG>, the automatic analyzer <NUM> may further comprise a position detecting device <NUM> configured to detect whether the platform <NUM> is in its inserted position or not. The position detecting device <NUM> comprises a light barrier <NUM> configured to detect a portion of the platform <NUM> such as a protrusion, marker or flag <NUM> disposed at a rear end of the platform <NUM>. The position detecting device <NUM> is mounted to the lift or to the frame.

Hereinafter, an example for the operation for automatic analyzer <NUM> is described in further detail. In the initial state, the lift <NUM> is in its lowermost position and the platform <NUM> is moved to the extracted position by means of the drawer device <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Then, a stack of unused part racks <NUM> is loaded onto the platform <NUM> which is still in the extracted position as shown in <FIG>. Subsequently, the platform <NUM> carrying the stack of unused part racks <NUM> is moved to the inserted position by means of the drawer device <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The position detecting device <NUM> detects the platform <NUM> being in its inserted position as the flag <NUM> at the rear end of the platform <NUM> enters the light barrier <NUM>. Basically, the light barrier <NUM> may be used to prevent a movement of the lift <NUM> when the lift <NUM> is in its lowermost position and the platform <NUM> is in the extracted position, and to allow a movement of the lift <NUM> when the platform <NUM> is in the inserted position. If the platform <NUM> is in a position between the extracted position and the inserted position, the light barrier <NUM> may operate an alert so as to inform the user on this intermediate position.

Then, the lift <NUM> raises such that the barcodes <NUM> of each of the part racks <NUM> pass the scanner <NUM> in a subsequent order. Thus, the identity and/or authentity of the part racks <NUM> are detected. It has to be noted that the preventing members <NUM> of the first rack separator <NUM> are located or moved away from one another such that the stack of part racks <NUM> is allowed to pass therethrough. After the identity and/or authentity of each of the part racks <NUM> have been detected, the lift <NUM> is raised to a position to the part take-out station <NUM> where the uppermost part <NUM> passes the preventing members <NUM>. Then the preventing members <NUM> are moved towards one another such that the preventing members <NUM> engage the protrusions <NUM> at the lower rim <NUM> of the uppermost part rack <NUM>. Subsequently, the lift <NUM> is lowered while the preventing members <NUM> are still narrowed towards one another and engage the protrusions <NUM> at the lower rim <NUM> of the uppermost part rack <NUM>. Thus, the uppermost part rack <NUM> is separated from the remaining part racks <NUM> located on the platform <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Thereafter, the take-out device <NUM> takes out the disposable parts from the uppermost part rack <NUM> in the part take-out station <NUM> in a subsequent order. For this purpose, the take-out device <NUM> moves within a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the lift <NUM> moves.

After all disposable parts have been taken out from the uppermost part rack <NUM> by means of the take-out device <NUM>, the lift <NUM> raises again and the preventing members <NUM> of the first rack separator <NUM> are moved away from one another. Needless to say, the lift <NUM> may raise with some disposable parts still present in the uppermost part rack <NUM>, such as when the take-out device <NUM> was not capable to take out all of the disposable parts. Thus, the uppermost part rack <NUM> is disposed on the stack of part racks <NUM> again. The lift <NUM> further raises to the rack recovery station <NUM>. The force of the lift <NUM> is sufficient that the hindering members <NUM> of the second rack separator <NUM> increase the interval therebetween against the biasing force of the springs <NUM> when the uppermost part rack <NUM> is raised to the rack recovery station <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Particularly, the part rack <NUM> opens the hindering members <NUM> in a direction away from one another against the biasing force of the springs <NUM> when passing between the hindering members <NUM>. After the uppermost part rack <NUM> has passed between the hindering members <NUM>, the interval between the hindering members <NUM> decreases due to the biasing force of the springs <NUM> and the hindering members <NUM> engage the lower rim <NUM> of the uppermost part rack <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The lift <NUM> is lowered whereby the uppermost part rack <NUM> is separated from the remaining part racks <NUM> on the platform <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Thus, the hindering members <NUM>, which are moveable in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the lift <NUM> is moveable, hinder the uppermost part rack <NUM> from lowering.

The lift <NUM> is lowered to the part take-out station <NUM> where the first rack separator <NUM> moves the preventing members <NUM> to move towards one another so as to engage the protrusions <NUM> at the lower rim <NUM> of the second part rack <NUM> from the top as shown in <FIG>. Subsequently, the lift <NUM> further lowers. Thus, the second part rack <NUM> from the top is separated from the remaining part racks <NUM> on the platform <NUM>. As further shown in <FIG>, the uppermost part racks <NUM> is stored in the rack recovery station <NUM>. Thereafter, the take-out device <NUM> takes out the disposable parts from the second part rack <NUM> from the top in the part take-out station <NUM> in a subsequent order. For this purpose, the take-out device <NUM> moves within a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the lift <NUM> moves.

After all disposable parts have been taken out from the second part rack <NUM> from the top by means of the take-out device <NUM>, the lift <NUM> raises again and the preventing members <NUM> of the first rack separator <NUM> are moved away from one another. Needless to say, the lift <NUM> may raise with some disposable parts still present in the uppermost part rack <NUM>, such as when the take-out device <NUM> was not capable to take out all of the disposable parts. Thus, the second part rack <NUM> from the top is disposed on the stack of part racks <NUM> again. The lift <NUM> further raises to the rack recovery station <NUM>. The force of the lift <NUM> is sufficient that the hindering members <NUM> of the second rack separator <NUM> increase the interval therebetween against the biasing force of the springs <NUM> when the second part rack <NUM> is raised to the rack recovery station <NUM>. Particularly, the part rack <NUM> opens the hindering members <NUM> in a direction away from one another against the biasing force of the springs <NUM> when passing between the hindering members <NUM>. After the second part rack <NUM> has passed between the hindering members <NUM>, the interval between the hindering members <NUM> decreases due to the biasing force of the springs <NUM> and the hindering members <NUM> engage the lower rim <NUM> of the second part rack <NUM> from the top. The lift <NUM> is lowered whereby the second part rack <NUM> from the top is separated from the remaining part racks <NUM> on the platform <NUM>. Thus, the hindering members <NUM>, which are moveable in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the lift <NUM> is moveable, hinder the uppermost part rack <NUM> from lowering.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the automatic analyzer <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the uppermost part rack <NUM> is disposed on the second part rack <NUM> from the top within the rack recovery station <NUM>. Then, the above operation is repeated until all part racks <NUM> are processed as described before and stored in the rack recovery station <NUM>. After the rack recovery station <NUM> is filled with used part racks <NUM> or before that, the stack of used part racks <NUM> may be removed as the upper frame portion <NUM> allows access to the stack of used part racks <NUM>. For example, the operator removes a lid (not shown in detail) covering the upper frame portion <NUM> so as to have access to the stack of used part racks <NUM>. Then, the lift <NUM> is moved to its lowermost position, the drawer device <NUM> moves the platform <NUM> to the extracted position and the platform <NUM> may be loaded again with unused part racks <NUM>. Basically, the lift <NUM> lowers after having disposed a part rack <NUM> at the part take-out station <NUM> and the rack recovery station <NUM>, respectively, so as to leave the part take-out station <NUM> and the rack recovery station <NUM>, respectively. Alternatively, the lift <NUM> may lower to the lowermost position after having disposed a part rack <NUM> at the part take-out station <NUM> and the rack recovery station <NUM>, respectively, so as to leave the part take-out station <NUM> and the rack recovery station <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of two linkage mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM> of the first or second rack separator <NUM>, <NUM>. Both linkage mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM> may be used with the first and/or second rack separator <NUM>, <NUM>.

The first linkage mechanism <NUM> shown in the upper part of <FIG> comprises two gear racks <NUM> and a gear wheel <NUM> engaging the gear racks <NUM>. Each of the gear racks <NUM> is connected to one of the preventing members <NUM> and/or the hindering members <NUM>. The gear wheel <NUM> is connected to a single drive such as the drive mechanism <NUM>. As the drive rotates the gear wheel <NUM> which in turn moves the gear racks <NUM> relative to one another. As the gear racks <NUM> are connected to the preventing members <NUM> and/or the hindering members <NUM>, these are moved due to the movement of the gear racks <NUM>. Thus a single drive is sufficient for moving both preventing members <NUM> and/or hindering members <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An automatic analyzer (<NUM>) for analyzing samples using disposable parts, comprising
a lift (<NUM>), a part take-out station (<NUM>) and a rack recovery station (<NUM>), wherein the rack recovery station (<NUM>) is arranged above the part take-out station (<NUM>), wherein the lift (<NUM>) is configured to raise and lower a plurality of stacked part racks (<NUM>) to the part take-out station (<NUM>) while keeping the part racks (<NUM>) together and to the rack recovery station (<NUM>) while keeping the part racks (<NUM>) together, wherein the part take-out station (<NUM>) comprises a first rack separator (<NUM>) configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks (<NUM>) from being lowered when said lift (<NUM>) lowers, while allowing the other part racks (<NUM>) to lower, so that the uppermost rack (<NUM>) is separated from the other part racks (<NUM>) so as to remain in the part take-out station (<NUM>), wherein the rack recovery station (<NUM>) comprises a second rack separator (<NUM>) configured to prevent the uppermost one of said stacked part racks (<NUM>) from being lowered when said lift (<NUM>) lowers, while allowing the other part racks (<NUM>) to lower, so that the uppermost rack (<NUM>) is separated from the other part racks (<NUM>) so as to remain in the rack recovery station (<NUM>), wherein the automatic analyzer (<NUM>) further comprises a frame (<NUM>) configured to guide the lift (<NUM>), wherein the frame (<NUM>) comprises a lower frame portion (<NUM>) configured to support the part take-out station (<NUM>) and the second rack separator (<NUM>) of the rack recovery station (<NUM>), and an upper frame portion (<NUM>) connected to the lower frame portion (<NUM>), wherein the lift (<NUM>) comprises a platform (<NUM>) on which the part racks (<NUM>) are disposable, wherein the automatic analyzer further comprises a drawer device (<NUM>) configured to linearly move the platform (<NUM>) in the lowermost position of the lift (<NUM>) between an inserted position, in which the platform (<NUM>) is located within the frame (<NUM>), and an extracted position, in which the platform (<NUM>) is located outside from the frame (<NUM>),
wherein the automatic analyzer (<NUM>) further comprises a part take-out device (<NUM>) configured to take out a disposable part from a part rack (<NUM>), wherein the part take-out device (<NUM>) is located at the part take-out station (<NUM>).