Patent ID: 8435738

Claim:
A multi-analysis system, comprising a housing containing therein: (i) a plurality of modules mounted on a support structure, wherein an individual module of said plurality of modules comprises: (a) a sample preparation station configured to effectuate at least one sample preparation procedure; and (b) an assay station configured to perform one or more types of assays, wherein the assay station is configured to receive one or more individually addressable assay units, each assay unit being fluidically isolated from one another, and each assay unit being configured to perform one or more types of assays, wherein a given type of assay performed within said individually addressable assay unit is configured to yield a detectable signal; (ii) a detection system that is configured to detect a plurality of signals associated with multiple types of assays; and (iii) a sample handling system configured to transport said one or more individually addressable assay units from said assay station to a location in which the signal is detectable by said detection system; and (iv) a cytometry station configured to perform a cytometric assay, wherein the sample handling system is configured to move said individually addressable assay unit from said assay station to the cytometry station, wherein the multi-analysis system is configured to perform (a) at least one sample preparation procedure selected from the group consisting of sample processing, centrifugation, separation, and chemical processing, and (b) multiple types of assays selected from the group consisting of immunoassay, nucleic acid assay, receptor-based assay, cytometric assay, colorimetric assay, enzymatic assay, electrophoretic assay, electrochemical assay, spectroscopic assay, chromatographic assay, microscopic assay, topographic assay, calorimetric assay, turbidmetric assay, agglutination assay, radioisotope assay, viscometric assay, coagulation assay, clotting time assay, protein synthesis assay, histological assay, culture assay, osmolarity assay, and combinations thereof.