Patent ID: 8703491

Claim:
A method for multiplexed sample analysis, comprising: (a) robotically obtaining a first liquid sample from the first of a plurality of sample sources; (b) switching a switching valve to fluidically couple the first liquid sample to an instrument; (c) delivering the first liquid sample through a first sample delivery line to the instrument for analysis of the sample, wherein a first control valve is located within the first sample delivery line; (d) robotically obtaining a second liquid sample from the second of a plurality of sample sources; (e) switching the switching valve to fluidically couple the second liquid sample to the instrument; (f) delivering the second liquid sample through a second sample delivery line to the instrument for analysis, wherein a second control valve is located within the second sample delivery line; (g) cleaning the first sample delivery line while the second sample delivery line is delivering sample to the instrument, wherein cleaning the first sample delivery line comprises: switching the first control valve to communicate liquid between the first sample delivery line and a wash channel fluidically coupled to a wash container comprising cleaning liquid; and switching the first control valve to communicate liquid between the first sample delivery line and a waste channel; and (h) cleaning the second sample delivery line while the first sample delivery line is delivering sample to the instrument, wherein the cleaning the second sample delivery line comprises: switching the second control valve located in the second sample delivery line to communicate liquid between the second sample delivery line and the wash channel; and switching the second control valve located in the second sample delivery line to communicate liquid between the second sample delivery line and the waste channel.