Patent ID: 7666355

Claim:
An automated analyzer for performing chemical, biochemical or biological assays in a microplate format, comprising; a plurality of discrete carrier trays for holding and transporting microplates and other assay consumables, where said microplates and assay consumables have a uniquely identifiable label, and where microplates with microwells containing a reagent or standard are initially provided in a sealed format; means of presenting said carrier trays to an operator for the purpose of loading or unloading said microplates and other assay consumables; a plurality of carrier tray supports within said analyzer for holding said carrier trays in particular locations; a carrier tray transport means for transporting said carrier trays as required within said analyzer; a sample housing for holding one or more sample containers, where each sample container has a uniquely identifiable machine readable label; reading means for reading a machine readable label; piercing means for piercing said sealed microwells for allowing access to the reagents or standards within the microwells; a liquid dispensing system for transferring a sample to said microwell and for transferring one or more of said reagent or standard to one microplate from another microplate; agitation means for agitating one or more microplates; a thermal incubator for thermally incubating contents of said microwells of one or more microplates; an optical detection station including an optical detection system for measuring an assay signal from one or more microwells; a user interface enabling interaction between the analyzer and an operator; microprocessor control means including firmware pre-programmed with one more batch protocols, wherein said batch protocols describe all steps required for the automation of one or more assays performed on one or more samples; and a means for field-updating said firmware for the purpose of adding, removing or modifying batch protocols.