Patent ID: 8492155

Claim:
An automated immunoassay apparatus comprising: a first mechanism for moving a first microtitre plate holder adapted to carry a first microtitre plate; a second mechanism for moving a second microtitre plate holder having one or more guide wheels attached thereto and being adapted to carry a second microtitre plate, wherein said second mechanism comprises one or more linear guide tracks or rails and one or more sliding devices which are configured to translate along said one or more linear guide tracks or rails in a first direction; one or more pivoting arms connecting said one or more sliding devices to said second microtitre plate holder; a single reading device configured to read first and second microtitre plates carried by the first and second microtitre plate holders respectively; and a contoured track, said one or more guide wheels being arranged to follow said contoured track in a second direction; wherein one of the first or second directions functions to raise and lower the second microtitre plate holder in height.