Patent ID: 7182912

Claim:
A high throughput, high sensitivity, random access, automated magnetic particle chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer having a reagent transport apparatus for transporting reagent containers to at least one aspiration position and for maintaining solid phase reagent magnetic microparticles in suspension in liquid, the reagent transport apparatus comprising: a plurality of agitating units disposed in a first circular array concentric with a primary vertical axis of rotation and collectively rotatable about the primary vertical axis of rotation, each of the agitating units comprising a reagent container holder rotatable about a respective secondary vertical axis of rotation, and a first toothed wheel coupled to the respective reagent container holder, the first toothed wheel being coaxial with the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation, whereby rotation of the first toothed wheel causes rotation of the respective reagent container holder about the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation; a plurality of solid phase reagent containers, each containing a solid phase reagent comprised of paramagnetic microparticles in a liquid, each disposed upon a respective one of the reagent container holders of the agitating units, and each having an internal agitating feature formed therein for agitating the respective solid phase reagent; a first motor for selectively rotating the plurality of agitating units about the primary vertical axis of rotation whereby a selected first reagent container is positionable at the at least one aspiration position; a plurality of mounting units disposed in a second circular array concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation and collectively rotatable about the primary vertical axis of rotation; a plurality of labeled reagent containers, each containing chemiluminescence labeled reagent comprised of a chemiluminescence label and each disposed upon a respective one of the mounting units; a reversible second motor having an output shaft extending therefrom; and a second toothed wheel coupled to the output shaft of the second motor and in simultaneous mechanical communication with each of the first toothed wheels of the plurality of agitating units, whereby reversible rotation of the output shaft and the second toothed wheel by the second motor causes the first toothed wheels and the respective reagent container holders coupled thereto to rotate about the respective secondary vertical axes of rotation in an oscillatory manner, thereby causing each of the solid phase reagent containers disposed in conjunction with a respective one of the agitating units to rotate in an oscillatory manner and causing the internal agitating feature to agitate the contents of the respective container to suspend the paramagnetic microparticles in the liquid.