Automated diagnostic analyzers having rear accessible track systems and related methods

At least one machine readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause at least one processor of a diagnostic analyzer to at least:

• control a first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier from a first area adjacent a first side of a base of the diagnostic analyzer to a second area adjacent a second side of the base, the first carrier shuttle having a first end at the first area and a second end, opposite the first end, at the second area, the second side of the base opposite the first side of the base, the diagnostic analyzer having a loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;
• control a pipetting mechanism coupled to the base adjacent the second side to:
• aspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is at the second area;
• and
• dispense the first sample into a first vessel on the diagnostic analyzer;
• control a second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier from the first area to the second area, the second carrier shuttle having a third end at the first area and a fourth end, opposite the third end, at the second area;
• and
• control the pipetting mechanism to:
• aspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is at the second area;
• and
• dispense the second sample into a second vessel on the diagnostic analyzer.

A diagnostic analyzer comprising:

• a base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
• a loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;
• a first carrier shuttle on the base, the first carrier shuttle extending in a linear direction that is perpendicular to the first side and the second side, the first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier from a first area adjacent the loading bay to a second area adjacent the second side of the base;
• a second carrier shuttle on the base, the second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle, the first and second carrier shuttles being independently operable, the second carrier shuttle extending in a linear direction that is perpendicular to the first side and the second side, the second carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier from the first area adjacent the loading bay to the second area adjacent the second side of the base;
• and
• a pipetting mechanism coupled to the base and disposed adjacent the second side of the base, the pipetting mechanism to:
• aspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is on the first carrier shuttle at the second area;
• dispense the first sample into a first reaction vessel;
• aspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is on the second carrier shuttle at the second area;
• and
• dispense the second sample into a second reaction vessel.