Fluid handling apparatus for an automated analyzer

A transport apparatus for use in a clinical analyzer, comprising:

• a plurality of agitating assemblies disposed collectively for selective rotational movement along a first circular path concentric with a primary vertical axis of rotation, each of the agitating assemblies having a respective vertical axis, being rotatable about the respective vertical axis, and being adapted to receive a respective first container having a vertical axis of symmetry coaxial with the vertical axis of the respective agitating assembly and containing a liquid of a first type having solids suspended therein, each of the agitating assemblies being for rotating the respective first container about the vertical axis of the respective agitating assembly, the vertical axes of the agitating assemblies forming secondary vertical axes of rotation;
• a plurality of mounting assemblies disposed collectively for selective rotational movement along a second circular path concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation, each of the mounting assemblies having a respective vertical axis and being fixed in rotational position in relation to the respective vertical axis;
• an agitating motor;
• an electronic control circuit in communication with the agitating motor for enabling selective operation of the agitating motor;
• and
• means for selectively and simultaneously applying rotational force, generated by the selective operation of the agitating motor under control of the electronic control circuit, to the agitating assemblies, thereby rotating each of the agitating assemblies about the respective vertical axis,
• wherein each of the agitating assemblies comprises a holder for a respective first container, each holder being disposed for rotation about the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation, and
• wherein each of the mounting assemblies is adapted for receiving a respective second container containing a liquid of a second type.

A container transport mechanism, comprising:

• a plurality of inner container stations disposed in a first circular arrangement, the first circular arrangement having a primary vertical axis of symmetry, each of the plurality of inner container stations having a respective vertical axis of rotation substantially parallel to the primary vertical axis of symmetry;
• a plurality of outer container stations disposed in a second circular arrangement about the first circular arrangement, the second circular arrangement being concentric with the primary vertical axis of symmetry;
• rotating means in mechanical communication with each of the plurality of inner container stations for imparting rotational movement thereto;
• a first motor in mechanical communication with the rotating means for selectively and simultaneously rotating each of the inner container stations about the respective vertical axis of rotation;
• and
• a computer controller for selectively operating the first motor.

An apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• a tray mounted on the base for rotation about a primary vertical axis of rotation;
• at least one drive motor for rotating the tray about the primary vertical axis of rotation;
• a control unit in the form of a computer circuit for selectively operating the at least one drive motor;
• a plurality of mounting stations disposed in a first circle on the tray, concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation;
• a plurality of agitating stations disposed in a second circle on the tray, concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation, each of the agitating stations having a respective secondary vertical axis of rotation;
• and
• an agitating motor for rotating each of the plurality of agitating stations about the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation,
• each agitating station comprising
• a container holder mounted on the tray for rotation about the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation, and
• a satellite gear in communication with the container holder, the satellite gear being concentric with the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation, the apparatus further comprising:
• a ring gear, concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation and coupled to the agitating motor, in driving engagement with each of the satellite gears wherein rotation of the ring gear by the agitating motor about the primary vertical axis causes each of the satellite gears to rotate about the respective secondary vertical axis.

An apparatus comprising:

• a tray mounted for rotation about a primary vertical axis of rotation;
• at least one drive motor for rotating the tray about the primary vertical axis of rotation;
• a plurality of agitating stations disposed in a first circle, concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation, on the tray, each of the agitating stations comprising
• a container holder disposed on the tray for rotation about a respective secondary vertical axis of rotation, and
• a satellite gear in mechanical communication with a respective container holder and concentric with the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation;
• a plurality of mounting stations disposed in a second circle, concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation;
• a ring gear, concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation, in driving engagement with each of the satellite gears whereby relative rotational displacement between the tray and the ring gear about the primary vertical axis of rotation results in rotation of each of the satellite gears about the respective secondary vertical axis of rotation;
• an agitating motor coupled to the ring gear for selectively rotationally displacing the ring gear with respect to the tray and thereby rotating the plurality of agitating assemblies simultaneously;
• and
• a plurality of containers, each disposed on a respective one of the agitating assemblies, thereby being adapted for rotation about a respective secondary vertical axis of rotation, and on a respective one of the mounting stations.

A mechanism, comprising:

• a tray mounted for rotation about a primary vertical axis of rotation;
• a plurality of inner container stations disposed in a first circle on the tray, the first circle being concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation, each of the plurality of inner container stations having a respective vertical axis of rotation;
• a plurality of outer container stations disposed on the tray in a second circle larger than the first circle, the second circle being concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation;
• a circular gear disposed adjacent the tray and concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation;
• a satellite gear disposed in mechanical communication with each of the plurality of inner container stations and with the circular gear, each satellite gear being concentric with the vertical axis of rotation of the respective inner container station;
• at least one tray motor in mechanical communication with the tray for selectively rotating the tray;
• an agitating motor in mechanical communication with the circular gear for selectively rotating the circular gear relative to the tray and thereby rotating each of the satellite gears and the respective inner container stations;
• and
• a computer controller for selectively operating the at least one tray and agitating motors.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a base;
• a tray mounted on the base for rotation about a primary vertical axis of rotation;
• a plurality of agitating stations disposed on the tray in a first circle concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation, each of the agitating stations having a respective secondary vertical axis and being rotatable about the respective secondary vertical axis;
• a plurality of mounting stations disposed in a second circle concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation, each of the mounting stations having a respective vertical axis and being fixed in rotational position in relation to the respective vertical axis;
• at least one motor for rotating the tray about the primary vertical axis of rotation, the motor being linked to each of the plurality of agitating stations so as to rotate the plurality of agitating stations simultaneously about the respective secondary vertical axes as the tray is rotated about the primary vertical axis of rotation;
• and
• a control unit for operating the at least one motor to selectively position the tray,
• wherein each of the agitating stations comprises a container holder in mechanical communication with a satellite gear, both being concentric with the respective secondary vertical axis and disposed on the tray for rotation about the respective secondary vertical axis,
• wherein each of the container holders has a respective container disposed thereon for rotating the respective container about the secondary vertical axis of the respective agitating station,
• wherein the apparatus further comprises a ring gear, concentric with the primary vertical axis of rotation, in driving engagement with each of the satellite gears whereby relative rotational displacement between the tray and the ring gear about the primary vertical axis of rotation by the at least one motor causes each of the satellite gears to rotate about the respective secondary vertical axis, and
• wherein each of the mounting stations has a respective container disposed thereon.