Automated Immunoassay Apparatus
AssigneeDynex Technologies, Inc.
InventorsAdrian Bunce, Andrew Fusellier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automated immunoassay apparatus is disclosed comprising a single optical reading device (2a, 2b) for reading two microtitre plates (9, 14). A first microtitre plate (9) is loaded into an upper plate holder (8) which is linearly translated at a fixed height. A second microtitre plate (14) is loaded into a lower plate holder (13). The lower plate holder (13) runs along a contoured track which varies the vertical height of the second microtitre plate (14).
Claims23
1-68. (canceled)
An automated immunoassay apparatus comprising:
- a first mechanism for moving or translating a first microtitre plate;
- a second mechanism for moving or translating a second different microtitre plate wherein said second mechanism comprises one or more rods or linear guide tracks and one or more second devices or bearing blocks which are arranged and adapted to slide or translate in use along said one or more rods or linear guide tracks;
- a second microtitre plate holder attached or connected to said one or more second devices or bearing blocks, wherein said second microtitre plate is positioned, placed or loaded in use on said second microtitre plate holder;
- one or more pivoting arms which connect said one or more second devices or bearing blocks to said second microtitre plate holder;
- and
- a single reading device for reading both said first and said second microtitre plates.
A method of reading microtitre plates comprising:
- using a first mechanism to move or translate a first microtitre plate relative to a single reading device;
- using a second mechanism to move or translate a second different microtitre plate relative to said single reading device, wherein said second mechanism comprises one or more rods or linear guide tracks and one or more second devices or bearing blocks which are arranged and adapted to slide or translate along said one or more rods or linear guide tracks and wherein a second microtitre plate holder is attached or connected to said one or more second devices or bearing blocks, and wherein one or more pivoting arms connect said one or more second devices or bearing blocks to said second microtitre plate holder;
- positioning, placing or loading said second microtitre plate on said second microtitre plate holder;
- and
- reading said first microtitre plate and said second microtitre plate using said same single reading device.
Assay apparatus comprising:
- one or more first sliding or translating devices or first bearing blocks for sliding along one or more rods, guide rails or tracks, said one or more first sliding or translating devices or first bearing blocks being attached to a first microtitre plate holder;
- and
- one or more second sliding or translating devices or second bearing blocks for sliding along one or more rods, guide rails or tracks, said one or more second sliding or translating devices or second bearing blocks being connected to a second microtitre plate holder via one or more intermediate pivoting arms such that the height of said second microtitre plate holder may be varied or changed in use.
A deep well or dilution strip for use in an automated immunoassay apparatus, wherein said deep well or dilution strip comprises an 8×1 array or arrangement of dilution wells, wherein said dilution wells have a substantially rectangular cross section and a maximum volume in the range 1.8 to 2.5 ml and said dilution wells have an internal depth or height in the range 35 to 45 mm;
- wherein each dilution well has an internal depth measured from the top of said deep well or dilution strip to the bottom of each dilution well of 38.5±1.0 mm;
- and
- wherein said deep well or dilution strip has an external height of 39.8±1.0 mm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.