Kinetic analyzer

An instrument for photometric kinetic analysis comprising:

• a. a reaction cup;
• b. means for pipetting a measured amount of a first liquid reagent into said cup;
• c. means for picking up a metered amount of a sample and diluting it with diluent into said cup;
• d. means for preincubating said first reagent sample and diluent;
• e. means for pipetting a measured amount of a second liquid reagent into said cup to initiate a reaction;
• f. means for stirring the contents of said cup immediately after pipetting of said second reagent;
• g. a photometer system including a light source, sensor means, a photometer cell through which the light from said light source passes to impinge on said sensor means;
• h. amplifying means for providing an output proportional to the absorbance of the material in said cell;
• i. means for transferring, during said reaction, the liquid contents of said cup to the sample cell of said photometer through a thermostatted block;
• and
• j. control means for controlling the operation of each of the above described a) through i).

A method of performing kinetic analysis in automatic analyzer apparatus comprising automatically carrying out steps comprising, in the stated order:

• a. pipetting a first reagent into a cup;
• b. diluting a sample to be analyzed into the cup;
• c. preincubating the sample and first reagent together;
• d. pipetting a second reagent into said cup;
• e. stirring the mixture to start a desired reaction;
• f. transferring the reaction mixture to a photometer system;
• g. measuring the absorbance of the reaction mixture in said photometer during continuation of the reaction;
• and
• h. providing an output indication of the measured absorbance.