Discrete type automated chemical analytic apparatus

A discrete type automated chemical analytic apparatus for continuously analyzing a large number of specimens with respect to a plurality of items of examination in a single reaction channel comprising:

• endless conveyor means having a top run;
• drive means for moving the conveyor means;
• a plurality of reaction tubes spatially mounted on the conveyor means in a direction in which said conveyor means is driven, those of said reaction tubes which are set on the top run of the conveyor means jointly defining a reaction line, the direction in which the reaction line travels being a time axis direction;
• specimen-holding means;
• reagent-holding means;
• specimen discharge means for pipetting the specimen into a selected reaction tube on the reaction line from the specimen-holding means, said specimen discharge means including conduit means;
• specimen conduit-positioning means for selectively moving the specimen discharge conduit means between a point facing the specimen-holding means at which the specimen is to be sucked and a fixed pipetting point at which the sucked specimen is to be dripped into the selected reaction tube on the reaction line;
• reagent discharge means for pipetting a reagent into the selected reaction tube on the reaction line from the reagent-holding means, said reagent discharge means including conduit means;
• measuring means providing at the terminal end of the reaction line for the analysis of said reacted speciment, said measuring means including intake conduit means adapted to remove said reacted specimen from said reaction tubes;
• means for washing and drying the reaction tubes after removal of said specimen in order to render them ready for a subsequent application;
• carrier means for supporting and moving the conduit means of the reagent discharge means from a point facing the reagent holding means to a point facing the selected reaction tube on the reaction line in the time axis direction;
• carrier-driving means for reciprocating the carrier means along a path extending substantially in parallel with the reaction line;
• and
• a driving mechanism for selectively moving the reagent-holding means crosswise of the reaction line,
• whereby the reaction time can be adjusted freely and properly in accordance with the kind of specimen and the items of examination.