Automatic random access analyzer

An automated analytical apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving a plurality of reagent packages each having a plurality of receptacles at least one of which includes a sample liquid, and at least one of which includes a liquid reagent for forming a reaction mixture with said sample liquid, said means for receiving including a platform for holding an elongate rack having a plurality of slots along a longitudinal axis thereof, said reagent packages being removably positioned in said slots;
• means for transferring liquid contained in one or more receptacles of a reagent package to a different receptacle thereof, whereby a reaction mixture may be formed;
• detector means for detecting a characteristic of the sample by analyzing the reaction mixture contained in one of the receptacles of a package;
• means for storing a plurality of reagent packages;
• and
• means for transporting individual reagent packages in any order and in any direction between the means for receiving, the means for transferring liquid, the detector means and the means for storing.

An automated apparatus for analysis of samples comprising:

• an introduction station for the placement of a rack containing a plurality of reagent packages, each package having a plurality of receptacles at least one of which includes a sample liquid, and at least one of which includes a liquid reagent for forming a reaction mixture with said sample liquid;
• a liquid transfer station including a dual action pump for aspirating liquid from one or more receptacles of a single reagent package and for delivering said aspirated liquid into one or more receptacles of said reagent package, said transfer of liquids including the mixing of said sample liquid and said liquid reagent to form a reaction mixture in at least one of the receptacles of said package;
• a device for automatically obtaining test related information from the reagent package prior to the transfer of liquids with respect to the receptacles thereof;
• means for processing said obtained information for performing the analysis of the reaction mixture, said processing means including means for reading a set marker associated with said rack for identifying the set according to which the reagent packages are positioned in said rack and for performing the analyses in accordance with said set, and further including assay formatting means associated with said liquid transfer station for regulating the actions of said liquid transfer station for transferring liquid into, out of or among the receptacles of the reagent package;
• an incubation storage area including a rotatable carousel having a plurality of radially extending slots for the receipt of said reagent packages transported thereto, said carousel being in a temperature-controlled environment for incubating the reagent packages;
• a shuttle system for moving said rack so that each package therein is positionable adjacent said liquid transfer station and for removing one of said packages at a time from the rack and moving it into said transfer station and into said carousel, said shuttle system being further operative to move individual packages from the carousel into said transfer station and into said rack in the introduction station;
• a detector including a light source for directing light energy into one of the receptacles of the reagent package which contains the reaction mixture for analysis and further including means for receiving light associated with the receptacle into which light energy is directed and for associating said received light with a characteristic of the sample under analysis;
• and
• scheduling means for determining the sequence that reagent packages pass, in any order and in any direction, between the rack, the liquid transfer station, the carousel and the detector.