Automatic analyzer
AssigneeShimadzu Corporation
InventorsToshimi Kadota, Koji Tanimizu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rack supply part, an analysis unit part and a rack storage part are formed as units which are separable from each other, and a rack carrier part is integrally mounted on the analysis unit part. The respective units are provided with locating members for coupling the units in a direction for transferring a sample rack. Since the rack carrier part is integrated with the analysis unit part, relative positional relation between a position for stopping the sample rack and a position for stopping a sample dispensing pipetter provided in the analysis unit part for attraction is not displaced even if the units are separated from each other and then recombined with and mounted on each other. Thus, location is easy and no fine adjustment of positional relation is required.
Claims20
An automatic analyzer, comprising:
- at least one analysis unit part including means for conducting a biochemical or chemical analysis, said analysis unit part integral comprising a rack carrier part of a belt conveyor system for transferring a sample rack used for arranging and holding a plurality of sample containers, means for collecting samples from said sample rack transferred by said rack carrier part and analyzing the samples, and locating members constructed and arranged to be coupled with locating members of another analysis unit part, said locating members of said analysis unit part oriented in a sample rack transfer direction of said rack carrier part;
- a rack supply part structured as a unit separable from said analysis unit part, said rack supply pat comprising a locating member constructed and arranged to be coupled with a locating member of said analysis unit part, said rack supply part configured for containing a plurality of sample racks and including sample rack guide means for successively feeding sample racks to said rack carrier part of said analysis unit part;
- and
- a rack storage part structured as a unit separable from said analysis unit part, said rack storage part comprising a locating member constructed and arranged to be coupled with an opposite locating member of said analysis unit part, and configured for receiving and storing sample racks after completion of measurements of the samples.
An automatic analyzer, comprising:
- a least one analysis unit part including means for biochemical or chemical analysis, said analysis unit part integrally comprising a rack carrier part of a belt conveyor system having an approach carrier path and a return carrier path for transferring a sample rack used for arranging and holding a plurality of sample containers in opposite directions, means for collecting samples from said sample rack transferred by said rack carrier part and analyzing the samples, and a locating member constructed and arranged to be coupled with a locating member of another analysis unit part, said locating member of said analysis unit part oriented in sample rack transfer directions of said rack carrier part;
- a rack supply and storage part coupled to an end of said analysis unit part, said rack supply and storage part comprising a locating member constructed and arranged to be coupled with said locating member of said analysis unit part, said rack supply and storage part configured for storing a plurality of sample racks, said rack supply and storage part including sample rack guide means for successively feeding sample racks to said rack carrier part of said analysis unit part, and means for receiving and storing sample racks after completion of measurement;
- and
- a return part coupled to an opposite end of said analysis unit part, said return part structured as a unit separable from said analysis unit part, said return part comprising a locating member constructed and arranged to be coupled with said locating member of said analysis unit part, and means for returning sample racks transferred through said approach carrier path of said rack carrier part to said turn carrier path of said rack carrier part.
An automatic chemical and biochemical analyzer using sample racks for conveying groups of individual samples, comprising:
- an analysis unit having equipment for analyzing chemicals or biochemicals, said analysis unit including a separate sample rack conveyor;
- a sample rack supply unit for supplying a plurality of sample racks to said analysis unit during operation, said sample rack supply unit including a separate sample rack conveyor;
- a rack storage unit for receiving sample racks from said analysis unit during operation, said rack storage unit including a separate sample rack conveyor;
- a first coupler for connecting said sample rack supply unit with said analysis unit during operation, and for aligning said separate conveyor or said sample supply unit with said separate conveyor of said analysis unit;
- and
- a second coupler for connecting said analysis unit with said rack storage unit during operation, and for aligning said separate conveyor of said analysis unit with said separate conveyor of said analysis unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.