Automatic multiple-sample multiple-reagent chemical analyzer

An analyzer system for mixing samples and reagents and performing an optical analysis thereof comprising:

• a turntable which supports a plurality of independently removable sample containers containing sample liquid, in a circular array and a plurality of independently removable larger reagent containers, each containing reagent liquid for mixing with sample liquid from any of the sample containers, about the periphery in the circular array;
• a peripheral array of removable transparent test cells supported on the turntable and surrounding the sample and reagent containers, the test cells being thermally isolated from the sample and reagent containers by an isolating means, and the test cells being removable independently of all reagent and sample containers;
• an optical analyzer which illuminates a selected test cell and detects light from the cell to provide a signal representative of a property of liquid in the test cell;
• a rotating arm which carries a probe for withdrawing liquid from the sample containers and the reagent containers and dispensing withdrawn liquid into the test cells to mix liquid from the sample and reagent containers, the probe being selectively positionable over all sample and reagent containers and all test cells by rotation of the arm and rotation of the turntable;
• a probe washing station adjacent to the turntable along a curved path at the radius of the probe on the arm;
• a plurality of stationary containers adjacent to the turntable positioned along the curved path at the radius of the probe on the arm;
• and
• a programmable controller and drive assembly for rotating the turntable, translating the probe and causing the probe to withdraw and dispense sample liquid and reagent liquid to mix reagent and samples in test cells and perform tests as programmed for individual samples.

An analyzer system for mixing samples and reagents and performing an optical analysis thereof comprising:

• a turntable which supports a plurality of sample containers containing sample liquid, in a circular array and a plurality of larger reagent containers supported by the turntable containing reagent liquid for mixing with sample liquid from any of the sample containers in the circular array, each of the plurality of larger reagent containers being removable from the turntable independently from each other and independently from the sample containers;
• a tray positionable over and removable from the turntable and coupled to rotate therewith, the tray carrying shorter sample containers;
• a peripheral array of removable transparent test cells supported on the turntable and surrounding the sample and reagent containers, the test cells being thermally isolated from the sample and reagent containers by an isolating means, and the test cells being removable independently of all other reagent and sample containers;
• an optical analyzer which illuminates a selected test cell and detects light from the cell to provide a signal representative of a property of liquid in the test cell;
• a translatable probe which withdraws liquid from the selected ones of the sample containers and the reagent containers and dispenses withdrawn liquid into a selected test cell to mix liquid from the sample and reagent containers, the probe being selectively positionable over all sample and reagent containers and all test cells by translation of the probe along a path and rotation of the turntable;
• and
• a programmable controller and drive assembly for rotating the turntable, translating the probe and causing the probe to withdraw and dispense sample liquid and reagent liquid to mix reagent and samples in test cells and perform tests as programmed for individual samples.

An analyzer system for mixing samples and reagents and performing an optical analysis thereof, the analyzer comprising:

• a turntable which supports a plurality of independently removable sample containers, containing sample liquid, in a circular array and a plurality of independently larger reagent containers, each containing reagent liquid for mixing with sample liquid from any of the sample containers, about the periphery of the circular array;
• a cooler for cooling the sample and reagent containers supported on the turntable;
• a peripheral array of transparent test cells supported on the turntable and surrounding but being thermally isolated from the sample and reagent containers by an isolating means, the test cells being removable independently of all other containers;
• an optical analyzer positioned adjacent to the turntable which illuminates a selected test cell and detects light from the cell to provide a signal representative of a property of liquid in the test cell;
• a rotating arm which carries a probe for withdrawing liquid from the sample and reagent containers and dispensing withdrawn liquid into the test cells to mix liquid from the sample and reagent containers, the probe being selectively positionable over all sample and reagent containers and all test cells by rotation of the arm and rotation of the turntable;
• a probe washing station adjacent to the turntable along a curved path at the radius of the probe on the arm;
• a plurality of stationary containers adjacent to the turntable positioned beyond the probe washing station along the curved path at the radius of the probe on the arm;
• and
• a programmable controller and drive assembly for rotating the turntable, translating the probe and causing the probe to withdraw and dispense sample liquid and reagent liquid to mix reagent and samples in test cells and perform tests as programmed for individual samples.

An analyzer system for mixing samples and reagents and performing an optical analysis thereof, the analyzer comprising:

• a turntable which supports a plurality of sample containers containing sample liquid in a circular array, each of the plurality of sample containers being removable from the turntable independently from each other, and a plurality of larger reagent containers supported by the turntable for containing reagent liquid for mixing with sample liquid from any of the sample containers in a circular array;
• a circular array of removable transparent test cells surrounding the plurality of reagent and sample containers, the test cells being supported on the turntable and being independently removable from the plurality of sample containers and reagent containers;
• an optical analyzer which illuminates a selected test cell on the turntable and detects light from the cell to provide a signal representative of a property of liquid in the test cell;
• a translatable probe which withdraws liquid from selected ones of the sample containers and the reagent containers and dispenses withdrawn liquid into a selected test cell to mix liquid from the sample and reagent containers, the probe being selectively positionable over all sample and reagent containers and all test cells by translation of the probe and rotation of the turntable;
• and
• a programmable controller and drive assembly for rotating the turntable, translating the probe and causing the probe to withdraw and dispense sample liquid and reagent liquid to mix reagent and samples in test cells, perform tests as programmed for individual samples, and causing short, horizontal, oscillating relative movement between the probe and the turntable, wherein the probe and turntable each have short relative movement.