Adaptive scheduling system and method for operating a biological sample analyzer with variable rinsing

An improved method of operating a biological sample analyzer for conducting assays of samples loaded and in which operations by instrument systems are scheduled to be performed on each biological sample, the improvement comprising the steps of:

• (a) scheduling a conditional cleaning operation prior to any scheduled instrument system operation;
• and
• (b) conducting the assays of the biological samples by performing the scheduled instrument system operations and performing a cleaning operation prior to any scheduled instrument system operation, said cleaning operation determined by the instrument system operation scheduled prior to said cleaning operation.

An improved method of operating a biological sample analyzer for conducting assays of biological samples loaded therein comprising the steps of:

• (a) scheduling operations by instrument systems on each biological sample;
• and
• (b) conducting the assays of the biological samples by performing the scheduled instrument system operations and performing a warming operation prior to a scheduled instrument system operation, said warming operation determined upon the lapse of time between the scheduled instrument system operation and the instrument system operation scheduled prior thereto.

An improved biological sample analyzer for conducting assays of biological samples loaded therein comprising:

• (a) means for scheduling operations by instrument systems on each biological sample;
• and
• (b) means for conducting the assays of the biological samples by performing the scheduled instrument system operations and performing a warming operation prior to a scheduled instrument system operation, said warming operation determined upon a lapse of time between the scheduled instrument system operation and the instrument system operation scheduled prior thereto.