US 5,653,940 AGranted

Luminometer for an automated analyzer

AssigneeChiron Diagnostics Corporation

InventorsGlen A. Carey, Scott C. Lewis, Mary Beth Whitesel, George J. Woyansky, Stefan R. Pabst, Frank C. Klingshirn

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Abstract

An analyzer for performing automated assay testing. The analyzer includes a storage and conveyor system for conveying cuvettes to an incubation or processing conveyor, a storage and selection system for test sample containers, a storage and selection system for reagent containers, sample and reagent aspirating and dispensing probes, a separation system for separating bound from unbound tracer or labeled reagent, a detection system and date collection/processing system. All of the subunits of the machine are controlled by a central processing unit to coordinate the activity of all of the subunits of the analyzer. The analyzer is specifically suited for performing heterogeneous binding assay protocols, particularly immunoassays.

Claims15

Dependent claims

In an automated analyzer to assay an analyte in a test sample in a cuvette in which a product of a test reaction includes a chemiluminescent labeled reagent and the product being suspended in an acid solution, said cuvette having a bottom wall, side wall and an open top, a luminometer comprising:

(a) a cuvette transport for conveying said cuvette as one of a plurality of simultaneously conveyed cuvettes in a horizontal plane from an entrance point for cuvettes each containing a test sample to a base solution dispense point and to an exit point for cuvettes in each of which an analyte has been assayed, wherein said cuvette transport further comprises:
(1) a fixed housing having a circular chamber in which is disposed said entrance and exit points and through which said instrument is disposed,
(2) a carousel rotatably mounted within said housing for simultaneous rotation of said plurality of cuvettes about a vertical axis, and
(3) drive means for rotating said carousel about said vertical axis in periodic increments such that a first cuvette may enter said fixed housing at said entrance point while a second cuvette may simultaneously exit said fixed housing at said exit point,
(b) dispense means at said base solution dispense point for dispensing a base solution into said cuvette to cause a chemiluminescent flash,
(c) an instrument at said base solution dispense point for measuring the intensity of said flash and for producing a sample test output signal when exposed to said flash,
(d) a luminescent reference source which is located at said base solution dispense point for directing a beam of light toward said instrument at predetermined test flash intervals to cause said instrument to produce a reference test output signal, and
(e) control means including a central processing unit for coordinating said simultaneously conveyed cuvettes within said cuvette transport, said dispense means, said instrument and said reference source.

5 more elements

In an automated analyzer to assay an analyte in a test sample in each of a plurality of cuvettes in which a product of a test reaction includes a chemiluminescent labeled reagent and the product being suspended in an acid solution, each of said cuvettes having a bottom wall, side wall and an open top, a luminometer comprising:

(a) a cuvette transport for conveying said cuvettes in a horizontal plane from an entrance point to a base solution dispense point and to an exit point, said entrance point spaced from said exit point, said cuvette transport comprising:
(1) a fixed housing which has a circular chamber, a top wall, a bottom wall which has an entrance opening at said entrance point for receiving a first cuvette in an upright position and an exit opening at said exit point for dispensing a second cuvette and a side wall which has a circular inner surface and an opening in said side wall,
(2) a carousel which is rotatably mounted within the chamber of said housing for rotation about a vertical axis, said carousel having an outer circular side wall, a hub, and a plurality of vertical spokes between the side wall and the hub which forms with the housing a plurality of light tight compartments except when a compartment is positioned over said entrance opening and said exit opening, and
(3) drive means for rotating said carousel about said vertical axis in periodic increments of one compartment distance so that each cuvette is received into a compartment at said entrance opening and is advanced one compartment distance at a time to said base solution dispense point and then to said exit point,
(b) dispense means at said base solution dispense point for dispensing a base solution into each cuvette when said cuvette is at said dispense point to cause a chemiluminescent flash,
(c) an instrument at said base solution dispense point which is aligned with the opening in said side wall of said housing for measuring an intensity of said flash, and
(d) control means including a central processing unit for coordinating said cuvette transport, said dispense means and said instrument.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/457,899Filed 1 Jun 1995 · division
Priority: 4 Mar 1991
Granted: 5 Aug 1997
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification34 codes

B01L 3/508
Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes: rigid containers without fluid transport within
G01N 21/76
Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated: chemiluminescence;…
G01N 35/021
Using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations: having a flexible chain, e.g.…
G01N 35/025
Using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations: having a carousel or turntable…