US 5,885,530 A · Automated immunoassay analyzer

Abstract

An improved automated immunoassay analyzer including a high throughput automated immunoassay system which can perform high volume testing on a broad range of analytes while selecting from among a diverse set of immunoassays for any given sample. The immunoanalyzer has the capacity to perform a wide range of different types of immunoassays by facile storage and automated combination aboard the instrument among a wide variety of different types of reagents and heterogenous immunoassay beads stored on-board the instrument. The automated design allows reduced user interface (e.g., tests are performed automatically from computer input) including the ability to order, perform and reassay tests reflexively based on test results without operator intervention. Further, the inventive analyzer is not sample tube specific; that is, an instrument that can accept sample tube sizes within a broad size range. The inventive automated immunoassay analyzer also provides a re-useable sample dilution well, and a high speed bead washing station that eliminates the need for assay tubes having integral, waste fluid collection chambers.

An automated immunoassay analyzer, comprising;

an instrument which includes
(i) means for receiving a plurality of sample tubes containing a fluid sample to be assayed, wherein said sample tube receiving means comprises at least one sample tube rack supported on a rotatable sample tube carousel;
(ii) means for supplying a plurality of reaction tubes in which an assay on said samples can be performed;
(iii) inert support supply and dispensing means for receiving a plurality of inert support dispensing packs each storing a single type of biomaterial-coated inert support, said biomaterial capable of selectively binding an analyte of interest in a sample, and said dispensing packs capable of storing and dispensing said supports, individually, into a reaction tube at a support dispensing station, whereby a plurality of different biomaterial coated supports stored on-board said analyzer can be selected from for addition to said reaction tube for performing a particular assay in said reaction tube, and said inert support supply and dispensing means comprises a rotatable inert support pack carousel;
(iv) means for receiving a plurality of reagent storage packs capable of storing and permitting reagent withdrawal, in a self-sealing manner, whereby a plurality of different reagents stored on-board said analyzer can be selected from for addition to said reaction tube for performing a particular assay in said reaction tube, wherein said means for receiving a plurality of reagent storage packs comprises a rotatable reagent pack carousel;
(v) means for pipetting sample and means for pipetting reagent into a support containing reaction tube at a reaction tube pipetting station;
(vi) an incubating station for incubating reaction tubes received from said reaction tube pipetting station containing sample, reagent and inert support;
(vii) a washing station for washing bound biomaterial in said reaction tubes after said reaction tubes have been incubated at said incubating station;
(viii) a detection station for detecting a quantity of analyte bound to said biomaterial in said reaction tubes after said reaction tubes have been washed at said washing station, said detection station producing a signal proportional to the quantity of analyte for each reaction tube;
(ix) a reaction rube transport pathway connecting, in this sequence, said reaction tube supply means, said inert support supply and dispensing means, said reaction tube pipetting station, said incubating station, said washing station and said detection station;
(x) means for identifying said sample tubes and said reagent packs on-board the analyzer;
(xi) means for identifying said inert support dispensing packs said means for identifying said inert support dispensing packs coordinating with said means for identifying said simple tubes and said reagent packs such that each sample of said plurality of samples and appropriate types of reagent and biomaterial-coated inert support for said each sample of said plurality of samples are provided to said reaction tubes;
(xii) control means for automatic controlling of various components of said analyzer in a coordinated manner and being capable of executing assay selection orders for each sample of said plurality of samples by selecting and coordinating the introduction of a particular type of reagent and particular type of biomaterial-coated inert support effective to perform a particular requested assay on said each sample in a reaction tube, wherein said control means further coordinates said appropriate types of reagent and said appropriate types of biomaterial-coated inert support effective to perform other particular requested assays on further samples of said plurality of samples in said reaction tube, and whereby said sample tube carousel said reagent pack carousel and said inert support pack carousel are independently rotatable relative to each other;
and
(xiii) means for determining, and displaying and/or recording the concentration of the analyte in a particular sample based on said signal produced and detected at said detection station.

12 more elements

Automated immunoassay analyzer

Life of this patent

Automated immunoassay analyzer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16