US 6,790,413 B2 · Sample presentation unit

Abstract

A sample presentation unit (SPU) for an automated analyzer is provided. The SPU has a sample rack onload section having an elongated rail, and an onload moving mechanism movable along the rail for moving the sample racks placed on the rail towards a sample rack presentation section. The sample rack presentation section of the SPU has a transfer area connected to the proximal end of the rail of the sample rack onload section for receiving the sample racks from the sample rack onload section, a sample presentation area adjacent to the automated analyzer for presenting sample racks for aspiration, and a presentation moving mechanism movable between the transfer area and the presentation area for moving sample racks from the transfer area to the presentation area for a sample aspiration and subsequently moving the sample racks from the presentation area back to the transfer area after sample aspiration. The SPU also has a sample rack offload section having an offload area connected to the transfer area of the sample rack presentation section for receiving the sample racks from the sample rack presentation section after sample aspiration, and an offload moving mechanism for moving the sample racks received from the sample rack presentation section to a sample rack offload tray. The SPU further has a plurality of strategically located sensors for detection of motion errors or motor jams.

Claims47

Dependent claims

An apparatus for presenting sample racks to an automated analyzer, comprising:

a. a sample rack onload section, a sample rack presentation section, and a sample rack offload section;
b. said sample rack onload section having an onload queue area, and an onload moving mechanism for moving said sample racks placed on said onload queue area to said sample rack presentation section;
c. said sample rack presentation section having a transfer area connected to said onload queue area of said sample rack onload section for receiving said sample racks from said sample rack onload section, a sample presentation area adjacent to said automated analyzer for presenting sample racks for aspiration, and a presentation moving mechanism, movable between said transfer area and said presentation area for moving at least one of said sample racks from said transfer area to said presentation area for a sample aspiration and subsequently moving said at least one of said sample racks from said presentation area back to said transfer area after a sample aspiration, wherein said transfer area can hold a plurality of said sample racks wherein said plurality of sample racks can be presented simultaneously in said presentation area;
and
d. said sample rack offload section having an offload area connected to said transfer area of said sample rack presentation section for receiving said sample racks from said sample rack presentation section after a sample aspiration, and an offload moving mechanism for moving said sample racks received from said sample rack presentation section to a sample rack offload tray.

2 more elements

Au apparatus for presenting sample racks to an automated analyzer, comprising:

a. a sample rack onload section having an elongated rail having a distal end and a proximal end, and an onload moving mechanism movable along said rail for moving said sample racks placed on said rail towards said proximal end of said rail;
b. an onload sensor located adjacent to said proximal end of said rail of said sample rack onload section for detection of motion errors or jams of said onload moving mechanism;
c. a sample rack presentation section having a transfer area connected to said proximal end of said rail of said sample rack onload section for receiving said sample racks from said sample rack onload section, a sample presentation area adjacent to said automated analyzer for presenting sample racks for aspiration, and a presentation moving mechanism movable between said transfer area and said presentation area for moving at least one of said sample racks from said transfer area to said presentation area for sample aspiration and subsequently moving said at least one of said sample racks from said presentation area back to said transfer area after sample aspiration, wherein said transfer area can hold a plurality of said sample racks, wherein said plurality of sample racks can be presented simultaneously in said presentation area;
d. a presentation sensor located at said presentation area of said sample rack presentation section for detection of motion errors or jams of said presentation moving mechanism;
e. a sample rack offload section having an offload area connected to said transfer area of said sample rack presentation section for receiving said sample racks from said sample rack presentation section after a sample aspiration and an offload moving mechanism for moving said sample racks received from said sample rack presentation section to a sample rack offload tray;
and
f. an offload sensor located at said offload queue area of said sample rack offload section for detection of motion errors or jams of said offload moving mechanism.

4 more elements

An apparatus for presenting sample racks to an automated analyzer, comprising:

a. a sample rack onload section having an elongated rail having a distal end and a proximal end, and an onload moving mechanism further comprising an onload pusher movable along said rail for moving said sample racks placed on said rail towards said proximal end of said rail;
b. an onload sensor located adjacent to said proximal end of said rail of said sample rack onload section for the detection of motion errors or jams of said onload moving mechanism;
c. a sample rack presentation section having a transfer area connected to said proximal end of said rail of said sample rack onload section for receiving said sample racks from said sample rack onload section, a sample presentation area adjacent to said automated analyzer for presenting sample racks for aspiration, and a presentation moving mechanism for moving at least one of said sample racks from said transfer area to said presentation area for a sample aspiration and subsequently moving said at least one of said sample racks from said presentation area back to said transfer area after sample aspiration, wherein said transfer area can hold a plurality of said sample racks, wherein said plurality of sample racks can be presented simultaneously in said presentation area;
d. a presentation sensor located at said presentation area of said sample rack presentation section for the detection of motion errors or jams of said presentation moving mechanism;
e. a sample rack offload section having an offload area connected to said transfer area of said sample rack presentation section for receiving said sample racks from said sample rack presentation section after a sample aspiration, and an offload moving mechanism further comprising an offload pusher for moving said sample racks received from said sample rack presentation section to a sample rack offload tray;
f. an offload sensor located at said offload queue area of said sample rack offload section for the detection of motion errors or jams of said offload moving mechanism;
and
g. a bar code reader for obtaining the identification of said sample racks, or of one or more sample containers held by said sample racks, or of sample contents contained in said containers.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sample presentation unit

Life of this patent

Sample presentation unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims47