초록

Pipettor apparatus for automatically and rapidly transferring accurate and precise multiple quantities of samples (e.g., blood serum) and reagent to the rotatable transfer disc of a centrifugal analyzer.

대표청구항 ▼

Method for automatically and rapidly transferring accurate and precise multiple quantities of sample and reagent solution to a rotatable transfer disc having a plurality of radial cavities therein, which method comprises; (a) placing said transfer disc onto a rotatable support member; (b) randomly l

Method for automatically and rapidly transferring accurate and precise multiple quantities of sample and reagent solution to a rotatable transfer disc having a plurality of radial cavities therein, which method comprises; (a) placing said transfer disc onto a rotatable support member; (b) randomly loading a predetermined number of receptacles containing sample solution into a rotatable sample ring; (c) randomly loading a predetermined number of receptables containing reagent solution into a rotatable reagent (d) providing a first transfer arm having a sample nozzle at one end thereof adapted to move laterally between said transfer disc and said sample ring and to pivot about a point located near the opposite end thereof whereby said sample nozzle is able to selectively move into a predetermined sample receptable for picking up a specific sample solution; (e) providing a second transfer arm having a reagent nozzle at one end thereof adapted to move laterally between said transfer disc and said reagent tray and to pivot about a point located near its opposite end whereby said reagent nozzle is able to selectively move into a predetermined reagent receptable for picking up a specific reagent solution; (f) providing a receptacle containing diluent-wash solution at a location intermediate said transfer disc and said sample ring and accessible to said sample and reagent nozzles; (g) rotating said transfer disc to index a specific radial cavity to be filled at a designated dispense position; (h) rotating said sample ring to index a specific sample receptacle containing a sample solution to be transferred to said transfer disc at a designated sample pick up position; (i) rotating said reagent tray to index a specific reagent receptacle containing reagent solution to be transferred to said transfer disc at a designated reagent pick up position; (j) laterally moving said first transfer arm and said second arm to locate said sample nozzle and said reagent nozzle at said sample and reagent pick up positions, respectively; (k) lowering said sample nozzle into said sample receptacle and aspirating a predetermined, accurate and precise quantity of sample solution therefrom; (l) lowering said reagent nozzle into said reagent receptacle and aspirating a predetermined, accurate and precise quantity of reagents solution therefrom; (m) laterally moving said first and second transfer arms to said predetermined radial cavity in said transfer disc at said dispense position; (n) moving said sample nozzle and said reagent nozzle into said predetermined radial cavity and dispensing said predetermined quantity of sample and reagent solution therein; (o) Repeating steps (g) to (n) inclusive until the designated number of radial cavities in said transfer disc are filled with multiple quantities of sample and reagent solution.