초록 ▼

Apparatus for, and a method of, automatic chemical analysis. The apparatus comprises a conveyor system for delivering vials containing samples for analysis through an entry gate and identification arrangement to a series of analytical modules where a succession of tests is effected on each of the sa

Apparatus for, and a method of, automatic chemical analysis. The apparatus comprises a conveyor system for delivering vials containing samples for analysis through an entry gate and identification arrangement to a series of analytical modules where a succession of tests is effected on each of the samples. Each of the analytical modules comprises a sample probe, a reagent probe, a container for reagent adjacent to the conveyor means, a movable stop member arranged to hold a vial in an appropriate position adjacent to the module, means for moving the movable stop member so as to allow the vial to pass from one module to the next, and means for moving the sample and reagent probes between a first position where they are ready for insertion into a vial, and a second position where they are held clear of the vial. The apparatus also includes synchronizing means arranged to co-ordinate operation of the various elements of the apparatus. In the method, the vials pass sequentially through the entry gate of the above apparatus at a predetermined rate, and a portion of each of the samples is extracted while the vial is at an analysis station adjacent to one of the analytical modules. A portion of reagent is simultaneously extracted and is combined with the extracted sample into a single flow line. The combined reagent/sample is subjected to an analytical test within the module.

대표청구항 ▼

Automatic analysis apparatus, comprising: a first endless conveyor; a second endless conveyor being disposed in a side by side relationship with said first endless conveyor; such that respective longitudinal side edges of said first and second endless conveyors are adjacent to one another; means for

Automatic analysis apparatus, comprising: a first endless conveyor; a second endless conveyor being disposed in a side by side relationship with said first endless conveyor; such that respective longitudinal side edges of said first and second endless conveyors are adjacent to one another; means for driving said first and second endless conveyors continuously and in first and second respectively opposite directions during operation of the apparatus; means for transferring a sample vial from said second endless conveyor to said first endless conveyor; an entry gate disposed along said first endless conveyor, for retaining sample vials carried by the first endless conveyor and selectively admitting sample vials to the first endless conveyor downstream of the entry gate; a plurality of analytical modules disposed adjacent to said first endless conveyor, downstream of said entry gate, each of said analytical modules comprising: a moveable stop member for retaining a sample vial on the conveyor in a position adjacent to the module; a sample probe for removing sample from a vial retained by the stop member; means for moving the sample probe between a first operative position in which the probe may be inserted into a vial held by said stop member to remove sample therefrom and a second operative position in which the sample probe is clear of the vial; means for processing a sample removed by the sample probe; and means for controlling the movement of the stop member to enable it to retain a sample vial to allow a sample to be removed therefrom and to release the vial when the sample has been removed therefrom; identification means adjacent said entry gate for reading an identifying code carried by a sample vial; and synchronizing means for controlling the operation of the entry gate, the identification means, the means for moving the sample probe and the means for controlling the stop member, wherein the synchronizing means and the identification means are arranged so that information carried by a vial can be processed to determine the modules to which the vial is to be directed, thereby allowing selective testing of the sample in the vial.