초록 ▼

The present invention provides a vessel shuttle which can be used, for example, for moving reaction vessels to or from an assay resource station in an automated chemical analyzer. The vessel shuttle has a plurality of movable plates including first and second vessel carrying plates adapted to move c

The present invention provides a vessel shuttle which can be used, for example, for moving reaction vessels to or from an assay resource station in an automated chemical analyzer. The vessel shuttle has a plurality of movable plates including first and second vessel carrying plates adapted to move cooperatively with respect to one another to advance a vessel stepwise along a linear path without net motion of the first and second vessel carrying plates as the vessel is advanced one step. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second vessel carrying plates each comprise a plurality of fingers defining recesses for receiving vessels and the first vessel carrying plate is adapted to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vessels' linear path and the second vessel carrying plate is adapted to move rectilinearly both generally parallel to and generally perpendicular to that linear path. The present invention may also include a waste chute for disposing of spent reaction vessels, the waste chute having a novel gate design. In accordance with this embodiment, the vessel shuttle can move a new vessel to a position for access by a pipettor or the like, transport a reaction vessel from the vessel shuttle to an adjacent assay resource station, and transport a reaction vessel from that assay resource station to the waste chute in one motion of the vessel shuttle.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for moving reaction vessels to or from an assay resource station in an automated chemical analyzer comprising a vessel shuttle having a plurality of movable plates including first and second vessel carrying plates adapted to move cooperatively with respect to

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for moving reaction vessels to or from an assay resource station in an automated chemical analyzer comprising a vessel shuttle having a plurality of movable plates including first and second vessel carrying plates adapted to move cooperatively with respect to one another to advance at least one of said vessels stepwise along a generally linear path without net motion of the first and second vessel carrying plates as the vessel is advanced one step, each of the first and second vessel carrying plates each comprise a body and a plurality of fingers defining recesses for receiving vessels, the body of one of the first and second vessel carrying plates being disposed generally vertically above and along the same side of said linear path as the other of the first and second vessel carrying plates.