Assay timing in a clinical analyzer using a cuvette carrier

摘要

The clinical analyzer includes a cuvette carrier that is moved in a manner to provide flexible assay timing and variable incubation periods. Multiple assays having such varied incubation times can be run concurrently in random-access, avoiding timing conflicts. Fluid delivery stations are placed around the cuvette carrier in positions that are independent of assay timing. The cuvettes move in unison, in multiples of incremental steps, along a closed geometrical path. The cuvette carrier is movable variable distances in opposite directions in a single time cycle to position specific cuvettes at specific locations for delivery of sample or reagent. The direction of movement of the cuvette carrier is preferably based on a determination of the shortest distance between the cuvette and respective fluid delivery stations. However, in each time cycle there is a net progressive incremental stepwise movement of the cuvettes in a selected direction.

主权项

1. A method of controlling assay timing in a clinical analyzer that uses discrete reaction cuvettes for each assay, said method comprising,
(a) identifying the type of test to be made in the clinical analyzer for each desired assay, (b) determining the sequence of sample dispensation, reagent dispensation and read operation to be performed for each identified test and a predetermined time duration between each such activity for each identified test that will provide a set of predetermined incubation times for each assay, wherein the predetermined incubation times can be of any selected time duration, (c) providing a cuvette carrier that moves cuvettes along a closed geometrical path, the cuvette carrier being configured to alternately couple and decouple to a magnetic segment to provide for selective movement in two opposite directions along the closed geometrical path in order to achieve variable assay incubation timing, wherein the magnetic segment moves with the cuvette carrier when coupled to the cuvette carrier, (d) providing a single reagent delivery service station disposed at a fixed reagent delivery location disposed along the closed geometrical path of the cuvette carrier, configured to dispense reagent into a selected cuvette, (e) providing a single sample delivery service station disposed at a fixed sample delivery location disposed along the closed geometrical path of the cuvette carrier, configured to dispense sample into a selected cuvette, (f) scheduling the sample dispensation, reagent dispensation, and read operation for each assay to allow for the predetermined incubation times for each assay and permit all activities for all assays to be carried out without the operation of one activity interfering with the operation of another activity by checking for each new test that cycle event spots for sample dispensation, reagent dispensation, and read operation of a cycle event schedule are free, (g) determining an introductory discrete cuvette position for each assay on the cuvette carrier based on the schedule of activities, (h) moving all of the cuvettes on said cuvette carrier in unison, in multiples of incremental steps, along the closed geometrical path, in sequential predetermined time cycles, with incremental movement being made during each time cycle, such that each discretely positioned cuvette progresses to a different, incremented position on the closed geometrical path during each time cycle, and the predetermined incubation times of any time duration are a multiple of the time duration of the predetermined time cycle, wherein the incremental movement is movement of the cuvette carrier of one incremented position on the closed geometrical path, (i) when at least one cuvette is scheduled to receive sample in a particular time cycle, moving the one discretely positioned cuvette with the cuvette carrier from the position of the one cuvette in that particular time cycle, to the sample delivery location for sample dispensation, and returning to the same position of the one cuvette in that particular time cycle, and (j) when at least one cuvette is scheduled to receive reagent in a particular time cycle, moving the one discretely positioned cuvette with the cuvette carrier to the reagent delivery location for reagent dispensation and returning to the same position of the one cuvette in that particular time cycle, wherein variable movement of the cuvette carrier during the particular time cycles provides a variable incubation period.