摘要 |
A blood analysis system or instrument, generally, including an incubator station (200), a sample and reagent holding station (300), a pipette assembly (400), a centrifuge (500), an analysis station (600), and a transport assembly (700). Generally, the incubation station (200) holds containers (120) while reagents and fluids are being dispensed in those containers (120), and, if desired, for incubating the containers (120). The sample and reagent holding station (200) holds samples (302) and a plurality of reagents, and the pipette assembly (400) transfers fluids from that sample and reagent holding station (200) to containers (120) in the incubation station (200). The centrifuge (500) is provided for centrifuging the container (120), and the analysis station (600) is provided to analyze the containers (120) optically to identify reactions therein. The transport assembly (700) carries the containers (120) between the incubator station (200), the centrifuge (500), and the analysis station (600). Preferably, the pipette assembly (400) is automatically operated to draw fluids and preselected reagents from the sample and reagent holding station (300), and to dispense fluids into the containers (120) held in the incubation station (200) to produce predetermined solutions therein. Also, the transport subassembly (700) is automatically operated to carry containers (120) from the incubator station (200) to the centrifuge (500) after the predetermined solutions have been produced in the containers (120), and then to carry the containers from the centrifuge (500) to the analysis station (600). |