System Or Method Of Including Analytical Units

摘要

Systems and methods for processing and analyzing samples are disclosed. The system may process samples, such as biological fluids, using assay cartridges which can be processed at different processing locations. The system comprises a cartridge loading unit (112) to accept a plurality of assay cartridges. The cartridge loading unit (112) includes a storage location to support the plurality of assay cartridges, a loading lane (116f) coupled to the storage location, and a loading transport coupled to the storage location and to the loading lane and configured to move an assay cartridge from the storage location to the loading lane.The system also includes a plurality of processing lanes (116(a), 116(b), 116(c), 116(e), 116(g), etc.) to process an assay cartridge, each processing lane configured to operate on an assay cartridge, and a shuttle (50) to move the assay cartridge among the loading lane and the plurality of processing lanes, the shuttle positionable in alignment with the loading lane 116(f) and in alignment with each of the plurality of processing lanes; and a controller (94) operatively coupled to the loading transport, to the shuttle (50), and to the plurality of processing lanes.