| 摘要 |
An automated system for preparing samples, and then loading the samples to an analyzer includes a sample carousel which mixes and indexes a plurality of sample tubes to a sample aspiration station. A sample is aspirated from the tube, and directed along with a test reagent into an incubation tube. A plurality of incubation tubes are included on an incubation tube carousel, and a reagent probe aspirates a reagent and dispenses that reagent along with the sample into the incubation tube. An incubation tube is continuously indexed to an injection probe which removes a portion of the sample and reagent after the sample has had time to incubate. The injection probe delivers that removed sample to an injection port for an analysis system. The analysis system utilizes is a known testing techniques to test the sample. The system may include a station to dispense a lysing agent or a buffering agent into the incubation tube after the reagent probe has dispensed the reagent and sample into the incubation tube, and prior to the injection probe removing the sample. Wash stations are disposed for washing the various probes. In addition, wash probes are included to wash the incubation tubes after the sample has been removed by the test probe. Thus, the system may operate automatically and continuously to remove samples from said sample tubes, prepare samples in the incubation tube, and load those samples to an analyzer. The sample incubation tubes are then cleaned for reuse. In another feature of this invention, a pump for driving the reagent and the sample into the incubation tube includes a connection to air which facilitates the movement of the fluids into the incubation tubes. <IMAGE> |
