EP0109613B1 — Automatic analytical apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 252 words

Automatic analytical apparatus comprising a plurality of cups for containing samples to be analyzed, a sample cassette for holding said plurality of cups, means for successively pipetting diluent to the samples, means for successively pipetting a reagent to the samples, agitating means for agitating the mixture of samples, diluent and reagent, means for optically analyzing the sample mixtures in succession and computer means which controls the whole apparatus system and processes the collected analysis data, characterized by a first transport turret (B) having disposed thereon a plurality of first reaction tubes (40) and being rotatable through predetermined indexing angles, first sample transfer means (P) for pipetting samples contained in said cups (30) into said first reaction tubes (40), said diluent pipetting means (0" C i , Q) being associated with said first transport turret for adding diluent to said first reaction tubes (40), a second transport turret (E) having disposed thereon a plurality of second reaction tubes (40') and being rotatable through predetermined indexing angles, second sample transfer means (J) for pipetting measured amounts of said sample and diluent from said first reaction tubes (40) and for discharging said measured amounts into said second reaction tubes (40'), said reagent pipetting means (D 2 , C 2 , Q) being associated with said second transport turret to add reagent to the sample and diluent in said second reaction tube (40), said optical analyzing means (100-104, 111) being disposed adjacent to the path of the second reaction tubes (40') on said second transport turret.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 252 words

Automatic analytical apparatus comprising a plurality of cups for containing samples to be analyzed, a sample cassette for holding said plurality of cups, means for successively pipetting diluent to the samples, means for successively pipetting a reagent to the samples, agitating means for agitating the mixture of samples, diluent and reagent, means for optically analyzing the sample mixtures in succession and computer means which controls the whole apparatus system and processes the collected analysis data, characterized by a first transport turret (B) having disposed thereon a plurality of first reaction tubes (40) and being rotatable through predetermined indexing angles, first sample transfer means (P) for pipetting samples contained in said cups (30) into said first reaction tubes (40), said diluent pipetting means (0" C i , Q) being associated with said first transport turret for adding diluent to said first reaction tubes (40), a second transport turret (E) having disposed thereon a plurality of second reaction tubes (40') and being rotatable through predetermined indexing angles, second sample transfer means (J) for pipetting measured amounts of said sample and diluent from said first reaction tubes (40) and for discharging said measured amounts into said second reaction tubes (40'), said reagent pipetting means (D 2 , C 2 , Q) being associated with said second transport turret to add reagent to the sample and diluent in said second reaction tube (40), said optical analyzing means (100-104, 111) being disposed adjacent to the path of the second reaction tubes (40') on said second transport turret.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

Automatic analytical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized by second means for adding a second diluent to the mixture of the samples and the first diluent, said means for adding a second diluent being associated with said second sample transfer means (J).

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 92 words

Automatic analytical apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said first and second sample transfer means (P, J) are disposed on turret pipette holders, respectively, the turret pipette holders being indexable to move said pipettes disposed thereon to a position for taking up a sample from said cups (30) or a sample and diluent from said first reaction tubes (40), respectively, a position for discharging sample or sample and diluent into said first or second reaction tubes (40, 40'), respectively, and a position for being cleaned.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 120 words

Automatic analytical apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that in said positions for cleaning the first and second reaction tubes (40, 40'), cleaning means (W, W') are disposed comprising a cleaning nozzle (120) to be lowered into said tubes at the time of cleaning, said cleaning nozzle (120) comprising a cleaning water charging pipe (121) having large diameter and short length and being connected with a water supply pump (115) for discharging cleaning water towards the inner peripheral wall of the reaction tubes (40, 40') in the upper section thereof, and a discharging pipe (122) of small diameter and long length extending to the bottom of the tubes (40, 40') and being connected with a vacuum pump (113).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 80 words

Automatic analytical apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a plurality of sample cassettes (A) is arranged in a sample cassette tray (31), said sample cassettes being movable with respect to said cassette tray by means of cross transfer means (lH) and longitudinal transfer means (IV) so that each of the cups (30) successively reaches a position (P,) where a sample is sucked up according to necessity by the first sample transfer means (P).

Automatic analytical apparatus

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