Equipment for rapid, automatic chemical-clinical analysis

Claim 1

Apparatus for carrying out chemical-clinical analyses of a plurality of chemical reactions, said apparatus comprising: a row of integral receptacles for receiving samples to be analyzed; an actuating device for continuously repetitively moving the receptacles back and forth along a horizontal path of oscillatory movement; a detector means, such that the samples in the receptacles can be sequentially, repeatedly and continually subjected to a field of the detector means by the actuating device; and processor means to process and store data received from the detector means wherein values for each of said plurality of reactions may be detected at predetermined intervals for a predetermined length of time and recorded in a memory device, for use with solid carriers, said apparatus further comprising a motor for shaking said receptacles, and means for continuously washing solid carriers contained in said receptacles with liquid washing solutions, said receptacles being designed in a U-shape with a curved bottom and having an 8-shape cross section over a substantial height such that said receptacles contain two circular portions, said portions being side by side, and which communicate to enclose a single total volume.