Roche Diagnostics Gmbh

Fritz G&ouml;dl

Claudius Burkhardt

Reto Seeholzer

An automatic analyzer for the assay of liquid samples pipetted from a container into a mixing chamber includes a controller for controlling the operation of the analyzer in response to sensors that monitor the functions of the analyzer. Within the analyzer, the responses of the sensors are evaluated and, when such responses do not meet prescribed criteria, error messages are provided. In the disclosed embodiments, the controller is implemented using at least one program-controlled processor. In order to monitor the pipetting operations in an effective manner, the automatic analyzer, in one embodiment, uses a plurality of operation and monitoring control units which operate independently of one another. Each of these units is by a central processing unit.

Automatic analyzer for monitoring pipetting operations

The present invention refers to an apparatus for monitoring pipetting operations, and in particular the ejection of a first liquid from a pipetting needle having a tip immersed in a second liquid. The apparatus comprises a light source that irradiates the second liquid with a light beam, and light receiver which receives the light beam emerging from the second liquid and delivers an output signal which corresponds to the received light intensity. To improve the accuracy and reliability of pipetting operations, the apparatus is provided with a light receiver adapted for continuously delivering intensity signals (U,); first storage means for storing previously determined threshold values (S); second storage means for storing intensity signals (U,) delivered by the light receiver and evaluation parameters (B,, A,/A,) derived therefrom; and at least one logic circuit for comparing the evaluation parameters (B,, A,/A,) with the threshold values (S) and for delivering a resulting output signal (E, F).

Growing community of inventors

Rotkreuz, Switzerland

Fritz Gödl

Growing community of inventors

Rotkreuz, Switzerland

Fritz G&ouml;dl

Fritz Gödl