Dpc Cirrus, Inc.

Greg A Montalbano

Anthony P Montalbano

Eric C Fleischer

Chris P Montalbano

Arthur L Babson

Thomas Palmieri

An improved automated immunoassay analyzer including a high throughput automated immunoassay system which can perform high volume testing on a broad range of analytes while selecting from among a diverse set of immunoassays for any given sample. The immunoanalyzer has the capacity to perform a wide range of different types of immunoassays by facile storage and automated combination aboard the instrument among a wide variety of different types of reagents and heterogenous immunoassay beads stored on-board the instrument. The automated design allows reduced user interface (e.g., tests are performed automatically from computer input) including the ability to order, perform and reassay tests reflexively based on test results without operator intervention. Further, the inventive analyzer is not sample tube specific; that is, an instrument that can accept sample tube sizes within a broad size range. The inventive automated immunoassay analyzer also provides a re-useable sample dilution well, and a high speed bead washing station that eliminates the need for assay tubes having integral, waste fluid collection chambers.

Automated immunoassay analyzer

A bead dispenser device, and a system comprising a plurality of same, useful for supplying, one at a time, beads for heterogenous immunoassay, including a track capable of storing and feeding a plurality of substantially spherical beads by effect of gravity to a lower track end, where the track is sealingly housed within an enclosure having a base including upper and lower sections defining a plunger chamber, and a bead chamber defined in the upper section communicating with the lower track end and the bead chamber being offset along the plunger chamber relative to a bead exit opening in the lower section, with a plunger sealingly provided in the plunger chamber capable of horizontal reciprocal movement within the plunger chamber, the plunger having a throughhole defining another bead chamber normally aligned with the first-mentioned bead chamber at the lower track end and with a plunger portion concurrently blocking the exit opening via a horizontal biasing device acting on the plunger, wherein when opposing horizontal force is exerted adequate to overcome the normal bias force the plunger moves horizontally to align the other bead chamber with the exit opening and allow a bead to be dispensed.

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Great Neck, NY, United States of America

Greg A Montalbano