Hoffmann-la Roche Inc.

Roche Diagnostic Systems, Inc.

Roche Diagnostics Systems, Inc.

Jurg Buhler

Siegfried Muller

Andreas Greter

The analytical device comprises a conveyor for conveying cuvettes to one or more stations for processing samples for analysis in the cuvettes. The processing stations comprise means for removing individual cuvettes from the conveyor, transferring the cuvettes to a processing position and returning the cuvettes to the conveyor after processing.

Apparatus for chemical and biochemical analysis of samples

A vessel holder for receiving a number of vessels is useful in an automated analyzer. To increase the number of vessels which can be received in the analyzer and to simplify the device for reading bar code labels, the vessel holder has an elongate body manufactured in one piece and containing a single straight row of identical elongate chambers. Each chamber is for receiving one vessel. All chambers have a common base with respect to which they are perpendicularly disposed. Adjacent chambers are separated by a partition. The inside of a side wall of each chamber bears a first bar code label for detecting the absence of a vessel in the chamber, and the outside of a side wall of each chamber bears a second bar code label for detecting the position of the chamber in the vessel holder. The first and the second bar code labels are readable by a bar code reader from one and the same side of the vessel holder.

Vessel holder for automated analyzer

An analyzer automatically performs analytical operations in which liquid samples for analysis and required reagents are held in suitable vessels. To increase the number of vessels which can be received in the analyzer and to simplify the device for reading the bar code labels, the analyzer contains at least two vessel holders, a bar code reader, and means for automatically adjusting the focal range and the bar code reader. The vessel holders are disposed parallel to one another in the analyzer. A number of vessels of the same kind (for example, sample-containing vessels) are disposed in each vessel holder. Each vessel holder has an elongate body manufactured in one piece and contains a single straight row of identical elongate chambers for receiving one vessel. All chambers have a common base and are disposed perpendicularly thereto. Adjacent chambers are separated by a partition. The inner surface of a side wall of each chamber bears a first bar code label for detecting the absence of a vessel in the chamber. The outer surface of a side wall of each chamber bears a second bar code label for detecting the position of the chamber in the vessel holder. The first and the second bar code labels are readable by a bar code reader from one and the same side of the vessel holder. The bar code reader is fixedly disposed in the analyzer and used to read all the bar code labels on each vessel holder. The means for automatically adjusting the focal range of the bar code reader is dependent on the distance between it and the vessel holder.

Analyzer with fixed position bar code reader

Vessel holder

A pipetting device contains a pipetting needle connected to metering device for transferring a volume of liquid from a primary vessel to a secondary vessel. Primary vessel and secondary vessels are disposed on the same or different vessel carrier units, and each vessel has a clearly defined position relative to the vessel carrier unit. Additionally, a device is provided for controlling conveyance of the pipetting needle in three directions. The controlling device controls the metering device and the conveyance device. The pipetting device independently determines coordinates of the pipetting positions for each vessel carrier unit. For each vessel carrier unit at least one reference member, which is part of the vessel carrying unit or is directly and permanently connected thereto, may be provided. These vessel carrier units have flat surfaces which are accessible to sensing the pipetting needle. The control device is capable of moving the pipetting needle to each of the surfaces of the reference member, to determine a reference point. Contact can also be determined between the pipetting needle and each of the surfaces of the reference member. Each of these surfaces determines a reference point.

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Rothenburg, Switzerland

Jurg Buhler