The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 18, 2003
Filed:
May. 12, 2000
Martin Burri, Bettwil, CH;
Leo Schwerzmann, Udligenswil, CH;
Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Abstract
An automatic analyzer system including transport means for moving sample racks within the system. In order to simplify and reduce the cost of the means for transporting the sample racks the system comprises (a) a rack supply unit capable of containing sample racks, said rack supply unit including (a.1) a rack input device for introducing sample racks into the rack supply unit, (a.2) a rack output device for removing sample racks from the rack supply unit, (a.3) a buffer unit for storing unprocessed racks before they are transferred from said rack supply unit to a position corresponding to an analyzer unit, and for storing also already processed racks which contain samples having a probability of being reexamined, and (a.4) means for moving a sample rack from said rack input device and from said rack output device to said buffer unit and vice versa; (b) at least one analyzer unit for testing an analysis item of a sample sampled from a sample container ( ) contained in a sample rack, said buffer unit being so arranged as to be interposed between said rack input/output devices ( ) and said at least one analyzer unit ( ); (c) a single transfer line for moving a sample rack from said buffer unit to a position corresponding to said at least one analyzer unit and for moving said sample rack from said position back to said buffer unit; (d) means for moving said sample rack in opposite senses along said single transfer line, and (e) means for directing a sample rack from said rack input device and said rack output device to said buffer unit and vice versa; and (f) means for directing a sample rack from said buffer unit to said at least one analyzer unit and vice versa.