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:
May. 13, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 23, 1999
David C. Arnquist, The Colony, TX (US);
Grady Barnes, III, Grayslake, IL (US);
Richard D. Button, Richardson, TX (US);
Chadwick M. Dunn, McHenry, IL (US);
Richard C. East, Jr., Dallas, TX (US);
Patrick P. Fritchie, Southlake, TX (US);
Charles M. Galitz, Kenosha, WI (US);
Gregory E. Gardner, Euless, TX (US);
Cass J. Grandone, Southlake, TX (US);
Robert C. Gray, Gurnee, IL (US);
James T. Holen, Mundelein, IL (US);
Robert P. Luoma, II, Highland Village, TX (US);
Jimmy D. McCoy, Keller, TX (US);
James E. Mitchell, Windham, NH (US);
Adrian John Murray, Arlington Heights, IL (US);
David W. Murray, Allen, TX (US);
Jack F. Ramsey, Grayslake, IL (US);
Neal T. Sleszynski, Kenosha, WI (US);
Julius J. Toth, Mundelein, IL (US);
Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL (US);
Abstract
The embodiments disclosed relate to determination of an item of interest in a sample. One embodiment relates to a structure which comprises a process path. The process path comprises a process lane including a process step performance lane where a process step is performed, and a process step avoidance lane where the process step is avoided. A first prime mover is operatively connected with the process path for moving a container holding the sample along the process path. A first pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing the sample to the container. A second pipetting system is operatively associated with the process path for introducing a reagent to the container. A device is operatively connected with the process path and is selectively engagable with the container for mixing the sample and the reagent in the container. A second prime mover is operatively connected with the process path for selectively positioning the container in a selected one of the process step performance lane and the process step avoidance lane. A reader is operatively connected with the process path for determining the item of interest in the sample based upon a reaction between the sample and the reagent.