Automated diagnostic analyzers having vertically arranged carousels and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016334430-A1
Application number	US-201615218833-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 25, 2016
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Nov 17, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Example automated diagnostic analyzers and methods for using the same are disclosed herein. An example apparatus described herein includes a first carousel rotatably coupled to a base and having a first axis of rotation. The example apparatus includes a second carousel rotatably coupled to the base and vertically spaced over the first carousel such that at least a portion of the second carousel is disposed over the first carousel. In the example apparatus, the second carousel has a second axis of rotation and a plurality of vessels. The example apparatus also includes a pipetting mechanism offset from the second axis of rotation. The example pipetting mechanism is to access the first carousel and the second carousel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus comprising:
a first carousel rotatably coupled to a base, the first carousel rotatable about a first axis of rotation; a second carousel rotatably coupled to the base and vertically spaced from the first carousel such that at least a portion of the second carousel is disposed over the first carousel, the second carousel rotatable about a second axis of rotation; and a first pipetting mechanism rotatable about a third axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation offset from the second axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation disposed within a circumference of the first carousel, the first pipetting mechanism to access the first carousel and the second carousel.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second carousel has a smaller diameter than the first carousel.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, from a top plan view, the second carousel is disposed within the circumference of the first carousel.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 further including a second pipetting mechanism to access the first carousel and the second carousel.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first carousel includes an outer annular array of containers and an inner annular array of containers concentric with the outer annular array of containers.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the outer annular array of containers include a first type of reagent and the inner annular array of containers include a second type of reagent different than the first type of reagent.

7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first pipetting mechanism is to access the inner annular array of containers and the second pipetting mechanism is to access the outer annular array of containers.

8 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second pipetting mechanism is rotatable about a fourth axis of rotation, the fourth axis of rotation offset from the second axis of rotation.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the fourth axis of rotation is disposed within the first circumference.

10 . The apparatus of claim 8 further including a third pipetting mechanism rotatable about a fifth axis of rotation, the fifth axis of rotation disposed outside of the first circumference.

11 . An apparatus comprising:
a first carousel rotatably coupled to a base, the first carousel rotatable about a first axis of rotation; a second carousel rotatably coupled to the base, the second carousel rotatable about a second axis of rotation, the second carousel disposed above the first carousel and, from a top plan view, within a circumference of the first carousel, the second carousel having a smaller diameter than the first carousel; and a pipetting mechanism rotatable about a third axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation offset from the second axis of rotation, the pipetting mechanism to access at least one of the first carousel or the second carousel.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the third axis of rotation is disposed within the circumference of the first carousel.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the circumference is a first circumference, the third axis of rotation disposed within a second circumference of the second carousel.

14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second carousel includes an annular rack having a bore, the third axis of rotation defined by a base assembly extending through the bore.

15 . An apparatus comprising:
a first carousel rotatably coupled to a base, the first carousel rotatable about a first axis of rotation; a second carousel rotatably coupled to the base and vertically spaced over the first carousel such that at least a portion of the second carousel is disposed over the first carousel, the second carousel rotatable about a second axis of rotation, the second carousel defining an annular rack having a bore; and a first pipette to access the first carousel and the second carousel, the first pipette movable through the bore of the second carousel to access the first carousel.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the first pipette is rotatable about a third axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation disposed within a first circumference of the first carousel and a second circumference of the second carousel.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the third axis of rotation is offset from the second axis of rotation.

18 . The apparatus of claim 16 further including a second pipette rotatable about a fourth axis of rotation, the fourth axis of rotation disposed within the first circumference and outside of the second circumference.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 further including a third pipette rotatable about a fifth axis of rotation, the fifth axis of rotation disposed outside of the first circumference and outside of the second circumference.

20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the second pipette and the third pipette are to access the second carousel.

Assignees

• Abbott Lab
• Toshiba Medical Sys Corp

Inventors

• Ochranek Brian L
• Arnquist David C
• Oonuma Takehiko
• Tahara Hirotoshi
• Sato Naoto

Classifications

• G01N35/04

  Details of the conveyor system {(G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence)} · CPC title

• G01N2035/0444

  for cuvettes or reaction vessels · CPC title

• G01N35/025 Primary

  having a carousel or turntable for reaction cells or cuvettes · CPC title

• Y10T436/11

  Automated chemical analysis · CPC title

• G01N35/02

  using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations {(G01N35/0098 and G01N35/0099 take precedence)} · CPC title