Cuvette for an automated analyzer

Abstract

An analyzer for performing automated assay testing The analyzer includes a storage and conveyor system for conveying cuvettes to an incubation or processing conveyor, a storage and selection system for test sample containers, a storage and selection system for reagent containers, sample and reagent aspirating and dispensing probes, a separation system for separating bound from unbound tracer or labeled reagent, a detection system and date collection/processing system. All of the subunits of the machine are controlled by a central processing unit to coordinate the activity of all of the subunits of the analyzer. The analyzer is specifically suited for performing heterogeneous binding assay protocols, particularly immunoassays.

1 . A reagent container for use in an automated assay analysis system comprising: 
 a bottom wall;    a vertical side wall which defines an inner chamber;    a top opening; and    an outer skirt comprising: 
 (a) a first flat side,  
 (b) a second flat side which is parallel with said first flat side and is equal in length to said first flat side,  
 (c) a third flat side which extends from one end of said first flat side to one end of said second flat side which is at a right angle to each of said first and second flat sides, and  
 (d) an outwardly curving side which extends from the opposite end of said first flat side to the opposite end of said second flat side, said skirt being attached to said side wall near a top of said side wall and extending downwardly substantially spaced from said side wall and terminating in a free bottom edge, said skirt defining an area surrounding said vertical side wall.  
   
     
     
         2 . A reagent container as recited in  claim 1  further comprising at least one fin which is located in said chamber and extends from said bottom wall and from a substantial portion of said sidewall for agitating fluid within said chamber upon rotation of said container about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         3 . A reagent container as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said side wall has an inner surface and an outer surface and there are two fins which extend toward each other from opposite sides of said inner surface, each fin having a terminal inner edge which is spaced from the inner terminal edge of the other of said fins.  
     
     
         4 . A reagent container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom edge of said skirt extends below said bottom wall.  
     
     
         5 . A container for reagents or the like, comprising: 
 a cylindrical body portion comprising inner and outer wall surfaces disposed substantially equidistant about a central axis and first and second open ends defined by said inner and outer wall surfaces, wherein a central axis mid-point is defined between said first and second open ends;    a floor member attached to said first open end of said cylindrical body portion, said floor member having an inner surface;    two co-planar agitating members, each attached to said inner wall surfaces of said cylindrical body portion and said floor member;    a cylindrical neck portion attached to said second open end of said cylindrical body portion; and    a skirt comprising a radial portion, extending from at least a portion of said outer wall surface of said cylindrical body portion in a direction perpendicular to said central axis, and an enclosing portion, attached to said radial portion and having walls substantially equidistant to said central axis, said enclosing portion terminating on a side of said floor member opposite said first open end of said cylindrical body portion,    wherein said two co-planar agitating members are disposed on opposite sides of said inner wall surface of said cylindrical body portion and extend, in a direction parallel to said central axis, from said floor member to a point on said inner wall surface of said cylindrical body portion between said mid-point and said second open end of said cylindrical body portion, and, in a direction perpendicular to said central axis, from said inner wall surface of said cylindrical body portion towards said central axis.    
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein each of said first and second open ends of said cylindrical body portion lies in a respective plane, said respective planes being mutually parallel.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein said central axis is orthogonal to each of said respective planes.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said inner surface of said floor member is concave.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said cylindrical neck portion comprises a threaded outer wall surface.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said radial portion of said skirt extends from a portion of said outer wall surface of said cylindrical body portion adjacent said first open end of said cylindrical body portion.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said radial portion of said skirt extends from a portion of said outer wall surface of said cylindrical body portion adjacent said second open end of said cylindrical body portion.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said two co-planar agitating members are each comprised of an inner edge substantially parallel to said central axis, said inner edges being equidistant from said central axis.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein said enclosing portion is substantially cylindrical.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 5 , 
 wherein said enclosing portion further comprises first, second, third and fourth portions each having a first and second edge substantially parallel to said central axis, third edges in communication with said radial portion, and fourth edges collectively comprising a terminating edge of said enclosing portion,    wherein said first, second and third portions are substantially planar and said fourth portion is outwardly curved, and    wherein said first edge of said first portion and said second edge of said second portion are joined at a right angle, said first edge of said second portion and said second edge of said third portion are joined at a right angle, said first edge of said third portion and said second edge of said fourth portion are joined, and said first edge of said fourth portion and said second edge of said first portion are joined.