Reaction vessel exchanger device for a diagnostic analyzer

Abstract

A diagnostic analyzer includes a first sample process path, a second sample processing path, and a reaction vessel exchanger device. The first sample process path includes an incubation track operable to move reaction vessels along the first sample process path. The second sample process path includes a processing track, disposed below the first sample process path, which is operable to move reaction vessels along the second sample process path. The reaction vessel exchanger device is configured to transfer the reaction vessels from the first sample processing path to the second sample processing path.

1 . A method of moving reaction vessels in a diagnostic analyzer comprising:
 moving an incubation track holding reaction vessels;   pipetting reagents or samples, with a pipetting device, into the reaction vessels held by the incubation track   transferring the reaction vessels, using a reaction vessel exchanger device, from the incubation track to at least one processing track disposed below the incubation track by rotating the reaction vessels, as they are held by incubation track slots of the incubation track in a first orientation, to a second orientation so that the reaction vessels pass through the incubation track slots into processing track slots of the at least one processing track; and   taking readings of the samples contained in the reaction vessels with at least one detection device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of processing track slots are disposed directly below the plurality of incubation track slots in vertical alignment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising moving the at least one processing track to move the reaction vessels held by the processing track slots of the at least one processing track to the at least one detection device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the incubation track and the at least one processing track each separately comprise a continuous linear belt-like track disposed around pulleys. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein a first longitudinal axis of the incubation track is disposed perpendicular to a second longitudinal axis of the at least one processing track. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the reaction vessel exchanger device rotating the reaction vessels from the first orientation within the incubation track slots to the second orientation comprises the reaction vessels passing through a slot of an open-ended shaft and an inner shaft wall of the open-ended shaft abutting against the reaction vessels to rotate the reaction vessels from the first orientation to the second orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a reaction vessel moving device contacting and supporting the reaction vessels and moving them through the incubation track slots into the processing track slots. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the reaction vessel moving device contacting and supporting the reaction vessels in the second orientation comprises a flexible member fitting over and against the reaction vessels. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising dampening movement of the reaction vessels as they move into the processing track slots with a dampening device disposed below the processing track slots. 
     
     
         10 . A method of moving reaction vessels in a diagnostic analyzer comprising:
 moving an incubation track holding reaction vessels;   pipetting reagents, with a pipetting device, from a reagent carousel to the reaction vessels held by the incubation track   transferring the reaction vessels, using a reaction vessel exchanger device, from the incubation track to at least one processing track disposed below the incubation track; and   pipetting the reagents, with the pipetting device, from the reagent carousel to the reaction vessels held by the at least one processing track.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising moving the at least one processing track to move the reaction vessels held by the at least one processing track to at least one detection device, and taking readings, using the at least one detection device, of samples contained in the reaction vessels. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the moving the incubation track holding the reaction vessels comprises moving the incubation track comprising a plurality of incubation track slots holding the reaction vessels, and the transferring the reaction vessels, using the reaction vessel exchanger device, from the incubation track to the at least one processing track disposed below the incubation track comprises transferring the reaction vessels, using the reaction vessel exchanger device, from the incubation track to a plurality of processing track slots within the at least one processing track which are disposed directly below the plurality of incubation track slots in vertical alignment. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the moving the incubation track holding the reaction vessels comprises moving the incubation track comprising the plurality of incubation track slots holding the reaction vessels while the reaction vessels are disposed in a first orientation within the plurality of incubation track slots, and wherein the transferring the reaction vessels, using the reaction vessel exchanger device, from the incubation track to the plurality of processing track slots within the at least one processing track which are disposed directly below the plurality of incubation track slots in vertical alignment comprises a rotation member rotating the reaction vessels from the first orientation within the incubation track slots to a second orientation within the incubation track slots so that the reaction vessels pass through the incubation track slots into the processing track slots. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the rotation member rotating the reaction vessels from the first orientation within the incubation track slots to the second orientation within the incubation track slots comprises the reaction vessels passing through a slot of an open-ended shaft and an inner shaft wall of the open-ended shaft abutting against the reaction vessels to rotate the reaction vessels from the first orientation to the second orientation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising a reaction vessel moving device contacting and supporting the reaction vessels and moving them through the incubation track slots into the processing track slots. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the reaction vessel moving device contacting and supporting the reaction vessels in the second orientation comprises a flexible member fitting over and against the reaction vessels. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising dampening movement of the reaction vessels as they move into the processing track slots with a dampening device disposed below the processing track slots.