Analyzer having a stationary multifunction probe
View Patent ↗An analyzer, preferably a desktop analyzer, includes: a stationary probe capable of dispensing or aspirating a liquid; one or more of a movable test element or movable liquid source; and a conveyor for moving the movable test element or liquid source with respect to the stationary probe. In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor includes a dual rotor conveyor. A method of dispensing or aspirating a liquid into a test element includes: providing a movable test element having identifying marks, such as a barcode, thereon and a movable sample liquid supply; providing a stationary probe; reading the identifying marks to determine which test is to be performed and the dimensions of the test element; moving the movable sample liquid supply into registration with the probe; aspirating sample into the stationary probe; and moving the movable test element into registration with the probe, wherein the registration of the test element with the probe is controlled by the test to be performed. In a preferred embodiment, the method is implemented by a computer program interfacing with a computer.
1. An analyzer comprising:
a stationary probe movable only along a single axis capable of dispensing or aspirating a liquid; and
a first reagent rotor for holding and moving with respect to the stationary probe a test element and at least one of a movable liquid supply and a probe tip dispenser;
a second incubator rotor arranged concentrically within the first rotor and adapted to receive the test element from the first rotor and to incubate a sample disposed in the second rotor; and
a waste collection container located on the first rotor.
2. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the probe comprises an aspirating and/or dispensing nozzle.
3. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
the movable liquid supply; and
a test element holder.
4. An analyzer as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the test element holder is located within the movable liquid supply.
5. An analyzer as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the movable liquid supply comprises a liquid supply section and a probe tip holder.
6. An analyzer as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the test element holder comprises a plurality of test holders.
7. An analyzer as claimed in claim 6 , wherein at least one of the test element holders contains different test elements than the test elements of other test element holders.
8. An analyzer as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the different test elements are potentiometric test elements and the test elements of the other test element holders are colorimetric test elements.
9. An analyzer as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the movable liquid supply further comprises a recess for the test element holder.
10. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises one or more of a liquid sample, a liquid reagent or a wash liquid.
11. An analyzer as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising a liquid reagent source and a liquid sample source, and optionally a wash liquid source.
12. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an additional probe.
13. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the additional probe is a dispensing nozzle for dispensing a reference liquid for a potentiometric analysis.
14. An analyzer as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a test element holder that comprises:
a body portion for holding the movable test element; and
a guide adapted to receive a probe to position the probe in a desired registration with a test element.
15. An analyzer as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the test holder further comprises a cover disposed over at least a portion of the body portion and test element and the guide comprises at least one opening in said cover.
16. An automated analyzer as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the liquid supply section includes a recess and the probe tip holder includes a recess.
17. An automated analyzer as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the liquid supply section and probe tip holder are integral.
18. An automated analyzer as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the movable liquid supply further comprises a recess for the test element holder.
19. An automated analyzer as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the liquid movable liquid supply further comprises a recess for the test element holder.
20. An automated analyzer as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the recess is disposed between the liquid supply section and the probe tip holder.
21. An analyzer according to claim 1 , wherein the analyzer is a desktop analyzer.
22. A desktop analyzer comprising:
a first rotor for holding a test element, and at least one of a sample reservoir for a sample to be analyzed, a wash reservoir, and a probe tip dispenser;
an incubator located on a second rotor arranged concentrically within the first rotor and adapted to receive the test element from the first rotor and to incubate a sample disposed in the second rotor;
a measurement device arranged to analyze a sample located in the second rotor; and
a waste collection container located on the first rotor.