US 12,228,583 B2
Automated diagnostic analyzers having vertically arranged carousels and related methods
Brian L. Ochranek, Southlake, TX (US); David C. Arnquist, The Colony, TX (US); Takehiko Oonuma, Otawara (JP); Hirotoshi Tahara, Otawara (JP); and Naoto Sato, Otawara (JP)
Assigned to Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL (US); and Canon Medical Systems Corporation, Otawara (JP)
Filed by Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL (US); and Canon Medical Systems Corporation, Otawara (JP)
Filed on Nov. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/991,339.
Application 17/991,339 is a continuation of application No. 16/996,382, filed on Aug. 18, 2020, granted, now 11,536,739.
Application 16/996,382 is a continuation of application No. 16/240,105, filed on Jan. 4, 2019, granted, now 10,775,398, issued on Sep. 15, 2020.
Application 16/240,105 is a continuation of application No. 15/218,833, filed on Jul. 25, 2016, granted, now 10,197,585, issued on Feb. 5, 2019.
Application 15/218,833 is a continuation of application No. 14/213,018, filed on Mar. 14, 2014, granted, now 9,400,285, issued on Jul. 26, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/794,060, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2023/0100891 A1, Mar. 30, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 35/02 (2006.01); G01N 35/04 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/025 (2013.01) [G01N 35/04 (2013.01); G01N 35/02 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0444 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0455 (2013.01); Y10T 436/11 (2015.01); Y10T 436/119163 (2015.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated diagnostic analyzer comprising:
a base having a horizontal length and a horizontal width;
a first carousel rotatably coupled to the base, the first carousel having a first diameter;
a second carousel rotatably coupled to the base, the second carousel having a second diameter, the second carousel vertically spaced over the first carousel such that at least a portion of the second carousel is disposed over the first carousel, and such that the horizontal length of the base is less than a sum of the first and second diameters and the horizontal width of the base is less than the sum of the first and second diameters; and
a pipetting mechanism to access the first carousel and the second carousel.