US 12,007,403 B2
Automated diagnostic analyzers having rear accessible track systems and related methods
Brian L. Ochranek, Abbott Park, IL (US); David C. Arnquist, Abbott Park, IL (US); Takehiko Oonuma, Otawara (JP); Hirotoshi Tahara, Otawara (JP); Naoto Sato, Otawara (JP); and Bradley P. Smith, Abbott Park, IL (US)
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 Sep. 20, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/479,575.
Application 17/479,575 is a continuation of application No. 16/357,972, filed on Mar. 19, 2019, granted, now 11,125,766.
Application 16/357,972 is a continuation of application No. 15/099,000, filed on Apr. 14, 2016, granted, now 10,267,818, issued on Apr. 23, 2019.
Application 15/099,000 is a continuation of application No. 14/213,048, filed on Mar. 14, 2014, granted, now 9,335,338, issued on May 10, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/794,311, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2022/0011335 A1, Jan. 13, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 35/04 (2006.01); G01N 33/53 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/02 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/04 (2013.01) [G01N 33/5302 (2013.01); G01N 35/00732 (2013.01); G01N 35/025 (2013.01); G01N 35/10 (2013.01); G01N 35/02 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0406 (2013.01); Y10T 436/11 (2015.01); Y10T 436/113332 (2015.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A diagnostic analyzer comprising:
a base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
a loading bay disposed along the first side of the base;
a first carrier shuttle on the base, the first carrier shuttle having a first end at a first area adjacent the loading bay and a second end, opposite the first end, at a second area adjacent the second side of the base, the first carrier shuttle to transport a first carrier between the first area and the second area;
a second carrier shuttle on the base, the second carrier shuttle disposed adjacent the first carrier shuttle, the first and second carrier shuttles being independently operable, the second carrier shuttle having a third end at the first area adjacent the loading bay and fourth second end, opposite the third end, at the second area adjacent the second side of the base, the second carrier shuttle to transport a second carrier between the first area and the second area; and
a pipetting mechanism coupled to the base and disposed adjacent the second side of the base, the pipetting mechanism to:
aspirate a first sample from the first carrier while the first carrier is on the first carrier shuttle at the second area;
dispense the first sample into a first reaction vessel;
aspirate a second sample from the second carrier while the second carrier is on the second carrier shuttle at the second area; and
dispense the second sample into a second reaction vessel.