MXPA99008747A - Deensive processing instrument deens - Google Patents

Abstract

An assay device processing instrument comprising a plurality of processing modules (10, 13-19) is disclosed. A transport system (11, 12) transports a test device to each processing module, the transport system being adapted to transfer the test device from the transport system to the module to allow the transport system to transport a transport system. different test device, while the first one is processed by the processing module. A control system controls the operation of the transport system (11, 12) so that each test device is transferred between the modules in a predetermined sequence, and so that a number of test devices can be processed in different modules, simultaneously

Description

TEST DEVICE PROCESSING INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTION D? THE INVENTION The invention relates to an instrument for processing a test device, for example for processing test devices in the form of chip wafers on which an arrangement of localized reactive sites containing different reactive species, for example, different ones, has been deposited. antibodies In this context, "assay" means the quantitative analysis of a substance to determine the proportion of some valuable or potent constituent, for example, the active constituent in a pharmaceutical. An immunoassay is a technique that measures the presence of a substance. { analyte) in a biological sample by exploiting an immunological reaction between the antibody and the antigen. In the fields of chemical / veterinary diagnosis or drug classification, it is necessary to analyze samples to determine the presence of certain analytes. Recently, it has been resolved to provide a group of different antibodies at respective reactive sites on a substrate such as a wafer. The sample is deposited on the wafer and following the incubation and other processes, a chemiluminescence process is verified to detect the presence or absence of the appropriate analyte in each site. This is described in more detail in EP-A-0902394. The problem with the analysis of these wafers is that the processes are complex and require careful handling of the wafers and in this way a significant manual intervention. O-A-93/23732 describes an automatic tinsion apparatus for sliding specimens but this is an istochemical process and has no relevance for testing. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an assay device processing instrument comprises a plurality of assay device processing modules; a transport system including a test device positioning assembly for transporting a test device to each processing module, the test device positioning assembly is adapted to transfer the test device to each module to allow the assembly of placement of the test device conveys another test device, while the transferred test device or devices are processed; and a control system for controlling the operation of the transport system so that each test device is transferred between the modules in a predetermined sequence, and so that a number of test devices can be processed in different modules simultaneously. It has been obtained that it is possible to develop a sophisticated multi-task processing instrument by developing a transport system that can transport a test device to a processing module and transfer the test device to the module thus freeing the transport system to transport another device of test while the first one is processed. Under the control of a computer, a large number of test devices can be processed simultaneously with that instrument. A variety of transportation systems can be used. In one case, a rotary transport system can be implemented, which will be relatively compact. The simplest rotating system could involve a circular "arrow", and a test device placement assembly mounted to move around the arrow, the arrow rotating until the placement assembly is aligned with the processing module entry point respective for the introduction or removal of storage units. More complex options could involve rotating concentric assemblies / modules. The inner module can act as an incubator / agitator with the outer ring being the transport system. In this way, for example, the incubator / agitator can agitate with small angular movements around the vertical axis / arrow. The incubator / agitator can be of multiple levels / stacks. The storage units can be pushed / pulled between the internal incubator / agitator and the external transport system through, for example, a push / pull motor assembly located within the center of the internal incubator "ring". In the preferred example, the transport system comprises a lane; a test device positioning assembly for moving along the rail; and a first motor responsive to the control system for moving the test device placement assembly in alignment with the respective processing modules. Preferably, the rail is linear. This increases the simplicity and ease of design and modification of said system with respect to, for example, a rotating system. In some cases, the transport system can be folded on itself in a multi-plane system thus forming a more compact design than one based on a single plane. In some cases, part of the transport system in each module may include means for transferring a test device to and from the module. However, a simpler and preferred aspect is to provide the transport system with a support movably mounted to the rail; an arm for coupling a testing device and movably mounted to the support for lateral movement relative to the rail; and a second motor on the support to cause the lateral movement of the arm. In this case, the arm for moving the test device moves with the support along the rail so that only a single arm is required. Typically, the arm will move relative to the support substantially and orthogonally to the rail although this is not essential. Conveniently, the arm has means for holding the test device, although in other cases, the arm can simply push the test device to different positions or connect it through other means such as a magnetic coupling. However, preferably, the test device is supported on a test device holder having a formation that cooperates releasably with the clamping means to allow the test device to be positioned by the arm. Said provision is described in more detail in European Patent Application No. 98307732.2. A variety of modules can be provided. Typically, these include one or more of: a) a buffer for storing more than one assay device or assay device support; b) an incubator; c) a washing station; and d) a forming station of test device images. The use of a buffer is helpful as it allows reactions to occur that require a period during which other test devices can be transported and subjected to other processes. Conveniently, however, the buffer is provided by the incubator. Since the test devices normally have to be retained within the incubator for a period, this provides a useful double purpose as a buffer. An image forming station is necessary in order to see reaction sites after processing and it is important to restrict the access of ambient light. Therefore, it is necessary that the image forming station be closed during the image forming process. This can be achieved by operating a separate door through which the test device passes. This process can be simplified when the image forming station includes an entrance door, which is automatically activated during the transfer of the test device to and from the image forming station. This automatic activation can be achieved using sensors and the like to verify the movement of the test device and a system that responds to the sensors to open the door. However, preferably the door is pivoted about an upper, horizontal axis towards a wall of the image forming station and is coupled to a moving platform of the image forming station through a pivoted link on both the platform and the door so the movement of the platform towards the door from either side of the door, causes it to open and then close once the platform has passed through from one side to the other. As mentioned above, an important module to be used during an immunoassay process is an incubator. In addition, it is usually necessary to shake or vibrate the test device to promote the chemical reactions that are occurring. Some examples of incubators are described in "Environ ental Shakers / Incubators" by Shane Beck, August 17, 1998. However, these are relatively unsophisticated according to a second aspect of the present invention, an assay device incubator comprises a housing and a group of test device holders placed within the housing; means for independently heating each test device within the housing; and means for shaking the support relative to the housing. Unlike other systems, this new incubator allows independent stirring, incubation and heating control to be carried out at the same time so that no transfer is required between the agitation and incubation modules separated during the reaction period. Preferably, the frequency of the agitation means is variable, while the stroke may be constant or variable. The race can be a simple horizontal movement from back to front, a vertical movement, an orbital movement or any combination of these. Typically, the type of movement will be chosen to optimize the mixing procedures or the reaction rate. In addition, periodic stops in the agitation process can be included to optimize the reaction. Although the transport system may be adjustable to load test devices at appropriate locations within the incubator, when the supports are placed in different vertical positions within the support unit, the support unit is preferable and vertically mobile to carry a support selected in alignment with the instrument transport system. An additional module that is used in any test process such as an immunoassay process is a washing module. Conventionally, said modules include a probe for supplying washing fluid and a suction probe for removing the washing fluid. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a test device washing module is provided for washing a test device located inside a test device cavity support, the module including a washing fluid supply probe and a suction probe mounted to a movable support, the suction probe being mounted at an angle to the vertical part and the support can be moved substantially to the same angle, whereby when the suction probe is inserted into a support cavity, it is placed near the side of the cavity support. This new washing module improves the suction of fluid from the cavity support by directing the suction probe at an angle so that it is close to the side of the cavity support and therefore adjacent to the channel that is formed between the test device and the cavity support. This then completely avoids any risk of contact with the active area and damage to the test device, while achieving significantly better aspiration, since the fluid is drawn from the channel around the test device. It is necessary to wash the probes between each washing operation of the test device, so that preferably a probe wash region is located below the washing location of the cavity support, the support can be moved in the absence of a support cavity, to carry the aspiration probe towards the washing region. This provides a convenient way of washing the probes, while maintaining automatic operation of the washing module. Preferably, the module further comprises a vacuum supply system coupled to the suction probe, the vacuum supply system including a vacuum vessel having a first port connected to a vacuum source, a second port connected to the suction probe and a third port connected to a drain through a drainage pump. An example of a test device processing instrument according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a block diagram of the instrument; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the main transport system; Figures 3A and 3B are a plan and perspective view, respectively, of the fastening arm module of the transport system; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a storage cavity arrangement; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a carrier tray for the arrangement of storage cavities shown in Figure 4; Figures 6A-6D are a side elevational view, in perspective, from above, one side and the back, a perspective view from above, front and one side, and a perspective view from above, front and the other side respectively of the incubator / agitator module; Figure 6E is a schematic view of the agitator arrangement; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the support washing module with some parts omitted for clarity; Figure 8 is a block diagram of the washing system for the support washing module shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 illustrates the relative locations between the support wash module and the main transport system in perspective view; Figure 10A is a perspective view of part of the image forming module; Figure 10B is a cross-section through the components shown in Figure 10A; Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 3B but from another example and with some parts omitted; Figure 12 is a perspective view of one side of a battery charger; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the battery charger shown in Figure 12 of a different side; and Figure 14 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the battery charger shown in FIGS.

Figures 12 and 13. The immunoassay instrument shown in the drawings is designed to process wafers of test device on which an array of localized reactive sites containing different antibodies are deposited. The wafer is typically made of ceramic or silicon. The wafers are supplied "by point factory" with an arrangement of reactive species and to facilitate handling and are located in respective storage cavities 1-3 (Figure 4). Typically, the arrangement of storage cavities or wafers is packaged to be sent to a remote user. This is described in more detail in co-pending European Patent Application No. 98307732.2. To further facilitate handling, the storage cavity arrangements 1-3 are removably mounted on a carrier tray 20. This carrier tray (Figure 5) is made of a plastic mold and has two sets of crossbars 21, 22 extending between the opposite side walls 23, 24 respectively. High ribs 21 'help the placement of the cavity. Nine openings 25 are defined in which respective storage cavities can be located. The tray 20 has a flange projection 26 on one side and a protruding relief 27 on the opposite side and the purpose of these will be explained in detail later. Each group of three storage cavities 1-3 is loaded parallel to the cross bars 21, the cross bars 22 entering between the adjacent storage cavities. The loaded carrier tray is then sealed in packaging materials suitable for transportation. Preferably, the storage cavities are left in place in the carrier tray and the tray is used to move the storage cavities with respect to the immunoassay process. Alternatively, the storage cavities can be supplied separately or removed from the carrier tray. The user can decide whether to place one, two or three provisions of storage cavities in the tray depending on the number of samples that will be tested. Figure 1 illustrates the main components of the instrument in the form of a block diagram. The instrument comprises a sample tray 10, which maintains a number of samples that are going to be processed. This is provided adjacent one end of a main transport system 11 carrying a holding arm module 12. As will be explained in detail below, the holding arm module 12 can be moved into alignment with a number of processing modules. located along the main transport system 11. These modules include a support input module 13, an image forming module 14, a reactive signal module 15, a support washing module 16, an incubator / stirrer module 17 , a preparation module 18 and a reagent storage 19. In addition, a liquid handling system 5 is provided above the modules and the main transport system.

Other modules can be included as needed and one of the advantages of the instrument is that extra modules can be easily incorporated. For example, a small probe wash module is provided for the sampling arm and the reagent arm. The instrument is controlled through a microprocessor (300) linked to each of the modules and the main transport system 11 and to the liquid handling system 5. Main Transportation System 11 The main transportation system 11 is shown with detail in Figure 2 and comprises an elongate rail 30 forming a slider on which the clamping arm module 12 is mounted. A stepper motor 31, controlled by the microprocessor, is mounted at one end of the rail 30 and is coupled with a driving band 32, which is introduced around a tension roller 33 at the other end of the rail 30. The band 32 is secured to the underside of the holding arm module 12. By advancing the appropriate commands towards the Stepper motor 31, the band 32 can be moved accurately back and forth to allow the clamping arm module 12 to be positioned opposite one of the modules. 10, 13-19 selected. Although not shown, the band 32 is preferably closed. The clamping arm module is shown in Figures 3A and 3B. The module comprises a platform 40 on which is mounted a pair of laterally spaced supports 41 having respective slots 42 which are in alignment. These slots are designed to receive slides 28 on opposite sides of the carrier tray 20 (Figure 5). Figure 3 illustrates said tray 20 located in the clamping arm module. Three groups of storage cavities 43-45 are mounted on the carrier tray 20. A support arm assembly 46 is mounted for sliding movement on the platform 40 and comprises an auxiliary platform 42 to which a solenoid 48 is secured. solenoid 48 is connected to a pair of jaws 49 through an articulated bar assembly 50, which extends through a support housing 51 and terminates in a control block 52 having a pair of dependent pins 53, which they extend into the slots 54 in the jaws 49. The jaws 49 are pivoted towards the base 40 as shown at 55 in Figure 3A. The hinge rod assembly 50 is pushed into an extended position as shown in Figure 3B through a compression spring 56. In this way, the control block 52 is pushed from the solenoid 48 and in view of the cooperation between the pins 53 and the slots 54, this movement causes the jaws 49 to close around the flange projection 26 in order to keep the carrier tray 20 firmly on the grip arm module. When the solenoid 48 is activated, the articulated bar assembly 50 retracts toward the solenoid against the spring action, the corresponding movement of the block 52 relative to the jaws 49 causes the jaws to open releasing the carrier tray 20. movement of the clamping arm assembly 46 is controlled through a support and pinion 61, the pinion 61 is connected to a stepper motor 62 mounted on the underside of the platform 40. The stepper motor 62 is controlled by the microprocessor in order to move the carrier tray 20 to and from a module with which it is aligned. Figure 11 illustrates an alternative form of the clamping arm assembly. In this Figure, the same reference numbers have been used as in Figure 3B to illustrate similar components. The difference between the two clamping arm assemblies is that in Figure 11, the jaws 49 are operated through a pneumatic module 300 supplied with air under pressure through an inlet port 301. During the step, it should also be noted that pneumatic operation can be used in place of electrical operation for other modules within the instrument. In a typical operating sequence, the clamping arm module 12 moves on the main transport system rail 11 opposite the desired module. The motor 62 is then driven to move the plate 47 and the carrier plate 20 uniformly to the left as shown in Figure 3B, the tray 20 transferring from the slots 42 to the corresponding slots provided in the receiving module. Carrier tray 20 is then held by the coupling between the liner 27 and a seal Bal mounted on the rear end of the supporting surface. This seal Bal is a circular spring that is located in a circular groove 29 (Figure 5) at the rear of the emboss 27. The advantage of this arrangement is that the Bal seal can hold the carrier 20 relatively safely, but easily it will release the carrier tray when it is pulled by the jaws 49. However, alternative methods for supporting the carrier tray, including magnetic rivets and the like, are also contemplated. Once the boost 29 is safely received in the corresponding Bal seal (which can be determined by a microswitch and / or after a predetermined number of steps by the stepper motor 62), the solenoid 42 is driven to release the jaws 49 and the motor 62 is then driven in the opposite direction to retract the jaw assembly. Initially, the supports supported on the respective carrier trays 20 must be fed into the instrument and this can be achieved in any conventional manner. In one method, the supports (or storage cavity trays) and the carrier trays are pre-packaged and supplied on rails to allow a scale of different tests to be taken. The rail is mounted on the support input module 13, wherein the tray and the storage cavities can be unwrapped and delivered on the platform 40 of the holding arm module 12, which is conveniently placed adjacent to the input module of the support module. support. Figures 12-14 illustrate a preferred form of a battery charger for constituting the support input module 13. In this case, a stack of trays 20 is loaded into a carrier 500, which is dropped towards the upper part of the carrier. a "stack" 510 of the battery charger. A pair of meshed gear wheels 515 on the side of stack stack heater 510 act to reduce the stack as it falls by gravity coupling opposing pairs of crosspieces 530 on the side of the carrier. The falling battery stops a previous charged battery or, if the battery charger is empty, satisfies an increment mechanism 520.

The increment mechanism 520 is shown in more detail in Figure 14. The mechanism comprises a pair of individual 525 serrated arms (only one is seen in Figure 14) which attach cross-pieces 530 oppositely placed on the carrier 500. The arms 525 they are coupled to pivot blocks 535, which are pushed towards the position shown in Figure 14 through respective compression springs 540. The movement of the blocks is caused by a pneumatic actuator 555 connected to a pneumatically operated piston 545 coupled to through connecting arms 550 to each block 535. When the pneumatic actuator 555 is momentarily driven, the bar 545 moves upward causing the corresponding pivotal movement of the blocks 535 and the arms 525, thus releasing the teeth on the arms 525 of the corresponding crosspieces 530, which allows the carrier to fall. Since this release is only momentary, the arms 525 immediately pivot behind their support position under the influence of the springs 540 so that the following crosspieces 530 engage the teeth. When the carrier 500 is supported by the meshed arms 525, a carrier tray 20 is aligned with an exit aperture 560.

In some cases, more than one battery support device can be used. In addition, a linear feed system (not shown) could be provided to feed a number of stacks in a tilt rail slightly downward toward the top of the stack support device.Samples under test are manually loaded into a sample tray. commercial standard 10, which will accept a variety of different tubes and sample cups. (Rather, a stand or other loading system (not shown) can be used.) The instrument is then activated and the clamping arm module 12 moves to the preparation station 18. The liquid handling system 5 is then programmed to extract a portion of each liquid sample from the tray 10 and add this to a wafer / cavity placed on the carrier 20 in the preparation station 18 Other portions will be extracted from the same sample or from another sample and added to additional cavities in turn until the three supports of storage cavities to or the required number of storage cavities is filled. The clamping arm module 12 is then moved to the reagent storage 19 and portions of reagents from that module are removed through the liquid handling system and added to each storage cavity. The carrier 20 and the storage cavities are then moved through the main transport system 11 to the incubator / stirrer module 17. Modulus Incubator / Stirrer 17 Unlike a conventional incubator, this module, shown in more detail in Figure 6 it also shakes the carrier tray and storage cavities to promote chemical reactions. In addition, it acts as a buffer, since it can support more than one carrier tray. The incubator / agitator module 17 comprises a support unit 70 defining a group of compartments or separate boxes 71 (sixteen in this example arranged in two columns of eight) each compartment 71 has a pair of slots 76 in which a tray can be slid carrier 20 through the holding arm module 12. Further, each compartment has a heating element and a temperature control sensor 72 located above the slots 76. Typically, the temperature of each case 71 and associated test device (including reagents and bio-warheads) is independently controlled through a microprocessor (not shown) and can be set at 37 ° C for immunoassay applications. However, the temperature of each compartment 71 can be adjusted separately, if desired. Temperatures from room temperature to above 70 ° C can be used. Even higher temperatures can be obtained with an appropriate test device, heater, sensor and other components / incubator materials. The specific temperature / time profiles may be suitable to suit the particular test processing requirements, for example, the temperature goes in the ramp shape rapidly to 70 °. In the design herein, the compartments 71 are open at one end. An even more airtight and more uniform temperature control can be maintained within the compartments 71 and through the test device by providing each compartment with a single or common / shared door (not shown). The door is opened and closed to allow the insertion / removal of the test device. The doors or door limit the flow of air and heat loss to the rest of the instrument, thus reducing the required heat input. (The heat generation inside the instrument is also reduced to a minimum). The construction of the compartment and doors of insulating material also reduces heat loss and heat input requirements. An alternative to individual doors and a potential and mechanically simpler option is to provide a fixed insulating wall in front of and closed towards the open compartments of the movable incubator / stirrer unit. Access to individual compartments is achieved through an individual door through the door by compartment column. The door or doors in this insulating wall are located adjacent to the main transport shaft and individually close / open to allow placement of the test device in the adjacent incubator columns. Another aspect (not shown) involves the complete closure of the existing incubator / agitator within a controlled chamber of higher temperature. The temperature of the external chamber could be maintained through a hot air generator at a value slightly lower than the lowest incubator compartment temperature required. The small additional heat input of the individual heating elements in each compartment allows the temperature of the individual compartments to be more or less hermetically controlled. The unit 70 is supported through flange members 73 on respective supports 77 secured to the main housing 200 and is guided for vertical movement through a pair of vertically extended bars 74 that pass through the openings 201 in the media. tab 73. This allows any of the vertically separate compartments 71 to be placed in alignment with the clamping arm module 12. The rear of each compartment 71 is provided with a Bal 202 seal previously described, so that when a carrier tray 20 is slid into the grooves 76, the lug 27 engages and is held by the Bal seal. The vertical movement of the unit 70 is caused by a stepper motor 75 linked to one of the supports 77 through a threaded screw bar 79 linked to the support. The stepper motor 75 is controlled by the microprocessor. In addition to the described vertical movement to allow the unit 70 to be aligned with the clamping arm module 12, the incubator can also cause the horizontal agitation movement of the unit 70. In this way, it will be seen that the unit 70 is slightly mounted around the support bars 74 through the flange members 73, those flange members 73 sliding on the supports 77. This means that the unit 70 can be agitated back and forth in a horizontal direction causing the sliding movement of the flange members 73 on the support members 77. This movement of agitation is caused by operating a motor 205 which rotates an arrow 205A (Figure 6E). A connecting arm 206 is connected at one end 206A to the incubator, and at the other end 206B through a driving pin to a point on the arrow 205A deflected from its axis of rotation. Alternative designs can use a vertical movement, orbital or horizontal or a combination of any of these movements. The frequency, amplitude (stroke) and "operating profile" of the agitation mechanism will be selected following test performance studies where the frequency and amplitude are varied and also the agitator mode (linear, orbital and rotary, and combinations) compare In a simple case, the incubator undergoes a linear movement of cosine wave according to the following relationship: Incubator displacement D =, V (L2-r2sen2?) + (R-rcos?) Where? is the angular position of point 206? = 2p? t? is the frequency of the agitator and drive motor (cycles per second) t is time (seconds) L is the length of the connection bar d = r eos? is the displacement of the drive pin. The stroke of the agitator can be changed by varying the deflection of the drive pin with respect to the motor shaft.

The operation profile can also take the form of a programmable on / off sequence, with a fixed frequency and stroke, for example, 5 minutes on and 1 minute off. For the linear as well as the other agitation techniques, the optimum agitation frequency and amplitude are influenced especially by factors affecting the movement destroyed within the storage cavity, for example, the dimensions of the test cavity, the profile of the cavity walls, and volume (depth) of the liquid and also the physical properties of the liquid and the cavity material. The incubator, of course, will be housed in a generally closed housing (not shown). The agitator frequency pattern can be changed although typically the race will be preset. A typical race is of the order of 2mm with frequencies in the order of 10-20 cycles per second. It will be appreciated that by combining the incubator and agitator, a reduction in processing time is obtained over the prior need for separate modules, while allowing more than one carrier tray to be provided in the incubator once a buffer capacity is provided. Useful. In particular, it will be noted that as with the other modules, once the carrier tray has been transferred to the incubator module 17, the main transportation system 11 is free to operate another carrier tray and storage cavities thus allowing the instrument to increase the maximum the number of cavities that are processed at any time. After an appropriate interval for the analytes to bind to the reactive species (typically around 30 minutes), the carrier tray 20 is retrieved by the clamping arm module 12 and moved to the support washing module 16. Washing of Support 16 The support washing module 16 is shown in Figure 7 and schematically in Figure 8. The module comprises a generally triangular support block 100 on which a member 101 is slidably mounted having in its lower end, a portion 102 horizontally extended. The position of the member 101 along the support block 100 is controlled by a band 103 to which the member 101 is secured at 104, the band being inserted around tension rollers 105 and a drive roller 106 mounted to the block support 100. The drive roller 106 is controlled by a stepper motor 107, also mounted to the support block 100, and controlled by the microprocessor.

The horizontal portion 102 of the member 101 supports nine vertically oriented water supply jets 108 and nine angled suction jets 109, some of which can only be seen in the drawings. A carrier tray support housing 110 is mounted opposite the support block 100 and has a pair of slots 111, which receive the slides 28 from a carrier tray 20. In this case, the Bal 112 seal can be seen in the Figure 7 located at the rear of the carrier tray support assembly 110. A probe wash tank 113 is located below the location of a carrier tray. During use, the clamping arm module 12 supplies a carrier tray 20 to the support assembly 110 with the slides 28 of the tray being received in the slots 111. The carrier tray is pushed forward until the slot 29 of the embossment 27 it is coupled by a Bal seal (not shown). The clamping arm module 12 is then retracted leaving the carrier tray in place. At this time, the member 101 is in its retracted position shown in Figure 7. The stepper motor 107 is activated to slide member 101 downward causing the jets of the vacuum cleaner 109 to enter respective storage cavities 1-3 until that almost touch the wafers located in the storage cavities. In practice, the suction jets 109 are angled in such a way that they approach very closely a channel, which is formed between the edge of the wafer and the side wall of the storage cavity. A conventional washing process is then carried out under the control of the microprocessor, which is coupled with several valves and pumps that will be described in relation to Figure 8. It should be noted that the valves allow the individual control of the washing supply through the short vertical jets to each support of three storage cavities and in relation to the jets 108, their position on each cavity is not critical. The longer, angled aspirator jets 109 aspirate from a point near (eg 100-200 μm) to the edge of the wafer, base and side wall of the cavity achieving a high degree of fluid removal. However, there is no contact with the active area so there is no risk of damage to the wafers. In the preferred arrangement, the module includes an agitator arm 700 for agitating the support during washing. The agitator system comprises an agitator motor 710 and a deviation mass 720. The agitation / vibration movement is actually small compared to the movement of the incubator / agitator. Typically, the drive motor 710 rotates at 50 Hz although the frequency and mass can be adjusted to optimize the effectiveness of backwashing. Other vibration means can be used for the stirring / vibration of washing support, for example, ultrasound or moving coil (speaker). After completing the support washing process, the stepper motor 107 is activated to retract the member 101, so that the clamping arm module 12 can extract the carrier plate 20. After removal of the carrier plate 20 , the stepper motor 107 is again activated to lower the member 101 to a much lower position where the aspirator jets 109 enter the reservoir 113 to clean in order to avoid contamination of subsequent samples and test procedures. An important aspect of this is that the jets are washed using a different liquid, for example, clean water, from that supplied to the jets 108. This prevents tallization of the washing fluid in the probes, which can occur with known systems. As can be seen in Figure 8, the jets or jets 108 are connected in groups of 3 to respective pumps 120 (only one shown), which in turn are connected to an intermediate wash tank 121 with respective valves 122. operation of the valves 122 supplies a mixture of water from a reservoir 123 and the flushing solution to the respective pump 120 and, therefore, to the three corresponding jets 108. The device 123 is also connected through a controlled pump 124 by the microprocessor to supply clean water to the reservoir 113. The aspirator jets 109 are connected to a nozzle 125, which in turn is connected through a vacuum vessel 126, a vacuum tank 128 and a control valve from vacuum 127 to a vacuum pump 129, which is operated during aspiration. 0 The fluid that has been sucked up is collected in the vacuum vessel 126 and is drained through a pump 130 continuously running towards a drain 131. The drain 131 is also connected to an outlet 132 from the reservoir 113. i 5 An important aspect of the system shown in the Figure 8 is the use of a double chamber arrangement to ensure that the liquid aspirated from the storage cavities is trapped in the smaller vacuum vessel 126 and does not reach the main vacuum tank 128 or 0 vacuum pump 129. The use of the main vacuum tank 128 and the vacuum control valve 127 together with the vacuum pump 129 allows a larger "suction pulse" than can be obtained with a single pump alone. The system operates as follows. The operation of the pump 129 is controlled by a microprocessor. After activating the vacuum pump, the pressure is reduced in the smaller vacuum vessel 126 and the liquid is drawn from the storage cavities towards the vacuum vessel 126. Alternatively, a single cavity or groups of storage cavities may be applied in turn to the replacement of the individual vacuum control valve 127 by multiple valves linked to the specific suction jets thereby achieving an additional increase in the "suction pulse". After the carrier wash, the carrier 20 is then transported by the main transport system 11 to the signal reactive module 15 or back to the preparation module 18, depending on whether the assay is competitive or sandwich based, respectively . For competitive assays, conjugates are added to the storage cavities directly by visiting the preparation module 18, while for sandwich-based assays, a diluent assay regulator is first added, incubated and then washed before adding the conjugated, and incubated and washed further. The carrier 20 is then transported by the main transport system 11 to the image forming module 14. However, in a preferred aspect, a cover is placed over the storage cavities before they leave the signal reagent module 15 or the preparation station 18 to prevent light from entering the storage cavities. This cover can then be removed before transport, or inside the imaging module. Figure 9 illustrates the main transport system and the support washing module 16, with the holding arm module 12 positioned to supply a carrier tray to the support washing module. Figure 9 also illustrates carrier carrier holders 140-141 of the other two modules that are not otherwise shown. Image-forming Module 14 The image-forming module has a generally conventional way to check chemiluminescence and will not be described in detail. However, the manner in which the carrier tray is supplied to and retrieved from the image forming module, to assist automatic operation, will be described with reference to Figures 10A and 10B. Since it is necessary that the image-forming module be "light-tight," in the example hereof, a gate 150 is provided at the entrance to the image-forming module 14, which can be automatically activated after the supply and recovery of a carrier tray.

The image forming module 14 includes a carrier tray holder 151, which is shown in both Figures 10A and 10B located inside the image forming module. Carrier tray support 151 includes a pair of blocks 152 defining confronting slots 153, in which carrier sliders 28 are received. Block 154 carries a seal Bal (not shown). Carrier tray holder 159 is slidably mounted on the image forming module to move between the position shown in the drawings to an equivalent position on the other side of door 150, where it can be aligned with the holding module 12. The movement of the carrier carrier support 151 can be controlled through a band 155 that goes around a tension roller 156 and a drive roller 157 driven by a motor. gradual speed 158 under the control of the microprocessor. A microswitch on the front left side of the carrier support tray is used to switch the driving voltage towards an optical emitter detector adjacent to the ball seal in order to eliminate the emission of light during the image forming process. The end of carrier carrier support 151 adjacent door 150 carries a link 161 pivoted to one of blocks 152 and to gate 150.

When carrier carrier support 151 moves toward gate 150 (clockwise in Figure 10B) through the rotation of stepper motor 158, link I 161 will push gate 150 in a direction against the clock around i of a hinge 162, thereby opening an aperture I 163, so that the support of carrier tray 151 together with the carrier tray can be moved through the! I opening 163 towards the clamping arm module 12. This movement will cause the link 161 to pivot in a direction against the clock around its pivot connection towards the block 152, so that as the tray support carrier 151 moves through the opening, links 161 will continue to pivot in the counter-clockwise direction allowing door 150 to close behind it. It will be appreciated that a similar process will operate when the carrier carrier support 151 is returned to the image forming module 14. I The image forming process performed inside the image forming station I will have a conventional shape or can be described in EP -A-0902394 - Once the image forming process has been completed, the carrier tray 20 moves back through the opening 163 through the engine 158 and is removed by the holding arm module 12. The tray carrier can then be taken to a waste site (not shown) for unloading.

Claims (32)

1. CLAIMS 1. A test device processing instrument characterized in that it comprises a plurality of test device processing modules; a transport system including a test device placement assembly for transporting a test device to each processing module, the test device positioning assembly being adapted to transfer the test device to each module to allow the assembly of test device placement transport another test device, while the transferred test device is processed; and a control system for controlling the operation of the transport system so that each test device is transferred between the modules in a predetermined sequence, and so that a number of test devices can be processed in different modules, simultaneously . The instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport system comprises a rail; a test device positioning assembly mounted for movement along the rail; and a first motor responsive to the control system for moving the test device placement assembly in alignment with the respective processing modules. The instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that the first motor is connected to the test device positioning assembly through a drive belt. 4. The instrument according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the rail is linear. The instrument according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the transport system further comprises a support movably mounted to the rail; an arm for coupling a test device and movably mounted to the support for lateral movement relative to the rail; and a second motor on the support to cause the lateral movement of the arm. 6. The instrument according to claim 5, characterized in that the arm moves substantially orthogonally to the rail. The instrument according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the second motor is coupled to the arm through a support and pinion arrangement. 8. The instrument according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the second motor is a stepper motor. The instrument according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the arm is spring loaded and pushed towards its retracted position. The instrument according to any of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the arm has means for holding the test device. The instrument according to claim 10, characterized in that the test device is supported on a test device holder having a formation that cooperates releasably with the clamping means to allow the test device to be placed by the arm . The instrument according to claim 11, characterized in that the test device positioning assembly further comprises slides on which the test device support is mounted, while being operated by the transport system, the movement of the arm causes the test device holder to slide along the slides. 13. The instrument according to any of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that the modules are placed along one side of the rail. The instrument according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modules include one or more of: a) a buffer for storing more than one assay device or assay device support; b) an incubator; c) a washing station; and d) an image forming station of the test device. 15. The instrument according to claim 14, characterized in that the buffer is provided by the incubator. The instrument according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the image forming station includes an entrance door, which is automatically activated during the transfer of the test device to and from the image forming station. The instrument according to claim 16, characterized in that the door is pivoted about an upper axis, horizontal towards a wall of the image forming station and is coupled to a moving platform of the image forming station through a link pivoted on both the platform and the door, so the movement of the platform towards the door from either side of the door causes the door to open and then close once the platform has passed through one side towards the other. The instrument according to claim 17, characterized in that the platform is positioned to receive a test device when it is outside the door adjacent to the transport system. The instrument according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the platform is moved by a third motor coupled to the control system. The instrument according to any of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the door forms a light-tight seal with the wall of the image-forming station. 21. An assay device incubator characterized in that it comprises a housing and a group of test device holders positioned within the housing; means for independently heating each test device within the housing; and means for shaking the support relative to the housing. The incubator according to claim 21, characterized in that the agitating means comprises means for causing the horizontal shaking movement of the test device holder. The incubator according to claim 22, characterized in that the agitating means includes a rotary shaft coupled to a motor and carrying a cam coupled through a cam follower to the support. 24. The incubator according to any of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the frequency of the agitation means is variable. 25. The assay device processing instrument according to any of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that one of the processing modules is an incubator according to any of claims 21 to 24. 26. The instrument in accordance with claim 25, characterized in that the incubator has more than one support located in different vertical positions within a support unit, the support unit being vertically movable to carry a selected support in alignment with the instrument transport system. 27. A test device washing module for washing a test device located inside a test device cavity support, the module comprising a wash fluid supply probe and a suction probe mounted to a mobile support, the aspirator probe being mounted at an angle to the vertical and the support can move substantially at the same angle, so when the aspirator probe is inserted into a cavity holder, it is placed very close to the support side of the cavity. 28. The module in accordance with the claim 27, characterized in that it further comprises a probe wash region located below the wash location of the cavity support, the support being movable, in the absence of a cavity support, to carry the aspirator probe to the region of washed. 29. The module in accordance with the claim 28, characterized in that it further comprises a probe wash fluid supply system coupled to the probe wash region selectively ~ to supply probe wash fluid to the probe wash region. 30. The module according to any of claims 27 to 29, characterized in that it further comprises a vacuum supply system coupled to the vacuum cleaner probe, the vacuum supply system including a vacuum container having a first port connected to a vacuum. vacuum source, a second port connected to the aspirator probe and a third port connected to a drain through a drain pump. 31. The module according to any of claims 27 to 30, characterized in that it also comprises a cavity support support; and means for shaking the cavity support support. 32. The assay device processing instrument according to any of claims 1 to 20, 25 or 26, characterized in that one of the processing modules is a test device washing module according to any of the claims 27 to 31.