Automated Immunoassay Apparatus

Abstract

An automated immunoassay apparatus is disclosed comprising a single optical reading device for reading two microtitre plates. A first microtitre plate is loaded into an upper plate holder which is linearly translated at a fixed height. A second microtitre plate is loaded into a lower plate holder. The lower plate, holder runs along a contoured track which varies the vertical height of the second microtitre plate.

1 . A deep well or dilution strip for use in an automated immunoassay apparatus, wherein said deep well of dilution strip comprises an 8×1 array or arrangement of dilution wells, wherein said, dilution wells have a substantially rectangular cross section arid a maximum volume in the range 1.8 to 2.5 ml and said dilution wells have an internal depth; or height in the range 35 to 45 mm;
 wherein each dilution well has an internal depth measured from the top of said deep well or dilution strip to the bottom of each dilution well of 38.5±1.0 mm; and 
 wherein said deep well or dilution strip has an external height of 39.8±1.0 mm, 
 
     
     
         2 . A deep well or dilution strip as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dilution wells have an internal depth or height selected from the group consisting of: (i) 35-36 mm; (ii) 36-37 mm; (iii) 37-38 mm; (iv) 38-39 mm; (v) 39-40 mm; (vi) 40-41 mm; (Vii) 41-42 mm; (viii) 42-43 mm; (ix) 43-44 mm; and (x) 44-45 mm. 
     
     
         3 . A deep well or dilution strip as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said, dilution wells have a maximum volume selected from the group consisting of: (i) 1.8-1.9 ml; (ii) 1.9-2.0 ml; (iii) 2,0-2,1 ml; (iv) 2.1-2.2 ml; (v) 2.2-2.3 ml; (vi) 2.3-2.4 ml; and (vii) 2.4-2.5 ml. 
     
     
         4 . A deep well or dilution strip as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said dilution wells have a bottom portion selected from the group consisting of: (i) substantially flat; (ii) rounded or curved; (iii) an inverted, three or four sided pyramid; and (iv) a multi-faceted bottom. 
     
     
         5 . A deep well or dilution strip as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said deep well or dilution strip comprises an upper lip portion. 
     
     
         6 . A deep well or dilution strip as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said deep well or dilution strip comprises one, two or more than two projections for engaging with a slot, slip or aperture in a dilution strip holder. 
     
     
         7 . A dilution strip holder in combination with a deep well or dilution strip as claimed in  claim 1 .