Apparatus for automated analysis

Abstract

An apparatus for pretreatment of a desired sample in a discrete fluid analyzing instrument includes a frame rotatably mounted on or within the discrete fluid analyzing instrument with a column for immobilizing at least one substance or analyte from the sample. The substance or analyte is reversibly immobilized. A first fluid transport line is provided for aspirating the sample into the column and for ejecting the substance or analyte eluted from the column. A pump is provided for pumping the sample through the column with a second fluid transport line connecting the pump to the column. A member is providing to supply the eluted substance or analyte to the discrete fluid analyzing instrument for measurement of at least one property of the substance or analyte. A device is provided for simultaneously or consecutively directing any non-pretreated sample or any subsample directly to the discrete fluid analyzing instrument.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 a pretreatment unit; and   a discrete fluid analyzer in fluid communication with the pretreatment unit;   wherein the pretreatment unit comprises a column comprising a material which retains at least one matrix substance or at least one analyte on the column from a sample introduced to the column and generates a pretreated sample therefrom;   wherein the discrete fluid analyzer is configured to measure at least one property of a non-pretreated sample which has not been subjected to pre-treatment by the pretreatment unit; and   wherein the pretreatment unit is configured to operate independently of the discrete fluid analyzer such that the pretreatment unit is capable of generating the pretreated sample simultaneously with the discrete fluid analyzer measuring the at least one property of the non-pretreated sample.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the pretreatment unit and discrete fluid analyzer are mounted on a frame and are in fluid communication with one another, and wherein the pretreatment unit is rotatably mounted on the frame. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the pretreatment unit comprises:
 a first fluid transport line through which a sample is introduced into the column;   a second transport line through which the pretreated sample travels from the column;   a pump for pumping the sample through the column, and the first and second fluid transport lines; and   a dispenser configured to direct the pretreated sample to the discrete fluid analyzer for measurement of the at least one property of the pretreated sample.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a sample wheel comprising a plurality of vessels comprising pretreated samples and untreated samples. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the sample wheel further comprises a plurality of vessels comprising an elution fluid for eluting a retained analyte from the column. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a plurality of cuvettes;   a cuvette dispenser configured to transfer one or more of the plurality of cuvettes to the discrete fluid analyzer;   a plurality of vessels housing one or more reagents; and   a reagent dispenser configured to transfer the one or more reagents into respective ones of the one or more cuvettes.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a dispenser for transferring one or more of the pretreated or untreated samples from the sample wheel to the plurality of cuvettes. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a washing station for introducing a wash fluid through the column following pretreatment of a sample in the column. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one property of the non-pretreated sample is measured photometrically or electrochemically. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the material of the column comprises a material which reversibly retains the at least one analyte on the column. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the pretreated sample and non-pretreated sample are subsamples of the same sample.