| abstract |
Apparatus for carrying out automatically in several successive steps an immunoassay of at least one biological substance in a plurality of biological samples, and the method and the reagents for the use of the said apparatus. This assay apparatus comprises: (1) a samples module (A) consisting of a plurality of holders for tubes (Te) containing the said samples, which samples module is connected to a control microprocessor; (2) a reaction module (C) consisting of: a plurality of holders for tubes (Tr) intended to receive successively an aliquot quantity of the said samples and an aliquot quantity of a suitable reagent, and a washing device for the tubes; (3) a reagent module (E) consisting of a plurality of holders for tubes containing the reagent/reagents suitable for the different assays to be carried out, at least one of the said reagents being in the form of magnetic balls; (4) a means (B) for collection and distribution of the samples in the tubes (Tr) of the said reaction module; (5) a means (D) for collection and distribution of the reagents in the tubes of the said reaction module; (6) a suitable means for reading of the reaction effected in the reaction module; and (7) an information system consisting of a computer for controlling the different modules and means (1) to (6), and permitting the carrying out of a succession of analysis cycles. |