Importance

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Abstract

An automatic immunoassay method and apparatus which not only permit automatic operations of supplying and discarding reaction tubes, washing for B/F separation, dispensation of reagents, and measurement, but also permit the reaction time to be varied arbitrarily and can cope with any of the assay techniques including one-step and two-step noncompetitive sandwich techniques and competitive techniques. The automatic immunoassay apparatus comprises: a reaction tube turret which turns intermittently at a given speed; a reaction tube holding part provided with inner and outer rows of reaction tube holders on the upper periphery thereof; means for supplying each reaction tube to the reaction tube holding part; means for moving a reaction tube held in one reaction tube holder to another reaction tube holder while skipping over a desired number of reaction tube holders; means for dispensing a specimen to the reaction tube; means for supplying particles to the reaction tube; means for dispensing a labeled reagent to the reaction tube; means for washing to effect B/F separation; means for dispensing an assaying reagent to the reaction tube; means for determining the quantity of labeled substances in the solution after the reaction in the reaction tube; and means for discarding the used reaction tube by taking the same out of the reaction tube holding part.

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First Claim