HK1138639B - Apparatus for the automatic analysis of samples on gel cards - Google Patents

Description

Device for automatically analyzing samples on gel cards

Technical Field

The present invention discloses a new device that can be used for the automatic analysis of blood samples on gel cards.

Background

Many forms of devices for automatically obtaining the results of analysis of samples on gel cards are currently known, such as PE 0628822 from Orto Diagnostics Systems and PE00402773 from the applicant. However, these known devices cannot be used continuously and randomly as the apparatus to which the present invention relates, and their structure is of the polar type, based on a set of holders of sample and reagent that rotate around a central axis.

Disclosure of Invention

The apparatus is intended to allow the analysis to be performed completely, i.e. from the sample insertion device to the acquisition of the analysis results.

The device to which the invention relates is characterized in that it has means for continuous operation, but which, while the normal automatic operation of the device, also allow manual insertion of samples, reagents and/or cards or the provision or removal of containers for waste liquids, lotions and waste cards or any gas type of operation of the apparatus, thus obtaining a high productivity, since different types of analyses can be performed while the manual operation required for a specific device.

Reagents, samples, cards, waste cards and waste fluids are freely accessible.

One feature of the device to which the invention relates is that its construction employs a vertical column with a plurality of layers of chambers which together perform all the functions of the device, thereby providing a very compact arrangement thereof, occupying minimal space in its horizontal projection. This arrangement provides significant advantages from the point of view of the use of space in a laboratory or clinical centre and also provides significant ergonomics between the apparatus and the person using it who can perform all of its required functions from a single position relative to the apparatus.

In the device to which the invention relates, the gel cards are moved on their own chamber layer by means of a transport system that covers the entire surface area of the chamber layer along the X, Y, Z coordinate axes or by means of a device for raising and lowering between the upper chamber layer on which the reagents, samples and gel cards are pipetted and the middle chamber layer of the device carrying the cards and reagents, and vice versa. The means for raising and lowering between the chamber layers is a card carrier to receive the time required to prepare the sample and also to support the sample card during incubation. It is clear that they also have the ability to move vertically on each chamber level.

The lower chamber layer holds containers for wash solution, waste solution and used waste cards, and a fluidic system basically designed to control the external and internal washing of the pipetting probes and wells in which dilution is performed.

The device has incorporated control mechanisms, including a computer and touch screen, allowing automatic control of the device and display of the results or other operational data of the device depending on the software used.

The washing system basically comprises two reservoirs located on the lower chamber level for each of the two washing and rinsing solutions, respectively, and a pump system for pumping the washing solution and for aspirating it after the step of washing the pipetting probe and the blender dilution unit.

The gel card is centrifuged in the ceiling mounted centrifuge to allow easier operation for maintenance and cleaning, allowing easy removal from the bottom by simple removal of the ceiling mounted centrifuge, the card being fed through a window in the top cover of the centrifuge.

Another advantageous feature of the device according to the invention is that the multiple nature of its many components allows continuous operation with large analytical capabilities, allowing arbitrary access to reagents, samples, cards, waste cards and waste fluids.

In order to provide a better understanding, the attached drawings of the preferred embodiments are attached as an example of the device according to the invention, which will provide the basis for a detailed description of the invention without limiting the scope of the invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a view of the device according to the invention in the operating position in a front elevation.

Fig. 2 shows a front view of the device with some of the front cover and components removed so that the layout of some of the components inside can be understood.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the device showing a general layout of the layout of its interior.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view corresponding to the upper chamber layer, holding the sample, reagent and diluent.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the middle chamber layer of the device showing the support for the gel card and the heating and lifting means.

Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the lower chamber layer of the device intended to hold the liquid for the reaction, receive the waste card and control the fluidic components of the washing of the pipetting probe.

Figure 7 shows a schematic of the arrangement of the centrifuge, reader and incubator heating apparatus.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic front view of the heating device and the lifter.

Figures 9 and 10 show a cross-sectional view and a plan view, respectively, of a dual self-stirring device or orifice for performing dilution in the device.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a unit carrying a pipetting probe.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view similar to FIG. 11, including a bar code reading device.

Fig. 13 shows a detail of the cross section in which the arrangement of the centrifuge, carrier head and chamber layers can be seen.

Fig. 14 shows another detail of the upper chamber layer.

Fig. 15 shows details of the lower chamber layer and the centrifuge.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of one of the centrifuges.

Fig. 17 is a cross-section along plane a-a in fig. 16.

Fig. 18 schematically shows in detail the arrangement of the pipetting probe for washing in the external washing position.

Fig. 19 shows a detail similar to fig. 18 showing internal washing of the pipetting probe.

Fig. 20 shows a perspective view of the support structure of the unit carrying the pipetting probe from below.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a holder or case for the "shelf" of gel cards.

Figure 22 shows a longitudinal cross-section showing some of the elements holding the reactants and diluent and an orbital stirring mechanism.

Fig. 23 shows a perspective view of the article shown in fig. 22.

FIG. 24 shows a plan view of a holder for reagents.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of the holder for reagents of FIG. 24.

Fig. 26 shows a schematic side view of a heating device.

Fig. 27 shows a plan view of the gel card heating apparatus.

Figure 28 shows a perspective view of a buffer device for collecting waste on the lower chamber layer.

Fig. 29 and 30 both show perspective views of the touch screen in a closed position and in an open position.

Fig. 31 and 32 each show a view of a working surface that is accessible from the front of the device in the storage and use positions, respectively.

Fig. 33 shows a schematic of a fluidic device controlling the pressure of the device.

Fig. 34 and 35 both show illustrations of flow charts of the operation of the device.

Figure 36 shows a perspective view of the reagent table.

FIG. 37 shows a perspective view of the clip holder showing the laser and bar code detector.

Fig. 38 shows a view of the unit of fig. 37 showing the clip.

Detailed Description

The general configuration of the device corresponds to the distribution of the various overlapping chamber layers in a single cabinet, as can be seen in figures 1, 2 and 3. A single cabinet has a front surface on which various controls and operating devices are located, fig. 1 shows a container for different liquids and for collecting waste, a lower chamber layer 1 comprising a variable number of cartridges 2, accessible from the front, the first two intended to hold bottles for waste liquid, followed by a container for waste cards, and finally two cartridges for waste liquid. On the chamber layer 1 there is also an electronic unit for controlling the fluidic system of the device. The device on the middle compartment level 3 comprises a number of cassettes for inserting the cards on their original supports, these being indicated by the numeral 4, and centrifuges, incubators and readers, each for 12 cards, as will be seen in more detail below. Each cassette is supported by right angle guides which ensure that there is no oscillation when they are opened. They are opened by an electric safety lock mechanism, the software of the control device having to be taken into account for the operation of said electric safety lock. It also contains an arm for linear motion with a gripper for transporting cards from any module, with X, Y, Z motion capability. A set of incubators can be moved vertically to transport cards between the middle and upper chamber levels, as will be explained in more detail below. The upper chamber layer 5 contains two cassettes 6 for introducing reagents and four cassettes 7 for inserting samples, as well as a double well for performing dilution and an arm that moves along a straight line in coordinates for pipetting samples and reagents onto the card, as will be seen in more detail below. Access to the control and accessory components such as the folding operating face 8 and the screen 9 are also available from the front face of the device, which can be retracted into the body of the device as such.

Fig. 2 shows the general operation of the device in more detail, shown with some of the covers removed. Thus, for example, various removable containers 2 for containing wash solutions and receiving waste liquids and cards will be seen on the lower chamber level. It should be noted that the device will be equipped with wheels for moving it, which wheels are shown in fig. 1, but not in fig. 2 and 3, since these are illustrations of partially disassembled devices.

Fig. 2 shows a unit 10 which can be moved along a coordinate axis system between upper rails 11 to cover the entire transverse cross-section of the middle compartment layer, wherein it is moved with various items for moving individual cards, as will be explained in more detail. This view also shows one of the vertical rails 12 for the incubator riser. The unit also carries a bar code reader and a laser sensor for the label on the card to detect the presence of the card in the holder in the cassette.

Fig. 2 also shows an upper unit 13 which, like unit 10, can be moved on an upper guide 14 according to a system of X and Y coordinate axes to cover the entire lateral surface area of the device, allowing samples and reagents to be pipetted onto the cards and used to read the cards. The electronics and various control components for its fluidic assembly are included in the upper portion 15 of the device. The unit contains two pipetting probes with a spacing equal to the spacing between the sample and the card. Both extractions may occur simultaneously.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the upper chamber layer of the device showing two cassettes 6 for reagents and diluents requiring agitation and four cassettes 7 for samples, and four sample incubator heaters 16, each associated with an elevation means with guide rails 12 previously shown in figures 2 and 3. Within each incubator the cards are supported by opposing magnets which form magnetic clamps which prevent the cards from moving during pipetting. On the upper chamber layer there are also double-well eyes 17 for performing the dilution, as well as pipetting units and arms which cannot be seen in the illustration and plane of fig. 4. Fig. 4 also shows the independent arrangement of a set of seats 18 for diluent and reagents that do not require stirring and a set of receptacles 19 for reagents that require stirring, for which there are orbital stirring devices, all inside the movable front box 6, as will be explained in more detail below.

Figure 5 shows the incubator 16 and the guide 12 for vertical movement, i.e. to obtain a lifting function between the middle and upper chamber levels, and the magazine 4 for cards contained in a "shelf" or standard support 20.

Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the lower chamber layer on which various cartridges are stored, with a washing solution bottle, a bottle for waste liquid, and a container for waste cards. Although many containers or bottles for liquids may vary, in the case shown there are a total of four cassettes with containers or bottles 2, and a central cassette for waste cards, with a central container 21 designed to receive used cards as a buffer function when the cassette for waste is removed, that is to say it can be placed in an operating position or can be caused to rotate manually, as will be shown in more detail below. The rear portion 22 of the lower chamber layer is intended to contain the fluidic system for the device and its control electronics.

On the base of the intermediate chamber layer, shown in the view from below in fig. 7, there are centrifuges 23, two in number in the device provided as an example. Each centrifuge has a number of radial grooves for centrifuging the gel cards, twelve per centrifuge in the case shown. The heater 16 for the gel card and the card reader 142 with the reader 38 can be seen in this view.

Figure 8 shows a heating and lifting assembly, that is to say an incubator and lifting device for gel cards, to be raised between the middle and upper chamber levels. Each of the assemblies includes a rail 12 and a heater 16 driven and guided along the rail, electrically connected by a flexible connector 24.

Figures 9 and 10 show a double device or "orifice" for performing dilution comprising a carrier 17 with an intermediate elastic or "silent block" 25, carrying a body 26 of eccentric mass 27 which produces orbital stirring in a double orifice set 28. The double bore 28 has chambers 29 and 30 with an inlet 31 and an outlet 32 for liquid at the bottom. The body 17 is attached to a lower fixed base.

The pipetting unit 13 is shown in more detail in fig. 11, the configuration of which can be seen by means of an upper card 33, which is a card that moves on a guide in the upper part of the upper chamber level, i.e. the guide 14 shown in fig. 2 and 3, which is configured in such a way that the unit 13 can move along a set of coordinate axes X, Y, that is to say covering the entire surface area of the transverse cross-section of the device, or in other words covering all surface area of the upper chamber level shown in fig. 4 for the purpose of obtaining access to any card or any container for diluent, reagent or sample in the holders 6 and 7 located in the incubator 16. The unit 13 has two pipetting probes 34 which are independently vertically movable by the action of a unit 35 guided on vertical guides 36, and also has a wash pipetting probe 37, which will be explained in more detail below. It also carries two bar code detectors, one 54 of which can be seen in fig. 20, and a laser detector for detecting the presence of sample tubes and vials/bottles of reagents/diluents in the cassette, which is not shown.

Fig. 13 shows a detail of the middle compartment layer 3, where one of the centrifuges 23 suspended from the compartment layer 40 of the middle compartment will be seen.

It will be seen that the centrifuges are suspended and accessible through the lower chamber layer of the apparatus, and they are easily removed when they are merely attached to the middle chamber layer 40. This significantly simplifies assembly and maintenance of the centrifuge. Access to the cards in them occurs through windows in chamber layer 40, represented by numerals 41 and 42 and shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 14 shows a detail of the upper chamber layer 5, in which the holders 18 and 19 for the containers of diluent and reagent and the unit 13 moving along the guide 14 moving over the entire surface area of the middle chamber layer will be seen.

Fig. 15 shows a view similar to fig. 13 and 14 corresponding to the lower chamber level 1, on which one of the centrifuge 23 and the container 2 intended to contain washing liquid, waste liquid, etc. will be seen.

Fig. 16 and 17 show a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the centrifuge, respectively, and it can be seen that the centrifuge 23 has an upper cover 43 by which it can be attached to hang the centrifuge and provide access through an opening 41 that allows for positioning and removal of the gel card through the upper portion by means of the mobile head 10 that carries a carrying clip for the gel card. The suspension mounting centrifuge is such that the card holder is positioned radially with respect to the central axis of rotation to be seen in cross-section.

Fig. 18 and 19 show details of washing each of the two pipetting probes 34. The pipetting probe moving along the catheter reaches the interior of the module 37, wherein a tubular area 44 of slightly larger diameter receives waste liquid through one of the outlets 46 and 47, cleans the exterior of the pipetting probe and is sucked up by the outlet opening 45. After the external cleaning cycle the pipetting probe is subjected to an internal wash in the arrangement shown in fig. 19, wherein the pipetting probe 34 is moved upwards, releasing the tubular part 44, thus allowing the interior to be rinsed. The cycle may be repeated as necessary.

Fig. 20 shows the installation of a unit carrying a pipetting probe, indicated by the numeral 13, suspended on a set of rails, previously indicated by the numeral 14 in fig. 2, essentially comprising one cross member 48 on which the unit 13 moves longitudinally and another cross member 49 along whose rails the cross member 48 moves. This results in movement along two axes at right angles, allowing the unit 13 to be moved to any point on the upper chamber layer for pipetting purposes.

The same figure shows the outlets 50 and 51 from the pipetting probe, as well as the guide and wash block 37, and the pipetting probe handling means 52 and 53.

Within the reading device housing is also a bar code reader 54 and its mirror 144 to assist in reading. A laser presence detector 143 can also be seen. The same reading and detection section therefore comprises a bar code reader and a laser presence detector acting by proximity.

Fig. 21 shows a perspective view of a holder for holding a gel card, identified by the numeral 4 as in fig. 5, showing the arrangement of two of the card holders 20. Removal of the individual cards from the support 20 is effected by means of a unit 10 shown in fig. 2, which has a clip for delivery and subsequent release of the gel card. These movements occur substantially between the support 20 and the incubator and from there to the upper chamber level of the device where the pipetting probe can insert the sample for analysis. The entire operation of the device is automatically controlled by its electronic controller, not shown and preferably contained in the upper part of the device, accessible through a retractable touch screen 9 shown in more detail in fig. 29 and 30. It will be seen in these that the screen comprises a folding assembly formed by a frame 55 and a screen base portion 56 and a screen front element 9 folded thereon. When the front element 9 is retracted from the interior of the device, a screen 56 appears and allows reading information and exchanging instructions with the device. In this respect it must be borne in mind that the nature of the device allows it to operate fully automatically without obstructing access to the card, reagent, liquid or other components of the device and without interrupting its automatic operation.

As previously described in connection with fig. 4, the seats for the sample, reagents and diluent are included on the upper chamber layer and some of these, for example those located on the seat 19, can be agitated along the trajectory so that the seat 19 receives the force of the two eccentric masses 57 and 58 of fig. 22 as shown in fig. 22 and 23, which results in a displacement of the trajectory of the seat 19 and therefore of the container located thereon. The stirring time is controlled by the microcontroller of the device.

Fig. 24 and 25 show a plan view and a perspective view, respectively, of the holder 18 for positioning the diluent and the reagent. The space is of a size sufficient for the containers that they will contain, in this case illustrating the grouping of the cavities 60 of greater diameter and the other cavities 61 of smaller diameter, interposed between the intermediate walls 61 to laterally constrain the arrangement of their leaf springs when the containers mounted on the support 18 are subjected to the agitation generated by the base of the support 19. These limiting springs are indicated by the numbers 62, 63 and 64 for the group comprising one chamber 59 and two chambers 60. Preferably these limiting elements are associated with the upper actuating handle 65.

Fig. 26 and 27 show the incubation device 16 made of aluminum for better heat transfer, for housing a plurality of cards in the cavities 66, also with the mechanism for heating it contained in a Peltier unit 67 physically attached to the incubator or card holder 16 by a wide U141 with windows 68 laterally intended to allow the same heat to flow to the various cavities 66, compensating for the difference in heat flow between the heating device 67 and said cavities 66.

Fig. 28 shows a perspective view of the buffer collector 21 after an analysis process in the device, when the main cassette is removed for emptying. The collector 21 has a pocket 69 at the bottom and rotates about a geometric longitudinal axis through a device 70 having a longitudinal groove 71 at its top, wherein the card transporter stores those cards that must be discarded when the main magazine is not in place. The device has a tilt door that is actuated by the main waste cassette when the cassette is opened. When the main waste bin is inserted into the device it operates the lever and opens the tilt door and the card falls into the main bin.

Fig. 31 and 32 show the retractable platform or worktop 9 shown in fig. 1 in more detail. The worktop has a front face 8 and a top surface 72 associated with a support frame 74. In this manner the operator can easily use the platform or worktop for notes or other ancillary purposes.

Fig. 33 schematically shows the arrangement of some elements of a fluid system in a device, said fluid system being intended to feed fluid from a container under constant pressure. The diagram in fig. 33 shows a container 75 for the liquid that has to be dispensed, the general arrangement of a pump 76 connected to a proportional valve 77 through pipes 78 and 79, feeding the liquid at constant pressure to a distribution point 80 common to the various outlet circuits 81 through respective electrically operated valves 82. The sensor 83 captures the pressure value at the common point 80 and transmits it to the electronic control unit 84, which in turn controls the proportional valve 77.

Fig. 34 and 35 both show a diagrammatic representation of a process according to the invention, in which the various operating steps will be seen. Fig. 34 shows generally the process from filling the device to reviewing and displaying the results, and fig. 35 schematically shows the management of content that may occur at any time during the process.

One of the most important features of the processes and devices to which the invention relates lies in the possibility of combining the automatic operation of the device with the manual intervention and operation of the device to perform different processes simultaneously, with the necessary interleaving of operations that may coincide.

Fig. 34 shows loading and unloading 85 of the device, which may include sample loading/unloading 86, after which a step 87 of sample positioning and identification is subsequently performed and after which a workload 88 is assigned, either automatically 89 or manually 90. This is followed by a ready to start workload 91, where a continuous process 92 indicated by the reader when there are resources and pending work begins and is executed in parallel with the continuous offset. The preparation to start the workload includes various operations such as stirring the reagent 93, checking the integrity of the microtube using a multiple reading device 94, preparing the incubator 95 and filling the incubator 96. After this the incubator in which the processing step 96 is to be performed is raised, followed by pipetting 97 according to the previously defined sequences and parameters, with the possibility of dispensing serum 97, diluting and homogenizing the sample 98, in particular red blood cells, dispensing active red blood cells 99, dispensing other reagents 100 and flushing the pipetting probe and dilution wells 101. The incubator is then lowered to the middle chamber layer in the device in step 102, and incubation occurs in step 103 according to various control parameters 104, such as time 105 and temperature 106. The card is then transferred from the incubator to a centrifuge in step 107, followed by centrifugation 108. During the various parameters 109, in particular the speed 110, the time 111, the acceleration 112 and the braking 113 will be considered. The card is then transported from the centrifuge to the read head during the step indicated by numeral 114, reading is performed 115, the next substeps are identifying coagulation 116 in the wells in the card, checking that the microtubes are intact 117, checking the dispensed volume 118, checking the reaction in the sample, e.g. lipemia, hemolysis, etc., and interpreting the result 120. The card then returns to step 121 for disposal 122 or may return to the operator for manual inspection in sub-step 123. Finally, review and publishing of the results occurs in step 124, review 125 and print out 126 are associated with accept 127, handle 128, modify 129 and repeat 130, respectively, manual intervention is represented by 131 and print out by printer is represented by 132.

Fig. 35 shows a container operation 133 which may occur at any time during the process and may include a number of sub-steps, such as loading and unloading 134 of reagents in sub-step 135, including location and identification of reagents such as type, lot and expiration date, loading and unloading of cards in sub-step 136, including location and identification 137 of cards, type and expiration date, filling 138 with wash solution, discharging waste 139 and discharging waste cards 140.

Fig. 36 shows a shelf 150 for reagents with chambers 151 and 152 arranged in a five-point fashion.

Fig. 37 and 38 show perspective views of the card carrier unit 10 with the clip 153 and the laser presence detector 154 and the bar code reader 155.

It is understood that the specification and drawings are to be regarded in a non-limiting manner, and that modifications and alterations may occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this application and are to be included within the scope of the invention and within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (19)

1. An apparatus for the automatic analysis of samples on gel cards, comprising a single transportable structure with several independent compartments in a vertical stack within a cabinet, with means for the vertical transport of the gel cards, with means for the transport of units for moving the cards and pipetting probes, which can be displaced by moving along orthogonal coordinate axes X, Y, Z to the entire transverse cross-section of the compartments in at least two of the vertical compartments or chamber layers, and with control means enabling the manual loading and unloading of necessary materials in any way, while automatic work takes place,

the mechanism for vertically transporting gel cards between the different chamber layers of the device comprises various devices with vertical guides and supports for gel cards that can move on said guides, allowing them to be transported between the different chamber layers according to the process that has to be performed; and

the gel card holder has a heating mechanism for simultaneously serving as an incubator,

wherein the essential materials include samples, reagents, cards, washes, and waste streams.

2. An apparatus for the automatic analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 1 characterized in that it has in the lower compartment a number of removable cartridges with containers to contain the wash, waste and waste cards.

3. An apparatus for the automated analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 2, characterized in that the central cassette for waste cards has a central receptacle designed to receive used cards as a buffer function when the central cassette for waste cards is removed, in order to allow the apparatus to be operated without interruption.

4. Device for the automatic analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an electronic control mechanism that allows the continuous and staggered coordination of the steps of the different analysis processes to allow the continuous operation of the device without interruption.

5. Device for the automatic analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 1 characterized in that the heating mechanism of the support for the gel card comprises a lower heating unit associated with a support body having a plurality of positions for the gel card with clamps to prevent their movement during pipetting.

6. An apparatus for automated analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 5 characterised in that the clips for restraining the gel cards in the incubator housing comprise removable cards positioned opposite each other and with magnetic means attracting each other, thereby clamping the cards between pairs of these cards.

7. An apparatus for the automated analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 5, characterized in that the support associated with the lower heating unit having a plurality of positions for the gel cards is made of a material with a high heat transfer coefficient and is intended to contain the gel cards in said plurality of positions and is provided with lateral windows to coincide the heat transfer paths between the lower heating unit and the plurality of positions of the gel cards so that they are heated uniformly.

8. An apparatus for the automated analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a compartment containing a plurality of cartridges, which can be removed from the front, which allows the original card holder to be inserted, any card being accessible by means of a unit carrying a transport clip for gel cards, said unit carrying the transport gripper for the gel cards can be moved along orthogonal coordinates X, Y, Z, covering the entire lateral surface area of the device, providing access to the gel cards and the incubation supports for the gel cards, the lower position of which along their vertical movement guides substantially coincides horizontally with the gel cards located in the magazine, the unit carrying the transport gripper for the gel card is further equipped with a bar code reader and a laser sensor for the label on the card to detect whether the card is present in the seat of the cartridge.

9. Device for the automated analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 8 characterised in that the compartment has a body in a fixed arrangement with the reading device of the gel card for interpretation of the results, accessible by means of a unit carrying transport clips for the gel card.

10. An apparatus for automated analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 1 characterised in that the centrifuge for the card is suspended below a cassette in a support structure within the apparatus, the mounting and removal of the centrifuge being assisted by the lower compartment for maintenance and cleaning purposes.

11. An apparatus for the automated analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 10, characterized in that the centrifuge is equipped with a top cover with openings for the introduction and removal of one of the gel cards by means of the carrier unit of the clip carrying the card.

12. An apparatus for the automated analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 1, 10 or 11 characterised in that the removable cassettes carrying the original seats for the gel cards are positioned with separation between the cassettes to allow the gel cards to pass vertically to and from the centrifuge and/or reader or vertically to the card handling cassette.

13. Device for the automatic analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper compartment of the device has a cartridge that can be removed from the front for inserting reagents, a cartridge that can be removed from the front for inserting samples and a double container for diluting the samples, in addition having the units: the unit is moved along orthogonal coordinate axes X, Y, Z so that it covers the entire lateral surface area of the device to obtain access to the elements located in the upper compartment and the incubator in a high position at the level of the reagent and sample containers.

14. Device for the automatic analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 13 characterized by the fact that the unit moving along orthogonal coordinate axes X, Y, Z in the upper compartment has mobile and independently controllable pipetting probes for pipetting into two card wells, into reagent containers, into sample containers or into a device for performing dilutions or into double wells.

15. The apparatus for the automatic analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 14, characterized in that said unit moving along orthogonal coordinate axes X, Y, Z comprises a laser presence detector to detect the presence of containers of reagents and samples and to determine the diameter of sample tubes, and a bar code reader associated with a body that can move vertically with respect to said unit moving along orthogonal coordinate axes X, Y, Z, so that the reader can be positioned on both sides of each reagent or sample cartridge, thus allowing the bar code on the label of said reagents and of said samples to be read.

16. Device for the automated analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a module in the upper compartment, said module comprising all the electronic control elements, including the power supply and the control computer.

17. Device for the automatic analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 13 characterized in that the double container for performing the dilution of the sample comprises a fixed support carrying an upper body with double chambers for the dilution, each of said chambers having their own inlet and outlet openings for the liquid and said body being attached to the fixed support by means of elastic blocks and having underneath a rotatable eccentric mass capable of exerting an orbital stirring motion on the upper body supporting the dilution chamber.

18. Apparatus for the automatic analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 14, characterized in that the mobile unit carrying the pipetting probe is associated with a module for washing it, said module comprising tubular ducts surrounding the pipetting probe, each fed with washing and rinsing liquids independently from the lower chamber level, and having ducts located at a higher level than the inlet ducts for collecting the used washing liquids for the purpose of directing them to the discharge.

19. A device for the automatic analysis of samples on gel cards according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a unit for controlling the feeding and pressure of the liquids used in the device, which comprises a feeding duct to the point where it branches off to the various solenoid valves, in which a vane pump is located and is powered as a branching proportioning valve with respect to each pump by an electronic controller connected to a sensor for the pressure of the liquids at the feeding point to the solenoid valves, so that the feeding pressure to them can be controlled.